Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
Me too.Wow, good for you! I've tried and failed to keep orchids in the past
This is one sturdy plant.
Our Gardens
- Thread starter piggieminder
- Start date
This is one sturdy plant.
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
I’ve tried and failed too!
Pound Shilling & Pig
Adult Guinea Pig
I once rescued an orchid from the bin at work after it had been discarded when it finished flowering. I took it home and nurtured it, cared for it and did all I could for it. It died.
I was given an orchid by my next door neighbour for watering her houseplants when she went away.
I'd never had one before.it flowered beautifully the first year, then to my surprise it did last June too!
I've let it just sit in my kitchen window ¬iced a few days ago there's a new leaf bud coming out, there's also two little shoots on a flowering stem - the roots have gone haywire, so I'm wondering if I should re-pot it or leave it to carry on as it is another year?
June's flowers
As it is at the moment
I'd never had one before.it flowered beautifully the first year, then to my surprise it did last June too!
I've let it just sit in my kitchen window ¬iced a few days ago there's a new leaf bud coming out, there's also two little shoots on a flowering stem - the roots have gone haywire, so I'm wondering if I should re-pot it or leave it to carry on as it is another year?
June's flowers
As it is at the moment
I've been out in the garden for a quick poke about, fed Mr bobbin Robin he's grown all the feathers back on the top of his head &is looking as handsome as ever 
Although maybe a bit too quick for my phones camera
The double fuscia by the back door, although I must clear away the dead gladioli stems
I can't remember what this shrub is pieris or something like that,but it gives vivid red leaves as new growth every year
The Rosemary starting to flower ,even though it's ancient
Some of the lichen on the woody stems
The Mahonia is starting to burst into glorious golden yellow flower
Although maybe a bit too quick for my phones camera
The double fuscia by the back door, although I must clear away the dead gladioli stems
I can't remember what this shrub is pieris or something like that,but it gives vivid red leaves as new growth every year
The Rosemary starting to flower ,even though it's ancient
Some of the lichen on the woody stems
The Mahonia is starting to burst into glorious golden yellow flower
The Mahonia from the top of one of its branches, still quite green at the moment.
My Californian poppy (yellowy orange) starting to bud
A close up of some lichen on an old shrub in the garden, it's a fascinating growth.
I came indoors &spotted my aging cyclamen,I've had it about 15+ yrs
Also my Christmas cactus looks like it's got lots of buds on it
Oh & from last night my hedgehog seems to have come back, I went out to find this youngster rooting about in the dark
My Californian poppy (yellowy orange) starting to bud
A close up of some lichen on an old shrub in the garden, it's a fascinating growth.
I came indoors &spotted my aging cyclamen,I've had it about 15+ yrs
Also my Christmas cactus looks like it's got lots of buds on it
Oh & from last night my hedgehog seems to have come back, I went out to find this youngster rooting about in the dark
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harmonies
Junior Guinea Pig
hi little hedgehog amazing pics beautifulThe Mahonia from the top of one of its branches, still quite green at the moment.
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My Californian poppy (yellowy orange) starting to bud
View attachment 235547
A close up of some lichen on an old shrub in the garden, it's a fascinating growth.
View attachment 235548
I came indoors &spotted my aging cyclamen,I've had it about 15+ yrs
View attachment 235549
Also my Christmas cactus looks like it's got lots of buds on it
View attachment 235550
View attachment 235551
Oh & from last night my hedgehog seems to have come back, I went out to find this youngster rooting about in the dark
View attachment 235552
View attachment 235553
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
You are so green fingered Andrea! Mr Robin is looking very handsome now 
Qualcast&Flymo
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The bush that grows red new growth is probably Photinia 'Red Robin '. It seems to be very popular these days.I've been out in the garden for a quick poke about, fed Mr bobbin Robin he's grown all the feathers back on the top of his head &is looking as handsome as ever
Although maybe a bit too quick for my phones camera
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The double fuscia by the back door, although I must clear away the dead gladioli stems
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I can't remember what this shrub is pieris or something like that,but it gives vivid red leaves as new growth every year
View attachment 235537
The Rosemary starting to flower ,even though it's ancient
View attachment 235538
Some of the lichen on the woody stems
View attachment 235539
The Mahonia is starting to burst into glorious golden yellow flower
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Yes!
That's the one! 
All I could think of was pieris... I've got one of those out the front in a barrel, that also has new red leaves with green ones too! But a much smaller leaf.
I'm not really a gardener, but I do like pottering about in the garden, I don't like to see things dying offYou are so green fingered Andrea! Mr Robin is looking very handsome now
Mr bobbin Robin comes in & sits on the patio door frame waiting to be fed some suet pellets
he sits & chirps Impatiently if I take too long! I see there was 'the other half' in the neighbours tree earlier they were both singing to each other - thought it's a bit early for all those shinnanagins! ♥
I do tell him he's so handsome with his feathers grown back
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
The roots of your orchid look much neater than of mine. I don't dare to re-pot it.
thewheakybeans
Junior Guinea Pig
thewheakybeans
Junior Guinea Pig
Got a surprise visit from a hedgehog recently after cutting a hole in our back fence leading out to woodland! She was a bit surprised when she triggered our outdoor light I've now got hedgehog food on order (and cat food to tide her over for now!). Anyone else got any hedgehog visitors?
I've now got hedgehog food on order (and cat food to tide her over for now!). Anyone else got any hedgehog visitors?Attachments
piggieminder
Forum Buddy
We have poop but I've not seen the hedgehog. Every time I find more poop I wonder why they aren't hibernating, it's been cold here at night lately.
