What''s your favorite flower?

[Tuckins1]

I love this! Keep ''em coming!

 

[beaujolais]

callas, almost any flower in the color white, lady''s slipper orchids, tulips (but not red & yellow ones planted together, too "hot" of a color scheme), pale daffodils, lilacs, hyacinths, spider mums,

can I include fall trees (the beautiful colors) and lilly pads . . .

 

[Gailey]

Date: 1/25/2010 1:21:21 PM
Author: megeve

Date: 1/25/2010 12:13:54 PM
Author: Tuckins1
Wow ladies! These flowers are all so beautiful!! I love to look at tem, they make me feel happy inside!

Megeve... Can you help me with an orchid question? I have a phaleonopsis orchid that has been blooming for about 1 month-6 weeks. As hard as I try. I can never keep one alive much longer than that! I water it only once a week, and sparingly. I try to give it a lot of indirect sunlight... Some of the bottom leaves are getting yellow/brown, and the buds are starting to droop. How do I keep it alive? What do I do once the blooms die?

Normally with orchids, it boils down to too much or too little water. The blooms of my new plants usually last 4-6 months depending on the quality of the plants, once I had it even for 7 months. I started buying orchids 5 years ago and after 2 years of trials and errors, I found out the best way of watering these plants. I use a big pail with water up to the brim, then I dip the orchid pot into the water till the air bubbles are gone and then drain the plant on some newspaper for 30 mins or more, then put it back to the flower pot. This is to make sure the roots are dry and NOT standing in any pool of water in the flower pot! Any slightest water in the flower pot will kill the bloom! With this watering method, the plant will hold for a week or even 2 if I am away for a longer trip!

Once the blooms die, I do not cut them back straight away, I only cut the tip/s when it start to turn brown. But I make sure, the plants get enough indirect sunlight and once in a while I leave them without water for 2 weeks, it will induce the blooms process!

Tuckins, I hope these informations help! If you have anymore questions, just fire away! Have fun with your orchids!

Tuckins, where do you live?

Judging by Megeve''s photos she is quite close to a large body of water, so I wonder if she has a good humidity level. I believe orchids like an atmosphere on the humid side. Here is an Orchid watering link that you might find helpful.

Megeve, do you know what the pH is of your water?

I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy, I must not ............

 

[vc10um]

Calla Lilies, Gerbera Daisies, and Dhalias.

 

[4ever]

I love freesias for the smell. mmmm

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 1/25/2010 8:12:30 PM
Author: Gailey
Tuckins, where do you live?

I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy, I must not ............

I am adopting that mantra! Orchids are lovely, but, with my brown thumb, getting one would be plant murder.

 

[ANGEL WANTS A HALO]

My by far favorite flowers are the cherry blossom and hyacinths. I love cherry blossoms so much, I had to get a tattoo of them as sleeves. Yes, I''m quwayyyzee!

 

[gardengloves]

These are giant purple allium. They should be the first ones up in April- May. They are an onion bulb, so deer and bunnies leave them alone. This year I got some blues one to mix with the purple.

 

[gardengloves]

pink plate size dahlia.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Here''s a picture of Belles of Ireland. Though, I think they look better mixed with other flowers.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

I also adore wisteria!

 

[megeve]

Date: 1/25/2010 8:12:30 PM
Author: Gailey
Tuckins, where do you live?

Judging by Megeve''s photos she is quite close to a large body of water, so I wonder if she has a good humidity level. I believe orchids like an atmosphere on the humid side. Here is an Orchid watering link that you might find helpful.

Megeve, do you know what the pH is of your water?

I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy, I must not ............

No, I have never got that checked, I know its not hard, anyway, I don''t know how. (duck). But maybe you are right, this large body of water is humidifying the rooms. However, I have the heater up at the highest! When the plants are hibernating, I leave them out to this light filled west window (as in pic) until they are budding and about to open, then I bring them further into the living room, so that means, they don''t get bright indirect sunlight anymore.

 

[Tuckins1]

Date: 1/25/2010 8:12:30 PM
Author: Gailey

Date: 1/25/2010 1:21:21 PM
Author: megeve

Date: 1/25/2010 12:13:54 PM
Author: Tuckins1
Wow ladies! These flowers are all so beautiful!! I love to look at tem, they make me feel happy inside!

Megeve... Can you help me with an orchid question? I have a phaleonopsis orchid that has been blooming for about 1 month-6 weeks. As hard as I try. I can never keep one alive much longer than that! I water it only once a week, and sparingly. I try to give it a lot of indirect sunlight... Some of the bottom leaves are getting yellow/brown, and the buds are starting to droop. How do I keep it alive? What do I do once the blooms die?

