LOL, thanks for the tips on the Papaya seeds. Mine was dried out before I tried to germinate them. Hopefully I'll have some seedlings to overwinter in our zone. 1st Frost hits us around third week of Nov. So I'm hopeful that I'll have some time left.
Papaya 101 "My Experiences"
So many great posts with fascinating info and beautiful pictures! Randy - that vine is very interesting looking! Why is it called Poison Arrow?
Katiebear -LOL!! I have visions of Papaya trees growing up from a big bed! People trying to sleep around them, like the big tree in Randy's deck!
Thought I'd show you all my prodigeously blooming orchid: This one is right in front of my house, and is a real show stopper!
It gets shade until around 11:00 am...then sun the rest of the day. I was suprised...I had always been told that orchids preferred shady areas, but ours bloom best when given lots of sun. Do get a bit of a problem with black spots on the leaves though.
LOL,
I was told that the headhunters in faaaaaaaar away Borneo used those flowers for the poison in the poison arrow darts.
Are those buckets of orchids! very nice.
Well, I certainly don't ever want to make you mad! Ha Ha.... The orchid I posted is all one plant in a large basket, placed by some driftwood. But I do have orchids all over the yard...and I guess you could call their pots "buckets"....
The orchids are wonderful Shari!
Got a question for you....I was in Lowes the other day and they had some orchids....don't know what kind marked down for 50% off...I think they were $8. They had no blooms on them. They looked kind of rough. Wondered if they would rebloom....I'll have to go back there and see if they have any more and find out exactly what they were.
Jeanne
I have seen orchids that looked completely dead rebloom with a little TLC. As long as there is green on the leaves and the roots look fairly healthy, there is hope. That sounds like a pretty good price. I couldn't mail any to you for that. So go for it!
I might, between what I have already spent this month on this and that I may have to wait awhile. I may go over there and see if they've been reduced any further.That was a week ago.
Good luck....if you get them, post pics for me, okay?
OK! It'd probably be tomorrow.....
My sister in Oregon is a real orchid buff. She's always picking up cast-offs at the big stores and bringing them back to health. You do need a good light source and some humidity indoors (gravel trays, etc.). Oh, and she quarantines them until she's sure there is no disease. Most are just suffering from neglect. Good luck!
These are going to have to stay outside. We definately have the humidity out there! I will bring them in for the freezes. But we'll see. Maybe one.
Orchids!!! Ooooh, should we ever lay eyes on orchids! They're so beautiful who could resist those beauties? Only, they're so darn addictive! LOL, or is that just me? I've found this at local HD, believe it or not. I haven't got the name down yet.
That is gorgeous! When did you get that one at HD? Maybe I'll forget Lowes and go to HD!
Many of us gardeners probably don't think of Lowes or HD, but most of my rare plants that I collected are from these two sources.
I've got this one Friday, so hurry. lol.
Yeah...I hate to ask how much it was....it's so huge! WOW
I think it was reasonable, it's in a 2.3 gallons pot. $25.00 Most their plants in this size fall into this prize ranges.
As big as it is that is reasonable. I've already spent most of my flower money for this month.....so may have to wait until later. I hope they still have one. That is nice!
Lily_love, that is a beaut! What a find for that price.
My problem here is a definite shortage of humidity (for instance, today it was 13). I have a couple that bloom each year, but they don't thrive. Good luck finding something special, 77!
karperc;
It sounds as if your climate would be ideal for plumies, it's so humid here. Growing plumie is a real challenge for me. It's so humid that ...growing cuttings out in the open ground is feasible most of our growing season....
Yes, I'm trying with plumies again, thanks to Clare on the Plumeria forum. Mine were zapped in the weird freeze we had last winter. Clare sent me some of Brad's cuttings and I found one at Wallyworld for $6 and another from a local grower. Should have some blooms next year. We're having a heat wave now, but the nights are under 50, so they will probably be going dormant soon. This year I am prepared if we get any really low temps!
