I'm off my rocker, Ericaceae plants

[Tindomul]

Thanks, nice garden by the way!

[Izzie]

Paul beat me to it. They're related to the "Lipstick Plant". I'll send you pictures when my Platy Plant blooms.

[Tindomul]

I actually just recieved last week Gloxinia sylvatica, which is what kinda got me started on my search for plants with bell shaped flowers. Gloxinia and the goldfish plants are both in the Gesneriaceae. Very nice group.

[DelawareJim]

Awesome plants! Congratulations! You're starting to get like me now. I never met a plant I didn't want. I even tried to transplant skunk cabbage once to add to my aroid garden.

2 questions: Where'd you get them? Where the heck are you going to keep them, or did University give you more greenhouse space? Those are going to get to be a couple feet in a year or 2.

Yeah, the Gesneriads are sweet plants too. Especially when you get down to those where the entire plant is the size of your thumbnail.

Cheers.
Jim

[Izzie]

I'm thinkng of doing some research on mine. It has recovered from being repotted in the spring, and is covered with new growth, but no buds. :/

[Tindomul]

I guess the imperative word is tried. Skunk cabbage has about a 2-3 foot deep stolon that is hell to dig out. Plus the horizontal stems that connect each plant to one another. I have done it but with the aid of a botany class, and that was in sandy soil, can't imagine how impossible it must have been in loamy soil if that was your case.

As far as the ericaceae, well I am planning to grow them along side my Masdies and other plueros. Its my office which is blessed with lots of winter sun, and is rather sealed tight. So I can control the humidity as well with humidifiers. Plus since it is my private office I can keep it as cold as I like during the winter. Just cracking the window usually brings temps down fast. I suppose the only thing I should worry about is space. But I was thinking of maybe nailing planters to the wall.

This past summer was the first summer that I spent in my office. Those really hot days were not a problem so long as I kept the windows closed. The big plus is that there is no direct sun in the summer because its too high up in the sky. I didn't even need an AC for the Masdies.

I was hoping that I chose some really small species, and if not I read that they can be kept small through pruning. Though I have to admit I am worried about the Agapetes.
I take it you have grown these? Do you have any advice?

[Tindomul]

Anyone have any experience with Gaultheria?

[Gin]

lolol I have 2 Camellias in bloom in my bird room I can not grow them outside where I am to cold here is one of them ..

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by Gin

lolol I have 2 Camellias in bloom in my bird room I can not grow them outside where I am to cold here is one of them ..

Beautiful plant, Gin. I've never grown Camellias, but I may try one in the future since they're in pretty much every garden store/nursery here.

You should look into the Ackerman hybrids. They're supposed to be hardy to Zone 6.

[Tindomul]

ooh, very nice. I have not graduated to Camelias yet.