Thursday, January 15, 2009

Photostory Friday: Stayin' Alive


I will be the first to admit, I don't have much of a green thumb for indoor plants. I can plan flower beds, hanging baskets, and pretty much anything outdoors. But bring those plants and flowers indoors and they curl up and go to plant heaven.


So, when we moved here. Livi and I were in Walmart for all those little essential things that you have to buy every time we move. She saw this African Violet and wanted it because it was purple. My sister-in-law has these all over her house. So I figured I could get some expert tips from the master. I apologized to the little purple flower because I knew all too soon it would be making a little trip.


I made a phone call to SIL Mary. She gave me some tips: indirect light for several hours of the day, don't change the container immediately, water when dry. Okay, gotcha. I think we can do this. As ugly as the little brown plastic container is, I still haven't changed it to a proper pot. BUT after being here for six months, it is still alive! Alive and even going so far as to say doing well! It flowers all the time. Every once in a while, the leaves will butt up against the window pane and get a little scorched. I just snip if off.


Since the flower has been alive for so long, I decided to start some basil from seed. I am proud to announce, they sprouted! Pretty soon they will be ready to put into individual pots. I see an herb garden in my future.

I even bought some spiky green houseplant the last time I went to the commissary. Let's see how long I can keep that one alive!
While trying to take some shots of the violet, Will had to get his mug in there. "Cheese me, mommy!" *See the ugly brown plastic pot it is in? I guess I need to call her and ask her when I can transplant it!*

Overheard tonight while we were getting ready for bed:
Husband: Boy, why are you growing up so quickly?

Will: Because I eat alot.

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek





17 comments:

Bren said...

Love "cheese me, Mommy!"

Good luck with the flowers. I have the same issues with plants.

Wendelyn DeMoss said...

Sorry it has been so long since I have been to your blog. I have no green thumb whatsoever and the only plant in my house is silk. Violets are so beautiful and how exciting to grow some herbs. Keep logging those cute kid comments, it goes fast and you will forget!

tavolini said...

LOL, Will's response is awesome! Well cultivated sense of humor :)

Great job with the plants! My old roommate, Em, kept giving me plants every year, even though I kept killing them (or giving them away when they started to look tragic!)

I now have about 10 plants that have somehow survived on my schedule--water once a week in the winter, and survive on rain in the summer. I'm very Darwin (or Herbert Spencer if you wish) with my houseplants--survival of the fittest!

Chris said...

Cheese me mommy! Nice! We too have a terrible track record with all things alive.

CC said...

Awww! Great cheesy pic. Great job keeping the plant alive! We don't even try anymore...

Corey~living and loving said...

I have violet just like it...that I have somehow kept alive for over a year. It likes to be neglected I think. LOL

Joanna said...

Eats a lot - hahahaha! Wait until it's his favorite hobby.

Cute flowers!

Cecily R said...

I haven't had a houseplant since my almost 11 year old was a baby. I am hopeless with plants. Maybe I should try violets...but I'd probably kill them too.

LOVE the conversation with your son!

Monogram Queen said...

Wow I am impressed because i've always thought african violets were not easy to grow! Way to go Tommie & Livi!

I can do geraniums, petunias, marigolds, & impatiens in hanging baskets or outside pots but that is all.

Bed flowers and roses, no way jose' although I think DH wants to try his hand at roses since his Momma grows them. I wish him luck cos' I LOVE THEM!

Michelle said...

I almost always kill house plants so good luck keeping your flowers alive.

Beautiful picture!

Janet said...

a very poignant post, Tommie :-)

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

this summer was my first with the outdoor ones on our li'l deck.......after several hiccups I am glad they survived...but then they were seasonals so now I have none....with your success story, I am tempted to try the indoors now......may be one's not born with a green thumb, Tommie , may be you acquire one in your lifetime :) and Will's reply's as cute as him :) he makes me smile every time he's FEATURED here :DDD

Anonymous said...

Oy congratulations! It's a pretty little blossom!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh that IS adorable. I'm the same way, I'm pretty good at outside plants but indoor plants? OY VE. I can't get the lighting right, or the water. :)

And I love Will's train of thought - classic.

Unknown said...

I love the shot with Will in it!
And I bet he does eat a lot already. Just give him a few more years and you'll be in the commissary constantly. :)

Anonymous said...

Ok, I laughed out loud at the Action Jackson - Will conversation. In a year or so, Will will have to say, 'because you're so damned tall!' ;)

I love those violets. I think of myself as having a green thumb and they intimidate me. You are brave - but we knew that.

Next stop, green acres.... ;)

Susie said...

Congrats on the new green thumb! It's a beautiful flower too! Good luck with the herb garden. You'll do great!