Rain Forest Gardener

Chamaedorea seifrizii the Bamboo Palm

Eric — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:04:31 +0000

Scientific Name: Chamaedorea seifrizii. Common Name: Bamboo Palm. This is a beautiful clumping or clustering palm with graceful green fronds held upright by strong bamboo-looking stalks that can grow as tall as ten feet. Native to Mexico and Central America.

From Chamaedorea seifrizii

The Bamboo Palm is very hardy and provides a fantastic tropical effect indoors or out. USDA Zones 9-11 Will die with temperatures below 24 degrees fahrenheit. So bring it inside in the winter.

However it is usually used as a houseplant in containers. Because it is an understory palm it does not need a lot of light to do well. Use a fast draining soil. Soil needs to be light an porous, similar to good Forrest topsoil.

A stunning landscape specimen when grown in medium to light shade.Plant in fast draining soil and place palm out of direct sunlight. Do not leave water standing in saucer.

This was one of the plants on NASA’s top 10 list of the most effective plants for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air.The report was mentioned in Dr. B.C.Wolverton’s book, “How to Grow Fresh Air”.

Here is the rainforest germination is easy. Find a shaded area of the rainforest and plant the seeds and wait. We usually plant Chamaedorea seifrizii in July becase it needs more heat than sunlight. With raised beds in a tropical environment there is no rush.

From Chamaedorea seifrizii

The seeds of the Chamaedorea seifrizii take from 3 to 5 months to germinate.

For people wanting to germinate Chamaedorea seifrizii seeds it is advisable that you use a heating mat or coil soil heater. These are available at many places and will aid in germinating tropical plants. 90 degree soil temperature is what we need for faster germination.

After the seedlings starting coming up reduce to temperature to about the 80 degree range.

Plants are ready to be transplanted after the first set of leaves develop.

Common knowledge says to plant the seedling in Light to Medium Shade. This is fine if you want a great looking houseplant. But in truth the bamboo palm will take full sun.

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Update: Cereus peruvianus, the Peruvian Apple Cactus

Eric — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:49:54 +0000

I think we have an identification on the Cactus photos. Much thanks.

These cacti were from cuttings. But whether it is cuttings or seeds it will take about 5 years to fruit.

It is a night blooming Cactus. I think it is a real neat Cactus.

Scientific Name: Cereus peruvianus. Common Names: Peruvian Apple, apple cactus. This Cactus gets its name from the one to two inch red fruit. This Cactus requires VERY GOOD DRAINAGE, warmth, sun and low humidity. Do not allow to sit in water. Likes full sun. The plant is easy to start from seeds or cuttings.In warm areas it can grow up to 20 feet.

I have some more photos to upload and organize of this Cactus. I will do that over the next few weeks.

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Begonia sericoneura, a easy pretty flower.

Eric — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:57:34 +0000

From Begonia

Scientific Name: Begonia sericoneura. Common name: not known. The Begonia family is one of the largest group of cultivated plants and its popularity as an ornamental has resulted in extensive hybridization and many cultivars and hybrids.

The flowers are red, pink, yellow, or white.

From Begonia

The male and female are in separate plants.

This is a true species Begonia native to Belize and probably all of Central America. Very popular as an ornamental in tropical areas; it is a beautiful foliage plant and makes a great backdrop for any garden.

Easily grown from seeds. This is an exotic tropical plant that is widely grown for its beautiful flowers and foliage. Easy to grow from seeds and makes an excellent container plant that is easily cared for. In habitat in Belize it grows everywhere but it particularly likes limestone hills and creek sides and seems to grow in every crack and crevice. It has potential of becoming invasive in mild climates.

From Begonia

To germinate plant the seeds about a month before frost. Keep warm and moist, 80 degree fahrenheit soil temperature during the day, no less than 50 degrees at night.
Needs shade from the afternoon sun.
They prefer warm weather.

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Bactris gasipaes, the Peach Palm.

Eric — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:42:06 +0000

From Peach Palm

The Bactris gasipaes is truly an amazing Palm. It is native to the jungles of Central and South America. Some of the common names are: Peach Palm, pejibaye, pijuayo,pixbae and many others.

The peach Palm has importance as a food source. Has edible fruits but is also grown commercially for its delicious heart of palm.

The trunks may be smooth but are more often spiny. Some are extremely spiny and should be great as a security hedge or screen.

The fruit is red, yellow and orange.

From Peach Palm

The Palm can reach up to 20 meters and higher. It needs to be planted in Zone 11 or above.Does not temperatures under 40 degrees fahrenheit. Cold will kill it. The Peach Palm is not really a Palm for people living on the Mainland United States.

This is an example of an exceptionally tall Peach Palm.

From Peach Palm

Birds love the tasty fruit of the peach palm.

From Peach Palm

Germination requires high humidity and warm damp soil in a sunny area. If germination is being done inside a bright grow light might be necessary. Seeds have short shelf life, 3 mouths or so after being harvested. Provided they are stored correctly.

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New Online Seed Store.

Eric — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:59:47 +0000

This is our newest online store.

