Mike I am sorry to here of your loss. I only know of 1 death from church. She was an anti vaxer. As for plants. My fukushu on Flying Dragon

Steve

My 30-gallon Fukushu on C35 roots.

Steve

Valentine pomelo

New Zealand lemonade through 4 sheets glass

Steve

Mike, I'm so sorry to hear about your friends.

This is the first year I got some upgraded lights. Things are looking good and growing well.

Wendy, Steve, John, and Rob, I really appreciate your kind words. Yes, I just lost another close friend a few days ago again due to the new strain. It's been tough but my plants and the people like I have gotten to spend time with here are been such a lift me upper. Thank you)))

As for the plants, wow. Just great work everyone. Once a I get a few minutes, I will post more pics I took today. I LOVE the lights I have and the feeling of summer it gives me. Sweet fragrance too)

I know of only 3 deaths from covid19 and those 3 at least 3 jumps remove from a friend. They were all anti vax'ers A 4th person is an anti Vax'er and that 'active athlete' is well but take 2 rests to climb 1 Flight of steps. I have had personal friends an relatives get covid19 but were vaccinated and got mildly sick.

Good points made

I will take more pics soon. Flowers everywhere))

Just a random collection of photos. All plants grown under lights. Since I can't properly format on mobile, photos are as follows.

1. Overview shot of the props. I seriously need to rethink my philosophy behind "downsizing". Lately I've told myself, "I'll just keep one leaf from all the plants I get rid of, surely they won't all successfully prop." .....you can see where that's gotten me.
2. Sulcorebutia rauschii f. violacidermis - acquired fairly recently and had no fine roots. Was pale and presumably dormant. It's just started to regain some color and push out some new growth. Very excited to see how it continues to grow.
3. Mammillaria sonorensis(??) - unsure on species but they sure are happy. Been flowering+fruiting all last summer and through this winter.
4. Sinocrassula yunnanensis that had filled out its little 2" pot and was ready for an upgrade.
5. Echeveria "Dionysos" - coloring up nicely under the new lights. This photo is from about 3 days ago and it's much redder already. Very pleased with it.
6. Echeveria "Brown Rose" - little 99 cent find that I'm growing more fond of as it gets some interesting stress coloration.
   
   

Moved places and don't have everything at the new place but got stuff under some new lights. Just fluorescents but until I get some LEDs they'll do.

These were kicked out from under lights or out of greenhouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrLsMfwBWKw

Hi Mike!!! i cant believe its been over a month since i last posted! you wouldnt believe it but i caught covid again!! it was just as terrible the second time and my smell still isnt completely back anyways last weekend i finally got aroind to cleaning the greenhouse trimming and taking pictures!

You know what! i dont know if you remember but a long time ago i got a wekiwa tangelo from four winds and i am looking at the fruit and they all have top knots very prominent ones. i cut one open today and its quite a bit pigmented. i think i mistakenly got a valnetine pummelo!!! this whole time ive been wanting one and i might have had it all along lol!!! anyways i took your advice and bought one anyways so i guess ill have two!

Ill take some photos of the fruit this weekend as i still have a couple hanging on the tree!

These are blooms on the cara cara!

Oh mike i found a picture of the suspected fruit hanging on the tree i took last month! can you see the top knot? They look like sumos! they dont look like wekiwas at all! along with the red pigment it made me think of the valentine pummelo although i might be wrong!

mike my facourite this year was actually the new zealand lemonade! this winter was very frosty and most of them lost a lot of leaves. But the nzl was a trooper gave me lots of sweet fruit that tasted just like lemonade without the need of added sugar!! i wished i used some sort of lighting as most of the fruit didnt ripen quite right. how are yours doing? do you use lights? and how are you and your mom? hope you are both safe!

Mike i just went through all the posts and i am so sorry for your loss. we too had several losses recently but mostly due to cancers coming back. it was so weird but 3 friends in remission suddenly had a very aggressive cancer come back and passed within the last monght. Its very surreal i know how you feel. hugs hugs my dear friend so glad to still be hearing from you!

mike i wasnt aware you brought your citrus in i always thoguht they were on that large porch of yours! but theyre all doing so beautifully. it sure does brighten the dark days doesnt it.

steve i cant see the picture of your valentine pumelo im trying to compre it to mine to see if i really got a valentine instead of a wekiwa.

My valentine pomelo Close up

It is the2 trunk tree in the video

Mike, I haven't been on for a while. I feel for you, losing those close to you. I too lost my husband after a terribly horrid few months. It was not Covid. This past year has been so depressing and if it weren't for my plants, I'm not sure I could have make it through. I feel for your grief.

