Aeonium Flower?

I'd never seen an aeonium flower before, then I saw two. This one hardly out, and another, impossible to photo on a motorway roundabout, a chrome yellow pyramid about 8" tall. This was in Southern Spain in early December.

 

Nice plants Nik, I bought aeonium haworthii at the wisley plant centre this summer it looks a bit similar.
Here's a pic of a couple I grew a while ago, but I'm not sure of the name, one of those mixed seed packets you can buy. They were monocarpic, and died after flowering. :(


I've just recieved a packet of aeonium canariense seed from Chilterns, which I will be sowing later, might have some spare seedlings later, if your interested.

[ 24. December 2005, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: pete2255 ]

 

Pete
Those aeoniums are enormous!! I've only ever viewed them as "house leeks on a stick" in green, greeny red, or aubergine before.
Are they all monocarpic? You mean my poor thing is going to die, after eight years, just as I get the watering sorted? I'm back again late February, so might rescue some seeds. I would be very interested in some seedlings from yours, as I like hooj plants. We will have to arrange a swap. Is there anything you'd like from S.E.Spain? It will have to travel in hand luggage, so large Palms are out of the question. :D Loads of seeds in the garden centres there.

Nik

 

I'm not 100% sure Nik, but I dont think all aeoniums are monocarpic, the ones in my pic just grew the one large rossete, some types are I believe, bushy almost.
The seed which I bought is still in the packet, as yet, I dont want to sow it too early, so there could be a wait for the seedlings.
Thanks for the offer to bring me something back from Spain,I'm interested in anything unusual to us over here. Succulents etc.Palm seed is always a problem I find over here, its always old, and never germinates well.

 

Pete
I don't think palm seeds germinate very well anywhwere. A near neighbour in Spain planted 200 fresh yellow palm dates over 18 months ago, and got 3 seedlings. Lucky old me got one and dragged it back to the UK. It is still alive and about 12" tall now. Succulents it is then, I'll keep an eye out.
Nik

 

Thanks Nick

 

Pete
I saw some aeonium canariensis plants at Amulree Exotics on Thursday. http://www.turn-it-tropical.co.uk/
They are big aren't they. We came home with a nice little "Queen Palm", amongst other things. Can't remember the proper name, but it has a green bulbous bottomed stem. It could look good in a glazed pot, next to the lemon.
Nik

 

To be honest Nik I've not seen canariensis, so I dont really know how big it can get,
That looks a very interesting nursery, if I get the chance I might pay them a visit some time this summer.
Anyway I have sown some of the seed now, but nothings happened yet
Yeah the palms always look good in a glazed pot, especially when it something a bit different. :D