| Author | Content |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
February 21, 2009
07:20 PM Post #6170981
| I had a wonderful visit with Dave/Metrosideros in his garden. He lives quite close by...about 1 mile as the crow flies...but not being a crow it takes me about 13 mins on the roundabout route.
Dave's garden had to wait while he recovered from being really ill (I think he mentioned before how he was a walking timebomb with Type I Diabetes and didn't know it...and medical treatment here is sketchy at best) and has grown and grown and grown and threatening to bury everything. little by little Dave is managing to whack the jungle back and uncover his garden...and what has been cleared away is stunning! Wonderful collections of plants, some of which have gone 'bush' themselves... He has a lot to take care of right now. I managed to come away with some terrific cuttings and plantlets...to add to my growing jungle...
Dave is helping me with a project: I was contacted by the Smithsonian (no idea why, but I did) who wants to plant a garden of 'Canoe' plants. These are plants brought to Hawaii by the Polynesians when they came here and they have a display of the canoes used etc. Knowing next to nothing about these plants, Dave has come to my rescue...and had infinite sources and resources to find the plants the Smithsonian wants. His knowledge is impressive!!!
Here is a clump of wild ground orchids in bloom now - Phaius tankervillii (not sure I have the spelling correct)...or Nun's Cap Orchid. The fragrance was terrific!!!
Thanks, Dave!!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
February 21, 2009
07:23 PM Post #6170987
| I was also in town in the morning, and drove thru a new neighborhood (I like wandering around, scoping out plants I haven't seen!!! I came across this double hibiscus...and managed to find someone home who was delighted to give me a cutting!!!! Isn't that the most delicious color yellow? 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
February 21, 2009
08:20 PM Post #6171268
| Carol you are having way too much fun.
The Smithsonian project sounds fantastic; I think you need to give it its own thread and keep us all posted on the progress.
That is indeed a yummy hibiscus... |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
February 21, 2009
08:54 PM Post #6171389
| That's Phaius tankervilliae, it's native to the east coast of Australia and I think a lot of South East Asia.
That's the advantage I have with my climate, the dry season stops things from going too rampant. Controlling the irrigation controls the plants. The down side is that if the irrigation plays up you can lose some of the garden. |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 21, 2009
09:35 PM Post #6171546
| I am too ignorant to even be involved with you great people. Will just continue to "lurk".
PK |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
February 21, 2009
10:40 PM Post #6171787
| Phaius tankarvilleae.
Carol is a great sport. She waded through my place often knee deep in weeds, and finished the tour with a smile!
The gardens are getting cleaned up regularly; I am encouraged that so much stuff has survived.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
February 21, 2009
10:50 PM Post #6171837
| You have so many gems hidden in there, Dave...! And your puppy to help you! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
February 21, 2009
11:14 PM Post #6171937
| Here is Kea, helping press down the mulch! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
February 21, 2009
11:32 PM Post #6172015
| Here is Pleioblastus bamboo in a pot. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
February 21, 2009
11:42 PM Post #6172062
| Shibatea kumasaca & Areca vestiaria 'Sunset'. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
February 21, 2009
11:58 PM Post #6172127
| Oops! That last picture is Marojejya darianii. A palm on the verge of extinction, which was just discovered in 1983 in Madagascar. Soon it will only exist in gardens.
Here is Shibatea & Areca.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
February 22, 2009
01:10 AM Post #6172324
| I had an Areca vestiaria, but it didn't survive the dry season. The irrigation system wasn't set up right for it. |
pogonantha
el arish, FNQ
Australia
February 22, 2009
03:41 AM Post #6172551
| Hmm.. If I didn't know better I'd say there's a bit of Blue Heeler in your puppy. Ann |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
February 22, 2009
05:51 AM Post #6172636
| Kea is Springer Spaniel and Boxer mix. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
February 22, 2009
11:48 AM Post #6173359
| Aloha, Ka po'e apau.
Carol, congratulations on having been sought out by the Smithsonian Institute. And you don't know why! Obviously, they know a good gardener when they hear about one. That project sounds so exciting.
