Unusual color - Plant Encyclopedia Results

The first double flowered variety of Adenium that we obtained was bright red color. After growing simple pink varieties, it seemed the most exotic flower. Soon enough other colors were hybridized and white and pink double flowers came to the market. Within just a year or two after that, all the sudden all kinds of colors appeared, including striped, dotted, spotted... The rainbow of hybrid adeniums nowadays is unbelievable!

Adeniums have many spectacular hybrids. The basic culture is very similar to orchids. A small pot with excellent drainage is a must. Adeniums do not like both over-watering or drying-out. There is a little secret of how to create a weird shape of the base: lift the plant a bit every time you re-pot the plant, so that the upper part of roots will be a little exposed. The plant will form more roots that will go down. To make your plant develop a large swollen base/trunk, you'll need a good quality fertilizer. Fertilizer requirement for swelling up trunks is also used to increase flowering. It shouldn't be too high in nitrogen, the middle number should be the highest. Never apply fertilizer directly on roots and do not liquid feed when a plant is thirsty: always water first slightly to avoid root burn and leaf drop. Do not wet leaves. Adeniums need lots of light for heavy flowering. Most hybrids and species start blooming in the spring when the conditions are warm and days get longer, and continue blooming through the fall and winter in warmer climates. Adeniums like a neutral to hard water. Acidic water tends to sour the soil too fast and may cause root rot. Water plants preferably in the early morning, and allow them to drink up throughout the day. Watering can be done daily to every few days. Never allow your plants to sit in a saucer of water, but don't let them to dry out too often - this causes adeniums to go into early dormancy.

See Photo gallery of exotic varieties and Thai Adeniums - milti-colored, multi-grafted.

See article about Adenium.

Adenium 'Chocolate' - double-flowered cultivar with creamy peach petals heavily brushed with deep burgundy. Compact growth, ideal for container display.

Paraphalaenopsis sp. (Paraphalaenopsis) is a small shrub, growing between 2-5 ft in height. They prefer a semi-shade location, as they are epiphytes in their native habitats in Borneo. These plants provide a unique and unusual color in the garden, with their pink, white and off-white, as well as yellow and orange flowers.

In terms of its hardiness, Paraphalaenopsis sp. can be grown in USDA Zone 9-11. For cold regions, the plant may be grown in a pot inside the house or in a heated greenhouse. When grown in pots, it is important to use bark chips as a potting medium. The bark should be free-draining and water should be allowed to drain freely from the pot. If the soil becomes sodden, repot the plant in a well-drained potting mixture with a slightly tighter structure.

Paraphalaenopsis also likes to be watered thoroughly, but only when the potting medium has dried out. During the growing season (typically between spring and autumn), one should water the plant every two to three weeks. During winter, reduce the frequency of watering to allow the plant time to go more dormant. Fertilize the plant every two to three weeks using a balanced fertilizer at one-quarter to half the recommended rate.

Finally, do not forget to mist your Paraphalaenopsis regularly, especially in warmer climates. This will prevent the leaves from drying out, and ensure the plant receives adequate humidity. With the right conditions, Paraphalaenopsis will continue to reward you with beautiful flowers season after season.

Iris Bearded Group yellow cultivar is a perennial ornamental plant valued for its large, ruffled flowers in clear yellow tones. Like other bearded irises, it forms a fan of sword-shaped, grey-green leaves arising from thick rhizomes. The flower stems carry several blooms, each with three upright standards and three downward falls marked by a soft "beard" of fuzzy hairs. This vivid yellow form brings strong color accents to spring borders and mixed plantings, and its bright hue pairs well with contrasting blues, purples, or whites in the garden. One notable variety is Iris 'Tiger Honey', which combines a warm yellow base with subtle brown veining on the falls for added depth and texture.

Grow bearded irises in full sun with excellent drainage and good air circulation to prevent rhizome rot and leaf spot. Average to rich sandy loam is ideal. Water regularly during active growth, reducing in cooler months. Divide and replant rhizomes in midsummer after flowering to maintain vigor. Remove any diseased foliage and destroy affected rhizomes to control pests such as iris borers. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 9, these cultivars thrive in climates with cold winters to encourage strong blooming.

