Rhode Island Feeds

By Pat Feinstein

It's always difficult for me to say goodbye to my outdoor flowers each year. It seems much more difficult to say goodbye to indoor plants, to throw away old, diseased, sick-looking house plants, especially the flowering ones, and particularly African Violets.

1.30.12

I tend to expect that my indoor house plants will always look fresh, healthy and last a very long time. My old Jade plant, Rubber plant, Arrowhead plant, Lucky Bamboo,

1.31.12

1.30.12

and many others, including a few kalanchoe, still look great after so many years.

Yet, I have to frequently remind myself that they will not last forever.

This week I've finally "let go" of some old, tired and sick-looking African Violets and welcomed some new ones.

1.30.12

2.2.12

Plants, like people, do get old and sick for various reasons, beyond intervention and the best efforts in maintenance care.

Plants do have their own life spans, I suppose.

By Pat Feinstein

This cymbidium has been blooming in my house for over six weeks. There are two flower stems and the flowers on the second stem had not yet opened when I purchased the plant.

12.16.11

Since I placed it among the other houseplants in one area of my living room named the "orchid corner," I have seen the gradual blossoming of the second flower stem.

The Orchid Corner

Next, the flowers at the lower end of the earlier blooming flower stem started to wilt. Then, a few days ago, I noticed that the color in the lip of one flower at the top of the stem had changed from yellow to pink; it was followed by another flower and then another.

1.22.12

1.28.12

Flowers on the other stem remain unchanged, but I expect the colors to change on the second stem as well.

By Pat Feinstein

'Dancing Queen' from White Flower Farm, a holiday gift, is my only new amaryllis bulb this winter.

I started watering it about 6 -7 weeks ago and patiently waited for the flower buds and stems to grow.

The first dancing queen made her debut entrance today and appears to be a real show stopper.

1.23.12

There are 2 flower stems growing from this single bulb; both are much shorter than most other amaryllis I've had.

1.23.12

The large double blossom with streaked red-and-white petals is stunningly beautiful. (It resembles the Apple Blossom Amaryllis I had late last spring).

By Pat Feinstein

I happened to see many beautiful primrose plants as I ran into a nearby supermarket.

I have plenty of primrose in my front garden (all in reddish purple) that bloom every year, usually in April and I don't need any more.

4.19.07

Then I saw the sign "3 for $5." No, I just couldn't pass that up.

There was a variety of colors to choose from. I picked two in pale yellow -- slightly different shades and markings...

1.18.12

...and one in a darker yellow that resembles a pansy, but with double flowers.

They will stay indoors until spring when they will join all the other primroses, one of my dependable groundcovers.

2007

Primrose belongs in the genus Primula and Primulaceae family, with over 400 species. There is also an American Primrose Society that meets every year.

By Pat Feinstein

I cannot count the number of times that I have found flowering orchid plants irresistible.

Today I found another cymbidium in light yellow, a color that I've never had before. It cost $22.99 which I thought was a reasonable price, considering its size -- it has 4 flower stems. Just 4 years ago a phalaenopsis cost at least that much.

1.14.12

My last cymbidium, purchased a month ago, with 2 flower stems, is still quite beautiful.

1.14.12

I followed the instruction to submerge the plant in a sink full of water for 10 -15 minutes.

I hope it will continue to bloom -- perhaps into spring, which is still 9 weeks away.

By Pat Feinstein

The temperature reached 61 degrees yesterday afternoon!

How could I not take advantage of this unusually warm winter day?

I started out weeding, then cut dried branches off several chrysanthemums, two scented geraniums and a few Montauk daisies in the front yard; I proceeded to clean up the flower beds along the side-walks and the front path. I dropped the rake and ran inside to grab the camera when I spotted the hellebores underneath the leaves.

1.7.12

Hellebores in the first week of January. It has never happened before in my years of gardening.

1.7.12

I don't usually expect to see hellebores until early March. The earliest one I have recorded was in February 2009.

1.8.12

Hellebore is considered a sign of spring. I hope everyone got to enjoy this spring-like day in the middle of winter.

By Pat Feinstein

I did not have long to wait before the first of 4 amaryllis flowers opened up, followed by the rest on a single tall flower stalk.

12.31.11

1.2.12

This is the third time this relatively small amaryllis bulb has flowered.

