First, we have flowers. I focused on flowers this Saturday as there is a possibility of another f word – frost, in frostfree areas of Florida. That’s seven f words – though I will probably think of some more as I am covering orchids and tomato plants for our overnight low. The low is predicted at 37 degrees F., with 35 mph gusty winds. I am not thinking about the wind chill. Not doing it. I had to search for shoes this morning as I always wear sandals; astonished to find some currently fashionable Chuck Taylor style sneakers that must be ten years old!
I’ll admit the shoes looked better in the dark corner of my closet. Maybe I saved them for gardening prior to discovering plastic Birkenstocks, the mysteries continue.
On to January flowers, that will hopefully be here in February.
‘Miss Alice’ Bougainvillea is in full bloom.
I started some Balsam Impatiens from seed and transplanted them into the garden last week. They are just starting to flower.
Another Balsam Impatiens. I think these will be hardy if the temps stay above freezing. They look like big Snapdragons to me.
Dwarf Chenille Plant (Acalypha pendula) this is underplanting a Malaysian Orchid. These two are spending the night in the bathtub.
‘Little Harv’ Aechmea Bromeliad flowers; one of my winter favorites. It seems all the Bromeliads should be fine. It is recommended to fill their cups with water prior to cold weather. This seems counterintuitive to me but I did it anyway.
I hope everyone has a fabulous Saturday!
Thanks to Jon at http://www.thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com for hosting, follow the link for more SOS posts.
The Shrub Queen 
Frost, eek! I’m going to have to rethink things. Sounds like you have things under control though. I must say though, wowy to the impatiens, just incredible! ps stay warm, do you own jumpers or should I say sweaters?
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Eek, indeed. I have sweaters and leftover clothes I am always tempted to throw away. We are not used to being cold….
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Lovely Acalypha pendula! I didn’t know that plant… I hope you’re not going to lose anything because of the cold snap that’s hitting your area… ( I smiled when I saw that you looked for shoes… here are the sandals we are looking for at the beginning of summer…😂)
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Thank you, that is a fun plant. I hope so, too – so far, so good. I have not uncovered the orchids yet, It was 39 F this morning.
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This morning must have been the worst according to the weather forecast .
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I think so..the watermelon vines are wilted .watered them a little.
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Sorry to hear about your plummeting temperatures – I hope the garden emerges unscathed. This week’s selection of flowers is gorgeous. I particularly like the comical chenille, and the balsam impatiens are quite striking. I, too, am surprised by the bromeliad advice re cold weather. The only bromeliad I have here is a dyckia, which mercifully seems to shrug off temperature extremes.
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Thank you. my fingers are crossed, The bromeliads are in a very protected area so I think they will be okay.
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I sometimes think that a bit more chill would be nice here. It would make some plants happier. Nonetheless, it is what is delaying the processing of some of the seed that I mentioned in my six. (Oh, I as still SO ashamed!) Anyway, it will all work out.
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I think so, too. Kill a few bugs? My watermelon vines look unhappy already.
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I am surprised to hear you can get frost there. I love your Bougainvillea.
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Frost is rare here. I may be close enough to the ocean to avoid it. Once this was the worlds leading producer of pineapples…until a frost! I love that Boug, too.
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Extreme weather over the entire east coast! Hope your garden fares well. Stay warm. 🙂
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Hi Eliza, thanks, I dug up some sweatshirts I had forgotten about. Are you getting the bomb cyclone??
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Yes, it is rather gusty, the snow is light and fine (super cold temps (teens) yield finer snow, warmer temps yield ‘fat’ flakes). We’re not expected to get much – 2-4″ tops. Windchills are in the minus zero teens. Needless to say, I will be staying close to the stove!
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yikes!! bomb cyclones seem a recent invention to me..soup for dinner here. The heat is on, a rare event.
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I love all the colours that are in your garden.
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Thanks, Rosie I am embracing the tropical vibe,
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Lovely flowers!
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Your Bougainvillea is gorgeous and must provide a great foil to the more vibrant colours in your garden. Fingers crossed you (and the Florida orange groves…) avoid a damaging frost!
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Thanks, Chris, I have one lime tree in the garden that has not flowered, fingers crossed for all.
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I just checked…plus 5 (Celsius) in Fort Lauderdale… You made it!?
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I am in northern south Florida! about 100 miles north of FTL. It was 39F here. We made it, haven’t uncovered anything yet. Tomatoes, peppers and watermelon were looking decidely unhappy yesterday. Cold north wind..
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It is like walking through a tropical hot house in the UK. The Balsam is magnificent.
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Thanks, Noelle.
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I was wondering if you would get the cold weather. We keep jumping from 70’s to 30’s. The Balsams look very exotic in a close-up.
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I think it was 39 here this morning. Cold wind off the water..brr. The Balsams are cool. I think they will be okay.
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Did any iguanas fall out of your trees?
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Thankfully, I am too far north for iguanas..though I have seen one. Not on the ground..mid summer.
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Hope there was no frost after all and the tomatoes etc are coping. It must be such a shock to you and your garden when it turns so cold. What lovely colour you have in your January garden. 😃
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Thanks, 39 F, I think, the watermelon vines are not happy.
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