Finally Spring
The snowdrops, Galanthus (Snowdrop; Greek gála “milk”, ánthos “flower”), really put on a show this year. I guess they liked all the snow piled on the during this ridiculous winter. The crocus are just starting to come out as well.
#FloralFriday
Happy #FloralFriday.
The orchid that I’ve been posting images of has finally lost its flowers. The picture below is from about a week ago. Similarly the bird of paradise is done. The sap dangling from the “beak” is somehow symbolic of its expiration. We do have 6 orchids getting ready to bloom. The mandevilla is blooming (indoors!). We also are trying to grow some hydrangea cuttings.
Natural Squirrel Repellent
I’m guessing this is the same hawk that I took a picture of last year. It’s sitting on the neighbor’s property, next to their bird feeder. All of the squirrels and birds disappeared. It was kind of nice. I like birds. However, the neighbors overfill (overfeed) the bird feeder. So we have a problem with bird crap all over and opossums. I hope this hawk or the kestrels stop by more often. I would have gotten a better shot but I didn’t want to startle it by going outside. This was taken through the window. I’m not ashamed to admit that I don’t have a long lens.
Third snowiest winter in Chicago
We are getting near the 80+ inches from the 1977-78 and 1978-79 winters. With last night’s snow, we are at 79.1″ of snow. Last night’s snow was evil as it’s heavy wet snow. So diabolical that it sticks to the shovel. We lost one big branch on our smokebush and the evergreen in the front of the house is bent in half.
Here’s a graph of annual snowfall in Chicago.
Orchid growing tips
I mentioned on some of my posts with orchid photos, that I would share some orchid growing tips from my wife. I also mentioned that most of the orchids are on a rack with a tray underneath. I think the photo below is much easier to understand. The orchids are never sitting in water or over watered. However, the evaporating “run-off” helps the roots pick up more moisture. We prefer bark over moss, in terms of potting material. The south wall is essentially all glass and there is a huge skylight. However, your orchids can still do well without remodeling your house ;-). Sorry that the label on the fertilizer is in bad shape but you can order it here: http://goo.gl/bWaeSU
We get most if not all of our supplies at Orchids by Hausermann in Villa Park, IL
https://www.orchidsbyhausermann.com/care.htm
Good luck.
