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conejov
07-10-2009, 01:54 PM
Hey Guys!

Im looking for some help Im trying to set up a Tropical "garden" in one corner of the backyard Im looking for suggestions on plants to include and or lay out Ideas any suggestions would help Ill include a picture of what I have there with now.

I have right now a DC, a Orinoco, a Ice Cream and an elephant Ears in the corner.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC03985.jpg

Thanks. Im trying to be frugal. because I know it can get out of hand. If it wasnt for the money I would have gone Nanner crazy.

lorax
07-10-2009, 02:05 PM
If you want a good laugh, I could tell you that many gardens in my neck of the Tropics try to emulate the temperate zones....

I'd add in some other aroids (you're hot enough to have Philodendrons; the really big Meganostigmas like P. bipinnifitidum are quite stunning, as is Monstera deliciosa), some of the low-growing palms like Geonoma or Chamaeodora, ferns of any and all descriptions, and definitely some Zingibers (true gingers, you can buy these at the grocery and plant them) or Alpinias. Oh, and Canna. For low cover, Spider plants and Trandescantia.

Alternately, if you want a primarily edible tropical-feeling/looking garden, you could try this....
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Bananas/ConejoV-Garden.jpg

bepah
07-10-2009, 02:20 PM
One thing you'll need first is a canopy, either trees, bamboo, or bananas come to mind. Many tropical plants require some shade. Check you microclimates, if any. This is especially true if you have a slope in your yard, full sun, water ponds/pools, etc.

Good luck on your design.

Jack Daw
07-10-2009, 02:27 PM
I don't know if it's only me, but those nanas are too close to each other. Bear in mind, that they reach quite impressive height (Ice Cream...) and the corms will need lots and lots of space, otherwise they won't be able to survive from what they have and they will eliminate it's neighbour.

Bob
07-10-2009, 03:04 PM
I agree with Jack D. That was my first thought as well. I'd pull up the 2 that haven't grown out yet and give them some space. You'll be glad you did in a few months.

conejov
07-10-2009, 05:50 PM
How much should I separate them?

Jack Daw
07-10-2009, 05:59 PM
How much should I separate them?
I was told that for banana plant on plantains a triangle form is used in Central America with euqal sides of triangle (1,2 meters or 4 feet), or row styled nanas with aproximate distance of 1,2 meters from each other in the row and 3,5 meters or 11,5 feet between 2 rows.
Anyways, you have to reconsider the plant organization as well.
Plantains and verified sources usually plant the same heighted plants, yet you have very different plants, so you should also reorganize the corner so that the highest nanas are on the north side of your tropical corner, to give the light from south to other naners.

conejov
07-10-2009, 07:56 PM
Now the orinoco nd the Ice cream are separated by 2ft and I know that both of them get up to 12ft or more. How much do you think I should put between them, So both the Orinoco & IC should be on the north side? the south side is where the EE is.

jjjankovsky
07-10-2009, 08:18 PM
as a guy who still has more space than sense...i've held to the maxim of

'plant lots-chop out the extras'...what's the downside?

Jack Daw
07-11-2009, 04:00 AM
Now the orinoco nd the Ice cream are separated by 2ft and I know that both of them get up to 12ft or more. How much do you think I should put between them, So both the Orinoco & IC should be on the north side? the south side is where the EE is.
The sun is in slight angle in summer and winter for you, that means, that it's always slightly looking from the south to your garden and above your head. This may not be a difference to you, but it does make a difference for the plant, whether it get an hour or 3 more sun. If you put Ice Cream and Orinoco in front of the smaller ones, you wouldn't like the effect...

As for the distances between the corms, 4 feet should be idle (centre to centre), 2 is too little. Imagine, that the IC will be a multistem 10 feet tall plant in a year or so. What size corm do you think it will have? Laaaaarge.

