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Post by jean on Jun 7, 2007 20:09:20 GMT
Hi CPB,
I potted mine on this morning into more gerneral purpose & vermiculite but only into a slightly bigger pot and gave it a good feed. The latest leaf is over 12" long and there in another on its way. I am so chuffed with it ;D I think the next potting on will be with John Innis though. What size pot will I end up with - any ideas ?
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jun 8, 2007 18:29:12 GMT
Hi jlottie My musa basjoo was in this one when it was 4 years old...not a brilliant picture but you get the idea! taken last June or July when we'd been praying for rain because the ground was so dry ;D  It was climbing out of the pot this year so we had to put it into the ground...we couldn't manage a bigger pot in the garden really. I think that while the plant is young it's a good idea to pot up a couple of times, but they can still get quite large in a quite manageable pot.. the ensete is in an 18" terracotta one and I don't intend potting it up any more this year. |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jun 12, 2007 14:14:03 GMT
We've just got back from a few days in Dorset & Devon.....and guess what? Because I was such a good girl OH took me to a GC in Devon...where I picked up a red banana! (muriel!)...like Andy's one only smaller... ;D
One less thing to cart home from GW Live on Saturday...
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Post by andy on Jun 12, 2007 16:01:50 GMT
We've just got back from a few days in Dorset & Devon.....and guess what? Because I was such a good girl OH took me to a GC in Devon...where I picked up a red banana! (muriel!)...like Andy's one only smaller... ;D One less thing to cart home from GW Live on Saturday... Nice one CPB. It won't take long to get to the size of mine although mine actually han't grown up too much but is still putting out loads of big leaves. It should get to around 6-8 foot this year....although it is only mid June  |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jun 12, 2007 20:15:32 GMT
Mid June already...eeh I must be getting old time seems to fly by...
I'm rather pleased with my purchase Andy, when I bought the original plant from GW Live back in 2004 it cost me £13 for quite a small specimen. the one I bought today has lots of leaves, is a beautiful colour and only cost £9.99....I'm sure that a similar plant at GW Live (IF they had any on the stand) would cost much more...In fact I noticed that a stand at Malvern was asking £ 19.99 for a young Musa Basjoo this year!
At the GC this morning the Musa the same size as mine (around 5') were selling for £40 - £50...goodness knows what your monster one would've cost! Mind you...I have a sweet cycas revoluta that's really chucking out leaves (the stem's the size of a small pineapple)...they had a gorgeous huge one there that cost in the region of £80...geez....I'll have to get my plants insured... ;D
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Post by andy on Jun 16, 2007 15:05:19 GMT
Well....last friday, my wind lashed musa basjoo decided to put out another leaf on each plant. They've grown steadily throughout the week and started to unfirl this morning.....only to be greeted by more strong wind. I just feel that someone upstairs is telling me not to grow thes plants. I know it's only mid June but boy am i hacked off with this constant wind  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jun 20, 2007 11:55:05 GMT
The first leaf on my Elephant's Ears (Colocasia Esculenta) has come out - a beauty and it feels like lovely soft leather to the touch.  RF |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jun 20, 2007 17:42:24 GMT
That's beautiful RF ;D I'm rather pleased with mine so far too...I've had to move it to a more sheltered spot tho as it's been so windy today. I bought 2 papyrus plants from GWD live on Saturday...they're rather gorgeous...must take a pic  |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jul 7, 2007 18:45:07 GMT
How's everybody getting along then? my bananas are beautiful atm...as is the elephants ears and papyrus...sooooo pleased with that. I wish I could post some pics but photobucket isn't playing ball today I'm afraid...
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Post by andy on Jul 8, 2007 6:06:00 GMT
Everything's coming along nicely. Cannas are coming into flower, tuberous begonias are looking nice and gaudy, tree fern has thrown out a second set of fronds and the red banana is looking awesome.
However, the two large musa basjoo are really suffering with the wind (oooer mrs !!!)......what leaves remain on them are just shreded to ribbons.
Pics to follow
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Post by andy on Jul 8, 2007 7:26:06 GMT
Just went out in the gorgeous sunshine and took some pics. These are pics of all the garden really not just the exotics. This is my patio....(see "operation bombsite" in general discussion). All the plants are blue and orange....dark blue petunias which smell devine and orange geraniums and marigolds. There are a few pots of night scented stock in there too plus the japanese maples.   Looking down from the patio. 2nd pic is the delightful Nicotiana 'fragrant purple'   Looking back at the patio.....two hanging "troughs" with Dahlias and NS stock planted underneath  Red banana (Ensete Maurelii)   Tree fern looking mighty good  Superb Fatsia Japonica  General look at the exotics    Datura Wrightii (white flowers).  Red canna  Orange canna  Bananas shredded to pieces. I've just looked and the one on the right is putting a new leaf up.....let's prey for some nice calm days  My scaley friends were as inquisitive as ever   And my bestest friend Murphy was on the lookout for cats....and birds, and woodlice, and spiders, and...........  |
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Post by Dutchy on Jul 8, 2007 17:01:54 GMT
Your fishy friends look fabulous and so does the garden.
What a mess did the storm make of your poor Bananas. You are so right we need not just calmer days but Summer.
Do you suppose Murphy could try and sniff it out for us?
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Post by Pip on Jul 9, 2007 7:46:38 GMT
What a splendid array of colours Andy and your Tree Fern is really magnificent.
Bad luck with the banana plants though. The leaves really have been shredded by the wind haven't they!!
Pip
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2007 11:15:17 GMT
It looks amazing Andy - particularly the red banana; in fact, I'm scratching my head trying to work out where to find room for one <reallyneedabiggergardensmiley> ... cheers ...
