2nd Time Around

Well the Amaryllis has been slow to produce the 2nd set of

blooms, here are some new pictures.  

I do love these flowers, but I must admit I am 

not fond of the plant.  

I must come up with a way to plant them so they don't need to be supported...last week one of the blooming stalks fell over

and folded itself right in half...so that brought

that set of blooms to a quick halt.  

Anyway, here are my new blooms- and on this winter day 

it's enjoyable to see...

It got so tall I had to set it on the floor to take pictures...I keep it up so my cats don't disturb it...believe me they are right nearby watching me!  

You see Riley is sitting here...what you doing Mom?

I guarantee if I leave it at their level there

will be holes pierced in the leaves!

Round 2

Well, the amaryllis has started a 2nd round!  The last flower was done about 5 days ago, so I trimmed off the stalks to allow the energy to go to the new growth.

Overall I think they are a pretty good investment, I've had flowers now since the beginning of January and I'm getting ready for a second go around in February!

I also started a pot of bulbs that I am forcing indoors. 

I'm not sure I did it right, I learned after I potted them that there were things I didn't know.

I was told by a sales person at the garden center that they should have been put in a fake dormancy state for 12 weeks or they won't flower for me.  Then I read that after potting them to put them in a dark place like a closet for 8 weeks, keeping them moist and then bring them out. 

My logic was, that since I ordered them in December, and the bulb suppier had them on hand from the fall bulb sales season, that the bulbs were already dormant.

Well I had already potted them, so I covered them with a dark cloth (because I don't have room in a closet to set the pot).  I tried to create the darkness through that method.  The bulbs started growing and were pushing the fabric in the air, so I decided I'd take it off and let nature take it's course.

 I'm optimistic that they will flower.... keep your fingers crossed for me!

As good as it gets!

Well this was as good as it gets for this one!  I'm updating on the Amaryllis...it's been blooming like crazy, in fact I have been snipping off flowers that are dying off now.  Overall it's been a successful experience!  The 2nd and 3rd flower spikes finally caught up.

Bonding...

 Isn't nature fun... 

These Paperwhites just kept growing taller and this morning they had joined together as though they were bonding...

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Together they form a nice bouquet....

 Update on the Amaryllis...

It finally bloomed and the other two have caught up to each other, so I believe these two will be blooming together.....2 out of 3 isn't bad I guess..but darn it I wanted them all blooming at the same time! 
(No my curtains aren't crooked it's me I can't take straight pictures :) 

Amaryllis and Paperwhites update...

It's been 9 days since my last post, and I am pleased to see these flowers coming along so quickly....
At 31 days my paperwhites are flowering and the Amaryllis is just about there....


While I enjoyed watching them grow I'm not sure I will try this method again.  Can't say that I am fond of the total look achieved with these tall cylinder shaped glass vases...but for next to no effort I shouldn't complain too much. This method would be terrific in a limited space too, or at a desk in an office. Perhaps a wrap around the bottom with burlap or any other cloth would have been a nice addition. 

You can see how tall they get and that is the reason for trying the tall cylinder shaped vases- helps to keep them from falling over.  Although I think I would prefer a grouping in a shallow pot next time.

 The Amaryllis is a couple of days away from opening up...but I sure didn't get the vision I had!  I planted three bulbs, the same day and they all came up at a different pace... my vision was that all three would grow evenly, be the same height and bloom at the same time!  Hmm...what's up with this picture!  LOL.... Nature, can't control it!

  Dec. 1st

 Dec. 22nd

A visit to a nursery yielded me this pot of Cyclamen...couldn't resist!

The Quiet Garden

December 1st and we have our first snow!   The garden is quiet now, the outdoor sounds are hushed, the chill in the air has a way of rushing you back indoors, and now it's time for fussing around indoors!

I planted my amaryllis today, very late, but today was the first of December so I can keep track of how many days it takes until it blooms!  I'm anxious to see how quickly they will grow!  I planted all three in one pot...they are from the a collection supporting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation...these are called Blossom Peacock....

These should be real pretty in the unusual shaped green flower pot I planted them in...

This is my Amaryllis from Christmas 2009...it was quite a beauty...only problem is it grew 38" tall and was very difficult to keep upright!  It was stunning though...

Happy December to all!