Great plan for the plumie, karperc. Good lucks with them. When comes to gardening, I believe raising Orchids (certain types of orchids) are easier than Roses, and Plumie, or brugs. But as we learn of each plant's unique cultural requirements. The reward is so, so sweet.
Today I'm repotting my Papaya. For shortly a few weeks, this plant has gained 4-6" in height. :-)
Looking down at the plant. Likes RJ, mentioned this isn't a type of plant that can tolerate windy sites. It's got wind whipped pretty bad, before I moved it into a more sheltered location. Thanks RJ. for the tips.
I was going to try a papaya in the spring, but if the wind bothers them that much, I might have to pass. We call our house Breezedale for a reason. :-(
Lily Love - what a fantastic orchid! Just gorgeous! Good luck to all of you growing such wonderful plants - papaya, orchid, plumies.....keep up the good work!
Shari, thank you for the well wishes. This is my 1st Papaya, having found RJ's thread on this topic was/is a treat. My plumies going on its 3rd year, so far so good. My orchids collection is random. But, over all, I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor of love. Sharing them too, is a joy. :-)
That is a beautiful orchid. I have one opening up I haven't seen before.. A friend gave me the orchid as it was languishing in her house. I think it will be open enough to photograph tomorrow. The flowers are tiny little guys. I certainly enjoy the length of time they are opened, but they make you pay for it as they take a while to open. I've been watching this one for weeks now, watching it form from the stem and see little future flowers form
I started re-potting my papayas too this weekend. One thing I think I didn't mention, is that if you take off the lower leaves the plant will grow super fast. I don't think I would take any off yours though it looks about right. Looking at the leaves, I would say that is from Hawaii. I need to learn the different types...so much to learn..so little time...:)
I had a good year with plumies thank goodness...I just ignored them...mabe that's why!!!
Thank RJ; I'll see about defoliage some of the lower leaves on the Papaya next spring when I'll be ready to give it yet a bigger pot. But, I'm keeping the helpful info. in mind to apply later.
Waiting for our flowers to unfurl is something really fun, but require lots of patience. For instance; this Starfish's buds have taunted me for weeks. :)
Those are the coolest looking blooms..I would use that in a movie featuring alien plants..That is what I love about plants, just when you think you've seen the most bizzare looking life form, you see anothe even more strange and beautiful
I agree, and add the strange and wonderful things we see in the ocean, and my goodness what a wealth of wonderment and beauty we have!
That's for sure!
Shari, I got the orchid. I'll have to get the tag and take a picture of it! I think it will be OK. A customer at the store who owns a nursery in Dayton, near here, said that she thought that it would be OK and to get some Orchid plant food from Lowes. I didn't get it today, but I'll go back and get some later. I'm sure it will be OK for a couple of days.
While I was there I told three people about DG! They were really excited about checking it out!
LOL, as a matter of fact..............
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2273
LOL, Chrissy; it may pop any minute and who knows what it's about to do. lol. For those of us that would like to learn more about this plant. I thought I'll demystify them. Enjoy reading. :-)
Thanks for that ....I inherited a planter box of them in the 70's and while very interesting at the time I was into all things fragrant in a nice way.....well it was out on a deck and when the french windows were open we thought something had died out there...it took a while to figure out where the smell was coming from and I think I was turned off anything that looked remotely like them for decades....I would most likely put up with the smell now because it is so interesting .......thanks again L l :)
Pinwheel of white brug. Second flush this season. It has not been a good year for brugs due to high temp. and severe drought. Many gardeners even thought of giving up on them. But I can assure you; once the blossoms begun to unfurl, people will fall in love with them brugs all over again. :-)
Love the angels! nite all .....the witching hour is upon me ....almost midnight .....sweet angel dreams everyone ...ooooops ha ha ha ....good morning!....well whatever it is ....have a good one!
La la la la la la la la la..........there must be an angel ....playing with my heart yeah....la la la la
Sweet dream, Chrissy!
