How Not to Repot an African Violet (Or, How to Plant Saintpaulia into a Too-Small Fishbowl)

African Violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) can be annoying plants to take care of. They've got to be misted, and watered from below, and kept at a steady temperature - well, I can't help you with that last one, but repotting your African Violet into a bowl or terrarium can help tremendously with the first two.

Assuming you do it right.

Which I didn't.

The February Philosophy Post

The pace of life in a garden flows like water. You don't realize how slow and elegant the procession is until it's abruptly interrupted. How's that for philosophy?

Garden: February 18, 2011

After spring comes, those little blue primroses go out into the

garden. Here's one now. (Primula vulgaris 'Blue')

Alright, I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves, but just wait: Temps have been rising into the 40s F during the day for the past week, and this morning we all woke up and most of the snow is gone. Here's what's happening:

Aquarium Chaos: Episode I

Subtle, nefarious mold. Keep looking, it's there. February 6, 2011.

As I mentioned in the intro post for the seed-starting aquarium, problems are bound to occur when starting seeds, and the very first one is usually mold. I have haven't may have conquered that problem (thus far).

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day: February

Yes, I realize Elizabeth Lawrence is completely right about flowers every month of the year, but in order to fulfill her prophecy, your butt must be in gear throughout the fall and winter. Mine wasn't, so I have only this meager offering for you this month:

In Praise of Snow

Aftermath of the February 1, 2011 blizzard in our garden.

Since here in Chicago we won't have to deal with snow after this week, I feel less evil posting this now.

Pansies in a Fish Tank

First off, this particular venture is a complete experiment, and could end in very sad chaos. That said, I am going to be growing my own early-spring pansies, with naught but a fish tank and a few hundred toilet paper tubes.

Houseplants in Winter

Some of my houseplants in a southeast window.

For me, houseplants are accumulated during the wintertime to stave off insanity. Several years ago, I got tired of having to compost away countless pots of dead specimens, forgotten during the summer, and so I managed to limit myself to only those I could keep alive in some form or another throughout the year.

Winter Sowing, Step by Step

It really surprises me when I mention winter sowing to another gardener (especially one in Chicago) and they aren't familiar with the concept. Winter sowing has probably saved me $200 worth of perennials in the two years I've done it.