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Dec 28, 2014 2:28 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: David Paul
(Zone 9b)
Cat Lover Hibiscus Seed Starter Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower Region: Florida
Miniature Gardening Keeper of Poultry Herbs Foliage Fan Farmer Dragonflies
Well, its almost a New Year!

We Florida gardeners have a lot to offer and I'm knowing that we'll continue in this New Year to keep up the good works!
Its fun when we share our gardening developments with each other and especially seeing each others personal gardening pictures with the stories along the way! Smiling

2015? Can we believe it! Lets GrO!
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Hey Jean, (Qwilter for any new here, and while a master gardener creates incredible quilts!)

Those tomato seeds you gave me the last time are really nice. The odd thing is, We only planted one single seed and saved the rest in September. This is that plant now!
Thumb of 2014-12-28/DavidofDeLand/bcd15a
Heres the first tomato on it. We have other tomatos that we've grown for years from cuttings going, and Started some Beefsteaks late that are only 1 foot high. All are in pots and will go in the greenhouse before the inevitable last second freeze.

This tomato from your seed is the largest plant by far and am waiting to see what the fruits look like! Heres a closeup of the first tomato on that plant...
Thumb of 2014-12-28/DavidofDeLand/f9979a

How are yours doing?
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Dec 28, 2014 3:15 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Hi David, I enjoyed your article about the little Syngonium! I have a mini Alocasia called "Quilted dreams" (or that's what the Aroid geeks over on their forum think it is). It's probably too big for a miniature garden, but still a cute little caricature of an Elephant Ear. The leaves get about 4in. long and the whole plant maybe 10in across.

Blinking Angry just took a picture of it with my new phone, and now can't get the pictures to download. Argh. Wait! I'll get the house geek to come help me. Back soon.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
Avatar for Dutchlady1
Dec 28, 2014 3:36 PM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
Region: Florida Cat Lover Garden Sages Cactus and Succulents Tropicals Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
As many of you know I have a yard full of Plumeria trees. But one patch is going to be dominated by something else. The front yard has a spectacular Royal Poinciana tree in it and we've decided it has earned the right to stay and dominate that area. That means the plumeria that were under it are going to be relocated, since they weren't happy in its semi-shade. DH and I have just begun this major project. My shoulders are telling me about it today!

Here is a picture of the Poinciana taken four years ago, it is about twice that size now....
Thumb of 2014-12-28/Dutchlady1/8352a8
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Dec 28, 2014 4:26 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Wow, that's a gorgeous tree, Hetty. Be sure to post a picture of it when it blooms for us. By then I'm sure you'll have lots of fun shady area plants going underneath its canopy, too.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Dec 28, 2014 5:02 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: David Paul
(Zone 9b)
Cat Lover Hibiscus Seed Starter Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower Region: Florida
Miniature Gardening Keeper of Poultry Herbs Foliage Fan Farmer Dragonflies
Sounds like a cool Elephants Ear Elaine. Is it like Blue Hawaii?
Thats an amazing looking tree Hetti! Thumbs up
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Dec 28, 2014 7:45 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Nope, it has very dark green, shiny and sort of thick, quilted leaves - hence the name. Doesn't like too much light, prefers moist and shady. A somewhat lax habit, the leaves seem like they're a bit too heavy for the little stems.

My dh, the geek just showed me how to extract photos from this new too-smart phone.

Thumb of 2014-12-29/dyzzypyxxy/01325b

Btw, I got it from a lady who lives in DeLand. I've traded plants with her many times. She has an 11 acre horse farm and gives riding lessons. I can hardly believe you two don't already know each other, given your mutual love of unusual plants.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
Last edited by dyzzypyxxy Dec 28, 2014 7:50 PM Icon for preview
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Dec 29, 2014 3:23 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: David Paul
(Zone 9b)
Cat Lover Hibiscus Seed Starter Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower Region: Florida
Miniature Gardening Keeper of Poultry Herbs Foliage Fan Farmer Dragonflies
MJ did stop by once and we did a quick plant swap. She never really came into the gardens though.
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Dec 29, 2014 6:17 AM CST
Name: Jean
Fleming Island, FL (Zone 9a)
Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers
Wish we could grow the Poinciana trees up here. They are amazing when they are blooming. This year my dwarf one (fm David) didn't do much & only had 2 flowers. I'm hoping to keep it going all Winter & hopefully it will do better next year.

