I wish I could get this plant, but it doesn't appear to be available here in the states.
Tropical Plants and Gardens #128
Hi Bernie, you have some pretty things there! I've a few different Costus, but not one that color, it's great! Do those Mussaendas seed themselves or otherwise self-propagate? That may be the reason they're not being imported here. They could go nuts and become invasive like Kudzu did.
Paula, maybe in a couple more weeks when the weather settles down a bit, we can do a trade. I'm going to wrassle that EE apart tomorrow. I need the pot he's in. Would love to have the begonia, now that I have a little bit of garden space to fill up. I was really overwhelmed last fall, before we got the jungle under control.
Pic is from last fall, a nice variegated Costus I got as a cutting last spring from Rita. Hey, anybody heard from Rita?? (she's a gardener from Texas, Bernie)
Orchid is one that just opened this week.
Pretties! welcome bernie!
love the orchids as always, elaine.
sisters blooms..
Dyzzypyxxy, I've only just become interested in growing Costus in the last couple of years. So far I have only two, but they're both lovely things. I just can't believe how easy they are to strike.
Your variegated Costus is fabulous. Great colours in the foliage.
As for Mussaendas, no they don't self-seed of self-propagate, so they shouldn't really be considered at risk of becoming an environmental weed.
Elaine,
Take the whole mass of ' Blue Hawaii' out of the pot at the same time. Wash all the dirt off the roots vey tenderly. Separate the offset tubers with a clean sharp knife (or you can just "SNAP") them off the mother tuber. If the tubers are smaller than say an 1'' in diameter, I would leave those alone. Those may die, unless you repot immediately and wait until they have one full leaf on their own before you send them to people. You can wrap the bigger tubers to mail, in wet sphagnum or paper towels.
Hope this helps you!
Drew
P.S. Come on Spring!
Beautiful pictues! I can't wait to plant some seed....geez...I hope they get the GH finished this week. I think I am going to go ahead and plant some today. I'm going to rearrange the orginal GH to make some room for at least 4 or 5 flats. I am trying to win some plugs on ebay, but not going so good. I hate to be outbid, but you have to stop somewhere. lol
I haven't heard from Rita in forever!! I hope shes ok. Or Rachel for that matter.
Paula, that Medinilla you picked up for me last year has a huge bud! This is so exciting.
Have you ever ordered plugs or cuttings from NC Farms? They are located outside of Charlotte and I always mean to stop in there but I don't get to Charlotte often. http://www.ncfarmsinc.com/store/
At least the weather has been good, I can't believe it is mid Feb. and we have not had any frost yet. (knocking on wood here.)
Yes Alice, I have several years ago. I got the unrooted cutting though, because you have to order a minimum of 4 trays at about $50. each, so I tried the cuttings. Had very good luck with most of them. I was looking at them, but from what I can tell, they are out of everything until in March. You pretty much have to order ahead with them, with the plugs. I'm considering trying the cuttings again, once I get my GH finished.
Thanks, Drew. Just what I needed to know.
Alice, can't wait to see your Medinilla in bloom. Paula, pictures of the new GH? Bet you're going to have wonderful flower beds this summer.
Elaine, that is the plan. I have grand visions, but it may actually take a couple of years to do all I want to do. But I did finally win some plugs yesterday. 80 geraniums, 45 turnera, and 260 (yikes) red lace pentas. One of my favorite plants. The butterflys love them. Now if I can keep them alive until I can get them all in pots.
Will post new pictures today of the GH.
I would never have thought of checking out eBay for plugs. Amazing!
KayJones, stay safe, that nasty weather is dangerously close to you.
Thanks, Alice - I wasn't aware of any danger - just rain.
Before I post this on the ID forum, does anyone recognize this one? The photo was taken by a friend who was visiting in Tampa in December.
I'm thinking it's Albizia lebbeck.
Edited to add a link to the PF for this tree:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2051/
This message was edited Feb 13, 2013 12:27 PM
And I am thinking you are correct! Thanks KayJones. My friend will be pleased to have the name (they always think I am so smart but in reality I just have smart friends.)
