Bloomin' Crazy at the Sacramento Zoo

Yes, I work at the Sacramento Zoo - I think I've told you that before. Well a good portion of my plants have come from their Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fest on the first Saturday in March. Mainly my orchids because there are a couple of orchid clubs that are there. They are super helpful and have a great variety of plants for sale.

The African violet society had known the pleasure of my commerce as well as the vermiculture folks. Their worm castings are just fabulous on indoor plants. The Geranium club, lavender farm and a couple of other nurseries have also sucked me in over the years. And the rare fruit growers are just a treasure trove.

The nice thing is that they are honest. If you come across as someone who is going to kill their precious plant they will tell you. That helps me. I don't want to take something home when I know it will just slowly die.

So, come out on March 6th. I'll be there!

Orchid Challenge, Aussie Chip Buds

This little orchid came home with me last year, and it helping me reach my goal on the orchid challenge. It has grown so many new leaves that it became top heavy and I have had to cram it into a small pot just to keep it up right.

Some of the newer shoots are now sporting tiny spikes that are starting to form. We shall see how it does.

Orchid Challenge, Lady Slipper

By TheJenny, Guest Blogger


New Orchid coming! One of my favorite types Paphiopedilum or "Lady Slipper" orchid, or as I call them, the ugly pitcher plant orchid. The flower is purple and green and the petals are warty. It's quite fantastic. The blossom should be here in a month or so, I'll update with a picture when it blooms.

Orchid Challange, something's growing

To date, we have three takers on the orchid challenge and we all seem to be doing quite well!

This is what I call my spaceship orchid, or Epi. Green Hornet, lancifolium x cochleatum. It grew a new shoot this year, which I have not figured out is where the blooms come from. The old ones never bloom again.

The new shoot has a little something growing inside it! Hopefully this will translate into some blooms in the near future.

Saga of the Cymbidium

Oh, we have another taker on the orchid challenge!

By Guest Blogger, Marisa

Well my darling C has been living on my back patio under the patio cover quite contentedly for about 3 years now. It has very enthusiastically tripled in size and despite the first year of playing opossum, has bloomed gorgeously for the last two.

This year however, despite its seemingly sufficient protection, it fell prey to the deadly frost we had back in December. Imagine my dismay when I discovered the blackened and shriveled remains of at least four promising spikes, only just preparing to be showstopping beauties in February!

My C was not to be deterred however, and came roaring back with extra vigor to produce four healthy replacements to dazzle me. The first of its efforts is shown here, three more to open! I am a proud mother. Just wait until my mystery phaleonopsis opens. The crowing and photos to follow! (she says hopefully)

Another Orchid Challenge!

By TheJenny, guest blogger

Oooh! Can I take the orchid challenge too? This red beauty re-bloomed just in time for turkey day and the flowers stuck around until after New Years. Long-lasting, lovely, and festive. What more can you ask for in a flower? To entice it to re-bloom, I treated it to my usual neglectful watering schedule, the steam from the kitchen sink, and indirect sunlight from the window box. So that's 2 orchids down (if we count the leopardy orchid re-bloom in October 2009), and several more to go. Wish me luck!

Lemons into Lemondrops!

I love Meyer lemons. Yes, I know they aren't actually lemons, more oranges, but I love them. I always prefer them over Eureka's and always look for someone who has a tree that will support my habit.


Since I'm in a condo, I've never had a tree, but finally impulse bought a small tree at Home Depot a couple of years ago, because I just couldn't help myself anymore.


The first year, it had a couple dozen blooms but no lemons which isn't surprising. I wasn't expecting much the second year because it's in a pretty small pot but I have a secret weapon. One little hummingbird.


This year the tree was covered in blooms. Jam packed with probably hundreds of blooms. Dripping blooms that the hummingbird just loved. I keep a hummingbird feeder in the lemon tree pot during the winter to keep her around. At first I thought it was the bees, but now I know better. That little bird is the key!


So this year there were nine lemons on this little tree and they were huge lemons! I will say they are the best Meyer lemons I have had. I'm so proud! For our Christmas, we make lemondrops as our holiday cocktail and this year we used our very own.


Here's a photo of our last lemon before I picked it.