TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms

9,816 topics in this forum

1. 

   Spring Blooms for the Southest US (Louisiana)

   March 16, 2009 by _Keith

   • 12 replies
   • 1.1k views

   It rained all weekend, but I did sneak these 3 photos in on Friday. Can you name the blooms in each of these 3 photos? Photo 1 of 3

   

   Last reply by mnorell, March 17, 2009
3. 

   Bury the trunk of a Giant Bird of Paradise?

   March 14, 2009 by rsproule

   • 6 replies
   • 1.5k views

   I have a drainage issue and need to raise the grade of the ground next to my house right where my Giant BOP is planted. What are the chances of the plant living if I buried the bottom 18”of the trunk? The plant is 12’ tall with 5’ of clear trunk. I can try to move the plant, but it will difficult since I would have to cut the root ball down to a size where I could lift out and move it by myself. Not sure it would even survive a move. Thanks Ryan - Inland Nor Cal, zone 9B

   

   Last reply by John Case, March 15, 2009
4. 

   Abondanza!

   March 5, 2009 by Gonzer

   • 15 replies
   • 1.2k views

   My little 'ol tree lost a branch last month due to the weight of all the fruit (before they ripened). The remaining branch has less fruit but at least they are all ripening nice.

   

   Last reply by Gonzer, March 13, 2009
5. 

   Trumpet Trees, Tabebuia, flowering now

   March 9, 2009 by Eric in Orlando

   • 9 replies
   • 5k views

   The different Trumpet Trees, Tabebuia, are starting to reach peak bloom around here. Recently, many Tabebuia species were moved into Handroanthus, including the 3 species common in central FL. The pink/purple trumpet tree, Handroanthus impetiginosus (formerly Tabebuia impetiginosa) have finished or been delayed by the cold a few weeks ago. Ours were just getting ready to flower when we had the light freeze. The stopped flowering but held the buds and are just beginning to open again. The gold and yellow ones are exploding. Handroanthus chrysotrichus- Golden Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia chrysotricha) Handroanthus umbellatus- Yellow Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia umbe…

   

   Last reply by Peter, March 13, 2009
6. 

   Can you tell me

   March 9, 2009 by bubba

   • 1 follower
   • 16 replies
   • 1.4k views

   Doing a drive-by and saw this strange Ficus variety.It has weirdly long almost fluffy leaves:

   

   Last reply by Walt, March 13, 2009
7. 

   Another Ficus

   March 10, 2009 by bubba

   • 5 replies
   • 1.1k views

   Coming back from Searle's sale I saw this tree on A-1-A.I pulled up a private kind of dirt road and took this shot.Any ideas?

   

   Last reply by bubba, March 12, 2009
8. 

   Raphidophora decursiva?

   January 30, 2009 by Kim

   • 12 replies
   • 4.2k views

   Anyone growing Raphidophora decursiva? It's a philodendron with a deelply cut leaf that could be mistaken for a pinnate palm leaf from a distance. I like the way it looks. More importantly, anyone know where to purchase this plant in Southern California? Link to photo: http://www.subtropical.co.nz/images/philRaphidophora.jpg

   

   Last reply by leyucca, March 11, 2009
9. 

   Cycas prathu?

   March 10, 2009 by joe_OC

   • 5 replies
   • 1k views

   Hi, I got a 4" Cycas prathu recently and it looks a bit unhappy. I do not know much about Cycas. I tried searching the internet for information, but not much came up. If you know how to cultivate this cycad, please let me know what I need to do to make it happy. The caudex is nice and firm, but the fronds are yellow. Thanks in advance, Joe

   

   Last reply by joe_OC, March 11, 2009
10. 

    Growing vegetables in ornamental beds

    March 2, 2009 by _Keith

    • 7 replies
    • 978 views

    I have been to a few private gardens and read a few books where people are simply integrating vegetable production into their ornamental beds, rather than doing the traditional row or square foot vegetable gardening. The year I am thinking of doing with peppers and tomatoes, maybe with Okra and Egg Plant too. All are tropical in nature and certainly have the look. Is anyone else doing or considering doing this?

    

    Last reply by _Keith, March 11, 2009
11. 

    Orchid flowers

    March 9, 2009 by PalmatierMeg

    • 2 replies
    • 608 views

    Good morning on this Monday. Before I left for work today, I took photos of one of the little palms I bought Saturday at the Searle spring sale. And close by my windowsill and shelf unit were filled with Phalaenopsis and 1 Paphiopedilum orchids in bloom. So I snapped some pictures to brighten everyone's day. Enjoy.

    

    Last reply by Walter John, March 10, 2009
12. 

    Rainbow Eucalyptus

    March 2, 2009 by redant

    • 27 replies
    • 3.3k views

    I have had one in the ground for 3 years now, fastest growing thing I have ever seen, but no colors in the trunk yet. It's about 25/30 ft tall and the bark sheds in the formation you see in rainbow Eucalyptus but no colors, hoping it's not just a regular Eucalyptus, I purchased on ebay so who knows.

    

    Last reply by gcyao, March 10, 2009
13. 

    Bombax ceiba

    February 19, 2009 by fastfeat

    • 20 replies
    • 2.6k views

    Saw these yesterday. I'm guessing the dry weather has helped bring on heavy bloom. Small tree, at Fairchild employee parking area: Larger tree at end of I-95, across from Vizcaya Museum:

    

    Last reply by buzzmonkey, March 10, 2009
14. 

    Dracena Draco

    May 20, 2007 by DoomsDave

    • 39 replies
    • 7.7k views

    Saw this Drac-drac, and well, swooned in the front seat of the No-Va . . .

    

    Last reply by Kris, March 9, 2009
15. 