By south and north I meant south and north IN YOUR TROPICAL GARDEN, but generally I assume that you placed your tropical garden in the south of your Garden. ;) Am I confusing yet. :D

conejov
07-11-2009, 02:01 PM
Thank you for the suggestions Jack I think i might move the IC to where the DC is... and look and see if I can get some ginger and cannas On special. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Any more suggestions?

Jack Daw
07-11-2009, 02:12 PM
Thank you for the suggestions Jack I think i might move the IC to where the DC is... and look and see if I can get some ginger and cannas On special. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Any more suggestions?
There's a saying in my country: "If you want to do something, do it properly the first time." :D
So whatever gives you that tropical feeling is good. In my case it is tomatoes. But I'm crazy. ;)

conejov
07-11-2009, 02:31 PM
There's a saying in my country: "If you want to do something, do it properly the first time." :D
So whatever gives you that tropical feeling is good. In my case it is tomatoes. But I'm crazy. ;)

TOmatoes give you a tropical feeling? do they not grow in your Zone?

Im going to start slow, A couple of plants at a time even if I have to start from seed, I want to get some birds of paradise some more Aroids, But Im also looking to get some suggestions of types Of plants to include.

Jack Daw
07-11-2009, 02:38 PM
TOmatoes give you a tropical feeling? do they not grow in your Zone?

Im going to start slow, A couple of plants at a time even if I have to start from seed, I want to get some birds of paradise some more Aroids, But Im also looking to get some suggestions of types Of plants to include.
They do, but they originate in America (central and south), so I always get that tropical feeling when I see them. :D

Vanillas, pineapples (to cover very well for winter), eucalyptus tree, ... whatever gives you the feelin' Maybe a palm tree (small one ;) )...

ewitte
07-11-2009, 03:20 PM
If you want another I can give you a pup from this... was labled raja puri when I got it. One pup is getting pretty big. Its a sword thats bigger than the IC I have. BTW here in Houston I've had bad luck with papaya. I can kill them real easy.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19096&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19096)

saltydad
07-11-2009, 03:33 PM
I can tell you that my single little Basjoo now has a mat of over 5 ft., with 17 pups! This is in 3 years, so plan accordingly.

sandy0225
07-11-2009, 04:06 PM
Zone 9 is all the help you need. This should be easy for you! I'm so jealous. It's not nearly as easy doing it in zone 5!

Jack Daw
07-11-2009, 04:12 PM
Speaking about basjoo mats, I think that 1 picture's worth a 1000 words.
Here is a mat, that was created by one plant our botanical garden got 2 years ago (photo taken this year in April).
They cut the stems down each year and just mulch.
I repeat. In 2 years from one smal plant!

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq201/Jackob_Daw/20090501%20-%20Botanicka%20zahrada%20UK/IMG_5041.jpg

jjjankovsky
07-11-2009, 04:43 PM
When we bought our land in the tropics we had old and very tall coco trees and a few very old mangos, the beautiful parota tree (stunning canopy) and 8 ciruelos (wild mexican plum). We named the place Rancho Los Ciruelos.

We are, of course, surrounded by the best and beautiful tropical gardens, and now in my fourth year, I'm understanding what makes them so great...if I can presume to be helpful...

Layers...canopies...understories...dark viney corners...bright jewell spots in the shade...vines that bloom...vines that don't...bromiliades...etc...ad naseum.

To do that in an area that threatens cold weather might require that you have some plants in pots in the garden...down in the dirt or otherwise, that would be lifted and go inside at the end of the season (then probably devided and shared)...that gets you into many higher zone plants that would just love a few months outside...think verigated pothos, ti plants, defenbachia, etc

here, shade at 50% is probably the best thing ever...i've planted many, many trees for that future purpose...we are now rebuilding our "shade shack" where we propogate things and it is a delight to see what keeps showing up...all (nope, that's not true)...lots of the things i tried to grow and forgot about that are now saying, "where'd you get me?!!"...

