Tropical Gardening

Lovely pictures LongK.I remember very well seeing it in flower with you at the Oxford Botanic Gardens. I always understood that it was a very slow growing plant, which has rather put me off. I did germinate some seeds once - but they died.Very nice to see it. I have never seen it at Kew or...

I have read that the trunk of the "Hawaiian Palm" is like a cactus, a water reservoir. It can therefore survive for six weeks without water. Just like a real cactus it cannot stand too much water and the trunk can rot. Watering on average once a week. First feel the earth and if it is still...

The plants both arrived with a fantastic crown of leaves like the pictures and leaves were growing from the top. Was warned that the leaves would fall off and then re-grow from August. The first one was fine for 3 weeks so I bought the second which was much larger whose leaves went yellow and...

Quite a bit on the internet. 'Root Pruning, Stachy Palms.

I brought my Echeverias in today, and removed the Aeoniums from a large pot and potted them up singly. Don't want to get them overwet at this time of the year, usually find they are pretty sodden, if I leave the likes of these plants out too late , then have problems drying then out when the...

I had I.grandiflora for a couple of seasons until the winter of 2010/11. It bloomed more than happily outdoors. After that it was replaced with I.australis (now reclassified I believe) which was planted out in 2012 and remains there to this day even here in the chilly Cotswolds. In a pot I had...

It certainly prefers the shorter daylight hours............. Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' by longk48, on FlickrPlectranthus 'Mona Lavender' by longk48, on Flickr

Thanks all for the inputs . It appears the best action is to leave unprotected . Unless you are prepared to protect at each cold snap - which I am not. So a move to the sheltered side of the garden is all I will do .

Who's turn is it to start it this ??

Im still getting Ptsd from loosing 6 5 footers in that 2010 winter. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it Since then 6 x 3footers in the conservatory,4x 5 footers in the garage. The big fella is just too heavy and tall so still outdoors.Next year its the soil cable and straw and...

Mine's going to get hoed off to within a metre of it's life tomorrow.....

will take that as a yes then lol

Well the med. type planting theme has taken a bit of a beating with the spring bulbs coming up. Mainly daffs with some tulips.Part of me wanted to take them out but the other part of me says leave them in. It doesn't need to be med. all year round and the bulbs are great to see after a...

They are fairly accommodating regarding light levels. Mine gets some full sun and grows well but I have grown them in lower light and they do well also. They get pretty big if happy, mine is a small one. Once the aerial roots attach themselves to the wall you cant move them anyway.

Just an update to thank you, especially CarolineL and pete, and let you know all's working well now -- it's blooming again after adding some good fertilizer to it. I'll now continue using compost around it. Thanks again, Dave

Wait . Best to make sure that it doesn't dry out but don't over water. I'd resist feeding.

I have always wanted a conservatory so I could grow a couple of Hoyas.. I will never have a conservatory so I visit a friend who has a Red Buttons and White Bells Have a google at Hoya..This Red Buttons

Fab! I will definitely be giving this a go this summer... and will keep you updated : )

i visited grew just Cymbidiums for the cut flower market thousands and thousands of them incredible.