I am so sorry everyone ... I posted all of this to the wrong thread. I was chatting with someone on another thread about the cold weather here in Fla and meant to post the Schefflera pictures there. Sorry to disrupt this thread. :(
Tropical Garden #86
This unusual cold and the damage it causes is always of interest. I am afraid we southerners will have quite a clean up job when the temps break. When I look out the window I see so much fried foliage. We got down to 25 last night, and it is only 35 now.
That looks tropical to me, Lin. I just can't believe how cold it is for you all.
Uhm, treat the Spanish Moss?? LOL uhm, yeal, I threw it around a bit, .. didn't SEE any critters.. If I get some, maybe they will pollinate some things?
( Still trying for seed pods.)
The story, and it may well be just a story :-), is that while the spanish moss is in the trees it is clean. It is only after it falls to the ground that it picks up chiggers. If you are not already itching your moss should be fine.
It was a true story for me. Years ago I used Spanish Moss that I took right off a tree, and wrapped it around a grapevine wreath ... it had mites or something that had me itching like crazy! I didn't bother to treat the wreath, I just threw it in the trash and immediately took a hot shower and scrubbed myself down!
This is listed at the entry for Spanish Moss at the Floridata website:
WARNING
Don't use Spanish moss for bedding or packing without first treating it to kill tiny pests (especially red bugs or chiggers) that may be lurking within. Microwaving works well, as does heating or boiling in water. (Remove bats, lizards and snakes before microwaving.)
I love the last sentence about removing bats, lizards and snakes! Little lizards don't scare me but bats and snakes ... oh my!! ^_^
Well, thanks for the information. The Moss seems to be AOK, cuz if there was anything to bite me, it would have already. :D
LOL Debra ... maybe the creepy crawlies on the moss decided to stay down south. ^_^
Pretty Holiday Cactus! I have a couple with buds but they seem to be taking their sweet time in opening!
Mine are going gang busters, last year they went until february. Lin, that Shefflera is awsome. I can't believe how big it is. I am worried about my rangoon creeper. do they go dormant? Please say yes....
My baby woodrose and the turbinatas are really going nuts. I hope they put on a show like the stictocardia is doing this winter. I have buds on the Alba. Can't wait to see a bloom.
Lin, does this look familiar?
Debra, is that the variegated Pandora vine I sent you? Great growing there gal! The plant that came from is in a container sitting out by the backyard fence ... probably frozen solid by now as I know I didn't cover it. It's been sitting out there for years though so maybe it will be okay although we've been extremely dry here for awhile ... the combination of drought and cold may end up being the demise of a lot of plants.
Oh dear, I hope everyones plants make it thru this odd weather season. I know a lot of people are not able to get things in and out, because they are IN THE Ground. Yes, that is the plant you sent, and the persian shield is in there too happy as a camper, they mean so much to me. It is to the left of the pot. If you lose yours, then at least I have a part of it to send back to you! ;)
Look at Ritas EE pointing up there, that thing got huge outside this year. I cut it back and poof, it woke back up. It has pups? Do I separate them now or wait until spring? So cute! I love baby things.
here is a tropical picture of an anthurium I want really bad, I took this photo in Buffalo, New York.
Can I have this Garden? Please? Again, Buffalo, New York
I want some of this stuff, too. It is really cool looking..
One more before bed, gee, I am glad I took this picture.. inspiring me to THINK about orchids. I apologise in advance for hogging the thread. Hope someone else posts pictures, it is cold and yukky out around here these days.
Wow Debra, you have some great plants. I love Anthuriums but they don't seem to love me. I just haven't been able to figure out their wants and needs yet. That sure is a pretty bunch at that garden in Buffalo!! And, I love that "Burrow's Tail" plant: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2543/ it is just so cool looking!
... neat looking orchid!
Well, I guess I should go to bed too ... it's 1:00 a.m. and I know I will be wide awake at 6:00 as usual.
Hey guys !
Plantlady how are you holding up this morning ! It's 25 on the front porch, which means colder on out at the barn and pastures.
Took this picture of the fernery yesterday just up the road from me. This was at 1:15 in the afternoon !
Welcome to sunny WARM Florida !
Finally got a pic of the brug blooming in the barn....I'm going to cut it back after these are done.
here's "some" of the plants in the barn.... I hope I can get them out of there soon !
Blooming in the greenhouse....I run inside there during the day to warm up.
plantlady - When it warms up I'd love to have you over ! Your so close, I bet we could trade a lot of plants in the spring.
Debra - I have a Burro's tail, it's not nearly as big as the one in the pic. I grew it from a tiny little sprig. Once they get going they grow fairly quick. They are always dropping those little "beans", and they will root. I'll send some. Still waiting on the Sky Vines to put on some growth, I guess cause it is so cool. We keep the house cool so I've got as many of the cuttings as I can on a heat mat.
Ugh, I don't want to go back outside...still not thawed out from earlier this morning.
We are having a heat wave here in PCB - it's 32 degrees this morning and NO WIND!
