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Jan 25, 2015 6:42 PM CST
Thread OP
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
Just thought these would brighten a winter day. Some really neat stuff at our local Lowe's store.

I think these might be the same or similar to the Alocasia Okinawa Silver that Evan sent me a start of. @eclayne ? They're so pretty I might be tempted to go back and get a couple. Didn't look at the price . . .
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They had two tables of enormous Bat Plants in bloom. Sadly the weather's been pretty cold so some of the flowers were fried, but man! Were they ever gorgeous big plants! I've been wanting one for ages, but at this time of year? I'm worried I'd have to keep it in the house.
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Here's a really nice Heliconia that the label says is "Jamaican Dwarf Red" and the picture shows the flowers looking like Lobster Claws. Red petioles and stems on the leaves too. Again another plant that I just love, and I have the huge Lobster Claws but they're really too big for my garden. Maybe . . . again I'm afraid to buy them at this time of year. We are known to have temps dip into the 30's in Jan and early Feb. Almost but not quite out of the woods for cold weather.
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I'm not usually a fan of Sanseveria, but this one is so pretty with the variegated border.
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Last but not least, a huge display of these flamboyant Hibiscus really lit the place up!
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Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Jan 25, 2015 6:49 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
Oh man, I love that Alocasia!!! I need to go to Lowes tomorrow for potting soil but chances are I won't find that plant; I rarely see beauties like that at our local Lowes ... but it is gorgeous!! I need to get potting soil so who knows ... maybe something else will jump into my cart along the way. Green Grin!
~ 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 25, 2015 7:19 PM CST
Plants Admin Emeritus
Name: Evan
Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member Aroids Irises I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Tropicals Vermiculture
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At a Lowe's no less. You guys are killing me. I'm afraid I can't tell if that's what I sent you Elaine. See if it has a height listed. It might be a variegated mac in which case it will get pretty big.
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Jan 25, 2015 7:42 PM CST
Thread OP
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
Yeah, Evan that's why I was inspired to pull out the camera/phone. Amazing, beautiful huge plants. The Alo's were probably 30in tall already, so if they are Okinawa Silver, may be just about full-grown. The more I think about them . . . I really should go back and get one at least. And a Bat plant.

Lin, you never know! I went by Lowe's today because a gal from Lutz showed a picture of some ground orchids (Spathoglottis) of a particular color that I like, and I thought . . . well maybe my Lowe's will have some too. And they did! I got the last two plants though. Soft golden yellow brushed with pink for a peachy effect.
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Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Jan 25, 2015 8:34 PM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
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Well, guess I'm stopping by BOTH Lowes tomorrow!
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Jan 25, 2015 9:37 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
Elaine, I love the colors of that Spathoglottis! It may be one of the Sorbet or Passion Series: http://www.foremostco.com/Fore... It reminds me of Sorbet Tropical Punch. I used to have that one but lost it to a freeze a few years ago along with Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis 'Citrus Cooler') at least I think they are both gone. I have a couple of Spathoglottis in pots and one I know is purple because it bloomed not long ago but haven't seen blooms on the other two lately.
~ 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 25, 2015 11:12 PM CST
Thread OP
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
Ooh, I do love the color on the 'Citrus Cooler' Lin! I've been wondering if this is a named variety. It sure does look like Sorbet 'Tropical Peach'.

I first saw these in huge clumps at Selby Gardens, then was lucky to pick up a couple of pretty sad looking little plants on a trip to a wholesaler in Apopka, but no name tag either place. Those older plants are pretty big and healthy now, so they seem to do fine in my conditions, and even compete with my crazy all-engulfing oak tree roots.

I have white and yellow and two shades of purple as well as these, but the peachy ones are the most vigorous.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Jan 26, 2015 7:23 AM CST
Name: mj
Central Florida
Butterflies Region: Florida Keeps Horses Hummingbirder Garden Ideas: Level 2 Plant and/or Seed Trader
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Elaine I don't bring my Bat plant in unless we are going to get down to freezing. I just throw a cover over it. Haven't brought it inside yet this winter and we've had lows down to 34 with some (very light) frost. I just toss a heavy flannel blanket over it.
My brugs are all in the ground and haven't been bothered by these temps either. Still blooming !
God gave us wings. He just called them horses
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Jan 26, 2015 9:12 AM 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
Elaine, that Spathoglottis could very well be Tropical Peach. ForemostCo. is out of Miami and they supply vendors here in Florida:

http://www.foremostco.com/vend...
http://www.foremostco.com/%5Ca...

The big box stores here get most of their plants from right here in the state and I'm pretty sure I got both of my Sorbet series Spathoglottis from either HD or Lowes when I used to shop at those two places a lot. I always repot any plant I bring home and I found the plant labels buried deep in the soil when I unpotted them to put them in my own mix. It's happened with orchids that I've purchased from HD and Lowes too. Most times they are not labeled but I've bought a few that when I'd go to re-pot them in their new pots, the plastic plant label was found amidst the tangled orchids roots.
~ 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 26, 2015 10:03 AM CST
Thread OP
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
Thanks, Lin. These say they came from Nature's Way in Miami, and that sticky label also calls them 'Mello Yellow'. (now that I had my glasses on to read the tiny print) But they're really not very yellow, and the big hanging tag has a picture of purple flowers . . . you never know for sure until it blooms, right?

I'll be sure to check for a label in the soil when I repot them. That's not happening this week though, as I am on a moment's notice to hop a plane to Salt Lake City for the arrival of my new grandson. Busy schlepping my orchids in and out of the house for these cold nights, and desperately hoping it stays warm while I'm away. Really can't ask the cat sitter to do what I do for the 'chids.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Jan 26, 2015 3:21 PM CST
Thread OP
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
Well, I had an errand near Lowe's today, and amazingly, the car just steered itself right into the Lowe's parking lot. I came home with a huge Bat plant and one of those variegated Alocasias, too.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Jan 26, 2015 3:51 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
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Amazing how that happens sometimes... Thumbs up Hilarious!
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Jan 26, 2015 3:58 PM CST
Thread OP
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
Yes, I could hear them calling to me. At least I hope that's what I was hearing . . . Hilarious!
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
Avatar for Plantsmylove
Feb 17, 2015 3:48 PM CST
Name: Alex Junge
MN st paul, (Zone 4a)
I hope the bat plant does well, they are not easy plants to grow.
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Feb 17, 2015 4:18 PM 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)
They aren't that hard but do require a lot of humidity. I leave mine outside till the temps drop into the low/mid 40's before I even worry about bringing it into the greenhouse. If you take them in the house you really have to stay on top of the humidity for them. And they don't like hot air blowing on them at all such as from a heating vent.
God gave us wings. He just called them horses
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Feb 17, 2015 4:30 PM CST
Thread OP
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 far, they're both happy. I've kept them under the frost cloth tent out in the yard, rather than bring them into the house where it's so much drier. It's on the south side of our big 'hobby' garage, so very protected and surely the warmest spot in the garden.

I think they'll be fine. Orchids will all be in the house or under cover by tomorrow night, too. We're just starting to get the rain.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
Avatar for Plantsmylove
Feb 19, 2015 9:07 PM CST
Name: Alex Junge
MN st paul, (Zone 4a)
wish I lived in floridia.... sigh.
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