Sunday, January 18, 2009

January: Plant event!

Who says January in Chicago has to be lifeless and dreary?


Bowiea volubilis

Every January, the climbing onion puts forth a single new vine, replacing the one from two years ago that just died back. Last year's vine is still green and healthy though I don't think it's increasing in length anymore. I always look forward to the new sprout, feeling the hardness of the bulb and imagining all the lovely sugar those vines have been cranking out for the last year to bring us to this moment. Late summer, the bulb gets soft and squishy and I panic that I've overwatered and it's about to rot away... but come winter, it firms up and you can feel the energy about to burst free.

And there it is!


The plant room on a sunny January morning; many of the plants have been moved to the table because the windows are just too cold right now. Some plants don't mind, others are big babies about it.

3 comments:

Cathy S. said...

Hey Diane,

Just curious about what type of soil do you use for your plants?

Diane said...

I'm actually not sure... a major-brand something from Home Despot. I actually don't like it very much - it dries out way too fast for my taste - but I haven't found a source for the nice black loamy stuff I used to use.

Cathy S. said...

Just to let you know, I have always
used Seed Starter soil and Potting
Soil mixed together for better drainage. I think some people may
not realize that you have to water
the soil before using it right out
of the bag. ;)