Calathea crocata Tassmania Blooms - Eternal Flame

Its a bedtime plant today that I'm featuring on leavesnbloom.

Each night it looks like it is saying its prayers as it folds up its leaves  to let me know that its time for bed hence its common name here “The Prayer Plant”.

Its called Calathea crocata “ Tassmania” and is grown in the UK as a houseplant but originates from the tropical jungles of Brazil.

It has the most touchy feely leaves – puckered and ribbed. 


I must say that even without flowers the plant would look very ornate and grows into a lovely clump.  If you look at the leaves the top side ones are a very dark green while the underside ones are purple.

Care Instructions

I have to be honest and say that this plant can be quite demanding.  Lets face it – who really wants their house to feel like a jungle!

Light and Temperature

• It likes to be kept away from strong sunlight so is best suited to light shade in the summer months and brighter light during the wintertime. Strong sunlight spoils the vibrancy of its leaves and fades them. 

• It also likes to be kept warm with a minimum of 16C / 60F and hates draughts.

Humidity

• This plant can get homesick!  It likes to be reminded of its jungle home so requires to be misted everyday with lukewarm/room temperature (soft) water – never cold water!  If it doesn’t have enough humidity it will promptly protest by having brown tips on its leaves.  Just make sure you only mist the leaves not the flowers.

Watering

• It also likes to be evenly moist especially during the hot summer months.Check what type of compost your plant is growing in when you buy it.  Mine is growing in a cocofibre type compost (most of them here in the UK are imported from Holland in this type of compost).  If its grown in this medium then you need to keep the plant standing in 2cms of water while in growth.  It will say on the back of the label if it needs to be kept like this.

Feeding Requirements

• It isn’t a heavy feeder and only requires half strength plant food. Once the clocks spring forward an hour in March I start to feed this plant once a month and once the clock falls back an hour in the autumn I will only feed the plant once every 2 months. 
 

 

Flowering period

As for its flowers – they are quite spectacular and many call the plant the Eternal Flame due to the shape of its blooms perched on top of the tall thick stems.

Its still in flower for me and the flowers should last about 2 - 3  months.

How to bring the plant back into flower again

Below is the email I received from the growers in Holland detailing how to bring the plant back into flower again.

Goodmorning,

When the Tassmania stops flowering please let it grow in the living room.

If you see new shoots and  they are big enough ( 15 cm) then place it in a darker place like your bedroom  for 10 weeks. Only water it  a little when it really needs it. In this 10 weeks it will make new  flowers.

After the 10 weeks you  can put it in the living room again and give it enough water. It will take about 8  weeks before you see the new flowers coming.

Best  regards,

Rob

kwekerijtass

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"Ever since the creation of the world  his eternal power and divine nature, invisible  though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has  made. So they are without excuse." Romans 1:20

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After the Rain

Raindrops keep falling on my head......... sings this little snowdrop in my garden.

Yesterday was the begining of British Summer Time when our clocks spring forward 1 hour.  Today we are preparing for winter again as we have yet more snow forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.  I think Spring is on hold again.

So it might not be raindrops falling this week but "snow" drops!



For more macro photos go to Macro Monday.

Through Him all things were made, without Him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3

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Pink Picotees with Perfect Pink Pouts

Today I noticed over at Blooming Friday that  "Perfect Pink Pouts" was to be the theme…..    and it just so happens that I have some new pink blooms that I think have perfect pink blooms pouts.

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They are from my  Helleborus Orientalis Picotee.  

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Wikipedia says that Picotee is a variety of flower whose edge is a different colour than the flower's base colour. The word originates from the French picoté, meaning 'marked with points' and you can really see that in the first photo below.

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As you can see she’s a little shy  and needs a little coaxing -  so come on lets get to know my Picotee a little better…………….

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But look she’s starting to get used to you looking at her!

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I think she’s alot more relaxed now in your company.

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and now she’s flaunting those pink blooms and stamens loaded with pollen. 

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Mine has come all the way from Flanders's Fields in Belgium and from the Bet Wilgenbroek Nurseries who are one of the top growers in Europe.  Some of the Canadian readers will be interested to know that their 'Vancouver Medallion' Hellebore for the Olympics (named “Candy Love” to us in the EU)  was developed in this nursery too.

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Mine only arrived this week so as yet I’ve not found her a home in the garden as its been raining for the past 3 days.  I think somewhere under my kitchen window will be perfect  in amongst the Pulmonarias and Erythroniums.  There she can cast her seeds so that I can have even more different variations of picotee blooms in the future.

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I think she has "Perfect Pink Pouts” would you agree?

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Since its Friday I am entering this to Tootsie’s Fertilizer Friday Meme aswell as Blooming Friday “Perfect Pink Pouts” over at Roses and Stuff.  Thankyou both for hosting these memes and if you want to see what others have submitted make sure you visit both blogs.

And I nearly forgot to add that its my submission for 

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♥ Have a great weekend everyone out and about in the garden.

