Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day

The Idea behind Bloom Day is that garden bloggers from around the world on the 15th of every month will place photos on their website of what is in bloom in their home and garden. The index of other bloggers can be found on Carol's website, www.maydreamsgardens.com.

July 15, 2010

The daylilies discussed in the video are:

Hemerocallis citrina
Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso'
'Stella d'Oro'
'Ruby Stella'
'Apricot Sparkles'
'Rosy Returns'
'Strawberry Candy'
'Little Grapette'

Mark

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June 15, 2010

I wasn't going to participate in today's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. I was just going to continue working and weeding outside. Then I found that my two new roses were in flower and was inspired.

The first is the latest Agriculture Canada rose 'Navy Lady'. It is a dark red with a black velvet sheen.

The second rose is a Weeks rose with Canadian Explorer rose parentage. 'Cape Diamond' resulted from a cross of 'Marie-Victorin' with 'Louis Jolliet'. It is, as one would expect, a rose with pink flowers on a rather large bush. I'm hoping it is as hardy as the other Explorer roses.

Mark

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March 15, 2010

I have two Cymbidiums in flower right now. The first is Red Beauty. When the sunlight hits it, it gives off the fragrance of honey.

The second is Sleeping Beauty x Eastern Sun. It has no fragrance, but it has very heavy substance, and the flowers last a long time.

I am so extremely excited about things that are going to be happening in the next couple of days. I'm attending the Canada Blooms opening night gala.

Then on Saturday, I'm planning on attending the Garden Writers luncheon at Canada Blooms. Shortly before, I plan to be taking Martha Stewart's photo as she attends the show for the first time, promoting her new line of garden furniture at Home Depot!

I hope it is as fun as the time I chased around Prince Charles.

Wish me luck!

Mark

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February 15, 2010

One of my miniature Cymbidiums, Showgirl 'Malibu', is in flower and another miniature Cymbidium, (Sleeping Beauty x Eastern Sun), is in bud.

With the first Cymbidium, the trick to understanding the name is that two Cymbidiums were crossed (Sweet Heart x Alexanderi) and all of the offspring from that cross were called Showgirl, but because each individual looked slightly different some exceptional ones were given individual names. Mine just so happens to be 'Malibu'. All registered orchids have their pedigree done in this way.

I think the second orchid is yet to be registered.

The flower below is 'Malibu'.

Because today was the big Orchid Show in Toronto I managed to find and purchase two more minis. One is Cymbidium Evening Star 'Pinkie' and the other is Cymbidium (Solar Flare x Donnybrook). They were both purchased from Clouds Orchids. They were only 10 dollars each!

I really like mini Cymbidiums. They take up far less room than do the huge ones you can buy at stores like Walmart. Unlike the large ones they don't need cold night temperatures to thrive. The big ones are great for the greenhouse or sunroom but these small ones are great as houseplants.

What the hybridizers did to create them was to cross the large temperate growing ones with the small tropical ones. This produced intermediate size and greater tolerance to a wide range of temperatures.

Because these orchids are terrestrial they are far less fussy about water quality. In general I find them to be much easier to grow than some of the other common orchids like the Phalaenopsis.

Below is Cymbidium, (Sleeping Beauty x Eastern Sun) in bud. The flowers will be green and brown. Hopefully I will show you the flowers next month.

I have two others, Red Beauty and Green Apple, pictured below in photos from last year.

These Cymbidiums are not registered orchids and could never be placed in a show. Their names are more descriptive than anything else, but I still luv 'em.

The best place to find unusual orchids and great information on how to grow them is with your local Orchid Society.

Mark

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January 15, 2010

My Amaryllis Pamela is still holding. Amaryllis Minerva is at it's best.

Minerva (below) is an old reliable bulb that produces consistent blooms every year.

Impatiens niamniamensis still has one flower left, but it is usually best in an outside planter in the summer.

Unfortunately when I bring in my Hibiscus schizopetalus (below) it tends to drop all it's summer leaves and then produces small indoor leaves. The move from outside to in also shocks it into flower.