Your plants are amazing and I can't believe you are getting such growth and fruiting during the deep winter. Those lights weren't available to me back in NY. I just used CFL's and could get some orchids to bloom. I'm absolutely amazed at what people are getting indoors over winter.

Congratulations to all of you!!

I feel hopeful about the possibility of moving back north and still growing. Its so important for your mental health. To me, my plants are like my pets. No matter how depressed one can be, those living things rely on your care. It keeps you feeling alive.

Keep these photos coming. Gives me hope for the future.

Hugs,

Jane

Mike, All my best to you. My church group helps me thru the bad times. We lost a few at church. Don't know if from reactions or cancer or heart conditions. Still hurts all the same. I think the only plants we got in common is our jades. I'm heavy into Agave, Aloe and Sansevieria.

Here is what's blooming for me right now. Spring is almost here.

Some more. I finally managed to get the orange star bulbs (ornithogalum dubium) to rebloom!

Last one- this fuchsia is almost an year old, I managed to save it during the summer and now have a couple dozen rooted cuttings going...

JOhn, I use to be just like that! A leaf here and there, then always rooting a cutting for more, but then as for me no where to grow them. Ugh. You have a lot of beauties there loving all that light. Nice colors too)

Getgoing, wow. You know me. I have a special likeness for orchids. Amazing job. Hard to believe after winter we can still have nice plants like that. I'll bet you love the fragrance of that Dendrobium. Nice work

Stush, you are so right. Thank you for your kind words and always after all these years. You have always been a kind and gentle sole here and in person. Bless you for that. Thank goodness for our plants and the things we like most)

Steve, that is on good looking tree. Amazing how it can look that good after a long winter. Impressive buddy.

Jan, I want to begin with a HUGE hug!! If I could see you that is what I would do. I would also spend a night in the greenhouse or drink a cup of coffee and catch up with you. Wow you did such a great job after leaving it alone for a while. I have you have been through so much and I can say that I am sure your love of plants must of had some healing power. You have been missed and I can't believe it has been over a month and that spring is just about here too. Time goes back tonight and it will not get dark until 7 on Monday.

Sorry for what you have been through and for what you are still dealing with. You have been in my thoughts and prayers and I am grateful that members like you and others stick around here even after all the curve balls life throws at us.

So much has changed in the years I am been here. But one thing is consistent. We still like our plants and care about each other.

I miss Brian and others and boy do your pics make me smile even after everything! I am just glad my Mom rode this one out and many others I cherish. Stush here that posted, I was worried about him too because I know he had some health issues. I am glad he is ok!

Too funny about the repeat citrus you bought. I have done that many times, ha.

I am so sorry about your losses too. Jan hugs for you for that. I am so sorry about your dog too. Ugh

Thank God for the flowers on our trees and for a place to escape tp enjoy them. I missed you so much.

Much love

Mike

Mike, the dendrobium isn't as fragrant as I would like. I can smell it from a feet or so in the latter part of the morning. I guess as it grows bigger and has more blooms it will be more fragrant.

Mike!!!! oh boy am I glad to hear from you! I love that this forum is still kicking. I have wondered too about Brian and Amy and Laura and Bob I hope they are all doing well. I have missed you most of all my dear friend and your post made my day! I would love to spend time with you in my greenhouse chatting away into the night I am sure :) . I am so happy that you and your mom are ok I think of you guys often and you both are always in my prayers! It has been such a year of loss and everyone I have spoken to seems to have lost loved ones and it seems like the world is upside down. I am glad for our love of plants at such a time as this. When I was sick, I kept looking out my window to the greenhouse and I would force myself to go out there to muster up my strength again so yes it did help and I am so thankful for that. It seems that I have missed so much on this forum and all the new players but I am so glad to be back on it. Hopefully on a more consistent basis but of course life does throw some lemons sometimes!

You know Mike through all the neglect the only thing that survived was the citrus and the hoyas that I have had passed down to me. And you know there is an orchid show soon in vancouver!!! Oh how I wish we could go together lol we would buy out the entire show! I have gotten a few cattleyas over the last few months but it would be a miracle if they survive because I dont know the first thing about them.

Mike are you going to buy anymore roses this year? I am so excited at all the roses that are beginning to go on pre order as well lol I'm in trouble!

Steve thanks so much for the pictures!! hmmmmmm I suppose many other citrus have those leaves too so I guess I will have to wait to compare them to the other valentine I got this summer lol can't have too many I suppose. Have you gotten fruit from your tree Steve?

