Epiphyllum Blattkakteen Epicactus "Lollipop" Steckling --- buds coming at Christmas !

 

I re-potted one of my Epiphyllums last week and accidentally left it on this South facing window . They generally prefer a North facing window .

I just thought it would be better  to leave it there while it's roots settled in to the fresh compost . Then I forgot about it . Not that we,ve had that much sunshine , but it  just shows what a little sunshine can do .

I bought this back in the Spring . A rooted cutting .A very generous rooted cutting.

 I didn't have much compost left and as we were going into the first lockdown ,I found it very difficult to buy compost as all the garden centres were closed . So I put it into a very small pot for the time being .

 Now I have put it into a much bigger pot and pushed a cage in around it , for support . Out in the greenhouse I leave them to scrabble all over the place . I just thought I might try out these cage supports for one or two of my more special plants . 

 Today I noticed a couple of buds , which is exciting . Not seen this in flower yet . I think the flowers are going to be orangey-red , smaller than the usual Epie flowers and the petals finer , more spidery . 

Most of  my Epies bloom from around early May , so this is very early !

I maybe have confused it by leaving it on the South facing windowsill .

There will be an update in a couple of weeks time .

I hope you are all having a nice relaxing Christmas and keeping yourselves safe .

   I can hear the wind picking up again outside and Storm Bella is coming in tonight and tomorrow . Take care everyone .

Happy Christmas

                                                    The greatest gift .

Sweet Peas !

 

I cant show you , because I tied this fleece all around it ....but inside here , my Sweet Peas are germinating . 

I sowed them just a few weeks back , end of November .

Something to look forward to next Summer . 

I,m glad the fleece fabric arrived in the post , before yesterday's 85 mile an hour winds !

Marlothistella uniondalensis

 

I have been waiting for weeks to see this pretty little thing open it's buds .

It needs a lot of sun and it has been so gloomy here , a storm is raging while I write this even now .

    Thankfully the sun did make an appearance yesterday for a little while  .

I keep it in a "long tom" pot , because it has a very long tap root .

I love this sweet little South African plant . It is my favourite in the greenhouse .

                                                  A little treasure ! 

Up early to see the Sun rising this morning

 

                            Up early to get outside and enjoy the sunrise !

                                            What a beautiful morning ! 

No frost this morning , a tad milder dare I say ...never the less I wrapped up warm to go up to check the greenhouse .

I have been laying sheets of  newspaper over everything in there over night and pulling it all off in the mornings this week . It just helps to trap a bit of warmth around all my cacti and succulents  . 

 For the last two nights I lit two candles in the lantern , which also helps a little bit .

This usually gets my plant collection through the winter . 

 The  Velthemia is slowly beginning to push up its flower spike . I,m thinking of bringing it in doors to enjoy on  my kitchen windowsill .

 I gather up all the newspaper sheets and being distracted by something else , I keep forgetting to do it !

This is what distracted me this morning . Marlothistella uniondalensis is smothered in buds again !  I am delighted ! This is my favourite , sweet little darling plant of all !

Time for brekkers !  Cheerio for now my lovelies ! 

Lovers of Clouds and our First Frost - 7th Dec 2020

                It has turned very cold this week . A week of wonderful clouds .

Bright winter sunshine , then sudden , torrential rain showers , with hail .

                                                  Beautiful rainbows .

                             It's been a great week for cloud watching !

                                             We are lovers of clouds !

I have also made note in my little garden note-book of having had our first light frost here, in my garden in Mullion .

 First frost date of winter Mullion Cornwall 7th December 2020 .

  Jack Frost has been dancing on the roof ......and a light dusting on the lawn .

I have put the cloche over the Agave to keep the worst of the icy rain off . I have laid slates and flat slabs of rock around the base of it , so that the water runs away from it's roots . Agave salmiana var.ferox . It is a hardy variety of Agave , but a small , young one that just needs a bit of protection from the rain  and ice through the winter months .

I think I did remind you all to wrap up your outside garden taps , but it's worth saying again !

Wrap up the garden tap.

Have the chimney swept .

Feed the birds and make sure the bird bath water is not frozen .

Go get your vaccine when called !!! 

Lets all stay safe .