Wednesday, January 18, 2017

A Touch of Spring

Today's post has been preempted by the polar opposite of what I had planned! For about five weeks we have been watching our forced amaryllis bulb grow.

The kit, pictured above, was a gift from a friend. I planted it the day after she gave it to me and set it in our kitchen windowsill. I love growing bulbs this time of year when it's dreary and cold outside. Each Christmas, Randy gives me paperwhites for a surprise and I have begun forcing this year's collection (but they are not ready to bloom). They bring back happy memories because I always took one to school for my class. We would journal our observations, measure the stem's daily growth and take pictures of the blossoms when they opened. It was so much fun!

Forced bulbs progress so rapidly that you can practically see them grow before your eyes. I knew the first amaryllis blossom was imminent and so I was thrilled to find this greeting us bright and early today!


The color is a pleasant surprise as I had assumed it would be red until the bud began forming. I've not had this shade of blossom before.

 Over the next few days we will be able to enjoy additional flowers!

It's a treat to have the sun shining today and mild temperatures after our recent ice. My orchid is very close to blossoming and the shamrocks, African violets and poinsettia are doing their best to provide some uplifting color!

I know it's still winter and I know we will still have some cold and snow ahead. Until then, I am enjoying these indoor touches of spring!

I hope your day is the blooming best it can be!