Oskar Update

Though the flowers are gone, Oskar the amaryllis is still growing strong. Its long, strappy leaves will store up plant food*—chlorophyll to make the bulb strong.

Part of the beauty of growing amaryllis bulbs is that they last for several years. Yesterday when looking back through my garden journal I saw that one year an amaryllis bulb I had had for awhile refused to bloom indoors so I set it and its pot outside as soon as it was warm; one day I was surprised with beautiful red flowers. Don’t give up too soon.

*As my botany instructor emphasized, chlorophyll, which comes from the sun is plant food, not fertilizer; fertilizer is for the soil.

Hurdle Help

Oskar’s number two flower stalk never did reach back toward the sunlight; the opening flowers were too heavy to pull up. So I gave it a little hurdle help; to keep the weight of the flowers from snapping the stalk, I “planted” a stake in the pot. Then I gently lifted the stalk and tied it to the stake with some smooth string that turned up during my Christmas decorating. To those of you who know me and my practice of saving odds and ends for their future usefulness—I do actually use them.

The purple “stake” is one such “end”; I recycle as much as I can but find that reusing is even better. (We once lived near a landfill; its rain of ashes, stench and mountainous toxicity made a lasting impression on me). Stakes can be made of most anything, a dowel, broken handle; decorators favor tree branches.

Many people, whether those needing help or those who could be of help, often think that needing help is a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s a sign of strength to know when one needs some help to get over a hurdle. Even Jesus needed help in carrying his cross (Luke 23:26).

There’s No Denying It

I had kept Oskar away from the sunlight in order to make its “number two bud” last longer but it won’t be denied. Living creatures need sunlight for health and, in the case of people and animals—happiness (as my botany instructor always insisted, “Plants don’t think!"). I’ve known plants to reach for the sun—that’s why container plants need to be turned. Sunflowers turn to follow the suns path hence their name but I’ve never seen the kind of desperation that this amaryllis flower stem has displayed!

I’ve moved Oskar back to the east windows where the sun is strong on this frigid day (high around 35 degrees) but it hasn’t yet begun reaching in that direction. I’m so very glad for the sunlight myself.

We’ve had unseasonably warm weather but since it is winter we shouldn’t be surprised at the cold. However, we’re heartened to know that it’s only a “cold snap” and end of the week temperatures are forecast to be back in the 60’s. Though last winter was far colder with a good bit of snow, the temperatures then were also a roller-coaster ride with welcome warming reprieves in between.

The New Is Coming

Just as the year 2011 is finishing up, Oskar’s first bud has completed its cycle. And as the new year of 2012 is quickly approaching, the number two bud is beginning to unfold. I’m thinking that I don’t want to put Oskar back in the strong morning sun so the bud develops more slowly—so it will last longer.

At this time of the year I always like to assess the previous year, looking for a common thread and to remind myself, “Oh yeah, that’s what led up to that.” It’s also a great time to look ahead to the New Year to make plans all the while knowing that I have no idea what will happen next. However, I’d rather continue to “press on” to do the things I know I’m supposed to do, rather than float around at the mercy of circumstances.

I’ve spent nearly half of 2011 sharing my garden with you through this blog. I’ve enjoyed it; I hope you have too. I’d enjoy hearing from you either in the comment box or e-mail at leafyjournal@yahoo.com

Happy New Year!

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. 2 Corinthians 5:16-19

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. James 4:13,14

Merry Christmas!

Oskar’s number one bud is in full bloom! Oskar has taken its place out of the sunlight (to preserve the blooms) as our Christmas centerpiece.

Since Christmas comes on the weekend and I only post on weekdays, I’ll wish you a Merry “Christmas Eve Eve” today. Though you may not have money for a lot of gifts or be able to be with family, Jesus’ birth is worth thoroughly celebrating and makes your life better whatever situation you’re in.

After I finished my lunch carrot the other day I spontaneously planted the top in a pot among the basil plant remains. My Brownie Scout manual had had pictures and instructions for growing greenery with kitchen scraps; why not? I had nothing to lose. Though what was originally planted is dying, new growth has already sprouted. It won’t make a new carrot but it just may make some lush green growth in these barren months—out of something ordinarily cast off. I see it as a sign of hope.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he (Jesus) rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:18-20 NIV

This is why he came; he came for you.

Falling from the Sky

Clumps of matted and molted leaves woven through with pine needles and who knows what else fell from the sky accompanied by loud machine buzzing. A large shadow loomed above, just behind the cascade. We had been warned that the gutter cleaners were coming (at last), warned to move our cars and cover our patio furniture to protect them from “falling debris.” But “Chicken Little” need not have worried; the overhang edged by the non-functioning gutters extends well past my garden. As for cars under gutters—highly unlikely.

Not only were these gutter cleaners neat, their timing was impeccable since rain has been falling from the sky since; rain is forecast to be falling every remaining day of the week—even Christmas. But we can make it cozy indoors.

Oskar’s number one bud has burst forth in bloom! Since it’s cool and rainy, the flowers will last longer. If it were sunny, I would put an amaryllis in a cool spot away from direct sun to keep the flowers fresh. The same would be the need for any cut flower; never put cut flowers on top of the TV or any other hot spot if you want them to last.

