We seem to have given up bloom threads after Nov. but some things are starting up here.

Gelsemium sempervirens, Strelitzia regina, and Clivia miniata (orange) are starting to do their thing


In the front the Bougainvilla needs trimming, but it is blooming, and dwarf Calla leaves look bad, but it's starting to bloom.
Arctotis the Ravers 'Pink Sugar' and Venidium 'Tangerine' with Borage are blooming, and roses leafing out nicely, but no sign of buds on Freesias or Daffodils


Orchids are posted on the Orchids forum for Blooming in Feb.

All lovely, carol.....you manage to squeeze in a lot. Oh, freesias.....The scent of freesias.....I see daffodils blooming up here, but I'm probably the only person who doesn't care for them.....there's actually quite a lot blooming here, around town, not in my yard.....just have not been out with my camera....

Carol, Oh beautiful "Bird of Paradise"! How old is yours? Wonder how long you have to grow it to bloom?

It's been there 3 or 4 years from a 1 gal. pot. I think it was in bloom when I got it.

I checked Monrovia website and it says: 0.75 gal for $16 and 3.6 gal for $56, but no where mentioning plant size and bloom. And I heard some say it may take 5 yrs to start blooming. So how do I know how long (many yrs) I have to grow it to bloom if I buy it? Does anyone recommend other vendors (growers) to buy?

Bird of Paradise is generally widely available......

Buying from Monrovia is probably the most expensive way to go....I would imagine that you have a Home Depot there, I know you have WalMarts...I would look there first.

I'm used to seeing them for sale everywhere, but that was in SoCal, so it is possible that they may be harder to find in your area...also seems as though anytime I see them at any store or nursery, they are blooming.

If I get a 5 gallon plant at HD, it may be $20...the same plant at a nursery that sells off the Monrovia truck is usually $40.....shop around first.....

I would check at Lowes, Home Depot, or any local nurseries. They all carry them in my area.

We cross posted, Sherry!

Fiat......you are apparently USDA zone 9a in Modesto and I think the strelitzia is hardy to zone 9, so the HD's and WalMarts and Lowe's most likely have it.......check those places first...

Oh! Love your clivia is in blooming mode!! Mine is still quiet right now..but happily leafing, I guess it will hopefully try soon!

My freesias are just starting to show its buds: trying to fight those nasty aphids though!



Kniphofia sarmentosa is slowly in bloom mode too:


Oscularia caulescens has just started to bloom:



And these three has been in bloom since January:
Hoya shooting star


Wilsonara Hilda Plumtree Purple Wings - in bloom since Dec, this is the last of the three spikes, still in bloom


Oncidium Dancing Lady

Thanks, Cherry and Barbara. I may try HD and WM... our local Lowes may not have as much plants for sale and it kind of far away from my place like the Monrovia local nursery (different direction though).

In my experience, down south, Lowe's is the best for plants, HD second, WM third. I won't pay Monrovia's prices. Unfortunately we don't have a Lowe's here, closest is 90 miles away......

Tarev, looking good! That last heat wave pushed my Freesias into bud...at least the yellow, white, and lavender ones. The red has just declined over the years, and I only see one, and no buds on it. I have 3 orange Clivias in bloom now, another showing color, and my yellow one has a spike just starting to bud. The 2 seedlings that I've had at least 4 years...nothing. I guess that's why they're so expensive...long time to bloom size.
I may just have to try a Hoya the next time I run across one. I may have to try an Adenium too.

Thanks Carol! I guess it is waiting when it gets there for me on my clivias this year. I am just happy the leaves are so lush and green, I like it, and not water needy either. My Solomone yellow is so busy with its 6 babies, I guess that is where its energy is going this time.

Kniphofia sarmentosa looks better today:

Pretty and pink little blooms showing up much more now as weather goes sunny and warm for Oscularia caulescens:

Are these two big Aloes starting to make blooms?

Yup! Buds are showing up!

Happy to know! Thanks, Tarev.

It will push out a very long bloomstalk as it tries to get more light.

I was worrying about these big aloes that they might not survive the past winter raining season because they were in the uncovered patio (unable to move those big heavy containers with big plants in and no sheltered places for them any way...), but now evidently they have overcome and want to bloom... how wonderful!