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Ravenala madagascariensis the Travelers Palm

Eric — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:44:12 +0000

Scientific Name: Ravenala madagascariensis. Common Name: ‘Travelers Palm’. Not really a palm but related to the banana family.

From Ravenala madagascariensis

Can grow to 30+ feet in height in tropical and subtropical regions. Native to Madagascar. Good container plant in the first few years. After that it can get kind of big..

Flowers with seeds appear after about 4 years of growth.

From Ravenala madagascariensis

Easily produced from seed and is very fast growing. Seeds require warm temperature to germinate.Most will germinate in warm soil within 60 to 90 days. However some seeds take a year or longer to germinate.
So keep watering the seeds.

A easy germination method is to get a plastic bag and add moist peat moss. Then put them in a warm area, that does not get direct sunlight. As seeds sprout gently plant them in a large container. Give it some shade for the first year. Then it needs full sun.

Likes rich, moist but well-drained soil and a sunny spot in a hot climate. Should be sheltered from strong winds.

For USDA Zones 10 – 11

Unless you want it as a container plant. Move it inside for the winter in cold areas. It does not like cold.

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The White Anthurium andraeanum a Flamingo Flower.

Eric — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:21:42 +0000

THIS IS THE WHITE VARIETY

From Anthurium andraeanum -Exotic 'WHITE'

Scientific Name: Anthurium andraeanum. Common name: Flamingo Flower, Flamingo Lily, Oilcloth Flower. This is the popular florist Anthurium with its artificial, plastic-looking flower that has almost become a symbol of Hawaii.

From Anthurium andraeanum -Exotic 'WHITE'

Beautiful plant that has attractive dark green heart-shaped leaves, a straight, yellow flower spike and a glossy waxed-looking WHITE flower spathe. Many different cultivars exist, with the most common ones being the red, white or pink spathes.

Native to Central and South America but widely cultivated around the world as a house plant. Easy to grow from seeds but the seeds are rarely available commercially. It likes partial shade or light shade, is basically epiphytic and will grow best in a mix of bark, perlite and fern fiber such as that used in orchids or bromeliads. They can be grown in soil but rarely perform well in that medium. Looks great in a hanging basket. Excellent as cut flowers and will last a long time without any special preparation, often up to two or three weeks. It makes an excellent container plant that is easily cared for and makes.a nice focal point for a tropical or subtropical patio or courtyard.

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Morinda royoc. The vine Noni.

Eric — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:58:02 +0000

Also called Cheese Shrub, Mouse Pineapple.

From Morinda royoc "Vine Noni"

Scientific Name: Morinda royoc. Common name: ‘wart vine’, ‘wild noni’. This is a rare and unusual wild relative of the famed Polynesian medicine plant Morinda citrifolia ‘Noni”. A vine, it produces fruit that are minature versions of the noni fruit.

From Morinda royoc "Vine Noni"

It’s native range includes both Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida. Identical in taste, flavor and unpleasant smell but praised for its healing properties in traditional medicine. The plant has shiny dark green leaves and is attractive as an ornamental with bright yellow fruits. Easy to grow from seeds and makes an excellent container plant that is easily cared for.

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Morinda citrifolia: Noni the odd looking medicinal fruit.

Eric — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:27:50 +0000

From Noni

Scientific Name: Morinda citrifolia. Common name: Noni but is also known as the Indian Mulberry. It is a small shrub or tree that can grow up to 20 feet and produces many white flowers.

Used in the Pacific Islands for medicinal purposes since ancient times, young tender leaves were used to treat boils, cuts, inflammations and many other remedies to treat many other ailments.

From Noni

We must add that the Noni fruit when ripe is foul smelling and unpleasant. The plant would do okay in containers, preferably 5 gallons or larger (small containers would only make for small plants).

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F). Southern Florida and Hawaii seasons will allow Noni. Below 40 degrees Fahrenheit it will die.

From Noni

Can be propagated from cuttings and seeds. For a stronger plant always start from seed.
Seed germination would take about 30-60 days or more, and fruiting could be attained at around 6 months.
Seeds need to be germinated in a very warm and wet environment.
Scoring or nicked with a knife to aid germination.

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Averrhoa bilimbi tree

Eric — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:48:36 +0000

From Averrhoa bilimbi

Scientific Name: Averrhoa bilimbi. Common name: ‘bilimbi’.

A pretty little fruit tree that is a close relative of the carambola but quite different in appearance, manner of fruiting, flavor and uses. Native to Indonesia.

From Averrhoa bilimbi

The tree is upright and decorative and will usually grow to be 15 to 20 feet high and bear lots of multi-lobed, oblong fruit with a pale green waxy skin. The fruit turns yellow when ripe and has a crunchy but watery textured flesh. The taste is very similar to the starfruit, although the flesh is more acidic.

Easy to grow from seed; the seeds will germinate in 30 to 60 days and the plants will bloom and produce fruit in about three years. Can be used as a container plant.

The plant can be grown in full sun or light shade.

Temperature zones.
USDA: 11-12

Will grow in Southern Florida and Hawaii as long as it has some protection from the wind and cold.

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