Potting Shed Review: Move Over Christmas Cactus!

Move over Christmas Cactus, we’re moving back in says the geraniums, a few herbs and some roses! Space in the Potting Shed is limited and  there’s a bit of overcrowding happening!

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Just when the Christmas Cactus is getting ready to bloom and show its stuff, here comes the 24 degree nights and all the “others” seeking shelter from the cold come running in.

It is a bit of a family reunion as some of these geraniums have been around for many, many years. They get huge every summer and grace the deck and potting shed porch with their lovely blooms. In late fall they get a “hair cut” to  help them fit their winter space. The best thing about it, they recover quickly and go back to blooming and bloom most of the winter!

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The bay tree just about stayed out toooooo long as some of the leaves are nipped. He’ll need a bit of Annie’s Moo Poo tea to “recover.” I’m brewing up a fresh batch to soak the amaryllis bulbs in and get them planted this week! Some years I plant one or two amaryllis bulbs and sometimes I plant a dozen!  For tips on growing amaryllis, read on here.  They are super fun!

Today’s Brew Station…

More Winter Neighbors…

There’s a collection of roses … starts of the Peggy Martin rose from this summer’s Rosefest. A healthy start of David Zlesak’s Above and Beyond, a beloved start of Barbara’s Pasture Rose (more about that coming soon) and even a tiny Beverly HT that was left behind in a corner over the summer. And, there are jars of cuttings of various annuals I don’t want to lose completely!

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Overcrowding?

Maybe, in the potting shed there is a bit of overcrowding … books, plants and tools are packed in, but I prefer to think of it as “cozy.”

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Before we know it, it will be time to…

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All’s good.

Bloom Thyme: Growing Amaryllis

I love Amaryllis and love to give Amaryllis bulbs as gifts. A couple of years ago, Mr. G and I gave away 30 or so. Many of the recipients had never grown an Amaryllis or even knew what one was! It was a lot of fun hearing their stories. Even those with brown thumbs had success! If you’ve never grown an Amaryllis, it really is very easy and very rewarding!

I found these Red Lion Amaryllis at Lowe’s. Such cute packaging! Excellent for gift giving!

 

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GETTING STARTED
You will need: Healthy Bulb (It has been my experience that bigger is better.), Light Potting Soil, Pot 2 – 4″ inches wider than bulb. Or, buy a “kit” that comes with everything you need, making it super easy to get started!

The first thing I do with all indoor bulbs is soak them in Annie’s Moo Poo tea. If you have followed The Garden Diary for a while you know that all plants get their start with me this way. For more on moo poo tea, CLICK HERE. She’s also on Facebook, follow along here.

NOTES:

  • The top of the bulb should show (about a third of it’s height).
  • Soil line should be 1” below rim of the pot to make watering easier.
  • Place in sunny, warm room (65 – 75 degrees)
  • When new growth shows, begin watering whenever the soil is dry.
    • When you water, be careful not to get the part of the bulb that sticks above the soil wet.
  • Turn the pot often toward light to promote balanced growth.
  • When buds are about to open, move to a cooler, darker room to prolong the bloom time.
  • Amaryllis take 6 – 8 weeks to bloom.
  • Tall amaryllis may need staking; we use dowel rods for support.

REBLOOMING

You can keep your amaryllis indefinitely. Here is an article on the “rest and restoration” of your bulb.

ADDING SUPPORT

Most grow very tall and need some support.

Here are the trellises I made last year with sticks and twine to add some decor and support. Confession: I am somewhat of a twine junky.

http://thegardendiary.com/2012/01/01/confessions-of-a-twine-junkie/.

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WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What do you grow in the winter? Maybe you are great at house plants. Me, not so much. For house plants, I go for the bullet proof varieties! Amaryllis are perfect for me. Easy. Rewarding.

Would love to hear about your inside gardening experiences.

Bloom Thyme Friday: Winter Blooms

As you know I am not a big fan of winter, but January 1 is one of my favorite days. Nothing says FRESH START / CLEAN SLATE / DO OVER / ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE like a new year!

Reminds me of a favorite scripture…

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! -Isaiah 43:18


WINTER SURVIVAL: THE POTTING SHED

I have been on vacation all week, so that means a ton of Potting Shed thyme for me. Just playing and playing. I’ve potted amaryllis and daffodils and they are already showing signs of life! Wanna see? Come on in…

Potting Shed Porch...

Pink, White, Red and Red & White ...
Pink, White, Red and Red & White …

I think I have every color of amaryllis planted. They’ll be stunning in a few weeks!! An easy/breezy way to add color to your winter. Such a great return on very little investment in money or time. I have a friend who has a contest with her sister and mother each year to see whose amaryllis blooms first–all are planted on the same day … of course. 🙂 Isn’t that a great idea! For more on growing amaryllis, read on here.

Daffodils are planted outside and inside each year in memory of a special family member who loved them too—Mr. G’s brother, our Uncle Tony. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful gardener.

Tony is 2nd from the left.
Tony is 2nd from the left.
Daffodils getting heading UP...
Daffodils heading UP…

SPRING…

For those in my hemisphere …

Just 77!
Just 77!

Sorry Elspeth. I’m really not trying to rush your rose season. 🙂 I love seeing your roses! You can enjoy Elspeth’s beautiful Australian garden here.

Happy Bloom Thyme Friday!

Bloom Thyme Friday: Getting Ready

Today I spent some quality time in the garden getting the roses ready for winter and planting more daffodils. I also had time in the Potting Shed to get my amaryllis’ potted up and ready to make a big splash over the holidays.

Can you believe the size of these bulbs I found at Country Harmony Garden Center?

Picotee and Red Pearl Amaryllis
The process…

Picotee and Red Pearl are new this year and the others have been around awhile, but all are ready to show their stuff…  For more information on amaryllis, click here

Last year this bulb produced 8 blooms at one time … personal record!
Ready to grow!

Bloom Thyme: Growing Amaryllis

I love Amaryllis and love to give Amaryllis bulbs as gifts. Last year Mr. G and I gave away 30 or so. Many of the recipients had never grown an Amaryllis or even knew what one was! It was a lot of fun hearing their stories. Even those with brown thumbs had success! If you’ve never grown an Amaryllis, it really is very easy and very rewarding! I had one Smith & Hawkins bulb that produced 8 big, beautiful blooms AT ONE TIME. (See picture below.)

GETTING STARTED
You will need: Healthy Bulb (It has been my experience that bigger is better.), Light Potting Soil, Pot 2 – 4″ inches wider than bulb. Or, buy a “kit” that comes with everything you need, making it super easy to get started! For an excellent “how to” video from Bulb.com … click here.

NOTES:

  • The top of the bulb should show (about a third of it’s height).
  • Soil line should be 1” below rim of the pot to make watering easier.
  • Place in sunny, warm room (65 – 75 degrees)
  • When new growth shows, begin watering whenever the soil is dry.
    • When you water, be careful not to get the part of the bulb that sticks above the soil wet.
  • Turn the pot often toward light to promote balanced growth.
  • When buds are about to open, move to a cooler, darker room to prolong the bloom time.
  • Amaryllis take 6 – 8 weeks to bloom.
  • Tall amaryllis may need staking; we use dowel rods for support.

REBLOOMING

You can keep your amaryllis indefinitely. Here is an article on the “rest and restoration” of your bulb.

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This bulb produced 8 large blooms at one time.