Kay, you really want the wind, it helps to prevent the frost from settling.
Debra, this is a neat blog about Buffalo gardens in the spring. In July they have summer garden tours called something like Buffa Gardens I think.
http://buffa10.blogspot.com/2010/04/friday-garden-walk-buffalo-cottage.html
mj: I'd love to get together sometime in the spring when the weather warms up! You are only about 20 miles from me and it isn't a bad drive out International Speedway Blvd. at all ... so it sounds like a plan!
Wow, It looks like your barn is full of plants ... that Brug is beautiful! I've never had much luck with growing them, and yet I know they do really well here in Florida. I've had two in the ground for a few years now and they've never grown much. One actually got fairly large and bloomed about 5 years ago but suffered greatly in last winters freezes, I'm surprised its still alive at all, and one that I received in a trade a few years ago has never gotten more than 2 1/2' tall and has never bloomed. Of course it might be different if I was more attentive ... they stay in the ground and right now don't look too happy. Because of family illnesses/deaths I've been away a lot the last 2 1/2 years and our yard has suffered from lack of care. Last winter really did a number on everything and many plants didn't survive the freezes. This year weeds have seemed to take over the entire front and back yard so I have a lot of landscape renewing to begin in the spring.
Brr, we sure have had some cold temp's early this year ! It was predicted to drop to 25º here last night but I never saw it get below 32 and I checked the thermometer a few times during the night and early morning hours. I saw a photo in our paper this morning of a Fernery over your way, a field of tree ferns with a thick layer of ice covering them. I feel so bad for people whose livelihood depends on crops. I read a few years ago that Central Florida is the "Fern Capital of the World", and something like 85% of the ferns that supply florists in the U.S. are grown here in this area. Citrus growers are probably worried about the weather too ... I'm sure the crops have been affected somewhat and depending on what the remaining winter weather brings, the cost of citrus will skyrocket in spring. It's always a strange winter sight here in Florida, seeing crops frozen under layers of ice from the irrigation systems running overnight to protect the plants from getting below 32º.
Well I guess I better get off this computer and get busy. We have 3 December Birthday's, an Anniversary and Christmas. I still have a little shopping to do so I'm heading out again into the 45º cold! LOL, I'm not really complaining ... and I know this isn't really winter compared to the blizzards some are experiencing! I really don't know how y'all handle all the snow, and especially the ice! I hope everyone has a great day ... stay warm!
Lin
This is Hoya australis ssp. tenuipes out on the deck. The flowers of this plant have such a wonderful fragrance in the evening and at night! The deck is completely covered in tarps, and the plants are all covered in blankets so I lifted the blanket and used the flash to get the picture. The fragrance is overpowering if the plant is inside the house. Last winter I had one small plant in the bedroom, one little bloom and it was so strong I had to move the plant out of the room to be able to breathe at night.
I guess freezing temps for about 2-4 hours a night ...a couple nights in a row, was just tooo much for my Summer Snaps... after looking around the bed...something white at the base of the plants caught my eye... these poor things not only FROZE...they froze and split wide open...I mean...PLANT POPSICLE ...who'da thunk it!!! glad I have the rest of them in the garage safe and sound!! who knows...maybe they'll come back from root?!?
I noticed a pot of parsley on the deck and decided to salvage the frozen leaves and stick them in the freezer. When I went to cut them the frozen stems just snapped off in my hand. What a year and I thought last winter was bad........
Last winter was really horrid and I sure hope these early freezes we are having aren't a sign of what's to come. Last year Florida had the coldest winter in it's history and those cold, freezing days/nights didn't come until February ... it's only mid December so I wonder what we are going to be dealing with when Feb. gets here.
Hello Everyone, it is sooo nice to have everyone posting.
Kay Jones, my sentiments exactly on the christmas spirit thing. I lost mine sevral years ago but my GK makes it easy for me. When ask what they would like for Christmas their reply is usually "Cash is Good"
Metrosideros, thanks! Even the weeds in Hawaii are desirable.
Joeswife, Those were very nice pictures you posted of the garden in New York. Keep an eye out for those anthuriums at Lowe's, after flowering, they will be marked down. I have gotten then to bloom several times for me already.
Your T Ball does look very professional with the spanish moss.! I will usually wait until spring to seperate the EE's
This is a June Plum or Golden apple tree with over a dozen little fruit on it. Now If I could only find a Soursop tree I would be a happy old girl.
This message was edited Dec 15, 2010 7:23 PM
Plantladylin
The Loquat tree is blooming now, it was a present from the birds. The foliage is very pretty but the blossoms and fruits made it a keeper.
I was intending to ask if the Schefflera made it through the last winter. You will probably have to cover it with black plastic and a thick layer of mulch to keep it from popping back up, that is how I got rid of a couple of persimmon trees.
I enjoyed your pictures from the neighborhood but I am jealous of your
D ruscifolia.
RachelLF, that is a nice looking new Anthurium and a great find at Lowe's.
