The Aloe of Death and the Apostle Plant--The Saugus Public Library Plants. Photos: M. Clouse

IT'S ALIVE!!!!

The plant news today comes from the halls of the Saugus Public Library, where I am a volunteer.  Besides dealing with books and whatnot, I also care for the plant collection.  As you may remember from previous pages, I was away from the job while I was in Costa Rica and between not feeling well when I got back and MLK Day when the library was closed, I had not seen the plants for about 3 weeks until this afternoon. 

I knew that the Apostle plant, Neomarica caerulea, or Walking Iris was going into bloom when I left. It had one budded flower stalk.  Today, I counted 5 budded flower stalks.  And to my amazement, the giant Aloe, or as we lovingly refer to it, The Aloe of Death, had a flower stalk coming up.  I have been caring for the latter plant for many years and it has never bloomed, while the Apostle plant has bloomed a number of times. Of course, I took pictures.  I have included pictures of the Neomarica flowers when it flowered last as well.  I will be taking progressive pictures of the AOD so that we can track its progress.  Here they are as of today:

The Aloe of Death with new flower stalk.

Close up of the flower stalk.

Flower stalk of the Neomarica.
There are four more so far,
and it could get more.

Neomarica flower from the Library. This is one of last year's flowers.

I am glad to be here for these.  Plants I care for tend to like to bloom when I am gone, but these two have been quite gratifying.  Thanks to the Saugus Public Library staff for letting me take care of these. More pictures will follow.

Martha

What's blooming in the sunroom.

All photos:  M. Clouse

My double hibiscus. 1st bloom, second round since coming inside.

Variegated Euphorbia milii-a flower show hopeful
Flower Show=Boston Flower and Garden Show  2014

Potential Mother and Baby for flower show-an aloe

One of last season's geraniums that didn't make it
 into the ground.

Flower show hopeful orchids-pink phalaenopsis

FS veteran-holds two blue ribbons, one red,
a MHS Cultural Certificate and two botanical name changes.
My trusty "camel" ponytail palm

OK, friends,

  I am back from Costa Rica now (Sigh!).  The snow and cold are outrageous here in NE but my sunroom has kept me sane.  These are pictures of some of the inhabitants that were in flower or approaching blossom this morning. The Boston Flower Show begins on March 12th down at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.  Here are some pictures of my hopefuls and other bloomers in the sunroom.  The sunny window makes it so easy to keep common garden geraniums blooming. They are sooo cheerful!

I also have some Tiny Tim tomatoes coming up, but they seem to be creeping along slowly, just having sprouted their second leaf pairs while I was away.  This is, however, as far as I have ever got with tomatoes from seed in many years and they appear to be healthy and enjoying their place on the top shelf.  I am hoping for more plant so they can go into the seed starting class at the flower show and/or the dwarf plant category.

My Sansevieria cylindrica (below) from NC is still blooming merrily along since December and I have a couple more succulents which are potential flower show contestants.  I have a couple of other candidates for Mother and Baby as well.

Sansevieria cylindrica

Nothing but green leaves from my bougainvillea.  Gonna have to put some Osmacote on that one, I think.  

Just a note: If anyone wants to enter the Boston Flower and Garden Show with their horticulture entries, go to the Mass Hort website:  www.masshort.org and click on the Flower Show button to get the full entry schedule and rule book.  I know you all have some prize or other out there that could compete! Bring it down to us on March 10th. which is Horticulture Entry Day. Ok, thus endeth the lesson.

Back to gardening for now.

Martha

Monkey see, Monkey do.

Howler monkey and baby from Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Photo:  S. Clouse

Here's a picture of Nature up close and personal.  My daughter caught this picture of howler monkeys in the jungle on the other side of the fence from our hotel in Costa Rica.  The band would routinely wake us up at 5 am with their calls.  They are arboreal and stayed in the trees on their side of the fence as our side was cleared but they came so close to us for wild animals.  This trip was a wonder from start to finish.

I now have Tiny Tim tomatoes sprouting in my sunroom window.  I hope to get one or two to grow larger for the Boston Flower Show in March. I am planting some other things as well for this purpose. My orchids are getting closer to bloom time and my Sansevieria cylindrica is still in full bloom.  I will get some pictures tomorrow and post them. Nothing yet on the bougainvillea but nice green leaves.  I saw huge ones the same color as mine in CR.

Martha

Orchid from Arenal volcano hike.
Photo: M. Clouse

I've been out of town.  Costa Rica was a blast except that my knees are complaining that everyplace there was uphill!   We visited near the Arenal Volcano and down to the beach at the Gulf of Papagayo. This orchid was growing by the side of the trail near Arenal. A zillion plants, many fine birds and animals and not enough time but to scratch the surface. 

Between the mountain and the sea, Costa Rica is cow country.  Lots of cattle herds and plantations of sugar cane, bananas & plantains, pineapple, and, of all things, houseplants. There were fields of green and variegated corn plants {dracaena}, cordyline, hibiscus.  There were even living fences made from super large dracaena and hedges of hibiscus. 

The jungles were full of bromeliads, lots of aechmea growing on everything, other bromeliad species were used as landscaping everywhere.  Our hotel had a huge nativity scene at their entrance that was draped with living tillandsia.  

Tillandsia covered Nativity scene.
Photo: M. Clouse

We hiked up and down mountainous places, and even a botanic garden with trails that had hanging bridges in the heights of the trees.  The volcano hike went up the ridge formed by the lava flow from the 1968 eruption.  Arenal was mercifully quiet while were there as were Poas and Rincon de la Vieja that we passed by.

A good thing since our hotel room balcony overlooked the peak.

Now, I have to appease my knees by stretching them out.  I will be back with more soon.

Happy New Year!

Daylilies from the driveway.
Photo: M. Clouse

Happy New Year!  I am already thinking Spring. Boston Flower Show is on in March and the work for that has already begun.  Getting ready to sample the horticultural delights of Costa Rica next week. Guidebooks should be in from Amazon on Friday. Can't wait!

Meanwhile, there are geraniums blooming in the sunroom and my bedroom window and two of the phalaenopsis have flower stalks coming on. Hibiscus is taking a break and bougainvillea, though green, hasn't done anything about blooming yet. Probably will get to it while I am gone.  My paperwhites started to flower just as I was leaving for Christmas so I gave them to a friend to enjoy for the duration. 

Oh, well, back to getting stuff ready to pack.