March visit to my greenhouse
Slowly, spring is arriving here in the Northeast. Little snowdrop and crocus flowers are beginning to emerge through the thawing ground and daffodil shoots are pushing up also. The buds on all the trees are swelling, getting ready to burst open for leaves to unfurl. And the days are becoming longer with that warm glow in the sky as the sun rises and sets. These longer days of spring also have a great impact on what is growing in my greenhouse. The tropical plants begin responding favorably to the warmth of the sun's rays and colorful flowers and pleasant scents abound. I gave you a little tour of the greenhouse last month and it's interesting to see how much has changed since then. Please enjoy this little bit of splendor.
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- A beautiful fuchsia-colored orchid in a hanging basket
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- Its color is vibrant and intense.
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- I love how the roots are intertwined with the container.
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- This is a bird’s nest fern – also called a lasagna noodle fern.
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- The leathery fronds are fun to watch as they unfurl.
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- This amaryllis ‘Bolero’ is a bit of a mutant in that the flower head has no long stem.
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- This all time favorite amaryllis is called Picotee – It is pure white with a fine red penciled border.
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- A closer look with the stamens covered with pollen
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- Look what’s blooming again! It’s the Amorphophallus or Voodoo Lily.
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- A look down inside the flower’s throat
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- My other Amorphophallus has already bloomed and is now shriveling up.
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- You can see why it’s called Rabbit’s Foot.
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- This fern is called Polypodium aureum or Mandaianum Rabbit’s Foot Fern.
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- These dots are where the spores are located.
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- This lovely flower is called Thunbergia laurifola or blue trumpet vine. Native to India and Africa, this vine is popular in tropical gardens.
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- This thistle-like flower is Centaurea gymnocarpa.
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- It grows on large, dense rounded shrubs with whitish-gray leaves and blooms in spring and summer.
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- Another spectacular orchid
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- A tender pink cluster of begonia flowers
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- Most of my begonias are blooming right now. They respond favorably to the longer daylight hours beginning in February and March.
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- The waxy petals are so sweet and delicate.
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- A very striking lady slipper orchid
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- And another
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- Like the begonias, my clivia collection also responds to the longer days, sending up brilliant flower clusters.
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- This orchid just looks like springtime.
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- You may recall that all of the orchids were repotted. Look at these new roots on this plant. It’s so happy!
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- A large and healthy oxalis in full bloom
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- A really great orchid
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- An amazing Phalaenopsis orchid
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- Again, notice the very healthy roots.
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