Show us your houseplants in bloom now

That's what I was told too, hence my leaving them outdoors as long as I dare.

I have a Hippaestrum cybister that needs similar treatment - I was told to leave it to the frosts until the foliage died and then bring it indoors. Works like a dream.

 

I'll add this even though I'm not responsible for the blooms as it's a new purchase.
It's a Vanda orchid.................




One of the more tricky orchids apparently, one of the tips that I picked up is that the blue ones are said to be more tolerant of slightly cooler conditions (Vanda are tropical orchids). Needs good light (but not strong direct sun) and plenty of humidity. Must be fed regularly.

 

How are you growing that longk?
Is it in a pot?

I've not grown any Vandas, but if its the kind that need very high humidity, roots taking up moisture from the air, I'd struggle.

 

At the moment it's in a basket, but I'm considering switching to the vase growing method.
All Vanda need high humidity which may be my biggest headache too. It's in the en-suite, but in late spring I'll move it to the greenhouse which I keep very humid.

 

my forced pink hyacinth started opening today


EDIT: just changed pic to todays

 

I've never had any luck with forcing bulbs

 

Look what pinged open this morning from a cutting taken last August.
Stepelia variegata

 

Ooohhhh - now I'm jealous!

 

It's a bit weird, putting out a flower stem at this time of year surely? And so young?
Once it's really taken off Keith,I'll snap off a couple of stems and post them to you. Rooted in water without any difficulty - I just wanted to make sure it would work before I potted it up,
Jenny

 

How do you take cuttings from these

 

Thanks - if my Stapelia gigantea seeds germinate I'll put your name to one of those!

Slice of a growing point with two open leaves and plop it into an airy compost mix - keep warm and fairly humid.

 

Just changed pic on my last post to pic i took today.

First time i've tried it. I think i bought the bulbs around october. I put em in soil and placed them in a drawer in the shed so they were cold had no light. When the bulge came through I brought this one in and put it in a cool windowsill and the leafs started growing up. then moved it to a warmer spot and its started flowering I've got another one downstairs I just brought out of the shed last week.

I bought a hyacinth from morrisons few years back and loved the fragrance so last autumn, after reading somewhere on the net about forcing these for christmas, I thought I'd try this. Its a couple weeks late lol but what the hell. Its starting to give off that lovely scent you get from hyacinths so i'm chuffed anyways

 

My most successful indoor bulb is Hymenocallis festalis.....................




I struggled with Hippaestrum cybister for many years until I was told that they need a cold snap. I left mine outdoors during the cold weather before christmas and then bought it in - it's in bud now.

 

never seen those before, or werent really paying attention in the past lol. just googled some pics and those two types Hymenocallis festalis and Hippaestrum cybister look quite splendid longk might have to look out for them ones

 

Hymenocallis is pretty available in garden centres, but they tend to be small bulbs that will take a year or two to reach blooming size. Better bought on-line where they state "large flowering sized bulbs".
I got my Hippaestrum from the Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam at a cost of three euros.