Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on July 01, 2010, 09:52:13 AM
-
This is cheating a bit as I actually took these pics last week :o
If they look like they're a bit tropical for this time of year in Victoria, it's because we were in Queensland!
Firstly a magnificient Tibouchina,
[attachthumb=1]
A very healthy Cestrum
[attachthumb=2]
And the stunning Thunbergia mysorensis (I presume) growing in the Mt Tambourine BGs
[attachthumb=3]
[attachthumb=4]
[attachthumb=5]
cheers
fermi
-
If they look like they're a bit tropical for this time of year in Victoria, it's because we were in Queensland!
;D ;D I like it!
-
Gorgeous flowers Fermi !!
The Thunbergia really is a stunner !
-
It's probably obvious from Fermi's pics that the Thunbergia is falling from the ceiling, not growing from the ground, if you see what I mean. Of course the plant is in the ground but it forms a wonderful canopy over a roof or wooden framework (in my north-of-Auckland friend's garden), with these amazing dangling streamers of flowers, falling almost to ground level. As I sat outside on the patio eating my breakfast cereal and strawberries, I had to brush the Thunbergia stems out of my plate. ;D
-
Very excited this morning - actually discovered by torchlight last night, but photographed this morning - my first flowering of a Juno from seed! I know that others will very quickly advise that this is the easiest Juno to flower but nonetheless it's the first one I've ever flowered from seed! ;D
Iris planifolia sown 20-04-2008; first seedling 25-06-2008!
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
I'll post more "tropical" pics later!
cheers
fermi
-
Well protected against slugs and snails I see... ;) ;D
-
Very excited this morning - actually discovered by torchlight last night, but photographed this morning - my first flowering of a Juno from seed! I know that others will very quickly advise that this is the easiest Juno to flower but nonetheless it's the first one I've ever flowered from seed! ;D
Certainly not easy in "our" climate, probably suits yours better, Fermi! In the wild it flowers in January/February, but here our weather is not good at that time of the year, it has to be grown under glass, and it flowers too early. It's also very prone to virus. Two years from seed is pretty impressive!
-
Well done Fermi.
-
Now I bet you have the seed growing bug with Junos.
It has been so cold in the morning with frost and by the time I get home it is nearly dark so I have not been able to check the flowering on my main clump. But I seem to have three shades of this iris now. Light, medium (like your photo) and darker blue. Did I send you some seed Fermi?
-
Well done Fermi, I've found planifolia far from easy from seed and the easiest for me is the white magnifica. You have a lovely form too, both in colour and shortness. Mine tends to be very leafy with almost never a flower. The white magnifica I've found to have that same characteristic as Frit. acmopetala. For every 5 "other" species I grow from seed, 4 turn out to be the white magnifica, which is beautiful but I don't need it again and yet again under other names.
-
Very excited this morning - actually discovered by torchlight last night, but photographed this morning - my first flowering of a Juno from seed! I know that others will very quickly advise that this is the easiest Juno to flower but nonetheless it's the first one I've ever flowered from seed! ;D
Nothing easy or common about your Juno planifolia Fermi, they're always special, well done.
Our Junos are not even budding up, but I.riticulata's won't be long flowering.
-
It's a different story with the miniature daffies, they're budding up just fine, with the first of the species Narcissi cyclamineus flowering, followed closely by some N.cyclamineus seedlings showing their flowers for the first time.
Looking forward to more mini's flowering soon.
-
Well, we have finally had some sunny and non-rainy days! I have been itching to get out in the garden but the ground is still so wet.
The first of the Crocus pushing through.
I don't know what I would do without the winter colour from the Oxalis
-
Hi Folks, I was wondering ( almost desparate) if someone on this forum could help me aquiring/locating some Crinum species seed, and as always, I am more than happy to return the favour with seed from our extensive collection of bulbs.
For more info look under SEED WANTED or SEED EXCHANGE forum.
Thanks, Bill
PS: does any forum member in New Zealnd grow Crinum species/varieties?
-
I don't know what I would do without the winter colour from the Oxalis
Be sure and have a look at this thread from a new Member in Taiwan...
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5707.0
-
Alas, no Crinums here Bill.
Ross, your white bulbocodium type is very nice. Is it cantabricus? Just a few odd flowers here, the first N. rom. 'Atlas Gold' and a couple of others but not enough for pics yet.
