The hummers love this plant. If you dont have this one yet, it is a must. This is the first plant they visit in my garden. It is called firespike.
Firespike-hummers love it
Maybe this is the key to attracting hummers. I've been trying for almost 7 years now, planting everything I can think of to attract them and no luck. Only hummingbird moths (aka sphynx moths). I've pretty much given up hope of getting any.
rylaff-
This looks like an interesting plant, with an irregular bloom pattern, nice leaves..... I looked on the Plant Database, but it didn't come up. Do you know other common names or the botanical name for this plant?
Peter
It is odontonema strictum. It likes semi-shade, although mine does get morning sun and does quite well.
Thanks! - I will look into it more this evening.
Incidentally, it's good to see a post from Niceville, a charming little town when I liked in Shalimar, near Ft. Walton, some 30yrs. ago!
You are kidding!!! I grew up in Ft.Walton, but moved to Niceville when I had kids of my own.
So who knows? Maybe we crossed paths at Ft. Walton Square, or whatever that old shopping area was called! If you don't mind, I will send you an e-mail.
Peter
I grew up right behind the Fort Walton Beach Square. Please, do email me. rylaff@cox.net
This is one of my favorite plants. I have mine in full sun and it does well. They are easy to root so maybe I'll root one for myself and try it in a spot that gets less sun.
Anybody got a piece to share? Don't know how a cutting wold travel, but I'd be glad to pay the travel. From what I can tell, it probably won't reliably come out of the ground here, but I hope to try one in a pot/greenhouse and one in the garden.
Peter
Firespike grows well in my garden which has morning sun/afternoon shade. My firespike did come back but to be sure I dug up 1 shoot(a shoot spreads quite a bit by the time it blooms in the fall)and potted it up and kept indoors in my bedroom which gets afternoon sun. It is one the best plants I have ever seen for over wintering. Never a wilt or dropped leaf. My zone is 8 A.
Thanks for the input, olds. I am on the border of 7a/7b. We'll see. Great to know it overwinters so well. It's a "houseplant"!
I just got a firespike from Paintedlady at the fall GARU. I cant wait until it matures next year!
My kindly gifted firespike has been on my windowsill for a couple of months, and is deep green and perky.
How do I get one of those? I really think that needs to be in my garden. Any ideas anyone? Monterey
Monterey, note to self. Remind Rylaff in the spring to root a cutting.
I also have this plant and would be glad to root some cuttings for anyone who wants a start.
pins2006, I'd love to have a cutting of that!
My pleasure!
pins 2006 could I please get a cutting also .I had hummers this past summer and enjoyed them so much and every since I saw this on here I have been looking for this plant with no luck ,so would be gratful.Thanks, Carolyn
Will do, Carolyn.
Thank you Thank You, now I can tell my friend in Ala. she can stop looking for me . She will be so happy. thanks again.Carolyn
pins2006
i would love one please. what would you like form me ? plmk
moretz
Too bad it won't survive in our area.
Pot it!
I got one from a friend in the fall. It is fine by the windowsill. I will put it in the garden in May, but plan to take cuttings for safety.
Peter
This will be a nice experiment. I have 3 different plants. I've never taken cuttings before, so I'll use the largest plant for cuttings and see how that plant does in comparison with the other 2 that don't get cut back. Should be interesting!
This will be a nice experiment. I have 3 different plants. I've never taken cuttings before, so I'll use the largest plant for cuttings and see how that plant does in comparison with the other 2 that don't get cut back. Should be interesting!
Moretz, do you have any more of those eyeball seeds left? In my other life, I'm a Girl Scout leader and I think this would be a great plant of interest, as well as usefulness, to my troop.
We can compare notes, pins.
Peter
pins2006
yes i sure do, email me your addy and i will get them out to you
You can also find it here,,,, my favorite place- http://almostedenplants.com/mall/cardinalguard.asp
Eyeball plant? I'm an 0ptometrist and think I just HAVE to have one of these :-) Any chance for a few seeds moretz?
Sorry for the tread hi-jack :-(
RikerBear
http://www.floridata.com/ref/O/odon_str.cfm
Interesting link....................
rikerbear
yes i can send you alot of the seeds very easy to germinate and grow, i am ready to send them if you like need addy though thanks
moretz
i would like to have some fire spike.
now my question is whats an eye ball plant??????
imzadi
i hope this works you will prpbably have to cut and paste it to see it but this is what it is i hope you enjoy
http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/211/1?SA=1303
moretz
My addy will be on your box of chocolate iris due to arrive tomorrow or Thursday :-)
But I'll email you with it later this evening.
RikerBear
Thanks for the link Moretz....that is histerical! I can't wait to bring some in once flowered to show my partners. What a hoot!
Pins2006, I found a plant so dont worry about rooting one for me, thanks for the great offer anyways , Carolyn
wow thats an intersting plant. i bet my dd would love it.
anybody roots a cutting i will gladly pay postage for one of the firespike.
giggling over the pic. thanks
rickerbear whats a chocolate iris. my mom loves any flower with chocolate in the name.