our original structure was just four poles in the ground with bamboo grid on top...then we planted a passion flower vine at each corner...not much later, the thing was covered with edible fruit and gives great shade for propogation...might even be a good vine to grow on a tropical garden fence in the burbs...but be careful...they really grow.

oh, i ramble...and i usually don't use caps in my typing (i'm one handed and this is readable and easier)...so hope you can live wit it...

just came back from a friend's and made 35 stem cuttings of a red and green ti that had blown over...maybe 10-15 will survive...tomorrow i will cut and plant bouganvillas cuttings, as the rainy season is upon us...

dig deep...and often

john

banfan
07-11-2009, 09:29 PM
A nice pond, with flowing water, stocked with fish and aquatic plants would be good to add for a tropical atmosphere.:woohoonaner:

conejov
07-13-2009, 11:21 AM
You know what I was thinking of adding some type of water fixture either a water fall or a pond. Yesterday I happened to stopped at a local nursery and they had Colocasia Illustris for $3.00! Yes $3.00 While its not huge its still a bargain. I couldnt help myself,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC03999.jpg


Now to figure out where to put it I was thinking of maybe putting it 6 feet in front of the Elephant Ears. but Im not sure given this is my first "Garden Design"

Jack Daw
07-13-2009, 12:02 PM
You know what I was thinking of adding some type of water fixture either a water fall or a pond. Yesterday I happened to stopped at a local nursery and they had Colocasia Illustris for $3.00! Yes $3.00 While its not huge its still a bargain. I couldnt help myself,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC03999.jpg


Now to figure out where to put it I was thinking of maybe putting it 6 feet in front of the Elephant Ears. but Im not sure given this is my first "Garden Design"
Conejov, could you please draw a picture with at least approximate postitions of your plants, possiblz of your entire garden with orientation? When drawing, do draw all the plants in mature size, so that you see how it looks, when the garden's complete...

jjjankovsky
07-13-2009, 01:52 PM
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii158/dryhouse/IMG_0325.jpg

heliconia, gingers, small bananas and other tropical flowers under the fairly dense shade of some trees...many flowers can be seen as one moves thru the garden

conejov
07-15-2009, 12:08 PM
Conejov, could you please draw a picture with at least approximate postitions of your plants, possiblz of your entire garden with orientation? When drawing, do draw all the plants in mature size, so that you see how it looks, when the garden's complete...

I was thinking of doing that I just didnt know how to go about it. But with your suggestions it given me some ideas on how to get started.

conejov
07-15-2009, 12:13 PM
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii158/dryhouse/IMG_0325.jpg

heliconia, gingers, small bananas and other tropical flowers under the fairly dense shade of some trees...many flowers can be seen as one moves thru the garden

Great picture it gives me some good ideas. I wont have any dense shade till the nanners are mature. How did you figure out the orientation of the plants Did you plan it out like Jack Draw suggested by mature height & size?

jjjankovsky
07-15-2009, 12:19 PM
no planning aided my first efforts in this spot...many were moved after showing their true height and disdain for tropical sun...

i now have 7 clumps of non-performing bird of paradise (strelizia reginae) that are in the sun...they move next...

gardening is an active verb

Hazmat
07-15-2009, 01:21 PM
Hey Guys!

Im looking for some help Im trying to set up a Tropical "garden" in one corner of the backyard Im looking for suggestions on plants to include and or lay out Ideas any suggestions would help Ill include a picture of what I have there with now.

I have right now a DC, a Orinoco, a Ice Cream and an elephant Ears in the corner.


Thanks. Im trying to be frugal. because I know it can get out of hand. If it wasnt for the money I would have gone Nanner crazy.

Hey Conejov
Take a look at my photo gallery... Not too much thought in placement when I started. As a result I had to remove allot. I didn’t think too much about how big or small they would grow. I also didn't consider that some would take years and some would grow so fast I thought they were on steroids.

