Hot n Humid, Zone 11b Key West , FL

Hello everybody
My name is Neil and am new to tropical gardening , I am learning a lot just by trial and error . I have had much success with bromiliads and crotons down here and have recently tried my hand at Vireyas which are tropical rhododendrons what a thrill when these guys bloom. I am having some difficulty with my Strictocardia ( Hawaiin bell) at the moment and have a couple of Michelia Alba ( Joy perfume trees ) growing well but no flowers yet.

mostly I strive just to keep my garden alive in the summer , but the heat will pass soon and thats when its most fun in the garden in the Keys.

Thanks for the great site

Neil

Photo of vireya Orange Flambe

Hi Neil - beautiful picture - welcome to Daves Garden!

hello from the hudson valley in upstate new york

Hi Neil welcome.. pretty picture.. have great time lots here going on..

Twyla

Hi Neil, Welcome from central PA. That's a nice flower you got there. Is it fragrant?~~Sandy~~

Sweet looking but no smell, and each one only lasts a day.

OOPS
i was talking about the wrong picture. This one lasts for weeks but no fragrancel. Although there are some vireys that do have a fragrance.

Neil

Welcome Neil, you live in a great place! I lived in Boynton Beach for 10 years, DH and I would go to Key West at least 2 times a year, love it there! I really miss it when I'm knee deep in snow now.

Toni

Hi Celt...I hope you weathered Storm Rita OK....Lets hear from you. Jo

Jey Jo
All is well in the Keys. The gardens are trashed and mother nature has trimmed the trees again but we got off lightly again. Wind and salt spray takes its toll on the garden, I hope this is the end of them for this season.

I think the hardest place to grow tropical plants is in the tropics.

I decided Im doing no more planting untill hurricane season is over , and I just found a great book called
Storm Scaping, How to plant for hurricanes.


Neil

Neil...sounds like a book that should be popular with a lot of folks about now....Glad you are OK. Jo

Belated Welcome from an old semi-conch. if you need any pointers on good tropical books, i'm your gal. got loads of 'em. d-mail me with any questions you might have and i will do my best to help you. debi (formerly of Tavernier) a picture of Hurricane Rita in my old garden.

This message was edited Oct 3, 2005 8:39 PM

Welcome Celt33040!
I love the keys and look forward to seeing pictures you post of your garden and the area.
Connie

Hey Celt. Love where you live and your login name!! Anything Celtic intrigues me and Key West is on my list to visit in 06. Hope tropical gardening settles well with you. I know you can have gorgeous gardens!!

Tina in TN