-
I have it as N. bulbicodium monophyllus
Alas, no Crinums here Bill.
Ross, your white bulbocodium type is very nice. Is it cantabricus? Just a few odd flowers here, the first N. rom. 'Atlas Gold' and a couple of others but not enough for pics yet.
-
Now I bet you have the seed growing bug with Junos.
..... I seem to have three shades of this iris now. Light, medium (like your photo) and darker blue. Did I send you some seed Fermi?
Hi Pat,
yes the bug has certainly bitten! ;D
You sent me some seed this year but no indication if it was from any particular shade or a mix of all three! I just sowed the iris seed yesterday! Otto has re-emphasised Diane's comments about its susceptibility to virus and it's probably one that should be continually grown from seed, so I'm very grateful for this new supply from you, Pat.
Bill,
you are well ahead of me for the mini-daffs, only "hoops" and one small jonquilla type so far.
cheers
fermi
-
Fermi you should get mid and dark blues from the seed.
Nary a seed will be seen this year from the clump due to the weather.
-
Fermi you should get mid and dark blues from the seed.
Nary a seed will be seen this year from the clump due to the weather.
Pat, if you ever have a few seeds of this beautiful Juno planifolia to spare for exchange, I would love to try this species.
Thanks.
-
It was a mite frosty here this morning but I managed to get a few pics without freezing my kneecaps off!
This is to prove that snowdrops can be grown in full sun in the rock garden:
Galanthus elwesii
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
And for the leuco-jocks, here's a nice clump of Acis tingitana
[attachthumb=3]
[attachthumb=4]
Some rather frosted "hoops" in the rock garden,
Narcissus romieuxii, I presume!
[attachthumb=5]
[attachthumb=6]
[attachthumb=7]
cheers
fermi
-
Bill can you please send me a private email with your postal address
-
Fermi,
Your kneecaps might not have frozen, but that poor little romieuxii in the last pic is decidedly chilly, isn't it? ;) Lots of -4 to -5oC mornings in the last couple of weeks here too.
Great pics everyone.
-
Bill can you please send me a private email with your postal address
What a pleasant surprise, thanks Pat, pm with postal address is on its way.
-
I was wondering if someone might be able to identify this plant for me on behalve of a good friend.
Thanks.
-
Bill,
I can't tell from the picture as not clear enough, but it is Orchidaceae or not? If so, it reminds me of Spiranthes, but the flowers don't spiral around the stem? I think it is also ringing some bells for one of the Ixia species?
-
Bill,
I can't tell from the picture as not clear enough, but it is Orchidaceae or not? If so, it reminds me of Spiranthes, but the flowers don't spiral around the stem? I think it is also ringing some bells for one of the Ixia species?
Don't give up Paul, keep searching ;D ;D
-
I was wondering if someone might be able to identify this plant for me on behalf of a good friend.
Thanks.
HI Bill,
to me it appears to look like one of the South African irids - perhaps something in the Watsonia tribe.
Can you get a close-up of an individual floret?
cheers
fermi
-
to me it appears to look like one of the South African irids - perhaps something in the Watsonia tribe.
Can you get a close-up of an individual floret? cheers fermi
Unfortunetly not, the lady send me this picture for ID, might ask her for another clearer pic next time.
Thanks anyway.
-
Bill
It has the look of a South African Micranthus sps ---maybe junceus .
Cheers dave.
-
Bill, It has the look of a South African Micranthus sps ---maybe junceus .
Cheers dave.
Thanks Dave you're spot on, I googled it on the internet and came up with identical flowers of Micranthus junceus.
Another mystery solved, what would we do without our knowledgeable members and the internet.
-
Very nice. I love the floral arrangement.
-
Nearly had myself tied in a knot there, mixing Micranthus with Microtis, our little native green orchid. Also mixing Micranthus with Miscanthus. It is the beginning of the week after all. ???
-
What's this peeking out from the dead iris foliage?
[attachthumb=1]
Here's another a bit clearer coming up in the gravel.
[attachthumb=2]
Sternbergia candida! Originally grown from seed by Otto Fauser a most generous friend!
Galanthus "Lady Beatrix Stanley"
[attachthumb=3]
[attachthumb=4]
And Galanthus "Comet" again,
[attachthumb=5]
cheers
fermi
-
There's hope for my Sternbergia yet then. Still in bud I thought it was looking decidedly like a snowdrop. Still a few days to go.
