March visit to my greenhouse
Slowly, spring is arriving here in the Northeast. Little snowdrop and crocus flowers are beginning to emerge through the thawing ground and daffodil shoots are pushing up also. The buds on all the trees are swelling, getting ready to burst open for leaves to unfurl. And the days are becoming longer with that warm glow in the sky as the sun rises and sets. These longer days of spring also have a great impact on what is growing in my greenhouse. The tropical plants begin responding favorably to the warmth of the sun's rays and colorful flowers and pleasant scents abound. I gave you a little tour of the greenhouse last month and it's interesting to see how much has changed since then. Please enjoy this little bit of splendor.
1 A beautiful fuchsia-colored orchid in a hanging basket
2 Its color is vibrant and intense.
3 I love how the roots are intertwined with the container.
4 This is a bird's nest fern - also called a lasagna noodle fern.
5 The leathery fronds are fun to watch as they unfurl.
6 This amaryllis 'Bolero' is a bit of a mutant in that the flower head has no long stem.
7 This all time favorite amaryllis is called Picotee - It is pure white with a fine red penciled border.
8 A closer look with the stamens covered with pollen
9 Look what's blooming again! It's the Amorphophallus or Voodoo Lily.
10 A look down inside the flower's throat
11 My other Amorphophallus has already bloomed and is now shriveling up.
12 This fern is called Polypodium aureum or Mandaianum Rabbit's Foot Fern.
13 You can see why it's called Rabbit's Foot.
14 These dots are where the spores are located.
15 This lovely flower is called Thunbergia laurifola or blue trumpet vine. Native to India and Africa, this vine is popular in tropical gardens.
16 This thistle-like flower is Centaurea gymnocarpa.
17 It grows on large, dense rounded shrubs with whitish-gray leaves and blooms in spring and summer.
18 Another spectacular orchid
19 A tender pink cluster of begonia flowers
20 Most of my begonias are blooming right now. They respond favorably to the longer daylight hours beginning in February and March.
21 The waxy petals are so sweet and delicate.
22 A very striking lady slipper orchid
23 And another
24 Like the begonias, my clivia collection also responds to the longer days, sending up brilliant flower clusters.
25 This orchid just looks like springtime.
26 You may recall that all of the orchids were repotted. Look at these new roots on this plant. It's so happy!
27 A large and healthy oxalis in full bloom
28 A really great orchid
29 An amazing Phalaenopsis orchid
30 Again, notice the very healthy roots.
Simply gorgeous! so beautiful!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | March 10th, 2010 at 3:25 am
Martha your orchids are stunning! I was given an orchid last year for Easter, but I can't seem to get it to bloom again. What can I do to keep my orchids happy and beautiful like yours?
Thank you
Stacey L.
Posted by: Stacey | March 10th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Lovely signs of spring! Another one -- women's history month...a book on your biography was displayed at the Sellers Library in Drexel Hill PA on Monday surrounded by other women leaders such as Indira Ghandi and Hillary Clinton. I was sending an email during my lunch break around the corner from the ACME supermarket. It was the last day of a 21 day period of collecting the signatures of registered Democrats so that my name will appear as a candidate on the primary ballot on May 18, 2010 for the US HOUSE from the congressional district of the seventh in Pennsylvania. Keep on inspiring us and educating us Martha!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | March 10th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I say you pitch a cot in there this weekend!
Wonderful orchids Martha!
Posted by: NeatNicole from Illinois | March 10th, 2010 at 11:15 am
I love the snow outside!
Posted by: Jeanne Peters | March 10th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I love your flowers and spring is here! I plan on going to Myrtle Beach to Brookgreen Gardens have you ever been there?
Posted by: Ann | March 10th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Lovely to feast our eyes upon on this very grey rainy day here in Vancouver, BC. Charming orchids and the greenhouse looks so abundant with healthy specimens.
Posted by: sherey | March 10th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Sooooo refreshing to view after one of Charlotte, NC worst winters in over 30 yrs!! Welcome Spring!!
Posted by: barb giglio | March 10th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Your lady slippers are so beautiful, I heard once they were rare and hard to find...when I was a hairdresser, one of my ladies brought me one from their property, a forest type of acreage, and it was beautiful! I'll always remember that lady, she was my favorite! Thanks for sharing your greenhouse Martha!
