We may be at the end of the road for my beloved morning glories. I say ‘may’ because I was absolutely sure when I returned home last night that they were gone. It 9 pm and dark when I pulled in the driveway. As I walked to the door, I stopped to see if they had made it. All the leaves were wilted, so I figured they had died during the day.
The moonflower, which grew so slowly this year that I never even got a flower, is definitely gone.
But this morning, as I look outside, I see some of the big buds trying to open. Maybe there’s a last hurrah yet in store? I’ll keep you posted.
As I was mourning them last night, I thought about the big fat bumblebees who love them. Like this one, who spent Monday night tucked in the center of a flower and at just about the time I left for the city, was finally waking up and backing out of his temporary lodging. I snapped this picture right before I left.
I’ve seen this more than once this year. As Don says, it’s like a scene from a Disney movie. Big fat bumble bee flies around, chooses a flower, flies into the center, drinks his fill of pollen, then falls asleep. I am absolutely charmed by this bee-havior. I kept thinking about this guy off and on throughout the day yesterday.
I have much to do today – the list seems endless – before I leave tomorrow morning. Because I had to work in the city yesterday, and I’m grateful for the work, I lost a day of prep. After I post this, I’ll make a list.
I was thinking about the many plants I had in my bedroom in the early seventies. It was a jungle in there, with hanging plants, plants on stands, plants on tables – they were everywhere. Anyway, one of the plants that I had forgotten about was the dieffenbachia or dumb cane (because it can numb your tongue if ingested.) I really loved that plant. It’s the kind of plant that was very popular then but one that I don’t see much anymore.
So there I was in Lowes, looking for another Zz plant (there were none) and I saw this dieffenbachia jammed into the rear area of a shelf, looking – frankly – like a lot of plants I see at home centers; root bound, not watered enough, big brown spots on the leaves, as well as yellowing leaves. It was only $5.98, so I told it I was coming to its rescue.
I brought it home, repotted it, and removed the yellow leaves.
One good sign – there are new leaves unfurling.
I remember the one I had back in the day being quite large. This baby is rather modest in size. Let’s see what happens.
Okay. Have to get a move on. Much to be done today and I was up too late last night because I couldn’t have my dinner until 9:30 – so I had to give it time to digest. Unfortunately, my internal alarm clock woke me at the usual time, so there we are.
Happy Wednesday.
Claudia,
Do you want a zizi plant? I have many babies (they grow in my yard and every time a leaf falls, there’s another plant). I’d be happy to send you a few you can put together in a pot.
You are so sweet, but I already have one! I was just going to buy another one because I like them so much! Lucky you, to have them in your yard!
I’d be happy to send you another group.The plants can have different leaves, I’ve noticed, so mine might be different from yours.
No trouble, and I’d be happy to do it for all the enjoyment I get from your blog.
That would be lovely! But don’t send them until I get back from New Orleans, or right before that, which will be on October 27th. I’ll send you my mailing address. Thank you so much for your generous gift!
Omg! I love dieffenbachias. I always had good luck with those. They grow and climb and are pretty hearty. And pretty! Thanks for the blast from the past.
Have a great day : )
Monica
You’re welcome, Monica!
You’re right…you don’t see many dieffenbachias anymore. The plant du jour was the fiddle leaf fig for awhile…seemed like everywhere you turned someone had one. Two of my favorites are the Chinese evergreen…and the Norfolk pine…let’s face it…I have lots of favorites! Hope you get everything done on your list! ;)
It still is popular – and the Monstera – I see that a lot!
The plant on my coffee table is a Chinese Evergreen and it is so dependable!
bee-havior … haha! and sweet images (your photo and don’s words).
best wishes on getting things done. hope you sleep better tonight (i don’t sleep well before taking a trip … too excited and busy). soon you will be in one of my most favorite places on the planet … enjoy new orleans and being with your husband! safe travels, too.
kathy in iowa
Thank you so much, Kathy!
I’m so thrilled to have discovered your blog! My friend Jan, from SummerSundays told me about it, and there’s just so much in common. My husband and I live in an old stone cottage, over the years I have collected much McCoy, a bit of Roseville, and other pieces of lovely old American art pottery. And……. I have a dollhouse. Also many plants indoors and out. Another plus is that I didn’t realize there was another Jan Karon Mitford book out until I popped over here. So now I have that on my Kindle and enjoying every minute of it as a sweet escape from these turbulent times. I love that you post everyday!
