WHAT'S LOOKING EXOTIC IN 2015

Nice to see Gloxinia @PeterS
I remember growing them from seed years ago, always good, because you never was sure what you were going to get, flower wise.
Gesneria texa comes to mind also, bright red flowers.

Its a plant that seems to have fell out of favour these days.

I used to over winter tubers bone dry, with the Begonias.

 

Lovely Peter. Sadly I only kept mine a couple of years ... guess I neglected them in the heat.





Sadly haven't seen them here since.

 

They are lovely Victoria

 

Podranea ricasoliana, is just starting to come out.
Lots of buds to come, think its a bit later this year, as are quite a few things.

 

I remember growing them from seed, must be nearly 30 years ago
Bought from T&M, I got good germination and had loads of plants that flowered the same year. Like you say, don't see them around any more. Wouldn't mind having another go at those, if seed are available.

 

Tigridia Pavona

 

Hi Pete,
I love this. Is it a hardy ?

 

Yes. They multiply quite freely too.

The only Gesneriad that I've grown from seed is Alosbia. Very easy though, is Gloxinia the same?

Here in the UK they're still sold in Lidl a couple of times a year.

Nice, but if I can't grow Campsis......................

 

The exaggerated filaments of Manfreda elongata are very much in prominence now..................

 

Hi Anthony, not really hardy, its in a pot.
But it survives outside with the pot close to the house wall,after a late Autumn cut back.

If I could root a few cuttings I'd definitely give it a go in a sheltered permanent spot.
It flowers on the current seasons growth so could be cut back hard and perhaps just some fleece would see it through.

 

Pete that Podranea is a huge flower and really lovely. I have a Pandorea, which hasn't flowered yet, which is a very close relative and may be similar. If not its one on my wish list - along side my wish for more space.

Very minor news, I have just noticed that Canarina canariensis has started to sprout again after its summer slumber.

 

A couple of the tubers on mine have mistaken this summer for autumn and been growing for a few weeks!

 

I would love to know what sets them off. I suppose it must be temperature + time. Though it hasn't been warm this year.

 

Temperature drop maybe?

 

I think this flower is going to be the cat's whiskers.


Is it a bird? Is it a bat? - no its a cat fish.


Fu Manchu is watching you.


Tacca chantrieri - its really weird. With grateful thanks to my "weird" friend Longk for the introduction.