December Mildness & Blooms

Autumn Crocus 12/15/18

Seems strange that I'm already discussing blooms on here. I didn't think I'd be showing any of that here until next spring. The weather this fall has been very strange. November was much colder then normal with plenty of days in the 20s and cloudiness. Snow has been on the skimpy side for this teeny part of Iowa, we some how got missed. I saw somehow because all directions around us have been hit hard with snow this fall. north, south, east and west it doesn't make a difference the direction they all got it hard! Even Kansas City has had a big 6" or greater snowfall, while here in our area we only received two dustings this fall. Now its December and the weather has become mild with 40s and today its supposed to be 53.F. The Autumn Crocus that have been continually delayed in flowering last month due to cold and clouds are out blooming now in the December warmth and sunshine. This known as Crocus speciosus 'conqueror' variety. Which is known for being later blooming then Colchicum that often comes to flower here in September. They are later blooming but I would guess this is abnormally late for these this year.

Snowdrop Elwesii 12/15/18

A little more on the strange side however are that the spring Snowdrops are also starting to poke their noses through the mulch this week. They think spring has arrived now since its warming up after a cold November. Typical bloom time for these guys is late winter being often February here in Des Moines. They have on occasion however bloomed in January. I've had a couple of times so far that have had at least one bloom in January. December blooms though would be a new one, we shall see. In all cases these flowers are the ABSOLUTE earliest of the early being the very first flower to appear in spring and I'm not trying to sound like the gardening ad you find in the magazine these the real deal if you want plants that bloom when snow is still on the ground! They are much earlier then any Crocus for sure.


 

Thanksgiving Cactus

These indoor blooms are typically what I can expect to find blooming this time of year. This is Thanksgiving Cactus which as you can see is on the late side this year. Not many people know there are three different varieties of these "holiday" cactus. Besides the above Thanksgiving Cactus, there is also Easter Cactus and true heirloom Christmas Cactus. The real Christmas Cactus is not found in stores any longer. You can normally only see it handed down through family members. The difference between them is that heirloom Christmas Cactus only flowers in pink and the leaves do not have pointy teeth edges instead having soft edges. Thanksgiving Cactus which is all you find for sale now come in a wide array of colors including white, peach, yellow, pink and red with very pointy leaf edges. Easter Cactus is the odd one out, it does have soft edges on the leaves often ringed in red, but its the blooms that look far different, being shaped like daisies which close at night and they of course bloom in April. The care for all of them is the same. Don't over water! That is the biggest reason why people loose these plants. Mine get watered 1-2 times a month.