WHAT'S LOOKING EXOTIC IN 2018

That looks good @strongylodon , although, I have to say, one of those summer chocolate seedlings you sent me, all those years ago is still flowering, and has been since early july.
Its got pods now, so must have pollinated, but doubt it will ripen seeds.

Anyone interested in caesalpinia seeds?
Looks like a good crop this year, and have grown three plants from last years seed, so they are likely to be viable.

 

Hi @pete - I'd love some caesalpinia seed please, but wonder how long it would stay viable? I am shortly going to be moving home back to South Wales, and don't think I'd better start any more seedlings before I go - so they may have to wait a few months to be planted.

 

Hi @CarolineL I saved some from last year and planted them this spring, had 3 out of 4 come up.
I get the feeling once dry they would last for a few years even.
They are almost flat and appear to be dead, but swell up once wetted.
Wont be ripe for another month at least.

 

I'm ready to fail with this again as well if possible?

Albuca bracteata is about as exotic as it gets around here at the moment...........
Albuca bracteata by longk48, on Flickr

Albuca bracteata by longk48, on Flickr

 

Your name vill also go on ze list.
Vhat is your name?

Dont tell him Pike.

 

Bought this Orostachys and red Sedum from the local garden centre last week and it was only after Googling found that the Orostachys will probably die after flowering as it is Monocarpic,but hoping I can keep it going for a bit longer when we get home.It was the only one they had and I love the unusual shape of its flower spikes

 

@longk you take wonderful photos!

 

I am growing the chinese dunce cap variety of orostachys kandy......I was advised by the nursery to pot up rosettes every year. I will do this in spring, enjoy the flowers of the mother plant and look forward to the cycle being repeated.

 

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and gardening but if you have any seeds left over after allocating them to the more active members could I please get hold of some to try growing them please

 

Thank you

The plant isn't monocarpic, only the flowering rosettes. It spreads by stolons.
Keep it pretty much dry over the winter and it is surprisingly hardy.

Thank you !

The Brug cutting at home hated the summer but the one at work is now in bloom..............
Brugmansia by longk48, on Flickr

Brugmansia by longk48, on Flickr

 

My Brug hated the summer, but was picking up until I went away for a week.
Came back and it was bright yellow and bone dry.

Has now been hit by a force 9 gale and ripped to shreds.
I really like this gardening thing

 

-6°c in the garden has put paid to anything out there but a few things in the greenhouse are still blooming.
This small Aloe is a good doer and seems to prefer the cooler seasons.............
Unknown Aloe by longk48, on Flickr

Salvia coerulea is a winter blooming species............
Salvia coerulea by longk48, on Flickr

Echeveria cante is unaffected by the cold nights..........
Echeveria cante by longk48, on Flickr

And my current fave, Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'............
Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' by longk48, on Flickr

 

Lovely collection LongK, and such unusual plants. - wonderful. That Echeveria photographs really well.


This Hibiscus had been outside for a long time and I thought that the cold weather had killed off all the buds. But after bringing it inside, several buds have decided to open.


I am so pleased to see my Heliconia thriving. They are perhaps the most exotic of all my plants, and they like a lot of heat over the winter as well as high humidity. This is H. psittacorum. You can see how they get their name 'False Bird of Paradise'.


Another variety of H. psittacorum, also coming into flower.


Whislt there is not so much in flower now, the Anthuriums are really good value for money. They are in flower for nearly 12 months of the year. A little Calathea flower at the bottom.


This is real favourite of mine as its so unusual. Thunbergia coccinea, a very close relative to Thunbergia mysorensis that @longk kindly introduced me to. And whilst a number of botanic gardens grow mysorensis, I have never seen or heard of any growing coccinea.


And this is Blue Ginger - Dichorisandra thrysiflora. I think this is my first flower. The leaves make it look like a ginger, but in fact it is not; it's a member of the Spiderwort family.

 

As usual a real collection of unusual blooms @PeterS

I particully like the Heliconias.

 

Thanks!
The Echeveria has been a bit of a star this year.

I agree
I'm rather smitten with the Thunbergia.