January 14, 2023

What's Happening in the Sunroom?

oxalis vulcanicola

Any type of new life at this time of year is encouraging. Even during an extremely mild January (for us), the promise of new growth, longer days, and warmth are so welcome. Indoors, in the sunroom, the plants are putting on buds and flowers and new shoots. The plant that seems happiest is Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel.' The hairy buds and full foliage are lush and happy.

oxalis vulcanicola potted

The plant is spilling over all sides of its pot. In May, I'll divide it for potting outdoors.

oxalis triangularis

Another Oxalis, Purple Shamrock (O. triangularis), has been a happy plant in the sunroom (and outdoors in summer) for many years now. It's a nice companion for the variegated English Ivy (Hedera helix).

fuchsia autumnale

Fuchsia 'Autumnale' is not as happy indoors as it was outdoors. This is my second year of overwintering this one. I might try a different spot for it, or attempt some stem cuttings to encourage new growth. But it's still alive and colorful.

passiflora incarnata

The Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is not changing much, but the buds and signs of new growth are encouraging.

fuchsia marinka

My two hanging baskets of Fuchsia 'Marinka' also are struggling a bit. (I've had these plants for so many years!) I think I'll place them in a different location and give them a bit more TLC.

hypoestes phyllostachya

But the plant that has surprised me the most with its ready adjustment to indoor growing is the Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya). It almost seems happier indoors than it did outside during the summer. What a joyful little plant full of new shoots of growth!

That's it for now. Dreaming about seed-starting in the weeks ahead...

15 comments:

  1. Those exuberant signs of life would be inspiring any time but they're definitely encouraging at this time of year. It must be a joy to putter in your sunroom!

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    1. The sunroom keeps me sane this time of year, Kris. Winter is OK, but I truly miss gardening for four months. The plants in the sunroom let me "putter" a bit, as you describe. :)

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  2. 'Marinka' is a classic Fuchsia. Hope it comes through for you.

    Good to be able to keep your green thumbs at work even in winter.

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    1. Yes, I think 'Marinka' will recover with more sun and a little TLC. If it makes it through early spring, it will thrive when I take it outside. And yes, indoor plants in the sunroom keep me optimistic during the cold, dark times of winter.

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  3. Love these close-ups of life moving along, growing, and becoming something big and beautiful. I'm sure you must really enjoy having these to nurture and admire during the down time of winter!

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    1. Thanks, Tina. Yes, the sunroom really boosts my mood during this time of year. :)

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  4. How fun to read this post, just after I took care of my 'wintering over' garden.
    What is doing well.. lavender, mint, geraniums, lemon verbena and rosemary. What is not doing well, sage and thyme.

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    1. Interesting. I should probably try some herbs again. It's interesting how some plants perform better indoors than others, and some have good years and bad years. I think the cloudy days down here this January are having some effect.

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  5. The promise of things to come!
    Great photos!

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    1. Thank you, Lea. Yes, soon the seeds will be planted... :)

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  6. I wish I had a sunroom! I wish our house had more windows and sun.

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    1. Oh yes, the sunroom is fabulous. It's a huge part of what sold us on this house. You could add one. :)

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    2. Not that we 'needed' it, but the house I grew up in had a sunroom. With a sea view. We enjoyed that!

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  7. Hello Beth, belatedly. Has your "extremely mild January" gone by the wayside? Ours has! Feels very Laramie-esque this past week, and the cold is to continue for the next. :( I got spoiled!

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    1. Hi Hollis: We are still mild, but that will change next week...just in time to welcome February. Argh. It will be colder than normal but, fingers crossed, not too terrible. And hopefully it will only last a few days...

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