Canna altensteinii

WOW! That incredible! Looks very nice as well!

Canna grow like boogery Balcony as long as you keep them well fed. I prefer the species to the more showy hybrids.

I grew a couple of tubers many years ago. I don't remember what happened to them now! I certainly liked them very much!

Another of the plus points of the species over the hybrids - they tend to be much hardier.

The winds here tear the leaves to ribbons.

The winds would love the foliage on this one Karen as they're the size of small banana plant leaves!

Mmm....snippy snip!

It looks great! Canna does grow very quickly. In such a small pot that's pretty large, though.

Delonix - I used the tip about Heliconia that you gave me. It is potted up in 50/50 multipurpose compost and well rotted horse manure.

Canna is a pretty heavy-feeder. Heliconia is an extremely heave-feeder, though.

I didn't realize the Heliconia seeds I sent you germinated. That's great! Maybe I missed the photos.

They did. Sadly they croaked when we had a power cut and the greenhouse dropped to -7°c for about twelve hours.

Oh wow! That cold will do it in! It's good to know it grew from seed. I've never tried growing them from seed before, because most people just grow them from rhizomes or small cuttings with the rhizome attached.

My Heliconia has not flowered in two years because of the severe 6 year drought. This year (with all the rain and the drought over) the stems are growing well and getting tall...so next spring the stems should flower again. I hope!

I will try again from seed.

If I get seed again on my plants, I'll send you more. It does take a long time for the seeds to develop.

Trust me, it can take a long time for them to germinate as well!

Any seed is cool here Delonix.

I didn't know. That's really good information. I so glad the seeds actually germinated.

I hope my Heliconia bloom next spring! They look really good this year. I'm so glad...the last few years they looked pitiful! I'm so glad this severe 6 year drought is over! :>))