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The One who upholds the Universe will never let you down.

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Male catkins and female flowers on springtime corylus stems

Have you ever looked really really close up at a Corylus Avellena Contorta stem in early spring ? or even just the common hedgerow Corylus that is known to most of us as a Hazelnut tree. 

Did you know that on each plant there are male and female flowers. We have lots of Hazel's growing in the hedgrows here and alot of them host lichen colonies but up until I started taking macro photographs I never noticed that there were 2 very different flowers/catkins on each stem.

 The yellow catkins from the Corylus Contorta are the male flowers.

 These are the male catkins from one of the many hazelnut trees along the river bank.

Female flowers are the little sessile red tuffs on the bare swollen stems (above photo taken from a Hazelnut tree along the River Almond)

The Red flowers  on the Corylus Contorta Avellena in my own garden - even the catkins are in a bit of a twist.

• The Hazelnut tree relies on wind pollination to transfer the pollen on the yellow catkins to the red female flowers. 
•  Its from these little red tuffs that the hazelnut develops from.
• A Hazelnut tree has cannot pollinate itself - successful pollination is from  neighbouring tree catkins.

I have to say that it was only after seeing these little red tuffs quite near the yellow catkins that made me look on the internet to see what they really were and I am sure I am not alone to be quite surprised that they are infact flowers.

Have you noticed these little tuffs  before? 


 

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)



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The ladybird survey and the approaching Harlequin Invasion

ladybird, ladybird where have you been?

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Have you seen your first ladybird wandering around this spring?  I did a few weeks ago down by the River Almond in Perthshire.  As I was taking a photograph of an old Cytisus scoparius/scotch broom seed head along the river bank  I noticed there on the stem was a little 7 spotted ladybird.  Its botanical name is Coccinella 7-punctata and is the most common species in the UK.

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Here in the UK you can take part in the yearly Ladybird Survey.  I submitted these photographs today to the survey.

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Here is the seedhead that lead me to find the ladybird.

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Why is this so important these days to record Ladybird sightings?

In the UK we are being invaded by Harlequin ladybirds.

Taken from the Ladybird site:

A new ladybird has arrived in Britain . But not just any ladybird: this is the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, the most invasive ladybird on Earth.

The harlequin ladybird was introduced to North America in 1988, where it is now the most widespread ladybird species on the continent. It has already invaded much of of north-western Europe, and arrived in Britain in summer 2004.

There are 46 species of ladybird (Coccinellidae) resident in Britain and the recent arrival of the harlequin ladybird has the potential to jeopardise many of these.

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In the UK there is also a survey form to fill in if you find a Harlequin Ladybird in your area.  Most of the sightings so far have been in the South of England.  On the Map there were sightings of this ladybird in my  area during 2009 so I’ll be on the lookout this year.  Here is a useful page giving details of how to recognise a Harlequin Ladybird.

For now no one is really sure how much damage this Harlequin will do to our native species. Its only through this survey that the scientists can keep track of the native and non native species - and its up to us to send them in the details they need.

If anyone does come across a Harlequin they are to just to try and take a photo of it and then leave it alone as the scientists want to study its behaviour "in the field".

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Do any of you watch for the sightings of the first ladybirds in your area?  If you like  you can leave your sighting details in the comments section of this post or if you live in the UK you could possibly take part in the Ladybird survey  by clicking on this button. 

Has anyone seen a Harlequin Ladybird in their area?

Related Article: Aliens in the Attic

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"Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

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Spring springs forth with Perthshire blooms

Spring has sprung down in the leaves ‘n bloom garden.  Its not a massive show of bloom throughout the whole garden – just the parts where the rays of welcome sunlight pierce the cold ground with an intensity of heat encouraging those little shoots from the spring bulbs to break free, spring forth and bask in the glorious sunshine.  This year the garden is 3 weeks late in producing these blooms.
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The single and double snowdrops – read about their petticoats here

 

The Corylus Contorta is springing loose from all  its twists and turns

 

The Hellebore is flaunting its stamens

 

Primrose Emily finally has fully opened her petals – and very hardy

 

I’ve got my own babies bibs in flower this time in my own garden

 

An amazing vivid blue from the Iris Reticulata

and as for crocus are you ready?

From a mixed assortment

  

 

                                                                                                                                                                          

I hope that has brought a little ray of sunshine your way today!
Other plants are still in flower in the garden that featured last month and in January are:

• 4 Witchhazels - Jelena, Diane, Palida and Orange Beauty
• Cyclamen Coum
• Pulmonaria Rubra
• Skimmia Rubella
• Viburnum Eve Price
• Various pansies,
• tete a tete bought from the garden centre for container planting
• various primroses bought last month for container planting
• White and pink erica heathers
• Winter Jasmine

I’m entering this post into a few memes today as I am just going to make it into GBBD!  I was so sure it was tommorrow – been a long 6 day work week!

1. Garden Bloggers Bloom Day
2. Macro Monday
3. Little Red House Mosaic Monday

Don’t forget to pop by which ever meme your following today and visit all the other blogs that are participating.

