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Any Port in a Storm :: The Beacon :: Putting Down Roots :: Tropicana
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AuthorTopic: Tropicana (Read 1,748 times)
bixaorellana
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #30 on Nov 3, 2010, 5:43pm »		[Quote]
This is for H.W. in Phnom Penh ~~ http://www.cambodia-photos.com/photoindex.php?query=flowers

:-*
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hwinpp
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #31 on Nov 4, 2010, 7:52am »		[Quote]
Thanks, Bixa. I'm seldom on this branch as you may have noticed ;)
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mickthecactus
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #32 on Nov 4, 2010, 1:21pm »		[Quote]

Dec 6, 2009, 5:41pm, kerouac2 wrote:
Oh, you tropical and sub-tropical people have it so easy! Jeez, the rest of us have trouble just keeping lichen alive.


That is very true. Trying to grow cacti and succulents in the UK is quite ludicrous...
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #33 on Dec 24, 2010, 10:39pm »		[Quote]
A friend of mine who works at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens sent me one of these.I am real excited about it. I am going to plant it by the pond!!!
It's a Colocasia "Teacup".

[image]
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mickthecactus
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #34 on Dec 26, 2010, 9:25am »		[Quote]
I do like the look of that Casi :)
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #35 on Dec 26, 2010, 4:16pm »		[Quote]
Yes,it is one of the many gazillion varieties out of that colocasia family of aroids,god,there are so many... So many of the generic type ones are very difficult to keep under control here,because those tubers regenerate like mad. They're not that difficult to pull up though.
I somehow think that this particular one is more spectacular than the image shows. My friends description of it to me was much more fantastic and she is not one to get that that excited about a particular plant.
She sent me another one as well,Colocasia' Mojito' which is fab looking as well.Check this out!!!
[image]
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mickthecactus
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #36 on Dec 27, 2010, 8:58am »		[Quote]
That's superb. How do you grow them? Would they be suited to container gardening?
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #37 on Dec 27, 2010, 12:53pm »		[Quote]

Dec 27, 2010, 8:58am, mickthecactus wrote:
That's superb. How do you grow them? Would they be suited to container gardening?


Oh,they're quite easy here,and yes,very suitable for container gardening although,one needs a huge pot for them as the tubers and accompanying root system are quite capable of breaking pots in half,and,the roots start growing out of the bottom.
I have also seen them grown in some conservatories up in the North in more controlled environs,with the appropriate heat,moisture and light conditions.
Should you ever have occasion to visit the N.Y. Botanical Gardens,(in the Bronx),please do go and visit their beautiful newly renovated glass Victorian era Conservatory. They have an incredible collection of Tropicana there.

They are tubers,and a simple burying of them about 4-6 inches is adequate. They can take quite a bit of shade. Their requirements,here,anyway,are quite minimal. Fertilization does insure heartier,foliage to be sure.

I will probably grow mine in both situations,ground and container. My friend sent me enough to be able to do both.
I'll keep you posted on their progress.
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bixaorellana
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #38 on Jan 4, 2011, 5:19pm »		[Quote]
I happened across this site while looking for something else. It's titled Hardy Tropicals for Zone 5, which is a bit of a cheat. Several of the plants have to be over-wintered inside, which is not always practical. Still, I'm passing it along as it might be of some use ~ http://www.manchestergardenclub.com/rick/Tropicals/Tropicals.htm
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #39 on Jan 4, 2011, 6:29pm »		[Quote]
Thanks for the link. I'm finding though,that many of these "zones" that have been created are not at all accurate or less and less so these days with all the climate changing going on....
I know for here,it's not here as accurate a science as it used to be. There were always flukes but,dependability on them seems long gone.I take my chances every time I put a tropical in the ground here.
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tod2
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #40 on Jan 13, 2011, 5:33pm »		[Quote]
Casimira - what a stunning leaf! I want one too....... :'(
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #41 on Apr 12, 2011, 10:53pm »		[Quote]

Jan 13, 2011, 5:33pm, tod2 wrote:
Casimira - what a stunning leaf! I want one too....... :'(


These guys are coming along nicely,not quite mature enough to post pics of yet.

