I would like to think my Aussie followers know exactly what I mean by the words:
“Not Happy, Jan!”
It’s funny how three little words from a television advertisement back in the year 2000 became part of Australian culture. You really do need to watch the ad to get a feel for their true meaning.
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The scientific name of this unusual plant is Schlumbergera, but they are also known and Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Claw Cactus, Holiday Cactus and Crab Cactus. I’ve only ever known them as Zygocactus, or Zygos for short.
I guess the reference to Christmas and Thanksgiving comes from North America as these plants flower during the cooler months. Sure enough, this name doesn’t make a lot of sense in the southern hemisphere where they flower in the middle of the year. In fact, they flower in response to lengthening nights and do not like direct sunlight.
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I’ve now not one – not two – but three very pretty Poinsettias and all of them are currently in flower. I just love the effect the cold weather has on my plants.
Pretty Pink – still blooming and complete with spider
On April 17, 2018, I introduced you to My Black Bat Flower and when I followed that up with an update in Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat, I said I could hardly wait for my bat to emerge. This has finally happened and I have not only one bat to adore, I have two.
This is ‘the’ most amazing plant I have in my garden at the moment, and I show it off to everyone and, much to my delight, they ooh and aah over it like it’s a newborn. I guess in some way it is, with the first umbel still not quite fully opened.
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Over the last six weeks, I’ve neglected my garden. It makes me sad that it has come to this, but it has.
It’s amazing how difficult I have found everyday tasks with my (dominant) right hand in plaster. Yes, even watering my plants is a job I’ve needed assistance with because Dean (AKA Santa) gave me a retracting hose for Christmas, and I can neither pull it out nor put it back, one-handed. Just as well we’ve had lots of rain and my garden is almost looking after itself.
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