LIghts, Camera, not much Action

Temperatures today returned to warm for January. It rained more than a half inch. I spent some time in the greenhouse checking plants for problems. My parlor palm had ugly brown spots on some leaves and stems. I pruned out the uglies and repotted the rootbound palm to see if it makes a new start. Otherwise to the dump.

I love the Mardi Gras look of the Christmas lights, so they are staying for now.

Most of the Christmas Cactuses have finished blooming. I pinched off dead blossoms.

Next to bloom will be Kalanchoes on the back of the potting bench.

Broad view from the door. Epiphyllums take up much of the whole north side.

Hyacinths for forcing are starting to show a few buds. 

They're planted with Graptopetalum and Sedum Acre.

Under the bench are white begonias, big begonia near right.

I rotated pots where hyacinths were stretching toward the light.

The repotted palm is on the left behind the Epi with some Bromeliads.

The little red blooms in the white pot are a begonia.

I set some seedlings out in the rain for a short time, and two ferns. 

There are a number of things I look forward to including an Amaryllis with a fat bud and more coming.

Heaters are unplugged for now. By midweek we'll expect another freeze but maybe a mild one.

There are two daffodils blooming outside!

Blooms and Potential in the Greenhouse

Another peek into my greenhouse. Begonias are dependable for winter bloom, both B. semperflorens and the 'Angel Wing' cane kinds.

Above on the right is a seedling Cycad.just just visible behind the mug of Alternanthera cuttings in bloom.

At left is the only Agapanthus seedling to survive my care.

At right are white begonias with Spider Plants and Foxtail Fern. Purple Alternanthera is growing in the greenhouse floor.

Alyssum seedlings and ferns. The sword fern has yellow leaves from excessive light but the pot is full of little green crosiers, a haircut is in its future. The Bird's Nest Fern behind is faring okay. It got too big for its space in the house and moved out to the greenhouse where it acts happier.

 

Hyacinths. the purple bulbs bloom pink, the pale bulbs bloom white.

Alternanthera in a mug on the left and a pot of Burro Tail sedum, right.

Hyacinth companions this year are Sedum acre with white and Graptopetalum with pink.

I'm already planning next year's bulbs.

Pineapple Sage Salvia elegans cuttings rooted in a jar.

Behind it is a vase of Persian Shield Strobilanthes cuttings. 

Persian Shield and Purple Heart Setcreasea cuttings rooted in soil in a long container.

Rooting in soil is preferable for most things, I just tend to snip a few cuttings for a vase now and then.

If they root, they get to stay and find a pot later.

Mistletoe Cactus Rhipsalis on the top shelf, Seedling Parsley on the bottom.

Kalanchoes have buds and some are starting to open. All are white.

Last year I started to buy a red. Every little tip will root when pinched.

 Christmas lights are still up in front of the rooster.

Big pots of Epiphyllum oxypetalum are putting on new growth.

 Schlumbergeras almost done with hlooming, right on schedule. 

Reds bloomed for Thanksgiving and light colors bloomed for Christmas.

Year before last I bought this Staghorn fern Platycerium species in winter in a 2" pot. 

The big box stores sometimes have some tropical treasures in January and February. 

I'd like more Bromeliads, as if I need them. Orchids in the sunporch have bloom spikes.

It's cold here, but not like in the northern states or even in Atlanta. We expect a hard freeze on Monday and Tuesday after it rains again. It won't get cold enough for the rain to turn to snow or sleet, for which I am grateful to be that far south. When I opened the greenhouse door this morning after the sun warmed it, Ike the cat came through the narrow opening like a flash, seeking warmth.