WHAT'S LOOKING EXOTIC IN 2015

That's similar to some of the Fuchsia species as well. I have one that starts in October and then flowers all through the winter. We tend to forget about daylight hours and the effects it has on plant growth etc.

 

You are quite right Anthony. I notice that many tropical plants are quoted as flowering almost continuously in their original location, but not in the UK even under glass. I always assumed that it was related to heat, but it may be as much a function of day length.

 

The nearer the equator we get the more consistent day/night length is, so yes light is a critical factor for blooming many tropical plants.

 

I grow one outdoors in the ground and it always keeps it's leave until around March/April, then dispenses with them, before growing them back later in the Spring. This year, though the leaves look fed up, they're still hanging on. But it won't be flowering this year I don't think.

 

Just seen this on the internet and couldn't resist a post. The flower of Eucalyptus tetraptera. The left one hasn't opened yet. Exotic or what? Photo by Mike Bush.

 

I'd say they're rather "off the wall". I see that it only grows to about three metres.

http://esperancewildflowers.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/eucalyptus-tetraptera-four-winged.html

 

Geranium maderense - grown from seed in 2011, ie 4 years ago


Brugmansia arborea has a couple of blooms.


Porphyrocoma pohliana from seed last year. I have a couple that have been flowering all winter as well as last summer. Its a member of the Acanthus family, and technically these are just the bracts - the true flowers are small and blue. I gather that in the tropics it flowers all year round in the shade.

 

The wait for the Cantua buxifolia to bloom is tortuous so here is another shot of some of the slow forming buds..............

 

Its definitely going to flower LongK - I envy you. I had one - but its not flowered yet and I am not even sure where it is.

 

I'd never heard of Cantua but I've just looked it up. It's gorgeous, can't wait till you put the pics up of it flowering.

 

you could of posted that April the 1st and easily of fooled me that just amazing especially the square shape at the back and they say that nature dont have straight lines

Thanks for posting

Spruce

 

I know what you mean Spruce I thought it was a joke at first. I must admit though that I don't like it.

 

It would have been even better if the greenhouse hadn't been allowed to dip to -5°c over the winter

 

Anthony - that's the great joy of this forum. I have learnt so much from others - sometimes directly from what they have written, and sometimes by them just prompting me to have a Google.

LongK : -5C certainly says something about its hardiness.

 

It took far worse in the winter of 2012/13 in a sheltered spot outdoors. I thought it was toast but it came back. Not recommended though as it blooms on last years growth.