Succulent Withdraws

It's been a while since I've shared any of my succulents, and I think I'm having withdrawals from the lack of sharing.  The first one isn't a succulent, and I really intended to share it before Halloween...better late than never.  I stumbled on these Candy Corn Vines back in October and thought they were so darling that I needed two.  I've got the one in the hanging basket in the backyard and the one growing up the trellis in the front. 

Candy Corn Vine

The flowers look like candy corn with their yellow tipped blooms.  Their botanical name is Manettia inflata and they originate in South America.  Another reason I picked up two was that I figured I could at lease keep one alive over the winter and make more in the spring since it promises to propagate easily.  The only thing that would make the plant better would be if the blooms were edible and tasted like their look-a-likes; yummy!!

This next one is one of my favorites, mostly because of her stinky, stinky bloom!  I'm not sure if I caught any flies in the open blooms with my camera, but they're generally not far from this stinker.

Stapelia gigantea

Stapelia gigantea

Did I say the previous one was my favorite?  Oops, this next one is always at the top of my list.  The mother plant died after blooming last winter, but a few of the babies that I didn't give away are growing steadily.  They didn't give me any new babies this year, but I'm sure they'll make up for that next year.

Kalanchoe Gastronis Bonnierfi 'Donkey Ears'

And another favorite.  I looked everywhere for this and then a blogger friend offered to send me some of hers.  What's crazy though, is as soon I got my package from Florida, I started seeing them in local nurseries.  Where were they the two years I searched high and low!  I've really got to move her to a new home for the winter this year.  Besides the fact that she's the only remaining plant in this planter due to Charlie's need to pounce and dig, she needs protection from the freezes that usually come on unexpectedly during the winter. 

Kalanchoe diagremontiana 'Mother of Millions'

My Huernia hystrix is still putting out the blooms.  I can't believe the amount of blooms that have been appearing, but you'll hear no complaining out of me!

Huernia hystrix

Huernia hystrix

Today, my friend, Amy, noticed this next bloom.  I have no idea what the plant is, but I absolutely    A-D-O-R-E it!!  It's a totally different bloom than anything else in my collection.  The tangerine color had me running for my camera.  If you know the name of it, please share.  I searched for a while tonight on the internet, but came up empty handed...help needed!!

Fertilizer Friday

I've found myself wandering over to Tootsie's Flaunt Your Flowers/Fertilizer Friday each week admiring not only what she's got blooming, but to check out the other gorgeous gardens.  Did I mention I'm in love with her greenhouse?  While I don't have much blooming other than what I posted earlier, I thought I'd share a few others from recent months that I might not have posted. 

First off is the second round of blooms for my Donkey Ears.  She seems to be enjoying her winter spot on the fireplace and is showing the love with another set of blooms getting ready to turn down.

Another picture of 'Chandelier Plant' blooms...I just love them!

My little 'Tiger Jaw' blooming back in October.

Last, but not least...one of my favorite Bougainvilleas that I added to the collection this past summer!

Looking forward to warmer days...

Cactus Monday

My friend went to Painting with a Twist (check out their website here) today and brought home this masterpiece created by her.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I needed to share it for Cactus Monday! 

They have locations in several different states and while I haven't gone yet myself...it's a very cool place to go.  You pick a picture and then the artist is there to help guide you in painting your own version of it.  While you're working, you can bring wine (they provide the glasses) or Dr. Pepper in my case and munchies.  Girl Time!!

For my own contribution, my Donkey Ear is finally getting some bloom action.  The buds actually droop down first, then the bloom falls out and over a period of days deepens to a darker magenta hue...gorgeous!!  I don't have a picture of the "final" bloom, but this is what it looked like when it first dropped out.  Bear with me, I'm sure next week's post will be more of this beauty!!

Stop by Teri's Painted Daisies to join in the cactus fun!

Cactus Monday...Donkey Ear Madness

I'm sharing my Donkey Ear today...I can't remember the scientific name at the moment, and I'm really too tired to search for it.  She's been loving the cooler (this term is used lightly) weather and is getting ready to bloom. 

A few nights recently it's gotten really close to 45 degrees and she gets a little testy with anything below that, so she's been spending the nights in the living room.  If you look closely, you can see a few little plantlets on the edges of the larger leaves.  I'm looking forward to the red blooms and will share those whenever they make their grand appearance!

Happy Cactus Monday!  Stop by Teri's Painted Daisies to participate.

Mandy

Another Monday

I know today was Tuesday, but it definitely made up for having the day off yesterday and then some!  Even though I have a "desk job", I rarely sit for longer than 30 minutes at a time...I like to get up and move.  Knowing that, the 2 hour and 15 minute meeting I was forced to sit in this morning was torture!  A few minutes more and I might have passed out due to lack of food not to mention my foot kept falling asleep.  The afternoon flew after that, and I was really excited when co-worker called me on my way out the door to remind me that it was another co-worker's birthday...one who happens to have caught the "Succulent Bug", so it's only natural that I volunteered to put a succulent dish together for her.  I really tried to get out of Home Depot with just her stuff, but a tiny Hawthoria made it's way into my basket.  I'm being lazy and haven't downloaded the picture, but maybe I'll get one with her tomorrow and I can post it then. 

Tonight's going to be short, my children are acting like they escaped from the book 'Where the Wild Ones Are'...I think that's the title anyways and my dryer keeps beeping at me...

I'll leave you with a photo of one of my favorites...if you can't tell, they're ALL my favorites!

This is my 'Donkey Ear' Kalanchoe last summer.  My mother and I saw this at Rainbow Gardens last year, looked through them all to find the ones with the most babies on the leaf edges and the rest is history.  This is a great one because I get to share it with friends without mutilating my plant!