That yellow hibiscus is just stunning. We were told that only the yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawai'i. You can't get much more stately than that one. Gail said: Imagine a lei made of those! Gail was hoping to be greeted with a lei upon our arrival in Hawai'i. We landed at 2:30 in the AM and there was not a lei in sight. The next morning, I went to chinatown and got her one. Cost of the lei: $25; taxi to buy the lei: $38; the smile on her face: priceless. She still remembers it fondly. It was a green orchid lei made up of more than 200 blooms. She wore it to board the ship, wore it every night and wore it for debarkation. It lasted 14 days. When not worn, she left it in its box in the refrigerator. But I digress.
Princess K, whatever do you mean when you say you are too ignorant to join in? If it weren't for a lousy master gardener's course I took 2 years ago and the attention my fellow gardeners on DG have lavished upon me, I would still be talking about snow, frozen blue clay, ice storms and zone 3 perrenials that wouldn't survive winter in zone 5 no matter what you did to them. Don't say things like that, dearest. Ignorance is a state of mind characterized by the brain steadfastly refusing to even attempt to better itself. Noone suffers from that at Dave's Garden. Just joining Dave's Garden is an indication you do not suffer from that debilitating ailment. Don't make me come down there!
Good news, everyone. I am leaving on the 3rd annual Guy's Only Cruise with my friend Claude on March 8th. The Freedom of the Seas will be our home as we visit Porto Rico, St.Maarten and St.Thomas. Here's a picture of the ship I took a year ago in Jamaica.
Aloha.
Pu'ole.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 22, 2009
12:05 PM Post #6173457
| Thank you,Sylvain. I continue to try with this obsession of the tropical islands. It is beautiful here today although the fountain was frozen this morning the temp has come up 10 degrees in the last hour. Hope for a warm day after all.
PK |
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)
February 22, 2009
12:18 PM Post #6173527
| Wow, Carol! What an honor to be asked to do a canoe garden! Congratulations - that really is something, and how very smart of you to go to Dave to pick his brains!
Isn't that hibiscus beautiful, I don't believe I have ever seen a double (triple?) yellow like that before, it's gorgeous!
Dave, you and Kea have such wonderful plants - thank you for posting pictures (another ignoramus here Christi!).
Pu'ole, have a wonderful time on your cruise - I am sure you will find a "Senor Frog's " somewhere!
Do let us know about the plants you choose for the canoe garden...
Aloha to all.
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
February 22, 2009
01:38 PM Post #6173895
| As I said before (I think), Google is a wonderful tool!!! Anyone can find anything!
Yes, Sylvain...have a glorious trip!!!!
Edited to add that NO ONE should feel 'behind' or disadvantaged in knowledge or adventure. Everything is relative...and the tools are endless!
This message was edited Feb 22, 2009 7:39 AM |
rjuddharrison
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 24, 2009
02:00 AM Post #6181734
| right!?, no more comments like that Christi dearest, you will be in hugging range in a few days and I might have to squeeze a little extra next time!!!:)
I'm almost ready to give ground orchids a whirl. I tried a couple times, and didn't have it down right!
Carol, I've been trying to get a solid yellow for a while..I do have a double now, but it doesn't bloom too much..probably needs repot...
Dave, still looking for shoots off of the purple magnolias.. |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 24, 2009
11:09 AM Post #6182804
| Carol and Dave, what a great meeting! I am enjoying every bit of it! Tell us more about the S. Project!
Sylvain, have a wonderful trip! Is Gail going on a "Gals Only" as well?
Hugs to all! |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
February 24, 2009
05:35 PM Post #6184856
| No, Gail is staying home and taking a break from living with a polar bear year-round. Actually, we get a bit of a break from each other once a year. It's healthy. We're like siamese twins: you see one, the other one is never very far.
Take car.
Sylvain. |
pogonantha
el arish, FNQ
Australia
April 04, 2009
11:55 PM Post #6365914
| Carol, How's it going with the Contiki project? Could you please update us?
Thanks, Ann |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
April 05, 2009
01:40 AM Post #6366188
| HAHA...just waiting for the check!!! They sent me FedEx labels for shipping so I know it is a go...
In the meantime the California Academy of Science contacted me (I must be on some list????) and they want hoya and dischidia from Borneo for their Borneo Rain Forest. I happen to have a good collection from Borneo...and I plan on accompanying the plants to SF, stay with friends and help the Horticulturalist plant them!!!!! Thrilling!
Sylvain...et ta voyage? Let's hear about your 'guys night out cruise!!!!'
|
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
April 05, 2009
09:38 AM Post #6366843
| The 3rd annual guys' cruise was a total success.
