|
Central Florida Farms
Aquascape | Landscape | Tropicals | Fruit Trees | House Plants | Aquarium | Giant Elephant Ear Plants | Banana Plants
Adding Life to Yours!
Exotics & Tropicals
. Elephant Ear Plants
~ Banana Plants ~
White Butterfly Ginger - Zone 7 - 11. (see pic above) White Hedychium Butterfly Ginger is considered one of the most attractive of all gingers. it's definitely one of the easiest to grow. Grows best in semi-shaded areas but can live well in full sun if given continual moist soil. Can be grown directly in standing water such as your pond but the roots will spread and should be trimmed occasionally. It bears clusters of snow white fragrant butterfly flowers that attract butterflies and honey bees. Extremely fast growing when cared for properly & will bloom readily if grown in containers as well as the yard. Grow it for the look and grow it for the ease. Looks great along the fence and will actually help hold them up when they get to 5+ feet. This Ginger grows to heights of 3'-7'. Leaves are lance-shaped and sharp-pointed, 8-24" long and 2-5" wide. From midsummer through autumn, the stalks are topped with 6-12"-long clusters of wonderfully fragrant white flowers that look like a cluster of delicate butterflies sitting on the plants. The flowers eventually give way to showy bright red seed pods if pollinated. If not, no problem... they will grow a rhizome and continue to produce stalks but are easily controlled. They are not invasive unless you leave it alone for about 10 years and then can be removed in a couple days of easy up rooting. They are cold hardy to 13 degrees (I have personally witnessed much colder) and if hit by frost or freeze, will come back the next warm season. These are one of the easiest and most perfect plants for that tropical look that we all desire. These are said that they will not flower in full shade, I have grown these for over 5 years and ALWAYS bloom in shade. All the gingers I have grown have all bloomed in the shade and stay nice and lush green looking. All our gingers are rhizome grown and are very hardy plants.
Peach Butterfly Ginger - Zone 7 - 11. Some call this the "Dr. Moy" ginger. But it doesn't have variegation in its leaves & although the flowers are similar in color, they are a deeper peach, the leaf structure is a little different and pod structure is the same as white Hedychium. Like the White Butterfly Ginger, the peach is considered one of the most attractive of all gingers. The stalks on the peach Hedychium have reddish colorings in the stalks where as the white is all green normally. They certainly look great growing in the same area. Grows best in semi-shaded areas but can live well in full sun. Can be grown directly in standing water such as your pond. It bears clusters of snow white fragrant butterfly flowers. This exotic root can also be used for cooking. Fast growing when cared for properly. Easily grown in containers or in the yard. Looks good along the fence. This Ginger grows to heights of 3'-7'. Leaves are lance-shaped and sharp-pointed, 8-24" long and 2-5" wide. From midsummer through autumn, the stalks are topped with 6-12"-long clusters of wonderfully fragrant white flowers with a deep peach middle that resembles butterflies. The flowers eventually give way to showy bright red seed pods if pollinated. They are cold hardy to 13 degrees (I have personally witnessed much colder) and if hit by frost or freeze, will come back the next warm season. These are said that they will not flower in full shade, I have grown these for over 5 years and ALWAYS bloom in shade. All the gingers I have grown have all bloomed in the shade and stay nice and lush green looking. All our gingers are rhizome grown and are very hardy plants. Dr. Moy Variegated Butterfly Ginger Plant - Cold Hardy Tropical Foliage! This is one that most collectors know of and is the wonder of the variegated world of gingers. They produce a beautiful cluster of peach and white colored fragrant blossoms. The best part however is the foliage. It is tall, dark green with white variegated striped and flecked leaves from the new shoots until it reaches 6+ feet tall stature. They can fall over if there is only a couple plants or planted alone, but this is easily remedied by either using a tomato basket or slim stakes and gently tied to them in two or three locations. you can also plant them against a wall or among other sturdier plants to help them stay upright. It's well worth the effort when you see these beauties grow! They are as vigorous as the green forms of butterfly gingers. WE only have a few available at this time and have not offered them before but I think I have enough for our eyes and will make them available as they continue to produce new shoots. They can be container grown or in the ground and do withstand our zone 8b/9 weather easily. They actually seem to be more hardy than other butterfly ginger cultivars. These are all naturally propagated. Very Limited
Variegated Shell Ginger - Zone 5b - 11. Variegated Ginger is a man made cultivars and cannot be reproduced via tissue culture because it will revert back to its green color. They spread by roots or rhizomes. For best results it should be grown in semi-shaded areas. Can be grown directly in standing water such as your pond or makes an excellent pond border or marginal plant. It bears clusters of cream white fragrant flowers. This Ginger also grows to heights of 3'-7'. Leaves are lance-shaped and sharp-pointed, 8-24" long and 2-5" wide. usually blooms in August with the stalks topped with 6-12"-long clusters of wonderfully fragrant cream white flowers. The flowers eventually give way to showy bright red seed pods. They are cold hardy to 13 degrees and if hit by frost or freeze, will come back the next warm season. Can be dug up in the temperate areas for safe keeping. More soon
Odds & Ends - Tropicals
-= Bird Of Paradise =-
