Some of What's Happening in and Around the Greenhouse
Yesterday's blog was devoted to this past Friday's snowstorm. May it be the last of this winter! The weekend was perfectly pleasant with bright blue skies and rising temperatures. Most of the snow has melted it didn't seem to do any damage to the spring bulbs that are peeking through the ground. Even though we jumped ahead with daylight savings time, spring isn't here quite yet, but a visit to the greenhouse is always a good way to elevate the spirits.
1 Wilmer has been busy in the berry patch pruning all of the various berries. Here he is thinning out the currant bushes, removing dead wood and low-growing horizontal branches. This stimulates new vertical growth and provides good air circulation.
2 These are the black raspberry canes, which get treated much like a climbing rose. Wilmer did a very nice job of pruning dead wood and intertwining the canes along their wire supports.
3 Inside the greenhouse, a very special flower is blooming.
4 This is Amorphophallus, also known as the corpse flower. It's commonly thought that flowers should smell good, however, this one is reminiscent of the odor of a decomposing mammal - not too pleasant!
5 Perched upon one tall column is a split-leaf philodendron - bipinnatifidum, sedum morganianum - donkey tail, and rhipsalis capilliformis - old man's beard.
6 Upon another column is a staghorn fern and a couple of plant 'collages.'
7 These 'collages' are delicate orchids and Spanish moss mounted upon slabs of cork bark.
8 These plants are epiphytes, which means they do not need to grow in soil, but attach themselves non-parasitically onto objects, like trees and even rocks.
9 I showed you this plant, medinilla magnifica, on last week's blog. You can see how the flower is beginning to cascade. I simply love this specimen!
10 A gorgeous Iwannagara Apple Blossom, a member of the cattleya family of orchids
11 An amazing lady slipper orchid
12 Another
13 And another
14 A delicate epimedium orchid
15 A pretty phalaenopsis
16 Phalaenopsis are also known as moth orchids because they resemble a moth in flight.
17 An unusual mix of pink and orange
18 A phalaenopsis cultivar, possibly 'Aphrodite'
19 You may recall my recent blog posting about repotting the stephanotis. Well, the plants are starting to bloom and does it ever smell great walking past these waxy flowers!
20 Echeveria 'Paul Bunyon' - This unusual succulent plant has leaves that are covered with warty bumps.
21 Several echevaria agavoides
22 Aeonium canariense
23 These echeveria prolifica were all grown from cuttings. With their silvery-green leaves, these miniature rosettes form an excellent ground cover.
24 This is an agave in a really great terracotta pot.
25 Euphorbia 'Medusa' forms a twisting, crawling mass of snake-like branches! This intriguing succulent from South Africa grows scaly arms that can reach 3 feet long. It's named for the Greek mythological monster who had snakes for hair.
26 This succulent is senecio, a genus grown for their decorative foliage. Senecio haworthii, or cocoon plant, has cocoon-shaped leaves thickly covered with silvery white hairs.
27 Opuntia variegated is a type of prickly pear cactus.
28 A trio of shaggy cactus
29 This table holds my topiary collection.
30 This pair of great urns are planted with a type of sedum, commonly known as stonecrop. Sedum is a large genus of flowering plants that make great ground covers.
31 One long table is devoted to all of the new seedlings Ryan has been sprouting.
32 My nephew, Charlie Plimpton, is 'borrowing' some greenhouse space for his seedlings. He's a hummingbird lover and these are all flowering plants that hummingbirds are drawn to.
33 Walking from one greenhouse to another. This is where vegetables are grown in the ground all winter long.
34 Ryan has done a really fine job of growing yummy organic produce for me, my family, and my friends to enjoy.
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wonderful farm photos...just the perfect night cap ! Cheers...keep em coming..
thank you
Posted by: Greg | March 12th, 2013 at 12:19 am
Just lovely, Martha.
How did you tell us the echeveria prolifica was rooted? I hate to admit it, but I've forgotten.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | March 12th, 2013 at 12:27 am
ecco friendly green house let check yabeen.com
Posted by: jinu | March 12th, 2013 at 12:41 am
Hi Martha,
I consider it a treat for you to show us all of your plants. When I became your fan many moons ago, I had no idea you'd be sharing so much with us but I sure do appreciate it. At one time, I wondered where you lived and then I saw your Turkey Hill house on the cover of your magazine yet I never expected to see the inside of it. A lot of celebrities don't share the way you do, or I just don't pay attention to them. Anyway, you have so many unusual plants and many that I have never heard of before and wow, what a vegetable garden! You probably know a lot of people who have greenhouses and plant things the way you do, but I don't know of anyone who does that. You seem to cover all of the bases, really, and not just with gardening but I am a bit amazed with the hundreds of plants you have in pots, as well as the hundreds of empty pots under all of the tables. I can’t believe all the stuff that you have and all the planting you do just boggles my mind sometimes. No doubt you’ve heard that a few hundred times! Oh well, I guess I better go to bed before I get too boggled. Thanks for another great blog and I’m really impressed with the ‘Paul Bunyon’ plant. Totally unusual! Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 12th, 2013 at 12:48 am
I love the "air" plants! Spring is just around the corner!
Posted by: Holiday Baker Man | March 12th, 2013 at 1:59 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | March 12th, 2013 at 4:33 am
Martha,
Could you share with us what camera/lens you used for the photos in the greenhouse?
