Please Stand By - First CRA of 2014 Pics are coming!

[Moose]

On New Years Day morning, the gardens of Mike Harris (Waykoolplantz) and Randy (Palmisland) were visited. Took some croton photos. I gotta finish the palm thread first. I planned on posting back and forth, creating two different threads at the same time. Just too many pics - the Moose would have gotten confused.

If you are into palms, click on the Palmpedia logo above, then head down to the General Palm Discussions area.

 

[Moose]

After going to bed at 2:30 am - the Moose is up and at 'em at 6:30 am putting bags over croton containers to control spillage and/or leakage. I learned this method from Keith. These crotons are heading to Randy's (palmisland) to be given to Ricky (fawnridge) for the Palm Beach Zoo project. I use my tailgate as a work bench.

 

[Moose]

This Claude Lorraine is for Randy. His first croton of the 2014 new year.

 

[Moose]

The 7 crotons are gently loaded in the cab, ready to be transported new homes.

 

[Moose]

It's 7:25 am, overcast with misting rain - the sun is trying to make an appearance. A very nice 73F temperature.

 

[palmisland]

Thanks to Moose & Mike for the visit. I love getting lost in the garden with interested guests. The Claude Lorraine Moose brought already replaced another of the same that was a poor example of the cultivar. This one's a beauty.

 

[Moose]

The plan was to meet at Mike Harris' place and proceed to Randy's garden. Here is my arrival at the Harris compound gate. I'm actually early, a first for me so I wait until 7:31am to alert Mike of my arrival. That way my streak of being late can continue.

 

[Moose]

Upon arrival - Mike informed me that our schedule needed to be altered. Jeff Searle was planning to make the trip with us. Unfortunately, Jeff stayed up way later welcoming in the new year than he had planned. He did get up but was just too beat, he gave Mike a courtesy call to let us know not to wait for him. This did not hold us up - it was the bagel shop. Mike went there to get fresh bagels at 7:00 am and found they were not going to open until 8:00 am. We had time to kill so I grabbed my camera. We made our way towards the pond to feed the fishes.

 

[Moose]

Its a little difficult to see, its Mike's big old Alligator Snapping Turtle making the scene.

 

[Moose]

At the dock I turned around facing the house. I always love looking at this vista.

 

[Moose]

This looks like an incredibly colored up Comte 'de Germiny.

 

[Moose]

I came across this Black Beauty. Its still pretty dark so the photos aren't the best. Its good to see one of the "old growth" Black Beauties doing so well. The "old growth" plants have larger, longer, tighter spiraled leaves.

 

[Moose]

Different strokes for different folks. The interrupted leaves always get my attention. I think this one is called Black Thai.

 

[Moose]

Another interrupted leaf shape. I have this same cultivar as Purple Appendiculatum. The original Appendiculatum is an all green croton. Then there is Mother & Daughter that has darker leaves with red blotches. Some have said that the Purple Appendiculatum is really Mother & Daughter. I remain unconvinced, believing they are distinct cultivars.

 

[Moose]

A very nice Rafael.

 

[Moose]

I really love the colors on this Duke of Windsor. Its getting close to 8:00am - so its off to get our fresh bagels.

 

[Moose]

We arrive at Randy's splendid garden. Should be some serious croton activity about to happen.

 

[Moose]

This is embarrassing, I asked Randy what this was. It's the nicest colored up Multicolor I've ever laid my eyes on. Randy's leaves are much more robust than what I have in the Moose Land.

 

[Moose]

This is Pink Lei. I believe that Marie Nock may have acquired this cultivar on a trip to Hawaii, introducing it into Florida gardens.

 

[Moose]

The Moose was running on only 3.5 hours of sleep. The croton eye was nearly totally unresponsive. Please forgive me for not having some ID's.

Like this one. Corot perhaps?

 

[Moose]

Hmmm

 

[Moose]

There is not a whole bunch of these around, Faye Miller. Its slow growth rate may be the cause that has kept it uncommon.

 

[Moose]

Moose brain running on empty

 

[Moose]

The Pride of Naples

 

[Moose]

A very nice Mercer. This is a Hawaiian introduction via Marie Nock - it remains very uncommon.

 

[kwtimo]

The Moose was running on only 3.5 hours of sleep. The croton eye was nearly totally unresponsive. Please forgive me for not having some ID's.

Like this one. Corot perhaps?

Ron, is that Randy's Exeter in post #20?

 

[Moose]

Ron, is that Randy's Exeter in post #20?

Tim - I'm not sure, sounds better than Corot.

 

[Moose]

Here is a definite unknown. It remains an unknown in Moose Land as well. Someday we may find out what it's historical name is. For now, Unknown #22 from Frank Brown's Garden.

 

[Moose]

This is one of Jeff Searle's favorites, Rudy Bachman

 

[Moose]

While Randy is brewing the French Roast and mike is setting up the bagel bar - I am enjoying the ambiance of the Court Yard.

 

[Moose]

Look at the view through the living room's glass sliding doors., its like peeking into a rain forest.

 

[Moose]

Palms, Bamboo and crotons! Whats not to love?

 

[Moose]

A beautifully colored Helen Edge fka Beyond Petra

 

[Moose]

This may be an Elaine, I have trouble with this ID

 

[Moose]

Tan Wi Kiat, the namesake of this cultivar was in attendance at the Glock Garden Tour in Fort Myers, FL.

 

[Moose]

An amazing looking Rafael

 

[Moose]

Majesticum

 

[Moose]

Geisha Girl

 

[Moose]

OK, here we found the real Corot

 

[Moose]

Oh, we found the Royalty section. All hail to the Monarch