Hazmat

conejov
07-16-2009, 11:14 PM
Hey Conejov
Take a look at my photo gallery... Not too much thought in placement when I started. As a result I had to remove allot. I didn’t think too much about how big or small they would grow. I also didn't consider that some would take years and some would grow so fast I thought they were on steroids.

Hazmat

So you recommend Planning it out first?

The Hollyberry Lady
07-16-2009, 11:31 PM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/flowerpink-3.gif

I am sure learning a lot from this thread. Thanks for all the great information. Please keep it coming...

Hazmat
07-16-2009, 11:47 PM
So you recommend Planning it out first?

I would defiantly do that… I also think I saw in this thread someone suggesting sketching it all out (to scale if you can). Graph paper works well, each square can equal 1’ or 6” depending on how big your paper is. I would also suggest doing an elevation view and a plan view. Let me know if your not sure of what I’m saying and I’ll try and show you some examples.

Hazmat

Jack Daw
07-17-2009, 02:49 AM
I would defiantly do that… I also think I saw in this thread someone suggesting sketching it all out (to scale if you can). Graph paper works well, each square can equal 1’ or 6” depending on how big your paper is. I would also suggest doing an elevation view and a plan view. Let me know if your not sure of what I’m saying and I’ll try and show you some examples.

Hazmat
It was me Hazmat. :D Elevation points and markers are not that necessary, not everyone likes to draw so detailed sketches, but it would bring some light to the darkness. :D

I found out that the best way to do this is either architect software (Home & Lanscape design, Better Homes & Gardens...) or some CAD based application (AutoCAD...). This would standardize and easier your work with the planning once the draft is complete...

But not many people do such things, ay? Call me crazy, but CAD application would be my choice.
Perfect, detialed, precise...

jjjankovsky
07-17-2009, 08:23 AM
okokok...i had a plan,...but it just wasn't very ambitious in that we started thinking of only a few meters on each side of the house...now we are up to about 1 1/2 acre around the house and may be eyeballing parts of the donkeys' pasture...

it's tough, but somebody had to do it!

in that my garden is an actual tropical garden (it's in the tropics), i also had to deal with the intensity of sunshine that might be welcomed elsewhere but hurts many plants unexpectedly, and many had to move

we also had structural features (rock edging, lines of blue agave winding here and there, and a few others that soon were covered by the green stuff on the ground that used to be manageable (think turf grass), but the combination of mowables here can leap an unsuspecting wheelbarrel in a single bound...we couldn't keep up with trimming around the stuff and dug them up.

i did have a string for lines on the ground...a hose for curved lines, and a pencil to draw things on my shovel...

today we will go north along the coast to a very nice nursery and buy pottery for the porch, and with luck, i'll post a photo or two...we'll probably trade some papyrus starts for a fancy heliconia.

in the meantime, enjoy this pic of pseudo bombax in bloom in the yard

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii158/dryhouse/2-26-2009_005.jpg

Jack Daw
07-17-2009, 08:27 AM
jjjankovsky, I love this guy. :D He shows us dozen large coco palms and says something about a small flower in the picture... :D
Lovely garden...

Bch Grl
07-17-2009, 10:28 AM
I love the Pseudo Bombax and have been trying to root some pieces from a large tree that I found in Key West.
I take some pieces every year when I go for vacation, but they always rot!
(Just checked the ones from this year...kiss them goodbye, they are black!)

Hope springs eternal! I'll try again next trip!

Margie:waving:

Hazmat
07-17-2009, 12:54 PM
It was me Hazmat. :D Elevation points and markers are not that necessary, not everyone likes to draw so detailed sketches, but it would bring some light to the darkness. :D

I found out that the best way to do this is either architect software (Home & Lanscape design, Better Homes & Gardens...) or some CAD based application (AutoCAD...). This would standardize and easier your work with the planning once the draft is complete...

