Hello Fellow Gardeners,
Our gardens are getting some welcome moisture this evening. There are many exciting things happening in our island gardens. This is the season where an abundance of tropical plants are in bloom. Among the most outstanding are the Night Blooming Cereus and other members of its family. The three most common varieties on the island are two strong climbing vines that cling to trees, walls and other supports with many strong roots and a third which is a free standing cactus. These typically bloom once every summer month usually during a full moon. This season, they are blooming just after the full moon.
Hedge Cactus. Free standing Night Blooming Cereus
The blossoms can be a foot wide and are pure white with tiny yellow thread-like filia in their center which resembles saffron. Seeing these blossoms for the first time is an awesome, unforgettable experience. Night Blooming Cereus are cacti. Their stems are 1-2" wide and approximately 2-3 feet in length per section. The sections are jointed and can be easily separated for propagation. This magnificent variety has three sided stems.
The other popular island climbing variety is named Orchid Cactus. It is two-sided and has flat stems about a yard in length per section. The blooms are white with shades of pale pink. These can be viewed from the bike path at the old cemetery by Middle Gulf Drive.
Vining Night Blooming Cereus
The third variety is a large thick bodied cactus that is free standing. It grows in the ground. Its blossoms are huge and appear the same as the three sided climbing cactus.
All of these Night Bloomers open during the night and are still at their peak for approximately an hour after daybreak. The blossoms begin to fold as the sun rises higher in the sky. It is wise to keep an eye on the buds and your cameras ready so you don't miss this spectacular event.
We have several trees in our garden adorned with Night Blooming Cereus vines. One of our very tall Strangler Figs which is about 35 to 40 years old has had blooms from the lower part of the tree nearly to the top and in the middle of the tree. It is an incredible sight.
Night Bloomers are very easy to propagate and plant requiring little care. The two climbing ones on the islands grow from sections of the stems merely by sticking an end in the ground near a tree. Sabal palms work especially well. You might need to prop it to the tree or support till it takes root. The free standing variety is easily started by a section from the main plant. Stick it upright in the ground. It is important to wear heavy gloves when planting these as they do have serious stickers. The vining types have smaller spines. Zillions of bees are attracted to these blooms.
TROPICAL HELICONIAS
There are 194 known species of Heliconias. Several of them are grown on the island. This is their season to show off.
Heliconia - Lobster Claw
Jody Brown shared several starts of Cat's Claw Heliconias with club members before she moved. They are doing very nicely. Heliconias prefer shade, but need enough sun to bloom. Afternoon sun in the summer is too strong for many tropical plants. Most plants are receptive to some morning sun. Heliconias are very popular in the Caribbean with several species represented. There are three very popular gardens on Barbados that display Heliconias.
Heliconia
Many of the imports to Miami are grown in Barbados. We use these in our floral arrangements. Our island is not as tropical, but we can still enjoy success with many of the Heliconia species. Lobster Claw Heliconias have beautiful orange colored bracts with tiny inconspicuous flowers. The leaves which resemble Banana and Ginger plants are nice material for design arrangements. The leaf stalks can be very tall reaching 4 to 5 feet or more. They grow in clusters much like Ginger. I saw through the cluster to divide for a new plant. Plant the new cluster in rich soil and don't let it dry out. It may need to be propped until it takes root so it doesn't fall over on a windy day. The bright bracts attract pollinators, especially Hummingbirds.
I have been asked if the exotic tropical stems sold at the Farmer's Market can be rooted. They do make lovely, long lasting arrangements, but cannot be rooted.
Happy Gardening!
Patti P. from Paradise