Comment

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 4, 2012 at 1:39pm

Alabama visit Phillip and Michael garden

I like the combinations of forms and textures and colors. It is a southern garden, but there are some basic ideas and northern species can be found. 

Comment by Chris Breman on December 3, 2012 at 1:17pm

Thanks Joan!  Found some new things in the links. I'm going to try a grow-light, but the South window is too difficult; all my windows are North-West.

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 3, 2012 at 11:07am

Chris, here is another source from Googling "ginger horticulture".
Organic cultivation of Ginger

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 3, 2012 at 11:04am

Chris, my guess is that because ginger grows in the tropics, in moist, loamy soils, it will benefit by extra warmth and light. A single grow-light bulb should provide the extra candle power needed, and a south winder should provide the light and warmth needed. Cold room temperatures, especially at night, might be a problem. My guess is that an orchid mix would be a good soil, but I don't know that as a fact, just a guess. Here is a site I Googled that may offer some ideas you can use.

Ginger 

Comment by Chris Breman on December 3, 2012 at 12:27am

And an interesting colour change from bud to flower, thanks Sentient!

I had high hopes to see my first home grown ginger flower from a greengrocer´s gingerroot. In the beginning of November the plant had a big bud, but the diminishing light made an end to the plant's job above ground. I'll keep the container with the big healthy root on the windowsill for a winter rest, and see what happens next year.

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 2, 2012 at 9:01pm

This lovely iris presents an outstanding blossom. I agree, the camera produced an interesting muted sepia effect that makes it even more interesting. "Romeo" is a keeper. I like your time references. 

Comment by Sentient Biped on December 2, 2012 at 7:20pm

Joan, it must be fun to have flowers blooming in December!

 

Here is an oddly timed one for me.  It's a historic bearded iris, "Romeo", which was produced by the French firm Millet et Fils, in 1912.  I bought the rhizome by mail order in July.  Lacking a good spot for it, I planted in in a container.  Three weeks ago, the location was ready, but I noted a flower stem.  I placed it in a south window, in a cool room. 

 

I don't like the camera flash effect, but the colors are true to the actual flower.  The flower doesn't look a lot like the photo I saw originally. That may be the-lack of sun this time of year, or the cool temperature, the potting medium, or maybe it's mislabeled. I like this one as it is - it has a muted sepia effect, like a faded Kodachrome photo in an old family album.

For an idea of the age of this flower, WWI started in 1914. Woodrow Wilson won the presidency of the US in 1912, with 42% of the vote. The Titanic sank in 1912.  Since each new growth of an iris is really a rhizome branch from the prior year's growth, in effect this is the same flower that may have sprouted from seed in 1909 or 1910.  

Comment by Joan Denoo on November 30, 2012 at 11:00pm

Sentient, I know, it is early. 

Comment by Sentient Biped on November 30, 2012 at 10:25pm

Joan, that's amazing!  I thought hellebores bloomed in Feb.  Witch Hazel too.  Wow!

Comment by Joan Denoo on November 30, 2012 at 7:18pm

My Hellebores have buds at the soil line and they look very healthy. The Witch Hazel is in full bloom and smells so "good" in an astringent sort of way. I feel refreshed as I walk by it on my way to the outside compost.  

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