GBBD, January 2009

The story is that Crown of Thorn, Euphorbia splendens var. milii, blooms two times a year - at Christmas and again at Easter. Mine does bloom then - but it also blooms almost continually in deep South Texas. This succulent is related to the poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, and exudes sticky white sap from any cut surface. (Take care when working with sappy plants, as some people break out in blisters where this sap has touched their skin)The large thorns for which this plant is named is obvious on the stems. When I repot this plant, I fold a number of layers of newspaper to wrap around the stems and handle the plant with.

Not only is the white sap sticky, but the blooms on this variety are also sticky! The mottled color of the petals that you see in this close-up is not usual for this plant. Its blooms are usually a solid color. My pot of miniature Crown of Thorn, Euphorbia milii 'Mini-Bell', is also full of blooms. Unfortunately, my camera battery ran out of juice before I could get the shot.

Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, is beginning to bloom. The short days of winter tell this Madagascar native to bloom. In the Valley, they are easily propogated from cuttings (even a cutting as small as a single leaf!). Be sure to let your cuttings heal over a bit before you put them in the ground. No special rooting compound or potting soil is needed. Be careful not to overwater them as this will turn them to mush!

And since, it appears that reds are what's in bloom in my garden this month, here's a shot of a Jatropha, Jatropha integerrima.

Bougainvillea and Poinsettia are other plants that love the short days (or the long nights) of winter. Their bracts are becoming quite colorful right now.

To see what is blooming this week in gardens around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens

Kalanchoe

When so little else is blooming fully, kalanchoes brighten up the garden! Hardly noticable most of the year, this is their time to shine. Mine edge part of our driveway and were all grown from leaf or stem cuttings from my mother-in-law. As soon as they've finished blooming, take your cuttings. Wait a few days for the cutting end to dry a bit before planting them. No need to root these in pots first - you can just poke the cut end right directly in your garden. Water, but let the ground dry out between waterings. Look for new growth within a month or six weeks.