We were a bit skeptical yet very much hopeful in growing this lovely Thunbergia grandiflora vine. From the seven young saplings, here's the biggest and healthiest-looking that I separated to grow on the trellis.
Showing posts with label Thunbergia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thunbergia. Show all posts
Growing Garden Vine Saplings - Thunbergia Grandiflora
In a recent post, I discussed a flourishing T.grandiflora vine that I trained in a garden pot with a built-in bamboo trellis. This vine was from a group of seven very young vines or saplings that my wife and I saw by the roadside. This is at a college campus where we went to find seedlings of the T.grandiflora.
We were a bit skeptical yet very much hopeful in growing this lovely Thunbergia grandiflora vine. From the seven young saplings, here's the biggest and healthiest-looking that I separated to grow on the trellis.
We were a bit skeptical yet very much hopeful in growing this lovely Thunbergia grandiflora vine. From the seven young saplings, here's the biggest and healthiest-looking that I separated to grow on the trellis.
Trellised Thunbergia Grandiflora in a Garden Pot
From the loot of seven Thunbergia grandiflora small saplings we took home, all seven survived. That's an excellent survival rate but then, these are saplings. They have rooted well already and will continue to grow unless you intentionally kill them. Internet sources say T.grandiflora is easily propagated by cuttings.
Seedling Propagation of Thunbergia Grandiflora
Propagating Thunbergia grandiflora (Skyflower, Bengal Clock Vine or Blue Trumpet Vine) from cuttings is much more difficult than we thought. With the cuttings that we took from a nearby source, survival rate was a disappointing 0%. It is for this reason that we decided to head for the hinterlands of Mt. Makiling.
Since one of our daughters is studying at UPLB, DH already noticed the vines among the trees in our many visits to the campus via the UPLB shortcut. And yes, they were quite floriferous with the lavender-blue blooms. Unlike DH, I generally don't notice these things. Somehow, DH has this keen ability to hone in to surrounding flora wherever she goes.
Since one of our daughters is studying at UPLB, DH already noticed the vines among the trees in our many visits to the campus via the UPLB shortcut. And yes, they were quite floriferous with the lavender-blue blooms. Unlike DH, I generally don't notice these things. Somehow, DH has this keen ability to hone in to surrounding flora wherever she goes.
Thunbergia Grandiflora (Skyflower, Bengal Clock Vine)
We're back with our morning walking exercise. While I focus on the walking and stretching part of this early morning ritual, DH is more content in looking for nice-looking flowers and plants. And I'm not just referring to beautifully landscaped front yards and gardens. No. But also to plants growing in sidewalks, empty lots, or even drainage canals that strikes her curiosity.
In one of our morning walks in a nearby subdivision, DH and I chanced upon a vigorous healthy vine with beautiful flowers. The vine we saw covered much of the house owner's front fence as shown below.
In one of our morning walks in a nearby subdivision, DH and I chanced upon a vigorous healthy vine with beautiful flowers. The vine we saw covered much of the house owner's front fence as shown below.
Thunbergia Mysorensis Flower - Latter Stages of Growth
After seeing the first raceme of our Thunbergia Mysorensis (Mysore Clock vine), I was anxious, yet excited as to how the cluster of flowers would develop. Of course, I've seen images of this vine acclaimed as the prettiest flowering vine in the world in the book "Vines of the World". I've seen the actual spectacular racemes from a road trip and how everyone in that trip were awed at the beauty of these flowers.
Here's the first raceme.
Here's the first raceme.
Thunbergia Mysorensis Flower - Early Stages of Growth
When I saw the Mysore Clock Vine's first raceme (elongated pendulous cluster of flowers), I was wondering as to when it actually started to appear. In fact, I didn't even know how it was supposed to look like. All I've been seeing in the Mysore Clock vine's almost 2 years of existence was its dense foliage - plenty of growing branches, shoots and leaves.
But after discovering the first raceme, I saw a curious thread-like growth two feet away along the trellis. The photo below was taken March 8.
But after discovering the first raceme, I saw a curious thread-like growth two feet away along the trellis. The photo below was taken March 8.
Thunbergia Mysorensis First Flower
Finally! After almost two years, our Mysore Clock Vine (Thunbergia Mysorensis) rewarded us with its first bloom, ever. I say rewarded, because we knew it will take a long while before this plant bears flowers, if at all. And I must say the wait was worth it.
The Mysore Clock Vine, also known as Lady's Slippers, Doll Shoes and Brick and Butter, among others, is known to flourish in the highlands of Tagaytay or Baguio, but not in the lowlands. I could almost assume that it's the cool weather in those two cities that makes it favorable for the Mysore Clock Vine to flower.
The Mysore Clock Vine, also known as Lady's Slippers, Doll Shoes and Brick and Butter, among others, is known to flourish in the highlands of Tagaytay or Baguio, but not in the lowlands. I could almost assume that it's the cool weather in those two cities that makes it favorable for the Mysore Clock Vine to flower.
