I lost my mom today so its been a pretty rough day to say the least. And my dad has been gone for 12 yrs now. And they broke up many many years ago. Tonight they helped me finish my plant room. The amethyst and insense burner are from my dad, and the sage is from my mom, and they are all on a live edge table top that my dad made. Couldn't be more fkn perfect becuase they pushed me to pursue my passion. In both horses and plants. 💔💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭😭😭

This is a cool article I just came across! Whats your flower? Mine is Baby's Breath. 🙂 https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/birth-month-flower-seeds

Winter is the time of year for lots of things, nature going to sleep, snow, holidays, warm n tasty dishes and drinks, and also some plants bloom now! As crazy as it is, some plants bloom in winter because they don’t see the world shutting down — they see a chance to shine. They remind us that growth can happen in the coldest moments, and life finds a way even when everything else feels still. Unique growing process of the Amaryllis is they are a bulb, but the flower comes first and then the leaves come after. So after the flower dies off, you're left with these big, long leaves. Kinda backwards from other plants! The bulb stores energy from the previous season's leaves. If it has sufficient energy, it will send up a flower stalk. If it has not stored enough energy, it may send up leaves first to photosynthesize and create more energy for a future bloom. 🌸 Amaryllis Facts & Care Guide ✨ Fun Facts: 🌺 Amaryllis means “to sparkle” — fitting for those huge, dramatic blooms. 🌿 Each bulb can re-bloom for years with the right care — they’re basically the gift that keeps on giving. 🎨 Flowers come in red, white, pink, orange, and striped varieties. 💫 They’re popular around the holidays because they bloom indoors in winter when most plants are asleep. 🇿🇦 Native to South Africa — that’s why they love warmth and bright light! The bulb is essentially a self-contained energy packet. It uses the starches and nutrients stored during the previous growing season (when the leaves were present) to produce the impressive, large flowers without needing to photosynthesize immediately. The leaves typically emerge around the same time as the flowers start to open, or shortly after. The crucial role of the leaves is to then perform photosynthesis during the following spring and summer, rebuilding the bulb's energy reserves for the next year's bloom. - Reproductive Advantage: In the plant's natural environment in Central and South America, this growth cycle often times flowering with the onset of the rainy season after a dry rest period. Blooming before the leaves appear can be an evolutionary advantage, as it allows the plant to flower and set seed before the dense foliage of other plants might block access to pollinators or sunlight.

Native species are vital to ecosystems by forming the base of the food web, providing essential food and shelter for local wildlife, and supporting biodiversity. They are adapted to local conditions, which makes them more resilient and helps maintain the health of the ecosystem by improving soil health, preventing erosion, and regulating water flow. Supporting food webs and wildlife - Foundation of the food web: Native plants are the primary food source for many native insects, which in turn feed birds, fish, and other wildlife. - For example, oak trees support a vast number of insects that are critical food for birds and their young. - Habitat and shelter: Native plants provide essential shelter, nesting sites, and breeding grounds for local animals like birds, mammals, and insects. - Pollinator support: They provide essential nectar and pollen for native pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are crucial for the reproduction of many plant species, including crops.  Maintaining ecosystem health - Soil health: Native plants, with their deep root systems, help stabilize soil and prevent erosion. They also improve soil structure and increase organic matter, which enhances nutrient cycling and water absorption. - Water conservation: Because they are adapted to local rainfall patterns, native plants often require less water and are more drought-tolerant, helping to conserve water resources. - Flood and stormwater control: The dense growth and deep roots of native plant communities are effective at slowing surface water flows, which helps prevent flooding and filter runoff.  Building resilience - Biodiversity: By supporting a wide range of native species, they contribute to a healthy and diverse ecosystem that is more resilient to environmental changes, diseases, and invasive species. - Pest resistance: Native plants have often evolved alongside local pests, which can give them natural defenses and reduce the need for chemical pesticides. - Climate regulation: They help combat climate change by sequestering carbon, and their ability to manage water and soil is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

So what's everyone up to this Halloween? I am currently putting a floor in my plant room/office...which is super exciting, cause then i can hopefully get it reorganized and all set up to be able to start doing more videos!