Normally with orchids, it boils down to too much or too little water. The blooms of my new plants usually last 4-6 months depending on the quality of the plants, once I had it even for 7 months. I started buying orchids 5 years ago and after 2 years of trials and errors, I found out the best way of watering these plants. I use a big pail with water up to the brim, then I dip the orchid pot into the water till the air bubbles are gone and then drain the plant on some newspaper for 30 mins or more, then put it back to the flower pot. This is to make sure the roots are dry and NOT standing in any pool of water in the flower pot! Any slightest water in the flower pot will kill the bloom! With this watering method, the plant will hold for a week or even 2 if I am away for a longer trip!

Once the blooms die, I do not cut them back straight away, I only cut the tip/s when it start to turn brown. But I make sure, the plants get enough indirect sunlight and once in a while I leave them without water for 2 weeks, it will induce the blooms process!

Tuckins, I hope these informations help! If you have anymore questions, just fire away! Have fun with your orchids!

Tuckins, where do you live?

Judging by Megeve''s photos she is quite close to a large body of water, so I wonder if she has a good humidity level. I believe orchids like an atmosphere on the humid side. Here is an Orchid watering link that you might find helpful.

Megeve, do you know what the pH is of your water?

I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy, I must not ............

i live in SE Michigan... It has been pretty overcast here for about a month, so I think even when I put them in the window, they aren''t getting very good light. They seem to do better in the spring-fall... My house is VERY dry. Do you think that could have something to do with it?

 

[gardengloves]

Megeve your orchids are incredible.

This little baby is worth a picture. Around 4 years ago a neighbor gave me this orchid when they moved. Let me say, I know nothing about orchids.

DH cut off the stem after it bloomed. So there it sat for the past four years growing leaves, glossy and healthy looking, but thats all it did. Every few months DH says there is nothing happening, let''s get rid of it, but I held on and held on.

Just in the last two weeks this little stem comes up and oh my goodness, we have tiny little buds. Its not very lush, but I am so happy to see this new growth. Four years of hanging in there....

 

[Gailey]

Date: 1/26/2010 9:52:32 AM
Author: gardengloves
These are giant purple allium. They should be the first ones up in April- May. They are an onion bulb, so deer and bunnies leave them alone. This year I got some blues one to mix with the purple.

GG, I got some Allium caerulea as well, but was disappointed with how small they were. I suppose if you plant enough of them ....

Are these the ones you planted?

 

[Gailey]

Date: 1/26/2010 12:14:53 PM
Author: Tuckins1

i live in SE Michigan... It has been pretty overcast here for about a month, so I think even when I put them in the window, they aren''t getting very good light. They seem to do better in the spring-fall... My house is VERY dry. Do you think that could have something to do with it?

Yes I do, but I also think that you may have over watered them to compensate. Try and find some clay granules to stand them on. These will soak up water and will gradually evaporate around them. I liked Megeve''s way of watering too.

Phone your water company and see what the pH of your water is. If it is high then try watering the orchids with a solution of weak tea.

 

[Gailey]

Date: 1/26/2010 12:46:35 PM
Author: gardengloves
Megeve your orchids are incredible.

This little baby is worth a picture. Around 4 years ago a neighbor gave me this orchid when they moved. Let me say, I know nothing about orchids.

DH cut off the stem after it bloomed. So there it sat for the past four years growing leaves, glossy and healthy looking, but thats all it did. Every few months DH says there is nothing happening, let''s get rid of it, but I held on and held on.

Just in the last two weeks this little stem comes up and oh my goodness, we have tiny little buds. Its not very lush, but I am so happy to see this new growth. Four years of hanging in there....

Never let a man near a plant with a pair of scissors or secateurs!

 

[katamari]

How much do I love ranunculus? This much:

 

[megeve]

Date: 1/26/2010 12:46:35 PM
Author: gardengloves
Megeve your orchids are incredible.

This little baby is worth a picture. Around 4 years ago a neighbor gave me this orchid when they moved. Let me say, I know nothing about orchids.

DH cut off the stem after it bloomed. So there it sat for the past four years growing leaves, glossy and healthy looking, but thats all it did. Every few months DH says there is nothing happening, let''s get rid of it, but I held on and held on.

Just in the last two weeks this little stem comes up and oh my goodness, we have tiny little buds. Its not very lush, but I am so happy to see this new growth. Four years of hanging in there....