Orange Bird of Paradise (Strelitzea Reginae) - What a wonderful plant this adds to any garden or pool area! It is a slow growing plant but one that is well worth owning once it blooms its pretty head! A clumping plant that can be planted just about anywhere. Full sun to bright shade or deeper shade. Likes lots of water but can take drought conditions once established. A very easy to grow plant that no landscape should be without. They will cluster or clump as they spread via underground rhizomes and form a spectacular showing. They bloom in our area most of the year and certainly through the winter months. Mandela's Bird of paradise - Strelitzia reginae Gold Variety - Zones 8b-11 - Cold Hardy and Easy to Care for! New for 2008! We have been nurturing these plants that were grown from seed from late 2006. They are the coveted Mandelas Golden bird of paradise. The leaves are deep green and the plants tend to clump and then form their beautiful golden, red, pink hued and blue blooms! It's like yellow crested birds poking their necks out of the bushes. The Plants grow to about 5 feet tall and just as wide and are surprisingly faster growing than I originally thought. Definitely makes for a beautiful flower and could be placed at either side of your entrance way or lanai. They are perfect as a potted plant or outside just under the window sill as a mid foreground plant. Flowers are said to be long lasting making an excellent cut flower inventory plant. Anywhere you place these, they will show off a bright yellow crown with deep blue hues in the 'head' of the birds. These are not very common yet so here's your chance to obtain an awesome variety of Strelitzia reginae family plant. Like all of these plants in this family, they like a moist well drained soil and bright light to do their best. Once established they will be able to stand more drought if needed. They do seem to be neglect proof as we try to find out with at least one plant from each category. Ours are growing in about 50% shade so be sure to acclimate if you plan on placing them in full sun. Seed grown plants. True Collectors Plant!
Travelers Palm (Ravenala Madagascariensis) - Zones 9 - 11. Strelitziaceae Family - Reaching heights to 30' to 40' this is one of the most unusual and beautiful plants among us humans (imo). Looks like a banana tree up close or a palm tree from a distance. Forms in a fan pattern and can grow to form a circular fan. Gets its name from thirsty travelers finding water to drink in its leaves. Very graceful and needs lots of overhead room, rich, well drained soil and plenty of light. They don't take frosts very well and should be protected when frosts are predicted. They can live through a freeze but could melt to the ground if left unprotected. Out of Item Out of Item
** Other Tropical Favorites **
Amorphophallus titanum (Titan Arum, Bunga Bangkai or "Corpse flower") - No matter what you decide to call it (some even name theirs), there will be no mistake on what it is or ever detract attention from all who look upon its magnificent appearance. Best kept in a greenhouse environment unless you live in a tropical zone 10 conditions, these unrealistic plants just ooze oddity displaying the largest true flower in the world. While not in bloom and this will for a good length of time), you can enjoy its dark green unusual leafy lobed vegetation that should grow to 10 feet tall on a tree like stem. As a member of the aroid family, its not a difficult plant to grow and anyone with slightly green thumb should be able to enjoy this and anticipate its bloom. When you do get yours to bloom, you should alert the media as it could attract world wide attention (not to mention the neighbors as it emits its odorous perfume). That is an understatement of course as this flowers odor is described as a repulsive, "rotting-fish-with-burnt-sugar" scent to attract the plant's pollinators. Willing to put up with this a few diligent folks have had to cover their nose. You should have excellent results nurturing this giant aroid by growing it in bright indirect light with moist, rich in compost, well draining soil, high humidity and a regular supply of fertilizer. Get yours started today with a healthy young plant from Central Florida Farms! These have not went dormant for this season and may or may not. If they do, they will come back. Cyrtosperma Johnstonii - Perfect Bog Plants! Zone 9 Collectors Choice! This truly tropical aroid is not very well known but a few in the plant's genus have been used as a food source in warm countries such as Malesia and other parts of Asia. This beautiful plant will be the talk of your collection and those who look upon it will most certainly want one as well. The succulent stems are deeply mottled in a dark green color over a lighter translucent background with curved thorns growing up and down from the leaf to the roots, this is very unusual for a succulent aroid stem. These grow to heights of at least 4-5 feet and probably taller with leaves 2-3 feet in length and almost as wide. The shape of the leaf is almost a perfect triangle with sharply pointed tips when mature and very pronounced red veins over deeper greens. See the photos below of a mid size adult plant. The hooded inflorescence is black on the outside with a cream colored interior adding even more contrast. The flowers are fully bi-sexual. This is not an Alocasia but I am placing on all pages so everyone will have a chance to own this awesome newly introduced plant! It needs continually moist and warm conditions to thrive (being found in swampy conditions) and should be kept in partial shade. Bright indirect light will be excellent to grow this magnificent plant. The underground creeping rhizome will allow this plant to produce pups if taken care of properly but is not invasive. This plant should be brought indoors and protected from temperatures below 45 degrees. Besides that it is one of the most interesting plants I've come across in a while it is A Very fast & EASY to grow plant!