1.3.12

Amaryllis Rosado, a South American species of Hippeastrum cybister, has much smaller flowers than more common varieties, but with a unique appearance -- the narrow, elongated petals have white brush marks on the three lowest ones. The color combination in this flower is very beautiful.

The days are getting longer, although spring is still more than two months away.

1.5.12

By Pat Feinstein

Another Christmas came and went ...

Nothing much is going on while waiting to ring in the New Year ...

Poinsettia is still in bloom, but both poinsettia and cactus appeared passé by the end of December.

I am thankful to have a collection of amaryllis to look forward to... all but one are from previous years' bulbs that I have been able to save.

I have lost count of the variety/names of all the bulbs from yesteryear.

Playing a waiting game and watching "what will happen" is what I'm doing.

My first amaryllis flower stem is now more than 2 feet in height and still growing.

12.29.11

I look forward to the first bloom, which should happen any minute,

12.29.11 at 9:28 am

any hour,

12.29.11 at 12.15 pm

or any day now.

Will it be Amaryllis Rosado or Amaryllis Sumatra, or something else ...?

I shall soon find out!

By Pat Feinstein

I gave a cursory glance at some flowering plants in a small flower corner at my usual grocery last week and spotted a bi-colored gerbera daisy with sprayed-on glitter.

12.21.11

I thought to myself, "That's new to me!" While worrying about the possibility that the glitter might disturb the photosynthesis and well-being of the plant, I could not resist purchasing one in a lovely green and red planter for $9.99.

This gerbera is also unique in its color. I have never had gerbera flowers in green/white before.

12.25.11

I have occasionally sought out bright-colored gerberas in the middle of winter.

Gerbera belongs in the family Asteraceae, named after a German botanist and naturalist, Traugott Gerber, a friend of Carolus Linnaeus.

I always enjoy having gerbera in a floral arrangement. It is supposedly the fifth-most -used cut flower in the world (after rose, carnation, chrysanthemum and tulip).

1.19.04

Perhaps this green gerbera will last through the winter, with glitter and all. It has added a festive and glistening spirit to my Christmas this year.

By Pat Feinstein

Cymbidium, also known as "Boat orchids," belong in the genus Cymbidium and the family Orchidaceae. The name is reportedly derived from the Greek word kumbos, meaning 'hole, cavity' and referring to the form of the base of the orchid's lip, according to Wikipedia.

Cymbidium flowers come in a variety of colors including green, many shades of pink, red, brown and yellow; some with beautiful marking in darker colors. There can be up to 15 flowers on one flower stem. Each flower can be 2 - 4 inches in diameter.

I tried to grow Cymbidium several years ago, but they did not re-flower and eventually died.

12.16.02

Yesterday I purchased a cymbidium plant from a specialty grocery store. There are two flower stems on the plant and all the buds on one stem have yet to open. I should be able to enjoy a long blooming period. The plant is already over 3 feet in height.

12.16.11

A list of instructions accompanied the plant that included the appropriate ways of initial watering, maintaining optimal lighting, temperature and subsequent watering. I hope I'll have better luck taking care of it this time.

12.17.11

Cymbidium has always been very popular for corsages and floral arrangements.

5.1.08

I recently received one and it still looks as spectacular as it did two weeks ago.

12.17.11

By Pat Feinstein

I love Christmas cactus but have had very little luck with it in the recent past. The last one I had, in 2009 , died; but the Easter cactus I got in the spring appears to be doing well.

I still remember the first small cactus plant I received as a gift that lived for years and years when I had virtually neglected it.

I was not planning to purchase one this holiday season; but changed my mind when I saw a yellow one in an online catalog. I have never had one in yellow before.

The plant arrived in a good condition, with 2 wilted flowers. I removed the spent flowers and waited for the new ones to open up ...one at a time. There are still several buds yet to open.

12.2.11

My new cactus cost $9.99 and came in a 4-inch container.

12.6.11

Christmas cactus belongs in the genus Schlumbergera and Cactaceae family.

Plant care: Keep evenly moist but not wet or soggy. Water thoroughly. Good air circulation and bright light are recommended.

By Pat Feinstein

Trinity Dinunzio of Newport with the cabbage that made her the state's winner in the Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program

Trinity Dinunzio, now a fourth-grade student at St. Michael's Country Day School in Newport, has been awarded a $1,000 savings bond as Rhode Island's winner in the 2010-2011 Bonnie Plants' 3rd Grade Cabbage Program.

