Tropical Plants And Gardens #129

Lol, probably Drew. btw these are Callas, not Cannas. I stumble on that one all the time. But the Callas bloom when it's cool, and the Cannas like the heat.

It's definitely been on the cool side for Florida, since the beginning of March. But it was so warm in February that I did give them a dose of time-release fert. Can't win here, if I let them dry out and get hungry (which will definitely stimulate blooms) the leaves will not look lush and healthy.

Here's my Brugmansia 'Insignia' finally in bloom - pink, wouldn't you know. It is over 8ft. tall incl. the pot. It grew and grew and grew straight up last year, finally made a Y in December and then bloomed while I was away. So this is the first I've seen of blooms on this one!

Been there, done that!

Well, after circling it warily for weeks now, I finally dove in and wrassled my Colocasia 'Blue Hawaii' out of its pot, and divided it. I now have about 20 nice starts if anyone is interested. I am not wanting to trade, my garden is still too full. So would send them for postage.

This is a nice sized EE - mine got about 4ft. tall and wide with leaves about 20in. Pretty colors, burgundy red stems and purple veins on intense green leaves. It fell into the pool over Labor Day weekend when we were out sailing, that's the picture with the 1/2 yellow leaf. As the weather cooled last fall, the colors got more intense.

D-mail me if you'd like one. I am mailing stuff next Monday, then will be on a trip for 2 weeks or so.

you know, I don't think that is an 'Insignia" even tho the brug grower that sent it to me had it tagged that way. Looks like a b suaveleons.
so sorry bout that, Elaine, but it is a beauty.. looks like an isabella.. are the blooms really really large across?

You know I would love some of that Blue Hawaii, do you have lime zinger?

Yep, got a Lime Zinger from Cassie last spring, and it's doing great. You were already getting some Blue Hawaii starts, don't worry!

Somebody else told us they didn't think it could be Insignia, either, remember? Anyway, I love it and could care less about the name. Now I have 3 shades of pink, Cherub, Stardancer and this one. I just ran out to have a sniff, (Bbrrr! chilly out there). Yes, the flowers are wider than any of the others. I'll post another picture Saturday when more flowers are open.

Here's Coleus 'Inky Fingers' - it has really great intense colors in low light but fades out a bit if it gets brighter.

Clero Ugandense from KayJones doing great and blooming such pretty colors.

Lots of yummy healthy greens to keep us old people going - cool March weather has been great for the kale, celery, mizuna, mint (mm mojitos!) and fennel.

Last and best, the mango tree already has fruits the size of plums, and its putting on a second nice bloom - we will have a good long mango season this summer!

omg i wish I could grow mangos here, I love them and buy them from lucky market 3 for 99 cents LOL

Debra, 3 for .99? That is probably cheaper than growing them yourself.

So true, Alice. Even here, and in season when they are growing commercially just down the road, Publix has imported mangoes from Mexico and Costa Rica for 99cents each! I refuse to buy any not grown in Florida when it's oranges, mangoes, etc.

Hey, maybe Debra is getting the mangoes from Florida!?

I am frustrated with cucumbers this week, even the organic ones in Publix (at 2.99 EACH) are from Mexico. We're doing without.

I am growing my own garlic this year because I recently learned that most garlic in the grocery stores is grown in China. Costco does carry CA garlic however.

We are all going to have to learn to like poi, it seems we all do well growing EE's. LOL

Elaine,
Is that orange justicia?

Umm, I've forgotten exactly what that orange thing is. Mexican something. But it starts easily from cuttings and likes full sun so maybe not a Justicia? Anyway, I'll send you cuttings if you like it.

Here's a gorgeous little pink-leaved begonia really coming into its own in the cool weather. I think it is B. Maurice Amy from a cutting Mj sent me last fall. And a cute little Tolumnia orchid from Lowe's. They grow in what are known as "thumb pots" about 1 1/2in across, and they fit in a funny wire candle holder I had just perfectly so it makes a pretty display when they are all blooming. Of course getting orchids to bloom all at once is like trying to herd cats.

The orange plant is Justicia spicigera, aka Mexican honeysuckle. I'll trade you for some cuttings!!!

I thought that was what it looked like. Thanks for the offer Elaine, but I have that one or one similiar. WOW...we have had 4 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Everything is flooded. We barely made it down our driveway this morning. Sun's out now, but they are saying more rain this afternoon. Going to build my ark...

Brr, one more blast of winter has made it all the way down here today. Tonight's low is going to be a big shock for my Brug. Charles Grimaldi that has covered itself with flowers this week.

