Hibiscus 2

It's 2014 in my Trini garden. One of my Hibiscus cultivars decided to grace me with a bloom. It's a nice orange. 

For care of Hibiscus see previous post here. 

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Thai Aglaonema 2

Holiday season is around once again and I've been extra busy. I've been decorating, shopping and attending several social events. 

I haven't even been able to purchase a poinsettia as yet. I like them in spite of their gaudiness and overabundance this time of the year. I still have the one I got last year but it hasn't re-flowered because it receives some artificial light at night. Poinsettias need complete darkness for 12 hours at night for 10 weeks to induce blooming. I had one years ago that bloomed several times a year even though it received some artificial light at night. I guess it was probably an anomaly.

This is another one of my Thai aglaonemas. I quite like it as it has a nice colour. 

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Orange Amaryllis

I am very fond of the amaryllis as it was one of the first plants I grew when I started gardening as a tween. I had rescued some peach coloured amaryllis type bulbs from a neighbour who dumped them. Although not as spectacular as the Dutch type hybrids available today, they did well. Quite hardy, they multiplied and bloomed well. Unfortunately, due to several projects around the house over the years, the garden bed where they grew was destroyed. It's possible that a bulb or two may have survived and are dormant for now.

The amaryllises around here are mostly single reds and a couple other passalong cultivars of varying colours. Grouped together in gardens beds in full sun, established plants seem to bloom on cue at certain times of the year. Thus "forcing" these bulbs to produce blooms is rarely practiced here.
  
Amaryllis plants are occasionally available for sale and imported bulbs even less so. Two years ago I purchased some bulbs when they became available. I got several varieties but all were not true to name. I didn't keep proper labels so each bloom is a mystery unless it is a particularly recognizable cultivar. Two years after their initial blooms, one bulb decided to grace me with a bloom. I guess I could get regular blooms if I "force" the bulbs, but I'll leave them as is and just enjoy their randomness.

This amaryllis bloomed in all its orange glory fittingly for Halloween. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - September 2013

This is almost the Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day post that never was. My internet connection at home is having technical issues yet unresolved. These photos were taken quickly under overcast conditions. However, I am a garden blogger and must persevere! 

Purple hard-cane dendrobium orchid

White chrysanthemum

Pink chrysanthemum

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Phalaenopsis - Dtps Sogo Golden 'A07867'

Probably the most common and popular orchid in temperate regions, phalaenopsis orchids aren't kept as much as hard-cane dendrobiums, vandas, cattleyas and epidendrums in the Tropics.

I don't have much experience with phals. I've tended to stay away from them in favour of hard-cane dendrobiums.

This little doritaenopsis is a recent impulse purchase. The foliage was damaged but it had a keiki and two developing spikes. 

One spike produced three flowers and the other only two. Not very floriferous but the medium-small yellow flowers look nice on the compact plant.

Keep phals out of direct sunlight and fertilize lightly but regularly. The potting media must be free draining but never allow it to completely dry out. 

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Dieffenbachia

An indoor foliage plant in temperate regions, dieffenbachia is well suited to the tropics. It is a very common potted plant and is occasionally found in shade gardens. Cultivars range from dwarf varieties to others reaching more than five feet in height, in various shades and combinations of green, yellow, white, cream and silver. It is an attractive and strong grower.  

Dieffenbachias are great for novices and those who only have time for one or two potted plants.

Dieffenbachias are low maintenance and suffer from few problems. Plant in well draining soil as improper drainage can lead to rot which spreads and can decimate the whole plant. The plants are not affected too much from occasional under-watering. Place in shade though some cultivars can handle more light than others. Fertilize lightly.     

Top shoots or stems with at least a few nodes can be rooted in moist soil. This usually takes a couple of weeks.

Care should be taken when handling the plant. The sap is toxic and causes painful rashes, allergic reactions, numbness, and even the temporary inability to speak or paralysis if ingested. Keep away from children and pets.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - August 2013

After several months of never quite getting the timing right due to several factors, I am finally participating in Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day for the first time. I guess this makes me a veteran garden blogger now. Hehe.    

 This hardy compact cattleya blooms several times a year. More spikes are developing. It puts on quite a show.

The smallish flowers fade into a lighter pink as they age.

Yellow lantana

Phalaenopsis

To see more of what is blooming in other gardens around the world please visit Carol at May Dreams Garden. Happy gardening! 

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