Thanks gardengloves! It does warm your heart isn''t it to see live coming out of a plant!

Thats what I mean not to cut down the stem after it bloomed, its going to cause you a looooong wait and 4 years is a long time. As I do not cut down the stem, they start budding again after a period of a few weeks to 3 months. I do have a continious blooming period with my orchids. This plants posted yesterday was till closed and I thought they will start to open in a weeks time, but the first bud opened this morning!!!

 

[Gailey]

Date: 1/26/2010 2:45:09 PM
Author: megeve

Date: 1/26/2010 12:46:35 PM
Author: gardengloves
Megeve your orchids are incredible.

This little baby is worth a picture. Around 4 years ago a neighbor gave me this orchid when they moved. Let me say, I know nothing about orchids.

DH cut off the stem after it bloomed. So there it sat for the past four years growing leaves, glossy and healthy looking, but thats all it did. Every few months DH says there is nothing happening, let's get rid of it, but I held on and held on.

Just in the last two weeks this little stem comes up and oh my goodness, we have tiny little buds. Its not very lush, but I am so happy to see this new growth. Four years of hanging in there....

Thanks gardengloves! It does warm your heart isn't it to see live coming out of a plant!

Thats what I mean not to cut down the stem after it bloomed, its going to cause you a looooong wait and 4 years is a long time. As I do not cut down the stem, they start budding again after a period of a few weeks to 3 months. I do have a continious blooming period with my orchids. This plants posted yesterday was till closed and I thought they will start to open in a weeks time, but the first bud opened this morning!!!

Be strong Gailey. Repeat:

"I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not .........."

 

[gardengloves]

Date: 1/26/2010 1:48:03 PM
Author: Gailey

Date: 1/26/2010 9:52:32 AM

Author: gardengloves

These are giant purple allium. They should be the first ones up in April- May. They are an onion bulb, so deer and bunnies leave them alone. This year I got some blues one to mix with the purple.

GG, I got some Allium caerulea as well, but was disappointed with how small they were. I suppose if you plant enough of them ....


Are these the ones you planted?

Hi Gailey,

There are a few varieties, some smaller and some the three footers, the ones in my pics are Giant Alliums from Spring Hill Nurseries. Another large one is the Gladiator Alliums. I scatter the bulbs around, they look good when they fade too and retain the shape. I thought mine would be bigger too, so this year ordered the Gladiators which should be 5-6" in diameter from Brecks. We shall see. These are so easy to plant, but I do it in the fall for spring.

Your not going to believe this, just checked outside since its warmer today- the deer bit the new buds off the rododendrum for the second year in a row- so no spring bloom AGAIN! I am constantly seeking deer proof bulbs and plants.

 

[gardengloves]

Date: 1/26/2010 1:52:49 PM
Author: Gailey

Date: 1/26/2010 12:46:35 PM

Author: gardengloves

Megeve your orchids are incredible.


This little baby is worth a picture. Around 4 years ago a neighbor gave me this orchid when they moved. Let me say, I know nothing about orchids.


DH cut off the stem after it bloomed. So there it sat for the past four years growing leaves, glossy and healthy looking, but thats all it did. Every few months DH says there is nothing happening, let''s get rid of it, but I held on and held on.


Just in the last two weeks this little stem comes up and oh my goodness, we have tiny little buds. Its not very lush, but I am so happy to see this new growth. Four years of hanging in there....

Never let a man near a plant with a pair of scissors or secateurs!

LOL, it''s like something out of "The Shining" once he picks up a shears, no shrub or houseplant is safe.

 

[gardengloves]

Thinking ahead to spring and all the goodies to come .. a big plate size dahlia.

 

[megeve]

Date: 1/26/2010 3:24:18 PM
Author: Gailey


Be strong Gailey. Repeat:

''I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not ..........''

LOL! You crack me up, Gailey! Just imagine you have these blooms to brighten up your winter when your outdoor plants are hibernating!!!

 

[Gailey]

Date: 1/26/2010 4:40:45 PM
Author: megeve

Date: 1/26/2010 3:24:18 PM
Author: Gailey


Be strong Gailey. Repeat:

''I must not buy an orchid, I must not buy an orchid, I must not ..........''

LOL! You crack me up, Gailey! Just imagine you have these blooms to brighten up your winter when your outdoor plants are hibernating!!!

Well therein lies the rub Megeve. I eat, sleep and breathe plants from April till the end of October that I am sick to death of them and need a break in the winter.

