This is an update for my long time readers on my Thanksgiving cactus, which in my house blooms from December to March, approximately. It is growing! Since it is up against a north facing window, the growth is to the sides, but the stems touching the window get cold enough to trigger flower buds, then I turn it around so we can see the blooms. By the time it one side is done blooming, the other has new buds so I turn it back around.
Photo description: “Thanksgiving” cactus blooming in February because of window conditions
I water it once a week for a count of three, and occasionally remember to fertilize. No banana for scale, but the window is 35” inches wide.
As I was wandering outside the dead stalks of last season’s Gregg’s Mistflower caught my eye. I love that the plant took over our front flower bed, and the local insects love the flowers that bloom from Spring to Fall. I started clearing the dried stems in preparation for Spring, and wondered if it would make good weaving material.
Photo description: dried Gregg’s Mistflower stems, stripped of leaves
I did an initial test by wrapping some stems in a wet towel. I left them overnight and in the morning tested pliability. They seemed flexible. The next step will be to harvest more and attempt some weaving.
It would be fantastic if my new favorite plant could also be a craft material.
We had an old tea jar that lost its lid, so I made it into a terrarium. Since the top was open I opted for succulents, which like the dryer environment.
Photo description: the side of the terrarium showing the layers of sand, charcoal, rocks, bark mix, and potting soil
I plugged the tea jar spigot hole with a silicone wine bottle stopper, which worked perfectly.
Photo description: lily pad leaf shaped silicone stopper on the side of the jar
I wanted a two layer layout, with the back plants visibly taller and higher than the foreground plants, but I struggled with soil depth and the root systems of the plants I purchased, so it didn’t quite fit my vision.
Photo description: looking down into the terrarium with seven types of plants, decorative rocks, and carved stone turtle and coyote
For the non-plant decor, I raided my childhood rock collection, adding some amethyst crystal, pyrite, fish fossil, and two carved stone figures. Although the container and rocks were no cost, the soil layers and plants added up. I do have left overs that can be applied to a different project, though.
I do like the cactus color pop, and that I have a spiral feel to the layout. Now to see what lives.
Winter has actually made its way to Texas. Tree leaves are down, the temperature has dropped (mostly), and we’ve seen ice. So I was surprised to see a splash of yellow in the front yard in the form of a dandelion head.
Photo description: dandelion bloom in January amongst fallen leaves
I leave the dandelions, I admit. The thistles I remove, but the common dandelion and lawn daisies get to stay.
This is my Dad’s favorite seed jar, and my folks sent me one. I absolutely concur with my Dad’s assessment; this is neat. It is basically a jar with a built in hook and a stand so the jar can hang upside down to drain. The lid is metal mesh to allow the water through. A few times a day, you rinse the seeds and hang it back up to drain. I have my set on the back of the sink, so it is easy to remember. When the sprouts fill the jar, I put them in the fridge and start a new round. It has been a very good way to encourage me to eat salads.
Photo description: sprout jar full of sprouts
I don’t have an Amazon affiliate (I should probably look into that), but here are the links to the jar and seeds I’ve been using.
