We came from here -
The thread "What Else Do We Grow 2020" in Orchids forum

Taking a walk along the local Hohokus river - at 37 degr F, not bad for Jan. 1.

Other than the fact that I consider that to be too cold!

Hohokus River?
Looks more like a stream to me.
Is there such a thing as a "Seedling River?" Or a "Baby River?"

I was wondering if I should call it brook? But then it seemed a bit more than a brook....
Hohokus stream sound just fine!!

I'll bet it is very pretty come springtime!!!

It is! In the Spring our county parks were all closed because of Covid, but there is a beautiful trail running along the water and it extends into a green hill/path under power lines over several miles. It was and still is quite empty, except for a very few walking their dog. When our usual path along the Saddle River ( that one connects several towns) gets too crowded ( by covid standards), we walk this one! Peaceful!

This is a pretty common plant down here, Orange Bird of Paradise, but these two blooming plants make a first for me. I've grown these two plants from seeds and the plants are now a little over 2 yr. old. This is their first blooming and the two "seedlings" bloomed within days of each other. Mother Nature's blooming-clock in action.


Strelitzia reginae

Two years from seed is pretty darn good growing. Congratulations.

Oddly enough, Alice, my White Bird of Paradise plants began to bloom in November, also at 2 yr. of age. I was told by "experts" that it would take my White Bird 4-5 yr. to bloom and my Orange Bird 5-7 yr. Apparently, this was false information.....

Wow!! Yes, I always thought they need 5 - 7 years to bloom! Such beautiful blooms!!

My plants like me and want to perform better than the "average". That's my belief and I'm sticking to it.

I'm getting a laugh out of this. The only time I lived with a 'White bird' was when I was about 12, in a rental about 6 blocks from the beach. All I remember about it is that it was about 15' tall, and very messy when it bloomed. Environment counts! They get very large, when happy, as do Strelitzia Regina. I laugh every time I see questions about them as house plants. I can only wish luck to people that try to grow tropicals as indoor plants in northern climates. I can understand the desire for tropicals in northern climates, but size is a serious consideration.

Believe it or not, Carol, the White Bird of Paradise makes a gorgeous houseplant IF you have the space. I've seen them in commercial spaces and in homes (generally foyers). Keeping them potted, slight under-watered and under-fertilized, and without ideal sun conditions, will slow their growth. We have a beautiful one in our lania, but of course, this is about the same as growing it outdoors. The day will come, even with a 12-15' high ceiling, that she'll have to go outside into the landscape (or be sold).

All our outdoor tropical plants down here are "messy".

Foyer grown
My WBP in the lanai

I agree Ken. Even here in Memphis I see White Bird's of Paradise at the Home Depot.. Consumers buy them for their "Architectural" interest... NOT for the flowers.

(If) I had higher ceilings + an indoor Conservatory... I would have one planted in the ground... as the centerpiece. with Amazon parrots and Sun Conures flying free amongst the tropical foliage.

Not to forget a little flock of cute, chattering Parakeets!

I actually had a regular Bird of Paradise in the early seventies!! I kept it outside in Summer and indoors in Winter in our South facing living room window. It actually bloomed once for me!! And then it got too huge for my surroundings, I don't remember what I did with it.

I'm excited that my annuals I started from seed are starting to bloom nicely. Zinnia in orange, red and purple so far - usually all I get are bubble gum pink from my "mixed colors" seed packet.


Pansies are store-bought transplants, but I love them dearly. My granddaughters all say purple is their favorite color. Going to get more if I see other colors or solid purple.


Nasturtiums have gorgeous variegated leaves and are starting to put up buds.


Sadly, had to roust out this enormous Jacquemontia vine. It was way too big for the space it grew into, and so I moved it yesterday, losing most of the flowers in the process. I hope it survives, but if not I have many seeds saved.


And tomatoes on the vine! They slowed down somewhat because of the cool weather we had in December, but didn't lose any flowers or baby fruits. The plants are in the hoop house area so they get covered up whenever the nights are cooler than about 50deg.

That all looks amazing Elaine. My garden is nothing but brown mush. I experienced for more damage than I ever had in SC. I think it was the 80 degree temps the day it dropped to 29 at night. Too much of a drop. I think most will come back from the roots but right now it is a mess. I expected the gingers and cannas to go but Evolvulus, Jatropha, Firespike, a couple of Ti's, Russelias, Blue Plumbagos (the whites are fine) just to name a few. I know these are all tender plants but I never had much trouble before. My one and only Plumeria has some burn on the top leaves but otherwise it looks good. It is going to be a major cleanup and it is killing me to hold off in case we have another cold spell.

Hopefully in a few months everything will look tropical again, Alice!

Elaine, how pretty in January!!