Posted by: Karla Fox | March 10th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I want to start a garden, but don't even know where to begin. Wish I had a green thumb like you! Beautiful picture!
Posted by: vanessa | March 10th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Thank you for the wonderful and light-filled gift of a peek inside your greenhouse!! It's still chilly here in Montana, but there are signs of spring everywhere, from the pale shadow of green on the roadsides to the furry fronds on my willow. New life abounds!
Posted by: tourguideali | March 10th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Absolutley spectacular! I am wondering what the plant with large two toned green leaves that resembles a lily pad in picture 20 is. Thank you for sharing your pictures are great and looks as though those plants are very well taken care of.
Posted by: Amy | March 10th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Martha, I admire you so- I would love to be added to your staff! Have you ever considered adding a full time massage therapist to your staff. It would be such an honor to be employed by you!!! Lanita
Posted by: Lanita Jackson | March 10th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Martha, you are the greatest teacher ever! I so enjoy your programs. Thanks for sharing a touch of spring in your awesome greenhouse!
Posted by: Judy K Hall | March 10th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
The flowers are beautiful! I can't wait for spring. I look forward to the pussywillows when they are in bloom, & the lovely display you have of them!
Posted by: Sherry | March 10th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Really loved the photo of the roots!
Posted by: Wendy | March 10th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Keep the lady slipper pics comin'! Totally captivating
I also loved the roots!
Posted by: R. | March 10th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Hi Martha, It sure is easy to see why you love to visit your beautiful greenhouse as often as possible during the cold, snowy winter. It absolutely does feel like spring seeing all of those fantastic blooming plants that you have. I love all of the blooming plants that you photographed for this super blog. We have a lot of our spring blooming plants in full bloom already. Hopefully the recent cold spell won't ruin any of them. My pear tree is ready to bloom, but thank goodness it hasn't yet. Loved seeing John Barachelle (sp) on your show yesterday and the 'Pink Show" was a lot of fun, too. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 10th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Hi Martha,
I absolutely love the feeling of standing inside a greenhouse bursting with so many smiling blossoms! Your pictures were a real treat...especially this time of year when we're so patiently waiting for spring! Trina
Posted by: Trina | March 11th, 2010 at 4:07 am
Voodoo Lily...is awesome. The flower reminded me of Titan arum. Matti
Posted by: Matti | March 11th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Martha, it's beautiful in here surrounded by the eucalyptis but can you be a dear and bring me an iced tea when you return to the greenhouse. It's hot in here.
Posted by: Dr Rand Pink | March 11th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I love what you do, but I saw you cooking porkbelly with a glaze (and then cheese jalapeno waffles) with a guest who told you he bought gluten free waffles...and you asked him if he was a vegan. Please learn about celiacs. You could have scored big in the momment knowing how to make substitutions and concessions for the sake of one's health. Gluten free isn't a choice...the body is "allergic" to the gluten protien found in wheat, rye, and barley. One in every 120 people have it and only three percent know it. The one's who know took an average of 11 years (of suffering) to figure it out. You have the potential to educate a largely uninformed public and have positive influence on a market in its infancy.
Thank you from Denver.
Posted by: Diane Illo | March 11th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Martha, you the coolest! More greenhouse tours and garden stuff for spring!! Your gardens are the best... Please?!
Posted by: Emi | March 13th, 2010 at 2:21 am
I love your Green House, I would Love to have one. I have plenty room for one.
Posted by: Theresa Williams | March 13th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Your orchids are just spectacular! Thank you for sharing gorgeous photos of an amazing greenhouse!
Posted by: Marsha Brick | March 15th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
hi ,Martha ! your greenhouse is just wonderfull,I lost my 400 cactus,30 orchids and more on jan 2009,the heat suddendly stopped in a deep frost,few cactus survived so I just keep some orchids at home and two are blooming these days.I live in north burgondy and we have our first non frost,non iced winded day,spring will come soon now and I want to let you know I am a "total" fan ,have about 30 of your books,as inspirational source,thanks warm thanks to you to embellish our lives and our homes ,take real care ! joëlle
Posted by: joelle | March 16th, 2010 at 12:53 pm