Gardendaze

I am never quite sure what to think when my succulents flower in the dead of winter here in the frozen north.

For reference, this is what it looks like outside. Many of our commercial properties have something like this parked on their lot to deal with our weather all winter long. And as if the vehicle and its plow (notice the extra one in front) aren’t taking up enough space, then the mountains of snow they create take up the rest. It’s lovely.

So, when I see my aloe in bloom–which began blooming at Christmas, in an ice storm, so that tells you that this plant has a very long bloom time–I am just not sure what to think.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. The string of pearls isn’t flowering. It’s my rhipsalis, which has flopped over into the pot and formed that pretty white little flower. It only flowers sporadically but it’s very cute.

The actual plant itself is considerably less attractive.

But to go back to my original thought: do these plants think they are in the desert? Certainly indoor winter air could do that to them. And of course they don’t need real warmth to flower. The sun from that window, combined with our heat, is probably more than enough.

Interesting to think that I think it’s just shy of the arctic outside and my plants are enjoying the desert. Clearly I need to spend more time with them!