OK...this is an orchid growing on a Rainbow Eucalyptus...not only growing, but two spikes with one in bloom. They ALL said it couldn't be done!
Some photos from Hawaii
And this is why I wanted that light green Sweet Potato .... looks great with the Purple Taro.
And here is "Brug Corner"...red heliconia in back and the Brazilian Red Cloak to the right...
Wonderful pictures, thanks for taking the time to post them for us.
Judy
WOW.......The Rainbow Eucalyptus is amazing. Your garden is amazing and your hoyas....I might have to stop by someday. :)
The latchkey is always out!!
Carol
Thanks. Both the sweet potato and the taro spread rapidly...it is breathtaking to see the mass of them. A friend of mine grows his purple taro with that same colored green coleus....really striking!
Carol
The bark on that tree is so amazing! Wow.
That Rainbow Eucalypus is a filthy tree, shedding bark all the time...but the trunk is so goreous, we ignore it. We were told an orchid wouldn't live on the tree because of the strong oils in the bark...hummmm, looks pretty alive to us!!!
:~)
Did you do anything to the tree to prep it for the Orchid?
I have some Zamia pseudoparasitica seedlings
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/65432/index.html
http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/species/zamia_pseudoparasitica.htm
and am thinking of trying to plant one or two in a tree.
George in San Antonio
George - we did nothing to the tree or to the orchid. We grow lots of Orchids, Bromiliads, Medinillas and Vireyas in trees...and successfully. Seedlings are perfect - sometimes I "build" a potting area in the crotch of a tree with slabs of tree fern or 1/4 wedges of a coconut husk...stuff the inside with a bit of spagnum and litter and let the plant grow in that.
Where did you get the seeds? I would love to get some...
Carol
PS edited to say that the orchid in the photo is stuffed in a wedge of cocunut husk nailed into the tree.
This message was edited Mar 14, 2005 9:07 AM
I got the seeds from Tom Broome at "The Cycad Jungle"
http://cycadjungle.8m.com/
They sold out in a few hours and were $7.50 each. The seedlings from Zamia pseudoparasitica run $85-$100 so
seeds are the way to go if you can find them. If you want some seeds e-mail Tom Broome and I am sure he could point you in the right direction.
George in San Antonio
P.S. I bet they would grow great for you guys in Hawaii
Love the pictures Carol. Would give anything be be able to grow plants like you do. I'm not sure I want to move quite that far south and west, but a move has to be in my future.
Ah, c'mon Shirley...jump in, the water's great! None of us know what we are doing, anyway. We just stick'em in the ground, fight the bugs, mildew and watch'em grow. LOL.
Nothing wrong about THIS far: no dishes on holidays cause you don't have everyone related to you for dinner, visits are longer, and once you get in the garden, you forget everything else!! Right?
LOL
Carol
Sounds like a winner to me. How did you end up in Hawaii? Born and raised there? I'd love the climate, I can tell you that without ever experiencing it.
Coincidently, I WAS born in Honolulu waaaaay back, but my parents left when the war started.
DH and I came here looking for a place to have another adventure after we sold our sailboat. We really enjoyed the South Pacific...and THIS side (EAST) of THIS island (Hawaii) fit our taste and our pocketbook. DH is now the Mad Planter from Puna (our district), I am known by the nurserypeople as Hoya Carol (not just Carol...everyone has an identifier!!!) and it is very laid back...almost 2nd. World!! We love the ethnic diversity, the focus on horticulture, One Shopping Mall (and it is crummy) and Home Depot JUST opened a store here.
The climate, on this side, is humid (but seldom oppresive) and warm (almost never even in the high 80's except for a few days in Sept.) .
Come visit!
Carol
I am GREEN with envy. I have wanted to live in Hawaii since I was a youngster watching Hawaii 5-0. I will make it someday!
George in San Antonio
Auntie Kalola..I'll be right over for an extended stay... LOL hey da iles can use anotha kolohe haole eh brah?
Kyle...we could certainly use your help... Putting in a new hardwood floor in the LR with the whole painting trip...painting all the kitchen cabs...planting "d'road" ... Come in July - Nov. when it is coffee picking time...
I will offer our own Sweet Pineapples (they are white and non acidic) for postage in the summer. Once you eat one of them, pineapples just don't hack it)!!!
:~D
Your photos are totally beautiful! I cannot get over the trunk on the Eucalyptus. I cannot imagine a climate where all those plants could be grown outside without extreme pampering.
I love your description of life there. It sounds like wonderfully neat living.
of the 3 times I've been to Hawai'i, 2 of them were to the big island of Hawai'i, and loved the east side the best. Carol, we didn't make it past Hilo and the volcano, but really love the area, and the feel of it. If I moved anywhere from here, it'd be to there.
Wow Carol, that Rainbow Eucalyptus is to die for. Your garden is a delight. I am in envy here!
When I was in Hawaii, I ate pineapple every morning. They tasted nothing like the pineapples here. They were so incredible. LOL, my mouth is actually watering as my taste buds reminisce back 30 years.
whahhhhhh, I wanna go to Hawaii again!!!!!!!!! Lovely photos!