Trouble is, I know that if I get one orchid, I will quickly start pandemic and the house would be full of them. I can never buy just one of anything!

 

[Gailey]

Date: 1/26/2010 3:39:36 PM
Author: gardengloves

Date: 1/26/2010 1:48:03 PM
Author: Gailey

Date: 1/26/2010 9:52:32 AM

Author: gardengloves

These are giant purple allium. They should be the first ones up in April- May. They are an onion bulb, so deer and bunnies leave them alone. This year I got some blues one to mix with the purple.

GG, I got some Allium caerulea as well, but was disappointed with how small they were. I suppose if you plant enough of them ....


Are these the ones you planted?

Hi Gailey,

There are a few varieties, some smaller and some the three footers, the ones in my pics are Giant Alliums from Spring Hill Nurseries. Another large one is the Gladiator Alliums. I scatter the bulbs around, they look good when they fade too and retain the shape. I thought mine would be bigger too, so this year ordered the Gladiators which should be 5-6'' in diameter from Brecks. We shall see. These are so easy to plant, but I do it in the fall for spring.

Your not going to believe this, just checked outside since its warmer today- the deer bit the new buds off the rododendrum for the second year in a row- so no spring bloom AGAIN! I am constantly seeking deer proof bulbs and plants.

Can you clarify GG. Have you got blue alliums to rival the size of the purple ones in the picture? If so, what is the variety?

As for your deer problem (of which unfortunately, I know a good deal about), have you tried Plantskydd products? If not, I would give it a go. But beware, it''s pretty people repellant too. Wear rubber gloves, and keep the stuff at arms length all the time. It is foul smelling, but only when wet. Works a treat.

 

[gardengloves]

Date: 1/26/2010 6:09:25 PM
Author: Gailey

Date: 1/26/2010 3:39:36 PM

Author: gardengloves

Date: 1/26/2010 1:48:03 PM

Author: Gailey

Date: 1/26/2010 9:52:32 AM


Author: gardengloves


These are giant purple allium. They should be the first ones up in April- May. They are an onion bulb, so deer and bunnies leave them alone. This year I got some blues one to mix with the purple.

GG, I got some Allium caerulea as well, but was disappointed with how small they were. I suppose if you plant enough of them ....



Are these the ones you planted?

Hi Gailey,


There are a few varieties, some smaller and some the three footers, the ones in my pics are Giant Alliums from Spring Hill Nurseries. Another large one is the Gladiator Alliums. I scatter the bulbs around, they look good when they fade too and retain the shape. I thought mine would be bigger too, so this year ordered the Gladiators which should be 5-6'' in diameter from Brecks. We shall see. These are so easy to plant, but I do it in the fall for spring.


Your not going to believe this, just checked outside since its warmer today- the deer bit the new buds off the rododendrum for the second year in a row- so no spring bloom AGAIN! I am constantly seeking deer proof bulbs and plants.

Can you clarify GG. Have you got blue alliums to rival the size of the purple ones in the picture? If so, what is the variety?


As for your deer problem (of which unfortunately, I know a good deal about), have you tried Plantskydd products? If not, I would give it a go. But beware, it''s pretty people repellant too. Wear rubber gloves, and keep the stuff at arms length all the time. It is foul smelling, but only when wet. Works a treat.

The blue allium I am looking into are allium caeruleaum, which I believe you have, height 18-22" and Allium Azure also 18-22". another larger one I found is Allium aflatunense, purple sensation , height 34-36", and a big purple Beau Regard looks promising - height 36- 50".


I''ll look for the deer remedy, but the buds are gone, too bad they''ve been setting up since last summer so I LOST another season. I swear, I live on a deer reserve. These guys are cute, especially the bambinos - but they go through here like a ravaging army!

 

[gardengloves]

Gailey,

I leave the allium up long after bloom fades. They make a nice ghost shape that adds texture until other bulbs come up. Here they are by June. Next year I am paring down to boxwood, which the deer really don''t like..

 

[Tuckins1]

Ok, I heard that you can water an orchid by placing 3-4 ice cubes in the pot once a week... Does this sound like an adequate amount of water? This plant has done a lot better than my last, which I DID overwater.

 

[Gailey]

Thanks GG,

Caeruleaum 18-22"? I don''t think so! Not in my garden anyhow. When yours are up, can you take a photo of them and report back?

I like to plant alliums under Daylillies, that way, when the foliage of the alliums dies back (right before they flower) the dying leaves are hidden amongst the daylilies.

Where''s Mochi, our Daylily queen?