Goldfish

I wish I could grow columnea...have had aeschynanthus but these gesneriads don't like my dry house... I have mini saintpaulias...blooming their little heads off...should post a pic.

That'd be great! Took some time working this one up. Storing water indoors keeps up my humidity. We are generally dry here as well. This started blooming when I switched to high pressure sodium for the lamp. Halide is a good wintering lamp, but I'm just shortening the days this winter for a month or so.

So you follow the natural light changes with your lamps? I suppose some plants like Schlumbergera require that change to start blooming... I have a white one that I've had for eons that's just starting to blossom...it spent the summer in the shade porch.

I figure everyone benefits from a rest now and then...lol. Once I grow a southern hemisphere collection I may have to try something different. That'd give me more winter bloomers.

great idea! what do you have in mind for that collection?

I've been looking at some bulbs like Lachenalia aloides that would flower under the light in january and scent the house. I might be a little late on getting that here soon enough. My usual greenhouse is rebuilding the winter location, so they didn't bring in anything for fall. I think my pericallis will start up for feb and I'm getting an amaryllis, never done that before....lol. Starting small

bulbs would be an excellent idea for your indoor garden GT. the lachenalia looks like a very interesting and undemanding plant to grow...it's sequence is the reverse of most other plants...it would be sleeping all summer and blooming all winter under the halide lamps... sounds perfect! I love amaryllis but haven't had one, I've given them as gifts...maybe I should treat myself?

My sisters amaryllis is huge! In a 10 inch pot and about three or more foot leaf span. She says it's not always attractive, but really has amazing flowering. I'm gonna go for it. Lachenalia is usually sweet scented as well. My heliotrope make such a nice smell, I'm looking for scent. I saw a cutting of carnation that made me realize I could keep them all year as well. My favorite smell.

My favourite smell is acidanthera...I'm trying to grow them in the big garden planter that I brought indoors! no lights so I'm not sure how well they'll work out...perhaps I should wait til March. I have so much work yet to do, have been a little under-the-weather lately...have some catching up...