Exotic Plants And Flowers

According to legend, the Passion Flower (Passiflora spp.) was named by early Roman Catholic missionaries in South America because the flowers bore a fancied representation of the Passion of Christ. Roman Catholic priests of the late 1500’s believed that several parts of the plant symbolized features of the Passion, the suffering and death of Jesus. …

What a grand suprise I had tonight when I opened my greenhouse door – the very first bloom on the Zantedeschia aethiopia Green Goddess I grew from seed was waiting for me! I was so excited I had my daughter Sarah stop decorating the Christmas Tree to come and see the bloom! Angel, my yellow …

These beautiful fragrant plants botanically known as Brugmansia are commonly known as Angel’s Trumpet. Do not confuse them with the other plant also commonly known by the same name but botanically known as Datura. While the plants look similar, Brugmansia flowers hang down towards the earth and Datura flowers face upward towards the sky.   …

There are many indoor gardening beneficial plants to choose from. From edible plants ideal for teas or culinary seasonings to plants that help heal minor cuts or burns to those that help remove impurities from indoor air, there is sure to be at least one suitable for your indoor gardening environment. Some of these plants require …

These five gardening tips are sure to save you money in both this, and future gardening seasons. There are also links to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Plan Your Vegetable Garden Plan your vegetable garden according to …

One of the first tropical plants that really intrigued me was Tacca - which is commonly known as the bat plant. First I read everything I could find on how to grow tacca.  

Here are seven tips for successful container gardening that work well for vegetables, flowers, herbs and even house plants. This is because container gardening has many benefits. It’s hard to believe more people don't grow plants in containers. Although container gardening has become more popular over the past couple of decades, it still isn’t as …

When summer quickly starts coming to an end, many of you will be bringing your plants back into the house or to go in search of houseplants that you would like to grow this winter. If you are bringing your plants back indoors, it is a good idea to put some new dirt in their …

Disclaimer: This article was written by Costa Farms and shared with me in order that I could share it with my readers. Follow these simple steps to ensure success with orchids Miami, FL – It can be three months (or more!) from the unveiling of a moth orchid’s first flower bud to the final flower …

My interest in tropical plants came from the fact that I was tired of growing the same old thing that everyone else was. I wanted my garden to be unique, something that people would like at in amazement. With the addition of my greenhouse, my dream has started becoming a reality. However, even without a …

  Spring is almost over but in a way that's good. For plant nuts, our gardens are going into another great season. Most of us are into the swing of trading right now and as we all know nothing germinates faster than fresh seeds! For those of us who are into tropical and exotic plants …

With the new Millenium fast approaching, and another Christmas almost over, I can’t decide rather I should worry about all the Y2K rumors or laugh them off. It often makes me wonder if the entire world is worried about the year 2000. I worked in retail sales at the beginning of this year and it …

A private place to relax with a tropical look is something many people strive for in their gardens. A place set apart from the rest of the world and possibly even set apart from the rest of the garden. In today's hectic word the garden, especially water gardens, are seen as private retreats where one …

How wonderful it is when you see new seedlings popping their tiny heads above the soil. It is an exciting moment, especially when you may have waited months, or sometimes years, for that seed to break dormancy. The latest round of success here at Exotic Gardening Farms has been King Protea. Mind you, this is …

Brunfelsia facinates me. The main reason is because I love night blooming plants. Although I have germinated many different varieties of Brunfelsia over the years, due to heat loss and other unexpected situations the only variety I have left is Brunfelsia floribunda which has survived for the past several years. This past spring I potted …

Cochliostema odoratissimum was first discovered and named in 1847. Later it was re-named Cochliostema jacobianum by a Mr. Linden who introduced the plant at the Paris Exhibition of 1867. Mr. Linden exhibited the plant in full foliage and then sent the plant to England. The name comes from the Greek word kochlos which means spiral …

Clitoria is an easy care-free vine that can thrive in a variety of conditions. Although this plant prefers well-drained soil it can thrive in poor soil or even sand and under various lighting conditions.   The flowers of this plant are available as both single and double varieties. A little known fact is that they …