But not many people do such things, ay? Call me crazy, but CAD application would be my choice.
Perfect, detialed, precise...

You’re right not everyone wants to take the time to do that... I’m an architect/contractor so it’s easy for me to just say that. AutoCAD would be a good way but not everyone has that ability. Hand sketches work well for me just to get the basics down. Here are a few sketches I did for a friend. We are in the design process right now.

southlatropical
07-17-2009, 08:06 PM
I like the jungle look. It keeps the weeds out.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19237&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19237&ppuser=973)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19236&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19236&ppuser=973)

jjjankovsky
07-17-2009, 08:15 PM
i like the jungle look also...

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii158/dryhouse/IMG_0380.jpg

southlatropical
07-17-2009, 08:22 PM
We can grow a lot of great stuff in z9 even though we are limited. Here are my favorites in each group.

Palms
Arenga englari
Butia x Syagrus 'Mule Palm'
Butia capitata 'Jelly Palm'
Chamaedorea radicalis
Chamaedorea microspadix
Sabal maritima
Sabal urseana

Cycads
Lepidozamia Peroffskiana
Ceratozamia latifolia
Ceratozamia kuestriana sp.?
Encephalartos ferox

Bamboo
Bambusa Chungii
Bambusa textilis mutabilis
Bambusa Oldhamii
Bambusa pervariabilis viridistriata

Gingers
Alpinia formosana - 'Pinstripe'
Hedychium longicornutum
Zingiber collinsii - 'Silver Streaks'
Zingiber spectabile - 'Beehive Ginger'

Big crinums
Crinum asiaticum 'Variegatum'
Crinum americanum
Crinum moorei 'Medio Picta'
Crinum asiaticum var. procerum - giant red leaf crinum

Heliconia schiedeana, big alocasias, hardy bromeliads, ti plants, philodendron selloum, loquat tree, bottle brush tree, and plenty of banana plants.

southlatropical
07-17-2009, 08:24 PM
[QUOTE=jjjankovsky;85057]i like the jungle look also...

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii158/dryhouse/IMG_0380.jpg[/QUOT

Nice!

conejov
07-17-2009, 10:05 PM
I agree The jungle looks nice. I was also considering mixing a bit of a zen garden. But still working on Ideas. Thanks alot for the great Ideas.

conejov
07-17-2009, 10:06 PM
We can grow a lot of great stuff in z9 even though we are limited. Here are my favorites in each group.

Palms
Arenga englari
Butia x Syagrus 'Mule Palm'
Butia capitata 'Jelly Palm'
Chamaedorea radicalis
Chamaedorea microspadix
Sabal maritima
Sabal urseana

Cycads
Lepidozamia Peroffskiana
Ceratozamia latifolia
Ceratozamia kuestriana sp.?
Encephalartos ferox

Bamboo
Bambusa Chungii
Bambusa textilis mutabilis
Bambusa Oldhamii
Bambusa pervariabilis viridistriata

Gingers
Alpinia formosana - 'Pinstripe'
Hedychium longicornutum
Zingiber collinsii - 'Silver Streaks'
Zingiber spectabile - 'Beehive Ginger'

Big crinums
Crinum asiaticum 'Variegatum'
Crinum americanum
Crinum moorei 'Medio Picta'
Crinum asiaticum var. procerum - giant red leaf crinum

Heliconia schiedeana, big alocasias, hardy bromeliads, ti plants, philodendron selloum, loquat tree, bottle brush tree, and plenty of banana plants.


Thanks for the extended list. I will definatey look into these.

conejov
07-17-2009, 10:12 PM
You’re right not everyone wants to take the time to do that... I’m an architect/contractor so it’s easy for me to just say that. AutoCAD would be a good way but not everyone has that ability. Hand sketches work well for me just to get the basics down. Here are a few sketches I did for a friend. We are in the design process right now.


