Time for an update

I haven't posted since last May, so here are a few highlights from the last eight months:-

My Amorphophallus konjac flowered for the first time.

 

The spike stood about 1m tall & was in peak condition for 3 to 4 days. This plant is in a 250mm squat pot.

Although the flowers have a reputation for an unpleasant odour, the scent was slight & only present during maximum flowering.

Here is a close up of the tiny flowers:-

 

 

I  have about 20 plants of this clone available in 200mm pots for $20 each. The larger plants are 2 years away from flowering & can be grown inside or outdoors.

 

I was more impressed when Sauromatum venosum decided to bloom:- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This flower was decidedly weird & unexpected. The spathe is brightly coloured & its top tapers to a long tail.

For smell it beats the Konjac hands down, producing a strong odour of fresh cow dung, sharp but not too disgusting. Note the swarming flies on the flower.

I have two plants of this oddity available in 200mm pots @ $20 each.

 

Fiddle leaf figs, (Ficus lyrata), have been popular & expensive:-

 

 

I decided to try air layering, a propagation technique new to me. The results were outstanding:-

 

 

Four stems of my largest fig were layered & left for five weeks before unwrapping & removal.

The photo below shows the detached branches & root masses that formed:-

 

 

My Hydrangeas put on a good show until a run of hot days put paid to the flowers. Most of these were grown from cuttings & unknown until they flowered, with a few surprises:-

 

 

I presently have plenty of Turmeric in stock, available in 140, 200 & 250mm pots for $10, $20 & $30 respectively:-

 

 

These are growing rapidly in our currently tropical climate & have put on considerably more growth in the 2 weeks since this photo was taken. 

 

A new Salvia popped up from seed with distinct orange-red bracts. I decided to name it "Red Raver" as the parent was the purple "Mulberry Madness" from Graham Rowe:-

 

 

Exclusive to "The Niche" Nursery.

 

Lots of Peruvian Ground Apple / Yacon plants available:-

 

 

200mm pots    $10

 

 

140mm pots    $5

Great for your intestinal flora & for diabetics.

 

I have also been selling some nice Nepenthes hybrids on eBay:-

More will be available in the future as I have around 15 to repot & grow on.

 

The bamboo sale will be on again in autumn with plenty of stock of most varieties at good prices, with a few new species never offered before in small numbers.

 

All the best,

Russell.