Surprise!

This is what I love about gardening, the surprise of finding new growth—especially when it’s ahead of schedule. The seed packets say that the seeds will germinate in 14-21 days! But I only planted them at the end of last week and here they are sprouting all over the place and reaching for the sun!


Oskar’s bud has been beautifully unfolding over the weekend.
Saturday—the color begins to develop and two flowers are visible.



Sunday morning—the buds break free of their enclosure and surprise, there are four flowers!



Early this morning, the flowers take their final positions and begin opening!
Will they open in time for Christmas? Lord willing, yes! And into the second day of Christmas and more. The box said that Oskar would bloom in 8-10 weeks from planting. Oskar did have a head start in that it already had a bud but from that small beginning to now has only been 3 weeks!

Life in its beginnings--and endings can happen faster than you think. Be ready. Most of the time this kind of admonition causes people to think of death and it is very important to make sure you’re following Jesus before that time comes but I also mean for it to apply to answers to prayer. Popular sentiment says, “God does things in his time, not ours…” in effect we shouldn’t truly expect God to answer our prayers anytime before, maybe 20 or 40 years from now. King David, a “man after God’s own heart”, didn’t pray that way; he prayed for God to answer him “quickly!” (Psalm 70:1; Psalm 71:12; Psalm 141:1 and more)

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

If you pray casually, not expecting an answer any time soon, don’t be surprised at a delay but if you pray diligently (in agreement with Jesus’ teachings) there’s a strong possibility that God will answer you quickly (if not, keep on praying as did Jesus’ example of the widow bugging the unrighteous judge (Luke 18:1-8)! In this parable, Jesus promised quick action.

Bud Update

Oskar’s number one bud is beginning to open! Though it will take awhile for all the necessary petal tissue to build cell by marvelous cell and the bright red color to develop, this is an exciting beginning!


Meanwhile, the pink Christmas cactus has fully opened its wild beauty. At least two more buds follow.

According to the Church calendar, we are in the season of Advent—the season of excited anticipation of the celebration of Jesus’ birth and the anticipation of his return for his followers (John 14:2-4). Anticipation of the flowering of a bud seems a good way to celebrate the flowering of “the fullness of time”—Jesus’ birth, and his return.

Welcome Back Sunshine!

The sun is back and I’m rejoicing! The indoor garden is glad too since it doesn’t benefit from the rain. Though the remaining outdoor garden seems unfazed by the overnight heavy frost--even ice, the warmth is welcome.

I realize that I write about weather a lot; to a garden weather is everything (except in a very controlled environment) and to our lives—and all of God’s creatures, as well. Even in a building with no windows and plenty of artificial light, the atmosphere looks and feels different when it’s cloudy outside.

Oskar’s number one bud has shot up to a foot tall! Bud number two is progressing as well. Number one just might bloom for Christmas, if not the “first day of Christmas”, perhaps one of the “twelve days of Christmas”.

Loud, With Clouds

The sky is a gray blanket that bird calls bounce off of; one bird squeaks like a swing on its bar then a crow squawks either his prowess or unhappiness—I’m not sure which.

Despite the raucousness and gloom some new and good things are happening. Two tiny leaf tips and another bud are peeking out of Oskar’s bulb! Multiple buds are a benefit of the larger amaryllis bulbs.

Oskar is from Holland, where Brother Andrew* writes that during World War 2, his family and many others survived the famine of Nazi occupation by eating tulip bulbs. Maybe that’s why Oskar’s box carries this caution, “Not for human consumption.”


The Mexican Petunia is actually developing new buds while the miniature orange zinnia and Sweet William are blooming again. Today is also a Red Hibiscus Day.

*Brother Andrew is famous for smuggling Bibles into the foreign Soviet Union and writing about it in his book, God’s Smuggler—an exciting read!

A New Home for Oskar

It’s time to put the pieces of the puzzle together and settle Oskar into a home so that it can grow properly.

The directions say to put the “planting disc” in the pot—what an improvement over the usual bag of light soil that easily goes airborne, and add approximately two cups of warm water. It’s bubbling and popping; this is fun.


“Fluff with fork.” Hmm…dig might be a better word. “Add more if needed.” Yes, more water is definitely needed unless I want a solid bottom layer. Another cup; more digging. It needs still more but how much more? A little more, more—stop. It takes three and three-quarter cups of water. The gold-colored pot is heavy and warm, with no drainage holes.

I’m to set the bulb in the soil with one or two inches of bulb showing above the soil. This will take newspaper on the floor and a trowel.

Now that Oskar is settled in, I’m to put it pot and all, in a warm place. I certainly have that in the morning windows.


We’ll have to see if Oskar will bloom by Christmas or not—the box says “8-10 weeks.” I may have started too late but then again, maybe not. I’ll keep you posted.

The weatherman’s thermometer read 29 degrees this morning when we got up. White frost covered everything but I covered nothing. And everything from the purple sweet potato vine to ‘Victoria Blue’ salvia to the peppermint is fine (though the yellow-green sweet potato vine is definitely waning). It’s time to put away the sheets.