Posted by: Joyce Carrasco | March 12th, 2013 at 6:20 am
Your greenhouses are a treasure trove! Beautiful orchids and interesting succulents, there is so much to look at and enjoy, thank you Martha!
Posted by: Cindy F | March 12th, 2013 at 7:36 am
Dearest Martha,
A visit to your Greenhouse is just what the doctor ordered! I am so ready for winter to be over and seeing the beautiful flowers, plants and just the physical structure of a Greenhouse like yours, did the trick to making me feel better about gutting out the last few weeks of winter. I don't know why, but it has felt like a particularly hard winter. I'm sure Sandy had a lot to do with it. The bad weather just never seems to have ended for months. Thanks for your uplifting blogs, tweets and everything else you do to make each and every one of my days just a little bit brighter, educational and precious. Enjoy your Tuesday!!
xo
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Gordon-Miller | March 12th, 2013 at 8:03 am
Orchid photos are spectacular so Guess we are fortunate to have minds to be boggled! Great photos to inspire many and so looking forward to Dakota spring at the end of May. Another storm last night and travel is restricted for many around here today and challenging for ranch newborns.
Posted by: ann | March 12th, 2013 at 8:46 am
Hi Martha, Once again, you have the most beautiful, inspiring farm I have ever seen! Not only do you have the best farm crew such as Wilmer and Ryan, you also have the most fantastic vegetables, fruits, flowers, bushes, trees, and greenhouses I've ever seen in my life! Thanks for sharing this latest blog which is one of the best to see to start the day in such a positive way! I love everyone of these awesome photos again and how nice to see some of the most unusual plants in the greenhouses! That corpus flower is very unusual but beautiful, also! I love the 3 unusual plants in photo #5! That beautiful plant in photo #9 is outstanding! Your orchids are more beautiful than any I have ever seen before! The stephanotis in photo #19 is beautiful, too! I love all of those succulent plants, also! I love the medusa in photo #25! Photo 28 is really cute! How terrific that nephew Charlie is planting great items for his favorite hummingbirds! How great that Ryan grows such fabulous organic vegetables for you during the winter-awesome! This is a very inspiring place I would love to have, also! Thanks a million, Martha! Hope you have a great day! Off to see The Daily Wag where "GK Went to the Groomer!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 12th, 2013 at 9:46 am
For Joyce Carrasco - These images were taken with my Canon EOS 5D Mark ii.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | March 12th, 2013 at 9:55 am
i remember the first (+ only time) i visited a blooming amorphophalus titanum! it was at the smith college botanical garden in northampton, massachusetts. the line was out the door; everyone was excited to witness this special event. it was an item on my bucket list, actually! the smell was awful, but the experience was great.
Posted by: Hannah | March 12th, 2013 at 9:58 am
Orchids are happy flowers. Photo #12 is delicate and friendly looking.
Thank you again for sharing the beauty that surrounds you.
Posted by: Louise | March 12th, 2013 at 10:41 am
Orchids are one of my favorite flowers. I can't believe what a wide variety you have. Amazing!
Posted by: Laura Dembowski | March 12th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Dear Martha,
It did lift my spirits, too. Thank you.
Posted by: Tina Y. | March 12th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Beautiful plants in your greenhouse love love the photos
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | March 12th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
I hope this is the last winter snow storm for you this year. I can't wait to see your gardens come to life. Such inspiration, such beauty!
Posted by: Michael | March 12th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Hi, there, Martha,
So enjoyed seeing all the wonderful plants and flowers in your greenhouses. I'm inspired to try some new varieties. A big pot of cacti and succulents would be very attractive for my balcony!
Thank you, Martha. As always, you inspire and educate us!
Posted by: Bobbie | March 12th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
hello Martha,love all the photos of your greenhouses.i love plants of all kinds and have over 100 houseplants and succulents and some orchids too.of course, i don't have as many as you but i would if i could!thanks again for sharing and have a great day!
Posted by: maria | March 12th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
You always amaze me, Martha!
Everything you touch, study, or cherish has been carefully researched, and lovingly preserved...to share!
The Orchids' delicate beauty is captured for posterity sake with your terrific photos!
Thank you for your kindness...I appreciate everything you show, and the effort that you've given to produce these one of a kind treasures!
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Mayer | March 12th, 2013 at 5:44 pm
The picture labeled as a dendrobium orchid is actually Iwannagara Apple Blossom, a member of the cattleya family. It is growing beautifully as are the collage groupings on the cork. I am happy to see them doing extremely well after this time. The miniatures for these mounts originated at my orchid nursery, Parkside Orchids. I sold the nursery last year, but it makes me happy to see how well your plants continue to perform.
Posted by: Tom Purviance | March 12th, 2013 at 7:13 pm
Thanks for sharing, Martha! What beautiful greenhouses and plants!
Posted by: Angela | March 13th, 2013 at 5:40 am
I learn so much from just reading your daily blog. So beautiful! I love the unique urns and how you've planted them in photo #30.
Posted by: Paloma Skye | March 13th, 2013 at 11:47 am
WOW - how absolutely gorgeous! A wonderful boost of spring was just what I needed. I've always dreamed of having a greenhouse, since my early 20's watching your show everyday. I still dream of having one someday! I love orchids as well - truly stunning. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jana Francis | March 13th, 2013 at 8:47 pm