Welcome to Rare Exotic Plants
Rare Plants Milwaukee Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Rare Plants Milwaukee. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Popular Exotic Plant Types - Part 2
from:Cycads
Cycads are an ancient group of seed plants that have large compound leaves and a thick trunk. They make up a small portion of plant life in tropical and subtropical regions today. They were quite common during the Jurassic period, which is why the Jurassic period is sometimes called the “Age of Cycads”.
There are few cycads in existence today and many face possible extinction in the wild. However, they can be seen in gardens and homes around the world because their leaves are so large and attractive.
Agave
Agaves are succulent plants of the genus Agave, belonging to the family Agavaceae. They are mainly Mexican but also grow in southern and western United States and in central and tropical South America.
They have large, thick leaves. It has a thick, usually short stem. It is slow growing plant and flowers only once. When it flowers, a tall stem grows from the center and bears large numbers of short, tubular flowers. After the flower blooms, the original plant dies, and new plants are produced from the suckers that grow at the base of the stem.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
This is a type of succulent cactus. It is also known as medicinal aloe, Barbados aloe or Curacao aloe. It is a large, succulent perennial plant. It has lanceolate leaves and yellow tubular flowers.
Some uses for Aloe Vera gel:
• First aid for sun burns and other types of burns
• When consumed in small quantities it may improve the immune system
• Used in shampoos, soaps and bubble bath liquid for its moisturizing quality
• Peptic ulcers
• Gastro-intestinal health
• Helps prevent wound infections
Cape Jasmine (Gardenia Augusta)
It is also known as common gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides, gardenia grandiflora, Gardenia radicans, Gardenia schlechteri or Gardenia florids. It belongs to a genus of nearly 200 species named in honor of the botanist, Alexander Garden.
This lovely-scented plant is native to China and has been grown in the United States for at lest one hundred years. It has glossy, evergreen leaves and large, fragrant white flowers.
The scent is so lovely you can find gardenia-inspired scents in perfumes, body lotions, shampoos and bath liquid. Some people say they look as if they are made of porcelain. They are commonly used in corsages and boutonnieres.
Gardenias grow well in semi-shady environments. They make nice container plants. Terra Cotta pots work well for gardenias.
Make sure the pot drains well. They like to be kept moist but do not allow them to sit in a pool of water. They dry out easily in the summertime so make sure you water them regularly.
Other tips for growing gardenia:
• Gardenias need a lot of light, but avoid direct afternoon sun during the summer. If you are growing them indoors, they will need a type of artificial light especially in the winter.
• They need to stay moist. Provide room temperature, distilled water. When they are not in bloom, they can be kept a little drier.
• They bloom best during warm days and cool night. Avoid temperatures below fifty degrees. They enjoy humidity and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures pretty well. They perform their best in high humidity situations. Use a humidifier in your home especially during the winter.
• Give them a water-soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks. Use an acid fertilizer a few times each year. If you do not use distilled water to water them, use the acid formula on a regular basis.
• Use a high quality peat-based soil.
• Repot your gardenias each spring when they are young. As they mature, only repot them if their roots outgrow the pot.
• Shower your gardenias occasionally and remove blooms that have died. Prune them for shaping if they grow too large.
The following are popular types of gardenia:
• Gardenia jasminoides “Florida” or “Fortuniana” has glossy, evergreen leaves, white, heavily scented flowers. They bloom mainly in the warmer months. This is said to be the type of gardenia with the largest leaves and most lovely fragrance.
• Gardenia “Magnifica” has larger flowers than “Florida” but is otherwise similar.
• Gardenia “Radicans” is a ground cover with small flowers and leaves than other types.
• “Gold Magic” has white flowers that turn a lemon color before falling off.
• “Aimee Yoshiba” are similar to the “Florida” but have larger foliage and flowers.
Rare Plants Milwaukee News
No Birthday Surprise From 'Corpse Flower' But Museum's Rare Plant ... - istockAnalyst.com (press release)
No Birthday Surprise From 'Corpse Flower' But Museum's Rare Plant ... istockAnalyst.com (press release), OR - Hazel's mom, Faith, thought it would be cool to visit the Milwaukee Public Museum on Monday just as the museum's titan arum plant was poised to bloom and ... |
Former Wolverine employees struggle: Job prospects fade ... - Trading Markets (press release)
Former Wolverine employees struggle: Job prospects fade ... Trading Markets (press release), CA - The timing of the demise of Wolverine's Decatur plant could not have been much worse. Its problems had little to do with the current economic crisis, ... |
Around Illinois - Waukegan News Sun
Around Illinois Waukegan News Sun, IL - Radisson Hotel: 2875 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. (847) 296-6400. Heartland Animal Shelter will host is annual Golden Paw Gala from 6 to 10:30 pm Nov. 15. ... |
Oldest Great Lakes freighter sent to scrap - ABC12.com
Oldest Great Lakes freighter sent to scrap ABC12.com, MI - For the past 12 years, the EM Ford has been tied up here at the docks at the LaFarge Cement plant in Carrollton. Today a tug arrived to take it on its final ... |
Democrats to automakers: Prove you can repay $25 billion - Trading Markets (press release)
Democrats to automakers: Prove you can repay $25 billion Trading Markets (press release), CA - The story said the board's position on a potential filing put it in "rare disagreement with Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner. ... |
Areva wins long-term Richland contract - Trading Markets (press release)
Areva wins long-term Richland contract Trading Markets (press release), CA - The new contract follows an announcement in August that Areva planned to add $2.5 million worth of equipment at its Richland plant to recover enriched ... |