I bought this aristolochia 'gigantea' a few weeks ago and fertilized it with my special fertilizer and it started budding like crazy! I'll show you the development of the buds, which look like 'alien' coccoons to me, to the actual flowers. Common name is "Dutchman's Pipe" vine.
This is the flower that I pulled off the vine. It measures 26" x 14". The colors are more brilliant. My camera is so cheap and doesn't do the flower justice!!!
Enjoy,
Randy
Here is a picture of the flower bud forming. You can see my hand holding the bottom of the bud.
Last picture is of the back of the flower bud.
You're lucky! It's so beautiful! I have one of these, too, and I'm anxiously waiting for it to flower. Please tell us all about your special fertilizer! ;-D
Hi, Liila. Thanks! My special fertilizer is a combination of 'Super Thrive', Spray N' Grow', and Bloom Booster.
I use about a 1/4 tp. per gallon of water. I also mist the foliage with 'Soil Soup', a combination of composted nutrients and minor micro nutrients.
Thanks,
Randy
I have planted seeds at least 3 times never anything come up really like the picture plants to weird....
Randy! I also swear by SuperThrive and Spray & Grow! I also Messenger everything every 3 weeks or so...I'm really, really feeling hopeful for blooms now. ;-D
I've been using Frank's Perfect Fertilizer (because it's natural)... I'm not as good about using Bloom Booster, though...I have no problem using it consistently on my annuals, but only begrudgingly and not all that often on my perennials...I used to use a lot more of it but I hate the white, crusty salt build up and leaching 100+ pots is a pain in the neck. It's just me. If I thought it would help my aristolochia to bloom, though, I might just be convinced to give it a good dose or two...
pretty weird... like it...