How does one condense 7 days of good-natured clean fun into a few sentences? I'll try.
We sailed out of Miami on the Freedom of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship. The ship visited Puerto Rico, St.Thomas and St. Maarten. We only went ashore in Puerto Rico, having seen the other 2 islands ad nauseam.
The goal of breaking with everyday teedium was fully attained and often exceeded. We lounged on deck chairs in the shade during the day, retired to the room around 4PM for before-dinner drinks and room service munchies, went for dinner some time between 7 and 9:30PM, saw the featured show, haunted the cigar room, sang along at the British pub, made fools of ourselves at karaoke, went for a walk on deck under the stars around midnight for a breath of fresh air before returning to the bars and disco until closing time. We closed the bars at 3:30AM and opened the breakfast buffet at 6:00AM for coffee and a bite to eat. There was a bed in the room but we didn't use it that much.
Here is a picture of Claude and myself in the British pub around closing time, towards the end of the cruise. Wear and tear is beginning to show on Claude but I appear all right, all things considered. I used my camera's self-portrait feature. It works well.
Aloha, y'all!
Pu'ole, a.k.a. Sylvain.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
April 05, 2009
10:58 AM Post #6367122
| Sylvain, I am sure that you enjoy life wherever you may be...and it is contagious for those around you. Glad your trip was a success.
PK |
Bignonia
Atenas
Costa Rica
April 05, 2009
11:01 AM Post #6367137
| Now Phaius tankervilliae is a very common orchid in Costa Rican gardens. It is a beatifull orchid. |
pogonantha
el arish, FNQ
Australia
April 05, 2009
04:56 PM Post #6368464
| So what plants are in the Canoe collection? Are they prevalent in other areas of Polynesia? Any in Melanesia and Micronesia also?
I'm relatively new although I've been registered for awhile so if you ever have free time (HaaHaa) I'd love to see some of your favorite hoyas. Do you grow them on trellises or in a shadehouse? I love them but have no vine areas. Even my jade vine has been sitting in a pot under a tree for a year.
I've seen "The List" you are just below Leland Miyano and above Don Ho.
Ann |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
05:44 PM Post #6368684
| Hawaiian Bamboo or 'Ohe, Schizostachyum glaucifolium, is a Canoe Plant. Here is a shot of the culms, culm leaf, branches, and leaves. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
06:03 PM Post #6368780
| Here is a stand of 'Ohe. It has been used to make musical instruments, light construction, and for food (shoots). 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
06:21 PM Post #6368878
| This is Kukui, Aleurites moluccana, the Candlenut Tree. Hawaiians used the nuts to make torches, oil for medicinal, cosmetic, and industrial use. The nuts are also roasted to make a spice (inamona) for fish. The bark is used to make a yellow dye. The tree also provided timber. Kukui was planted to bring fertility to the soil. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
06:38 PM Post #6368974
| 'Awa, Piper methysticum, or Kava is the famous source of the numbing / pain-killing drink, kava-kava. It is made from the roots of the giant herb. The leaves are used as a medicinal; they are a broad spectrum antibacterial, which can be used internally or externally.
This cultivar is 'Mo'i'
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
April 05, 2009
06:54 PM Post #6369044
| I have a Kukui tree :-) |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
06:57 PM Post #6369055
| 'Uala is the Hawaiian name for sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas. 'Uala was the main food source for Hawaiians in dry areas of the Islands.
This cultivar is known as 'Kane'ohe Poni'.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pogonantha
el arish, FNQ
Australia
April 05, 2009
07:07 PM Post #6369110
| Cool Dave. Keep them coming!! Ann |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
07:10 PM Post #6369130
| In areas with ample water, Kalo or Taro, Colocasia esculenta, was grown. Kalo is the source of Poi, an Island favorite food!
This cultivar is 'Kumu 'Ula'.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
07:26 PM Post #6369217
| Ko is Hawaiian for Sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum. Ko was chewed for it's sweet juices to provide energy. It's juice put in desserts, and given to children to coax them into taking their medicine!
This beautiful purple flushed cultivar is named 'Uahi a Pele', meaning "the smoke of Pele".