Dulcy
We do have a lot in common! I’m so glad you found me, Dulcy! Thank you!
Love the Bee behavior! Makes me smile also. Such a busy day ahead and then a great trip and visit with Don. Enjoy New Orleans, one of my favorite cities. I love my house plants but have been neglectful of them lately so I need to spend some time pampering them soon. In the 70’s I too had a jungle in my home and it seems I’m getting more house plants once again. Enjoy your day! Hugs!
These things run in cycles. You should see some of the millennial and the amount of plants they have!
I love fat bees sleeping in flowers! It’s getting to the time for their hibernation. I can’t have houseplants out in the open, as my cats would either destroy them or be poisoned by them. Either way, I can see the mess…soil everywhere if the plants were not safely protected. So the houseplants I have are in my shower stall, which has a deep ledge, and the number I can collect is dictated by the amount of space I have. It’s currently full. I also bought a small greenhouse from IKEA, and my daughter keeps her African violets and air plants in it. My previous two cats were afraid of the kitchen sink, so I used to put my plants onto the deep window sill behind the sink. But the current three are fearless; into the shower or greenhouse went all the plants. I miss having plants around the house, but I prefer to have my cats. So I’ve made the best of the situation.
Sounds like you’ve got the best of both worlds!
I, too, love Diffenbachia. I have one that I have split a couple of times. They really grow fast. I just brought my Hibiscus in until next spring. I received it as a retirement gift from a committee I had been on at work for over 10 years. I retired in 2010, and it has come in and out for all of those years. Love those massive flowers and it does flower in the winter while it is inside. Bonus!!
Hope you can knock off those “to-do’s” quickly on this Wednesday, and safe travels tomorrow!!
And what a wonderful scent that must bring to your home!
Happy packing! And I’m glad you saved that poor unloved plant. Your green thumb will have it smiling in no time at all.
I hope so. I’m temporarily abandoning it, but I’ll tell it (and the pilea – both newcomers) that I’ll be back soon!
I had a nice big diffenbachia way back then too Claudia…My mother always had houseplants so I guess I caught that bug from her…My window sill above the kitchen sink is covered in plants and I am working on hanging some more throughout the house…I’m overwintering a geranium and a begonia this year which is something I have never tried before…they have to hang where the cats can’t get to them as they are toxic to my little plant nibblers…Gosh…I had best let you go…you have got so much to do!…I hope you get some good rest tonight and have a safe flight tomorrow!
I’ve overwintered my geranium for the past three or four winters. They do nicely. Thanks, Nancy!
I hope you get everything done today that you need to do before leaving. I have a dumb cane plant and, like you, in the 70s I had a front room FULL of plants…macrame plant hangers, bowls of plants, potted palms, etc. Sometimes I kind of miss those ‘old days’ when life seemed simpler somehow. However, nothing ever remains the same but I wish my kids had known the peaceful times I experienced in the late 70s.
Have a safe trip, Claudia. xo Diana
I am in good shape and have been very efficient today!
I miss those days, too. Everything seemed much simpler and less complicated.
Your new dieffenbachia is gorgeous! I think my mother had one when we were kids. I KNEW I’d get some good houseplant ideas from you, Claudia. Dieffenbachia today, Chinese evergreen yesterday. And both like the sun?? Thinking about a terra cotta dish garden too. The windowsills here are MASSIVE: 18-20 inches deep. Plenty of room for plants. I’d like to have some herbs [rosemary, chives, basil?] and maybe something that flowers too. Gave my African violets to my middle sister because she has a house & can place them in a north window. Will have to study up some. Hope the Universe will let your morning glories stick around a little while longer – that color is just sublime! Hope you sleep better tonight too. Have a little peanut butter or a banana [or both] about an hour before bedtime [have a nutritionist friend who swears by this – supposedly the best sleepy-time snack ever]. Or a little something whole-grain like oatmeal. Peace. 🍌
#Resist
Yes, they both like the sun but they can also handle some neglect. Perfect.
I’ll try your banana idea!
Those Morning Glories may come out again. We thought our Geraniums were finished, but one has a new flower.
Marilyn