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Bob DeCavalcante
01-05-2009, 11:45 AM
Hello to all.
To introdice myself. I am Bob DeCavalcante and I recently moved to south Florida from N.J. I am medically retired and wanting to learn to garden.I am hoping to be able to grow a beautiful garden here consisting of Bananas, Heliconia, Gingers and Costus. I have a few Plumeria that I have got to get in the ground when I am able to get out and work in the yard. I hope to learn from all of you and to make some great friends.
Bob

Bob
01-05-2009, 11:52 AM
Welcome Bob, you're not missing snow and ice yet ? I'm sure there'll be lots of people ready to help with your garden. You're going to miss the quality of bread and pizza. I have to send regular care packages!

Bob DeCavalcante
01-05-2009, 12:03 PM
Bob,
Yes I know the bread and Pizza is much different here.I miss it but I have foung some that is good here and a bakery down the road. So I hope I can adjust without having to have food packages sent in. LOL

Tog Tan
01-05-2009, 12:03 PM
Hello Bob and welcome to the board!:goteam:

Well, you are off to a good start with the choices of some of the toughest and easiest to establish plant families. Good luck and hope to hear about your progress soon.:ha:

Bob DeCavalcante
01-05-2009, 12:50 PM
Hello Bob and welcome to the board!:goteam:

Well, you are off to a good start with the choices of some of the toughest and easiest to establish plant families. Good luck and hope to hear about your progress soon.:ha:
Tog Tan,
Thanks for the welcome. Any suggestions on where to buy seeds or rhizomes?

Tog Tan
01-05-2009, 01:08 PM
Hey Bob,
You can try the various vendors on ebay from Thailand. Their selection of plumeria is really great especially the Variegated and the dwarf types. Now, a few nurseries there are concentrating on the dwarf form which max at 4-5ft in height and full of blooms. I have 1 type with me and it's really cute.
In terms of ginger related plants, they also have a great selection of cucurma's and species. These don't do too well over here as they are seasonal and go dormant in their summer months. When I grow them here in our climate which is very much wetter, they keep on growing without rest resulting in smaller blooms. Then they will finally knock off to a deep sleep and regenerate with big blooms. I feel bad for them in this situation.
Tog

Chironex
01-05-2009, 02:53 PM
OOOHHHHHH, you're going to love it here. So many beautiful plants to see, landscapes, bananas, elephant ears - you will have fun just imagining your landscape. There are so many diverse experts here. Have fun, and welcome!

Bob DeCavalcante
01-05-2009, 06:01 PM
Thanks Scot for the welcome.I am excited about being able to finally get to do the gardening I have always wanted to do. I see you are in Vegas. It is oneofourfavorite places to visit.I just wish that Icouldafford to sta longer when we go.LOL

Taylor
01-06-2009, 12:13 AM
Hey Bob! Welcome!

I took a vacation to Naples this last summer, it was great! I am going back this year, too, but to Sanibel only (I think...unless I can make a day trip to Naples before heading to Ft. Myers Airport). Great place! What part of the city are you in?

May I suggest putting Driftwood Nursery near the top of your list of nurseries to go to. I'll post a few pictures here soon if I can find them.

Taylor
01-06-2009, 12:24 AM
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXkWjjrEnI/AAAAAAAAArQ/aAWPuePsxMI/s800/DSC03226.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXkaXDRdyI/AAAAAAAAArY/_mmwMGc3K9k/s800/DSC03227.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXkrtOeWCI/AAAAAAAAAsE/7QR4lSZ9-DM/s800/DSC03232.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXkuTFvA6I/AAAAAAAAAsM/wGpoHfdqt-M/s800/DSC03233.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlCvbaKSI/AAAAAAAAAtM/oi-liCCYmW4/s800/DSC03241.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlG2VbZKI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Jb7WVLHYt6U/s800/DSC03243.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlKXjWxgI/AAAAAAAAAto/pzMY5pqaA6A/s800/DSC03244.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlR_-_9DI/AAAAAAAAAt4/Fr_dqXxxFMc/s800/DSC03246.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlb24kkgI/AAAAAAAAAuY/RlNImBPZZKE/s800/DSC03250.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlaMia-3I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/-pES8cQbQp8/s800/DSC03249.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlu-rR20I/AAAAAAAAAvM/n0DhyxGSvpY/s800/DSC03256.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXlx-c_GSI/AAAAAAAAAvU/lIT-0KQG7JE/s800/DSC03257.JPG" /></a>
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXl4rJzI6I/AAAAAAAAAvk/vwq6ic3qf28/s800/DSC03259.JPG" /></a>

And to top off the pictoral tour...
Musa 'Siam Ruby'
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OrAcwnBzarY/SLXl1YknSAI/AAAAAAAAAvc/evfYH6crEGA/s800/DSC03258.JPG" /></a>

Enjoy! :D

Bob DeCavalcante
01-06-2009, 08:06 PM
Taylor,
Thank you for the welcome and the pictures of driftwood garden center it looks ike a good place. Where are they located at? I see you are in Va. I have yet to go to Sanibel Island as things have been busy here moving from N.J. and trying to get started gardening. Too much work and too little time.

Taylor
01-06-2009, 08:16 PM
Hey Bob,
Driftwood Garden Center (http://www.driftwoodgarden.com/)

This is the address from their site:

Driftwood Garden Center & Florist
5051 Tamiami Trail North Naples , FL 34103
Phone: 239-261-0328
Fax: 239-261-4301
Email: dgcnaples@aol.com

There is something there for anybody, whether you want plants or a new garden hat!

When you go to Sanibel, go for a day trip or in Summer. Least tourists and best prices. Stop by Jerry's Grocery on Periwinkle Way and see the bananas growing in their courtyard! They were almost ripe when I was there.

Bob DeCavalcante
01-06-2009, 09:41 PM
Taylor,
I will be sure to do that. I am in the Golden Gate area and have 3 acres that I hope to plant a tropical paradise on.Being retired medically and on SSI makes it hard to do but it is my goal to accomplish.

Taylor
01-06-2009, 09:47 PM
My aunt and uncle lived in the Golden Gate area as well...off of Recreation Drive (Townhomes as their stay was temporary).

Three acres is more than enough, I'd say!

Keep us updated on your progress in making your tropical paradise. :D

Bob DeCavalcante
01-06-2009, 10:15 PM
My family lived in the Golden Gate area as well...off of Recreation Drive (Townhomes as their stay was temporary).

Three acres is more than enough, I'd say!

Keep us updated on your progress in making your tropical paradise. :D
I am off Imokolee road and will keep everyone up to date on the gardens progress.