Hailing from South Africa, the Strelitzia is cultivated worldwide. The most common, Strelitzia Reginae, is a rapid grower that reaches four feet high and spreads in clumps. The Strelitzia Nicolai, commonly called the “White Bird Of Paradise,” can grow up to fifteen feet high. Its leaves can easily be mistaken for those of a Banana. …

Soapnuts are a great natural alternative laundry detergent that you can grow right in your yard if you live in USDA zone 6 or higher. Soapnuts come from the genus Sapindus which contains about twelve species of trees and shrubs. These plants, also called soapberry, are native to warm temperate to tropical regions. There are …

The plants in the greenhouse are doing so well that I decided it was time once again to dig into my seed stash to see what unusual seeds I could come up with. I have a nice stack sitting on the table beside me that I want to germinate over the next few weeks, however …

Here are a number of videos on Theobroma cacao by Sheri Ann Richerson.  Enjoy! A New Variety Of Theobroma (2019) Newly updated how to germinate Theobroma video (2016) - Greenhouse video (2010) - Presentation video (2010) - The beginning of my love for Theobroma (shot in 2000, but not uploaded until 2018) - About Sheri …

I planted these seeds on October 12, 2004. I placed them in a coldframe. They germinated on October 25, 2004.

Abutilon are soft wooded flowering shrubs that are widespread throughout the world's mild to warm climate countries. Growing tips: Prune after flowering. Germination tips: Propagate from seeds or cuttings. To propagate from seed cover the seed lightly with vermiculite. Temperatures should be between 72 to 75 degrees F. Germination can occur within 3 days. Flowering …

A modest growing forest vine native to tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Seeds resemble crabs' eyes and are poisonous. In India the roots are used to produce a licorice-like compound that is edible. Flowers grow in racemes and are white to deep pink in color. Germination tips: Propagate from seeds. Soak the seeds before sowing.

Small open crowned trees from tropical eastern Australia. Growing tips: Abroma prefer sheltered areas among other trees and good soil. Germination tips: It is best to propagate Abroma from seed.

Small shrubs from China and Mexico. Flowers from spring to autumn in a range of colors. Those colors are red, pink, mauve and white. Growing tips: Abelia prefer rich well drained soil in an open site. Abelia will tolerate some frost. Prune after flowering. Germination tips: It is best to propagate Abelia from new growth …

Michelia is one tough cookie to germinate. I have literally tried everything to get this fragrant, must-have plant to grow from seed - and failed miserably every time. Of course, when I saw the seeds this year, I couldn't resist - and thus am trying again. This time I am using a different method and …

Chocolate…the word makes our mouth water, but where does chocolate come from? In a world where the natural resource struggles to keep up with man’s demand, let’s take a look at the fascinating tree, Theobroma Cacao. Originally chocolate was made into a spicy drink by the Aztecs somewhere between the 13th and 16th centuries. Chocolate …

  Plant lovers know plants make the best gifts. You simply cannot have enough plants and there is always room to add "just one more" plant to the mix. This can drive the non-plant people in your life up the wall. Dodging bags of soil, large pots that don't quite fit where we want them …

  - Oh wait, that's a line from a Bryan Adams song. Hmmm - wonder if I could get into trouble for using it? Well, Bryan, all I can say is if you're out there reading this post,  that was exactly how I felt when I was at the GWA Symposium in Indianapolis last week and …

Gardening enthusiasts often find joy and satisfaction in nurturing plants from their earliest stages. One such remarkable journey began on November 10, when Amaryllis Pecotee x Double Blossom Peacock seeds were delicately placed on the surface of water in a baby food jar. This blog post takes you through the fascinating story of these seeds, …

I placed these seeds on top of vermiculite on December 18. 2004. The seeds germinated on December 26, 2004.

I laid this seed on top of vermiculite in a peat pot on October 26, 2004. The seeds germinated on November 1, 2004.

I laid this seed on top of vermiculite in a peat pot on October 26, 2004. The seeds germinated on November 1, 2004.