January 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[maggiepie]

Cliff, thanks for the link.
I will be planting mine in the garden, watch this space.

[Sinchets]

Which fool introduced pampas grass to NZ!!?? 
The native ones are so much more interesting!

Sinchets, yes introduced plants by early settlers have always been a problem.
Like gorse, (Ulex europaeus) has been a serious weed in New Zealand for over 100 yr,
and continues to invade pastoral land, forest plantations, and vulnerable natural habitats.
Gorse was introduced to New Zealand as a hedge plant before 1838, and ribbons of
potential weeds were soon established across the landscape.
Gorse spread quickly, and by 1900 it was declared a weed by Act of Parliament.

Shame we can't turn back time. I did weed clearance in different parts of Victoria, Australia. Some amazing  plants- much of which had just jumped over the fence from people's gardens. Some plants which weren't quite so amazing and were a ****** to clear- like brambles, roses and gorse. I also worked on Rhododendron ponticum clearance in parts of Lancashire, UK. Again not much fun, but very necessary. This is why I am so passionate about plants being correctly labelled and understood.

[angie]

Cliff, enjoyed the link, any pictures of your plant from the show. Anyone know a nursery that sells myosotis capitata.

Angie

[Tecophilaea King]

OK, lets get back to a little warmer part of the world, down under, were we enjoy a nice spell of balmy, sunny weather for now.
The beautiful Gloriosa is a subtropical genus in the family Colchicaceae  from Africa and India.
Previously several species like G.virescens and G.rothschildiana were recognised in this genus, but these are now considered to belong to one extremely variable species Gloriosa superba.
They have tubers with long fingers. Gloriosas are summer-growers needing warm temperatures, but can be grown in greenhouses and dried off and kept warm in winter. They need support as they twine.
 Its gorgeous, colourful flowers in late summer make it exciting in the garden and in the vase. The flowers make long lasting corsages and come in shades and combinations of yellow, red and orange. This species can be grown in full sun, but partial shade is advisable in hot and dry districts. Drainage is very important to make sure they perform well for a good display.

[Tecophilaea King]

Just a few more of these magnificient pictures. Enjoy.

[angie]

Thanks for the lovely pictures of Gloriosa ,aren't they wonderful .Nice to hear that you are having lovely sunny weather at the moment just the thought of it has warmed me up.
Angie

[Lesley Cox]

Bill your Gloriosas are just, well, Glorious. Too cold here for them. I did used to grow Littonia modest though, with some success.

Angie if you can't find the Myosotis locally I should be able to send seed later on. I have a dozen or so young plants at present but they won't flower until next year I think.

Pleased Dave corrected your geography Cliff. Chatham Is is cold and windy and wet (not always) but otherwise much like the mainland whereas Campbell and its mates are definitely sub Antarctic and not fit for human habitation really. Early attempts to settle were soon abandoned.

[Lesley Cox]

The Myosotis capitata is definitely not iteself, a megaherb and grows to only a few centimetre in height (2-4?) and while I don't know about in nature, mine have never grown more than about 10cms across, so a 12" pan would be a mighty plant. But I have rarely kept one for a second flowering and never had to repot. Actually I don't have it in pots anyway but in a raised bed with small primulas, rhodos etc and it likes those conditions very well. Cliff's treatment could well make it a more perennial plant.

[ranunculus]

Hi Lesley,
My large pan of Myosotis capitata consisted of a number of individual plants positioned in such a way that offsets grew around each hub plant to fill the pan - it proved a very low growing form with abundant flower heads held low down on the strap-like foliage.  The deep almost purple blue flowers covered the pan and it was certainly a lovely exhibit.  I managed to pass on seedlings/offsets to various growers before losing my own plant due to unintended neglect.  Johnny D. was the recipient of one of the original progeny and he has kindly returned the favour by repatriating a couple of plants recently so that I can try it again.
By chance, does anyone happen to have a photo of the original plant that gained 'Firsts' when it was exhibited way back in 1997 at Newcastle Show, the Midland Show and at Southport AGS Show where it gained a Certificate of Merit?

[Lesley Cox]

Ah so - the old "Several Plants in the Pan" trick. I'd love to see a picture of the original.

[Michael J Campbell]

Ah so - the old "Several Plants in the Pan" trick

I always got disqualified for that.

[fermi de Sousa]

Bill,
your gloriosas in different colour forms are wonderful - I've only seen the "standard" one here! Do they come true from seed?
Strangely enough the only "allowed" species on ICON is listed as "G. lutea"!!

Lesley,
Myosotis capitata is allowed on ICON so I hope you can spare some seeds when you get some!
cheers
fermi

[Paul T]

Fermi,

I used to have the orange and yellow superba, as well as the "standard" rothschildiana.  The superba was actually a throwback from the roths, just appearing one year.  I think mine are all gone now, been diminishing over the last couple of years.  I think they just weren't getting enough water in that area.  I too was most impressed by all the colour forms I didn't know about!! 

[Ray]

Hi Bill,the Kew register is saying that G rothschildiana is not a form of G superba,
and that it is G rigidifolia? Hope I have understood it correctly. bye Ray

[angie]

Cliff, enjoyed the link, any pictures of your plant from the show. Anyone know a nursery that sells myosotis capitata.

Angie

I found Myosotidum hortensis in a catalogue is this a similar plant and as nice as the above and also is it hard to grow, thanks for any help.
Angie