I noted in another thread that Len and I made a trip up to a rare tree/bush/etc place a while back and found some gems. Most of which I knew nothing about. I went for what caught my eye. Anyone know more on these? Calliandra houstoniana . (Same plant, just couldn't decide if one pic was better than the other)

"I like big butts and I cannot lie...."

Anywho, I guess this one is supposed to get big? Ficus abutilifolia.

Here is a Eugenia, also from New Caledonia? Has more red on the branch? Eugenia oventoroensis (same deal with duplicate pics)

And the last I got was this Ficus, noted in its own thread.

Anyone have extra info on any of the above? That was my "booty" for the trip. Len got a lot more. He's cool like that.

Hey Bill! Did you meet Leon? If you did, isn't he a hoot? I never met anyone who knows so much about the most obscure plants. The only problem with that place is if Leon isn't there, nobody else knows squat. I personally think its one of the coolest nurseries I've ever been to.

I've got a 10-foot Calliandra calothrysus which is a very very close relative to C. houstoniana. The only basic difference is that C. houstoniana is a little less common and has prettier flowers. Mine likes lots of water or it wilts easily. They grow fast too.

Thanks Ron, I actually hadn't checked up on these yet, I got stuck on the Ficus.

And yes, we met Leon, ALOT of info in that noggin!

I should say, good or bad, Leon was suprised where I was finding some of his "gems", The Calliandra was in with a Plumeria on accident (he repotted it) and the Eugeneia was the only one I could find. He didn't think he had anymore of either.

It was a good trip. We finally meet the legendary Leon. He simply had too much for me to take in. By the end he would just say "This is cool. Buy this." and I would. Bill witnessed my lack of purchase control.

Bill, pot those suckers up! My stuff has exploded since I potted up. Everything has shot new growth and has started to take off.

What about photos of your loot, Len?

Regards, Ari

Camera + Photos + Downloading + Resizing + FTP = Time. Time = Money. I have no money.

OK, sorry Ari. I do have the list.

1) Randia Sp. - Know nothing about this. Leon loves it - so LJG buys.

2) Cordia Lutea

3) Giant Petrea Sp.- I do not like the Petreas much because they are usually aggressive vines. But this one is suppose to be tree. If so, it will be a cool plant.

4) Tabebuia Roseo-Alba - Check this out:

http://www.oguialegal.com/galplantas/ipe-branco2.jpg

5) Passiflora antioquiensis - trusted Leon on this. Glad I did after doing research.

6) Fernandoa Madagascariensis

7) Sophora Sp. Mozambique

8) Stereospermum euphordides - I am excited about this plant. Looks unique as seedling. Metalic greenish/blue leaves.

9) Gigasiphon macrosiphon - After Peter told me about this plant, became Holy Grail tree for me. Now that you know I have this plant I will need to kill you.

10) Drum roll please..... Alberta magna. (If I can get it to take). Freshly germinated seedling with 4 leaves. Yellowing and not doing much. Hopefully Leon does not read the board here. My VIP pass woudl be revoked should he find this out.

Len.... don't you need money to go shopping ?? Besides, who has money when they have brand new garden to plant out. Trust me... I am there.

Anyway, Gigasiphon macrosiphon looks interesting. I could only come up with 1 pic after goggleing. Any better pic? Peter?? Holy grail tree? A bit like Arhemstia nobilis for me... I have been waiting years for it.

I love the tabebuia.... go and grow it and send me seeds in a few year... . I absolutely love tabebuia... They are fast too for me, which is always good.

Is the Randia sp. Australian native? It should be nice & fragrant in the garden....

The rest I am not too sure... too many trees, too little property. I bet by the time I finish my trees (whenever that might be), I wouldn't have any space left...

Bill,

You should stick with palms. You thought palm was bad, wait till you venture to the world of trees.... Then you won't be able to stop... like me.

Regards, Ari

Edited August 1, 200817 yr by ariscott

Leon is amazing. And less than 3 miles from my house. I limit myself to 3 trips a year.

He has sold me the most amazing scented hibiscus. I am always in awe of his knowledge.

David

Did you guys pick up any Meryatea Balansae.(sp???) They are from New Caledonia and look like the ficus pseudopalma when older. Peter has some growing in his garden and they look cool. Any updated pics Peter?

Nick,

here's my biggest Meryta from a couple months ago; it's about 9' tall:

Thanks Peter,

It's hard to tell from the pic but it looks like that plant is getting some sun?

Well, at that time it was getting full shade; since that time the neighbor's tree fell over and it's now getting a fair amount of afternoon sun, and looks the worse for wear because of it. The sun will soon shift behind another tree for the year, and hopefully my other trees will come up to provide full shade again, as it looks much better protected from my inland sun.

Nick, I already have some. Peter hooked me up. I got lucky and bought three and all three had late germinating seed so they all became doubles. So I have 6 total (well 5 as I just gave one to Matt in SD). I can't wait till mine looks like Peters. Plus his takes some cold too. So should be a great plant for SoCal. Do you have this plant yet? It woudl look great in our garden.

Did you guys pick up any Meryatea Balansae.(sp???) They are from New Caledonia and look like the ficus pseudopalma when older. Peter has some growing in his garden and they look cool. Any updated pics Peter?

Nick, I already have some. Peter hooked me up. I got lucky and bought three and all three had late germinating seed so they all became doubles. So I have 6 total (well 5 as I just gave one to Matt in SD). I can't wait till mine looks like Peters. Plus his takes some cold too. So should be a great plant for SoCal. Do you have this plant yet? It woudl look great in our garden.

