Ficus Lyrata
April 17, 2012
Hello! Did you miss us? I sure missed you! It feels so strange to be gone for a week but I also feel a lot of relief from being caught up on mundane things like taxes and paperwork. We FINALLY got our vehicle insured and turned over our British Columbia license plates last Monday. I feel a little sad about that, though. I thought maybe if I got pulled over I could always pull out, “Sorry Officer, I’m new in town” with a twinkle in my eye. But now there is nothing but my passport (maybe except for my accent) telling me apart from my neighbors. Renting has grown old, I have to say. I want our own home with our own stuff so bad and I could really go for some home projects. I’ve already started a list in my head and digging out my paintbrush ranks pretty high. Believe it or not, we’re still waiting for our house. Everything seems to be falling into place, it’s just taking a very, very, very, very, very long time. The real estate process here is quite different from what we’re used to. But for now, we’ll just sit it out and wait. I’ve been inspired with the plants that grow abundantly here in Florida and I always have to chuckle when I walk past yet another $15. air plant that has fallen out of the tree. I’ve been holding off on any houseplant purchases until we’re more settled but I’ve got a few on my list…yes, another list. An air plant or two or more since they are basically free here, an orchid, a stag horn fern and a fiddle leaf fig tree.
Fiddle Leaf Fig trees (Ficus lyrata or Ficus pandurata) are originally from Western Africa and it seems as though they might be relatively easy to please. Since they begin as an epiphyte they require light watering which is right up my alley and an abundance of indirect light. They certainly command attention when they are in a room and it’s probably why they are so trendy right now, if you ever call plants trendy. I’m trying to be realistic with my limited list so that I actually have success since I don’t claim to have a green thumb.
We’re expecting our first house guest next week! My mom is coming to visit so the girls and I are working hard at getting all our school work done so that we can visit with Grandma instead of “going” to school. So, I’d better stop the houseplant chatter because I hear the bell ringing. It’s good to be back!