The leaves remain this color throughout their lives but become wider, more triangular shaped and darker green with pronounced red veins. Out of Item Remusatia Pumila - An interesting plant! The leaves are contrasting darker outlining the veins with light green undersides. They grow to heights of about 10-12" tall. These epiphytic plants grow high in the trees clinging onto its host. They are extremely easy to grow and resemble a miniature alocasia species. They can be potted up and grown indoors or planted in the same manner as a stag horn fern or any other epiphyte. They require moist roots so keeping potted in a Canadian peat soil mix is recommended for easier care. They like bright shade to do their best. The propagate via small runners with a sticky bulbous all along the way that would normally cling to birds and tree mammals to be distributed throughout its habitat. Works well in a dish garden or other indoor arrangement. A small plant that will fit anywhere you place it. remusatia pumila, remusatia pumila, remusatia pumilla, remusatia pumilla Faustino's Giant Anthurium - Anthurium faustmirandae Large Leafed Anthurium! A newly discovered large specimen plant from inside Mexico. This beauty's leaves grow to be the largest round heart-shaped form of Anthuriums found today and are pretty fast growing. They are a hardy plant with stiff, leathery, green, heart-shaped leaves. The new growth has a reddish-gold tone and a brilliant gloss until it begins to reach its maximum size. The next size leaf should be larger than the previous each new leaf. They prefer a watering cycle such as this: drench soil, allow to dry, drench again. The leaves grow to 2+ feet in diameter! Now that's a healthy sized plant leaf! These plants can take abuse and will just keep on growing for you whether you like it or not. A very unusual & cool plant! Yucca filamentosa 'Variegata' - Variegated Yucca - Watch out for this awesome contrasting plant! This easy to grow beauty will grow in sand or soil. It likes full sun to partial shade and is a steady growing plant to 3-4 feet tall and just as wide. The sharp pointed tips will pierce clothing and skin so place these out of the way. These plants make an excellent corner, center piece or border strip or could be placed as a protection plant near your lower home's windows. These are dangerous so be careful with the kids. When mature they will send up a very tall flower about 30 feet high from the midst of the plant. The flowers look like a tree from a distance and everyone wants to get a closer look.
Bromeliad Imperialis - Alcantarea Imperialis Vriesea - (gets HUGE) Here is a rare species of Bromeliad known to a few collectors as Imperialis! This plant gets to a monstrous size and is pretty fast growing. The plant turns reddish as leaves mature and after a few years will bloom the largest of all bromeliads. This plant makes a spectacular focal piece or more than one will make an excellent masterpiece to your landscape. They will send out pups after the plant is established. These like many bromeliads can be placed pretty much anywhere to grow; like in the fork of a tree or in the ground, in containers, hanging baskets, top of a fence, rock crevices, the list goes on as your imagination takes hold. These are very easy to grow and cannot disappoint you unless you're impatient about its bloom. In the meantime, you'll enjoy a wonderful gigantic, Jurassic plant for your show. The plant pictured on left is about 3 years old and already close to 3 feet in total diameter. The base is about 10-12 inches so far. The plants for sale are a few months old. Chartreuse Philodendron Scandens 'Aureum' - I found this awesome colored bright plant a few weeks ago and couldn't resist. The heart shaped leaves begin a creamy white and grow into bright yellow or blinding lime green. Even brighter than Xanthosoma Lime Zinger! I always loved how the variegated and green varieties get very large leaves while climbing trees and trellises, so this one will just blind anyone who dares to look. They will do well as an indoor houseplant as will the variegated pothos so you northern folks can easily have pleasure in this one as well. Outdoor growers in warmer climates (Zone 8b - 11) can experience this magnificent plant climb their tree trunks, walls, patio trellis or anywhere you decide. This also makes an excellent hanging basket plant. Protected under the tree's shade hammock from frost, it should retain its leaves to continue growing the next season. IF left unprotected, it will most likely lose its leaves but retain its structure to begin a fresh set the following season. Cant really go wrong here! These do best where they can climb up a tree in the sunniest position. 