    Conocarpus erectus v. sericeus

    March 1, 2009 by mnorell

    • 1 follower
    • 8 replies
    • 3k views

    I was in New Orleans today at HD and to my great shock they had a supply of nice 3gal silver Conocarpus erectus v. sericeus (Silver Buttonwood). I'm usually not a big silver-foliage person, but Bismarckia and this shrub/tree are major exceptions, I always love seeing these driving through Florida, particularly the Keys, where this one (like Bismarckia) is so silver as to appear white. I bought one of these beauties and now face the issues surrounding its culture in my (I'm sure) somewhat inhospitable 9a Natchez climate. Can anyone illuminate in regards to cold-tolerance and behavior after freezes, as well as its tolerance of more acid soils than the coral beds of the …

    

    Last reply by mnorell, March 9, 2009
16. 

    After freeze damage

    February 6, 2009 by ron@springhammock

    • 12 replies
    • 1.8k views

    I noticed the following on my Red Bombax and African Tulip Trees, which I suspect is some sort of boring insect. Is there something I can do to control this? ...or is it just a symptom of their inevitable demise?

    

    Last reply by Guest, March 6, 2009
17. 

    Cactus flowers

    March 3, 2009 by PalmatierMeg

    • 6 replies
    • 752 views

    Hello to all, Overnight temps dropped to the low 40s along the Isabelle Canal last night. Today's "high" hovers around 60. But before this latest cold front hit, several of my cacti, esp. Rebutias, flowered their hearts out. I took these on balmy Saturday. I will also include a photo of my desert rose flower I posted on the palm discussion subforum.

    

    Last reply by simona, March 6, 2009
18. 

    Encephalartos hildebrandtii

    February 25, 2009 by Alberto

    • 4 replies
    • 1.1k views

    What is the best medium to grow young bulbs? Sun,shade? Cold hardiness...etc.... Thanks!

    

    Last reply by Alberto, March 5, 2009
19. 

    Bamboo Expansion

    February 21, 2009 by _Keith

    • 7 replies
    • 993 views

    I just got 10 really nice Alphonse Karr bamboo today. Fixing to plant them on 6 foot centers to grow into a fence. Pictures to come tomorrow.

    

    Last reply by mnorell, March 5, 2009
20. 

    Heliconia velloziana/farinosa

    February 17, 2009 by mnorell

    • 21 replies
    • 4.8k views

    Of the few Heliconias listed as native to the margins of the tropical/subtropical margin, there are a few that occur in southern Brazil and/or Northern Argentina. One of these, and probably the largest and showiest, is Heliconia velloziana (according to Tropicos it's now properly called H. farinosa). Since most Heliconia require a second season to flower, areas that endure freezes and frosts are not hospitable to successful flowering, even if the rhizomes/roots can endure the extended chill of winter soil. My question is, has anyone in a frosty subtropical area had experience with this species, and in particular is it capable of blooming in a single season from shoot-emer…

    

    Last reply by mnorell, March 5, 2009
21. 

    Bamboo at the Brisbane Bot gardens

    March 5, 2009 by Walter John

    • 1 reply
    • 544 views

    I went down to the city gardens today, took a few snaps and noticed the incredible growth going on at the moment with new bamboo culms, took a pile of pics. Here's a couple before I approached the bamboo groves.

    

    Last reply by Walter John, March 5, 2009
22. 

    Silk Floss Tree

    February 25, 2009 by _Keith

    • 10 replies
    • 2.2k views

    I got this triple Silk Floss Tree last year. I thought winter might weed out a weak one or two, but all 3 made it. So now what? Do I leave all 3, or do I cut back one or two?

    

    Last reply by swamptreenelly, March 5, 2009
23. 

    Leptospermums! (or -dads? har har har)

    March 4, 2009 by DoomsDave

    • 2 replies
    • 580 views

    Howdyall, got these pics on Sunday, of my infamous Leptospermums. This is "Ruby Glow" about 6-7 feet (2 - 2.5 m) tall from a one-gallon plant about three years ago. Moderately fast.

    

    Last reply by freakypalmguy, March 4, 2009
24. 

    Clivia Miniata Varigata

    March 1, 2009 by edric

    • 12 replies
    • 7.3k views

    I'm raising these from seed, does anyone have experience with broad leaf Clivia? Ed

    

    Last reply by DoomsDave, March 4, 2009
25. 

    "Coral Fire" Ixora

    March 1, 2009 by SunnyFl

    • 6 replies
    • 3.3k views

    Hi All, A few years back, a forum member in Australia (I think it may have been Wal) posted an incredible photo of "Coral Fire" Ixora. Since then, I have not seen one single source of it anywhere. Does anyone here know anything about it? Needless to say, I'd give my eye-teeth for one of these. Sheesh, I'd even like to see that photo again! Btw, I googled it and looked at a couple of websites (from Australia) that had it. One site said that it was originally discovered in Florida! So - where is it?????

    

    Last reply by SunnyFl, March 4, 2009
26. 

    The hardiest Ixoras

    March 3, 2009 by mnorell

    • 4 replies
    • 14.1k views

    The commonly sold Ixora coccinea varieties in the southern states and Florida (Maui Red, Maui Sunset, Nora Grant, etc.) usually go down with the first decent freeze unless kept very protected. Though they generally return from the roots here in my zone 9a climate, they are slow to return and I (and most impatient people) generally wind up buying them anew each spring and replacing the old plants. In doing research over the years I have noticed the following: - Ixora chinensis is commonly given a hardiness rating of 20F. Unfortunately I've never been able to procure any plants for testing. - I was also told by someone in Florida that her I. fragrans, though a brief…

    

    Last reply by Eric in Orlando, March 3, 2009