February 13, Indoor gardening

Updates on what's going on in the indoors. Geraniums were not removed from their pots, but were placed on the 2nd shelf of the grow light shelves. They have only gotten a bit of water this week as there was some drooping. Otherwise- they are perky and blooming continuously. And this is easier still than in previous years when I have shaken off their soil and placed into paper bags to rest in the cold room until I start them growing again in spring. Looking forward to an earlier flowering.

Cannas and callas are in the cold room. So are the sprouting potatoes- all the little guys who were too small to eat.

I split the Banana plant into 4 clumps- 2 large pots plus a little one I pulled off in the summer. Free in 2001 because it had been damaged in a big wind storm.

Dwarf Banana Plant - Musa acuminata 'Poquito'

The Mandevilla was cut back and now have 2' long shoots.

I have many wee pots of lettuce growing from seed and also 4 pots of regrowth from harvesting.

The Sweetie Drops Pepper - Bequin- is sending out new leaves. I will split the three plants in that pot. Glad I'm not the only one jonesing for spring and summer!

In December, January , February and March, I winter sowed quite a few flats of perennials. Most were placed in the Greenhouse, some into the large hugel.

March 18 I saw Nicotiana, Erigeron, Petunias sprouting and March 19-22 Purple sage, purple penstemon and Prairie smoke. March 21, Bluebead Iris Clintonia borealis sprouting.

Inside under the lights, Galanga, turmeric and ginger roots were planted January 30. February 25, planted Basil- Cinnamon , Blue Spice and Lime.

March 2, started soaking Canna roots.

March 8, planted Calla Lilies.

March 22 planted Litchi and tomato seeds, Sweetie Drops,

Meyer Lemon continues to drop leaves- mottled but no evidence of scale or spider mites. New growth on several branches. Grow lights on all winter. Added 2 fertilizer spikes March 27.