Evolution of an Amaryllis!

I took this picture soon after buying this wonderful amaryllis. It cost me $15! (Willard Bay Gardens!)

11/3:



By 11/11 it looked like this:



11/18:



11/24:



?:



12/10: First bloom!



12/24: Second bloom!



Then, the leaves really came out and I was expecting to not see another bloom until next winter.

I was wrong!

1/25/11: THIRD bloom!



It still looks like this and is actually sending out 5 blossoms! I have completely enjoyed this plant! I'm hoping that I can actually get this one to rebloom. I got a great tip to make that happen, so here's to hoping!

Dahlias

I have purchased two different types of dahlias this year. They are my first ones and I'm excited to see them pop out of the ground! I hope they all survive. I don't remember what they're called, but three are yellow dinner plate dahlias and three are smaller but equally gorgeous fuchsia dahlias.

Here are some links to some great dahlia information:

Dahlia Success

Digging, Dividing and Storing Dahlia Tubers

I want one of those!

Here's what I've been researching lately, since the weather is making it hard to get outside! The moisture is wonderful, but I want to go play in with my soil and plants.

I just learned about something great! I think I may become a Garden Coach! I pretty much do it for free (which I love) but why not get paid for it, too!!! Garden coaches go into people's yards and help them learn how to be better gardeners. They can teach you how to prune, divide perennials, plant, identify the plants you have and just about anything they know that you don't. It sounds like a lot of fun!

I really want to try to grow dinner plate dahlias this year! They are gorgeous! This tricolor one is my favorite!

We are going to start getting rid of some of our lawn! I have finally converted my husband and we'll start with the parking strip! This gardener did it and how great can this look?? I can't wait! I think we'll use creeping red thyme!

I also learned what fairy gardens were. I've heard of them, but never seen one! Here are some houses! Now I have and I am so excited to create one for my daughters....okay it's for me, too! My parents are going to help with some miniature stuff! There's even help from Disney!

I am so excited to have a yard!!!!!

Rose Links

I found a ton of information about roses and rose care. I thought that I'd just put all of it here on the blog!!

EveryRose.com Searchable site of rose varieties

Minnesota Master Gardener Rose Care

7 Steps Toward Success with Roses

Rose Pruning USU Extension Q & A

RoseCare.com Products for caring for your roses

Lithops

I love succulent plants and one of my favorite succulent plants is the lithops. They are a tiny plant with only two leaves. They look kind of like little brains and are really cute. I'll admit, they are pretty weird looking, but that is part of the fun!!

Introduction to lithops

Lithops cultivation

Buy lithops I want the baker's dozen!!

I had one for a while, and I killed it!! :(

Luffa

I have wanted to grow my own luffa sponges for a long time. I tried a couple of years ago and the plants didn't flower. I learned that I needed to have them be a certain lenght before they'd flower and fruit. I need a bigger yard!! ;)

So, here are some luffa sites that I have found and I hope to one day be a successful luffa grower!!

Luffa Seed

About Luffa

Uses, about, etc

How do make and grow luffa

FUN!

Potentilla--Fading

I have found some information to answer a question that was asked about a potentilla in which the flower color changed. I found a site with an article called All About Potentilla. In it, they say that the flower color often fades or "bleaches out" under heat and drought conditions. I wonder if that was the case with the flowers that were asked about last week.

Air-Filtering Plants

I found a couple of sites about some plants that can filter the air. This one is from Wikipedia, so I am not sure of its authenticity. The other is an article about these plants, but does not have a list. I hope this helps!!

Poisonous Plants

Here is a list of poisonous plants from Cornell University.