I dont know i I will be able to get access to CAD or will really have the time to be that detailed. Im making a list of Plants and researching them to make sure they will grow here and to find out what their needs are. Im willing to start from seed. to get ready by next year.

ShearMe
07-22-2009, 07:44 PM
Try papaya or pineapple?

conejov
07-22-2009, 07:53 PM
Try papaya or pineapple?

I was actually thinking about that because I did see some on sale at the nursery. right now I think I need to see how big of a bed Im going to need and then starting getting it ready by laying down lots of organic matter.

Any suggestion on that anyone?

ShearMe
07-22-2009, 07:55 PM
Sorry, no, I've just received papaya seeds myself and have not had luck with any pineapples. :\

amazondk
08-02-2009, 01:20 PM
I have an on going tropical landsape project. Part of my land is in secondary amazonian forest and part has been cleared for many years. There have been people living here for about 5,000 years at least so all the vegetation is secondary in reality. I love the tropical forest and am bit by bit planting trees, palm trees, and other plants to enhance the natural landscape. Here are a few pictures.

A native bactris palm.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_0988.jpg

The Buriti, Mauritia flexousa swamp that runs along the stream bed of my country place.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1000.jpg

An açai, Euterpe precatoria at the edge of our lot.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1013.jpg

My goal is to design the landscape around the natral features that already are there to enhance the overall effect.

dk

Jack Daw
08-02-2009, 01:53 PM
Don, lovely garden you have there, really. :D
I always liked that kind of houses, where you wake up, go the the garden and see the forest just a few metres from you. Lovely.

ShearMe
08-02-2009, 01:56 PM
Very cool, what other plants have you planned for the future?

amazondk
08-03-2009, 01:04 AM
Our place in the country over looks the Negro River and is about 11,000 m2 which on one side borders on the stream with the big palm trees. About a third of the area is in older secondary forest, another third is in scrubby newer secondary vegetation, and the rest mostly cleared. We are going to put a small house on the to stay the weekends soon. Since my mother in law lives next door we stay at her place now. I mostly go for a day during the weekend to work on the landscape. My main focus has been to plant palms, mostly in groups with accent plants starting to fill things in. Like heliconias, bananas, marantas, crotons, cordylines, etc. And, also strategically plant fruit trees. It is important also to preserve the view of the river. This picture looks down across the lot and has a jack fruit tree that I started from a seed I received from India. It looks across the entry way that will be developed and has groupings of Bactris gasipaes and Euterpe prectoria moving down the lot. There are a lot of cashew trees that have naturalized around the lot. Most of them I will leave where they are, some I will move, and some take out. There is one to the left of the jackfruit. The native trees in the picture I have selected to leave for the most part. They undoubtedly will get much larger in time.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1062-1.jpg

These Euterpe precatoria , açai trees, are growing as a group that is to the side of the entry driveway, yet to be developed, but still where the car goes into the lot at.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1049.jpg

On the other side of the Euterpes is a group of three royal palms with a small bismarkia in the middleand some bromeliads. The royal palms are planted in a triangle 4 meters apart with the bismarkia that will fill in the middle. Since they are all big trees when grown it should fill in nicely.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1044.jpg

There is a bactris gasipaes group behind this and to the other side of the Euterpes which will be the other side of the driveway. My intention to have the entry way to the lot lined with groups of palms. The understory I will use crotons, cordylines, and other plants to give some color.

There is still a long way to go.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1041.jpg

Down the lot after the euterpes is a group of large tucumã palms, a spiny native that has great fruit. I have placed 3 African oil palms in the middle of them and have planted a bunch of native marantas and heliconias that I have collected in the country around them.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1034.jpg

And, this area which looks out over the river is where I intend to put a pool. I have a small lipstick palm that I planted in the foreground.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1037.jpg

There is a lot more to the place, but this gives an idea. In the forest area I am placing certain primary forest trees like tabebuias, native rubber trees, a Brazil nut (they get real bit) and others. Eventually they will overshadow the secondary tree canopy. Trees here get real big, up to 90 meters tall.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/IMG_1010.jpg