-
Wow that is a nice Sternbergia Fermi.
-
Sternbergia candida! Originally grown from seed by Otto Fauser a most generous friend!
That's a very nice Sternbergia candida Fermi, that's one species I haven't got, and would love to grow.
If anyone on the forum (from a New Zealand grower) have one to spare I would gladly pay or exchange for any other bulbs.
-
Despite the frost, some of the early bulbs are on the move again, including some of the early miniatures.
This time I have a couple of the Androcymbium ciliolatum and Androcymbium pulchrum in flower, always welcome for something different.
-
I also have a tiny, dainty miniature seedling flowering for the first time, I am very impressed with this seedling.
This is a Gypsy Queen X N.cyclamineus cross, the flower is barely an inch across, and hopefully fertile, a little treasure.
-
Bill your Androcymbium ciliolatum is really lovely...another plant I have never seen before, like you say something different.
Angie :)
-
Fermi,
I love the white Sternbergia.... tried it once and rotted it unfortunately. ::) Nice to see it from afar there though, knowing I can't kill it via the computer. ;D ;D
Bill,
I love the Androcymbiums..... I am watching a pot (the only pot I have) of them that I think might have a bud in it..... can't recall the species, although the pulchrum sounds kind of familiar. I'm looking forward to finally flowering it, as I have had it quite a few years from seed now and never got big enough to flower it until (hopefully) now. Neglect hasn't sat kindly with it it would appear. ;D Congrats on the Daff seedling, it looks to be a beauty.
Thanks for the pics.
-
Despite the frost, some of the early bulbs are on the move again, including some of the early miniatures.
This time I have a couple of the Androcymbium ciliolatum and Androcymbium pulchrum in flower, always welcome for something different.
these are great! the word 'miniature' always catches my eye ;D
-
A delightful little Narcissus seedling Bill. Get your propagating boots on. :D N. cyclamineus is such a fine parent. This seedling is especially good because it increases very quickly, each flowering bulb splitting to 5 or 6 flowering bulbs each year.
-
Wow, Lesley. That's a cracker. One of your own hybrids, or brought in from elsewhere? Very, very nice. 8)
-
It was one of a batch of seedlings from 'Gambus.' Most were just about identical to 'Gambus' so I assume were self-pollinated (this was "accidental" seed, I didn't pollinate or intend it). A few obviously had some cyclamineus in them (from some growing nearby) but this one was especially strong. The plant in flower is about 8 or 9cms high (a little more as it finishes and seeds, yes, it's fertile) and this pic is of ONE bulb, in its second year from being taken off the parent bulb, a full dozen flowers!
-
A delightful little Narcissus seedling Bill. Get your propagating boots on. :D N. cyclamineus is such a fine parent. This seedling is especially good because it increases very quickly, each flowering bulb splitting to 5 or 6 flowering bulbs each year.
You're not doing to bad with this N.Gambas X N.cyclamineus seedling either Lesley, well proportioned, vigorous, fertile, good for breeding, very nice, I like it.
-
This looks very much like Galanthus Lady Beatrix Stanley--but it has the extra two spots? It has flowered in my small box of seedlings that I brought with me when I left Tasmania a couple years ago.I'm not claiming it as my seedling, so I guess I must have plonked one bulb into the box.
-
It was one of a batch of seedlings from 'Gambus.' Most were just about identical to 'Gambus' so I assume were self-pollinated (this was "accidental" seed, I didn't pollinate or intend it). A few obviously had some cyclamineus in them (from some growing nearby) but this one was especially strong. The plant in flower is about 8 or 9cms high (a little more as it finishes and seeds, yes, it's fertile) and this pic is of ONE bulb, in its second year from being taken off the parent bulb, a full dozen flowers!
That is one cute and vigorous little narcissus, Lesley!
-
Even more nice, Lesley.
Paul,
I rather like the additional marks. As you say, it looks otherwise like LBS, but those marks definitely shouldn't be there. It would be interesting to see whether it flowers that way every year. Either way, it's a keeper, that is for sure. 8)
-
That's very nice Paul. As PT says it will be interesting to see if the spots are permanent. Perhaps it's a one year climatic thing. But well worth propagating if it retains the upper marks.
