Rose of Venezuela -Brownea grandiceps location questions

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Tropheus Wedgefield, FL 10h ago

Nov 04, 2024

I am in 10a Central Florida.
The first of probably several of these questions over the next few months although I likely wont be planting this one until spring as I rehab it from some hurricane damage. As I explain in my much longer blog thread on the Florida gardening page, this was one of the exotic trees that was tossed in my lap. Now the guy I got it from swears backwards and forwards it is an understory tree and when he saw my fairly heavily shaded camellia garden, he was ecstatic that this was the perfect location to plant it in. I have been doing research that says otherwise saying it is full sun to partial sun. That said, hurricane Milton exposed it to full sun for multiple days and it looks pretty rough although it's not getting worse at least, nor is its sister tree, the Panama Flame. (Very similar requirements from what I have seen thus far) Right now I have it under the eaves on the east side of my house so it gets roof condensation every night and light for the first half of the day.

Now when bringing things from more northerly climes to Florida, we tend to drop the sun requirements. Full sun---> Partial shade and so on. I think the opposite should be true here and I should be aiming at full sun or close to. So I am not thinking where he thinks I should put it. I have a spot in the back yard that is partial shade where I currently have a Mexican plum tree thats been there 10 years now, flowers every year but no plums, and I wonder if thats a good spot. Its about 15-20 feet from a 9 foot tall All Spice tree that regularly fruits. Its near a low spot in the yard but at the upper end and its on a mound as well so while there is often a large pool of water not too far away, the mound itself is up out of the water even during something like a hurricane flood although it might be surrounded for a day or so.

There is also a spot further back next to the berm I was going to plant a Florida swamp maple. Again, mounded, I can obviously add to the mound as this area is closer to the pool mentioned above although again, it doesnt go under completely, but this time the foot of the mound might be in the water for longer periods and more often. This spot however gets far more full sun tha the other spot that is about 20 feet away but might not get the insulation effect of the nearby oak trees either. Ie. not as good of a micro-climate.

I am aware I am zone pushing and fighting an uphill battle either way, but I do that all the time. Living without challenge isnt living. Like I said, I will at least wait until next spring if not later. I just dont want to plant something in that spot between now and then while I let it get a bit bigger in its pot(2.5' now).

Post #10571337
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener Threads

Go to all Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener threads
BACK TO TOP