Thursday, May 5, 2011

ODDS AND ENDS BUT AT LEAST I'M STILL BLOGGING

When we got home from our long weekend in Boise, we found that our amaryllis had produced two good-sized blooms.


This is always a nice bonus because the original bulb came from an indoor plant we received for Christmas a good number of years ago.  When it had bloomed indoors, we put it outdoors just in case it might bloom again, and it has, every spring for a good many years.  The blooms are 7 or 8 inches across.

We also found our orchid cactus had begun to bloom.  This first flower is not too large.  Usually they are as large as the amaryllis.


There will be quite a few more of these if the plant produces as well as it usually does.  But each bloom on this cactus lasts only one day.  Last year I think we had about 25 blooms.

Now to see if my plumeria will bloom this year.  It usually does very well and has a wonderful perfume, but last year we didn't have a single flower because our summer was so cool and overcast. It's looking pretty healthy so if we get our normal amount of sunshine and warmth it will probably do well.

*******

I finally got around to doing a painting I have wanted to do for a while.  I found the photo on Codlins and Cream's blog and I just like its simplicity.


I just call it 
"The Gate"



11 comments:

Bovey Belle said...

Oh well done Chris - I did post that you could use the photo (and anything on my blog if you wish). What a lovely picture - and I loved your art work n your art blog - little Junie is JUST like our Ban. . .

snafu said...

Excellent gate picture, I like the inevitable puddle underneath, that you can never avoid if out walking.

I have an amaryllis that must be getting on for 30 years old, It stopped blooming for about four years and I was considering retiring it but I have had it so long I was reluctant. Suddenly a couple of weeks ago it put out a magnificent bloom.

mrsnesbitt said...

The gate - could be before Roseberry Topping. Fantastic x

Wanda said...

Love your blooms. I have a bloom coming out on a small catctus.

Your simple gate is a lovely painting. I feel so bad my art blog has just been sitting for weeks now. Life is just too busy right now to do any art work, except a quick sketch for Creative Tuesday next week.

Think of you often....

MorningAJ said...

Gorgeous flowers and a lovely painting. Glad you finally found the time and energy for it.

Autumn Leaves said...

I love "The Gate," and the simplicity is indeed fetching and mindful of simpler times. My favorite flowers are lilacs and hydrangeas run a close second. We're renting (to own) so I don't think I'm going to plant either here until next spring (assuming we have no issues buying).

kaybee said...

I love "The Gate" Chris - so simple but lovely.

And the amaryllis is beautiful. We are finally getting some tulips - and some higher temps!

Cassie said...

The Gate is very nice. Now, about the flowers: 1st, they look glorious! 2nd, I planted a white Easter Lily bulb outside after it croaked in the house 3 or 4 years ago, then forgot about it. Then, low and behold it came up 2 Summers ago! BUT, it was no longer a white lily. It was an orange tiger lily!! You seem to know flowers, so how did this happen, or was I hallucinating??

ChrisJ said...

Oh Cassie I really don't know anything about flowers. I know British wildflowers, but that's about all. I know they do weird things with bulbs and other plants with grafting or perhaps genetics and sometimes highly bred flowers can revert back to their wild state. Maybe someone else can help

MorningAJ said...

A quick note.... If you did want to do the 30 day challenge there's no deadline for it. Start when you like, end when you like. Just do the 30 days at some point. I'd like to read them! (even though I already know some of the answers)

Thanks for being a regular visitor to my blog. Your support is appreciated! I almost did Flamborough for today's entry... maybe I'll find a place for it by the end of the month. :)

jabblog said...

How lovely that your amaryllis still blooms - it must like its surroundings:-)
I like your painting - that gate is so inviting.