-
Lesley,I like your Narcissus 'Gambus' x t's a little beauty.
-
Lesley,I like your Narcissus 'Gambus' x t's a little beauty.
Well that's a seedling from it David. Here's 'Gambus' itself. (I notice Bill is spelling it 'Gambas.' Maybe that's correct.)
-
So -
[attachthumb=1]
plus
[attachthumb=2]
equals
[attachthumb=3]
Here is another seedling from 'Gambus' a different batch.
[attachthumb=4]
-
Lesley,
I can imagine you just LOVE that last one (not). I don't mind the extra petals etc... is it actually stable that way?
-
Well funnily enough I did quite like it. There were 9 petals as I recall (last Sept). Stable? I don't know. It was a first flowering. We'll see what happens this year. Not so long now! ;D
-
Lovely Narcissus Lesley !!
I like most of these cyclamineus hybrids - but yours seems to full of excellent properties ! 8)
-
Interesting Lesley, I would have expected you not to like it judging from previous comments on other oddities in the Narcissus. I'm glad for it's sake that you like it. ;)
-
Well that's a seedling from it David. Here's 'Gambus' itself. (I notice Bill is spelling it 'Gambas.' Maybe that's correct.)
Yes it's definitely Narcissus Gambas Lesley, from Alec Gray (div.1y-y), according to the Daffodil Register and Classified List.
Whatever the spelling they are beautiful.
-
Yes, quite a few more of the little trumpet miniatures starting to pop up, with more flowers opening of that Gipsy Queen X Narcissus cyclamineus cross and the second picture is of a seedling N.cyclmineus but twice the size of the species.
-
I love em all, Bill. 8)
-
Two more pictures of a Narc.Little Gem X Narc.cyclamineus cross and another N.cyclamineus seedling with a nicely shaped trumpet and beautifully frilled corona rim.
-
Something different flowering at the moment is a Clivia interspecific hybrid and an early flowering dwarf bearded Iris with no name but still welcome.
-
Just caught up with this thread. Bill and Lesley, Your daffodils are great! What a cracker, Lesley, and so vigorous. Bill, your Gipsy Queen hybrid is particularly nice.
-
That should have read N.Gipsy Queen X N.cyclamineus in reply # 58 instead of Gambas X cyclamineus, modified mistake. Sorry senior moment ;D ;D
-
As a rule I'm not very successful with growing Galanthus here up north, but these Galanthus plicatus and Galanthus elwesii species have flowered well this time.
-
Lovely to see bulbs flowering here and looking so fresh, thanks everyone.
Lesley, it's great to see your photos of your Narcissus cross in post 52 and the result which is gorgeous!
Do hope my little Narcissus Angels Whisper flowers this Sept :)
-
Bill,
In case you are interested.... your Galanthus plicatus aren't correct.... the base of the leaves aren't plicate, in fact there look to be more plicatus blood in your elwesii pic than in the plicatus pic. Both very nice by the look of it.
-
Bill,
In case you are interested.... your Galanthus plicatus aren't correct.... the base of the leaves aren't plicate, in fact there look to be more plicatus blood in your elwesii pic than in the plicatus pic. Both very nice by the look of it.
You could very well be right Paul, I am no authority on Galanthus species or cultivars , these were given to me by other kind people.
So what species are they in your opinion? I will have to go by your more superior knowledge and expertise.
Anyone else have a different verdict? Look forward to more point of views. Thanks
-
Interesting Lesley, I would have expected you not to like it judging from previous comments on other oddities in the Narcissus. I'm glad for it's sake that you like it. ;)
But then, I'm an oddity too Paul. ;D
-
I think the Galanthus that are in New Zealand are quite badly mixed, regarding their names. It was years before I found the true and ordinary G. nivalis. My mother for many years ordered it from a prominent North Island bulb supplier (R. E. Harrison, no longer in existence) yet every time it was G. plicatus. Many people throughout the country must be growing or have grown G. plicatus in the belief it is G. nivalis.
I was very surprised today to find the first flower out on Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin.' Also surprised - and not at all pleased - to see that a blasted bunny has eaten just about all the leaves on the fine-leaved forms of Narcissus; romieuxii, bulbocodium forms, 'Nylon' etc, and shorn off the whole top growth of a very nicely growing Cheiranthus mutabilis 'Variegata.' He left the larger, flat leaf kinds and so far hasn't touched either N. b. citrinus or 'Angel's Whisper' which, I have to say, is proving to be very vigorous.