David - those are those Ruetger tomatoes and I couldn't get them to do anything for me in the Summer. Maybe I need to try them as a WInter tomato.

Looks like today is our last 80 deg day till "next year" (Sat) but then the rain is coming with the warm air. 1st week last year was when we had that BAD, LONG freeze. That cold snap in Nov made the tangerines sweeten early. They are already very sweet.

Have more painting & errands to run today so yard will be neglected again. I'm planning on getting out there Tues & Wed. Hopefully the neighbor will be available to help me move bricks.
Blessed are the Quilters for they are the Piecemakers.
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Dec 31, 2014 12:37 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Mj gave me a start of this pretty thing years ago, and I've really neglected it but it keeps on blooming its little heart out!
Thunbergia battiscombeii
Thumb of 2014-12-31/dyzzypyxxy/f33945 Thumb of 2014-12-31/dyzzypyxxy/96bc82

My cane begonias just love this coolish, damp weather, too.
B. Sophie Cecile, and B. Odorata alba, both in trade from Ardesia at least 3 years ago. These are 3rd generation starts.
Thumb of 2014-12-31/dyzzypyxxy/e4afc5
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Dec 31, 2014 1:01 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: David Paul
(Zone 9b)
Cat Lover Hibiscus Seed Starter Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower Region: Florida
Miniature Gardening Keeper of Poultry Herbs Foliage Fan Farmer Dragonflies
I'll research it now that I know what it is Jean. Thanks. Smiling

My back is a mess but the beans, peppers, greens, and lettuces are looking good. Still need to get Burgundy Mustards in the ground and the Cabbages, Broccolis and stuff like that are in another area. Got to photo them....

Lets Grow better then ever in 2015! Happy New Year!
Thumb of 2014-12-31/DavidofDeLand/9aaf3b

This is my native natural fishtank in the greenhouse @flaflwrgrl. I let the algae grow on the back glass as the fish like it. It has 5 small peaceful species in it and the water changes the tomatoes, orchids, etc. love. This tank has no filtration and is its own natural biorectangle. The water quality is actually very good and in the second picture you can see one of my male native Sailfin Mollies. They really are pretty little fish. Smiling


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Last edited by DavidofDeLand Jan 2, 2015 8:18 AM Icon for preview
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Jan 2, 2015 5:26 AM CST
Name: Jean
Fleming Island, FL (Zone 9a)
Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers
I really must get a plan together for my back yard before nice weather is here. My biggest dilemma is deciding on a focus tree. I need something that won't get more than 10-15' and that is rather "open" so I can see through it. Want just a bit of shade. Saw a Desert Cassia that I think might be perfect but I'm pushing the Zone to have one up this far north.
Blessed are the Quilters for they are the Piecemakers.
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Jan 2, 2015 5:51 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: David Paul
(Zone 9b)
Cat Lover Hibiscus Seed Starter Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower Region: Florida
Miniature Gardening Keeper of Poultry Herbs Foliage Fan Farmer Dragonflies
Chaste Trees are tough and reliable and also like what you've described Jean. Manihots (Green Tapioca Trees) can usually survive Winters and create that look too. Most Cassias can be iffy if it the thermometer goes south of 28...
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Jan 2, 2015 10:16 AM CST
Name: Jean
Fleming Island, FL (Zone 9a)
Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers
I had considered a Chaste tree but fell in love with the Cassia I saw in Orlando. We rarely get below 30 and it would be in the back yard which tends to stay warmer than the front. Guess I 1st need to see if I can even find a Cassia up here.
This is another damp & dreary day & all my motivation is gone!!!!
Blessed are the Quilters for they are the Piecemakers.
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Jan 2, 2015 1:37 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
David, nice looking Tomato plants there and I bet all of the plants love that water from the fish tank!

Elaine, that pretty little dwarf Alocasia of yours might be Jewel Alocasia (Alocasia sinuata) I've also seen it referred to as Alocasia 'Quilted Dream' so I'm assuming Quilted Dream is a cultivar or maybe a common name?

Jewel Alocasia (Alocasia sinuata)
http://www.eldontropicals.com/...

