Anyone else trying something new (for them) this year?

[Jungle Jas]

I have just come back from Tenerife and am trying some new (to me) seeds I collected. Lepiodozamia peroffskyana, Chamaedorea microspadix, and Ficus aspera parcellii. Has any one here tried to grow the variegated fig?

[Chad]

Has any one here tried to grow the variegated fig?

'Parcellii' is a cultivar and seedlings will vary from not variegated to slightly variegated; unless you are really lucky.

It is reported to be hardy to -6C, but I think that must be for a ten minute freeze when it gets back to +20C the next day.

It sulks below about 15C, and mine died at a prolonged +5C.

I'd be much more exited by Lepidozamia peroffskyana. It will need winter protection, but what an impressive variation on Cycas revoluta.

Chad.

[Jungle Jas]

Thank you Chad for the information, yes the Cycad is really something to behold at least in the botanical garden in Tenerife, I believe Paul Spracklin has one planted outside but then he does live in London which I suspect is a little less exposed than here!

As for the variegated fig, thanks for the heads up on the variable variegation of the seedlings.

[charlie]

Ah, picking up seeds on holiday, so tempting, I keep hoping to grow out of the habit! As it can seriously damage space in greenhouses the next winter! Still every so often you end up with something worth having that you would never of thought of parting with cash for :)

Was the garden the small botanic in Puerto Cruz? I still have a few things hanging in from a 2013 holiday there my favourite being

Acokanthera oblongifolia 003 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Wonderful leathery leaves and so poisonous nothing touches it in the conservatory! but of the several palms only the Chamaerops have made it into the garden the others are still in pots going in and out with the seasons

[Jungle Jas]

Yes it was Charlie, but I also went to the new palm garden Santa Cruz. That was pretty good, but give it a couple of years and it will be stunning, well worth a visit, It was built on a cleared rubbish tip!

[charlie]

WE went there to, but on a Monday - Its closed on a Monday!!

[Jungle Jas]

WE went there to, but on a Monday - Its closed on a Monday!!

:roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[LONGK]

So to update my earlier post I went to the village plant sale this morning and came back with a few choice plants for very little money (ie a large potful of Crinum for £3.50 etc). But the plant that I am most pleased about is not "Pushing the Borders" as it is not hardy in any way, not in a month of Sundays. It is however a plant that I lusted after from the first time that I saw it at Oxfords Botanic Gardens and I immediately sought it out - easily found in California and South Africa but not here in the UK. Over time it got forgot about until today when I saw it on the table, thought to myself "no way", checked the label and rapidly parted with a whole pound!
So this year I am finally trying Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'................

Update on Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'. It's only one flower at the moment but I'm as pleased as punch to have my first bloom..............
Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' by longk48, on Flickr

Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' by longk48, on Flickr

In a week or two the wole plant could be spectacular.

[charlie]

The plectranthus here on Madeira are wonderful but I have never tried them, you may have tempted me!

[LONGK]

The plectranthus here on Madeira are wonderful but I have never tried them, you may have tempted me!

There's a cutting here with your name on it if you want to try it.