The King rocks mj. Did you say you got rid of A. warocqueanum?

Thanks Evan.

A. warocqueanum that I had kept getting Spider Mites. In the greenhouse , Out of the greenhouse, winter/summer and just kept declining. It may have been an unhealthy one to start with but it finally got so poor looking, got Spider mites again and then I trashed it. Weird cause plants right next to it would be fine No mites.

I keep thinking I might try again, but I'm in no hurry.

I remember now, thanks. I talked to one of the folks at the Smith College greenhouse about how they keep pests under control. They quarantine new plants and have lots of volunteers patrolling for problems. Now that's a solution I could live with.

Evan I really have very few problems with pests. I also quarantine and try not to bring too much new in late in the year or in winter when it's harder to do that.
And since the A.warocqueanum has been gone no Spider Mites. One other plant I won't overwinter inside is the Brugs also. They have to fend for themselves in winter but if they freeze back they come back. But again for that reason I only have a couple that live outside year round. Can't do that with the Anthuriums tho.

That's a gorgeous crinkly leaf you've go there, Mj. The flower is nice too.

I've got P. Pastazanum putting on a new leaf every few weeks, sadly they are facing the wrong way at the moment. Hoping the runner will circle around the pot and start facing towards me again soon.


My huge split leaf Philos all along the shady pathway all have multiple flowers coming. They evidently loved the spring rain we got this year.

Anybody got an idea about this curious paste-like stuff oozing out of only one of the flowers? I touched it, and smelled it, no clue. Thick, greyish green paste.

Alocasia and Caladiums




Colocasia affinis 'Jenningsii' which I nicknamed Colocasia Jenny and Caladium Gingerland



and a new Philos I just got a cuttings of
Philo Jose Jose Buono





Philodendron tripartitum

Thai Giant starting to really kick in

Everything looks so happy and healthy...and BIG! Is that A. odora in the first pic mj? Jose Buono is a real beaut, love that variegation. Looks like this will be the year for monster Thai Giant Dave.

Evan,
1st pic is Alocasia gageana. Supposed to only get 3-4 ft. I can't really tell the difference, except isn't A. odora supposed to get bigger ?
If it keeps going like this it's going to get bigger than they are supposed to. I've got pups if ya want one.

I see it now that you point it out. That should make a real interesting pot. Looks super happy.

Loving all the wonderful Aroid photo's! I wish I had shade and space for a jungle, heck I'd just love to have one giant live oak on my property!

Elaine: I copied this from Wikipedia, could it be what your P. sagittifolium is exuding?

Extrafloral nectaries: Some philodendrons have extrafloral nectaries (nectar-producing glands found outside of the flowers). The nectar attracts ants, with which the plant enjoys a protective symbiotic relationship.[15] Nectaries can be found in a variety of locations on the plant, including the stalks, sheaths, lower surfaces of the leaves, and spathes. The nectaries produce a sweet, sticky substance the ants like to eat and which provides an incentive for them to build their nests amongst the roots of the given philodendron. In some cases, the amount of nectar produced can be quite extensive, resulting in the surface becoming entirely covered with it.

Dave, please try to place something for scale in the picture?

Extrafloral Nectaries on my P. maximum. The large non biting light Brown ants protect the plant while receiving the nectar as a reward. You are right on it Lin!
And yes, that is the Clear Nectar like "Drops".

homer1958 said:Dave, please try to place something for scale in the picture?

I'm always on the lookout for children's lawn chairs.

homer1958 said:Dave, please try to place something for scale in the picture?

@homer1958 Hope this helps. Both leaves are about 29 inches long. The span tip to tip between the leaves is 5 feet 2 inches. My gardening buddy Barney showed up to checked things out. The plant right now is a little over 3 feet tall.

Thai Giant 2014 (6/27)

Evan, I finally got it . . . Drew uses lawn chairs for scale in his pictures. We don't actually know if they are adult size, though, as he is never sitting in one. They do have beer ads on them though.

Lin, I'm not sure that was actually 'nectar' on the flower up above. It was the texture of cake frosting, and didn't smell sweet. Also there were no ants anywhere near it, which as you know in FL is unusual if not downright impossible. Ants are everywhere there's anything to eat. Just went out there to check, and the residue of the stuff is still on that flower scape. Doesn't look like it was eaten by anybody. I even tried to open up the capsule, and it is shut tight!

Dave,
I like the doggie for scale !

Elaine, I sure don't have a clue as to what you've got going on there. Maybe take it to the Extension office with you one day.

Elaine, I have had the same stuff ooze out of all my large Philodendrons flowers as well…. I think it is was occurs after the pollen is ready for the inflorescence (2-3 days later).

Thanks Dave!

P. gloriosum keeps rolling out the new leaves.




X. Lime Zinger flanked by a huge Purple Philippine Violet which blooms in the fall. Should be a nice contrast.
And don't laugh at my little itty bitty Caladiums down underneath. They were freebies from my garden that I spread around.