Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Tropical Plants #105, 1 by dyzzypyxxy

dyzzypyxxy wrote:
That's one wacky-looking orchid, Franco! I wanted to caution you about the red powderpuff - they get to be huge 12ft. shrubs down here so it might be one you should put on your 'wish list' for when you have a greenhouse or move to Florida . ..

Ardesia, as close as you are to the marsh you will very likely just attract another toad or frog with the light from that window, if you find it necessary to deal with Bufo there. btw, they get a LOT bigger than that, too. You can hope that the next frog that takes up residence might be a native variety that's not toxic. Here's the link to the UF website on them http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw046 Maybe you could make it an excursion with the grandkids to go down to the marsh at dusk, and catch a native Southern Toad or two, to replace that guy?

I've only ever had one Bufo at my pond, but I have an ongoing battle with Cuban Tree Frogs which are smaller and not as noxious, but still will eat my fish and the native frogs that visit. The last two summers I've had beautiful native leopard frogs take up residence in the pond, and it seems they're big enough to drive off most of the others. Haven't seen them yet this year, though. They have pointy noses and a prominent stripe along the jawline. Smooth skin with pretty leopard spots.

This is a baby Cuban. They can really climb with those little suction-cups on their toes!