Fresh leaves

I was looking at one of my favorite house plants which seems to be doing pretty well in its present spot.  Right now it gets lots of indirect light, but as the sun comes around more to the west, I may have to find a new spot.

I noticed the leaves were looking a bit dusty and could use some refreshment.  I immediately remembered my mom and how she would occasionally refresh her plants.  She would take a little dish of milk and some cotton balls and carefully wipe the dust off the leaves with the milk-soaked cotton balls.  I wonder where she got that idea.  The leaves always looked so nice after she finished. But milk?  I have not googled this idea; I just know it seems to work for me too.

Splashes of color

The African Violets are doing so well and provide a wonderful splash of color in my computer room.

A plant's surprise

I almost missed it!  I was turning off a floor lamp next to this plant last night when I noticed something unusual.  The side of the plant facing the window had been blooming for a while, and I didn't see it!!  I didn't even know these plants sometimes had such unusual, beautiful blooms.  I suppose this plant was thanking me, in this way, for moving it (a few months ago) to this particular spot; I'm thinking it must like the soft light that comes in through the west window at the end of the day.  That light is going to be more intense as the summer approaches, and I wonder if the plant will change its mind.  But for now, I'm thrilled to see this blossom.

I've got a young plant doing quite well at the other end of the house, getting all light from the east windows. 

And then I must rejoice in the pretty purple blooms of my African Violets.  This one has been blooming away! 

Now my other violet went into a dormant phase, so I started sweet talking to it to coax a new shoot of blooms.  I'd like to think that it appreciated the love, and has finally sent up new buds.  These are a deep purple and are so pretty when they open.  Anxiously awaiting.