Alice, just don't tell them! Some things are just better left un-said!!! LOL You don't have to tell EVERYTHING you know!!!!
Hello all,
It has been a long day. My son was pulling vines Sat. and they came loose suddenly and he lost his balance and twisted his ankle. We, and the doctor, thought it was just sprained. Well had xrays done Monday, went to orthopedic doctor Tues. and was told he has a spiral fracture. Popped his fibula into and the tibula was sitting crooked on his foot bone. Soooo, surgery was done today...he now has a plate right above his foot with 8 screws in it. But we are home. I am not looking forward to tomorrow...I think he is going to be in a lot of pain. They gave him a 'block' and it has deadened below the knee, so he hasn't had any pain. But they said when that wore off, be prepared. Its so hard seeing your children in pain. So say a prayer for us both. Off to bed...I have to get up twice to give him pain medicine.
A prayer going up for your son and all of you. How old is this son?
Hi Kay, thank you...he's just turned 20 two weeks ago.He did good through the night, so we'll see how he does today. I really hope the pain is not bad.
On a happier note, I received my plugs yesterday that I ordered off of ebay. I was surprised at how big they were....I wasn't expecting them to be a big as they are. The decription said TOTAL height 2-3 in....so I thought that meant the little plug of dirt too. The plants are 2-4 in. tall and look very healthy. May try to order some more, IF I can figure out what to do with 250 pentas. LOL
250 plugs of ONE plant? OMgosh, I wouldn't have use for that many of the same plant. Maybe you could trade (locally) with someone.
With that super sized GH going up, I believe our Paula is going to go into the business. Wishing you lots of success with this venture.
My heart goes out to your son, you are right, it is always hard to see your kids hurt. Keep the meds handy, he'll need them (and tell him this is the only time you want to hear about him "using." ) :-)
I may trade or sell some of them, but I mostly got those for myself. I have 4 acres that I can plant. A150 ft flower bed down the side of my drive. I'm going to plant those around my pool and in the flower bed and some at my house on the coast. I just hope I can get them potted up and be nurse too.
Paula, what a shame about your son's injury. Hope he recovers fast - he's young, good thing!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone - some day-appropriate blooms, passionflower - it's super fragrant which I found out only because it's right at nose level and I walked right by it!
And this little rescued Phal from Lowe's death rack is putting on a big show. It had one sad bud when I got it for $4. Little flowers, but lots of 'em!
evening all. poor Paula, I feel so bad for your son, and for you, I agree it is very hard to watch a child suffer..
I ordered 250 pentas and 250 impatians one year from ebay, and 120 geraniums and well I had a beautiul border all around the yard with them, it was great. I also ordered some black dahlias and some other things so that year I housed them in charlies rom until time to go outside.
This year I am doing my own plugs from seeds from all over the DG land, that peole have given me, tagged and all I am so proud I am tagging things for a change..
Love the Passi, Elaine and some day I will try a diffeffernt orchid, but right now I am still enjoying the huge flush of orchids that KayJOnes so lovingly sent home with me.
Sister and I had a lovely time in Branson, MO, and now she is in severe pain from the bone cancer in her hip, thigh and pelvic area, she is down right now, waiting for some shots of radiation to kill the cancer in that area, and then back to chemo for another fighting round, bless her heart.
Joe did a great job babysitting the gardens while I was gone, and I think he is very fond of the fish now, I keep having to tell him they have been fed.
A few shots of the Gardens this am, just to show you what laundry water, fish tank water and bath water can be used for here, in our draught stricken state.
this pot loves my epsom salt bath water. I jug it up instead of letting it go down the drain. The second pic shows who loves the fish tank water.Everything gets a little wind and a lot of light now, the night blooming jessimine is making the basement smell heavenly.
I have lost a few things, all of the brugs I got from eddie dewayne did not survive, lost my huge Maya brug, lost the princess flower from KayJOnes, and a few other things, but with all the seeds I have, I am sure I will be ok.
Deb, I'm sorry to hear Sherry is feeling bad right now - I will keep praying for her. Your basement babies look great. I'm sure we can replace whatever you lost - just post a list. I will start another 'princess flower' aka Tibouchina cutting for you.