Hard to be believe but the hibiscus are already blooming here. It seemed like only a little while ago they looked so piqued.

[image]
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bixaorellana
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #42 on Apr 16, 2011, 12:55am »		[Quote]
Look what I got today ~
[image]

It's know here as turnera -- luckily for me, as I found info online easily.

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week045.shtml

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53526/
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cheerypeabrain
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #43 on Apr 16, 2011, 7:26am »		[Quote]
That Colocasia is beautiful. Mine didn't survive the winter despite me mollycoddling it indoors... :-/ I really love these lush big tropical plants...the only thing that's reasonably hardy here is the banana musa basjoo I've got a few canna and calla lilies in pots ready to go into the garden in the summer, have to wait until the risk of frost is past.

That hibiscus is amazing casimara! I saw them in Portugal recently and they blew me away. I think I could grow some here but they wouldn't be as gorgeous as the ones that grow in hotter climates!

I think that the turnera is really interesting Bixa...'flowers sporadically all year long' sounds just wonderful! make sure that you don't crush the leaves tho....or make sure that you have a peg on your nose if you do! ;D
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #44 on Apr 16, 2011, 12:42pm »		[Quote]
Thanks Cheery. As I said,these guys haven't really taken off yet,but, I have high hopes for them as all the colocasias perform beautifully here. Actually,any of the Aroid family thrive here almost to the point of sometimes being a tad on the invasive side,frequent thinning out,sometimes digging deep to keep the tubers of many of them 'at bay.'
I mentioned earlier on how I have dear friend who works for the Atlanta Botanical Garden and she gets me many of these plants from their stock,and sends them to me.
She called me this week and is sending me off a new box of goodies. A major coup to say the least.

Love love, your new score Bixa.
And,the Dave's garden link is the best thing to come along since Creole mustard!!! I love that link!
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kimby
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #45 on Apr 28, 2011, 7:46am »		[Quote]
casi, that might be the prettiest hibiscus I've ever seen.
Do you ever pluck one and wear it behind your ear?
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #46 on Jun 5, 2011, 8:26pm »		[Quote]

Apr 28, 2011, 7:46am, kimby wrote:
casi, that might be the prettiest hibiscus I've ever seen.
Do you ever pluck one and wear it behind your ear?

Thanks Kimby!! I have on one or 2 occasions when feeling silly,problem is they wilt rather quickly,I 'd hate to be referred to as a shrinking hibiscus!!!! ;)

Here's a couple more:

[image]

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And here is a fabulous Crinum Lily I saw in Florida on a recent trip. It was HUGE,the foliage alone was to die for.

[image]



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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #47 on Jun 10, 2011, 11:08am »		[Quote]
More Hibiscus.... The white one is an absolute favorite of mine. It has, upon close examination,the fainest hint of a blush to it. A spectacular specimen.

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imec
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #48 on Jun 10, 2011, 4:43pm »		[Quote]
These are very beautiful. I've heard of a drink (tea?) made of Hibiscus - can and do you do that with these? Or is it a specific variety?
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bixaorellana
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #49 on Jun 10, 2011, 9:04pm »		[Quote]
That crinum is magnificent. That form has always been my favorite of the group.

You are certainly right about that white hibiscus. The subtle coloration & the way the petals grow are absolutely perfect. I'm trying to acquire a single-flowered white hibiscus. It's not as lush or as feminine as the one you show, but in its smallness and simplicity, also lovely. The one I saw had already been sold last Friday, I looked again today & nothing, but the vendor said she'd have it on Tuesday.