1 fruit It was tasty but I picked to soon.

Steve

After picking most of the 6 Meiwa kumquats my tree started growing. Tree is 4 years 2.5 months old from seed sprout.

Steve

Jan, you are so right! We would talk forever in that greenhouse)))0)) Of course with a few drinks like Brian would in his. lol

You are so appreciated about these parts and please be more consistent)) They say when lemons are thrown your way, make lemonade))

My plants are all dying to get outside. I can almost feel it. As soon as temps stop going down to the freezing mark, they will all be outside under a shade cloth. The sun is too strong now and will burn them.

I just don't want to plant musical plants for a while. Lol

Jan, you get big hugs and I miss everyone too. I am connected to Laura on face book and she is ok. I am so happy for her.

I had no idea I was in your prayers. You will be in mines too., for sure.

Funny you should say that the Hoya and Citrus pulled through. They are tough that is for sure. NO leaf drop on any of mines at all. Thank God. NO bugs too)

Even my gardenia plants are all doing great. They are all budding up! I can't wait until it heats up and I can put them outside when the flowers open.

I still need to take pics. Ugh. Been so busy. The love the lights and the cold rooms for sure.

All my orchids are doing well too. All flowering like mad. I owe many here pics. I will soon.

I know, going in the greenhouse makes my mornings I tell you even when it's cold out now because the sun heats it up so hot and humid and I love the fragrance in there! A place to escape. I sit and listen to audio of birds!

Is it getting warm up there?/ Snow still? I will be in the 50's and 60's maybe 70 for the next ten days. Watch after that, everything will freeze that has started to grow.lol

Orchid show???/ lol. You should of seen how much money I spent last fall. Maybe one plant come this Friday, that is it. That is what I always say though. I do need orchid pots and bark. Maybe a fragrant two?

Not a good idea we both go. lol

I am happy you are feeling much better. I do miss everyone too but at least we have each other)))

For now, HUGS and be careful. Don't spend too much money and certainly not on doubles..lol

Roses?? I am done. If they all survive the winter, that is it. And they did. You can never get enough of those until every sunny spot is filled. Love these shrubs.

What ZONE are you? I am curious. There is a shrub you might be interested in even more fragrant than roses or anything for that matter.

Today, I kicked out the biggest and heaviest plants I have; cycads (mostly C. revoluta), and some of the palms (Meds, Queens, Butia/Pindo, Washys, Canary Island Dates, and containerized Trachycarpus palms. The one overwintered in the ground looks good, so may plant more of the containerized this year. Holding off on the Citrus right now, but anxious to get them OUT. I supposedly retired 6 months ago but decided to semi-retire instead, and my biggest issue with the Citrus inside is keeping up with watering (in the garage). Full sun, all day, behind glass and the sun now means they are demanding more water, in the dead of winter, I only have to water maybe every two weeks. Roses?! I can't grow those here..., DEER.

I'm still anxious myself. I had a few out for a few days now it's back inside again. I am seeing the teens temps by Monday night. Just can't rid of these crappy cold temps. Will also have to burlap my shrubs and my fig tree again.

Hasn't it been like this since February, mild temps, then way below normal. NO WAY in HE!! I am dragging my big boys back in..., they get a blanket and a prayer. Arctic air probably being displaced out the arctic by record warmth.

All my trees are outside since February 22. They have been pulled inside for about 4 nights and 3 days. They will come back inside this weekend for the 22F cold night.

None of my Citrus are out yet

OMG, I had to bring the hoard in yet again this AM. I saw the record-breaking cold forecast for us. This is freakin' ridiculous., 20's again for three nights. I think I feel worst about the Camellias in full bloom. Same stupid pattern, record heat and drought in the Southwest with deep, cold trough in the East, same ol', same ol'.

Last year was the first that I used extra light - previous years I always got by with the sun from the due south facing window. But last year, and again this year, there were so many heavily overcast days that I now have 2 lamps going for my 7 citrus, 1 dwarf pomegranite, and 2 peppers.

They are still doing well, all putting out new growth and flowers.

One of my citrus actually flowered for the first time, and heavily - but doesn't seem to have set fruit. In fact, the flowers resembled the other plants, but were quite a bit smaller and in large clusters. I begin to wonder if it is a mislabeled winterberry.

We are now forecast to hit 17F overnight Sunday night. Everything outdoors is budding and leafing out after a week of temps near 70F - my Manchurian Apricot is in full bloom of course.. I won't even try to protect it, since I fully expect to get one more hard freeze after this one.

