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RE: orchids and other houseplants

Good Morning Everyone,

It is always such joy to read about your indoor gardens.  I always try to
visualize each plant you all mention, although I am not as sophisticated as
you and do not recognize some of the Latin names (rhipsalidopsis!!).  I have
become an indoor gardener in the last four months, and have amassed quite a
collection (impressive to family members who had not visited since before my
thumb turned green) thanks to my regular trips to Home Depot, Frank's
Nursery, Farmer's Markets, etc.  

I now have a rather large ficus (which I am trying to propagate, by the way
- I tried cutting off some of the branches, dipping them in rooting hormone
powder and potting them, but they dried out - I'm guessing they were too
woody.  I just noticed tender little pale green offshoots, which I then
broke off and planted in moist vermiculite a couple of days ago.  Maybe
they'll stick.)  

I also have some orchids:  a zygo mackei, a cattleya, two phalaenopsis, and
several dendrobiums, none of which are in bloom, but I am optimistic.  I
have them in a semi-sunny, semi-shady window, in a tray full of moist
pebbles, and I feed them every couple of weeks.  

I am also attempting to grow AV's (I bought two mature ones, and have cut
off a lot of their leaves to grow some more), geraniums, paper whites,
amarylis, a chinese hibiscus, a peace lily, a chinese evergreen, some
praying plants (maranta) et al.  Six months ago all I had was a dried up
croton.  My fantasy is to have a greenhouse, too.  

The only thing I do not like about this new hobby (obsession?) is the
earthworms and other critters that kind of come with the territory.  I found
some little pink earthworms in the bottom of the chinese evergreen's pot, so
I threw the soil out, washed its roots and repotted it in fresh potting
soil.  My husband tells me they'll be back, and that I should have left them
in.  Ecologically, I admit it makes sense, but it makes my skin crawl to
think of them in there.

I can't wait for spring to try my luck outdoors.  I bought a lot of seeds
and am ready to start them indoors in the next month or so.

Sorry I made this so long.  I had a lot to say, I guess.

Happy Holidays,
Donna
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