Did you guys pick up any Meryatea Balansae.(sp???) They are from New Caledonia and look like the ficus pseudopalma when older. Peter has some growing in his garden and they look cool. Any updated pics Peter?

I do! I have one triple (in hopes of seed production) and one single. I'm pretty stoked on this plant that's why I asked if you guys picked any up.

Any seeds available for those? Although it is not in the AQIS database . I guess some trees.... I just can't have.... What about photo of the other one, Peter? Gigasiphon macrosiphon?

Regards, Ari

Ari,

we were only able to get seeds of the Meryta balansae once, about 4 years ago from a fellow in New Caledonia, who we've since lost contact with. I've never seen it anywhere else. As for the Gigisiphon, there are very few photos around. It is rumoured to be extinct in the wild(I believe it's from Africa); there is a very large tree in Hawaii at Foster's Botanic Garden-unfortunately my photos of that tree were deleted. I think Dave's Garden has a photo, although not in flower. It's a Bauhinia relative, and supposedly has a great, scented flower, although I've not seen it in flower in person.

Here's a baby Gigasiphon, showing the new red leaves:

We don't see many African species here... Very nice young tree there. Will it grow well for you?

About Meryta balansae, I just have to wait until yours seeds...

Regards, Ari

The Gigasiphon was in a pot under some canopy the day I got to 19d, so it seems like it will be fine. Slow growing so far though. And a few of Leon's Meryta's, as well as a friend in Florida, have flowered, although no sign of flowers on mine even though it seems to be the largest one around. It needs a male and a female, so I've got several multiples planted. You're first in line for seeds Ari!

That nursery sounds great! We have a few nurseries like that here but they can be very expensive. I had a Gigasiphon once but I carked it. Tried to talk another grower out of one, but he said nothing doing.

You Kalifornikans should start a chapter of the Tropical Flowering Tree Society which is HQd in Miami.

Geraldo

The Gigasiphon was in a pot under some canopy the day I got to 19d, so it seems like it will be fine. Slow growing so far though. And a few of Leon's Meryta's, as well as a friend in Florida, have flowered, although no sign of flowers on mine even though it seems to be the largest one around. It needs a male and a female, so I've got several multiples planted. You're first in line for seeds Ari!

Should I start counting years? or decades?? It is ok... I am very patient....

Regards, Ari

Hey, I would join.

Also, you have a great resource in Jesse Durko. His nursery is similar in that he is getting and growing the rare stuff. I brought back a few of his plants.

You Kalifornikans should start a chapter of the Tropical Flowering Tree Society which is HQd in Miami.

Geraldo

Hey Ari, I still owe you some seed. My Markhamia lutea's are blooming so once they get the pods developed I will ship some out. Maybe 2 months. While not Meryta or Gigasiphon, it is still something just in time for spring.

The Gigasiphon was in a pot under some canopy the day I got to 19d, so it seems like it will be fine. Slow growing so far though. And a few of Leon's Meryta's, as well as a friend in Florida, have flowered, although no sign of flowers on mine even though it seems to be the largest one around. It needs a male and a female, so I've got several multiples planted. You're first in line for seeds Ari!

Should I start counting years? or decades?? It is ok... I am very patient....

Regards, Ari

"I like big butts and I cannot lie...."

Anywho, I guess this one is supposed to get big? Ficus abutilifolia.

This guys looks like a "ficus seagrape". Seriously, those leaves look identical to a coccoloba uvifera.

Peter, can you post pics of the ones you picked up like mine?

Thanks- Bill

Hey Ari, I still owe you some seed. My Markhamia lutea's are blooming so once they get the pods developed I will ship some out. Maybe 2 months. While not Meryta or Gigasiphon, it is still something just in time for spring.

Cool... thanks Len. I can't wait till the build up (I can't believe I am saying that!!), because I can see the plants are standing still at the moment. It has been a cold dry season... well, maybe not to your standard!!

Regards, Ari

Well, heres some updates... NO not planted yet! Duh....

Heres what I almost walked into on my way to the Ficus new caledonica?

Then the ficus... I keep trying to think where I want to plant it..

Then, the Calliandra...

I like the trunkal region of this...

Of course they look good because the 5 gal pots have rooted in..

A little hard to get a good pic of the Ficus abeau.

The other one I thought died... then it came back.. now it looks like it might have died again...

At least I planted my Meyrta!!!!

Bill - I think they planted themselves already, I hope you like their spots.

Hi Len... Its a Calliandra houstoniana

(big, flowering and seeding now... but you knew that)

Well, heres some updates... NO not planted yet! Duh....

Heres what I almost walked into on my way to the Ficus new caledonica?

Then the ficus... I keep trying to think where I want to plant it..

In the ground Bill. Along your property line to half shade your neighbor's property. Expand your microclime.

Peter could you please ID what species that cool looking fern is in your pic. Red new growth is awesome.

My plants senses are telling me I need that one badly.

Thanks!

Plants are looking good Bill...

Edited November 14, 201213 yr by Palm crazy

Blechnum brasiliense, easily available at any of the box stores.

Bump for the Gigasiphon thread.

I still have all except the Euginea.. :-(

I'm curious how you fared with that Tabebuia roseo-alba. I have one down here in the Florida Keys and it has not flowered yet after 2-3 years in the ground, though it grows steadily if a bit slowly. I got it from Rob Bobson, head of the Tropical Flowering Tree Society, and he told me it is extraordinarily cold-sensitive, perhaps the most tropical of the cultivated Tabebuias. I'd be very interested to know how it has fared in SoCal.