What's in bud now?

Here are some photos of what's in bud or in flower in my home :)  I love that i have a large variety of orchids now.  It seems like there is something always in bloom :)  That makes me VERY happy :)

Psychopsis papilio - Butterfly Orchid

Pumeria - Not sure of the variety

Zygopetalum Orchid in spike

Another photo of the Zygopetalum 

Mexican Butterwort has been flowering non stop for months..  

One of the Mini Phal's in bloom.  it's living with 2 of his best friends in a group planting :)

My Fragrant Phal is starting to spike again!  YAY  this plant always seems to want to bloom... this was a lucky 5 dollar find

This Anthurium stays in bloom for a very long time.  usually this plants bloom will last 3-5 months before they fade and die. this flower is about 2 months old,  notice the dust.  

Another Phal that really likes to bloom.  I has been in bloom for about 6 months.  it's imperfectly perfect :)

My first Success with growing Carnivorous plants from seed

Drosera capensis

Cape Sundew 

I really wanted to share with you a few photos of my new seedlings of Drosera capensis.  If you have followed me for a while you'll know that i have been trying REALLY hard to propagate carnivorous plants seeds for a while with no success, UNTIL NOW!  :)  I was given these seeds from a friend and he guaranteed me that they would grow.  I thought that was a big guarantee considering my track record.  but i planted them as per his instruction.  Sprinkling them over some wet peat moss and making a little greenhouse for them.  Then i waited.....  and waited...after about 3 weeks i started to see life :)  WOOHOO SUCCESS!  So here are some photos of what they look like now :)  They are just starting to get the traps on the leaves :)
  These are in a small 4"pot zoomed in  they just look like moss on the surface of the soil until you zoom in :)

You can see the tiny leaves with the trap hairs on them :)  They are so cute :)

Plumeria - Seed Planting

Starting the next generation of life :)

Growing seeds can be a lot of fun.  Seeing the new life emerging from the seed is exciting and rewarding, But on occasion your little babies fall and shrivel up :( causing lots of heartache.  Today we'll plant some Plumeria seeds.  They are a plant that I've grown and fallen in love with over the past few years.  I have never grown them from seed but I've been assured that it's very easy.  The only down side is that it will take a few years for the plant to grow and mature enough to flower.   Well Lets get to it :)

First lets look at what a Plumeria looks like.

These are some of the Plumerias that I'm currently growing in my garden

Picture of this Plumeria flower was Taken by Francisco

Picture of this Plumeria flower was Taken by Francisco

Pictures of these Plumeria flowers was Taken by Francisco

Now to the good stuff :)  Planting the seeds :) 

Materials we need:

1. Plumeria Seeds
2. A Seed starting Tray with humidity cover
3. Soil (use your favourite brand of well draining soil)
4. Water

Step 1.

Fill your seed tray full of soil (Make sure to break up any large clumps)

Step 2.

Figure out what end is up with your seed :)  The seed resemble those of maple trees.  for all of you fish lovers out there they also remind me of a Bata Fish :)  Check it out!

when your planting the seed you want to grab the "fish" by the tail.... Like this :)

And then you want to ram its head into the soil...lol..  still leaving the tail sticking out :)  Like this.

be gentle but firm. try not to break the tail :)

as you can see I have a few planted now.

Step 3.

Watering!  

Water in your seeds.  They want to be constantly moist but not soggy.  check on them regularly so they never dry out.

Step 4

Cover the seeds to keep in some humidity and place them in a warm spot with bright indirect light until they sprout.  growth can start in as little as one week but usually its a little longer.  Be patient :)  Here's a photo of my happy seeds in their little greenhouse :)

I will keep you updated as to when these little guys sprout :)  I will check them daily.

I would love to hear some of your seed sprouting stories :)

  Bill