I also have my Amaryllis 'Bogota' out in full bloom finally. They are on the north side of the house, so have taken their time getting open. The cool weather will hopefully make the flowers last a few days longer.

Beautiful, Elaine. Yes, it got down to 19 last night, the heater was blasting all night. Today everything thawed out, and the full moon is awsome! I totally did not know Easter was upon us. We sure made plans for Sunday dinner fast!
here is Isabella..2010

Hi, Deb! Isabella is lovely!! It's 40 here right now - 4 a.m. - it's COLD!

I don't know, but if the weather keeps up I'm going to have to move further south! I moved home to get away from the cold, and I don't mind cooler, but this darn COLD is getting to me. Gosh, and most likely after we do get rid of it, we will hit 90's with no inbetween transition.....

No winter because it was too warm, now no spring because it is too cold. Totally weird. It was 40 here this morning too.

about 35 here this morning with a light frost. supposed to be the same tonight and then start to warm up. It's been a very Yo-Yo winter.
Already have had 2 die backs of new growth on some of the perennials that are marginal, so I hope this doesn't do them in.

Martha, if you lose anything, let us know - one of us can replace it, I'm sure.

Anticipation! These are a few of the medinilla photos as it slowly opened over 5 weeks. It was a fist sized bud at first, now the panicle of flowers is about 9" long.

Just got home from Publix, our grocery store, and they had about a gazillion potted Easter lilies. I am assuming, because of the unusually cold weather, they were still in bud, very few flowers. They should be beautiful for weeks and do very well in the garden. Usually after Easter the stores sell them for about $1 so keep your eyes open for the bargains. There are usually 3 or 4 bulbs in each pot.

Beautiful, Alice!! I am still waiting on my red one. It seems to be just sitting there. I'll post picts. as soon as it opens.

My Medinilla isn't doing anything, either - have it in the Florida room, where it's still warm.

The only thing I did differently this year was to feed it with a very weak organic fertilizer each time I watered. I was actually trying to use up this bottle of very smelly plant food but I diluted it to the point where it did not have any noticeable odor when I used it on my indoor plants.

10 day weather forecast is looking good, I am ready for spring. Only good part of this recent cold spell is that the azaleas and camellias are holding their color much longer than usual, normally the hot weather causes everything to fade.

Sure seems funny to have succulents blooming the same time as the azaleas.

The Clivias are starting. They have been outside unprotected all winter, these plants are hardier than I thought.

My Clivias continue to just sit there. They are very large, in-ground and didn't bloom last year and no sign of blooms this year.

Our azaleas are blooming also. My Medinilla fell off the bench last year and the growing tip broke. So I doubt any bloom this year. I think I'll try feeding it more this year also. I think they can bloom anytime through summer.
I'm getting photos off the camera...here's some foliage.......

Martha, I am SO JEALOUS of those last two plants! I had an 'ant plant' just like that, but something caused it to die - been trying to get another one! What is the LAST plant pictured?

Kay last plant is Dancing Bones cactus http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55382/

Dischidia pectinoides can be tricky. Mostly folks overpot and over water.

Realized the King Anthurium is an old photo...
here's now.

Beautiful Anthurium veitchii and gloriosum Martha!

I imagine that's what I did wrong witht the ant plant.

Hi from Salt Lake Silly. I missed seeing all your lovely lush plants so finally asked my daughter to show me how to get online with my phone. Crocus in bloom here but no leaves to speak of on the trees. We are so lucky to have our tropical gardens!! Keep the pics coming.

Even if it is but a few months out of the year, we are Elaine! Thanks for the Colocasias!

Yr welcome Drew. Hope they didn't get too cold. Paula did yours arrive?

Hi Elaine,
Yes they did and thank you so much. I decided to hold off on yours until you got home....one, because our dog had puppies and I have been having to babysit them (first time mom). Unfortunately, we've lost 3, but still have 4 seemingly healthy pups. Also, my kids have been on spring break..one last week and one this week. The bonfires are really growing and blooming now. I can't wait until they really fill out.

can't wait to get my babies outside, Elaine.
Stay warm!

40's and rain here Deb... Warm this weekend! Maybe I will start the in-out of the garage process then... We are about 3 weeks out of the norm for leaves and temperatures for Mar.- Apr.!






Philodendron maximum Inflorescence.

Finally...showing some progress on the red medinilla

and my griffinia is blooming and I almost missed it

Debra surprised me with a WONDERFUL birthday present - 3 orange native milkweed plants - THANKS, Lady Bug!!!! I love you!!

;) yer welcome, my dear friend. All the things you have given me are so wonderful.
I saw an Inflorescence. on my upright EE. I have got to get a picture of it, somehow. I can't believe it is going to bloom!