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
07:52 PM Post #6369330
| Of course Ki / Ti, Cordyline fruticosa, and Niu / Coconuts, Cocos nucifera, were on board. They provided materials for construction, thatching and weaving; medicine and food. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
April 05, 2009
08:05 PM Post #6369375
| I have a kukui nut lei that I knotted myself during our Hawai'ian cruise 2 years ago.
Aloha.
Pu'ole, a.k.a. Sylvain. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
April 05, 2009
08:29 PM Post #6369466
| The List?
Will send you a link to my hoya photos...when I find it!!!
Love your photos Dave...and the wonderful lessons in history and culture. Don't stop! |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
08:29 PM Post #6369467
| In rainy areas 'Ulu or Breadfruit, Artocarpus altilis, was an important staple food. In legend the akua (god) Ku gave his life to become an 'Ulu tree to save his people from starvation. Once an 'Ulu tree becomes large it produces an enormous amount of food! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
08:52 PM Post #6369573
| Mai'a is Hawaiian for Banana, Musa x paradisiaca. Mai'a is one food source that Hawaiians commonly had; it was cultivated in wet to dry environments.
Most Hawaiian bananas are cooking types, including this variegated cultivar known as 'Ko'a'e', meaning "striped". It is a sport from Mai'a 'Maoli', the traditional cooking banana of Old Hawai'i; the World's most nutritious banana!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
09:06 PM Post #6369617
| Here is a new Spring shoot of 'Uhi the Hawaiian Yam, Dioscorea alata. 'Uhi was a secondary food source, cultivated on the edges of argricultural field systems. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
April 05, 2009
09:23 PM Post #6369672
| It is impossible to get a local to mill or even cut down an 'Ulu tree...considered really bad mana!!!!
Dave...we lost a couple of our Ko'a'e this winter due to the cold. How did yours do? |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
09:26 PM Post #6369684
| To get to Hawai'i, you have to float or fly. That goes for all creatures!
There are several other Canoe Plants of the Hawaiians. As they become photographable they'll be posted here. Hope you arrive on the Island soon!
Aloha, Dave
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
09:45 PM Post #6369763
| Hi Carol! In our winter, all of my bananas slow down. They also get very vulnerable to the Banana Weevil. A black bug that burrows through the roots / rhizome. Most established banana patches here get them. To keep your banana patches healthy, you may need to propagate and renew the plantings every several years.
If these critters are responsible, you will see tunnels through the root clump / rhizome; the bugs are about an inch long with a curved snout. |
rjuddharrison
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
April 05, 2009
10:06 PM Post #6369863
| good thing your prodigy is staying warm in another state! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
10:16 PM Post #6369912
| Good going Randy! It is a very rare cultivar! |
pogonantha
el arish, FNQ
Australia
April 05, 2009
10:31 PM Post #6369980
| In the meantime the California Academy of Science contacted me (I must be on some list????)
That list :).
Awesome stuff Dave, I'm supposed to be just getting my hat as I'm on the clock digging ag pipe trenches. Oh the joy! Will post a bigger thingie later. Ann |
RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
April 05, 2009
10:36 PM Post #6370012
| Dave, I really am thankful that you add your knowledge to this site. I am just now viewing this thread and I would like to add as well...YOU ARE A TROOPER and a tremendous person!
Maybe one day we will meet in person.
Rachel |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 05, 2009
10:56 PM Post #6370128
| The Hawaiians called this Mai'a 'Oa, Musa acuminata; this plant is used to make hybrid varieties of bananas. In Old Hawai'i it was also a sacramental plant. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
extranjera
Mérida
Mexico
(Zone 11)
April 05, 2009
11:42 PM Post #6370313
| I agree with Rachel, this is fascinating Dave. I'm overwhelmed with your knowledge and so happy you share it. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)
April 06, 2009
01:01 AM Post #6370572
| Dave, is the Musa acuminata different from Musa zebrina? They are so similar (in the leaf)... |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
April 06, 2009
01:57 AM Post #6370755
| Musa acuminata & Musa zebrina are synonyms! M. zebrina is a modern term for the plant in the landscaping industry. |
lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)
April 06, 2009
08:43 AM Post #6371302
| So much knowledge on this thread, I learn so much here. Thank you, Dave, Carol and everyone.
Pu'ole, a.k.a. Sylvain. |
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)
April 06, 2009
11:21 AM Post #6372094
| Soaking up all the info and pictures here too, and learning a lot - now if I can only retain it!  |
