Plumeria and Primroses

Last year, when we went to WDW, I got myself a little souvenir. It wasn't much to look at, just a forked stick. But the promise was enticing. If I took that stick and planted it, and watered it, and made sure that it got plenty of sunshine, it would grow into a plumeria tree. So I bit. I took home the stick and hoped that some of that Disney magic would bring this little stick to life. I planted it in special succulent soil, and put it in a sunny window until the days got warmer. Then it sat outside on our patio all summer long. About 2 months in, it began to grow little spikes on the top. These spikes lengthened and unfurled to beautiful, shiny leaves. It was magical. By the end of the summer, it looked something like this. Lush, vibrant and healthy:


And then the temperature dropped, and I had to take it inside. According to the directions, I wasn't to let the plant go dormant in the first year. I was to keep on watering it, and then the next summer it would burst into bloom. So I put it next to our one sunny window in the house and kept my eye on it. Every so often I would notice dirt on the floor, and then the leaves started to spot and drop off, and I got suspicious. I went in for a closer look, and smelled the unmistakeable odor of cat urine. The cats were using my precious plumeria as a litterbox! By the time I realized it, it was too late. The leaves were dropping every day, and my once lush plant looked sickly. I must, at this point, admit that I kind of went crazy on the cats. Or more specifically, cat. I knew that it could only be our male cat, Jasper who was defiling the plumeria. I googled for remedies and found several suggestions for deterring the cats from going in the plant. But first I had to bring the pH level back within normal range. So I flushed out the pot, running water through it several times until there was no odor left. Then I took skewers and placed them around the dirt to keep the cats out. Finally, we put the plant on a stand in the middle of a wall, where the cats couldn't reach it. After all this, the plant lost every last leaf, but one.

This last leaf has hung on for at least a month, and I think the plant is going to make it. But it is a sad shadow of the plant it used to be.
We are many months away from the 60 degree night temps that I need to put the plumeria back outside. Hopefully by then those little leaflings will have fully sprouted, and the plant will make a full recovery.

Right now, in the dead of winter, spring seems so far away. I have had enough of this snow and ice, and am starting to feel the burden of the cold temps and dark days. So, yesterday, on an impulse, I introduced another little plant into our house because it was so cheery, and spoke of the promise of spring. "Soon", it says, "soon!"

Now I need to figure out how to keep those cats far away...

Blossom- "I just want one tiny lick, I promise"
Jasper- "Hey, what do you have up there?"

Jasper- "Let me take a closer sniff, that soil needs some 'Eau de Jasper', I think"

Jasper- "Me, a plant killer? You must have me confused with some one else. See, I don't even care about plants!"

Bargain Bonanza

Those who know me, know that I love a good deal. I love the sale racks in stores, yard sales, thrift stores, etc. I love digging through to find that treasure. My heart beats faster, and there is a burst of adrenaline when I find something special for a mere pittance. This spring I have been like a kid in a candy store at the local home improvement store. A month or so ago I "discovered" the sale rack in the garden center. There were some bedraggled flowers on it, but since they were perennials, I thought that if the price was good, I would take my chances. I was astonished to find out from the head garden lady that they were 50 cents each! I grabbed about 4, and went home feeling elated. Since then I have been back several times, and each time that same lady will greet me enthusiastically and practically throw flowers into my arms! Many times they are $1, but sometimes they are as low as 20 cents (for annuals) or $3 for bigger perennials. And they are no longer the wilted, bottom of the heap- they are pretty nice. I think that they have an overstock of flowers, and so I am making out with the best bargains ever.

Anyway, I have had my eye on these stunning "lollipop" Gerber Daisies. I love Gerber Daisies, and these are amazing- 2 foot long stems, large 6 inch flowers. But they are $23, and so I have been hoping that once they lose their blooms, they will end up on the sale rack. I went in yesterday to make some returns, and decided to take a peek and see if they were still there. The garden lady greeted me with enthusiasm, and then asked me what I wanted today. I hestitantly said that I had my eye on those Gerbers, but didn't know if they were discounted yet. "Oh sure!", she said, " go pick some out- whatever you want. I was planning on discounting this afternoon, but you can get first pick!" I was beyond thrilled! I went and loaded up my cart, figuring on teachers' gifts and if anyone else wanted one, I could resell it to them. I ended up getting 5 for $5 each, and I love them! Last night Susie took one home, and I am keeping one and giving one away, so that means there are 2 left. If anyone is interested, let me know!
(I had to get K to pose with them, because her outfit kind of matched with them)

Baskets of Begonias