First thread ,few pics hopefully

just a few of the plants i've lost over the years that was the first cordyline and had flowered for the first time in 2009

 

canna indica i think , taken from seed lying on the ground near the plant from apartments that we go to in benidorm . got ten seeds ,one germinated .

 

Thanks for the comment .you should get a flower or two .Still plenty of time . Where i am what seems to happen is everytime one my canna's flower or the banana opens a new leaf we always seem to get strong winds and it takes the petals off or shreds the leaves . The banana was fine when it was smaller due to the fence protecting it a good bit ,but now that its taller than the fence the wind has a ball . still prefer the taller plant though

 

Thank you for your wonderful pictures of even more wonderful plants. I guess you are based somewhere in the South of England?

 

@Black Orchid ,I think John said he was from Glasgow.

 

Glasgow

 

Wow! Tropical plants in Glasgow! It is amazing! I am trying to grow tropical plants in Manchester but I am less successful. I adore tropical plants.

 

Hi black orchid. With all that rain and with the temps above what we get here in Glasgow you should be fine for most things .Its how you store them away for the winter and when you bring them out of dormancy. Sometimes you wonder why you bother when you lose a few plants then you just get some more and start again

 

Hi John,
I just didn't realise that you store your tropical plants somewhere in cold time as I don't store mine. I just cover some plants with fleece.
By the way you were right about my Canna with dark leaves like yours. Just noticed a stem with buds.

 

Banana? Lovely.

I'd love to have a banana in the garden.

You're in Glasgow? Maybe there is hope for me to have a banana then!

 

Hi peaceful ,wherever you are i would still protect it even down south tho further south the longer the growing season and the less protection . I got interested after seeing will giles garden on the tv and bought a few of his books . Its worth the work ,for me anyway . Try it in a container give it a few years then plant it . You never know

 

I'm certainly tempted to give it a go.

We're at quite a high elevation in the South Wales Valleys. I've got a lovely palm thriving in the front garden but I'm pretty sure that's hardy down to -14°C.

I think I've heard that some Chinese or Himalayan bananas are very hardy, in the right circumstances.

 

Musa basjoo is supposedly the hardiest banana but rots at around zero degrees but will re grow from the roots but with some protection will grow from the stalks because it will become multi stemmed through time. I cover mine with straw . Then pallets then tarpauline . When its time to cover it up i have to pick the right time because it can take a good part of the day to get it all done .from cuting the leaves off .leaving just the stalks to getting it covered in straw . The taller it gets the harder it gets to cover .(obviously) with the tarpaulin. I have mine covered with a pallet then wooden collars which are hinged at the corners and are approx 6 inches high .last winter i gad 5 of these sitting on top of a 4 foot square pallet . It works for me and i love sitting on my deck and looking at my banana plant on the odd decent sunny day that we get here in Glasgow . Try it even in a pot . Once you do you'll want to grow it on .

 

hope you're posting the pics next week . tho after seeing the weather for the whole of England you'll be lucky if you have any plants left never mind flowers . We had it yesterday but Glasgow wasn't as windy as further west . Had to pick up a few plant pots but that was all .