Every time I find more poop I wonder why they aren't hibernating, it's been cold here at night lately.
Pound Shilling & Pig
Adult Guinea Pig
How lovely for you! I have hedgehogs in my garden too.Got a surprise visit from a hedgehog recently after cutting a hole in our back fence leading out to woodland! She was a bit surprised when she triggered our outdoor light
May I ask what hedgehog food you are buying? Unfortunetly many foods marketed for hedgehogs are designed for pet African pigmy hedgehogs who eat a very different diet and are not suitable for our native wild hogs. Hedgehog/wildlife rescues generally recommend feeding wet or dry cat food (but not fish varieties) so it sounds like you are already feeding what is best for them
thewheakybeans
Junior Guinea Pig
I've ordered some from Ark Wildlife website, specially formulated wild hedgehog food. I'll let you know if she likes it once it arrives!How lovely for you! I have hedgehogs in my garden too.
May I ask what hedgehog food you are buying? Unfortunetly many foods marketed for hedgehogs are designed for pet African pigmy hedgehogs who eat a very different diet and are not suitable for our native wild hogs. Hedgehog/wildlife rescues generally recommend feeding wet or dry cat food (but not fish varieties) so it sounds like you are already feeding what is best for them
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
We get poop but haven’t seen one this year 
I used to enjoy seeing them at night on the lawn, lucky you!
I used to enjoy seeing them at night on the lawn, lucky you!
Pantalaimon
Junior Guinea Pig
Hedgehogs are amazing to have around (as long as you don’t have a dog who likes to roll…). Mine disappeared a few weeks ago so I would assume it has gone into hibernation.I've ordered some from Ark Wildlife website, specially formulated wild hedgehog food. I'll let you know if she likes it once it arrives!
I just wanted to give a word of warning about hedgehog food. The stuff sold for hedgehogs is unregulated so they can put just about anything in there. Unless you can find one that is at least 50% meat (as the first ingredient) then it is not suitable. As they have similar requirements to a cat it is recommended to give a high quality kitten food (for the small size pellets) as it avoids the issues.
Something else that’s fun is a motion activated wildlife camera, they can be relatively inexpensive but it means you can get images really close to the hedgehog and watch their activities.
Good luck with your future hedgehog watching!
thewheakybeans
Junior Guinea Pig
Well so far, its only the cheeky magpies that have been enjoying the food!
Pantalaimon
Junior Guinea Pig
You will find that all sorts of creature like hedgehog food! You can make (or buy) a hedgehog feeder designed to keep other creatures out, cats can cause problems.
The Mahonia from the top of one of its branches, still quite green at the moment.
View attachment 235545
View attachment 235546
My Californian poppy (yellowy orange) starting to bud
View attachment 235547
A close up of some lichen on an old shrub in the garden, it's a fascinating growth.
View attachment 235548
I came indoors &spotted my aging cyclamen,I've had it about 15+ yrs
View attachment 235549
Also my Christmas cactus looks like it's got lots of buds on it
View attachment 235550
View attachment 235551
Oh & from last night my hedgehog seems to have come back, I went out to find this youngster rooting about in the dark
View attachment 235552
View attachment 235553
Well I've not found the time or had the weather to get out in the garden, but my Christmas cactus in the kitchen window is flowering a treat
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
My lovely orchid
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
Wow to both the cactus and orchid!
Pound Shilling & Pig
Adult Guinea Pig
My garden this morning. 
It's all turned to slush now though
It's all turned to slush now though
thewheakybeans
Junior Guinea Pig
Please tell me your Christmas cactus secrets, yours is beautiful! Mine is looking rather limp and sorry for itself so not sure if I've maybe overwatered it or was in too shady a spotWell I've not found the time or had the weather to get out in the garden, but my Christmas cactus in the kitchen window is flowering a treat
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Sar
Adult Guinea Pig
@GPTV your cactus is lovely!
My baby ones flowered right on time, opening just before Christmas and still going now. The big one has buds on that will probably open in Feb as usual. I'm convinced its all down to the different rooms they are in and lighting.
I've bought some roses for the garden. They are in starter pots so I'm wondering do I pot them into a bigger pot so growing room and can then pot them on, or do I put them in a massive pot to start with? All my garden is in tubs so can't plant in the ground.
Also looks like some of my spring bulbs are growing. There is currently two poking out!
My baby ones flowered right on time, opening just before Christmas and still going now. The big one has buds on that will probably open in Feb as usual. I'm convinced its all down to the different rooms they are in and lighting.
I've bought some roses for the garden. They are in starter pots so I'm wondering do I pot them into a bigger pot so growing room and can then pot them on, or do I put them in a massive pot to start with? All my garden is in tubs so can't plant in the ground.
Also looks like some of my spring bulbs are growing. There is currently two poking out!
Sorry I completely forgot I hadn't replied! @thewheakybeans
I don't really do much to my cactus, I water them on a Wednesday & Saturday normally.
I water them from the bottom & have all my plants in shallow saucers.
They sit in my kitchen window (easterly facing) with the lean to in front of it. So light but not bright/ direct sunlight. I pick off the flower heads when they've gone all leathery.
When it's flowering I put a few drops of plant food in the water. Same for the orchid.
That's about it really. I've had it for years , I've probably repotted it about 3x, if it's looking a bit sad might be worth repotting it, & teasing the roots apart, especially if its been overwatered & gone white/meldew on the roots
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