Last Saturday night, the ice storm arrived in our area, coating the trees and covering the driveway. I knew this was coming, and got concerned about the single digit temperatures. While I have plants in the Carolina room to keep them sheltered, this was just going to be too much for a few of them.
I decided to move the ones most at risk to the basement where it is warm and I have a grow light. It was a good time to set up some small pots for the spider plant to root its little daughter plants.
Consulting the book of wisdom on planting, the Farmer’s Almanac says that today and tomorrow would be the best days to plant above ground crops. Since these aren’t crops, I just went ahead.
In researching how to do this, the prevailing wisdom is to put the little ones in pots while still connected to the mother plant. I could do that with about six of the little ones.
Several more already had some roots. They had broken off the main plant when I tried to remove it from the birdcage that it was in. So, those were potted up separately.
I had several begonia stems that broke off the main plant, and a couple that I pruned. The stems will grow roots given the right conditions. I split the bottom end, dipped it in rooting hormone, and planted it in a small pot. We’ll see if it roots. I use coffee filters in the bottom of the pots to keep the dirt in and let excess water out.
I brought the hellebore down to the basement as well. I was worried that its roots would freeze in the pot. When I had it on the bench, I noticed it had a bud.
I didn’t realize that these bloomed in late winter. It is a white one.
Two days after being brought into warmth with the grow light, the flower stalk had doubled in height!
The bench is pretty crowded at this point, but with the best planting days today and tomorrow, I’ll make a bit more room for some seed starting pots.
The amaryllis still looks exactly like this, four leaves and no flower bud stalk forming. It has been given several doses of fertilizer, with higher phosphorus to encourage bloom development. It was put it in the basement to get more light. Maybe that will help. It hasn’t bloomed in two years, and this is its last chance.
So today, I’ll be planting some seeds in the pots I have left. I am always dreaming of a garden full of big beefsteak tomatoes, fresh herbs, butternut squash, little cherry tomatoes, and yellow peppers, and lots of pretty flowers in pots on the veranda. I hope the torenias come back in the big ceramic pot. I need to prune and clean up the geranium and the rest of the begonias. So, plenty to do, even if it is the dead of winter. Snow is predicted to start again tonight, ruining another weekend’s plans. If we get the six inches the weather folks say we’ll get, I’ll be housebound again for several more days. Luckily, I always have something to do!
From My Carolina Home 
I hope you are well stocked for food and all. The ice is pretty but horrid. And I hear the Carolinas (or maybe just NC) are getting more snow. I love that you have the room and the skill to bring your garden inside and make new plants! I’m just trying to keep my geraniums alive inside and since I kill houseplants on a regular basis, I’m pretty chuffed that so far, so good!
Hi Carole, I have but one small Christmas Cactus plant, a gift from a lady in our church who was overwhelmed with plants after moving into assisted living. It has been hanging out in my guest room for two years already. It gets morning sun and I water it when the soil on top is dry, but otherwise leave it alone. Within the last six months, I’ve noticed that it has filled out a bit, adding new shoots of “leaves”. I think it is happy here. Several weeks ago, I noticed something new…a bud and shortly after that I was rewarded by a beautiful pink bloom. A second bloom followed a fews days after that. How lovely! I am hoping for more at this time next year!
That is quite the snow and ice for your area! It gets old fast, especially when you want to get out and about. Sounds good that you brought in the plants and have that grow light. It will be fun to have the hellebore blossoming in February!
Great gardening!
I’ve done the spider plants while attach to the mother and find it works out great I have also cut them off and put them in water both works for me. I have 2 mother plants right now and gave away the babies last year. I might need to start some more. Your ice is beautiful but dangerous – I would so rather have snow like most of us prefer. We were lucky to miss the big ice layer that south of us got last week – I have heard that Mississippi is still out of power in a lot of areas
gardening is such a hope and love endeavor. i do love a good mid winter repot! your hellebore gave me a giggle- mine are under six inches of missouri snow!! (they will be just fine. hardy buggers they are.) yet after seeing yours, i may bring in a few babies next winter to see if they will bloom where i can actually see them!!! lol thank you for sharing
Your plants look very happy under the grow light. I hope you keep your power during this winter season and during the storms. I’m hunkered down in the house with a portable sewing machine and finding I am sewing a LOT more. Next winter I will bring a machine in much earlier in the season. The dining room table is covered with the pads, and my cutting mat, travel iron station and 2 different projects.
I find planting and growing things quite healing to my soul. Your plants look so well cared for. They will be happy and healthy!
I’m in a mild climate and enjoying daffodils, crocus and the beginnings of hyacinths and dutch iris. I have really been looking forward to seeing them grow and bloom.
I love seeing things actually produce either flowers or fruit but I find getting out in the garden in the hot summer a chore. I’m a bit of novice with gardening and so always thrilled when the plants produce. I don’t have to cope with the extreme cold that you are presented with and how lucky you are to have a lovely warm basement to save your plants. I grow amaryllis and they are tricky little devils. They are wondrous at growing green leaves but are a bit mean with the flowers which when they do come are so gorgeous.
I hope your extreme weather soon passes and you can be on the move again. I think snow is much easier to deal with than the icy conditions you have at the moment. Enjoy your indoor gardening and I hope you have bounteous results come spring.
Mary :))
I always have to chuckle about the care people take for spider plants or asparagus turns. They are so invasive here and we are constantly digging them out of our gardens. The birds keep reseeding the ferns and those “babies” drop off the mother plant and grow anywhere. Stay warm!
I love your winter gardening. It looks like the Carolinas are going to get a blast this weekend! Stay safe and warm!
Smart to relocate the plants from the cold.
Snow days are sew days here.
Hoping the storm coming your way will be mild mannered.
Jo Anne
I don’t think you ever just have a lazy day. Hope all the plants do well. Good luck during the storm. Rita
Ice is beautiful to look at, but so hazardous. Those spider plants, they just keep on giving. Its brutally cold outside. I bundled up & stepped outside Thursday night. The sky was brilliant, with a bright moon & sparkling stars. Also super silent with a blanket of snow and no traffic on the road.
You guys have had a pretty harsh winter this year. I bet you are ready to sow some seeds, even if they are indoors. We won’t even think about starting seeds until early March!
Before you toss the amaryllis for not blooming, save it and plant it outside. You may get a summer bloom from it. This has worked for me in the past.
That bulb is at least 14 years old. It may just be worn out. But, if it fails to bloom this year, I have nothing to lose by taking your suggestion. Thanks!