What a fabulous basement garden you've got there, Deb.
Way to go on re-using your gray water! I use my epsom salts bath water to water my plants, too - the brugs especially love that extra dose of magnesium.
I have all those brugs you sent me going strong. Cherub, Damien, Frosty, Insignia and Monster White. Plus I have several starts of Charles Grimaldi already potted and going. Once the weather is better, let me know what you want! Last year was a struggle for all the brugs, but they all survived.
Sending all our positive vibes to you and Sherry.
Elaine
Wow Deb your basement is very impressive, and your conservation of water just awes me. Sorry about your sis.
Guess we're gonna have a pretty good cold snap again...stinks! Already brought all my seedlings in. Hope it blows through quickly...the garden loved all the rain and amazing how you can just walk through and see the plants already look better from an all day rain.
I would like to share my Aunt Phurby's orchid with you, now in full bloom. Thanks to all of you I knew what it was and how to care for it to bring it to this beautiful glory. My Dad, her brother came over just to see it and it brought tears to his eyes, he sure loved his sister and I know how much he misses her...I do too.
-Sherri
This message was edited Feb 15, 2013 1:12 PM
Deb you thought about giving your Monsteras something to climb on?
By the way..... You got some awesome plants down in the "Dungeon". LOL!
This message was edited Feb 15, 2013 4:10 PM
Deb, I think this is your best year yet with your basement garden. Your plants are obviously loving your recycled water. I wish the plants in my house looked as healthy.
Oh I love those orchids, Sherri, how lucky you are!
I am grateful for all my plants giving me smniles when I need them most, it is like a gardening get together and I say " oh, I love each and every one of you sweeties, and especially the friends who gave you to me. " ... call me crazy, I pet them and spray the dust off them and all kinds of weirdness.
Alice, Don Miller is finally making some new branches. The tips of the Iris you sent me are peeking thru the leaves where I have been watering. I think they want more water.
I spent half the night last might looking for a plant , and then I remembered I gave her away to my sis in law, Dana. So, in order to replace it, I am starting another one from seed. I started the original from seed, so figure I can do it again.
Dear Kay Jones, I hope you will not be too busy tommorrow, as I will be calling you after I get off work.
I am VERY much missing Rachel and Rita both.
Drew, I am going to give them climbing poles, as soon as I can stand to go out and make some branch and burlap poles. too cold right now, and they seem to be doing okay just hanging out under the t-5's for now.
Good morning, everyone! All the flowers are beautiful - thanks for sharing them with us!
Deb, my love, I'm available to talk to you 24/7!!!
Hey Deb, just an observation from here - my begonias really go crazy growing when the weather is cool here. Mine grew all through spring last year, and sort of went into a holding pattern all summer. If you have a cooler corner in the basement, that might be the spot for the begonias.
The only one that kept growing through the heat was Odorata alba. I'm going to try growing my Don Millers outside one of the patio doors this summer. See if the little bit of extra coolth coming through the glass will keep them growing.
Cover up, everybody, it's getting cold the next few days! Snow in the Carolinas!!
Went out and took some pics of what's blooming today - they may be gone tomorrow, depends how cold it gets.
Shooting star cleros are in full bloom. They are on the south side of the house, so hope they don't all get nipped!
Blazing orange snapdragon, orange-y rose 'Easy Does It', blue salvia 'Indigo Spires'
Hipe everyones plants make it through the deep freeze that's coming!
I 'hipe' they do, too, Drew!!!!!
I did not get my frost cloth out while it was still pretty this morning and now the wind is blowing hard, 35 mph hard! I'll likely go airborne if I try and get it out now. If the wind keeps up no frost will settle but it is supposed to die down in the early morning and that is when it is usually coldest.
I am glad I ran errands and got to the Farmers Market this morning, it is freezing out now.
The camellia flowers will likely get fried tonight but they sure are pretty today.
18 here tomorrow AM.
18? Yikes! I am going to to Saluda, NC on Wednesday, I'll be sure to bring the woolies.