Tropical Gardening

Emerging ...Now above fronds ...

Don't expect too much of the flower, they are grown for their foliage.

Thanks for the tip, Caroline

Oh and Candy Floss ...... and Pacific Beauty bloomed over the weekend ...

And the scent is lovely. When I repotted it last, I accidentally broke off some roots and so stuck them in compost. They sprouted and grew, but I couldn't give them enough heat over winter.

I bought three, different colours and sizes. They are a good shape, being fluted, so that you can use an inner plastic pot. I do use terracotta pots too and plant directly in them, but in this damp climate they soon go green on the outside.

Off topic, but the more specialised (aka precious) my choices have been - especially bonsai and acers - the worst they have fared. For years now, my preferences have been Mediterranean and prairie plants, which have done very well (in Berkshire). If I had to choose a favourite, it is red...

I have given up with Plumerias now, lack of sunlight, tricky overwintering and RSM.

I've got a twig with some minute green bits on the end.

I think they flower next year - mine flowered after the drying off it got over winter. I suspect if your keikei has flowered, and has lots of roots, it's worth separating and planting up.

If you look at the one in Victoria's picture it has a stem which divides into three stems. Its just a bigger chunkier plant probably due to a free root run and stronger light all year round.

My Pachira just keeps growing and growing and has quite a trunk now ...

Hi @Paceman - I have two large Phormiums (half the height of yours but still big) and I’ve just done my first neat-up of the year on them. I agree with @Plantminded in the method. I find scissors the best tool for cutting leaves as they are super tough. I take out brown stuff and cut off any...

Spotted yesterday, at Tremenheere Sculpture Garden, Cornwall. These are the only images I could get, as access to that spot was just impossible. any ideas, guys? TIA Fof

Those pots do look good @Cjxblade but the tapering will restrict the root growth if you intend to keep them in pots long term. A pot with a wider base will also provide more stability as the plants get taller. If you have a suitable location in the ground, as @pete says, they will be much...

Thought this may be of interest ... I found pictures from when I bought it in 2008 ...... 2009 ... ... 2010 ... ... 2012 ...

@ricky101 Yes they do give a good display. Some are from the same stem while others send up new stems and flower from those. We have one pure white one, variety unknown as we bought it from a florist who just wanted the flower spikes for s wedding. This has been in flower now for over 4 years...

Lovely. I bought a black velvet recently

No

It looks very dehydrated. You need to put the whole plant into a bucket of rain water and then allow all the water to drain through. Do not cut off the roots outside. Then put the plant on a saucer of gravel and mist it to allow the humidity to increase.