In early June, Trinity and her classmates each received a tiny cabbage plant in a small container from her science teacher, Lisa Pritchard, who had signed her class up for the program.

Ms. Pritchard submitted Trinity's name in September after seeing the picture above of the cabbage, taken by her family, a family very much interested in gardening and "growing your own food."

The winning cabbage weighed 19 lbs., was 36 to 40 inches in diameter and approximately 20 inches tall.

Trinity first grew the cabbage in a small container, then transferred it to a larger one before she eventually put it in ground she prepared by digging a big hole and adding compost. A little research online led to a planting site next to a thyme plant. Trinity says she watered her cabbage regularly and fertilized it with fish emulsion once every week or two.

By July the cabbage has grown considerably. Both Trinity and her mother were concerned that the outer leaves were damaged. They avoid using any toxic pesticides and later learned that they had provided food to lots of cabbage white butterfly caterpillars. A wire fence around the growing cabbage protected it from rabbits and other animals.

The family harvested the huge cabbage in August, and had been eating their home-grown product all through the summer and well into November. They used the last of it to make a coleslaw for their extended family during the Thanksgiving feast.

Asked what she enjoyed the most from this experience, Trinity answered, " Eating it..

Each year Bonnie Plants trucks free O.S. Cross, or "oversized," cabbage plants to third grade classrooms whose teachers have signed up for the program online at www.bonnieplants.com. Some of the cabbages have tipped the scales at 40 pounds.

By Pat Feinstein

My newest houseplant, String of Pearls (Senecio rawleyanus), ordered online for $12.99, arrived a week after the order was placed in a small hanging basket. The strings were tangled up a bit, but the plant looked relatively healthy.

11.28.11

This succulent plant has no foliage. The whole plant looks like shining green peas strung at intervals on long, fragile, slender stems cascading along the sides of the basket.

I had never seen or heard of string of pearls plant before and have no idea how challenging it would be to cultivate one. I have since learned that the plant requires bright light, thorough watering when the soil is almost dry, fertilizing in mid-spring and midsummer and repotting in spring when the plant outgrows its container.

Yesterday, I found a tiny elongated flower bud at the end of one stem. I am now patiently waiting for the bud to open up and hope to share it with all of you.

11.29.11

String of pearls, senecio rawleyanus, in the Asteraceae family, is native to South Africa.

11.30.11

By Pat Feinstein

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Christmas is still more than a month away. I am not ready to look for any poinsettias, still waiting to see if the one I had from last year will "bloom" again.

11.17.11

However this rather unusual-looking poinsettia found me! It is nothing like poinsettias I have had in the past... i.e. 2009, 2010

It is called Winter Rose-Early Family, Marble and described as "Novelty type builds consumer interest at retail." It has certainly got my full attention with its "incurved leaves and incurved bracts" and "unique globe shaped flower heads."

It might be called Early Family because "Flower initiation (is) approximately September 15th for November 15th-20th timing", according to the Ecke Ranch website.

The colors available are red, pink, peppermint and eggnog, in addition to this "marble."

The plants come in different sizes. Mine is the smallest one and cost $4.95.

By Pat Feinstein

My first mini orchid was purchased in late July or early August at $6.99 in a very small pot (3 inches).

8.2.11

The second one I found in mid-August, also at the same price.

8.15.11

I kept both of them outdoors. The flowers lasted a few weeks in the relatively warm summer. They look healthy indoors at present; but I'm not sure if they'll bloom again.

This week I picked up another one for $7.99 and it is a beauty with many buds yet to open.

11.13.11

All mini orchids are hybrids. The plants are smaller than the commonly seen phalaenopsis and they come in smaller containers.

They should gain popularity around here, especially when "the price is right!"

By Pat Feinstein

I was one of those who regard Gloxinia as a gift plant. I loved to buy gloxinias as a house gift but when I received one my gloxinia usually died soon after, probably from over-watering.

This week I welcome new gloxinias with strikingly beautiful double flowers in deep red and deep purple.

11.8.11

11.9.11

I have had good luck with many African violets and one Streptocarpus which is still in bloom ( in the same family, Gesneriaceae); so perhaps I'll get to see Gloxenia bloom again.