-
Bill,
I think the plicatus looks pretty much pure elwesii by the leaf arrangement, but the one you have labeled as elwesii definitely has some plicatus blood in it by the looks of it, as the base of some of the leaves are foled back on themselves, something which pure elwesii to my understanding shouldn't have. Other than that, I really can't tell you. The monostictus types of elwesii are difficult to tell apart unless particularly different, so names aren't easy at all unless you are trying to work from a list and work out which is which (if you know what I mean).
-
Bill, I think the plicatus looks pretty much pure elwesii by the leaf arrangement, but the one you have labeled as elwesii definitely has some plicatus blood in it by the looks of it, as the base of some of the leaves are foled back on themselves, something which pure elwesii to my understanding shouldn't have. Other than that, I really can't tell you. The monostictus types of elwesii are difficult to tell apart unless particularly different, so names aren't easy at all unless you are trying to work from a list and work out which is which (if you know what I mean).
OK, here we go again hopefully with the correct botanical species names, accoding to our roving Galanthus expert, Paul T. ;D ;D
Galanthus elwesii and Galanthus plicatus. We're never to old to learn, this is the place to get plants exposed and corrected.
-
Bill,
I'm not sure I'd call them straight plicatus..... I'd be calling them a plicatus hybrid. I don't think it is regular enough to be a full plicatus, although they may be more variable than I am aware.
-
Yes, its that special time of the season again, and no doubt one of the highlights, when it comes to the growing and showing of these exquisite Tecophilaea species, one of my very special favourite genera.
Tecophilaea cyanocrocus aka the Chilean Crocus is unique in the bulb world for the sheer depth and intensity of its fabulous deep vivid gentian blue flowers, and
its supreme beauty makes it a must in every connoisseur's collection.
This is usually the first of this species to flower with many more to come, closely followed by T. leichtlinii and T.violacea, always a delight to see these treasures in flower.
For a bit of a chance and showing off this picture, I have been fooling around with a frame from PhotoShop, and makes a nice sreensaver in the process.
-
Very pretty Bill! :)
-
Very pretty Bill! :)
Honestly Gail, Bill isn't really pretty at all. ;D ;D His Tecophilaea is OK though. :)
Sorry to be difficult, but I'm not sure about the G. elwesii either because doesn't it always have the doublle green mark, extending up the corolla? Wish some of the Galanthus people, like Martin or Mark, were having a quick look here.
-
As a rule I'm not very successful with growing Galanthus here up north, but these Galanthus plicatus and Galanthus elwesii species have flowered well this time.
They're both elwesii monostictus (i.e. single-marked elwesii). These kinds of very broad-leaved elwesii do tend to have the bases of the leaves rolled back a bit, as Paul notes, but they're not actualkly plicate (folded back as opposed to just rolled back). Both very nice clones. 8)
-
No panic Lesley and Maggi and Martin got in quicker than me. I've been out catching bats ^..^
-
Bill do you have Carbendazim or similar fungicide? I see what could be stagonora fungus on one of your plants
-
Many thanks to both gents. :)
-
Bill can you please send me a private email with your postal address
Pat, I am pleased to tell you that your Iris planifolia seed arrived safely and without any problems, I owe you one.
Thanks once again, will reciprocate sometimes in the near future.
Bill
-
Bill do you have Carbendazim or similar fungicide? I see what could be stagonora fungus on one of your plants
You're very observant Mark, no I haven't got Carbendazim, but will get cracking with another fungicide when the rain stops.
Thanks you and Martin for clarifying some of the problems with the Galanthus species, they will always be a botanical mystery for me.
-
Very pretty Bill! :)
Honestly Gail, Bill isn't really pretty at all. ;D ;D His Tecophilaea is OK though. :)
Thank you Gail for your kind remarks, don't take any notice of Lesley, she's lying, she has a bad habit of exaggerating things ;D ;D
-
No garden or collection is complete without a few colourful winter growing Lachenalia species.
The first one is Lachenalia aloides var.tricolor which of course means three different colours
The same goes for Lachenalia aloides var.quadricolor with four colours, the last picture is Lachenalia aloides "Pearsonii", a widely grown selection with bright scarlet-orange flowers edged with red.
