Hello Green Friends!

I’m sorry it’s been so long since you heard from me… you DID miss me, didn’t you?

Like a good many people, I’ve had a difficult time dealing with 2020 and like almost everyone, I’m very happy it’s over!  Let’s hope for a better 2021.  Our family has been very fortunate in that only two of us contracted COVID-19 and they both recuperated without having to be hospitalized, so I am very grateful for that!

I missed my children, my grandson, my friends and I got pretty depressed – it didn’t seem worth the effort to get dressed or take a shower.  Housework?  I looked at it all day long.  I’m ashamed of how much time I spent on my cell phone playing stupid games.  And, I couldn’t come up with a decent idea of what to write about…like totally NUTHIN’!

Gardening

As you can imagine, I also didn’t have the heart to do much gardening, but this fall, I did root some geranium cuttings and bring in a beautiful pot of begonias which had been by the front door.  I took begonia cuttings, rooted those in water, then stuck them in potting soil.  They are content and growing on the floor by the south-facing patio door. They are getting almost enough sunlight because the leafless trees outside don’t cast much of a shadow.

Begonias

The begonias remaining in the pot came inside for the winter; although the plants aren’t really getting enough sun where I put them, they are still alive and growing a little.  They’ll survive until they can return to the outside, then they’ll be fine.  Houseplants are one way a gardener gets through the winter.  I certainly enjoy mine.  Most of them aren’t that much trouble; they don’t need to be weeded; I don’t have to get on my knees to care for them; I don’t have to douse myself in insect repellant to water them…what’s not to like?  Just water them, give them a little fertilizer (I use a fertilizer that I add to their water, then water most of them once a week).  Even when I was so down and depressed, they were one of the things which made me smile.

Rabbit’s Foot Fern

One plant which always makes me smile (in addition to worrying over and fussing about) is my rabbit’s foot fern (Davallia fejeensis), sitting in a north window with plenty of reflected light.  This fern is literally older than my oldest child (she’s 32).  My Mammaw had given me a start of it in 1989.  Mammaw’s been gone for 17 years and the fern is a living reminder of a truly special woman.  When I water it or mist it, I talk to Mammaw, telling her how much I love her and miss her.  Maybe she hears me…I certainly hope she does.

Stromanthe

I’m afraid the humidity in the house may be too dry for the fern and the Stromanthe (Stromanthe sanguinea “Triostar”) plants sitting beside the fern.  The Stromanthe leaves get crispy brown at the ends, which is a sure sign the humidity is too low for them, so I suspect the fern would like more humidity too.  I’ve thought about carefully transplanting the fern, moving it to a terrarium, but am kind of scared to do it, because I don’t want to damage or kill it.  I’m keeping a close eye on it and will let you know if I move it to a terrarium.The Stromanthes are way too big for a terrarium, so I mist them and when they get to looking too ragged, I’ll groom them.

Thanks so much for everything.  Even though we’ve never met, I feel as if I’m talking to old friends.  A heartfelt thank you to Planters’ Place for being patient with me and thank you for your kindness!  I’m looking forward to another year writing this blog and hope you and your family and friends are healthy and happy!  Stay Green, Good Friends!