The latest dirt from my garden: June 2011

Monday

Portlandia Cubanola Domingensis - A Tree Lily !!!!

The spectacular Lily Tree, also known as Campanita Criolla, comes from the Dominican Republic and Cuba and is considered an extremely rare specimen plant, recommended for your green house, tropical sun room or outdoors zone 10+. It does not tolerate frost and does well in 1-5 gal containers.
Cubanola domingensis is an evergreen shrub, with shiny deep green leaves and approximate 10 inch long tubular, very fragrant, crème colored flowers with a slight green tint.
If planted outdoors, the plant needs lots of water during the summer months, and during winter, just enough water to keep the roots from drying out. This beauty needs well draining soil and does not tolerate "wet feet".

It took me over 2 years to track that rare baby down and managed to get my hands on seeds!!! This got to be one of the hardest of plant seeds I've ever hunted for.

Lets see if the sub-tropical climate will assist in germinating this new gem. X fingers.

Edit: Seeds germinated with a relatively high germination rate. They do however take a very long time, several months, so patience and keeping the environment free of mold is of the essence.
I soaked the seeds for a few days in warm water with a drop of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Then I placed the seeds in a coffee filter, folded it, sprayed it with a little water until moist and placed it in a zip lock bag on a seed warming mat so I could see whats going on. After a few months they started to sprout. When the seedlings were about 1/4 to 1/2" they were placed in lightweight seed starting mix in a warm location but without a heating mat so the babies wouldn't bake. So far so good! :)

Seed Source

Tuesday

Sturts Desert Pea Swainsona formosa

Another unusual, it never ends!!!

Clianthus formosus or Swainsona formosa Native Australian wildflower.

Incredibly beautiful plant with scarlet and black flowers reminiscent of exotic birds. Does best in dry conditions.

With dazzling crimson and black flowers having the ' appearance of a lobster claw, Clianthus will happily create a dense carpet of glaucous, ferny foliage from which these exciting flowers will appear. Easily grown, and surviving the poorest of soils and the sunniest of positions, just like in its homeland of Australia.

Seeds available here

Optimum Germination Temperature: 65-70F. Sowing Depth: ¼in. Sowing Time: April to May. Best sown where it is to flower, it prefers a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and very deeply dug, dry, sandy soil. Before sowing, soak the seed for 24 hours, then sow ¼in deep and protect from excess wet by placing a cloche or sheet of glass on 4 bricks over the area.
Sow in place, resents transplanting. Excellent specimens can be grown as conservatory plants. Half-hardy annual, 6-12" tall.

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The latest dirt from my garden

Monday

Portlandia Cubanola Domingensis - A Tree Lily !!!!

Tuesday

Sturts Desert Pea Swainsona formosa

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