Already fed up with winter

[Smart Red]

Ah! Isaac Asimov was one of my favorite authors during my Scifi period; the other being Ray Bradbury. Asimov was such a fascinating person to learn about.

 

[jackb]

Changing the lighting cycle has also inspired my Bougainvilleas to bloom. They are not exactly beautiful flowers, but any flower in January is to be appreciated.
jackb

 

[AMKuska]

@jackb does your Bougainvilleas have thorns? We had 7-8 of those vines used as a privacy hedge growing up and they were terrible!! I got hurt so many times on those stupid bushes. Those don't look thorny at all though.

 

[jackb]

@jackb does your Bougainvilleas have thorns? We had 7-8 of those vines used as a privacy hedge growing up and they were terrible!! I got hurt so many times on those stupid bushes. Those don't look thorny at all though.

Yes, it does have thorns, small ones though. That said, I am still careful with the plant.
jackb

 

[catjac1975]

Changing the lighting cycle has also inspired my Bougainvilleas to bloom. They are not exactly beautiful flowers, but any flower in January is to be appreciated.
jackb

What you are showing is not really open all the way yet. When they cover the plant with bright blooms they are lovely. I do not change the lighting for mine just give it a good trim in the fall, fertilize with a bloom producing product and wait for the show. The blooms hang on along time and keep coming.

 

[ducks4you]

I'm done with winter! Last year I missed the terrible cold, bc DH and I were on a cruise during the worst weather cold in January, 2014!
This year, we're back to more normal, and THAT means that I've been skating on ice to care for my animals for almost a week. We are prone to ice storms here. Give me 3 ft of snow, instead, please.
Still, my inside Gardenia tree is growing big, fat, new leaves, my inside geraniums are looking pretty good, I have kept two tuberous begonias going inside, one in a pot on top of the Gardenia tree pot, and the other in a north facing window at our office. I wouldn't be surprised if the one at the office decides to bloom, soon, it looks so good.
I am flirting with buying a heat mat for seed starting. I know about the reviews on them, but they haven't gone up in price, so maybe 2015 I take the plunge.
At least we can think about starting lettuce in another 40 days.

 

[jackb]

What you are showing is not really open all the way yet. When they cover the plant with bright blooms they are lovely. I do not change the lighting for mine just give it a good trim in the fall, fertilize with a bloom producing product and wait for the show. The blooms hang on along time and keep coming.

Cat,
Thanks for the information on the flowers. This is my first experience with this plant, so I have never seen it flower before.
jackb

 

[catjac1975]

I'm done with winter! Last year I missed the terrible cold, bc DH and I were on a cruise during the worst weather cold in January, 2014!
This year, we're back to more normal, and THAT means that I've been skating on ice to care for my animals for almost a week. We are prone to ice storms here. Give me 3 ft of snow, instead, please.
Still, my inside Gardenia tree is growing big, fat, new leaves, my inside geraniums are looking pretty good, I have kept two tuberous begonias going inside, one in a pot on top of the Gardenia tree pot, and the other in a north facing window at our office. I wouldn't be surprised if the one at the office decides to bloom, soon, it looks so good.
I am flirting with buying a heat mat for seed starting. I know about the reviews on them, but they haven't gone up in price, so maybe 2015 I take the plunge.
At least we can think about starting lettuce in another 40 days.

I cannot stress enough how great heat matts are. The more expensive ones last a long time. The cheap ones are still pretty good. Lettuce is probably one crop that does not need it.

 

[jackb]

The Koroneiki olive tree is flowering, so I am hand pollinating several times a day so the plant will set fruit. Within the next few days the flowers on the Arbequina olive will begin to open, so I will not only pollinate that plant, but I will cross pollinate the two plants to see if that increases the number of fruit set.

 

[Smart Red]

That sounds so exciting. I wish I were close enough to help -- and watch the results take fruit. How old is the fruiting Koroneiki olive?