microb's blog: Jungle Room

Winter has finally arrived. High Surf warning up for the North Shore of Oahu yesterday, 40ft waves, sand over the roads. A Kona Low is forecast to form just west of the islands middle of next week bringing heavy rains, potential for thunder and flooding and subsantial snow on the mountain tops. Getting dark by 5.30 pm and sun does not make it light until about 6.30am.

Plants arrived from California last Friday. Box was about 5ft tall by 8 inches square. My friend has 2 plants in the order so she came to my house for the unboxing. Very enjoyable hour. All plants have been potted and hopefully will fulfil my dreams over the next year or so as they climb trees.

My latest project is the creation of a Jungle room at the back of our bird room. There is a shed roof along the back of the house. Its 8 ft wide and about 40ft long. Half is metal roof and half in new clear plastic sheeting giving a greenhouse effect for 20ft. The house wall is solid and the front wall to the outside is plastic lattice. The room is about 7ft tall and has lighting. I've run a new length of hose from a nearby tap.
I purchased 2 10ft lengths of corrugated roofing from our local building supply store for $30 each and used them to make the plant bench. I purchased two 20ft lengths of chainlink fence top rail from our farm supply store and had them cut in two. Those four lengths are suspended from the roof for hanging pots. The entire length of the bench will be covered to a depth of 2 inches with potting soil with a length of bamboo along the edge. The bamboo is a piece that split longways when it was cut down and provided small "pots" along its length as each segment is separated by membrane inside the cane.
Rotting tree trunks and tree fern trunks will be vertical features to grow climbing plants. A shelf close to the plastic roofing where there is plenty of light and sun will house succulents.
So lots of work to do. Concerns to manage - The metal shelf does not drain so have to control the wetness of the soil. Many plants will be in pots so that should be OK. The moist soil should be good for ground cover and ferns. Ventillation is another concern. The lattice wall should assist with ventilation but mold could be an issue. Room has been chicken proofed. Over the years rats and mongoose have been seen the vicinity but should not bother the plants.
So now I wait to see what will grow. Different types of Rex Begonias are doing well in pots, philodendrons should be OK once they get started. Small Alocasias or Colocasias have been planted directly into the bench top soil. Might look for some Ivy and definitely will add some ferns. Its a work in progress but should get filled up quickly. I like instant gratification.








These photos are a couple of days old. More plants are being added daily.

Did a first this year and entered a couple of photos in the ongoing photo contest.

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