Hetty: That gorgeous Royal Poinciana tree makes me want to move farther south for sure!

Jean: If you try the Desert Cassia (Senna polyphylla) I'll be interested in how it does for you. I've grown the "Christmas Cassia" Christmas Senna (Senna bicapsularis) ... had a beautiful one at our old house, grown from a cutting a neighbor gave me. We rented the house out for a few years and the tree died. I bought a small potted plant from Home Depot this past summer and still haven't gotten it into the ground. It's one of my favorite blooms during the winter months.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Jan 3, 2015 6:24 AM CST
Name: mj
Central Florida
Butterflies Region: Florida Keeps Horses Hummingbirder Garden Ideas: Level 2 Plant and/or Seed Trader
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Elaine, that little Alocaisa is Alocasia sinuata, not sure where the Quilted Dreams came from, never heard it called that before. I've had it for years.

Jewel Alocasia (Alocasia sinuata)

SUPER Foggy here this morning. It's been pretty nice temp. wise but we could sure use a little more Sun. I guess Wed. night we are in for a big plunge tho, but it seems like just a couple of chilly nights.

Haven't had much time to take pics but maybe this morning...after the fog clears I'll get a chance.

David I'd like to get a couple of those little Syngonium's too,
I've given up on growing tomato's, I'm the only one who really eats them so it's just as easy to buy them from the produce stand in Deleon Springs.

Well off to feed the ponies....
God gave us wings. He just called them horses
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Jan 3, 2015 6:32 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: David Paul
(Zone 9b)
Cat Lover Hibiscus Seed Starter Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower Region: Florida
Miniature Gardening Keeper of Poultry Herbs Foliage Fan Farmer Dragonflies
You are really the plant Lady @plantladylin. Smiling We Florida gardeners can always depend on accurate names for plants! Thumbs up

I never new that my 'Butterfly' Cassias were also 'Desert' Cassias till I cross searched because of you and @qwilter. So now I know! Heres one just blooming in the gardens against a batch of grasses soon to be cut. The grasses do protect a delicate Golden Bamboo in case of a Winter freeze that may happen. Its taken years for it to get one serious stalk up to around 20 feet. I'll probably leave that batch of grasses till March around it. The others have to come down. My Popcorn Cassia has really grown now and smells incredible while its setting flower buds. Gosh I hope it doesn't freeze them back! Smiling

I still say we need a thumbs crossed smiley emoticon here!
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Last edited by DavidofDeLand Jan 3, 2015 6:34 AM Icon for preview
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Jan 3, 2015 5:48 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
So great to see a sunny yellow blossom in the midst of winter!

I have a Calla in bloom, large variety with spotted leaves that I got in a trade. I'm so excited that it's blooming!


Big old Brugmansia 'Monster White' is putting on a show, and Coleus 'Dipt in Wine' has needed to be pruned severely, too. The early cold slowed things down a tad, but everything is going nuts now. We've had several days around 80deg. The next cold shock is on the way this week, though. Glare
Thumb of 2015-01-03/dyzzypyxxy/257bd8
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Jan 4, 2015 8:48 AM CST
Name: Jean
Fleming Island, FL (Zone 9a)
Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers
To be 83 today & then 27 overnite Wed/Thur & 45 Thur for a high. Of course Thur is the 1st day back to working at the Ext Office since before the holidays!!!! I got a couple pr of the winter weight Atlas gloves & they are WONDERFUL for COLD days!!!!

I have to get out & finish putting the hoops over the veg beds so I can put the frost cloth over the lettuce mid-week. And close up the GH again...............plants are as confused as I am!!!!.
Blessed are the Quilters for they are the Piecemakers.
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Jan 4, 2015 9:00 AM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Though not a Floridian, I do love to sneak a peak now and then and see what you lucky ones are doing.

It is going to get frigid here in NE Mississippi this week. Every morning for the next seven days will be in the teens and twenties, and the forecast for Thursday is a low of 15 and a high of 28 F. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
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Jan 4, 2015 9:18 AM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Jean, cold temperatures don't really hurt your lettuce, in fact it will be sweeter for longer if you let it get cold.

But, did you say 27? Yeah, better cover it that night.

Ken, we know you are a Floridian at heart, when are you moving here?
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill

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