Thunbergia Obelisk, How many ?

Hello............
I am planning to plant an 18" container fitted with a bamboo obelisk , with Thunbergia - black eyed susans. As I have no idea how these grow can anyone advise me how many plants would I need to fill the container similar to the photo above, and any other care points for this plant would be great....
TIA
Smiffy008

 

Hello Smiffy008 and welcome to GC.

I have both the orange and yellow Thunbergia alata(Black Eyed Susans), as well as the lesser known/grown Thunbergia laurifolia (Blue Trumpet Vine).

I grow mine three to a pot in a tripod fashion and it gives a nice, full display. As I am in a completely different climate, mine have to be sheltered from afternoon sun but I wouldn't think there would be such a problem in your location. However, they do need full sun to bloom continuously. Mine are also in their third year ... I cut them back to ground level and being mild they reshoot.

The one thing I note is they are very thirsty plants and wither quickly if neglected.

Perhaps someone from the UK will come along and advise you on care there but, in the meantime, I hope you enjoy the forum.

 

I would add smiffy that they like a warm spot.
Dont be in a hurry to plant out, I would think June outside in your area, and the plants need to be well hardened off.
Put some of that slow release fetilizer in with the compost (I use osmocote), it saves on a lot of feeding through the summer.
I think I would plant about six to eight plants in the pot you describe.
Interestingly some plants lack the black spot, but most should have it.

 

Lady of Leisure and Pete
thank you for the advice on the Thunbergia , I will make sure I don't plant them out to soon and keep them in a sunny spot and well fed . Lady of Leisure - it must be a nice problem ,to have " to much sun"!
I really enjoyed my holiday in Portugal during my golfing days.Must get back there with Mrs Smiffy soon...

thanks again for your tips

cheers
Smiffy008

 

I so love these plants but never been lucky enough to have them myself so eye catching in every way.

[ 06. April 2008, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: Scotkat ]

 

Hello Scotkat
I'll post a pic of them in July/August - don't know if they will look like the other photo though !
I am growing mine from seed , Thompson and Morgan 30 seeds in Yellow vanilla and white �£2.89 . They are ready for pricking out next week and I got 90% germination. So hope they will grow on my obelisk !

 

Looking forward ,what size is your obelisk.

 

The obelisk is a bamboo one , wigwam shaped ( or teepeee shaped to be precise !)and is about 1m tall in a 600mm planter. I grew sweetpeas in it last year , but I planted to many - hence this thread. It became top heavy and suffered if we had any wind. I am hoping to get the plant and quantitiy correct this year.