Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Getting Ready to Sow Seeds

 

Yesterday was spent repotting some of the flowers that are in the house and some winter holdovers. I wanted to get them taken care of before I started sowing my seeds indoors. I am slow and running behind this year getting started on the sowing of the seeds.
Like a child I guess all I could think about was the tooth that was going to have to be cut out Saturday and I wanted to get  past that and then start on my indoor gardening chores. I do not have any trepidation when comes to going to the doctor but the dentist still makes me nervous. LOL! So with the tooth now behind me it was time to start on my indoor gardening.

Flowers_Indoor_Feb 
The Rosebud Impatiens plant I brought in to overwinter (at the bottom) is getting a few buds. I have had to spray it all winter so far for spider mites. They find a way of getting into the house on the plants in fall no matter how well I prepare the plants against insects before bringing them in. I repotted the impatiens plant despite the buds which will now likely fall off but the plant will do better with some new soil.

The African Violets  were in need of some fresh soil because of calcium deposits along the roots and the Red Mandevilla hold over from last summer also needed some attention.

Mandevilla_Overwinter

I have been babying the Mandevilla through the winter in hopes of keeping it around for this spring. Having had no luck with trying to over winter them before I still have my fingers crossed on the odds of keeping this one.

Geranium_Rosebud_Cutting 
As most of you know I do not do well with taking plant cuttings and rooting them either but this Rosebud pelargonium took root and is growing so beautifully and I am glad to add another to the collection.

Rosebud_Geranium This parent Rosebud pelargonium got some new soil too along with another holdover pelargonium…

Geranium2_AristoPetticoat
the Artisto Petticoat. These are the only two geraniums that I kept under lights for the winter. All the others are in pots or hanging by their roots waiting for spring and warm weather in the basement.

Also the old amaryllis plants that were under lights were taken to the basement since they were not going to bloom again for me this year and to make room for the new seeds. The amaryllis bulbs had wonderful leaves though. LOL! I will grow them outdoors again this summer and try once more with them to get them to bloom next winter. This time I am not going to keep them in pots in the summer but plant them into a garden bed and in the fall let the bulbs dry out first and then repot them. I hope this method will work since keeping them potted failed for me. I know other gardeners have good results with keeping them potted but in my case it just did not pan out. This is my and their final warning on holding over amaryllis bulbs, then out they go to the trash pile.

AmaryllisFirecracker_LastBuds 
But the new amaryllis “Firecracker” is going to have two more blooms for me soon and then all of the amaryllis blooms will be gone for the winter. I have so enjoyed them this winter along with the hyacinth blooms.

Hellebore
Outdoors the first hellebore is still in bloom. Since it is my first bloom I am surprised in how long the blooms last on them.

Daffodils
Daffodils, tulips, and crocus bulbs are still trying to grow early with the mild weather.
I hope we do not pay for this mild winter weather later in spring like in previous early spring’s.

Snowy_Lilacs_2005

Snow on Lilacs, green leaves…

Whats_Wrong_With_This_Picture2005 and tulips is not the ideal way to begin spring.

Snowy_Tulips_2005

I hope to get some of the earlier seeds sowed this week.
I still have tickets left for the Central Ohio Home and Garden Show so feel free to email me to get yours.
Happy Gardening,
Lona

 

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Lona,

Eeek, now I know I am getting behind!! I really need to get sowing my seeds too then. Will start some indoors and hope they're OK!

Good luck with yours :)

Becca's Dirt said...

I will be trying to get a post up this evening. I spent some time the past two weekends sowing some seeds. I got a lot done this past weekend but not nearly enough. I wimped out in the early afternoon and quit. But I got a new garden put in and working on the one I started over a month ago. With all the clearing being done on my property I have some backdrops to work with. The seeds you gave me I started some indoors and some will be direct sowed. My indoor gardening is for the birds though. Catch ya later.

cherry said...

Glad to hear you got the tooth taken care of. I'm not a fan of the dentist either.. I am cleaning beds and trying to get ready but around here spring is coming fast.. Everything is looking pretty.. Thanks for sharing hugs, Cherry

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I know what you mean about spider mites. I have such ugly plants in the house during the winter because of them. Can't wait to put the plants back out on the deck. Love that Pelargonium-- what a pretty one.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I am just trying to get organized to start seeds indoors too. For some reason I'm procrastinating doing it. The Hellebores keep their bloom for months, they will drop their seeds but the flower will stay.
Great job with all your indoor plants! I've given up on trying to get Amaryllis to bloom again, just get leaves every time.

Anonymous said...

beautiful pictures! I especially like the snow covered lilac.
oh, and don't give up on Amaryllis, here's how I treat mine:
http://www.myrtleglen.com/blogging/2012/02/01/hippies-are-waking-up/

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

I love your banner Lona! It is so bright and cheerful! We are so lucky right now with the weather being as mild as it has been, so like you, I am kind of worried having a "wintery early Spring"I need to get thinking about getting my seeds planted some time in the near future. Thanks again for the tickets! ~Hugs, Patti

HolleyGarden said...