2 Plants One Price! Split Leaf Philodendron or "Tree" Philodendron (Philodendron Selloum) Zone 7 - 11 Can't go wrong in planting this fast growing in your landscape, it can get larger than our Xanthosomas do! This one's roots are busting out of the 3 gallon container and wants to be in your yard instead of ours. It forms trunks that can grow to 6-8 feet tall and spread out their giant tropical leaves to a massive area of 10-12 feet. The leaves themselves can grow 3+ feet long and 2 1/2 wide (larger in some cases). They have a unique green stem that is wrapped in its roots that spread out and anchor it into the ground. These are frost tolerant but should be covered if able to just incase. They are best grown in shade but can grow in full sun. Our largest one is about 15 years old and grows under a large oak that protects it from frost and we haven't ever covered it. It has never frozen back though I have seen some in our area that have when the temperatures drop below 18 degrees when left uncovered. These are a half hardy subtropical that should be protected or expect damage below about 25º degrees F. These are great for a center piece or corner piece or where ever your imagination takes. FOOL PROOF, VERY EASY TO GROW! Out of Item These plants available are outgrowing their 3 gallon containers and are ready to be planted in your landscape! 3 gallon size for each 2+ Foot Tall Plant with 3-5 leaves Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera) - Mainly grown for its ornamental spectacular large green leaves with red veins but also produces an edible fruit! The fruit can be eaten when ripe right off the tree or made into jams/jelly preserves. These are easy to grow and only need a sandy well drained soil. This is not a very cold tolerant plant but they are grown successfully for many years in zone 8-9 on the coast lines of Central Florida. It can survive light frosts without damage but if the temperatures drop below 30, it usually means the plant will not survive. Very Salt spray tolerant and even grows on the beaches. The tree can grow to heights of near 30 feet but is usually seen as a shrub around 12-15 ft tall and just as wide. Would make a great specimen in your yard or kept as a small bush with regular pruning. Can be grown in a container in northern states and grown in a greenhouse situation. Needs a full sun position. Some folks have even made bonsai specimens from these. Fast Growing! Fast growing shrub or allow to grow into a tree! Out of Item $0.00 for each 2-3 Foot Tall Plant with 5-7 branches. Blue Texas Sage ( Leucophyllum frutescens ) - Cold Hardy to zone 7a and higher - These are wonderful cold hardy and hot tolerant plants that have silvery blue felt-like small leaves and need to be planted in full sun. It also is called a barometer bush due to its heavy blooming of pink, white, pale blue or lavender flowers just after a good rain. They will bloom all summer long if watered well. These are drought tolerant and will take any amount of heat given. Great landscape piece for a hedge or shrub plant that grows 8 feet tall and 4 ft wide if allowed. They may lose a few leaves during weather below 5 degrees but generally do not. The plant for sale is growing in a 3 gallon container but needs to be transplanted into larger or ground. Very easy to grow plant. Needs much watering in well drained soil, but once transplanted and established, back off the water.
A New beginning, a new Central Florida Farms for 2008! Treat yourself to a bit of the Tropics!
Central Florida Farms Home Page Alocasia | Banana | Xanthosoma | Colocasia | Gingers | Diverse Tropical Plants | Fruit Trees Rare Palms & Cycads | Cold Hardy Palm List | Aquarium Pond Bog Plants | Florida Native Plants Hardwood Trees, Woody Ornamentals | Ferns, Ground Cover, Fruit Vines | Indoor/House Plants Urban Forestry | Natural Forestry | Diseases & Pests | Hurricanes | Environment Going Green Aroid Elephant Ear Plant Growing Tip Care Guide | Banana Tree Plant Growing Tip Care Guide CFF - Site Map | Florida Native Aquarium Fish | Aquarium Info | Help for Fish Enthusiasts About Central Florida Farms | Alocasia Seed Pollination | Tropical Plant Photo Gallery Wholesale | Terms & Agreement | Submit a Photo | Promotions | Useful Links
No Minimum Order!
Free Priority USPS Shipping with delivery confirmation to USA only. Please allow up to 14 business days to receive order once funds are cleared
|
FREE Priority SHIPPING
!!! 
©2001-2008 All Photos Noted & Text are property of David Mattocks and Central Florida Farms, and may not be used on other sites or ebay - International Copyrights Reserved
This website's original material may not be re-published, plagiarized, re-distributed or web scraped. Site created and maintained by David Mattocks