How good do Manchurian apricots taste.

Poncirusguy, I don't know!

The darn bushes (I have 2 planted together) are only in their 2nd year of full flowering (the first year was only one partial branch), and both times it has been a couple of weeks before the other stone fruits - which are just swelling now. I read that that is its normal trait, so it might be hopeless for Columbus, if we are going to continue with these March-April hard freezes. I tried wrapping 2 branches last year during the freeze, and thought that had worked, but the few blossoms that looked like they might have started a fruit dropped off.

I'm actually debating right now whether to go out and protect anything....cover the daffodils, wrap up any of the other budding fruits (I am not sure how far along they need to be to require protection at temps at or below 20F.)

This weather SUX!

Jurassic, stole the words right of my mouth!!!

I have yet to have a season where things bloom on time, don't get a false start starting in February, and don't die off from a hard freeze late in spring!! I never fails. It sux to see all your nre rose growth just go to he..... This weather is messed up for sure. Always extremes and nothing consistent like the years past(

Thank God for extra lights on my citrus.

We're expected to have snow and a hard freeze tonight. Almost out of the woods, but not quite.

Hey everyone,

Nice to catch-up, but some sad news :(

I'm still around, still growing orchids but have developed other hobbies that take up most of my spare time, fishing and bonsai now. I still pop in read occasionally, but don't post often, my Den. aggregatum brought me here this morning.

I really only grow my favorite orchids now, I just Kev'ed :) 6-7 this morning that were duplicates from splitting or ones that I struggled with and didn't get the enjoyment I thought I should from them. Plus, I needed more room for 'trees'. I have 40 or so orchids currently and 13 bonsai plants/trees.

Take care everyone and enjoy the spring weather, although it is snowing in west central Ohio right now

Bob

What does Kev'ed mean? It's a shame you are growing fewer orchids but at least the Bonsai world has gained what orchids have lost. :) I am in the process of growing my orchid collection :). Only 20 so far but I am getting picky now so I can limit the collection to about 40 or so.

Oh nooooo, do not compost those orchids. You could easily find them new homes!

Bob!!! so nice to hear from you!!

mike!!! we got a new pup! will reply more when i have time as im at work now lol

This was from my ”wekiwa” i dont think thats what i have!

Mike what was that rose again that you have in front of your house thats just your favourite? lol oh no here we go again!

Bob, I noticed you have been missing in action. That explains it. I just gave a 30 year old Jade plant from Sweden to a Bonsai place and in place of that I would get free lessons.Oh boy..lol

Glad you stopped by and that all is good. I hope to see some pics from you soon no matter what plants they are.

Thanks agin)))

Jan, what did you do?? lol

Well. once you have a pet, you can never go back to being alone for sure. I would love to see a pic of it)

Yes, that Rose. You should see how healthy the canes are ready to put on new growth. Oh boy lol

Bob, what are your favourite orchids? You are so missed here please come back and post some orchid pictures! :)

Lol!!! Mike!!! What did we do!! we are way in over our heads lol oh dear! You know how it starts, we see a glimpse of some adoptable dogs on the newspaper and we say we're just going to look for fun you know we won't take a little one home. And wouldnt you know it they steal your heart and you take one home! it's always the story isn't it lol. We got our little Sesame over a week ago! I will post pictures once I can for some reason it is not posting i attach it here but it isn't showing. She is some sort of australian sheperd poodle mix. She is rambunctious and already too smart for us :)

Mike let me know the name of that rose I remember Amy and me were going to buy it but it sold out that last time it was mentioned lol I'm getting some avocadoes as well! How I will fit them in I have no idea Mike!

Mike you will have to tell me how you get your orchids to bloom I bought five at the last orchid show and they are all cattleyas and they are not flowering I do see a new growth that just looks like another leaf. I love the fragrant ones i bought all fragrant orchids all cattleyas. let me know if you have any secrets to get them to bloom! Or maybe don't on second thought lol otherwise I will fall in love with orchids too and down the rabbit hole I go! I am so jealous your gardenia is still alive! MY frost tolerant one did not tolerate the frost! lol

