I really like the colors,don't find a lot at the nurseries here,so when one appears I grab it.
Crotons
more
another
again
last one
I know!!!
Wished I had more greenhouse space, I have a few more,that I didn't get pics of.
Been looking for the newest ones,the thin skinny leaves with all different colors with a curl in the leaves,and someday they will make it here,like everything else,it takes a few years before they make it to the center of the United States!!!
I've started a palm collection from germinating my own from seeds,I have about 30 t0 40 different kinds now,from trading and buying seeds from other forums on the web!
Great collection. I've heard that croton can "mutate" at the branch. Once a mutation occurs at a certain branch, cuttings from the point out will carry forward whatever distinctive leaf characteristics were the result.
So watch your plants closely. If you see a "funny" set of leaves, you may have a new and unique "collectible" --try air rooting, or as the branch gets longer, risk taking some partial cuttings and root them.
Thanks,didn't know that,air rooting it will be,cuttings don't seem to be my expertise!
Rooting cuttings of Crotons can be a challenge, unless you can keep night time temps above 75 and the humidity above 80%. And a misting system is a big plus too.
Even here in the 'near tropics' I have to wait until June to start mine.
Well were having those conditions here now too!
Crotons are another plant I saw a lot of in Papua New Guinea while trekking there. What surprised me was the number growing in the mountains under the canopy of the rainforest. Had always undestood them as being a full sun plant. They were also popular in village gardens there, helped no doubt by the fact that they're so easily grown from cuttings.
I've got quite a few at home, some over 2 metres tall. Once established they're very hardy, even drought tolerant. Earlier this year I bought one of those coloured, very fine leafed ones. Still only small but growing well.
It is strange but some plants that grow in full sun, in places like South Florida and Hawaii for instance, would never make it in full sun here where I live. Plants like tropical hibiscus and crotons need some cover in my garden. This picture was taken on Kauai and it was in blazing sun in late afternoon. This plant was about 5' tall and wide; the leaves were huge.
Humidity is a major factor with tropical plants.
Ardesia,
I have one or 2 with that leaf shape,but not those colors.
I wish they would get a few more varieties here in town.
Cannot grow these in the sun here,they wilt and fry,even with a lot of humidity.
I give mine morning sun until around noon then dapple shade the rest of the day!
Here is my Croton, it's huge.
My My My that is huge!!!
My biggest is about 4ft,in a pot!!!
This is one of my favorites that I have. Its called Dreadlocks, and it really looks like dreds! All twisty and curly
Never saw that one before --very nice, goth.
Yeh its a punk rock kinda croton
New for me too!
I like it too!
I got one similar to that last photo a few weeks ago. It's still small but I can't seem to get a good photo of it. This is the best I could do.
This is another one I got which started to produce new leaves - all plain green! I wuz robbed?
Crotons can "mutate" into a different form at any point on a plant --rarely, and unpredictably.
I think future leaves may revert to the desired form. But if it continues to grow "plain" from the top, cut it back to a point below desired leaves, and let it start over, unmutated. You can root the top easily, as you know, and keep that plain form, which may be a unique collectible --if you tout it as "subtle" instead of "plain."
This message was edited Jul 5, 2009 9:34 AM
I see you can give your full sun,I tried one of mine after it's been out since April,and it dropped all it's leaves except for one or two leaves.
I'm still waiting to see new growth,been about 3 weeks and still no new growth,hopefully it will be in full leaves when I bring back inside for winter.