File under Better Late Than Never, I suppose… This month’s Bloom Day finds me with three indoor blooms and about 7 inches of snow on the ground outside.
My husband bought me this for some extra holiday cheer in the house. My five-year-old was much more observant than I would have expected — he pointed out the red leaves at the top, said they were really cool, and asked if it was going to bloom. That’s my boy.
My Thanksgiving cactus is sporting a late show of color this year — but, honestly, it’s pretty much on time for its usual bloom. This plant started as a cutting from my husband’s grandmother some fifteen years ago, at which time she told me it was a Christmas cactus. The only reason I know differently now is that I researched the shape of the leaves. This particular plant sometimes also blooms around Easter.
Also, I am NOT going to be pinching off any spent blooms this year. Every time I pinch off the first bloom once it fades, the other growing flower buds just dry up and fall right off.
Finally, some winter color I planned intentionally this year! I bought small, medium, and large Amaryllis bulbs this year, so I could get a grasp on what kind I like best for future years. This one (Christmas Star) started to sprout early, due to me storing it for a few days in too warm of a temperature. It may still be in bloom by Christmas, but this is the second of two stalks — the first, taller one finished blooming last week.
Behind Christmas Star, you can see Ragtime getting ready to bloom. I’m really hoping that one will be open by Christmas.
I didn’t pot up the three miniature Trentino in time, so I’m going to try to time them for Valentine’s Day blooms.
Hoping for some more winter bulb forcing fun for January and February’s Bloom Days — we really can have flowers every month of the year (if we plan it right)!
