Schlumbergeras

Schlumbergera Struggles

| Flower Roberts

Many of my precious Thanksgiving cacti are struggling. Some plants are shriveled from lack of water, many are misshapen from not being turned regularly, a few are contorted from lack of pruning/purging, some are discolored from wrong minerals or wrong lighting. There are even a few which have no buds at this late date.

These are all signs of a bad mama. I have been ‘bad busy’ again. I also have too many green babies. I will be having a Plant Purge Party in the spring. I cannot keep up with the needs of so many plants. ‘Old Woman in a Shoe’ syndrome will not do!

I did go through most of the care steps as usual, but I have not been attentive. I treated them all the same, instead of noticing the needs of each. They should have been watered more frequently and thoroughly. I missed some feedings. Neglect is apparent to the trained eye. The blooms are still beautiful, but the plants have signs of struggling.

No worries. I have started a rehab program…for the plants. Each is getting time in the kitchen to be purged and watered. I know it is not the best time to do this, but we only have now. So I am doing it now. Better late than later.

All’s well that ends well!

Bad Mama FLOW

Dreamy Dragons

| Flower Roberts

I am thankful for my Thanksgiving cactus collection.

Just as life outside wanes, they bloom in fiery colors.

This fall they are more important to me than ever.

As I face many changes in my own life, it is a comfort that these are the same.

Their colors are a constant. Their blooms dependable. Holiday cheer as usual during the unusual.

So much else is different now. These blooms are a blessing.

They are the dragons of my dreams.

Flying in to protect my spirit from darkness.

My heart is grateful.

Flower in her lair.

My Gardens Move Inside

| Flower Roberts

It’s almost time for our first freeze here in North Carolina.

Many plants have been moved inside.

Last Christmas’s poinsettia. Not dark treatment needed.

Now my job is to water and turn pots.

My workshop is a jungle. It is my inside garden now.

I enjoy weaving around among the flowers and greenery.

The colors are a comfort as the world outside turns brown.

The Schlumbergeras are starting to bloom.

I distribute these throughout the house.

Any bloom is a mood booster.

Flower

Flower Fireworks

| Flower Roberts

The Schlumbergera buds keep emerging in my cool workshop.

I bring them up when they bloom, so I can enjoy them in my office.

IMG_0869

I really love the bright colors on a dreary, cold day.

IMG_0886

Hundreds of buds are waiting to burst open.

IMG_0872

It’s like flower fireworks for New Year’s Eve.

IMG_0871

Happy New Year

Flower

 

Looking in the Mirror

| Flower Roberts

Things should appear as they are.

I do not agree with augmentations to make things appear like we wish them to.

I usually hold up blooms so I can photograph them.

But that is not their normal posture.

I wanted to capture them as they are, hanging down like chandeliers.

I placed a mirror underneath some orange blooms.

Now you see what the hummingbirds see.

Reality is lovely.

Love what is in the mirror.

Flow

 

White Blushing

| Flower Roberts

I just brought this up from my unheated workshop.

IMG_0831

I love how it has blushed pink. It reminded me of one of the fairy’s dresses.

IMG_0832

The blush can be seen moving down the buds.

IMG_0840

When the blooms finally open, only the tips are white.

IMG_0842

I think this is gorgeous coloration.

I do love the whites, but their blushing is pleasing.

IMG_0835

Flower

Schlumbergera Sampler

| Flower Roberts

My Schlumbergera collection is blooming a little late this season.

I have various colors.  I will always love the red for Christmas time.

My three favorites are white, gold and salmon.

Both the gold and white blushed pink this year.

I went out of town for Thanksgiving, so I think the temperature dropped in my home.

I have read that getting cooler than 57 degrees Fahrenheit causes an increase in pink and red pigments.

I may experiment with a gold and a white next year to see if this is true.

Many more buds are forming in my workshop. I should have blooms through the New Year.

I so appreciate flowers this time of year.  It’s another dreary, rainy day here.  Bright flowers help my mood.

Hooray Schlumbergera truncata!

Flow

 

The Supreme Schlumbergera

| Flower Roberts

It is so difficult to choose a favorite Schlumbergera bloom.

IMG_3669

How can one possibly pick a favorite among these lovely and vibrant contestants?

It takes an experienced judge to discern which one should be given the honor.

Should it be salmon, orange, fuchsia, red, white or pink?

 

The competition is tough, but not Ruth-less.

IMG_3672

Our wise judge seems to be pointing to the salmon-colored Schlumbergera truncata.

IMG_3687

Such an appropriate and well-thought-through decision.

So the salmon Schlumbergera has been selected Supreme for 2018.

Great call RBG.  Keep up the good work.

FLOWER