Have been tackling the grow light installations this morning (small strip lights in small dark spaces) and finishing up the little Christmas tree we put up last night. Putting up the Christmas tree only meant reorganization of many plants from room to room to find space. Two berkin philodendrons got transferred to DOLs plant room. Need to get rid of a couple of sanserveria miko too. I usually set them out on the street for giveaway but it’s a bit cold and rainy. May do a Craigslist free plants giveaway before spring. This plant hoarder has space issues. This year instead of poinsettia, which I eventually toss, I thought I’d try alaonema, Chinese evergreen. The color was bright and cheery in the store and struck my fancy. They when on the shelf under the tree. Yeh, or nay on alaonema? The new to me LED strip grow lights are interesting. I got white ones and red ones. Wasn’t totally convinced about the red, so did a backup white in most areas. Wondering if anyone has used LED grow lights and their observations. The plant journey continues.
It looks so nice there, Jewell. About the LED grow lights— I think that Hummerbum has used them in her successful growlight-aquaponics adventure.
Yay to the Alaonema Jewell - I think they are very pretty. I also love the lights you've set up. I've never thought of using LED's but after seeing the nice display yours make I might just invest in some myself.
Jewell, that is completely lovely! Your choice of Alaonema is perfect--colorful, good texture, and a great addition to your plant collection. You and your plants will have happy holidays!
@Sjoerd i will have to look up some past posts by hummerbum. Thanks! @eileen LEDs are nice to fit into small areas and inexpensive. My little old house only has small dark areas and I’m cheap @marlingardener it is fun trying new plants Here’s one more small dark area by the wood fire, lit by the last of my LED strips. My little dog likes to sit here because it’s warm, so hopefully plants will like it too. I like the Raphidophora tetrasperma/monstera Ginny on the table because they look like mini monstera deliciosus, only problem is they grow incredibly fast. I just have to keep taking starts and restarting because they want to climb the walls...literally. The other plant is a start from a lacunosa Hoya. It has been incredibly slow to root .
Jewell, this is off topic so please forgive. In the first photo, on the bookcase behind the chair, is that a burl bowl? I ask, because I have a burl bowl that looks exactly like that.
@marlingardener I am not sure about whether it’s burl or not but I was told it is maple. It was my great grandmother’s bread bowl. It has had a lot of use throughout the years. Until recently my son was using it too, but I worry about a crack on one edge. So I have retired it for daily use and is back bread only.
I like your Alaonemas! Very pretty. Great alternative to poinsettias. BTW let's us know if led's work for plants.
Something a bit off topic, Jewell— tell me about that interesting- looking black and white framed foto on your wall. I like cows and am interested.
@Cayuga Morning The LEDs are doing great! I am using both white and red in some areas and only one or the other in other places. The alaonema are a great example of their success. The colors of the leaves have really brightened up in the short time they have been exposed to the LEDs without any natural light. @Sjoerd The cow print is an old thrift store purchase of oxen plowing a field. Then years later I found the cow...hide... at a different thrift store. @Islandlife I am perpetually rearranging little vignettes. Plants grow and I need to dust.
Jewell, thanks for the info about LED's & plants. LED's are also energy efficient, so this is a double win.
Thanks for the cow pic info...it does lead to a follow- up question though— found a cowhide for your floor or something? Orrrrr, was there a pic of a cow hide you wanted? Orrrrr perhaps the hide of one of those plough stock?
@Sjoerd The old chair in front of the print is covered in my found hide. Might have been a rug in its previous home. I cut it up for upholstery.