Mike during the quarantine I got really into Philodendrons rare ones but they are so delicate, one thrips attack and they're all wiped out! As I type, I'm contemplating which avocado tree to get lol Phoenix perennials our local nursery has 5 in and I just don't know. Have you put all your trees out yet? I did it two weeks ago and opened all the greenhouse doors and windows and man did it feel good! I never get full sized fruits so i am contemplating maybe putting in some lighting to make up for the fact that we have a north facing yard and the citrus are in complete darkness from september to march. I lost one tree a santa theresa that was left outside when I got sick and the weather dipped to -10 for a week, it was an arctic blast!! Now I'm trying to figure out which lemon to get theres genoa, ponderosa, eureka etc I just want a very vigorous lemon tree that gives me many many lemons all year long in a cold greenhouse with not much light lol is that a unicorn tree that doesn;t exist??? YOu know what's truly dangerous for us citroholics? going to the oscar tintori website oh Mike you should see all their tiny trees with 20 full sized fruits on them it's amazing!! and the variety!!! oh my there's so many types that i have never heard of before! oh and their espalier lemon up an arch way oh that made my heart grow three times the size!! well..... i suppose there's only one thing to do! get a larger greenhouse lol! You know we are finally getting our backyard done we saved up a little and decided to give it a facelift I shall take some before and after pictures! mostly we are getting rid of our pond that has not been working for years!

Anyways, time for dinner. Will be back to post some pictures if this will allow me next time! Please show us your pictures Mike! of your orchids, roses, citrus of course and everything you grow lol talk soon HUGS!

Mike here is our little butter ball lol its very difficult to get a good picture of a pitch black dog!

Mike this is my shasta gold. i got it last summer thanks to Brian! I hope we hear from him this summer! you know phoenix didnt have as much of a selection this year i think because a lot of the plants is sold out on the four winds website! a lot of folks got into citrus with the quarantine

Jan, do I know it. That is why I stay out of places like that! I couldn't bare to see those poor little things behind bars((. My mom one day, came home and I could here her crying out load from downstairs to upstairs. I though someone had shot her. I ran down stairs to see if she was ok and she told me she just wanted to stop at the Humane Society. Well, don't you know half the dogs and puppies there captured her heart and she felt horrible leaving them there in particular one. She said she will never step in there again unless she wants one. I hear you.

Madam Annisette!! You will love this one. VERY VERY hardy!!

No such thing as Frost proof gardenia..lol I tried that and lost one every winter. Mines are doing great. I keep them on the very cold side and that is all. The orchids will flowers if you give them a weak solution of fertilizer and lots of bright light all winter and partial shade, no direct hot afternoon sun for sure))0 They smell so good. I won't even tell you the most fragrant one I have that fills an entire room with it's sweet scent.lol

Ok, I am tempted to go to that site, oh boy lol. I shall have to take a peek!! By the way, you don't need lots of light even for fruit if you keep them on the cold side of things. Mine do not. I take them outside as of two days ago and they go gang busters. I am afraid once again I may get a frost next week. It sticks!! I will just get a huge tarp and drape it over my trees with a space heater for that night. To much to haul them all back inside. If I waited until the last frost date, I could never put them out until the end of next month.

Right now, just about everything I grow is outside, even my Hoya and many orchids. Just a few choice ones I do not want to risk are still inside until almost June.lol

What a cutie you have there. I can't believe where you got him. Now I want one. Ugh.You know I take care of my mother and my I broke it off with my X because she was upset that I did not put my mother to teh curb and let here move in from Maine. So if anything happens to my mother and I am alone, I will run out for company from a dog! Ha

Jan, what is your opinion about Shasta Gold? Is it worth buying? What do you like about it?

BY the way, remember the experiment with the Miracle Growing Soil? I have a story for you))

Hugs HUgs HUgs..

Stay warm . Today we are very chilly, 45 because I live very close to the ocean. It has been grey and cloudy all day. Yuk. While just 30 miles west of me they are in the 70's and storms. I hate that but Better than snow))

This time of year, there are big differences between immediate, coastal areas and more inland locations.., even by only a few miles. NYC was only in the upper 70's today, It was in low 80's in my NJ town. I work maybe 12 miles west of NYC and it was in the upper 80's. This all gets reversed in the Fall but not as drastically. April is a schizophrenic kinda month. I much prefer the Autumn!

All the Citrus are out and maybe half of the palm species; Washingtonias, Butias, Meds, Queens, Cycads, Chinese Fans, Rhapis/Lady palms. Rainfall has been quite decent, no drought. OMG, the BIRDS are crazy loud. They just started singing this evening after dark. I hear them most of the night and lower, then around 4:30 they start singing and go on for a few hours until the sun rises. I taped this this AM at 5:00am. This AM's chorus did not seem to include the hooting owls, but they are usually present.