Medinilla magnifica

[realarch]

Found these growing in a nice shady spot at the Hilo house attached to an old decomposing tree trunk.

Have seen them in full sun, but the color isn't near as intense.

Tim

[ariscott]

They will go to crisp in the full sun here.... that is probably why I don't have one. Very nice, Tim... One day....

Regards, Ari

[Jeff in St Pete]

Beautiful flower Tim! I used to have one of those plants in Tampa but it was small and was not flowering yet. I think I gave it away or sold it before I left.

[Eric in Orlando]

That is a beautiful shrub but very tender. It won't grow outside here except in the far south of FL in protected microclimates. If you can grow Cyrtostachys outside, this will make it. Below 38-40F kills it.

There is another species that grows smaller with slightly smaller flowers that is hardier, M. myriantha. It has survived here under tree canopy and has tolerated upper 20sF. It is very sensitive to dryness.

[gcyao]

Tim,

Are you sure that's a Medinilla magnifica? It's suppose to have large bracts. Maybe they had fallen off?

I don't have a pix, but this M. miniata taken in habitat is similar.

[realarch]

George, I'm pretty sure according to the reference books I have. The spike is huge actually, probably a foot long at least, but the flower bracts aren't that large.

Ari, once you get your canopy established, it should be a go for you. Maybe you can use one of your 'carpie' victims as the growth medium.

Funny, every time I see a carpie I think of you.

Jeff, they would probably be spectacular where you are although I don't know the availability and restrictions down your way.

Eric, we can grow cyrtostachys quite easily in Hilo.

Tim

[Gbarce]

Tim - I agree with gcyao Medinila Magnifica is suppose to have very prominent bracts hanging over the flowers. Perhaps that's a different species.

With foot long inflorescence that's a pretty impressive plant.

I searched the web for M. Magnifica and found this picture. I have also seen specimens that have a much darker pink color.

[realarch]

Thanks Gene, that does look quite different, must be a different variety. The foliage looks to be the same or very close.

They almost look like grapes with the purple color.

Tim

[junglegalfla]

Jeff,

I got your plant before you left but promptly killed it by not protecting it over the winter

[aussiearoids]

Many Medinella are native to the Philippines , so George and Gene have good knowledge of them . For some strange reason the real magnifica seems to be very rare in cultivation . Every plant I have ever seen offered as it has been the pictured plant on the first few posted here . The enormous primary bracts are what make it magnificent.

Eric has the name right I think ,, whatever it is , this species is very hardy and thrives here in the tropics . It is even used as street plantings and makes an amazing hedge . Seems to be ever flowering .

[Jeff in St Pete]

Jeff,

I got your plant before you left but promptly killed it by not protecting it over the winter

I should have stashed it in my suitcase...

[Gbarce]

THey are native to the Philippines but they prefer cooler climates I think.

They grow and bloom pretty well in our mountainous areas but I have always had a hard time growing them here in Manila where we are at sea level.

Ive' seen pictures of large specimens covered with blooms and they really are magnificent!!

[Eric in Orlando]

A couple of our M. magnifica are flowering. These are still young plants. We used to have a 6ft. specimen growing in our old orchid display house. It was growing partially on a rock and would have over a dozen flowers at a time. When the greenhouse was torn down, we dug it out but it didn't survive.

[realarch]

Eric, Gene, gcyao, that's totally different than the one I have, not even close actually. Eric, that is a nice specimen and has a fuschia like flower.

Tim

[ariscott]

Ari, once you get your canopy established, it should be a go for you. Maybe you can use one of your 'carpie' victims as the growth medium.

Funny, every time I see a carpie I think of you.

So does everyone else, Tim.... so join the club :).

Wow... .the real M. magnifica is absolutely stunning. The common one for sale here is the first one Tim posted. Anything different, I think I have to venture to Cairns to get. It is ok, I have time.... Grow tree.... grow!!!

Regards, Ari