Houseplants At Christmas

The geraniums in the window are getting huge. They are reaching out from the garden window and touching my arm. One blossom so far and lots of pretty leaves. I decided that, while I love the leaves....it doesn't leave me much room for other plants. So, saying that, I cut them back. I don't know about you, but this is hard for me. I feel so badly that the plant has grown so beautifully and whack....the leaves are cut down. I guess as Christopher Robin used to say to Winnie the Pooh...Silly Old Bear.........  Silly Old Balisha.  

            

Another plant is growing by leaps and bounds....the Red Lion Amaryllis. This started blooming a few days before Thanksgiving. I love the vibrant color. The little poinsettia was a hostess gift from my daughter in law. Pretty little pot with my favorite the cardinal.

            

The ivy topiary, brought up from the basement is sitting and waiting to be decorated for Christmas. I started this just this past summer and it's coming along nicely. Looking around at all the plants...will we have room for Christmas decorations :) 

        

           

The orchids that have been front and center for a couple of months say, "Don't forget us, Balisha." They are sending out lots of buds for new blooms. These were bought at the grocery store during a breast cancer promotion in Oct. What a buy....better than any bouquet for the same amount of money. What flowering plant can you buy... that will last that long and now will last long after Christmas. I think that I have finally found the place for them during the winter. It meant closing off one of our heat vents, but who needs heat when you can have flowers :) Put on another layer of clothes I say.

     

Finally we come to the creature in the guest room. She needs her own window. This aloe has been in my care for 2 yrs. She started out in a 4 in pot....bought at WalMart. You can see the pot in the picture of the geraniums.....behind Paddington Bear. I never realized how big she was getting. Leaning out of the pot and looking like a giant starfish. She's always been in the south window in the front of the house. I water her when I remember. Maybe a 1/4 cup....just once in a while. I guess that's the secret...don't overdo on the watering. Because she is in a room that we don't use very much....I can neglect her.Poor thing....now that she's graced the pages of my blog....I'll pamper her with kindness and maybe even hang an ornament on her long arms :) Then she'll die...I better just leave her alone. 

Now you see the plants that keep me company during the cold months in the house. I give them TLC...tidying them up by removing the dead leaves and dried up blooms. Scratching the surface of their potting soil and adding fresh in the fall. Fertilizing very little. Watering the geraniums every other day...the others less often. Giving them the light that they require....and sharing my life inside. They give me comfort.

Now on to Christmas decorating. We did the front porch yesterday and today will start on the inside. So, let the holidays begin...I have the decorating bug. Just a little this year....just enough to make us happy.

Balisha