My Houseplants and Me

I was reading my comments this morning and when I read a couple about my "houseplants" it gave me an idea for a post this morning. It was mentioned, from looking at my pictures of my work area, that my houseplants looked so healthy.These aren't my houseplants in that picture...they are "visitors"  during the cold weather.I occasionally bring in plants that I think might do well over the winter months, in the basement. Not only  has it saved me money the next spring, that I can spend on some other plants :) it gives me something to nurture during the long, cold, winter. It's sort of a challenge for me....can I keep it alive or not? I used to have many amaryllis plants down there, in various stages of growth, but two years ago... when I put them out in the garden... some chipmunks or squirrels chewed on some of them and I had to toss them.

The blue table is a hospital for houseplants of sorts. A plant might look a bit shabby or has brown tips on leaves or is getting spindly...it comes down to the blue table for a bit of R and R.Maybe I'll repot it, or spray it with soapy water, or just give it a good grooming and then leave it for a month just watering or fertilizing it. If it hasn't shaped up in that amount of time...I toss it. Call me ruthless....

I do have many houseplants upstairs. A plant stand in the dining room south window has some ivys, a Norfolk Island Pine,and a fig.Not sure what fig it is...I bought it at the grocery store ...marked down... and the salesperson didn't know what variety it is. They don't get a lot of sun due to the front porch just outside the window. I have shelving in the mudroom where I have 7 orchids, in the north window. I provide extra light with a grow light. These plants are teaching me patience. I have almost tossed them several times...my impatience almost getting the best of me. They are certainly a challenge, for me anyway.Then we move on to the living room where I have a Clivia that is growing so big. It's in the bright north window with only a lace valance.Another test of my patience. I was told, when I got it, that it might be years before it would bloom. It looks so healthy in it's new pot. It almost climbed out of it's old pot and I put it in a little bigger one. Now we go down the hall to the room where Joe and I have back to back computers. Last year I made the south window into a garden window. It has changed so many times with moving plants and trying them here. I have my Christmas cactus here (it has never looked so healthy) an aloe plant, something ferny that I don't know the name of and my new vine...a Red Passion Flower. I gave this plant some attention yesterday and made( her) a trellis out of a little wire fencing from outside. I freshened the potting soil and placed her right in front...where she would get sun.The sun was gone by that time so she wouldn't be shocked. I left the room and came back later. As I looked her way, I noticed that she had a very fine tendril growing toward the trellis and twisted around already. She never wilted...just stood up tall and started to grow. I left the room and told Joe that he should bring a machete when he was going to go to his computer. He said, "A machete?" I told him that I think I have Jack's beanstalk growing in there and this morning the whole plant has leaned over to the trellis and it is grabbing on in several places.

 I realize that having houseplants, for me anyway, is not just something to fill the hours. I've always had houseplants...even when I was busier than a one armed paper hanger.It all started when my husband's grandma was moving and she brought me her prized possesion. An ivy, growing it a fancy teapot. I wish I had taken better care of this plant...I had two babies to care for and the ivy took a back seat. I failed at my first attempt at growing a houseplant, but it  sparked a love for plants... that has never left me. They  interest me...I read up on them, try new things with them.. pots etc, find ways to decorate with them, enjoy their blooms, I just love having them around.I think they make a house a home. But with this new plant...it just turned and looked at me, I swear....we had better keep the machete handy.

Balisha :)  

Forgot my Lucky Bamboo on my computer desk.