I think I would go absolutely nuts if I didn't have a little gardening to do inside during these long winter months. Here is a little update on whats going on right now in my indoor garden.The gerbera daisies have almost made it to spring. I've had at least one of them blooming at one time or another throughout the winter.
The pink one is blooming now. I took over a hundred pictures of it this morning, with three different cameras, trying to get the lighting correct and a good close-up.I still am not satisfied, but I'm tired of editing pictures.
For some reason, I love the center of these flowers. It looks like little ribbon curls in there.
The sun was streaming in through the window while I was having the photo session with the gerbera and I notice the back of the flower.
I'm usually so focused on the front that I haven't really paid attention to the back. It's actually quite beautiful too.
The red gerbera has new buds and a full bloom too.
The yellow one has a new bloom and seems to be the healthiest of the five, with a lot of new green growth. I am having a problem with white flies and gnats at the moment and have to spray regularly with soapy water.
I don't think I've ever mentioned that I brought in four containers of the sweet potato vine to winter over, (2 blacks and two chartreuse). They all have new growth and are doing well inside. I plan to get cuttings and propagate new plants from them. I also saved some of the tubers from the plants I discarded. I don't know if they will be any good, since I didn't store them properly. I just threw them in an open box in the garage, it may have gotten too cold for them.
I'm beginning to wonder if I started the impatiens too early. I started them at the end of February last year and they weren't quite ready at planting time. These seem to be thriving and growing quickly. I'll soon have to plant them in a larger container.
This little experiment isn't going so well. The lantana seeds need warmth to germinate, with the lid on it gets too humid and stays too moist. Now I have some kind of algae or moss growing on my peat moss. I may try to heat from the bottom and leave the lid off. Does anyone have any advice? I know it's a long shot growing these but I'm not ready to give up yet.It will soon be time to start my other seeds, but before I do I really need to get rid of the fungus gnats. Any suggestions on that little problem?
24 comments:
What a nice blog you have. Very enjoyable. Your photo of the robin bathing is great. Found this link on fungus gnats that might be helpful for you http://www.ehow.com/how_9360_control-fungus-gnats.html
Oooh Robin, I have such a weak spot for pink gerberas. It was the main flower in our wedding ceremony. Beautiful.
I do agree, the backs of the gerberas are very pretty. Great photos.
Gerberas have to be my favourite indoor flower, they are beautiful and great to photograph to.
Durand, thanks for the tip. I checked it out and am trying the apple cider vinegar. Hope it works.
Hi, Jen. Pink gerberas are my favorite too. I bet your wedding flowers were beautiful.
Thanks, Crafty!
Mark, I love to photograph them too, somehow today it wasn't so easy to get good pictures.
What an exquisite shade of pink on that gerbera! I really enjoy your photos. I like their vibrance, crispness, and detail.
Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Robin, I can't give any advice on your seedlings, sorry. I enjoyed your pink gerberas and everything you tend to inside. Winter has to end soon but I keep reminding myself it's only February. A few more weeks...
Your gerbera is gorgeous.
And you entice me to start seeding soon. Just have to find the right place to put the containers.
I have planted a lantana last spring, and covered it for the winter. However, it seems to die very quickly and I was ready to throw it away when I saw little green spots on the stems. So against all odds, it did survive! Hope your seeds will germinate.
I'm wondering if you have enough ventalation. Maybe the lantana seeds need a slight breeze. Most seeds do or they will get leggy. The moss growing on the tops tells me too much moisture is being retained. The breeze would discourage that. Moss means conditions are right for bacteria too. So my vote is run some air in the room with a circulating fan.
I don't have suggestions -- just that my nasturtiums were getting fuzzy with mold under the chloche and I had to let them air out. I'm trying to keep the peat pots wet enough for them. Good luck! Oh - and your birds II are lovely!
Your photos are amazing...
I love the rear shot of the gerbera, something you never see! When we get gnats in the greenhouse, we hang those sticky things you buy in tubes and pull the loop at the bottom to release the sticky paper. Ugly but they work with no pesticides. Your impatiens look so healthy.
Frances at Faire Garden
The daisies are lovely. Good luck getting rid of the gnats, and with those cute little seedlings. :)
The gerbs are lovely!! and your little seedlings look nice and healthy.
Aaaahhh your ribbons of color are most appreciated on this gloomy gray day. I love the back of the gerber. A lovely perspective. The fuzzy coating on the stems look so inviting. And to have color all winter. Lucky girl.
I can't help you with your seed problems. Algae maybe too much moisture?? And I think you are on the right track of not enough heat for the lantana.
I think you did amazingly well with the Gerberas - the shots of the flower's back are really cool.
The Impatiens look healthy and vibrant ... I hope the Lantana pull through!
Those little seedling are just too cute to be true. What a great idea to look at the backs of the flowers, they are so pretty.
The only organic tip I know for seedlings is to put cinnamon on the soil to get rid of fungus gnats.
I just discovered your blog because you were tagged for blogging with a purpose (as was I).
What a BEAUTIFUL and refreshing blog! I also love flowers & photography and will be following your posts.
Blessings to you.
The first winter I had fungus gnats, I went nuts about them. I never got them eliminated and now I just live with them. They aren't too bad, but ever present.
I once wintered over a Gerbera and it nearly made it to spring. About a month away from last frost, it died. :-( It was so nice to have bright cheery yellow blooms through the winter though!
I am always amazed at the perfection of a flower! Great photos!
Robin, pink gerberas are lovely flowers and you took great pictures of them, but girl! Maybe taking 100 photos of a pink gerbera means you need to get out and go somewhere else for awhile??
It must be so hard for your Alabama spirit to stay hopeful in winter.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Robin, your photos are gorgeous! You have put together a lovely website. Keep up the good work.
Thank you everyone for stopping by to visit and leave a comment. Especially to those who offered suggestions on how to deal with the gnats and moss.
Of course I always appreciate the compliments too.
Annie, I had to laugh at your comment. I've never liked winter, even the short ones in the south, and it is so difficult on me to wait for spring to hit Indiana.
It is nothing for me to take as many as five hundred pictures of birds, butterflies or flowers. It is something I enjoy and striving for that illusive perfect shot is just a part of the learning process for me. I have some perfectionist tendencies and sometimes I just want a perfect picture, I seldom get it though. Practice makes perfect.
You can use a heating pad for the bottom for warmth
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