Tropical Gardening

I know it's a bit late about starting seed but I start mine with boiling water I put them in a cup and pour over fresh boiled water till you hear a popping then pour out the water and put in cold water and get great germination rates

That's half the fun

Thanks Pete - I appreciate the photo. I have at least another flower stem looking like yours, which is probably close to flowering as its already taller than the open flower.I had been looking at intervals, but didn't know what I was looking for. I will have a closer look tomorrow.

Ha ha ha!! You're beginning to see it as I do!

I don't think they would collapse John. The worst they could do is get a bit leggy. It may be worth a try as an experiment.

After the recent cold snap the Echium looks as if it is toast. The Iochroma have defoliated but I'm not worried as far as their prospects go. The Nicotiana are still looking okay too. @PeterS - amazingly the Caiophora is still looking ok. I haven't forgotten, just a bit housebound with my other...

The white coating on some Broms, Vriesia, Aechmea, Neoregelia and Billbergias for example is called indumentum and helps them absorb moisture from the air. As we don't have a pic from Kitty we can't ID it for her .

I'm reliably informed by someone on another forum that one pod should feed the UK demand. Even so it's a bit of steep price for what will basically be an experiment so we are putting a "consortium" together.

To me the top and bottom parts look like babies. The stump in the middle looks like this years spent tuber. So I would be hoping for two vines next year with three or four tubers for 2016 by the end of the season.

Also trying grapes from seed and cuttings. As I have seen both done on youtube....

I have to agree. It's a luscious blood red now with well defined veining as well.

I only kept one ginger in my garden room over the summer, and that was the only one that flowered. And yes, I am certain that it flowered on the previous years growth as it flowered on the tallest stems at about 8 feet.I bought it a couple of years ago, as a rhizome, at Harrogate Flower Show...

That's really kind of you Pete...

Many thanks your help. Sorry for the late reply.

That's what I do, although if planted deep enough and with a bark mulch they will come through most winters.

It was the Karchesky seed Jooz.

I received it as a wee cutting a few weeks ago. I was surprised when this flower bud started to emerge.Mine was doing well until I discovered what good bedding plants they make...................

Looks like a good idea to me @mowgley . Those stems dont look nearly strong enough, to me, to survive the winter even if wrapped.As its not that big, better to be safe than sorry.

They are awseome Longk you (all of you have really opened my mind. fantastic. I have only just moved into my new house and with moving and everything else all I have managed to do is clear the years of weeds and make way for improvement over this year. I will take some photos and put them (not...

Thanks! I appreciate itHow are you growing yours?