My #1 plant on my wish list is a Queen Anthurium Warocqueanm. I know that they are not rare or too expensive, but whenever I find them, they are usually very small, and I end up killing thm.
I would like to find a decent size plant that might have a chance in my garden.
New Philo box.
LiliMerci, I did find a Mickey Mouse plant at a Vietnamese store, but they wanted $350 for it, too much for me. I did find this noid plant that they will put in their rice dishes.
mjsponies, I bet you have the best smelling barn in Florida! The plants in your GH seem to be doing very well. I am so sorry to hear about all the cold weather you all are experiencing in Florida, I felt bad for having a 50 degree night last night. Today was nice and warm, but I fear we will have our share of more freezing temps.
DirtyGirl, that is sad looking, I dread to think what it will be like in January and February, those are supposed to be our coldest months.
ardesia, Stay Warm and think spring!
A properly mulched Taro Bed.
To get Taro, Colocasia esculenta to produce well on dry land (kalo malo'o) weeds are controlled with mulch, which also provides some nutrition for the plants.
As the plants get larger, they are "hilled-up" on with nutrient rich soil, and more mulch is added to the bed.
If enough care is given, the plants will get at least four feet tall, maybe six ft.
At least 50 pounds of taro corm will be produced from a dozen plants (if I'm lucky, 100 pounds).
The bed is mulched with ferns.
Rita: What lovely plants you have. That view in your greenhouse is amazing! Seeing all of y'alls beautiful plants really makes me wish I had a greenhouse, or a huge room in my house like my sister had at her old house a few years back. She called it her sun room ... it was amazing, glass roof, floor to ceiling windows, a true sun room that would be my dream for plants.
I love that Vietnamese plant ... really pretty! I can't see the foliage or blooms clearly, having vision difficulties today but I wonder if it's a Peristrophe of some sort? Maybe this one, called "Purple Rice Plant"? http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/128616/
Very cool, Dave!
Debra, all your plants look so happy and I enjoyed viewing the pictures from the N.Y. garden too. If you can't find that Anthurium you are looking for let me know and I will see if I can find it here or nearby.
mjs, your plants all look happy while having to be placed in temporary housing during the cold snap you Floridians are having and Lin, thats a very nice Hoya australis . The blooms on my Hoya lacunosa 'Royal Flush' are small but pack a powerful fragrance.
Rita, nice box of Philodendrons. I've wanted warocqueanum for quite a while as well so I broke down a while back and purchased one but you have me a bit worried since you've not been successful with it. What is your opinion on growing this particular Anthurium? I've been told they can be a bit picky where temperatures and humidity are concerned?
Nice bed of esculenta Dave and I hope you get a 100 pounds worth.
Rita what is the orange brug blooming? I love it. My Queen or King warocqueanums I ordered last year, came dormant, and then they died. They were so small. And remember my cute other little polly, it didn't make it either. i confess, I do lose a few plants, it makes me want to keep trying.
I potted up a Philliapine Violet today. I am so kacited.
I still am so worried that the change of the world as we know it is coming, with all the climate changes. Silly, but I am so very saddened at the climate the southern people are getting.
On a Positive note, Pink Princess Philo has 6 shiney new leaves! YAY!
Dave, Are you saying you cut down old fern fronds and layer them on that Taro?
We have to pay big bucks for nice tropicals here, and half the time they are drowned or oxygen starved. My new plants from Ebay still have not arrived.
Hi Debra!
I bordered the bed with Angiopteris evectaMule's-foot Fern fronds, then filled in with Nephrolepis multiflora, Sword Fern pinnae (leaves).
Both ferns are weeds in Hawai'i, although I cultivate the Mule's-foot Fern for mulch. They grow 15 ft. long fronds fairly quickly.
umm, Fern fronds for mulch, Got lots of native ferns here. Plan on an expedition out into the "woods" behind the property this spring.
Prita, I love that purple plant ! I googled "purple rice plant" and it does look like pictures .
Rachel, Yes the Cissus amazonica is doing well, and living inside under the lights....wasn't taking any chances with it or the Rex begonia vine which is also inside under the lights, they both are going to need more room before long tho ! Yeah !
I wish my Hoya polyneura would bloom, it and the H. curtisii have lots of good growth but no blooms yet.
Still cold here this morning, but we are supposed to warm up nice with days in the upper 60's and then into the 70's, but still cool nights in the 40's but I can at least move the plants in the barn outside for a nice drink and some fresh air. But I will keep them close to make moving them back in easier, as I know this is not the last of cold for us. January and February are usually are worst months. I did not even bother with a winter veggie garden this year, after the last two years when everything was froze.
This message was edited Dec 16, 2010 10:57 AM
I was thinking the same thing mjs, we have that invasive N. oblidata (I think that is the name, it is Kimberly Queen Fern) and I rue the day I let it sneak out of a pot. I'll never be rid of it and I am sort of afraid If I use it for mulch it might take root.
Hippi La Paz blooming indoors - and dripping sticky nectar all over the place.
