Sunday, November 20, 2011

Indoor Gardening

I have just about put the garden to bed, bulbs planted, some perennials moved, north side grasses cut down and yard ornaments put away for the winter.

It is not over, indoor gardening is just beginning!

I love this glass and wire container from West Elm.  I put pond rocks in the bottom for the Paperwhites.  This tall container should hold those floppy leaves.

I have packed five Ziva Paperwhites inside this container and will not add water until about three weeks before Christmas.  They bloom quickly in the heat of the house and can be held over in an above freezing garage (to delay blooming) or cool sunroom.

I have planted Red Lion Amaryllis in soil eight weeks before Christmas.  This variety takes longer to bloom than Christmas Amaryllis and will probably need some decorative staking and a little moss to cover the soil.  The Dracena in the middle I brought in from the patio, such nice pink colors in the leaves, just couldn't leave it outside to die.



Red Lion Amaryllis
I hope mine will look this good, bought them at Home Depot in mesh bags, not a kit, and they looked like very healthy bulbs.

These are Christmas Amaryllis "Candy Floss," which bloom in about four weeks.  I have started them in decorative glass marbles with about two cups of water added.  One is so much bigger already that I wonder if the other one is still viable.

Candy Floss Amaryllis

The Christmas Cactus is blooming in the upstairs bathroom, more than one type of Christmas Cactus and some bloom at different times of the year.

I think the orchids may rebloom, both are sending up new stalks - one can only hope!

I bought some hyacinths this year that have been treated for forcing so I am going to try to carry this indoor gardening thing right into spring.

18 comments:

Karen said...

Such a great idea (and lovely containers) for the holidays. The flowers will add so much to the season, making winter seem less cold somehow. I can't wait to see your blooms!

Jenny said...

Beautiful ideas I'm stealing from you. I need all the help I can get right now. Your new header is holiday fresh. xo Jenny

Diana LaMarre said...

Love the glass container for the Paperwhites. What a great idea to hold up those floppy leaves. That might also work to hold amarylis without the unsightly staking.

Now I wish I had bought paperwhites. I did not see any this year, but then I rarely go to the stores. Maybe I will hit a few this week to see if they have any left.

At least I will have yours to enjoy.

Darla said...

I wish I could grow indoor plants that look as lush as yours. I have also never tried to force bulbs. Actually, my paperwhites are beginning to bloom outside in the garden and I'm a little perplexed about that.

Larry said...

Gardeners can truly find joy at any season! Larry

Lona said...

Your amaryllis are going to be so lovely in those containers. I love the Paperwhite container. I love seeing them in bloom but the fragrance of make me sick so I will look at other gardeners blooms.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

I say each year I am not going to bother starting bulbs indoors and then I end up having to plant something for indoors.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Jenny,

The header is the Paperwhites I grew last year, Ziva.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Zoey,

They would work for Amaryllis also, but I could only afford one, next year I will add another one.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Darla,

I saw Paperwhites this year being sold in the bins with the outdoor bulbs. They will not survive the winter outside in our area, so I wonder if this was a mistake.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Yes, Larry we garden whenever and wherever we can.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

The Paperwhites do have a strong odor and I can understand how some people my react to it.

Eileen

GRACE PETERSON said...

I love that gorgeous vase for your bulbs. It's going to be so wonderful when they bloom. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Eileen.

mrbrownthumb said...

Lovely collection of blooms as always! Hope you have a Happy Thanksgivinng.

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Eileen, Last year, as I am sure you may recall, I couldn't find any paperwhites in the stores, so this year I bought bulbs. Your post has reminded me that I still haven't potted them up. I must get to it today. I really like the red urns that you have your amaryllis potted up in. I look forward to seeing the flowers. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Betty819 said...

I just bought in my Red Lion Amarylis that I had from last year. It stayed outside all summer and I'm wondering if you think it will rebloom. I've got it sitting in front of living room window on a table, where it will get the afternoon sun though the sheers on the window.

Never saved one over from the previous year..will see if it will work but will go and get some fresh bulbs. They make the house smell so good when they bloom. Do you ever do hyacinths the same way?

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Balisha said...

Hi Eileen,
I'm a newbie with orchids. I have some new stalk like things on a couple of mine...they look like yours. I just thought that they were more roots. Tell me how I can tell the difference please.I haven't repotted mine yet...they are in small pots that they came in. I didn't repot them after hearing that you don't have to repot right away...they love being cramped. I really think that mine need to be repotted.
Balisha

Jean Campbell said...

I think many gardeners fail to recognize that all-year gardening includes forced bulbs. I put paperwhites in tall glass vases from last year's Amaryllis kits and put amaryllis in pots of soil because I thought the water/stones route served them poorly last year. Chilled Hyacinth bulbs will come out of the fridge in two weeks. Potted tulips will emerge the same time. Some of these may not bloom for Christmas but will bring great January cheer. It isn't too late for your readers to pick up Amaryllis bulbs -- even if they don't bloom for Christmas.