What now after the Beauty Fades?

These amazing blooms keep me so happy during the winter season. I must be totally honest that I really hate the gray dark days of January and February in Indiana. 

So winter blooms and my greenhouse keep me alive and my hands in the dirt. 

I definitely went down a rabbit hole with Amaryllis this year. In addition to the five I had last year and overwintered, I purchased way too many. I am so easily influenced by my friends on the podcast "The Gardenangelists"  every time they mentioned a different Amaryllis I was on it! But it was fun.

So many of my friends have expressed that they did not want to spend the money on plants that only bloomed once and then were gone. However, this is not the case with these beautiful bulbs.

I do love poinsettias but I have never successfully carried these guys through to the next season. I could not resist this planter but we will see how long it stays cool! But I do not buy a lot of poinsettias.

But back to Amaryllis ....this is what I do to try and save the bulb and have it bloom again next year. 

After the blooms have faded I cut the flowering stalks to an inch or two about the bulb. Do not cut the leaves, leave them intact. 

I then try within the next couple weeks to transplant the plant to a slightly larger pot. All the research I have read recommends keeping the original soil around the bulb. 

Water enough to keep them alive and happy, then when the weather warms up and all danger of frost has pasted I move the pot outside to a semi-shaded location. 

Late Sumer:

This is the hard part for me, to remember to discontinue watering and fertilizing and allow the foliage to wither. This is easiest for me if I bring the pots up on the screen-in porch.

Fall:

Bring the pots back indoors and cut off the withered leaves. If they need repotting this is the time. 

They need to be stored now in a cool dark place for 6-8 weeks. I put them on the porch and try to ignore them, very hard. 

After the resting period I bring them out into a sunny spot and thenVoila!!! Now they sit in the sunshine and come alive. Some are  much slower to show life than others.

But it is ok because these will be blooming by Valentines Day!  Mine did not bloom until after Christmas But you know it was a blessing, my daughter and her husband and our amazing two grand babies had just left to go back to India. I was very blue but then the blooms came it was a gift. 

These bulbs are a Christmas Gift... 

                     

Winter Sowing

 

        Initially I learned about the Winter Sowing Technique for starting seeds on a podcast over four years ago. The hosts were homesteaders in Texas. 

They were great gardeners and propagated most of their seedlings using this method. A quick Google search provided me with much needed additional information including the definition that follows:  "Winter Sowing is a method by which seeds are sown into containers that act like mini greenhouses. These seed vehicles are then located outside, experience the chill of winter and eventually germinate in the spring."  It is a phrase that was first coined by Trudy Davidoff. You can read more about her ideas at www.wintersowing.org.

    I have found that this method helps me start seeds that need that cold chill to germinate. Since I am now planting a lot of native wildflower areas, many of the plants that I want multiples of thrive with this treatment. It is perfect for me. I use more traditional methods of starting seeds for the other plants I want to grow.

    I feel that the best advice for this method of seed starting would be to BE PREPARED!

#1 This method will provide you with a mass of seedlings that will need to be divided and transplanted. 

#2 Seeds that need the cold stratification work best. I am very selective which seeds I pick for this method. Some seeds are better started by more traditional methods. 

#3 This method has been amazing for the perennials that I want to plant in mass for the bees and butterflies. 

    I collect all of the containers during the summer.  I have come to the conclusion that the best containers are the salad and berry containers. They require the least amount of alteration and are the we easiest to use. 

    I also purchase any seeds on sale at the end of the year that are just want I am looking for to plant in my wildflower gardens. 

    Now is the time to plant the seeds. I prepare each container with good drainage holes. This is so important because nothing will sabotage the process quicker than poor drainage. 

    Then I fill each container with a good seed starting mixture and plant each one. Water carefully and then they are placed outside into their winter greenhouse. 

    Labeling is such a big issue. So this year I have it nailed. I took physical notes and also used my I phone to label each container. I hope this works better as this is the biggest issue with this method. 

    I will watch these containers all throughout the rain, snow, sleet and hail. February, March, April and May, it is so exciting to see the babies emerge. 

    So stay tuned and I will show you the results. 

Here are the seeds I am starting this time..

Showy Golden Rod( Solidago specious)

Lavender Hyssop 

Triple Curly Parsley 

Big Italian Parsley 

Rosemary 

Butterfly Weed

Tarragon

Lavender Munstead

Lavender Lady

Snap Dragons

Chives

Lupines