11.8.11 Streptocarpus

Gloxinia requires bright, indirect light, normal room temperature and thorough watering when the soil is dry to the touch, without wetting the leaves.

It is native to Brazil.

In the language of flowers, Gloxinia symbolizes "love at first sight."

By Pat Feinstein

A few inches of snow on Sunday in our area did not produce damage as serious as the hard frost that followed Monday morning.

This marks the end of my zinnias, dahlias, morning glory, nasturtium, verberna and many others.

10.31.11 - Zinnia

10.31.11 - Nasturtium

10.31.11 - Dahlia

All frost-covered foliage is uniquely beautiful.

10.31.11 Verbena

The scented geraniums might be around a few more days, but will not survive the winter.

10.31.11 Scented Geranium

The roses, including a beach rose by my sidewalk will survive both the frost and snow and stay dormant until next spring.

10.31.11

10.31.11 - Beach rose, Rosa rugosa

By Pat Feinstein

Nasturtium has been part of my summer garden for several years, but climbing nasturtium was new to me. I picked up 2 tiny plants labeled "climbing nasturtiums" at the Southside Community Land Trust annual plant sale in mid-May. They were planted in my front garden, in full sun.

One produced yellow flowers and grew into a very large mound, but "not climbing".

7.17.11

The other, with orange flowers and larger leaves, sent out long shoots in many directions. I provided tall stakes for them to climb up at first; then allowed them to climb on the big rhododendron that embraces a lamp post.

9.30.11

Both produced many flowers all through the summer, some of which I've often added to my salad.

7.17.11

Nasturtium flowers are very attractive and look even better as the weather turns colder. While most flowers become smaller in the cold, nasturtium flowers get bigger.

The leaves are also lovely, especially with raindrops...

9.29.11

according to this nasturtium website, "Nasturtiums that climb are perennials while some other varieties are considered annuals" and "can be grown indoors during the winter months to provide you with colorful blooms, lush foliage and the peppery flavor of the plant all year long." I am very tempted to bring it indoors!

10.28.11

Nasturtium belongs in the genus Trapaeolum and Trapaeolaceae family. "The Nasturtiums receive their name from the fact that they produce an oil that is similar to that produced by Watercress, Nasturtium officinale" according to Wikipedia.

By Pat Feinstein

The Cattleya orchid plant (bought along with the Lady Slipper, at the same price of $29.99) was practically falling out of its very lightweight, clear plastic container when purchased about a week ago.

There were 2 buds on the plant. I had no idea what color the flowers would turn out to be or what condition they would be in at blooming time.

10.19.11

I replanted it, adding new orchid soil, staking and supporting the relatively tall, heavy plumage of the plant. I also added a little water.

Last night I was totally surprised to find two greenish cattleya flowers in full bloom as I walked into the house after a week's absence.

There are more than 40 species of cattleya, in the orchidaceae family. Cattleya flowers come in different sizes and colors. They are often called 'corsage orchid'.

The bloom life is supposed to last about 4 weeks. The flower also has a lovely fragrance.

10.27.11

Cattleya signifies mature charm, according to the meanings of flowers.

Cattleya, my favorite cut flower, is now a member of my houseplant collection.

By Pat Feinstein

Yesterday, as the weather is turning colder and there's not much time left to bring many plants such as angel's trumpet, euphorbia and tropical hibiscus indoors, I ran out to the home/appliance store in the steady rain for potting soil, peat moss, containers, etc.

I came home with my first lady slipper orchid plant in a small plastic container with the name tag "Paph.sukhakulli '#25' ".

The price was $29.99. I thought this uniquely beautiful lady slipper was worth the money.

I have no idea of how to take care of it; but I'm willing to learn and to take a chance in growing it.

Orchid of the week website recommends the following :

• Low to medium light.


• Intermediate to warm temperature ... from 60° to 85° Fahrenheit.


• Humidity - 50% to 70%


• Fertilizing every other watering with a full strength orchid fertilizer.


• Re-potting every 12-18 months just after flowering.

I was fascinated to learn that this orchid "is a native to the Phu Luang mountains in Loei, Thailand... an easy plant to grow and flower... often blooms twice a year .. seems to be tolerant of a wide range of conditions, and the flowers are long lived, usually from 2 1/2 - 3 months."

Lady slipper orchid belongs in the genus Paphiopedium and Orchidacea family.