I was at Wal-mart last night, and they had a whole table full of tropical plants — 50% off! So of course, I had to get a “couple”.. they were around $1 each. There were some here that I have been wanting, but putting off buying. I love the China Doll plant I found!
Well, I have baby rex begonias!! 2 of my leaves took, and they are sprouting babies.
So far the germination rate from Josam5’s seeds on ebay have been 50/50. The philodendron has not germinated, but another type did.. I forgot what the name was! Ill have to check. Tonight I put down asparagus fern and some hens and chickens seeds.
I have baby African Violets coming out of the wood work. Lots, and lots of babies.
Last night I did a major cleaning downstairs.. repotted my gardenia, because I dont think it liked the pot it was in. Piddled around, and generally just got things done.
Spring is showing its signs, and I cannot wait to put seeds in the ground, move the houseplants outside, and be able to whine all night because I forgot to put on sunscreen and got sunburnt while gardening all day.
Last night I actually found a citrus at the grocery store that had seeds. It was a tangerine, and it had a good number in it. So I soaked the seeds to help leech out any growth inhibitor, and I planted them in small plastic pots in the green room. Im interested to see if I have any that germinate.
And here I thought plants were supposed to go dormant at this time of year, and everything is growing and doing great. Im still not fertilizing, to give everything a rest, but everything seems to be doing happy and green.
I just got done setting up an experiemental propogating system downstairs. There are cups filled a layer of perlite with a later of vermiculite over that. Each layer is about an inch thick. The cups (which have holes on the bottom) are set in a tray with water in the bottom, about 1/2 inch high. I put down 2 african violet leaves, 2 strawberry begonia babies (without roots so far — right off the plant) and a rex begonia leaf. Then a lid is put on the whole thing to raise humidity and stop water from evaporating so fast. It should be interesting to see if I have anything rooting.
Set down a number of African Violet leaves today — mostly minatures and semi-mini’s. Put them in 50% commercial potting mix and 50% perlite, watered with warm water with 2 drops of Miracle Grow Fertilizer at 2 drops/2 quarts.
Also got a new violet today, Optimara EverGrace. Also got the supplies to start a greenroom in the basement.
Welcome to my journal. This is where I will document the ups and downs of my love for plants, and my brown-but-getting-greener thumb. I also plan to chart out watering, fertilizing, and propogating dates, and document my experience of volunteering at the Cincinnati Zoo, where I will be working in tissue culture.