It was raised in New Zealand and has long been considered to be a hybrid but is now thought to be a form of Lach.aloides.
-
Bill do you have Carbendazim or similar fungicide? I see what could be stagonora fungus on one of your plants
Yes, I can also see some red/brown tips on some of the leaves now Mark mentions it. In addition to fungicide treatment, it would be best to remove any with red/brown-tipped leaves and isolate them from the rest to help prevent cross-infection. You should be able to gently prise and wiggle them out of the compost without disturbing the others too much since they're quite widely spaced.
-
Here are two Australian raised galanthus bred by Norman Collins.I received them last year as ''Wandin'' and ''July'' and I guess they are seedlings of elwesii var monostictus.
-
Is that the same man that did a lot of work with Pleiones? I have a small ps/bulb of a forrestii hyb called 'Otto Fauser.' :D
-
Lesley,
Yep, the same man. I didn't know there was a Pleione 'Otto Fauser'.... I have a Galanthus 'Otto Fauser' though. 8)
-
I didn't know there was a Pleione 'Otto Fauser'.... I have a Galanthus 'Otto Fauser' though. 8)
We just have the original ;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
-
Fermi,
I think that Otto has himself, or are you claiming ownership? ;)
-
A few pics taken this morning before work.
Narcissus "Mondieu" a Glenbrook Bulb Farm introduction,
[attachthumb=1]
But "Atlas Gold" is only just waking up!
[attachthumb=3]
Massonia depressa is finally in flower, but sadly the "red" one is no longer with us :'(
[attachthumb=2]
A patch of colour attracted my eye and I discovered a second flower open on the Iris planifolia seedling! I hadn't expected that.
[attachthumb=4]
cheers
fermi
-
I was going to say "Pleione and Galanthus both called 'Otto Fauser.' What a co-incidence. Did you know there is also a MAN called by that name? ";D
Mygod, 'Mondieu' is very good. My 'Atlas Gold' is somewhat ahead of yours Fermi. Must get the camera going again now that there are a few crocuses. C. chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze out today, or would be if there were any sun to open it.
-
Good to see "Mondieu" flowing at your place Fermi.Are you doing any hybridising with it?
"Mondieu" is indeed a fine cultivar.It is N.romieuxii X N. romieuxii sdl.It is a huge 55mm petunioid bloom on a 15cm stem.
-
Fermi,
I think that Otto has himself, or are you claiming ownership? ;)
I'm looking forward to claiming an Otto cuddle in 2011 at the Alpines 2011 conference......... 8)
-
Otto if you are lurking in the background I hope you have a great trip and send our hugs to all.
Like Fermi I noticed some blue on our drive. It was a lovely crisp blue Iris unguicularis flower - will have to check its name in the morning.
-
Great show Fermi !!! :o
-
Lovely stuff Fermi. Narcissus 'Mondieu' is a cracker.
-
Garden today.
-
A few pics taken this morning before work.
Narcissus "Mondieu" a Glenbrook Bulb Farm introduction
Fermi, I just love this Narcissus especially as it is opening out its crinkles :D
-
Garden today.
If that's just today's, what will be in tomorrow's, Doug? :D
The butterfly is spectacular and the hellebore colour
-
Doug, Is the butterfly a monarch (Danaus plexippus) and introduced into NZ? Do you know what are the feeding plants of its caterpillar?
Gerd
-
Fermi,
I think that Otto has himself, or are you claiming ownership? ;)
I'm looking forward to claiming an Otto cuddle in 2011 at the Alpines 2011 conference......... 8)
He's very good at those Maggi. I'll get some in September. I've booked my flights. :D
-
The butterflies will feed on anything with nectar but the larvae prefer or require the so-called Swan plant, Asclepias fruticosa (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) or perhaps one or two others in that genus. Every year the plants, with 1-3 caterpillars are available to buy from garden centres but the single plant is never enough as they're voracious feeders so it's a good idea to raise a batch of seedlings and grow them on for feeding purposes. We even have a monarch butterfly trust, that sells the seeds for $5 a packet so that people can encourage the butterflies into their gardens. They are the lovliest things and huge compared with our regular butterflies like red or yellow admirals.
If the swan plant is eaten to death, the larvae can be kept alive for a few days on fresh cut pumpkin flesh until more plants can be found but (in my experience) they don't pupate on pumkin and if the right food is not supplied soon, they will die.
