Summer 2013 story....

[aykhan]

More TBI

[aykhan]

Passiflora "Incense". No complaints. Excellent growth. Fragrant. Large blooms. Survives winter. Manageable if given sufficient room (8-10 feet).

[aykhan]

Love Tecoma "Mayan Gold". Carefree plant, can be pruned to shape for a more small shrubby appearance. Constant flowering. Not sure if this is the one commonly seen in the streets, I think the leaves of this one are a little different (serrated). It's listed as going upto 3 feet but mine has gone upto 5 feet, might be our warmer weather?

Clerodendrum thompsoniae variegatum is a beautiful small vine. This is my second attempt at trying it. The first time I had it in the ground but it struggled for a year and then died a miserable death. It is deciduous and dormant in the winter for me and it loves water. The variegation is different shades of green, no white which makes it unique a little. This is a small rooted cutting I bought in a 2 inch cup and it has bloomed! Seems once established it can be given a shot at going in the ground.

The last picture shows air-layering of Tecomaria capensis "Hammer's Rose". I have had 100% success rate air-layering with peat moss only. It looks pretty too once the plastic comes off, all clean and neat!

[aykhan]

My first Nerine to flower. Nerine huttoniae. This one is summer growing and along with Nerine laticoma need very high temps and sunlight in and around 40C (no problem there ) to bloom. Also water loving in the summer so no problem watering every day heavily during growth. The bloom was a pleasure to behold. Like a football and intricate and fragrant.

Clerodendrum ugandense is an aggressive shrub and needs heavy pruning to control and keep from getting lanky. This plant is grown from seed by me about 2 years ago. Blooms are pretty and unique but not fragrant.

[aykhan]

Reblooming daylilies really do rebloom and not bad at all. When we look up info on the net we usually hear about winter dormancy of plants however atleast here in Lahore there is a distinct summer dormancy period for a lot of plants. Daylilies and roses are included in this summer dormancy. It's a terribly tragic thing since plants here have two dormancy periods so they are more stressed and confused here.

The mango tree decided to give some fruit this year. I think we pulled them off too early since they weren't sweet.

[aykhan]

Cajun hibiscus ...... just love them ......

[aykhan]

I really don't think there are any flowers more beautiful than Cajun Hibiscus. Numerous cultivars and all are just beautiful. Disease is an issue and vigilance is needed. Phosphate should be avoided. They love Potash (K).

[aykhan]

Hibiscus "Swamp Music" ....... Need I say anything .......

[Mustansir Billah]

Beautiful harvest of mango and Yes! you should have waited for while to enjoy their best taste. Nerine flower in summer?

[aykhan]

This was a summer growing Nerine and it flowered with the foliage. It will be going into winter dormancy soon. Last year in winter this Nerine kept it's leaves but I didn't water it at all, just got some from the occasional rain.