I Hate Cucamelons
Maybe you call them cucamelons, mouse melons, Mexican miniature watermelons, Mexican sour cucumbers, Mexican sour gherkin or pepquinos. Or in Spanish,Continue Reading
Category: Exotic plants
Zanzibar Castor Bean: Tropical Effect Guaranteed!
By Larry Hodgson I have been growing Zanzibar castor beans (Ricinus communis ‘Zanzibarensis’) ever since I was a child. NotContinue Reading
When Cannas Fail to Bloom
Question: Last year, my cousin gave me some canna bulbs and I planted them in the garden. They grew to beContinue Reading
With Clivias, Patience Truly Is a Virtue
Clivias in flower and fruit. Photo: Deborah Silver, pinterest.ca The clivia or Kaffir lily (Clivia miniata) is certainly among theContinue Reading
Overwintering Fuchsias in a Cold Climate
A hybrid fuchsia (Fuchsia x hybrida) can often bloom from late spring to late fall, but will need some sort ofContinue Reading
Grow Your Own Pineapple
I’ve grown quite a few pineapple plants (Ananas comosus) over the years, both from store-bought fruit and ornamental types IContinue Reading
A Lemon or Orange Tree From Seed?
One fun winter project for both children and adults is to sow citrus seeds and watch them turn into charmingContinue Reading
The World’s Stinkiest Fruit
The Asians call it the king of fruits, but the durian, a curious fruit covered with spiky protuberances that looksContinue Reading
The Secrets to Growing Hibiscus Indoors
I get more questions about growing hibiscus as a houseplant than almost any other plant. Why? Because it often behavesContinue Reading
Brugmansia or Datura?
Some say datura, others say brugmansia. What is the real name of those beautiful “angel’s trumpets” so often seen inContinue Reading