Imec, to answer your question in order: No. Yes. ;D

Here's a whole discussion about it: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/ind....lay&thread=4515

It's called jamaica here, & karkade in Egypt, apparently. I was going to tell you to look at the group of pictures I recently posted in What's in Bloom, but despite the fact that I have several jamaica bushes growing around the yard, they only show up twice in that group & in a minimal, artsy fashion. :P

Okay ~~ here are a couple of young ones in my yard in very loud sunlight. I have the "black" jamaica, which is used for tea but is also very ornamental, with a deep red flower. No, you can't smoke it.
[image]
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #50 on Jun 12, 2011, 6:36pm »		[Quote]
Thanks Imec. :) These are just 2 examples of the many,many hybrid species of Hibiscus available in the trade. They are not in my garden btw,but, in my neighborhood. I took the pics last weekend while out counting butterflies.

I somehow missed that thread on the tea. I quite enjoy it,it's a wonderfully refreshing beverage. My local cafe serves it up and in the late afternoon and evening time it is usually my beverage of choice largely due to it's tastiness and that it is caffeine free.

My friend from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens sent me a young pup of that same crinum. I am sure it will take years to get to the stature of that one in the pic.

Do let us see which white Hibiscus you get at the market Bixa. There is one very,very simple single white one that my great garden mentor Mrs. E. had and it was her favorite of all her many many hibiscus. I don't recall the name of it.
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bixaorellana
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #51 on Jun 13, 2011, 3:15pm »		[Quote]
Bit of coincidence -- I was looking up tacos al pastor & found this page:
http://mexicofoodandmore.com/drinks/jamaica-flower-iced-tea-recipe.html

I recently pulled out a bunch of crinum, as their monster leaves take up so much space. They were here when I moved in, despite total neglect and abuse, but as soon as I started watering them, they began looking as though they'd always been pampered. So, your pup may turn into a Great Dane before you know it.
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #52 on Jun 13, 2011, 5:09pm »		[Quote]
I just ordered some seeds for these online this a.m.!! Fairly reasonable price I thought. Fifty seeds for $4.00 USD. I did grow it some years back.
I recall that another medicinal property was it was helpful in reducing hypertension. Some possible benefit to lowering LDL cholesterol levels although, not proven yet.

I recall a chapter in a book called Passalong Plants by Felder Rushing. A chapter in the book was Crinums Never Die.... ;D :-/
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bixaorellana
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #53 on Jun 13, 2011, 5:20pm »		[Quote]
Oh, that book is a hoot! He is so unabashedly a southern boy. He includes in the book the great old-lady superstition of never saying thank you for a plant, seed, or cutting. I follow this religiously, as my grandmother was strict about it.
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kimby
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #54 on Jun 13, 2011, 6:35pm »		[Quote]
(Why not say thank you? Does it "cause" the plant to die?)
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #55 on Aug 4, 2011, 2:13pm »		[Quote]
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kerouac2
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #56 on Aug 14, 2011, 8:48pm »		[Quote]
Do you eat your bananas, casimira? We had a banana tree in California, but it produced nothing.
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casimira
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #57 on Aug 16, 2011, 4:33pm »		[Quote]

Aug 14, 2011, 8:48pm, kerouac2 wrote:
Do you eat your bananas, casimira? We had a banana tree in California, but it produced nothing.


Yes,I do. But,they are not the sweet variety of banana one imagines. They are plantains,used to fry in butter and sweetened with a tad of brown sugar and cinnamon. :)
Quite a few of the bananas here are ornamental with insignificant, inedible fruit.
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tod2
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #58 on Aug 16, 2011, 4:49pm »		[Quote]
Kerouac's tree could have also been a male tree. OR, maybe the family did not know that in order to get bananas to reproduce you have to remove the stem which has just borne fruit so the next one can grow upwards and produce flowers etc.
Seems unlikely they would not know ;D so I guess it was a dud ( or dude ;))
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Re: Tropicana
« Reply #59 on Aug 22, 2011, 2:39pm »		[Quote]
The banana tree was just there when my parents bought the house in California. It was still there when they sold the house 6 years later.
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