The weather is still gloomy, so I was surprised when my Indian canna started flowering. It’s a tropical plant, and I thought it would need much more sun.
Most of my hibiscuses are still in a very early stage this year, just starting to leaf out. They lost many of their leaves due to diseases (mites, and some other sticky thing I could not identify). It happens every winter when they have to stay inside – and then it’s hard to apply plant protection spray, because it’s too cold to take them outside (and spraying toxic substances inside the house is not recommended).
Our area is pretty wild for a place so close to the city. It’s near the mountain, and it swarms with life – birds, squirrels, hedgehogs, slugs, insects… Living among nature is great – but it’s hard to protect the plants from all the diseases that attack them, especially when it rains often.
And it’s not too warm here either – which is cool during summer. But when seasons change, I look at the thermometer multiple times every day, trying to decide if I should bring the plants inside or outside. I read about each one and the conditions they need, but all this info is hard to remember. Nick suggested that we write it down on the pots with a marker, but I didn’t think it would look good. So I guess I’ll just keep on reading every time, for every plant. The gardening “fitness” will have to go on too, as much as my back is protesting against it.
It seems crazy to carry all these pots around every day, of course. But if I leave them outside, cold (and sometimes hard rain or hail) might damage them badly – it’s happened before. And it’s also not good if they stay inside too much: their growth becomes feeble, and they don’t bloom at all – or just in small, pale flowers. So they obviously need enough sun and fresh air, and I should find a way to provide it.
Gardening takes a lot of time and energy, but I still love it. Such an uplifting thing to do, and a great therapy for everything.
I finally completed my blue/violet fringe bag! It’s made of denim and decorated with various ethnic fabrics, embroidery appliques and trims. I collect them all the time, and when I think of a new project, I select some that would be a good match. A tricky process, causing a big mess in our craft room – and other rooms too, – but still quite rewarding.
(available in our shop)
This is my first bag with a flap – I think it’s a really nice detail. I used a pom-pom trim to highlight its edge, and I made colorful fringe for the bag. I used braided stripes of recycled silk – they add lavish boho chic to the bag, and they are virtually weightless.
