Let’s plant!

 I’ve been making a daily inspection of the plants at our house.  Last summer, we hired a neighbor kid to clean out the iris bed.  We gave away at least 40, replanted a bunch in the back, and finally had Tyler dump the dirt with bulbs and roots in the back yard.  Surprise!  We have loads of irises. Sadly, we don’t have a lovely, manicured yard—just loads of irises.  The small porch and back deck are crowded with pots and planters.

 I have had success with amaryllis bulbs, snake plants, and Purple Heart plants.  I over-winter a bunch of plants and have had good results getting orchids to rebloom.  No, I don’t have a green thumb. Aside from the orchids, most of my plants thrive on neglect.  

Now is supposed to be a good time to propagate plants.  We’ve been propagating Purple Heart every spring for years.  How?  We cut back the plant and put the cuttings in soil and  keep them moist for a few weeks.  

I’m trying this method with Kalanchoe.  I cut off some pieces and jammed them in moist soil.  Period.

I like to start herbs from seeds.  I plant seeds outside in boxes and keep them moist.

I bought bag of begonia and canna bulbs.  The canna are just starting to emerge; the begonias are coming in.

Ironically, this year, I’m struggling to get the zinnias to sprout.  Zinnias!  I bought a big, two-pound bag.  I’ve reseeded several pots three or four times!  

Did you know you can divide amaryllis bulbs?  Right now I have five bulbs, which re-bloom on their own. I may need another bag of soil.   (BTW we don’t keep all of these plants.  We give them away all the time.  Don’t forget your parting gift!)