Chicago Northern Exposure

My beleaguered Huernia is finally starting to put out flowers.  I still think it is a Huernia confusa due to the mottling of the annulus and the broken horizontal bands on the...uh...petals?�...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/08/huernia-finally-blooms.html

I have to say, this pahiopedilum (it's supposed to be a hybrid between Dark Cherry and Cocoa something) almost bloomed itself.  I picked it up at Dominick's last summer (09) because of the prett...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-first-orchid-i-bloomed-it-myself.html

After much consternation and the apocalyptic destruction at the hands of Bonide and rubbing alcohol,  BAM!  We are blooming and putting out new growth again!  Here's the Stapelia scitula c...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/07/back-in-business.html

Behold, the reason for my infrequent posts! The dreaded mealybug!! (Gasp! Boo! Hiss!)  Pseudococcidae.  I can think of few other pests that beleaguer indoor gardeners as frequently and as ...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/07/oh-devastation.html

Cacti and succulents GALORE--not to mention some really cute desert critters... Before heading out to Arid Lands Greenhouse, we made the long journey to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum early i...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/07/arizona-sonora-desert-museum.html

Whoa, almost missed the sign!!!!  I can't tell you how much fun it was to have the opportunity to swing by Arid Lands Greenhouses.  It was even almost "on the way" between our two tourist s...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/06/arid-lands-greenhouse.html

Sunny, sandy, and cactus-y!  Current immigration politics aside, Tuscon is a mecca for those interested in C + S, and I was finally able to visit and see some incredible plants.  We stayed ...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/06/tuscon-arizona.html

The Duvaliandra dioscoridis started opening while we were running around setting up for a champagne "celebrate spring" party.  Oooh, fancy.  I have to admit I was a little worried that peop...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/05/stink-in-time.html

"Must be blood." "Two-ey, that's gross!" "Must be fresh." "I don't wanna hear this." "Feed me, Seymour, feed me all night looong!" The Little Shop of Horrors is here at last!  The Duval...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/05/feed-me-seymour-feed-me-now.html

AACH!  Adenium shock!  Plants Are The Strangest People (blog see link below) opined in a 2008 Wizard of Oz plant analogy thread that the plant best representing the Cowardly Lion is the Adeni...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/05/chicken-little-and-more-uplifting-news.html

The African violets and Streptocarpus plants have launched into full bloom! Compared to a northern exposure succulent garden, these guys almost grow themselves.  All I do is keep them from dryi...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/05/random-gesneriads-part-1.html

Duvaliandra dioscoridis.  So, this is in the same group of plants as the Stapelia plants, and I haven't found too much information on it.  I will walk you through all that I know. Sub-fa...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/05/spring-growth-update.html

Hello, Adenium!!! Aren't you the cutest little bonsai'd succulent?  Aren't you???   If you are asking if this was an impulse purchase from Gethsemane Garden Center last week, the answ...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/05/lil-fatty.html

Exciting things are happening in the succulent garden!  Gethsemane Garden Center had its Spring Open House a couple weeks ago (shame on you if you missed it), and much to probably every C+S love...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/04/stinky-plants.html

Spring is here!  Well, actually, it has been here for over a month, but now it has finally blessed my north-facing window garden with floriferous abundance!  This is the first time my paphi...

http://chicagonorthernexposure.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-and-new-beginnings.html