Birds of Paradise

OK, I guess they built your house on the rocky piece of ground that was unsuitable for growing oranges.

 

Maybe this gives you an idea, pete ..

This is what we bought ...



... and this is what we have ...



I only have that bit in front of the house, none of the orange trees ... does this make sense?

 

Yep I see it all,

 

Good, I'm glad you've got the picture now.

I MUST STOP BUYING PLANTS, especially ones that need to be in the ground!

 

So must I. :D

 

It's true, pete, I am all rock, and it's a wonder I can do my borders around the property.

From this you can see my wonderful deck above the Baffa.

All my "exotics" are up on that deck on top of the Baffa and doing very well, better than my BoPs and Cannas! :(

 

All this talk about BoP's persuaded me to try them so I bought a couple yesterday. Should be fun trying to get them to flower in pots, all the best

 

I have made an executive decision. I am going to uproot a Cassia (Senna) and put the BoPs in it's place. Quite a nice location actually.

T'other half said he could see help might be required because a bit more rock may need to be dug out ... but I can use a pickaxe if need be! :rolleyes:

Just now have to figure where to put the peach-coloured Cannas .... mmmmm

Unfortunately I bought more plants today ... :eek: ... three Osteopernums to go in the planters in the boundary walls (built-in) two peach and one lilac, and two double Petunias and one trailing Geranium for a hanging basket for the kitchen patio.

I MUST STOP BUYING PLANTS.

 

Good your having a go cajary, although it can be a couple of years or so before they start to flower.

Are you sure you want to do this LOL, I mean gardening with a pickaxe :eek:

Meanwhile, my BOP has popped

 

Lovely, pete, and yes ... tomorrow's the day. Yours looks healthier than mine so I've got to do something, albeit maybe drastic. There's some earth under the rock and the Cassia / Senna is surviving.

They will be "next door" to the Viburnum in the sand garden which is so healthy.

I have to admit ... I bought plants today ... :eek: ... but for the troughs in the garden wall (Osteopernums) and to try a hanging basket again.

Slap hands very hard !!!!!

 

Here's a pic of the roots of one of my plants last time I repotted it, you can see why they dont like pots.
imagine all that root being able to collect feed, instead of going round and round the bottom of that pot.

 

:eek: Pickaxe out tomorrow to make a bigger hole where the Cassia/Senna is. I'll post a pic of it in place. :eek: again!

On second thoughts, yours are in pots ??????? Although this does not change my plans.

 

Yep mine are in pots but they are nowhere near as good as they could be, given a free root run.
I grew one once in a greenhouse border for about ten years it flowered really well and the root system moved under the base and into the outside. When I finally dug it out the fleshy roots were deep into the clay subsoil, no wonder I never had to water it.
I think if your rock has any cracks in it the roots will find them, but some watering maybe needed for a couple of years.

 

The rock has cracks because besides the Viburnum, one of the Jacarandas are there so there's a route down. We have irrigation for the summer in this area.

Whatch this space.

[ 16. April 2007, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: Lady of Leisure ]

 

Comparing the size of your out-potted BOP Pete to the sprayer next to it, I can see why you say they need to run wild. With all those roots I wonder yours didn't get out of the pot by itself and walk away Pete!

Sis, yours will love it and reward you with perfect blooms.