Author Archives: Kari Koskinen

flower, gardening

Pleione

PleioneIt is still one month before the first spring flowers start to bloom up here in the north. So in my search for spring I ended up booking a holiday trip to Amsterdam where the flowers are just starting their colorful show.

When walking around the city I bought Pleione bulbs as a gift to my friend. This small pink flower is completely new to me and I have no idea how to take care of it. It just looked like something my fried would appreciate and because Pleione is just 10 centimeters high it seems to be perfect for terrariums.

Your friends usually know you and receiving a flower from one is something I cherish. It simply brightens my day. Now back to the city. I simply have to buy something for myself. Just to make sure that I have enough to plant when the ground finally melts.

PS. I bought my bulbs from Amsterdam Tulip Museum.

Pleione

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flower, gardening

Hyacinth

HyacinthPast few days have been stunningly beautiful in the north. Sun is shining and snow reflects the rays. Best time of the winter.
We still have two more months to go before the first spring flowers start to bloom. Cannot wait that long anymore.
So during my Sunday walk I ended up buying hyacinths. Just wanted to have something that reminds me of the forth coming spring.
And the scent is simply overwhelming even a bit too strong for some of us. But still so sweet and compelling.
PS. I bought my hyacinth from the nearby Ikea and it did not cost much.

Hyacinth

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gardening

Terrarium

TerrariumI simply could not resist the temptation. I had to try to construct one. In Pinterest I had seen so many wonderful creations and since it is winter time I cannot grow anything outside.
When walking in a store I noticed a glass jar. It was large enough and the shape was something I had been looking for.

It was a bit challenging to decide what to plant. I wanted to grow something from a seed. Something that would not over grow the jar immediately. Coleus came to my mind and I found some seeds from my stock.  Unfortunately I was out of the dwarf variety seeds and had to go with the medium size breed. Hope that was a good decision.

I am afraid that this might turn to an addiction. Already looking for the next jar and planning to grow something that requires a humid atmosphere. I have not been able to try varieties which require much moisture because of the merciless central heating.

PS. I prefer jars that have cover because they seldom need watering and do not collect dust inside. Outside is always easy to clean but inside much more challenging.

Terrarium

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flower, gardening

Orchid

OrchidI do not know why I keep on buying them. I enjoy their beauty only few months and then they are gone. But what flowers and colors they have.

I have never managed to keep an orchid alive after it has bloomed. I guess the central heating and lack of light is just too much for them.

Terrarium might work and if I find a suitable one I might try to keep one alive. Luckily orchids are available all year round and usually there is one in my kitchen table to brighten the day.

PS. There is Ikea close by my flat. Their orchid price is typically less than five euros. So it is a nice Sunday walk to get a new one while I try to figure out how to stop killing them.

Orchid2

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flower, gardening

Cosmos

CosmosOne of my mom’s favorite flowers is cosmos. Originally she got the seeds from an old and a dear friend of hers. After that we have had them blooming every year. They have never failed her no matter what kind of summer we have had.

The colors of cosmos are many and also I have grown fond of them. We have decided that next spring we will try a new variety called Sonata Pink Blush. It should bloom early and be a bit shorter and steadier compared to the one we currently grow.

PS. You can collect the cosmos seeds in the autumn. I do not think that my mother has ever bought the seeds. She has just harvested them each year.

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flower, gardening

Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactusSome of us are just so easy and thankful. My Christmas cactus lives in the darkest corner of my flat. Neglected and without any attention or care. Just a drop of water every once and awhile.

Still each year just before the Christmas it starts to blossom reminding me about the coming holiday season. I have never understood why it opens the flowers during the darkest time of the year but it does make me happy and smile. I guess it is his way of reminding me about the beautiful things and its own existence.

PS. It seems that the only way to kill a Christmas cactus is to over water it. Just leave it be and it seems to flourish.

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gardening

Amaryllis

AmaryllisDuring the holidays I simply enjoy the idleness and just relax. I try not to do anything except endorse the laziness and enjoy the company of my family.

While waiting for this quiet time of the year I just love to by the flowers of the season. They are so colorful and give me something to do while waiting for the spring. Amaryllises are something I usually buy. This winter I ended up with two different ones. One I grew from a bulb and the other one I just grabbed from the store.

Both of them now have flowers and brighten my day. With luck I will have them flowering few more weeks.

PS. Bought the bulb from Stockmann. It was a bit expensive but flowers came out strong and many so I guess it was worth the money.

Amaryllis

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gardening

Nano Pink

Geraniums

The first snow arrived few days ago and it is dark and cold outside. It is a perfect time to start planning for the next spring. I want my geraniums to bloom early in the summer and this is a right time to start growing them.

There are so many varieties which makes it hard to choose. This time I ended up buying three different colors. The ones I ended up with were Maverick White, Maverick Scarlet and Nano Pink.

I have never grown these varieties before so I am excited to see what I end up having. At least the start has gone well. Germination was supposed to take two to three weeks but it only took three days which took me by surprise.

Geraniums are so easy and thankful flowers. The bloom all the time and tolerate heat and cold. It is the end of November and I still have one blooming in my balcony. It has survived the heat of the summer and first frost.

PS. I bought my seeds from Swallowtail Gardens and each seed germinated and have been happy with my purchase.

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California Wonder

California WonderLast winter I started early. I was determined to grow peppers of my own. I had never tried that before.

I planted the seeds and watched them grow. The first flowers came and soon I had my first pepper growing. I decided to keep only one and gave the others to my friends.

Peppers are delegate creatures. They do not tolerate cold and when I moved the plant to my balcony for more light the end result was bruised leaves. Well, actually I never wanted to have a pepper in my bedroom but there it is. Safe from winds and getting all the attention it demands. Temperamental, as my plant really is, it only produces on pepper at the time. But the fruits are sweet and worth the effort.

PS. Peppers consume high amounts of water and require fertilizing. Large pot makes your life easier.

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Crocuses

Crocus

There are still many things to do before the winter arrives. One of the matters is to find suitable spring flowers for the next year. Options are many and it is hard not to buy everything possible.

I wondered around in a shop and saw what I was looking for. Shelves after shelves of bulbs waiting for planting. I knew what I wanted. I went directly to the crocuses. I wanted something that blooms early right after the snow is gone. Something colorful to wipe away all the whiteness.

Crocuses are reliable. You can always count on them. Usually the blooms only last few days but on those days you appreciate all the bright colors. After few weeks you forget your early friends as other plants conquer the garden hiding the tiny crocus leaves. But you remember your forgotten friends again next year when they are there delighting your spring.

I admit that when I returned home and went online I bought few other bulbs. Just to be sure that I have enough things to wait for.

PS. I bought my crocuses from Stockmann. They usually have good offers for their regular customers.

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