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours." (1 Chronicles 29:11)

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Zygopetalum -The Portrait of a Ladybird in Macro

This is the Zygopetalum “Lousiendorf” that I tend and nurture.  Over in the UK it is commonly known as the Ladybird Orchid.  It has the most beautiful markings of brown and green on the petals that look like a tiger print and a white with purple streaked labellum. 

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Whats in a Name?

It derives its name from the greek word “Zygo” which means “yoke”.  Sir William Hooker (world famous orchid collector and specialist)  in 1827 was given this orchid by John MacKay who found it in Brazil.  Sir William thought that the way the petals were connected to each other reminded him of a  yoke that oxen used around their necks and the “petalon” being the petal and “petalum” being the plural for petals.

Just one of these plants can fill a whole room with a wonderful aroma and the warmer the room the more intense the fragrance becomes.  The fragrance is quite heavy and reminds me of the scent of a hyacinth. 

Positioning a Zygopetalum

I find it easy to grow as watching the colour of its leaves helps you decide whether it is in the right position or not.  If the leaves are dark green it needs a little more light  and yellow leaves means that it needs moved to a shadier location as it should ideally have light green leaves. In the UK it does well on a bright windowsill but away from direct sunlight.

It doesn’t like a temperature lower than  12°C during the wintertime but it also doesn’t like prolonged temperatures higher than 27°C as that might prevent it from setting flower buds.  Its ideal daytime temperature range is approx 18-24°C.  Just keep it away from drafts and radiators – any houseplants worst nightmare!

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Watering a Zygopetalum

Like most orchids it doesn’t like wet feet and cold water will shock its roots and the roots will stop growing.  It loves to get a good soaking  especially when it is actively growing so that any salt build up from the last watering gets rinsed through the pot. Rainwater is best but I never use it.  Far less water is needed when the temperatures are low but never let it dry out.

My Zygopetalum likes to get misted too – but I always do that during the mornings so that the leaves have time to dry during the day.  Just make sure that when you do mist the leaves that its  not siting  in direct sunlight as the water droplets can burn the leathery leaves.  Never let the pseudobulb (a swollen stem at the base of the plant) become wrinkled as that puts stress on the plant and it may not flower again for you.  It does like to sit on a pebble tray especially in a centrally heated room to keep the humidity levels high.

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Feeding a Zygopetalum

I find the easiest types of orchid food to use are those that are suitable for when the orchid is in bloom and then a different one specifically for when its in green growth. Just follow the manufacturers instructions. But personally I’m not too good at  remembering to feed my orchids.

Repotting a Zygopetalum

It likes to be repotted once every 2 years but not during the summer months as it upsets their growth pattern and possible bud formation.  The secret to success with repotting any orchid is to make sure that the compost is dampened before you pot it on and then give it just a little water over the next few weeks so that the roots can settle again – and no feeding is required during this time.  There also needs to be 4 pseudobulbs in each pot so that it will have the strength to reflower again.

Does anyone know why this orchid is called the Ladybird Orchid - so far I’ve not been able to find out why it gets this name.


I’ve submitted this post to the new Macro Flowers Saturday meme thanks to an invite from MaiaT where you can see lots of other macro photographs of flowers from all over the world.

 
Song of Solomon 5:13 KJV His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

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Sweet Sugar Orchids and a little Troupe Dancing

Last week we had waltzing snowdrops and a gentle introduction to spring bulb aerobics in the leaves ‘n bloom garden.  Today the trend is still a little energetic but indoors.  Let me introduce you to another dancing lady  …… this time it’s Oncidium Sweet Sugar . ..

If you look closely her labellum resembles a yellow skirt with a  reddish brown coloured bodice.
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Her arms are a set of sepals on each side of the labellum and another sepal is her head.
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As Sweet Sugar glides across the room her  sweet sugary fragrance lightly permeates the air.  She is very popular too and much favoured by floral designers as she has the most impressive slender stems with numerous sprays of blooms along each one that look like a troupe of dancers on stage.

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Aerial Dancing

In her natural habitat Oncidium Sweet Sugar is an epiphyte.  She’s a natural tree hugger which probably explains why she is always trying to grow out of her pot!

Click below for some cultural information from one of the UK Orchid societies:

How to nurture you Oncidium/Dancing Lady Orchid

Do any of you grow this orchid and  have you found it easy to get back into flower?

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Song of Solomon 5:13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

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The Spring Bulb Warm up Routine

 Today the leaves ‘n bloom garden is starting to awaken from its winter slumber.  Roots, shoots, stems and petals are starting with their Spring bulb warm up routine.



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It won’t be long until we northern latitude gardeners will be warming up in the garden too.  
Do you ache like me on those first few days of the gardening season?


in association today with : Fertilizer Friday
and Blooming Friday though I've nothing borrowed just plenty of blue!




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For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come….. Song of Solomon 2:11-12

related post: The Snowdrop Waltz 





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