Saturday, December 15, 2007

December Garden Blogger Bloom Day

Gerbera Daisy
It is snowing as I prepare this Garden Blogger Bloom Day post for December. Some weather computer models are predicting that we may get up to 17 inches of snow before the system moves through.
Gerbera Daisy
While it is wintry outside with nothing but a few pitiful looking pansies in bloom, (now completely covered with snow), inside I still have delightful gerbera daisies with beautiful blooms.

African Daisy
The Osteospermum is covered with blooms, and the plant is healthy and green. Hopefully it will survive the winter, but if not, it was still worth it to bring inside, just to have something else blooming for December GBBD.

African Violet
One bloom on the African violet opened up just in time for the bloom day post.

Orchid
I had never had an Orchid before and saw this one on clearance at Lowe's a couple of weeks ago.
Orchid
The lighting in the house isn't that great, especially on cloudy days like today, so I made a light box using PVC, (here is where I got the idea). I draped the box with a white sheet and put several lights around the box. Anyway, it isn't an ideal set up because it looks messy with the sheet showing, but at least the pictures show up. I'll need to practice more using this lighting method.
Peace Lily
The Peace lily has several blooms, (which are difficult for me to photograph).

Pansy
Early this morning I went out to get a picture of the pansies, which are the only things in bloom outside. As you can see the snow had already begun to fall.

The Christmas cactus dropped the rest of its blooms, so sadly there are none of those to share. I planted the amaryllis just a few days ago, so hopefully those will be in bloom for January GBBD.

I look forward to hopping over to Carol's to see what other garden bloggers have blooming for December.

15 comments:

Carol Michel said...

Robin, now I wish I had brought my Gerber daisies inside instead of leaving them to die after the hard freeze. All your indoor flowers look great with those close ups.

I wish they would decide how much snow we are going to get. We are at 1 inch or so and holding right now. I guess another wave will come through tonight.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Anonymous said...

Robin, your daisies are beautiful!

Melinda, Elements In Time

Molly said...

Your photos are fabulous! I didn't know Gerbera daisies would tolerate indoors. I just might have to plant some next year if that's the case.

Patricia said...

Robin, those are lovely. Interesting. I think you have more flowers to photograph than I do right now!

I rarely keep flowering plants in the house because we usually have so many available outside. You have inspired me to change!

Hope your weekend is perfectly delightful.

Shirley said...

Hi again, Robin :-)

Wow, what fantastic flower close-up photos. Such intensity of colour is so uplifting to look at isn't it? Great shots :-D

I also love the shot of your pansy outside in the snow - 17 inches of snow gosh that will take some time to go when it finally thaws and you get your garden back again!

BTW looking at your hawk in the post below we have started to get a sparrowhawk here bold as you like sitting on a feeder hook. I wonder how long it would stay if I wasn't looking for my camera inside :-D

Frances, said...

What good photos and lovely flowers. Thanks for that.

Linda said...

What lovely gerbera daisies ... and I should of brought mine inside too. But there is always next year.
Stop by and see my unusual bloom for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

The Gardener Side

Rusty in Miami said...

Hi Robin, thanks for stopping by my blog. Your pictures are amazing. I love Gerbera Daisies but I have very little luck with them as indoor plants. I hope the snow will stop soon, stay warm.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Robin your photos are so good. Your light box is working. You better be careful you might become a professional photographer. :)

I think gerber daisies look artificial. They are such vibrant colors and so perfectly arranged.

I had some that over wintered one year. I was surpised. They didn't last the second winter. They were outside all that time. They wouldn't have had a chance inside the house. :/

Anonymous said...

Pam @ Digging says:

Your orchid is divine, and the Gerberas so cheerful. What a great way to combat the lack of color outdoors.

MrBrownThumb said...

They came out pretty good.

I'm going to make a light box this winter but instead of using cloth I'm going to use an opaque plastic. Now I just need to find a place where I can buy scraps because buying it at the hardware store is too expensive.

Kylee Baumle said...

Oh Robin, what wonderful pictures! So colorful, and such pure color. That orchid is fabulous! It's this time of year when I want to buy a bunch of orchids, but I already have some. I wish the rest of them would start blooming though! Just one in bloom now.
It's a-snowin' and a-blowin' out there as I type this at 1:20 a.m. I haven't looked out for several hours but I'm guessing it will look a little bit different than it did earlier. LOL.
Stay safe and warm!

Silvia Hoefnagels . Salix Tree said...

What pretty flowers, the color is just magic! You take such amazing photos. Loving the orchid, aren't they just magnificent?

Jayne said...

A lovely warm reminder of the beauty to come after the cold. I have some African Violets in bloom, but that's about it. I am waiting for my orchid to bloom again, but am afraid the window spot might be a wee bit cool for it.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Your photo of the pansy is incredible - such detail! After seeing your pic of your Osteo, I wish I had brought mine in & attempted to nurse it through the winter.