ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER

Three weeks ago I was being tempted to play gardener. Too cold for outdoors chores, too early for seed starting. I did a few loops down the hallway and back for the "daily steps", took one look at a houseplant and realized I had a solution to my frustration. 

My shamrock plant, Oxallis regnelis had finished blooming and needed a haircut. 

I got out the pruners, laid newspapers on the table and did a pruning job. That took all of 6 minutes. Now what? 

A friend had looked lovingly at the shamrock when it was in full bloom with hundreds of white flowers. I decided it was time to repot and share, especially with St. Patrick's Day being right around the corner. 

I found a pottery container, gave it a good bath and pre-moistened some potting soil. I transferred the original plant to a plastic tray, and started sorting through the soil picking out the tiny bulbs to replant. I think of the root as being more like an oblong tiny tuber than like a bulb. 

There were hundreds of them. I picked through the soil finding the ones that looked most viable and replanted to the gift container and to mine. There were still many little tubers left. I transferred those to a shallow container, covered them with soil, gave everyone a drink, a blessing and a covering to exclude the light. 

It took approximately 10 days to see the new growth of triangular leaves bursting forth. I have learned from a MG friend that when you gift a plant you should include a fact sheet. 

So next on the list was to find a good source for cultural care and print a copy for my friend and myself. The plant has been been given and happily received. 

I don't have many houseplants. Looking at what I have made me realize how little I really knew about their cultural. I made a list and started on the google search. 

I'll have to award my cyclamen bulb as being the most faithful. I received the plant as a gift at least 6 years ago. It sits on my kitchen table with an east exposure. I water it, it blooms, I water it and soon it blooms again. Even when it is dormant it looks good. Looking at the fact sheet I should have been doing things differently and should have been more aware of culture. At this point--why mess with Mother Nature? The plant and I apparently have an agreement, water me, appreciate me and I will bloom for you. 

The most puzzling have been 2 peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) that I received when my husband passed 16 years ago. For the first time in 16 years, one of them bloomed last year at about the time we went into quarantine. Our family said, "Wow--what does that mean"? Then it bloomed again in late August, this time with 2 blooms. Last week, for the first time, the second plant showed a white flower stalk forming. Again the family has said, "Wow, why now--is it a sign to keep the faith?" 

My most dramatic houseplant award goes to my Streptocarpus, also known as a Cape Primrose. Originally from South Africa, they are found in their native habitat growing on the florest floor; that's why they have a tolerance to lower light and period of dryness. Flowering is initiated by the intensity of light and can flower 10 months out of the year in natural light on a north or east-facing window. The floral spray of intense purple rise above the foliage of long velvety green leaves. I've heard that it is related to the African violet and can also be propagated in the same manner of leaf cutting. 

The schefflera, also known as the umbrella tree plant can take claim for having seniority. The plant has lived happily in front of the living room picture window for 25 years. It has now reached the ceiling and is definitely needing a trim. I must confess, I get overly generous with the watering which is quickly

called to my attention by the falling yellow leaves. 

All in all, documenting my houseplants has been a great exercise in information collecting. No more do I need to wonder--I will just look up my factsheet in my notebook for the answer. 

Mark your calendar to listen to the Gardening: Get Good at It "Choosing Seeds for your Garden" segment on Tues March 2 on KPOV 88.9 FM between 9-9:30 am