Showing posts with label exotic seeds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exotic seeds. Show all posts

Sunday

Mediterranean Succulents

This stunning ground cover will grace my succulent patch in the spring. I am starting them from seed, so they will be ready for planting after the last frost (that is, if we get any)

Carpobrotus edulis is a perennial growing to 5 inches by 3 ft It is hardy to zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
 

The plant prefers light (sandy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in saline soils.
 
It cannot grow in the shade.It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

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Wednesday

Blushing Bride Flower!

I am ready to grow my first Serruria from seed. Fresh seeds arrived and off  I go mixing soil according to instructions. This time it's required to sterilize the soil. How can you sterilize soil - There is the microwave method or you can pour boiling water over it several times.

This gorgeous South African member of the Proteaceae family reputedly derived its common name of “blushing bride” around 100 years ago when young men wore the flowers in their button holes when out courting in South Africa, the natural habitat to this lovely flower. 

 

The rare Serruria florida is a highly desirable small shrub which grows a 4 ft high and wide. The foliage is feathery and hairy.

Because of this ability to trap any available moisture, Serrurias are very tolerant of dry soil conditions.

To grow Serruria successfully, their main requirements are freedom from all but light frosts,full sun and perfectly drained soil.

Blushing Bride flowers in Spring producing soft, papery white bracts or floral leaves, surrounding feathery tufts of white to pinkish flowers. The blooms are either a white/creamy color with a delicate blush of pink, or an all-over rose pink color. They are in high demand for floral work, especially wedding bouquets and normally command a high price.



Blushing Bride Seeds

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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 Thailand Parrot Flower

Stumbled upon during research:
Impatiens psittacina Hook.f.
The Thailand Parrot Flower
Dork Nok Khaew
Flower Bird Parrot


These delicate parrot flowers simply hang there. Whichever angle you look at them from you’d still see pink parrots. They’re a rare phenomenon.


A balsam, Impatiens psittacina is a very rare impatiens species first discovered in 1899 by British officer A.H. Hildebrand in Shan States of upper Burma and identified to the botanical world in 1901 by botanist E.D. Hooker.
This plant raises only in a small part of north Thailand (near Chiang Mai), Burma, and one territory of eastern India. The species can be found in several botanical reference books including Plants of India.
Hooker originally stumbled upon the plant in India and brought back the seed to the Royal Botanic Garden Kew in London. Those seeds did not reproduce after the first year.



The parrot flower is one of nature's most beautiful creations. A rare plant and a protected species. The Thai government has elected to ban the export of seeds or plants because they are extremely rare. Punishment is severe for those who break this law.

Note: I have been seeing some questionable sellers from China offering these seeds. I am not sure what type if seeds they are selling (probably carrots), but they are definitely not Parrot Flower seeds!! 
It angers me that fraud china sellers are duping people into buying rainbow roses, black rose and some other non existing junk. Don't get duped! Do your research!

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