Category: House Plants

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Events House Plants Sales and Open House Events

Kokedama, Terrariums and Carnivorous Plants, Oh My!

Come see me at the Germantown Farmers Market on July 21 from 4 to 7 pm and bring all your questions about plants, gardening, and particularly tropical houseplants.  I’ll be demonstrating the fascinating art and science of making kokedama and terrariums, and will have some cool carnivorous plants on hand, too.  It’s too hot for most terrarium plants to be outside right now, but I’ll have a few on hand for sale along with some terrarium kits and plants to buy and plant at home.

The Germantown Farmers Market is located in the Bobby Lanier Farm Park at 2660 Cross Country Drive in Germantown.  You can give me a call at 901-828-3685 or leave a comment or question below for more information.

Never heard of kokedama?  They are REALLY cool additions to patios, porches, shady balconies, etc., in the summer, and can easily be brought inside in the winter.  Kokedama is a bonsai technique from Japan, where suitable plants are planted into specially mixed soil, sphagnum moss, and potters clay, then covered in living moss and wrapped with waxed thread to keep it all together.  Done properly, it forms a  beautiful living container that is actually very easy to maintain.  They can be displayed on saucers with pebbles, but are most spectacular when hung in groups.   Come see me to learn more and start your own hanging garden!

Ferns are traditionally used in kokedama. This holly fern is a beauty, don't you think?
Ferns are traditionally used in kokedama. This holly fern is a beauty, don’t you think?
Kokedama3closeup
Closeup of the moss ball covering the roots. The potters clay in the soil keeps it all tidy, no soil washes out when you water. I promise!
In foreground, a Kentucky Blue rabbits foot fern is beginning to send its odd feet running out over the moss. It makes me happy to come home to these mysterious flying plants on my front porch!
In foreground, a Kentucky Blue rabbits foot fern is beginning to send its odd feet running out over the moss. It makes me happy to come home to these mysterious flying plants on my front porch!
 

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House Plants Interesting Tidbits

Logee's Tropical Nursery!

I love exploring nurseries when I travel, and  my trip to New York City via Connecticut was a true delight.  Opened in 1892 in Danielson, Connecticut, Logee’s has been in continuous operation by the Logee family ever since.  You can read about this fabulous place here: Logee’s

    

This large tropical nursery, around an entire city block entirely under glass, is in a small old country town.  They specialize in mail order sales, but are open to the public.

I was fascinated by the Connecticut architecture and landscape, like this abandoned factory across the street,

  

And these apartment houses down the block
  

 

The outside entrance doesn’t look like a door to a rainforest, but MMMMM smell the warm air rushing up those stairs into the shop
 

I spent several hours winding through the various greenhouses, it was heavenly

  

This Ponderosa Lemon tree was planted in 1900 and still bears many many lemons.  It is about 40 feet around, hard to convey in the photo.  I walked under its limbs without bending over.

  

Some of the greenhouses were conservatory gardens
  

Bananas in Connecticut, Hooray!

  

Coffee beans, oh yeah!
  

I wanted two of everything but since I was far from home, I had to settle for babies and miniatures, shipped to meet me in Memphis 
  

My shipment came in, all wrapped in damp paper.  My heart went out to all these little travelers as I unpacked them, and thanked them for coming all this way to live with me.
  

Some made it easier than others.  This precious little begonia is pretty bedraggled, but I think he will perk up nicely.

     

A few of the baby tropical vines and miniature rainforest begonias getting a drink and misted after unpacking
  

 

Sensitive plants

   

They may be small now, but a good repotting, some fresh air and sunlight for a few months and boy, howdy, look out!  

Categories
House Plants Interesting Tidbits Sales and Open House Events Uncategorized

Disappearing Leaves on My Purple Passion Plant!

I brought in to my sun porch with a tropical fuchsia some leaf munching caterpillars in late September, and have been plagued ever since with sudden attacks that leave only the nubs of the stem and a little rib where once had been lush leaves.  I had hoped I had found all the little boogers except all of a sudden last week it started back… Here is what I found this morning.  I am glad they won’t have a chance to lay eggs somewhere.  So, remember to be extra vigilant right now, all kinds of plant pests are going to be materializing in your indoor gardens.

Come see me and my Green Mansion terrariums at the Garden Path Studio Holiday Open House on Sunday Dec 13, 1-6 pm.  597 Madison at Marshall.  Live music, holiday cheer and maybe a little shopping, too.   Ceramics, paintings, wearable woven art, photos, jewelry, terrariums, and more! Follow this page for updates, or post any inquiries, or email [email protected].  Ya’ll come! 

    
 
The above newly planted bowl of espicia has really grown beautifully, and I found a cool space helmety top for it to grow into.  It is about to start blooming just in time for the sale!