Blooming for Thanksgiving

This azalea is on the countertop behind my kitchen sink where it gets some florescent light on the dark short days of late November. Read My Azalea Story below. The blooming plants in my house help to extend the season a little, as it is now completely bleak outdoors. No leaves, no snow on the ground--just a little green color remains in the lawn. Even the orange pumpkins have now been composted. But my azalea must think it's spring!

Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'

Also blooming is this plectranthus, which I took inside before the first frost. It is a late season bloomer from zone 9b-11 that can be planted as an annual here in Michigan. This cultivar was developed in the 90's from a species in South Africa. It will tolerate temperatures to about 25  degrees F. It was just starting to show its colors in October when we had the first touches of frost. It is known to respond to the shortening days of fall with these delicate lavender blooms.

One more sun room bloomer is this Christmas Cactus that I received from my sister-in-law last December. It bloomed rather pathetically last Christmas and then tried to re-bloom, but this fall I doused it with rain water and time-released fertilizer and every tip is developing a flower bud. Here is a closeup of a blossom:

MY AZALEA STORY

On Mother's Day three years ago, Erica, likely in a last minute trip to the local supermarket to find something for Mom, found this twisted stem azalea in bloom. I had a previous experience with an azalea in the 90's that I promptly killed. I really wanted to honor Erica's gift by keeping this one alive inside the house, which is way more difficult than successfully growing one intended for planting outdoors.

As it has been growing larger in the original small plastic pot, the azalea has become very root-bound and cannot absorb much water; thus, it gets watered every day--maybe a few days have been missed here and there. Sometimes it enjoys a full soak in a pan of water for an hour or so and then it is good for two days. When I was gone for three days in September I wrote a sticky note to my husband with specific instructions for watering.

I also rather strategically nip off excess growth and old blossoms to promote a fuller habit.

A year ago this past July when we spent a week in downtown Chicago I had one of Marissa's friends babysit the plant at her house. It was starting to bloom then and she did a good job with it! 

A few months ago, with the heat and busyness of summer, I realized that the azalea was not looking as good as it could. I gave it a generous top dressing of fertilizer, trying to poke a few pellets into the mass of bound roots. I have been super diligent since then in my watering routine.

Every time I look at it, the azalea has developed a few more buds or blooms. As I write today, it is even more full and luscious than when I took the picture above. 

I don't treat all my plants with this kind of diligence! This plant has become my personal horticultural challenge, which I have enjoyed--with great success, if I do say so myself!
 

Triple blossom from one tip!

Up on the Rooftop

I told myself not to climb on the roof anymore after I turned 60, but once again I didn't listen to my own advice.

I remember climbing up the big sturdy yellow ladder in the back of the house in July. I pulled on some vines that were growing up the drain spout and were starting to climb over the edge of the roof. Dislodging a nest of some species of flying things with stingers that had taken up residence in a crack between the roof and the house, I received one very painful sting on an exposed ankle by an outraged bee creature. I also squeezed a bee while deadheading a dahlia at the church garden in September. I am not at all allergic, but yet again, experienced intense pain for about fifteen minutes. Two stings for a whole season outdoors is tolerable, I suppose and I had only my own foolish behavior to blame.

This past week I once again ventured up onto the roof. It was slippery with all the leaves and littered with honey locust tree pods. I literally maneuvered on my butt as I neared the edge. Wearing latex gloves and old clothes, I carefully slid along the roof line removing sticks and other debris from the gutters. At one point I realized that the shingles seemed to be a little bit rougher than one would expect. I checked below and discovered that I had worn a hole through my old paint pants and through my Hanes. I was sliding around on my bare butt! Fortunately I received only superficial injuries to one "cheek." 

When am going to leave the leaves alone and reserve the roof for Santa's reindeer? But who shall help me? I have used gas leaf blowers and hoses with powerful sprayers, which is messy and fun (I have previously mentioned how I love wasting water), but the equipment makes the task even more awkward and requires standing up near the edge! I know, hire the pros, you say.

 We recently had our berber carpets cleaned. The professionals with their trucks and hydraulic-driven system for suction, with water heated to 180 degrees, did a really nice job. It was a Dutch owned company, a 6'4" Dutch workman, and my carpet is now dutch clean! I wonder if I should pay to have a dutch clean roof.

Next year: if I am old enough to collect money from the government, I am old enough to stay off the roof. This house was for sale 20 years ago because the previous owner fell off a ladder and died! (Not at this location, thankfully). After his death, his wife no longer wanted to live here. When we first looked at the house with our real estate agent, we noticed a picture of my husband's former pastor on the fireplace mantle. It was the widow's father. This odd occurrence seemed to be a sign, pointing us to the purchase of the property. So, for better or for worse, here we are--with trees falling, and leaves and poo-colored pods littering our house and yard, plugging our gutters. But yet: this is our home.

Rooftop View of Honey Locust Tree--a few pods remaining