Love that red amaryllis. And my little bulb foliage is coming up, too, but not any blooms yet (except for a couple of muscari). I need to get my seeds sown, too. Always running behind! I hope your dental appt. goes well.

Jezibels said...

You are doing awesome! Im also paying a little more attention to my indoor plants, also started a lot of seeds, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, lettuce, artichoke, dill, parsely and a few more, they are all about 1" tall now, I should update me bloggy ; )

RobinL said...

I love how we hang onto our gardens as much as we can, overwintering, forcing, houseplants, seed starting, whatever it takes!

Anonymous said...

You've wintered over a lot of plants Lona. It's great you're having success too. I used to try and keep many things but the last few years I've whittled it down to just a few favorites ~ my brugmansia, double flowering mandevilla, hibiscus & a few special elephant ears. I carry too many Amaryllis into the basement to haul much more down!! lol on the warning to your Amaryllis too. I hope they listen and that your new method works. I am sure you're frustrated with them!

Sunray Gardens said...

I wish I had room and a sunny place to bring a few things in but I don't, but after reading about the mites maybe I'm glad I don't. They are so itchy for way too long if they get on you. You have some really nice things there and actually look great for how long they've been inside.
Cher Sunray Gardens

The Redneck Rosarian said...

Lona, I am sowing zinnia seeds this week. Hope to have them in the ground by the end of March for early blooms. Then will re-sow mid summer outdoors for late blooms... The do very well among the roses. Blessings to you!

Jane Doe said...

I've yet to order seeds, but I hope to start a few flats in doors this year. I'm so looking forward to spring and hope that the daffodils that about five inches out of the ground will still bloom.

Lona said...

I got a start today while it was snowing. LOL!

Lona said...

Sounds like you have been busy there Becca. Got the Pansy seeds sowed today. Thank you!

Lona said...

Spring well really come early down your way.I would love to be there in your area in the spring with all of the fabulous houses to see too.

Lona said...

Just when I think I have the things beaten they are back. LOL!

Lona said...

Oh, thank you for letting me know about the hellebores. That is wonderful and I hope they do seed for me.

Lona said...

I well be over to check out your posting. I need all the help I can get. Thank you!

Lona said...

Thank you Patti and you are welcome. Enjoy the Garden Show!!

Lona said...

The dental appointment went well and I am glad the tooth is gone. I am such a baby. LOL!

Lona said...

You are way ahead of me girl. I got a good start today though. Have a great week.

Lona said...

I cannot let the fingernails get too clean. LOL!

Lona said...

I should just send you all of my Amaryllis bulbs and forget about them. LOL!

Lona said...

I rigged up some lights for my plants or they would all be in the basement. I have no sunny windows at all Her. Did you get snow?

Lona said...

I got some new zinnia seeds I am going to try. Soon your roses will be blooming again Chris. Much sooner than mine.

Lona said...

Your daffodils are up higher than mine then. Mine are under snow this morning.

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Just shared your blog post with a friend on facebook. She was talking about her Lenten rose. I had read about many of them blooming the past few weeks and wanted to show her that I hadn't made it up.
nellie

sweetbay said...

I love that Artistico Petticoat pelargonium. Your houseplants look great. I'm sure you didn't like seeing the snow on the lilacs last spring but it sure made a beautiful picture.

allanbecker-gardenguru said...

The temperature dropped so low today that I needed a garden fix. Decided to visit your Rose Garden and that hit the spot. However, it was the photo-header at the top of the page that that stopped me in my tracks. That symphony of yellow and gold just took my breath away.

Sissy said...

Hellebores were the subject of our Master Gardener's mtg last night. The expert says the flower lasts months! MONTHS! How wonderful to have a blossom, this time of year.
I am always dreading the other shoe will drop and we will pay for this easy winter.
I hope we aren't in for a yucky spring...!

Debbie said...

So glad I found you, love your blog!

Lona said...

I have two like the one pictured and the blooms are still so pretty. Even with a little snow on their heads. LOL!

Lona said...

Those pictures were taken a few years ago of the snow on the trees and flowers. It was a pretty sight but just looked so strange. Makes you wonder what is wrong with these pictures. LOL!

Lona said...

Thank you so much Allen I am so glad your liked it.

Lona said...

Hi Sissy. This was the first year they bloomed for me so I was not sure how long the blooms last.Those that grow them have assured me that the blooms last for months and self seed. Isn't that great!

Lona said...

Hi Debbie. So glad you found us too. Thanks for dropping by and come back anytime.

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Lona I've all my seeds ready but most are hardy annual ones so I'll be sowing them outdoors once the ground warms up alittle more. I'm quite surprised that you have tulips up already.