Gettin' Some Air

I was email chatting with my friend in Texas about starting up a terrarium, and she was kind enough to send me some air plants, a.k.a. Tillandsia. She sent me several varieties, including Ionantha 'Peanut' (the tiny one), Ionantha "Mexican' (not visible here), and Ionantha 'Mexican'-the clumping one in the foreground (the names may be mixed up, I'm new to the air plant game).

 

 

This beauty that just bloomed is Ionantha 'Druid', I sure hope I can keep it happy enough to bloom again! I stuck her in this pot with my carnivorous plant that died back, if it returns later I can set the air plant elsewhere. They absorb water through their leaves and not a root system, so containers for air plants can be just about anything.

Like this orchid planter that didn't work out so well...poor thing.

There! Much better (and greener.)
 

Now I can explore the world of terrarium gardening, and the "air" around here is improving already!

Random Houseplant Stuff

At my workplace there were these cute mini poinsettias over the holidays, I forgot to mention them before. I really like the size, it makes the end-of-season "keep or discard" decision a real non-issue (space-wise, anyhow.)

On an impulse buy I snagged this item. Pretty silly, considering the fact that I already have "pet grass" seeds, pots, and soil. Something about a pouch project sucked me in.

 

Well the startup sure is easy enough.

 

Meanwhile, I acquired a new plant the other day from a friend. I'm not sure what it is, but it can take low light and and has nice foliage.

 

My friend didn't give me too much root...

 

...hopefully it'll be enough.

There! Everybody grow!

 

A week or so passes, and my new friend has a couple sick leaves...

 

 

...nothing a pair of scissors can't fix. Much better!

 

And check out the cat grass!

It got rave reviews  =^^=

Exciting Orchid Happenings!

My largest orchid, Phalaenopsis 'Happy Girl' is growing well and showing it! I see something here...

 

...is that a new root or an emerging bloom scape? To be honest I don't make a point of inspecting my orchids a lot, and this helps me maintain rank amateur/bumbling orchidist status. More blooms would be a fantastic first for me, so I'm really hopeful.

 

 

 

Meanwhile the former bloom scape remains green, yet inactive. Huh. Well it doesn't seem to be hurting anything, so I'll leave it alone...

 

...considering my orchid track record, a minimalist approach to everything seems wise to me! Formerly I had been fertilizing too, but this round of orchids can do without until I see if they can just survive my general maintenance "techniques". My learning curve tends to have some hairpin turns :)

Wisconsin Winter Flashback

I really love winter, but this winter in my current location is very blah. So here's a flashback of some favorite winter scenes from around my Wisconsin home....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....*sigh*. Ah well, back to my snow-lacking and un-scenic current winter. I need some garden therapy!

Funky Orchid Planter-Round 2

Since my orchid "funnel experiment" bombed awhile back, the poor orchid test subject has been waiting for a new home.

So I'm soaking some orchid media in distilled water...

...and I selected this enamelware thingy as a planter. I like the holes for drainage, and it will display nicely (any excuse to use my collectibles and justify my habit :)

There! This orchid piece looked more viable than the other one, although when it regrows leaves I'll have to adjust it somewhat.

This portion looked a tad far gone to me, so into the worm bin it goes.

 

Cute!

I'll hang it an an angle so it can get the brighter morning light, and be protected from the more intense afternoon light...I hope it grows!

I got to looking at my other orchids, and this mounted Maxillaria Tenuifolia looks like it could use more media around the roots.

Soaked the moss in distilled water for 30 minutes or so...

...and used some fishing line to add it to the moss already present.

There! Now I feel better...

...lets hope the orchid does too.

Winter brings dry air, so I add a humidifier...

...it helps me breathe easier and provides my orchids with the moist air they love. I hope they will love me back with some blooms!