TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms

9,802 topics in this forum

1. 

   Acrocarpus fraxinifolius

   May 19, 2011 by drzoidberg1

   • 19 replies
   • 3.4k views

   Does anyone know who is growing/where I could find some Acrocarpus fraxinifolius(pink cedar) in So. Cal? Thanks!

   

   Last reply by Palms1984, May 28, 2011
3. 

   Joy perfume tree

   May 27, 2011 by Walt

   • 1 follower
   • 14 replies
   • 5.9k views

   Last year I purchased a small Joy Perfume tree and container grew it on my lanai until early April, when I planted it in the ground. My little tree really took off this spring and I didn't want it to go another year on the lanai. Knowing this tree is rated zone 10a and above, I planted it in one of the warmest areas of my property, and under light overhead tree canopy. In normal winters, this area doesn't get frost damage, but the January of 2010 and December of 2010 were exceptions. In any event, I was wondering if my tree might flower by summer's end. My tree measures about 6-1/2 feet high overall and the trunk is about 2 inches (near ground) in diameter. …

   

   Last reply by LJG, May 28, 2011
4. 

   Royal Poinciana's are over

   May 27, 2011 by bubba

   • 2 replies
   • 643 views

   The Royal Poinciana's were a great show this year. They started in April and are unfortunately disappearing as hard-core humidity hits. I took a shot today of a great tree: This is something different that I do not know:

   

   Last reply by palmislandRandy, May 27, 2011
5. 

   a flower for the cactus fan

   May 25, 2011 by Gonzer

   • 5 replies
   • 743 views

   Very suavay bougoulais.

   

   Last reply by Gonzer, May 26, 2011
6. 

   Vriesea

   April 19, 2011 by edric

   • 6 replies
   • 839 views

   My one and only Vriesea, starting to flower, Ed

   

   Last reply by BS Man about Palms, May 26, 2011
7. 

   Lomatophyllum "Deux Bras"

   May 23, 2011 by hery

   • 6 replies
   • 1.2k views

   Hi, Here a unique kind of endangered aloe from Reunion island. "Deux Bras" is the name of her located place. Note that these pictures were taken in my garden. Regards. Hery

   

   Last reply by aloetom, May 25, 2011
8. 

   Attractive Jackfruit

   May 22, 2011 by Kumar

   • 2 replies
   • 662 views

   Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is flowering everywhere and I saw this tree filled with what must be at least 6-10 kg monsters.

   

   Last reply by Kumar, May 22, 2011
9. 

   Japanese watermelons - some as much as $6000

   October 26, 2010 by trioderob

   • 18 replies
   • 1.6k views

   Japanese watermelons can cost a small fortune anyone think I joking ???

   

   Last reply by rprimbs, May 22, 2011
10. 

    What rare or difficult to get or grow Tropical Fruit do you grow? Or otherwise neato.

    May 10, 2011 by Alan_Tampa

    • 33 replies
    • 7.4k views

    As of late I have seen several posts related to somewhat uncommon or "impossible to grow here" regarding fruit trees. As an avid collector of said, I would like to hear some more about member's adventures in the ridiculous. I have tried so many oddball things over the years that many people won't even give a go that when I see someone even mention mangosteen, or durian, or breadfruit I get all tingly. I have tried all three, and discovered they take a little more abuse than advertised. I ended up going to far with all of them but consider it of value to attempt them over and over again. What have you tried that is generally considered impractical or downright…

    

    Last reply by rprimbs, May 22, 2011

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11. 

    Flowring shrub/small tree

    May 21, 2011 by Walt

    • 1 follower
    • 2 replies
    • 792 views

    I was given a small shrub (not the one in below photo) today that is about 3-1/2 feet high overall in a 5 gallon pot. It was grown from seed (from pods maybe 3-4 inches long) from the one shown in below photos. I would assume it's probably a zone 10a or above plant. The guy that gave me the plant lives on a small lake, so his place runs warmer than mine. In any event, no matter, as I would be satisfied to grow this fine little tree out on my screened lanai, where I could bring it inside the house on nights forecast to have frost or freeze. Then, like all my other lanai grown plants and palms, etc., once they get too big I plant them out on my property ane let nature t…

    

    Last reply by Walt, May 22, 2011
12. 

    A large Shimul (Silk Cotton)

    April 19, 2011 by Kumar

    • 8 replies
    • 2.5k views

    I saw a beautiful old Silk-Cotton or Shimul tree on Sunday, outside Oval Maidan, - a large public ground near my home. These are a real sight to behold when flowering, although they cause plenty of litter throughout the year. This one had just finished flowering and was laden with ripe and unripe fruit pods. the pods burst open automatically sometimes while treeborne to exude a mass of sticky white fibre and a few dozen tiny black seed, no larger than mustard. There were very few mature pods around and I found just one. I intend to collect more seed next month when most of the pods are mature.

    

    Last reply by smile, May 22, 2011
13. 

    Cool Colour Contrasts

    September 18, 2010 by Walter John

    • 6 replies
    • 1.6k views

    Cycas revoluta and deep red hippeastrums make a nice colour contrast. These are growing in my street. Let's see some more..

    

    Last reply by aussiearoids, May 21, 2011
14. 

    Bromeliads in the Rain

    May 15, 2011 by Kim

    • 19 replies
    • 1.8k views

    My last stay on the Big Island included a great deal of rain. That shouldn't be a surprise, but many times the days are clear and the wet comes at night or early morning. This time I was able to enjoy the color the rain brings out in the plants. Picked up several Vriesea hybrids at a farmers market for a song, no names attached. These are "seconds" from a commercial grower, I believe. I've dropped the pots into cavities in an old moss and fern-covered tree stump. Orchids are also mounted on the stump. The rain seems to intensify the colors in Aechmea blanchettiana 'orange' and the Neoregelia --I think this was called 'Candy Apple' -- just a monster-size…

    

    Last reply by BS Man about Palms, May 21, 2011

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15. 