And, I am placing a lot of palms in the forest as well. And, there are already a lot of natives like Euterpe precatoria growing there as seedlings.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/May2313.jpg

amazondk
08-03-2009, 01:27 AM
Regarding big trees and canopy this is what a primary forest canopy tree looks like from a forest reserve here in Manaus. I do not have one of these trees on my lot, it is an Angelim Ferro, but I did plant a Brazil nut and they eventually get as big. Not that I will be around to see it that size though.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/Ducke41.jpg

My goal in the forest part of the lot is enhance the secondary forest and just keep the undergrowth open and give it a look of a primary forest like this, form the same area as the tree above. This is the 10,000 hecatare Ducke forsest reserve in Manaus.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/Ducke37.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/Ducke32.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/Ducke26.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/Ducke27.jpg

Nature is the best model for this part of the garden. So that is my main focus to develop. Palms are a major part of the forest here and they are and will be over at our country place as well. This forest reserve is a real interesting place. And, a great place to see tropical nature at her best.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/amazondk/Palm%20Talk/Ducke4.jpg

conejov
08-12-2009, 04:41 PM
Well I finally got the time to work the bed.
First i laid down some shipping paper to kill off the surrounding grass,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC04239.jpg

After two weeks I added four 40lbs bags of composted Cow Manure, two bag of compost, I tilled it then I planted a couple of Canna Rhizomes (thanks fernie!). I moved the IC to where the DC was. I also put a Hedychium Coronarium.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC04331.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC04334.jpg

It still a work in Progress.

lorax
08-12-2009, 07:58 PM
I'd still space those nanners out a bit more than you've got them currently - they will exand like gangbusters.

jjjankovsky
08-12-2009, 08:11 PM
Beth...

you are too sweet...

another way to say it is,..."get those bananas at least six feet apart, and...have some fun in the understory you will create,:

conejov
09-29-2009, 12:31 PM
UPDATE:

I've put in a Illustric Colocasia and the Cannas have come up already. I need a pbetter picture but here we go for now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC04396.jpg

supermario
10-01-2009, 09:05 AM
I'd still space those nanners out a bit more than you've got them currently - they will exand like gangbusters.

I agree. Here are pictures of my manzano(or at least I think it is) and double mahoi to illustrate what she means.. Both have been established for about 1.5 years and currently have growing bunches on them. :)

Double Mahoi tree
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/damethod/DwarfCavtree10-1-2009.jpg

D. Mahoi.. As you can see, I've been a bit lazy lately. Time for some maintenance!
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/damethod/Dwarfcavpups210-1-2009.jpg

Close up of D. Mahoi pups
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/damethod/DwarfCavpups10-1-2009.jpg

Manzano tree
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/damethod/Manzanotree10-1-2009005.jpg

Manzano pups
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/damethod/Manzanotree10-1-20090051.jpg

Without aggresive maintenance, banana mats can quickly grow out of control!

The Hollyberry Lady
10-01-2009, 10:22 AM
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.


: )

palmtree
10-25-2009, 09:19 PM
Great pics. The tropics are defiantely a paradise!

moonboy87
10-28-2009, 04:26 AM
Wow, amazing pics. There is a series of YT videos that touched this subject as well. I'll look them up soon enough, but until then I plan on trying to make my apartment look like a tropical forest. mmmmm tropics.

conejov
10-28-2009, 12:11 PM
Its was a sad day for Plants Yesterday. My Dogs decided it would be a great Idea to wrestle In the Nanner bed and Trampled most of the nanners. Given that one of my dogs is a Great Pyreneese/ Irish wolf Hound mix doesn't help!

heres a pic of the bed last week.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC04507.jpg


An After ...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC04652.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC04651.jpg


Ah, Oh well... hopefully they will come back if not at least maybe Ill get some Pups.