Pam, we have orchids!

Several years ago, my good friend and gardening inspiration, Pam, brought me a collection of propagations from her gardens in North Carolina.  Among them was a tiny little sprig from one of her orchids.

I am horrible at growing orchids, probably I try too hard.  Because it was a gift from a dear friend, I determined that I was NOT going to kill this one.  I've carefully neglected its care; keeping it outside during the summer months, only fertilizing it in the winter when it was indoors, and transplanting it a couple of times as it grew. 

The poor little plant has endured much at my hands.  It has been pulled out of its pot by children and critters, once it fell off a pedestal which shattered its container.  It was probably on the ground for several days before I noticed it and repotted it once again.

When I brought it in for the winter last month, I noticed it had some funny bumps on one of the stems.  It took me a couple of days to realize that those four lumpy things were buds (you can sigh loudly here, Pam).

The buds opened this week; they are shockingly pink, the perfect flower for dreary winter days!

Thank you, Pam.  I love you!

Still hanging on

January satsumas

Back in October, I wrote about my off-season satsumas.  The tree did not produce fruit in the spring as it should have, but bloomed in September and set three little oranges in early October.

Not knowing, whether these fruits could actually mature, I have been carefully bringing the tree into the garage any time the temperature approaches freezing.  (The tree itself can withstand temperatures in the mid-twenties.)

October satsumas

Here we are in January, all three little oranges are still firmly attached, and growing.  I still don't know if they will ripen but it sure is fun to see oranges on the satsuma tree during the "dead" of winter.

January blooming

One of the best reasons for gardening in the south is that there is always something in bloom, even in January. 

I admit that finding something blooming in my backyard was a little challenging this week.  I found a little wax begonia tucked up against the garage that is hanging on, and a diamond frost cutting in the cold frame that is blooming up a storm, but neither of them is growing in the ground and you could argue that those blooms don't count toward my claim of year-round blooming.

However, I discovered that my first year lavender is beginning to bloom.  My photos are abysmal but perhaps you can just imagine the dainty flowers with the huge fragrance.

Indoors, the exotic bromeliads bloomed a little late this year.  Normally, it blooms before Christmas but these blooms are just perfect for a gloomy January day.

Happy New Year from my backyard to yours!