Tropicals - Make room for one more

It all started when I became a member of Garden Web searching for information on germinating a few seeds. I came across the "tropicals" forum and was instantly addicted. Hearing of some of these exotic plants, their fragrance, blooms, even their seed pods had interest. I really took interest in brugmansia and was lucky enough to find a fellow gardener that had two that had over grown their welcome. Bringing them home with detailed instructions, it was the end of the season so all the leaves had fallen off, he had trimmed it back, honestly....it looked like it was going to die. But the following summer, they both put on a great show...



I now have far too many brugs...most traded with other gardeners for their cuttings in fall. Many will bloom this summer for the first time...thats when I will have to decide which of them stay and which I will find a new home for.

My obsession for a few years now has been with one exotic plant...vigna caracalla or snail vine. I read about it and immediately tried to find a source for the seeds. At that time, no online seed companies could keep it in stock...I ended up tracking down a package from a fellow seed trader in florida. Planting as instructed and bottom heat, in no time I had two strong seedlings.

Caring for these babies, I decided it was time to start hardening them off and prepare them for their summer outside. Placing them lovingly in a shaded, protected area, I felt confident in letting them sit for a few hours. I went out to discover squirrels had completely taken one and uprooted the other. I re-potted it and was on guard from then on, but it struggled the whole first season outdoors. Reading that it is common that they flower the second year from seed, I really didn't think much of it. Over wintered indoors...brought it back out for its second season, planning on the blooms I'd waited so long to see. I used commercial fertilizer, but realized too late in the season that it wasn't getting enough sunlight for the day. I moved it to another spot, but no blooms ever started to form. Late september it was still hot and sunny, so I left it out...well one night someone came along, dug it out of the pot, and took the pot...dirt and all. In the morning, I was so relieved to see the plant still there....I can always get another pot!!

This is "his" third summer...I cut it back harshly late winter / early spring and it took off like a rocket. Moved it up a pot, added some poles for support and its covered in shoots. With any luck, no one will steal it this time, and it has enough sun, and no squirrels eat it......I will see blooms this year. Will post pics if / when he decides to put on a show.