This is an old fashioned, but very rewarding garden plant. Zantedeschia is named after Professor Zantedeschi, probably Giovanni Zantedeschi, 1773-1846, an Italian physician and botanist. The flowers are faintly scented and this attracts various crawling insects and bees which are responsible for pollinating the flowers. The spathe turns green after flowering and covers the ripening berries. It rots away when these are ripe and the succulent yellow berries attract birds, which are responsible for seed dispersal. The rhizome is large and eaten by wild pigs and porcupines and the ripe fruit enjoyed by birds. Raw plant material causes swelling of the throat because of microscopic, sharp calcium oxalate crystals. The leaves are used as a poultice and a treatment for headaches. May be used as a marginal plant along streams, or on the edge of a pond. Plant in partial shade if there is no permanent water. It can be planted as a foliage plant in deep shade under trees but will not flower well in this position. It is fast growing and likes very rich, well-drained conditions. It is an excellent cutflower and lasts a long time in water. Nowadays there are other forms of this species which will enliven an old theme. There is also an attractive form with leaves spotted white. Requires consistently moist soil.

See Zantedeschia aethiopica.

Vandas have about 50 species, from which the many hybrids are derived from the tropics Asia and the orient as far down as Australia, they require warm growing conditions with plenty of bright light. Normally they grow best suspended in wooden baskets. They need lots of light, but will still burn when the sun reaches them through glass, so some shading is necessary, the correct level of shading has been reached when on a sunny day, your hand will cast a shadow on the plant but without a definate edge. Grow them high up, but dont forget to give them good air circulation.

Vandas like it hot, minimum night temps may fall to 55 deg. as long as the plant is thoroughly dry by nightfall and daytime temperatures in the 80s is quite ok.

See Orchid page for pictures of different orchids and care info.

Intergeneric hybrids:

Ascocenda (Ascocentrum x Vanda)

Aranda (Arachnis x Vanda)

Mokara (Arachnis x Ascocentrum x Vanda)

Kagawara (Ascocentrum x Renanthera x Vanda)

The Vanda Alliance is made up mostly of warm- and full-sun-growing orchids with colorful flowers. Originating in tropical Asia, they are easily grown in warm climates.

Masdevallia plants are small shrubs, growing to a maximum height of 2-5 ft. They bloom with beautiful and unusual colors both in white, off-white and more typical colors such as pink and red and crimson. They also produce an impressive array of yellow, orange and vinous flowers that make these plants highly desirable.

These plants are quite easy to grow and thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. They need to be in a location with partial shade or some semi-shade and protective cover to keep the cool temperatures. While in their native environment, these plants are epiphytes and are found in rocks, trees, and even in coastal sand.

Regular water is essential for the success of Masdevallia plants. The plants need a high level of humidity and regular misting and soaking in tepid water will help. When growing Masdevallia in cold climates with temperatures dropping below freezing, the plants must either be grown in pots or the roots should be protected with a heavy layer of mulch. In these regions, regular watering should still be provided and it is suggested that the pot should be stored in an area with better temperature control.

Extra mulch and compost should be added to the soil to help with moisture retention as the cool temperatures will very easily suck all the moisture out of the soil. Fertilizer may need to be given to the plant every two to three weeks to ensure proper growth and the plant should be monitored for pests and diseases.

To sum it up, Masdevallia is a small shrub that needs to be grown in cool temperatures in partial, semi-shade light with regular watering and misting to ensure success. In colder regions, the plants need to be given some extra protection from the cold with mulch and compost and a controlled environment. With proper care, Masdevallia will make any garden more beautiful with its unique color palette and delicate cascading flowers.

Adenium 'Lovely Black' Deep burgundy petals with blackish undertones and creamy white throat. Striking contrast and velvety texture make it a standout in any collection.

Boswellia is a genus of trees in the order Sapindales, known for their fragrant resin which has many pharmacological uses. Boswellia sacra is the primary tree in the genus Boswellia from which frankincense, a resinous dried sap, is harvested.

Napoleona is an interesting group of trees and shrubs found

in the understorey of tropical rainforests. Esteemed for the exquisite, vividly colored, saucer shaped flowers that grow from leaf axils, or directly from trunk and stem. They are mostly grown as greenhouse specimens by collectors, but can be used as landscaping ornamentals where conditions are suited. Growing conditions are stated to be similar to the related Barringtonia spp.

The fruits sugary pulp is used as desserts, the roots for medicinal purposes and the twigs as traditional chewsticks. The reniform, reddish seeds of this species constitute a false kola, which has a taste closely resembling that of true kola.

The flowers are fragrant and smell like Butterscotch!

See Article about this tree:

Napoleana - Napoleon's Hat: endangered species from outgone era of the Napoleon War.