haworthia

I accidentally lied in my last post, I apologize. Work has picked up and started to get a bit crazy. I also might move, more about that later though. Today's plant is from the Haworthia family; plus another mystery cutting who has grown exponentially in the last busy week or so. 
I also have several pups growing on the side of one. I havent figured out what the other guy in the pot is but he just started another shoot off to the right. 

Oh balls,

I've gone ahead and done what I said I wouldn't do and have forgotten to post things... This week I will be updating, I promise! I'm working on compiling a couple dessert recipes for work and will post them in a couple days.
Cheers!
--l

Friends

I have a buddy! Found this little guy trying to get to my toothpaste in my bedroom so I stuck him on one of my plants. He was chilling out with the pothos and passion flower last time I checked. I think I am going to name him Jesse.

Pachira aquatica

This is my money tree, another gift from Christmas. Things were a little bit touch and go with this guy after I got him home, the cold shocked him and he started losing his leaves. The pot that he came in was terrible, no drainage holes and that terrible rock/glue stuff on top. I spend a solid evening getting all the rocks off and changing the pot out. I now have a lot of new growth and my money tree seems to be coming back with a vengeance. :) 

Pachira aquatica is commonly known as the Money Tree or Provision Tree. It is native to Central and South America and is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. 

Care:

Water - every 7 to 10 days or when the top 3-4 inches of soil is dry. Keep the deeper layers moist but not wet. The tree needs more water when the air is dry and a daily light misting on the leaves helps provide the extra humidity they prefer. This tree thrives in humid areas such as bathrooms. Try to avoid water on the trunk as this can lead to stem rot.

Light - Indirect bright light. This tree will tolerate lower light conditions. Rotate the pot weekly to encourage even growth. (I have mine in my bedroom near a south facing window. I use a humidifier weekly for myself and my plants and everybody seems happy)

Repot -  it is suggested that the Money Tree should be repotted every two years with fresh soil.

Soil - Regular potting mix with peat moss or perlite will provide adequate water retention and drainage.

Food - either a quarterly dose of timed release fertilizer or a twice monthly dose of 1/2 strength water-soluble fertilizer will provide the proper nutrients it needs. (I prefer using the water soluble fertilizer for the plants that need a bit more attention because I have a tendency to forget when I have fertilized something. So I keep many plants on the same schedule.)

Issues - Yellowing or dropping leaves can indicate too much water. This tree can have issues with soggy soil and root rot. Brown or crispy leaves are symptoms of dry air or low light levels. 

Propagate - from cuttings or side shoots. Take stem cuttings in the spring, with at least two sets of leaf nodes attached. Dip the cut in rooting hormone powder and place in moist potting mix. It takes several weeks to root. (I have not tried to propagate my money tree yet, as I am waiting for it to be a bit more healthy and recovered from the move first. I am interested in seeing how easily it roots)

-Always remove damaged or yellow leaves. If your Money Tree is braided, continue the braiding as the tree grows, securing with twine at the top. Braiding must be done while growth is young and flexible. Remove side branches that might disrupt the braid. 

I hope this information is helpful, I will be posting more posts like this to go with all the plants I am currently growing. If any of this information is incorrect or needs clarifying, please let me know and I will be sure to correct it. 

--l

Amaryllis

   

This is my Christmas present from this past year. I have never grown an Amaryllis and had no idea how many different types there are. I am still trying to figure out what mine is and I will update when I do know. This guy shot right up as soon as I stuck him in the dirt. I have enjoyed watching him grow. 

 planted on 3 January and ten days later I had a shoot that was about 4 inches tall.

 this is 21 January, already a foot tall!

 four blooms on the first stalk, perfectly symmetrical :)

I just love the coloring. the second stalk is now starting to show color and will be even taller than the first. It is about to explode blooms soon.

A New Beginning

Its a new year for me. It is my second year in the NOVA area and I'm starting off the year with a new job. I am beginning to learn my way around the area and I have gotten a grasp on how the seasons behave, (like a teenager on a rampage or a toddler with a temper tantrum). I don't really do new year's resolutions but this year I would like to do a really grand(ish) garden and I want to take this year to get my body into a healthy and happy place. For me, these two goals tend to go hand in hand.

My first step toward achieving these goals was ordering a seed catalog from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, (rareseeds.com) and I am so very excited! I plan to do some more research on non-gmo seeds but that is what I am going to stick to for this year. That and heirloom varieties. I want to see if there is a difference between what I would normally buy in the store. The rest of tonight will be going over the catalog and picking out what I intend to grow. I still have some herbs left over from last year as well.