Two weeks ago afore I welcomed this flowerous visitor (we shall call her Miss Chrysanthemum) into my home in hopes that I could nurture her, watch her grow, and enjoy part of nature indoors whilst basking in the pride of my green thumb. I have been writing on a regency novel lately and envisioning beautiful English summer gardens in my head and thought if I had just one actual pot of flowers (however small & minute) on my desk of inspiration, that somehow, I’d have, well, more inspiration.
For a few days I did have more inspiration, and then despair, when I woefully realized that my Chrysanthemum was beginning to wilt. I tried to water it regularly (but then one has to be careful not to over water, causing root rot – these things are so delicate), and I attempted to give her some natural sunlight, but mostly incandescent light by the lamp near my desk. Miss Chrysanthemum was having NONE of it. Her largest blossoms were shriveling by the day and I felt so wretched I decided to put her outside on the balcony. First it was a couple hours airing each day – but last night, I forgot about her and left her outside the entire night.
I took this picture of her today. This is the first day (and after much trimming away of the excess dead flowers and leaves) that she actually looks perked up. Apparently, leaving one’s precious Chrysanthemum out all night is a positive thing to do (I've just learned that these flowers are supposed to be outdoor plants). If this solution does not work out I suppose I should not be too upset, however. I only spent $2 for the entire project ($1 for the Chrysanthemum, $1 for the pot; the trouble and worry of it all – priceless).
This story is to be continued. In the meantime, does anyone have any recommendations of pretty, colorful and small indoor plant I could buy (preferably a flower)? I was thinking perhaps an African violet. Something lovely to perk up my author's corner of the room. I need a backup plan in case Miss Chrysanthemum makes a dramatic exit.
P.S. Admittedly, I am quite proud of myself; I didn’t even have to look up how to spell Chrysanthemum, hehe. Reminds me of that scene in Anne of Green Gables where the teacher asks his soft-voiced blond protege how to spell it, but she ruins it, and Anne triumphantly declares the actual spelling. Hurrah!
4 comments:
Hmmm, I wish I had a suggestion on indoor plants--not something I know anything about, unfortunately. Your chrysanthemum does seem to like the outdoors. And it's pretty.
I always worry about writing boring stuff, but I'm rarely bored by what others write, so I don't know why I worry. (I can't, however, keep up with all the blogs I've put in Reader.)
Good news, the chrysanthemum is truly thriving outdoors :) Perhaps I have a little green thumb, however minute in talent, lol.
And you needn't worry about writing boring stuff Zina because your blog is simply delightful. Its always on my list when I am bored and need something entertaining to read. Plus its a nice way to keep in touch with family that I rarely see and feel like I am missing out on all my nieces and nephew's lives. So thank you m'dear :)
I always kill houseplants too. Which reminds me, I need to check on that Bonzai tree I stuck in the garden last month. It was dying in my uncapable hands indoors, but I couldn't bring myself to bin it entirely, so I planted it in the garden outside and promptly forgot about it, oops.
Suz, let me know how the bonzai tree gets on, lol.
I know what you mean about having trouble throwing it away. I used to have houseplants that wouldn't thrive and I would agonize over throwing them away, lol! I didn't have a yard to plant them in so I had to finally let them go :( I'm settling with small plants now, less risk, haha. The Chrysanthemum is doing really good outside. Only thing I worry is we're getting tons of rain now so hopefully it doesn't over water. Although it seems in England the more water a plant, the more it just becomes more happy and green.
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