-
Wow, time goes fast. just going through the NZAGS seedlist and it doesn't seem that long ago I did that
-
In case Doug's still in bed on a Sunday morning, I'll answer for him. :)
Yes, the butterfly is a Monarch. The adults feed on anything with nectar but the larvae require or prefer the so-called swan plant, Asclepias fruticosa (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) or perhaps a couple of other species in that genus. Every year local garden centres offer the plants with a couple of caterpillars in residence but the plant is never enough as they are voracious feeders so it's a good idea to have some more plants available. We even have a Monarch Butterfly Trust which supplies seeds (about 50) for $5 a packet so people can encourage the butterflies into their gardens. They're very big, about 10cms wing tip to wing tip.
If the swan plant is eaten to death, the larvae can be kept going for a few days on fresh pumpkin flesh until a new plant is supplied but in my experience the larvae don't pupate on pumpkin and if the right food isn't found very soon, they will die.
-
I'm a bit late, but David you took the very words from my mouth. Mondieu is indeed a cracking flower. I bet it would make a good parent too... ::)
-
Lesley, found your reply only now. Thanks for the informations!
Gerd
-
I'm a bit late, but David you took the very words from my mouth. Mondieu is indeed a cracking flower. I bet it would make a good parent too... ::)
Okay, okay, I've crossed it with a few of the other early daffs to see what eventuates!
Here's a better pic of Narcissus "Atlas Gold"
[attachthumb=1]
I've also posted this one to the South African Thread, but as it's its first flowering it deserves a second posting: Lapeirousia montana grown from seed form Gordon Summerfield, RSA, in 2008.
[attachthumb=2]
They are only tiny with the flowers just peeking out of the gravel! But there are two forms in flower, one unmarked and one with light purple marks and anthers.
cheers
fermi
-
On one of my morning keep fit walks in the Te Puna Quarry park, only 5 minutes from here, I came accross a few intresting plants in flower at the moment.
The first one is the brightly coloured Aloe ferox in the Succulent and Cactus garden, the second picture a beautiful flowering "Brugmansia "Angels Trumpet" and last a nicely flowering Fuchsia, which I don't know the name of.
-
Also in the Te Puna quarry garden, while enjoying a nice spell of fine weather, the Orchid cymbidiums starting to put on another beautiful display.
-
Here are another couple of smooth large Narcissi seedlings that I selected from N.mesatlanticus.
Not as good as your exquisite Mondieu Firmi, but I am still trying and hope to have something simular in the near future.
-
Just a few more Orchid cymbidiums flowering in the Te Puna Quarry Park.
-
Wow, just made my lunch break more interesting 8) Love the Aloe ferox... what a statement. I could even imagine myself going for a walk in that gorgeous surroundings, what a delight. Thanks for showing.
Angie :)
-
A pleasure to join you on your walk, Bill.
I think the Fuchsia may be 'Thalia'
-
My morning walk isn't as colourful as yours Bill. I wish is was :D
The Aloe ferox is amazing and all those cymbidiums. Great pictures.
Graham
-
Just a few more Orchid cymbidiums flowering in the Te Puna Quarry Park.
What a superb Quarry Park, Bill, how did it come about? Those orchid cymbidiums you photographed are all in peak condition and gorgeous colours with each looking so happy arching down the slope, quite a stupendous sight, thanks for sharing them :)
-
Robin, have a look at this thread:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4576.0 .... it's a most interesting place
...here's another link....
http://www.quarrypark.org.nz/
-
With more fine weather in the North Island, the popular miniature daffodils are also on the move, with many species/varieties demanding attention.
Narcissus "Snipe" and Narc. "Golden Snipe" don't need any introduction, these little beauties are always welcome.
-
In one of the low lying wetland areas in the Te Puna Quarry Park you find a large accumulation/collection of the aquatic loving Zantedeschia aethiopica "Green Goddess", ideally suited for this location
-
Believe it or not, they even have a local Jazz band playing in the Park, to keep everyone happy and join the native animals in a dance and sing along. ;D ;D
-
Believe it or not, they even have a local music band playing in the Park, to keep everyone happy and join the native animals in a dance and sing along.
Nice idea, but the band sounds a little tinny to my ears..... :P ;D