    Newbouldia laevis

    May 18, 2011 by LJG

    • 5 replies
    • 1.9k views

    I just picked up two Newbouldia laevis. Does anyone have any expereince with these? Thanks.

    

    Last reply by fastfeat, May 21, 2011
16. 

    here is why I love Aloe Dichotoma.........

    May 19, 2011 by trioderob

    • 7 replies
    • 842 views
    

    Last reply by fastfeat, May 20, 2011
17. 

    Amherstia Nobilis 1 2

    February 23, 2011 by Gbarce

    • 40 replies
    • 6.8k views

    About 2 years in the ground and now around 15 feet tall first flower ever Buds are just opening

    

    Last reply by Gbarce, May 19, 2011

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18. 

    Air Potato / Wild Yam / Dioscorea

    May 17, 2011 by The Silent Seed

    • 2 replies
    • 761 views

    I know how invasive they are down south - I've seen it - why is it, then, that I cannot find them when I need them!? This is true of many other plants, which always intrigues me! If you have horror stories of weedy plants taking over, let's hear it! And just for the record - I'm more than happy to take them off your hands (postage or whatever) - I have a large plant house, and like playing around with different projects that involve such plants. My own story: Norway Maples ! They are a very invasive tree in my area of Massachusetts, and I'm forever pulling up the saplings in my yard - they find their way everywhere. They make gorgeous shade trees, however, and I h…

    

    Last reply by tropicbreeze, May 18, 2011
19. 

    Extraordinary Burr

    May 16, 2011 by Kumar

    • 10 replies
    • 904 views

    I saw this abnormally large burr on a smooth barked eucalyptus. There is another one higher up the tree. No idea what is the cause and the tree itself is in good health.

    

    Last reply by tropicbreeze, May 18, 2011
20. 

    Ficus rumphii

    May 16, 2011 by fastfeat

    • 3 replies
    • 1.4k views

    At Chavez Ravine Arboretum (next to Dodger Stadium) I found this nice Ficus rumphii (behind the fence at the Lodge, untagged). I haven't seen this species before in SoCal (though there are likely some here, maybe in Santa Barbara, San Diego?). Native to China, Vietnam, India. Looks quite similar to F. religiosa without the drip tips. Judging from the lack of frost damage here in this location, I'm guessing it's probably comparable to F. religiosa in frost tolerance.

    

    Last reply by fastfeat, May 18, 2011
21. 

    Delonix Regia

    May 9, 2011 by Growler

    • 5 replies
    • 2.4k views

    My favorite tree got damage last winter, but it's recovering. These trees are located in NE St Pete.

    

    Last reply by Kumar, May 16, 2011
22. 

    Stranglers in Paradise

    May 16, 2011 by Kumar

    • 3 replies
    • 488 views

    Victoria Gardens has plenty of stranglers. Usually these ficus (benghalensis or religiosa) are innocuously allowed to do their thing (i.e. strangling) on dead wood and poles specially set up for that purpose but here there were many strangling about on live trees. See, - This F. religiosa has presently acquired half the shareholding in a tamarind tree. No doubt it has its sights set on being the only ahareholder Away, a banyan is creating a work of art for a gothic exhibition on this poor mango

    

    Last reply by The Silent Seed, May 16, 2011
23. 

    A little colour in the garden

    November 17, 2010 by Daryl

    • 28 replies
    • 3.1k views

    Found this young tree fruiting down near my creek today. This is a great Oz native that has large red new leaves. It also has these extremely bright red fruits that are about 50mm (2") long. Syzygium erythrocalyx from Nth Queensland. My Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) was also putting on a display. And the ever-colourful Neoregelia compacta regards, Daryl

    

    Last reply by SubTropicRay, May 16, 2011
24. 

    The California Trees among us

    May 15, 2011 by swamptreenelly

    • 3 replies
    • 790 views

    http://www.heydaybooks.com/upcoming/a-californians-guide-to-the-tr.html !" EXCERPTS (510) 549-3564 www.heydaybooks.com I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN drawn to trees and believe that I am not alone in this sentiment. Growing up among the remnant stands of large valley oaks (Quercus lobata) in a small interior valley of California’s North Coast Range, before I ever considered myself a botanist, I knew there was something inspiring about trees. A magical quality surrounds a large or exotic tree. As I grew older and my interest in plants became more refined, I never escaped the spell cast on me by trees. Those who live in California need not travel to exotic places to see a…

    

    Last reply by daxin, May 16, 2011
25. 

    Big Bromeliad

    May 7, 2011 by Al in Kona

    • 6 replies
    • 1k views

    This large Bromeliad is quite colorful growing in the sun here in Kona. Whatever the species is it can grow into a very big tight clump (one is now 1.80m or 6 ft. across) making it rather burdensome to divide and remove the 'keikis' (pups), especially since the leaves are toothed. Gloves and long sleeve shirt required! Otherwise it grows great with no care required at all. Here are several measuring 2 & 3 feet across that I removed from a big clump about 8 months ago and grew to look like this. ID?

    

    Last reply by Al in Kona, May 16, 2011
26. 

    E. sclavoi

    May 8, 2011 by Vincent

    • 4 replies
    • 2.1k views

    Just how many forms of E. sclavoi are there? I have heard or seen brown emergent, blue/green and a really curved leaf variation. If somebody who knows cycads better than me, which would not be hard to do, can shed some light on the various forms and what to look for, that would be great. Aside from the blue E. munchii form, this is the second best looking form of green encephalartos out there (in my opinion). Thanks.

    

    Last reply by George Sparkman, May 15, 2011