Along with outdoors gardening, I have also enjoyed house plants. I've grown cactus which are outside when it is warm enough in the Spring and they come in when the temperatures drop in Fall. I had a small collection of kalanchoe many of which would also go outside along with the cactus until they were all destroyed in a fire 2 years ago. I collected a few since then, but we have only been back in our house for just a little more than a year and it became obvious that many I'd previously purchased locally will need to be purchased on-line. I recently took an interest in African violets and some of their related family of plants. Along with a few other house plants, that pretty much makes up my collection along with a couple Phalaenopsis orchids. Sorry, I've been terrible about taking pictures and nothing is in bloom right now. I recently had great success with a small grow light and I'm looking forward to expanding to include more for more of my collection. It will take some work to clear a space and then purchase the lights I want.
I loved having house plants. Then I moved into a house with only north or south facing windows, and the south windows are coated to deflect the sun. Then I got young cats. I now have 7 houseplants. 3 Sanseveria, one Swedish Ivy, and two Spider plant. It is a challenge to keep the kitties out of the dirt, the ivy and spider are up where they can't reach them.
I recall our contractor mentioning something about our new windows. Everything had to be brought up to code after the fire and the window panes had something to reflect heat. It must also reflect certain rays of light and my plants were showing the effects with smaller than normal leaves and slow growth. The grow light convinced me of it since the plants under the light are doing so much better.
@dede18 Yes - unfortunately in order to get the benefit of the new energy efficient windows, we had to give up having luscious, thriving house plants. I still have them - they "survive" but they do not really grow much. The spath's are the exception - they do well in spite of the new windows. My poinsettas that I bought back in November for the Christmas holiday season are still alive and pretty....go figure!
Posted by FrostyJim...I have enough room for a few good people.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by FernappleIts that season again, blue sky and golden leaves, nature is the greatest designer, a Ginkgo in my garden. Also posted in photography.
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimMoose family munchin' on my Raspberries right now at about 8:30 on Tuesday night!
Posted by FrostyJim3 giants total over 3 lbs! Bush Early Girl hybrid grown in my Wasilla Alaska zone 4b greenhouse...
Posted by FrostyJim.