January 2010 (Northern Hemisphere)

[Stephen Vella]

John...Didnt think there was much of Malta's native flora left..they love to use ever square inch of earth for growing vegetables

Orchids now that would have been interesting to see. What species would you see at this time of year?

Have to say Malta was one of the better islands to visit in the mediterraine....sorry to hear you did your back in.

[Ragged Robin]

Thanks for your New Year flowering wishes Cohan    Looking forward to flowers where there is only snow - it's amazing what survives under the white blanket and I will be interested see how my Sedums and Saxifraga survive and also bulbs that came up in the unusually warm weather pre Christmas.

Lovely photos of plants inside and out, good to see them surviving in the cold.....

It's my fault, but I am desolate that orchids I have had for years were gently watered on our return after a month and are now are losing leaves and turning brown - they were in a frost free room but I think may have got too cold after watering.....now in a hospital bedroom hoping for recovery

[Ragged Robin]

John, do hope you're back gets better soon, best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[WimB]

I forgot,

the "Arisaema" is Arisarum vulgare.
A good site for the Flora of Malta is: http://www.maltawildplants.com/
Hope your get better soon.

Wim

[Maggi Young]

Wim, you beat me to it, I was just going to give that website!

John, rest up sensibly....dodgy backs ought not to be rushed... remember you need to be in good order for your Scottish trip next month!

[David Nicholson]

Spent a week in Malta over the New Year - unfortunately I did my back in after 3 days and spent most of the time in my hotel room

You have my sympathies John, I'm suffering from the same problem. The only chair I can sit in with any comfort at all is my computer chair and I have to roll out of bed and crawl down stairs in the morning. It loosens up a bit as the day goes on but otherwise is a nightmare!!

[KentGardener]

I'm suffering from the same problem. The only chair I can sit in with any comfort at all is my computer chair and I have to roll out of bed and crawl down stairs in the morning.

I'm doing that 'rolling' too - accompanied by yelps and whimpers!    Crawling too if the muscles decide to spasm and knot up.

Haven't found a chair that's comfy yet so still laying on the sofa bed in the front room (spotted that the ceiling could do with a paint and a piece of wallpaper is curled at one edge - help... get me out of here!)  - upstairs is out of bounds for me.

[Paul T]

Not good that you're all suffering back problems.  My sympathies.  I've had them too at times, but knock on wood I'm remaining free of them at present. 

John,

The little brown thing is Arisarum vulgare as Wim mentioned, but I rather like the pure green version.  Not something I've seen before.  The Asphodelus is a beauty!!

[Miriam]

Here some geophytes plants blooming today in my garden:


Iris palaestina 2
Iris unguicularis
Anemone coronaria
Bellevalia flexuosa
cyclamen persicum
Lapeirousia oreogena
Neobakeria angustifolia

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Very nice display Miriam - something we can only dream of in our white world right now !
The I. palaestina looks awesome !! 

[Gerdk]

Miriam, That looks suspiciously like spring!
Wonderful images, thank you!

Gerd

[Miriam]

Thanks for your kind comments.
Indeed Gerd, it was the hotest December here in recent years...the forecast for the weekend: 25C and even more here.
In spite of the lack of cold, there were some nice amounts of rains until now.

[daveyp1970]

Miriam i love love your Lapeirousia oreogena, Neobakeria angustifolia these will look good in the south african bulbous thread put a lovely splash of colour in it.Stunning!

[Brian Ellis]

That Neobakeria angustifolia certainly lifts the spirits in snowbound Britain Miriam

[Ragged Robin]

Miriam, your photos are quite lovely, showing the delicacy or strength of colour and form of each of your beautiful plants in your garden.  The Lapeirousia oreogena is glorious with uplifted flowers and crinkly leaves.