Feng Shui

I had a peer who was into feng shui when I lived in Boulder, CO.  I actually did my house in a feng shui color pattern for awhile.  I don’t claim to know much about it, but it was a creative project.  Cleaning closets, etc, to make room for more good energy is also part of it.

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Cripple Creek 8.29

Currently, I am doing houseplant feng shui.  I spend all winter counting the days until the plants go outside and I can have more space.  And, there are some plants I am bonded with and some that I am just tired of looking at.  Not that many, maybe half dozen.

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Purple Corn Dancer 8.29

I found homes for them with friends on Facebook.  It is kind of hard – but I still have more than I need.  My problem is that new plants help me pass the winter doldrums.  But, as I have said before, the orchids are kind of high needs – and they always seem fragile – ready to rot or have the leaves drop off from dryness.

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Indian Sky 8.29

I’m not giving my orchids away – but there will be natural attrition and I just won’t keep buying them.  The rex begonias, African violets, calathea are all staying put, too.

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Frans Hals 8.29

My new theme is cool succulents and air plants.  I have a good bunch of Southwest plants from my road trips – but you can always find a fun new species.  And, air plants are fun to decorate with!  I got my first batch of mail order ones today – all 6 in a box that is maybe 5 inches square.  They are space efficient and fairly resilient to a bit of neglect if the summer gets busy. Also, pretty cost effective except the big, fancy ones.

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Purple Grasshopper 8.29

I had five in bloom today – daylilies, that is.  That’s a good number for the last Thursday in August.  It won’t last long, though. They have been in bloom for nearly 90 days.  So, I am happy for the little air plants today.  Gives me something to look forward to this winter.

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My mail order air plants 8.29

Stay of Execution

So, my day job is busy, although the buzz of the term is settling down some.  My evening job this week is tweaking the new drip system.  Last night, it was staples and stakes.  Tonight, I tried sprayer heads on a couple of the larger pots that were hogging water.  I think the little sprayers will work better without a much water waste.

I can’t believe I still have 7 in bloom today.  But, the buds become rare and every day I say goodbye to at least one cultivator for another year.

Purple Corn Dancer is in 2 locations and so she has most of her buds left in location #2.

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Purple Corn Dancer 8.27

Frans Hals has maybe 10 buds left – +/-

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Frans Hals 8.27

Purple Grasshopper and Ruby Stella have a handful of buds left.

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Purple Grasshopper 8.27

I think both Navajo Curls and Cripple Creek have a bud or two left.

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Navajo Curls 8.27

Purple Thunderbird maybe has one bud left (max).

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And, then it ends.  Except that I found one of my Lowe’s Stella hybrid rebloomers with a new scape.  It only has a few buds, but it is still 90 degrees.  So, my hope is that the new drip system might give me a few more reblooms.  My stay of execution.

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Ruby Stella 8.27

My poinsettias seem to be perking up – but it is not a good year for them.  I need to start forcing the big ones so they can all cycle through the bloom closet.

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El Desperado 8.27

I’m camping this weekend and maybe looking for succulents down in SW Colorado.  Oh, and I mail ordered my first air plants.  They should be here tomorrow.  I was reading that too many varieties of plant detracts from all of them.  I honestly am OK with having less and getting more air plants and succulents.  All my super market specials make the place look cluttered  . . . we will see.  The long and boring winter is less than 4 months away.  My stay of execution is only temporary.