Information about Pentagonia grandiflora

Hi, folks. I'm Paul, of the web-site, http://www.thewisegardener.com and I was wondering if anyone out there who enjoys growing "unusual" tropicals has any experience growing (or has information about) an Equadorian tree: the lushly foliaged, Pentagonia grandiflora. I purchased one from Steve, @ PCT Nursery, in Hawaii and really didn't know too much about it other than it has bold, almost Magnolia-like foliage. It is supposed to feature, in addition, a large scented white flower, and a plumlike fruit.

I am kind of wondering its: minimum cold temperature tolerance, and its mature height. I checked all my tropical gardening books, and did several internet searches and unfortunately, came up with a "big zero" about this intriguing tree. I thank you, in advance, for shedding any additional light about the Pentagonia grandiflora. Have a great 2005 everyone. It's a pleasure for me to read the threads of Dave's Garden members. You all seem to be a wonderful "family" of gardeners!

Hi Paul,
Wish I could help you, but the best I can do is welcome you to the forums. I hope someone will have some info for you. Those leaves are very pretty. Good luck with your new purchase.

Shirley

Paul, if you check here, I'm sure that someone could give you some information:

http://spectresjungle.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php

-Ron-

Gee, Paul, don't know that one. Steve does have some cool stuff 'tho, doesn't he. I will ask a friend and get back.

Aloha

Paul, this is what my plant friend said: "Pentagonia....had one...did not grow...lots of the Ecuadorian things need cool."

And we are not "hot" here...average temp. is 76deg. cool nights.

Carol

Thank you, Carol for the information! We might have a bit of a better chance here in South Florida, as once in a while it gets into the lower 40's. I guess that the Pentagonia grandiflora is what they would classify as a "cloud forest" type plant. Equador is fascinating from that perspective, too: sitting right at Zero degrees North latitude, its high elevation makes it still rather chillly, especially at night (many nights in the upper 50's!) They call that climate "eternal Spring!" Thanks, gain!

Paul

Thanks, RWhiz for the hyperlink information for spectresjungle! That site is so elaborate and interesting! It makes my own http://www.thewisegardener.com look very low tech, indeed! I used Microsoft Front Page to create my site, and that method IS rather "basic!"

Your garden photos are "knockouts!" I love the arid, Mediterranean plants you have employed brilliantly and the sloping landscape (which I can only dream of, living here in these Florida former swamp lands) that gives drama to your garden. What are your average winter minimum temperatures, RWhiz? Will citrus, avocados and Canary Island palms work in your garden, or a you a bit too chilly?

Enclosed is a photo of my "flat as a pancake" garden setting. HAVE a great week, RWhiz!

Paul

This garden area is on the east side of the house. It's warm enough for teak and breadfruit to grow (although the breadfruit looks a little sickly right now due to five nights in the mid-upper forties in late December!)

Thjs area of the garden is my personal favourite: the rear yard. It is likened to my own private Garden of Eden!

This photo highlights a slightly different perspective of the rear yard. the view is from the patio (of the house) to the back of the property.

Just one more photo for you all to "endure!" When my Uncle Lennie died on April 26, 2004, I created a Memorial Garden in his honour. It went through two hurricanes in September, but is looking great. I think that he's "smiling down" on it!

Just one more photo, please?? (I'm on a sort of a roll!) Here's my favourite palm: a Red Latan palm that is native of the Mascarene Islands, in the Indian Ocean. Mine is finally getting some height on it after three years. (When I planted it, the palm was only about 20" tall; now it's at about 5'!) PS: Note the whimsical & "tacky" pink flamingos! Well, I'm close enough to South Beach (23 miles northwest) to "get away" with such "bad taste!"

Hi Paul,

I try lots of things. Some work and some don't. San Diego county is the Avocado capital of the U.S. so growing Avocados is no problem. I have two lemon trees, a lime tree, and a little citron (Buddha's Hand) in the yard.

The reason that I directed you to that site is because there are some individuals on there who are extremely knowledgeable about the most obscure plants imagineable. If you can't get the information there, you can't get it anywhere.

I have some young (and tender) trees that I'm trying on the hillside. All of them are small and this will be the first in-ground winter for many of them. Delonix regia, Colvillea racemosa, Peltophorum pterocarpum among others. I've got my fingers crossed. This is one of the wettest winters we have had in a long time, so I'm a bit worried.

You have a fantastic looking garden and should rightfully be proud of it.

-Ron-

Hi, Ron:

Your garden, too, is a knock-out! You guys really have been getting a rainy season this year, and just like Florida this past September with its plethora of hurricanes, nothing seems to be in moderation! Enuff rain for So Cal for a while! The Delonix regia should be OK, as long as its roots don't "sit" in the rains' runoff for more than an hour or so. We get about 60" of precip a year here, and mine bloom wonderfully, Ron.

BTW: I just got myself registered at Spectre's Jungle, so I'll be posting my Pentagonia inquiry there later today. Thanks for letting me know about the site; it's a perfect fit for my inquisitive horticultural mind! I wanted to introduce you to my rainforest project in Panama. It's at http://www.tropicriverwoods.org It's my future, Ron. Attached is a photo of me with the Caribbean Sea about four miles northwest of where I'm standing. The property is comprised of about 50 acres of hilly woodland in Bocas del Toro Province (about 15 miles southeast of Costa Rica,) A very pretty area, indeed, Ron! I could spend many, many lifetimes there and STILL have much planting to do!!

I'll be wishing that your week features a bit more sun than rain drops!

Luego!

Paul