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jul 10, 2007 20:50:20 GMT
Fab pics (as always) andy, the garden's looking grand. My red banana is growing well too...I'm keeping it in a pot up near the house to protect it a bit from the foul weather we've been having...I had to oik my baby ensete back under cover because it was struggling a bit, but the big ensete is loving it's holiday outside...as is the elephant's ears (they're brill....you must get one it's right up your street!)...oh and my big musa basjoo is still ok...it's not as tall as your two so the leaves aren't quite as exposed....
I put another nana in the border the other day...it's similar to the musa bus has mottling on the leaves...maybe a sikkimensis....not sure...must go and google... ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 12, 2007 19:19:32 GMT
WOW andy it's very Jungely now and colourful too. Murphy is always about and gets in on the picture just like my Tealy Sounds like your getting to be a real jungle fan too CPB ;D |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jul 12, 2007 19:46:52 GMT
Yep...I'm addicted I'm afraid...... |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 21, 2007 12:28:27 GMT
Well I can't compete with Andy and CPB's lovely exotics but mine are coming along a little - I am well pleased. My Elephant's Ears (Colocasia Esculenta) - well I love this plant and the feel of the leaves is gorgeous - just like touching soft leather when they first come out - yes I know that I have said it before but they are so soft.  and then my Banana - Musa Basjoo It is coming on now that we have had a good week of sun - shame that the summer has been so lousy, I'm sure that it would have been a lot bigger.  and my Mimosa which has really come on in leaps and bounds after I chopped it in half in desperation.  and the Granat Apple (Punica Granatum) which I brought back from Hungary together with the Mimosa. I will probably take a long time to flower but like the rest of the plants, it is interesting and a bit of fun.  My Dipladenia Mandevilla "Alice du Pont" is flowering well after a slow start.  My Hibiscus moscheutos "Galaxy" will be flowering soon so I will take a pic then. Just for you Cheery - my Pepino (Solanum muricatum) is flowering although normally I would have fruit on it by now.  RF |
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Post by andy on Jul 21, 2007 14:46:38 GMT
Nice Rf...love the colocasia...a definate must for next year for me. I too have the Punica (pomegranite) but in the centre of the town i live in, there's a massive one which has huge double flowers. Unfortunately there also seems to be a CCTV looking that way too so i'll have to pick my moment to grab a few cuttings  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2007 13:37:16 GMT
Rosefriend - how do you look after your elephant ears? My husband has one that died down due to blackfly. He is hopeing to nurse it back to health. It was always kept in our house - it is now in the mother in laws conservatory. Any advice would be gratefully recieved  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 23, 2007 15:19:06 GMT
Hi astervista1
Well I have no idea really as this is the first year for me. Cheerpeabrain has also got one and we are sort of fumbling our way through. She will probably be able to help you more being in the UK.
I will have to cut mine off for winter and I have been told just to bung it in the cellar until Feb. and then plant it again. I do so wish that I could keep it over winter but I just don't have the room. A conservatory is ideal - I do wish we had one....oooh the things that I would try to grow!!!
All the best for yours though - keep us informed won't you....
RF
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2007 15:29:07 GMT
Thank you for the information Rosefriend, much appreciated
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 11, 2007 11:57:34 GMT
Well my Pepino has finally got some tiny fruits - do hope the winter stays away long enough for me to harvest a couple.  RF |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Aug 11, 2007 19:15:29 GMT
OOH...they look wonderful RF! I can't wait to get mine in! I'm thinking of sowing the seed in September, overwintering in the conservatory.....give me a head start on next year.
EXOTICS wise.....4P gave me a ginko biloba tree today.....I'm sooooo chuffed. ;D It got a bit frazzled in the car whilst we were at Barsdale...but looks a bit happier now it's home and in a sheltered spot in the garden...sigh.......luffly
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 11, 2007 19:24:04 GMT
That is marvellous CPB - a ginko ..........yes I am just a little envious.
RF
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 23, 2007 14:07:34 GMT
I was looking for something in Internet and came across a gorgeous dwarf ginko tree - everything has to be dwarf in my garden - sort of fits to me as well. I have just got to find a spot for it..
Also my ginger that I planted finally sprouted - erm - well has anyone else done this because it is a rather horrible plant. It has grown quickly and after a meter I had to cut it back and instead of getting bushier, it grows a starter leaf again and grows from the inside upwards.
Most strange plant that I have ever seen. I had wonderful visions of this ginger plant doing whatever ginger plants do - mmmh well I have found out and I can't say that I will be doing it again.
RF
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Sept 19, 2007 18:57:25 GMT
My banana plants that are in pots are back in the conservatory now...as is the elephant's ears and papyrus. I'm ready with the straw and fleece for any cold night emergencies
Has anybody else got papyrus in a pot? I was going to keep it in the GH overwinter all snuggled up with straw and fleece....I've cut down the bigger stems.
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Post by andy on Sept 20, 2007 17:59:49 GMT
I've only grown it in the palm house at work but it's supposed to be pretty hardy.
Most cyperus sp fare a lot better outside if their crowns are at least 6" under water (when grown as a marginal in a pond)....they don't freeze like that.
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Sept 20, 2007 18:39:38 GMT
Thanks Andy...I've really enjoyed growing it this year...such a beautiful plant. I'm hoping that it survives the winter. as it's in a pot I will give it plenty of protection in the GH. I was wondering whether to let it dry out before the really cold weather starts...at the mo it's in a 20" plastic pot in soggy compost...standing in a deep tray of rain water.
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Post by jean on Sept 20, 2007 20:26:55 GMT
My banana plants that are in pots are back in the conservatory now...as is the elephant's ears and papyrus. I'm ready with the straw and fleece for any cold night emergencies CPB, I was hoping to leave my banana outside, they seem to do ok at Heligan - I'm not so sure now |
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