Bat Plant

mashauk · « **on:** January 01, 2008, 15:52 »

Has anyone managed to grow a bat plant? I think they're gorgeous and got some seeds and will start them off in my electric propogator when it arrives, but then it says to put them in a conservatory, which I don't have, in fact I have no window ledges to speak of either, so not really sure why I keep getting houseplants! Any advice gratefully received

Cynara · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2008, 21:30 »

There's some info here
http://www.backyardgardener.com/seeds/product/7338/1.html
Looks like they have to be tucked up indoors to overwinter 'cos it would cost too much to heat a greenhouse to 15C :?

mashauk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2008, 21:56 »

Thanks for that. I'll start it off when I get my new electric propogator and see how I go!

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2008, 21:58 »

That's a scary plant. Don't turn your back on it :shock:

mashauk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2008, 22:18 »

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"

That's a scary plant. Don't turn your back on it :shock:

I think they're gorgeous, but then I've always liked weird stuff! Got the propogator today, at least one thing looks like it will do what it says on the tin

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2008, 22:19 »

Quote from: "mashauk"

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"
That's a scary plant. Don't turn your back on it :shock:

I think they're gorgeous, but then I've always liked weird stuff! Got the propogator today, at least one thing looks like it will do what it says on the tin

You'll be growing a triffid next

Welsh Girls Allotment · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2008, 22:33 »

I've ben fancying one of these for a few years but I wondered if they may be a bit tricky - how long is it before they flower ? You will have to keep us updated on its progress

mashauk · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2008, 22:58 »

Quote from: "Welsh Girls Allotment"

I've ben fancying one of these for a few years but I wondered if they may be a bit tricky - how long is it before they flower ? You will have to keep us updated on its progress

Knowing my luck I won't even get them to germinate, but I got the seeds free so I have to try. I never got my Bird of Paradise to germinate, but didn't have my propogator then, and I do like a challenge. I'll probably kill it as I don't have a conservatory or anywhere really to keep it if it does survive though.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2008, 23:02 »

Quote from: "mashauk"

I never got my Bird of Paradise to germinate.

I bought 3 seeds in Medera 3 years ago and two of them germinated. They ais too big to bring into the hose overwinter now so it will have to risk it in an unheated greenhouse covered with a couple of layers of fleece. Fingers crossed !

mashauk · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2008, 23:11 »

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"

Quote from: "mashauk"
I never got my Bird of Paradise to germinate.

I bought 3 seeds in Medera 3 years ago and two of them germinated. They ais too big to bring into the hose overwinter now so it will have to risk it in an unheated greenhouse covered with a couple of layers of fleece. Fingers crossed !

Bird of Paradise? I hope they grow, they're beautiful, I bought mine in Gran Canaria.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2008, 23:21 »

Quote from: "mashauk"

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"
Quote from: "mashauk"
I never got my Bird of Paradise to germinate.

I bought 3 seeds in Madeira 3 years ago and two of them germinated. They ais too big to bring into the hose overwinter now so it will have to risk it in an unheated greenhouse covered with a couple of layers of fleece. Fingers crossed !

Bird of Paradise? I hope they grow, they're beautiful, I bought mine in Gran Canaria.

Yes, Bird of Paradise - Strelitzia. Mine haven't flowered yet so I hope they get through the winter :!:

mashauk · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2008, 23:25 »

Please post a piccy if they do, I love them. I went to the Chelsea Flower Show a couple of years ago, someone bought me a ticket as a birthday present, and the tropical tent (or whatever it is called) was amazing, tons of plants and flowers that I'd never seen before, I think that's when I first saw a bat plant.

flowergirl · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2008, 11:15 »

my Bird of Paradise seeds did nothing i saw a small plant in Wilkos so brought 2 but they've not done much,Mashauk ive ordered some Egret Orchid "seeds" i think your bat plant is an orchid too is that right?

mashauk · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2008, 13:11 »

Quote from: "flowergirl"

my Bird of Paradise seeds did nothing i saw a small plant in Wilkos so brought 2 but they've not done much,Mashauk ive ordered some Egret Orchid "seeds" i think your bat plant is an orchid too is that right?

I'm not sure if it's an Orchid. I'm really confused today (as usual) we bought several years ago in Jersey what we were told was a Jersey Lily bulb. It has never flowered though so I've been looking it up and it looks nothing like what we thought we were buying! It looks more like an Agapanthus, but I suppose could be anything. We've decided to put it in the polytunnel when it's erected, give it a feed and see what happens. I've had to divide it twice into bigger pots as the roots were everywhere but still nothing

gobs · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2008, 17:03 »

I don't think the bat plant is an orchid, either.

Your Jersey/Guernsey Lily is Nerine, I think. From far it looks a bit like Agap, from a close-up an individual flower will look a lily.

My bulbs were decent potato size when I got them, maybe yours a bit young to flower?

I'd also suggest to plant them individually, it might help.

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