I'm So Excited.....

Those of you who have been reading this blog since it started will know that I have a bit of a knack for growing exotic plants. About seven years ago, my other half gave me as a present a packet of Bird of Paradise plant seeds - he knew I liked to try and grow anything a bit out of the ordinary. From the whole pack, I think three thrived - one got given away and I kept two. One never grew very big and after all this time still only has four leaves on it but seems happy enough. The other, in pride of place in the sunniest spot in the house, grew fast and huge. I did my research and according to some sources, these plants should flower from about three years old.....well, it didn't. Other sources said five years....well it didn't then either. This plant has been nurtured, trimmed, fed, re-potted, had it's leaves wiped (although not lately - please ignore the gentle dusting of canary seed fallen from the birdcage hanging above!) and produced NOTHING. Every new spike was carefully scrutinised and discussed and then we've been disappointed as it's turned into another leaf. Over the past year I have been resenting the ruddy great thing, sitting there smugly not flowering and requiring Herculean feats of strength to move it as well as the problem of where to put it each Christmas when we want to put the Christmas tree in its place.

But a couple of weeks ago, it put out a spike that didn't look like previous ones. I got a little excited but was brought back down to earth when my other half said it may well turn out to be a deformed leaf (we had a season of deformed leaves one year). But no, it has become taller and is filling out and is definitely a flower bud - WOOHOO! So this year it is forgiven and will stay by the window while we buy a small fake Christmas tree to put on the table instead - there is no way I am jeopardising this momentous event!


This weekend I am pulling out all the stops to get as much art work done as I can before collapsing into a snivelling heap. I'm still painting potatoes.....this is No.26 (whimper...) which I managed to complete in an afternoon yesterday.

To reward myself, I then knitted with my favourite yarn in the world, Noro Kureyon, and made a frilled neckwarmer. Don't know what to do with it - I am so tempted to keep it for myself...but is there anyone else out there who would like it too?

Time to step away from the computer and get on with some work.......