When I lived in Iowa, my ex and I had an old house on a small farm at the edge of a tiny little village. Everyone knew each other and we were the newcomers. But we made friends and among those friends were the elderly couple who had owned and lived in our house before us.
I learned about a month ago that Marie had just passed away and as a tribute to her, I must tell the story of where I got this beautiful plant and learned how to grow the beautiful Easter Cactus (
Zygocactus), because she really had "the touch."
It was over 10 years ago that she asked me to repot a huge cactus for her that she had been growing for I don't know how long. It was a tough job because it was a large, heavy, hanging plant and this type of plant is quite brittle and bits break off very easily. I succeeded and kept a few of the broken bits, potting them up for myself. The past few years, this remnant of her big plant has finally gained the maturity it apparently needed to REALLY start to bloom.
The past few months, it bloomed for Christmas and now, it's blooming again for Easter--how lucky am I!? And the flowers really are just the brightest, sweetest pink....it always makes me smile.
But the secret, according to Marie, that I've been practicing now for some years, is to put these plants outdoors for a couple of months, during high summer, in a shaded place. I think the extra light helps "rev" them up to grow big and strong to really send out the flower buds. In nature, these are jungle plants that grow under the canopy of larger trees, so lots of direct sun is deadly for them...but bright light in bright shade is a good thing especially when coupled with regular water and fertilizer during this time as they build up their "reserves."
The rest of the year, they live in my house in an east facing window where they are exposed to nice, bright morning light but are also protected from strong, direct sun/ And where they do get some water about once a week.
So best wishes to all for a happy and blessed Easter...and Marie? Here's to your wonderful memory and I'm pleased and proud that a little piece of you lives on here in my life!!
See Wikipedia to learn more about the
"Holiday Cactus", it's history and cultivation.
I was out taking photos of the flowers and gardens in the overcast, evening light. When I turned around, these views of the sky simply took my breath away! I just love how the openings through the clouds sort of focus the sunbeams that stream through. I was just awed.
No doubt there are buds that will continue to open,
Between extreme winds and heavy rain squalls, the petals really take a beating. Notice the "petal litter?" Some days, the grass is very covered with fallen white bits.
Evidence of last night's storm--was it a touch of hail or just really large raindrops that caused all that racket? We lost power so I didn't go exploring until I checked damages in the morning light.
Ginny, from the Etsy shop NJEMA, Beadwoven Jewelry and More, curated this dreamy, creamy collection which includes my peach pearls and moonstones. Do stop by and leave a comment!
My potted hyacinths aren't pink but the fragrance has been just so beautiful and soothing. But more and more pinks will be appearing in the gardens as the season progresses....because I just love pink (well, and just about every other color, lol!)
Thanks to the heat wave, my row of bright yellow, Dutch Master daffodils, planted for cutting some years ago, has all bloomed at the same time. Fresh bouquets will be delivered to one and all at the Easter celebration and dinner that I'm going to attend.
In fact, it all bloomed so darn fast that a day after I took these photos, winds and rain knocked many of them over. Oh well, I'm still blessed with the bounty to share!
It's no secret that I'm a complete and total gardening fool, a flower addict, a botany freak...so to learn that I was in this Etsy treasury today was a lovely treat! {my} English Garden was curated by Jen who has the Ety shop Jenaissance which features vintage inspired, and often botanical, creations including necklaces and earrings--Please visit her shop and take a closer look at this garden inspired treasury. She's got a really nice blog, too, which is here.
These are among the prettiest flowers that grace the gardens here.
Right now, their fragrance wafts over the yard and with the heat wave,
...they are opening quickly and then they don't last very long.
Dakota doesn't like the heat either, and will soon get her "summer shear job!" But here, her white coat coordinates well with the blooming magnolia.
Lovely serendipity, with Magnolias on my mind, to learn tonight that my pearl and peridot necklace was included in this Etsy treasury of shades of white! It was curated by Friendly Fairies who has a multi person shop with delicate head pieces and hand carved wooden toys and objects--take a look! And if you'd like a closer look at the treasury (and to leave a comment!) please pop over here.
March 29, the day before the record breaking heatwave in Northern Illinois
April 1, one day later, most of the crocuses are shot.
