Rabbits in the Living-room/Flowers in the Window

[gracebowen]

I had 2 Lops years ago.1 black, 1 white named flip and Flop. Seeing yours makes me miss them.

African Violets are such cheery flowers..

My son asked for two more rabbits so he could name them skip and jump. He already has hop.

I can't seem to keep an African Violet alive.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

African Violets are easy, they like being watered from the bottom and sunlight, they won't bloom until they are rootbound though, also super easy to start (I'm starting some today for some friends)

 

[Psittaciformes]

How do you water them from underneath, stick the bottom of the pot in water and let them soak it up?

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

You have a pot inside of a pot and when you water you fill the "outer" pot (not fill but you know what I mean) African violets don't like to have sopping wet feet so the trick is to water just enough to give them a drink but not enough to drown them.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Ah right, I think orchids like that too, right?

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Yep, orchids are really cool. I have 2 of them, when I bought them I was told they would bloom once a year and mine have bloomed at least 3 or 4 times a year! This was taken a few weeks ago and it's STILL blooming

 

[Psittaciformes]

That's gorgeous! I love orchids.
Apparently so did my 'tiel, he kept eating them and shredding them. We bought like 5 of them in a month, then we waited a while, tried 3 more then gave up with them.

Do they wither away and then come back to life after blooming? My grandma said something about that but I couldn't follow what she was saying.
Cause I know as a kid mum and I would chuck them after blooming cause we thought they died, but nana has had some of hers for ages

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Here's the mini lop buck that is now weaned. Such a cuddle bug!

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Bunny photo shoot this morning! These are New Zealand Red/Satin crosses Jackie (Mama) had 8!

 

[thekarens]

So precious!

 

[Psittaciformes]

Aaah I wanna snuggle her up!

 

[RavensGryf]

Ohh I want the one in the third pic . They're all so precious.

 

[RavensGryf]

Melissa, how do you get your orchids to bloom 3-4 times a year? Wow, I've always heard (and seen) it is once a year. That would be great to know your secret!

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Melissa, how do you get your orchids to bloom 3-4 times a year? Wow, I've always heard (and seen) it is once a year. That would be great to know your secret!

Hi Julie,
Both of my orchids are blooming now, 1 just opened up the other day and the other is loaded with blooms again (still?) I have mine in an east window, kind of cold there. I water them about once a week, maybe leaving it a bit longer if I get busy or forget When I bought mine I was told to put 2 ice cubes on top once a week. I've never done that, I water from the top down and give them about 1/2 cup (ish) every so often.

You can make cactus (Christmas etc) bloom more often too by watering well during blooming, once most of the blooms are done you pull those off and quit watering. Wait until the leaves start looking shrunken then place in the sink and shower the leaves and give it a nice drink, place back in the window and it will bloom again in a week or 2. (this I found out by accident when I totally forgot to water them for a LONG time, then one day I'm like crap! I forgot about the cactus! watered it and in a week or so it started blooming really well (the best it every had)

 

[RavensGryf]

That's interesting Melissa! I always forget to water . I have to say I've never been the best plant parent lol. So water well during blooming (once a week), then as the last blooms die off, quit watering til it's heading toward death (I can definitely do this part :52, then bombard it with a nice soaking. Okay, thanks for the tips!

The orchid I have now is huge (it's two large plants together - Phalaenopsis). It was a table center piece that I won in a raffle. Maybe the cool temps help too. It's generally a hot climate here in SoCal and the daytime temps are already making the house hot ugh! Ice cubes hmm. I should give it a try.

I used to give my mom orchid plants every year for gift giving occasions. I used to buy her the more exotic species (the kind you probably need a greenhouse for), and most would never bloom again.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh my gosh, your bunnies are beyond cute, Melissa!! And they all look rather tame and snuggly, too.

And I LOOOVE your orchids! I've got some of those, too.