My Saturday morning garden tour found a few more learning curves to navigate. Living this far south in the US is much different from a gardening (and other) standpoints. As a gardener I find it interesting and frustrating at the same time. It amazes me what will and won’t grow here. More water or less? Always a dilemma. I found some successes this morning. To see more garden tours and visit other SOS gardens follow this link to Jim’s blog.
The Schlomburkgia orchid in the Gumbo Limbo tree is flowering. This one makes a stiff 6 foot long stem that is actually kind of hard to see as the flowers end up straight overhead. Here is the base.
Growing orchids in trees is one of the amazing things about South Florida gardening. Once established they are relatively carefree. Water in the dry winter and enjoy flowers in summer.
Dancing Lady Oncidium orchids are taking well in the Sabal Palm boots. I hope these are the beginning of a spray of orchids. Hope springs eternal.
I was advised by the nursery I bought these Chicken Gizzard (Iresine herbstii) to plant them in full sun. This one is in partial shade as I did not believe them.
The other Chicken Gizzard plant, placed per directions and starting to fry. Full sun in South Florida is a whole different thing.
My neighbor decided to build a Coral rock wall on my property for some reason. He had to move it over, not to worry, this guy could bench press a Volkswagen. Now I have a little planter I am working on filling up.
Last, but not least, the Nam Doc Mai mangoes are starting to blush, I am so ready to eat one! Frozen mangoes from Aldi are just not the same.
That’s all from my garden this Saturday morning. I am looking forward to seeing what everybody has going on in theirs.
Happy Gardening!!
The Shrub Queen 
What joy to be able to grow orchids in the garden! Do you wire them/tie them in some way until they are established?
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It looks like you have more successes than failures in your gardens. Sometimes you have to take the advice from plant nurseries with a grain of salt when it comes to sun and shade gardens here in our area of Florida.
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I don’t know. I have killed a lot of stuff over the years. The best advice I got – throw the books away.
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Love the orchids in the trees, what a dream! I have the same issue with recommended “full sun” lol – most things fry here.
Mmmmm, mangoes!
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The coral rocks inspire so many possibilities for different plants! I hope you have fun planting that up. I love how the orchids grow in your area, hardy year round. Lovely selections this week!
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Thank you. I planted some succulents and a Plumeria in the wall. The orchids fascinate me.
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Love that you can grow orchids outside relatively care-freely. I routinely kill even the easiest ones, sigh.
The mangoes are looking good!
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I kill the ones I bring inside. These are surprising me, the Dendrobiums are putting out new growth as well and it hasn’t really been raining or humid. Though I have been diligently watering them.
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Lovely foliage if the Iresine herbstii. And yes , as variegated plant you re right to put it in the shade. Enjoy the mangoes ! 🤤
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Thanks, Fred. Hopefully soon on the mangoes.
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I’ve had no problem with indoor orchids – but I find them so boring when not in bloom. If I could grow them outdoors though, in a tree…my, how much fun would that be! Also drooling over the mangoes!!!!!
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The foliage is boring! There is a big lizard drooling over the mangoes, too.
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😆😆😆
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It amazes me to see your plants. So different from NC
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It’s that Zone 10 thing.
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Your orchids are doing so well. I remember being fascinated with them in South America. Even though I’m not as far south as you, being from the far north it was very hard to figure out gardening here. A lot of trial and error.
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Thanks. I am also fascinated with them and hope to see more flowers. Trial and error is the name of the game.
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I packed coconut coir on the tree trunk put the orchid in that and tied it with pantyhose or jute twine.
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Chicken gizzard is weird as it is, but fried makes it even weirder.
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Blushing mangoes sound lovely and delicious, while fried chicken gizzards sound pretty grotesque! Hope you saved that one in time though. I would definitely grow orchids in trees if I could – as I have mentioned before, as houseplants they don’t last long in my house!
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I agree. Any sort of chicken organs!
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What a wonderful name for a plant. Like you I was dubious when I saw the recommendation to plant in full sun. The one planted in full sun looks like it’s one unhappy plant 😦
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It is. I think people may eat it with chicken gizzards in the Caribbean..or something! I need to move the one in the sun.
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