Anticipation

So...remember when I told you that my freesia bulbs sprouted?

I thought it was a bad idea to plant all of the bulbs at once. I, in a 'continuous blooms all winter would be great!' way, thought it would be better to wait.

So I planted them all!

 It may be dreary after they all wilt and die,

 but it will be one spectacular scented show when they all bloom!

(now I just need to stake them before they all fall over)

A Freakish Little Bunch

They don't tell you to store bulbs in a cool dry place for nothing.

emphasis on cool:

which is nowhere 5 flights up from the pavement

 when heat is included 

& the sun shines strong all day.

This is Freesia

the greatest scent on earth.

Guess I'll be getting my fingernails dirty tomorrow :)

Day 15

First time this beast has bloomed in December, rather than May.

I did my homework and found that in order to bloom around Christmas they need to feel the coolness of autumn. So I stuck them on a windowsill that didn't get full sun all day, and sure enough, buds started to sprout!

I know, I know, it makes complete sense. Sometimes I lack that.

neglected

Not at all innocent, but Cute

Dirt & Mica

Texture

Love the color



Autumn garden rescue



From the same grocery store beast

So first of all, I'll apologize for the poor quality photos, let's call it a phone experiment. My apartment has wonderful lighting- when visiting in person- yet for photography after dark? Let's just call it a work in process.

 

As for the pictures, here's some Ivy that I plan on propagating. How? Easy!

 Cut a healthy stalk (around 3 inches in length works well)

Remove the leaves from the bottom making a sort of tail

Place the cutting in water (using any clear container works best)

Make sure no leaves are in the water

Leave in a bright spot out of direct sunlight

Make sure the water level stays the same

(If water starts to get green or cloudy, just change the water)

 

This methood is also called "rooting". In about a week, you will notice the ivy start to sprout roots. Wait until the roots are about half the size of the cutting, then plant in soil! A quick and cheap way to fill your house with plants. Or, share with friends and family.

 

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The Smell of Summer

As hard I try, I can't believe it's really Memorial Day weekend. Weeks pass by, yet they feel like days. I'm still stuck in mid April!

Yet, the two Christmas cactus, who wanted nothing to do with us in winter, when we needed them most, have started to bloom. Profusely!

Well, who am I to argue with nature?

I bought these peonies, unopened, yesterday while at the market. We sidetracked to a park bench to watch the world go by, which they didn't like too much. By the time we meandered home and put them in water, they opened to have a dash of fuchia in the center. Joyous surprise!

The blue glass is something I got at the Antique shop years ago. There were four of these blue and two more in green glass, and even though they were way out of my college student budget I didn't hesitate to scoop them up...who needs car insurance anyways? They were, at one point part of a window; the edges still have a chalky hardened adhesive on them.
You can see the two a bit better here

xo

Pruning

My favorite thing about having plants, is to prune them. Seriously. It's so relaxing.

Also, a few fun advantages (I'll elaborate later on):

• They look nice and some smell pretty
• Some Prevent mold or remove toxins from air
• So Many Craft Projects!
• Increase humidity & air quality
• Talent-free Shadow Puppets
• Stress Reducing! 
• And, as Jersey demonstrates, excellent for games of hide and seek!

Until next time,

Go bury an acorn!