Tropaeolum

[Lesley Cox]

I doubt if you're complaining Rogan.

[Jupiter]

Stunning photograph Rogan. That's one I'd like to try growing some day.

[Steven McFarlane]

Hi again

Earlier in the year I said that I would post some pictures of the tender species that I have been growing.  Success has been mixed with some plants having many flowers, while some have had few (T. peltophorum) and one none at all (T. fintelmanii olmosense). However here they are. In each case I have included a picture of the plant and one with the flower.


T. peregrinum

T. smithii

T. moritzianum

T. peltophorum

T. fintelmanii olmosense

Hope you like them

Steven

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, Steven, clicking your pix  to see the larger versions has been a real learning pleasure!

I especially love the "fancy"  flowers of T. moritzianum and the simple form of T. peltophorum combined with its stunning colour  - really charming flowers. The foliage varies a lot too......very useful to have shots of both plant and flower close-ups.

[Paul T]

Stephen,

All very striking.  I've got to find and grow peregrinum and moritzianum I think.... the flowers are just so cool.  smithii is pretty special as well.  I'd imagine these aren't seen very often?  Of all you posted, peregrinum is the one that strikes me most.... just love that shape.  Followed closely by moritzianum.

Thanks so much for showing us these unusual beauties!! 

[fleurbleue]

Wonderful flowers Steven, I failed two times T. peregrinum  A too dry place ?
Regards

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks for showing us Steven that T. moritzianum flower is sensational.

[Lesley Cox]

I at last have two seedings up of T. speciosum (don't throw up your hands in horror. So far I've failed miserably to grow this). I got a few seeds from my friend Susan back in early January, when Fermi, Otto et al were in NZ for the NZAGS Study weekend, and we all met Ian, the BD. So that long ago, as very fresh seed. But what I can't remember, was that Jan this year, or last? The only other thing in the seed pot is a young cabbage tree (Cordyline australis).

[Brian Ellis]

Congratulations Lesley, I don't throw my hands up in horror as I don't live in the cool, wet districts of this world - in fact we've hardly had a drop of rain for four weeks.  I was pleased to see that mine was about six foot tall and flowering in the deep shade of a Rosa glauca.  I failed until someone told me to put it in a sheltered northerly position.  Despite all warnings to the contrary it has not taken over the garden - yet

[Jupiter]

Hi Steven - your plants (and photographs) are stunning. I'm extremely impressed. I would love to trade seeds with you - I'm very interested in trying T. moritzianum. If your plants set viable seeds perhaps you'd consider a trade? 

[Rogan]

For years T. peregrinum seed was offered as "Canary Creeper" in this country, and sold in virually every seed store and garden centre - I have not seen it in recent years though... Quoting from experience this plant is much loved by slugs and snails - a fate my last batch of seedlings met with   

[Rogan]

This is a question about tuberous Tropaeolum that may have been asked and answered many times before - I have this little T. hookerianum austropupureum doing its thing at the moment (I'll have to post another picture soon ) and I would hate to lose it: how do I treat the tuber once it is dormant? Can I leave it in situ receiving heavy summer rainfall, or is it advisable to lift and store it dry or barely moist (in peat) for the summer months? In my infinite wisdom I sowed the seed in a large pot containing dormant Sandersonia aurantiaca tubers (not thinking that the Tropaeolum would ever germinate!), now of course the Sandersonias want to grow when the Tropaeolum should go dormant. What a dilemma: so many things to grow - so little time to repot them!

[Paul T]

Rogan,

At least you'll have the Sandersonia using up the excess water while the Trops are dormant!!?  If you've got multiple tubers maybe it's worthwhile to remove a couple from the pot and keep them dry somewhere, waiting to see what happens to those left in the pot with the Sandersonia?

[Jupiter]

Rogan I try to keep my tuberous Tropaeolums on the dry side when they're dormant. I do this by moving their pots under a deck to keep out the winter rains. If that was my pot I'd separate the Trop. from the Sandersonia so you can properly look after it through its dormant period. Barely moist is the go I reckon, they are more than happy in peat or in damp-to-dry potting medium while dormant. They'll push up shoots when they feel it's time to come to life and that's when I start watering mine. Hope this helps, of course my climate is different to yours so it's not necessarily to be taken as gospel!
Good luck.

[Lesley Cox]

I don't think I'd be letting the dormant tropaeolum tubers take heavy summer rain. Rather, I'd put their pot under a bench or somewhere they'll be safe and dry. I don't lift my T. azureum to store but keep it in the pot outside, but we have almost no rainfall in summer at all these days.