Red Mussaenda

[Really full garden]

This is my red mussaenda Capricorn Dream . It has semi double bracts. Mussaendas do really well at the beach and are great because they begin to flower when the bougainvilleas have finished.

This variety has been much more difficult for me.One big problem is that the iguanas love to eat the leaves and often break branches in the process. This is the first really showy flowering I have had .The red is intensely red even more so than poinsettias .

[tropicbreeze]

Don't have this one, although it's pretty common in the nurseries here. I have a white one and the "Calcutta Sunset" but can't seem to keep enough water up to them during the dry season. The white is about 3 metres tall and the Calcutta Sunset about 1 metre. I'm often tempted to put them out of their misery but then the wet season comes and I put it off. One thing about bougainvilleas, they're far tougher plants. Where do you get your water from at the beach property?

[Really full garden]

I have four wells. The ground water is very close to the surface , only 4-5!mts.

I find the Mussaenda's to be less water dependent than my crotons .

I wish I could get a Calcutta Sunset.

One of my favorites is Queen Sirikit. It is a pale pink with dark pink edges .

[peachy]

I tried to grow mussaendas for years but they only were ever in the nurseries early autumn and I would lose them over winter.  Late last year they had them december so I grabbed a pink one planted it, it flowered within a couple of weeks and has grown like mad. Only last week, I saw Capricorn Dream for sale and fell in love but as its midwinter here, I won't risk it, just have to hope they have some in spring. Have you noticed now how easy it is to find them and how cheap they are too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

t

[Really full garden]

Only the dark pink and the white are common here.

I had to move heaven and earth to get the red and Queen Sirikit.

I really really want the orange one.

[Johnk9]

i think i have the same one here in south west fl. This is one of the small ones "double red mussaenda after the rain they are very cold sensitive

[Johnk9]

Mussaenda Pink Var. Dona Luz
after the rain

 

 

[annafl]

This is my only one here in Sarasota.  Reportedly the most cold-tolerant, which I need here in Central coastal Florida.  It is called Marmalade.  It is just coming into bloom now, and the flowers are smaller than the others, but they have peach, pink and gold tones, and I find them very pretty.  This one has been here less than two years and has only been through one mild winter, but very successfully.  Makes me want to try other ones, even though the chances of survival aren't good!

[Really full garden]

Anna, I have heard these are root hardy so if they are well mulched and in well drained soil they will survive a freeze.

[Johnk9]

Mussaenda 'Orange Marmalade'

[Johnk9]

13 hours ago, scottgt said:

Anna, I have heard these are root hardy so if they are well mulched and in well drained soil they will survive a freeze.

double red mussaenda will die at temps below 40 deg

[Really full garden]

2 hours ago, Johnk9 said:

double red mussaenda will die at temps below 40 deg

I am not sure which one is root hardy. The double red is quite sensitive in many regards.

[Really full garden]

This dark pink is the most common mussaenda at the beach . They are everywhere and can even be found in full sun.

[Cindy Adair]

I like these when I see them elsewhere so may have to give them another try.

The red was invasive and the white a shy bloomer.

Don't know the names of what I had, but perhaps I should give them another chance in pots and shift them around to see what suits them! 

Very nice photos all!

[Really full garden]

32 minutes ago, Cindy Adair said:

I like these when I see them elsewhere so may have to give them another try.

The red was invasive and the white a shy bloomer.

Don't know the names of what I had, but perhaps I should give them another chance in pots and shift them around to see what suits them! 

Very nice photos all!

Invasive in what way ? I always cut mine back severely every year.

They bloom on new growth , benefit from a good pruning.

[Really full garden]

Queen Sirikit has just started to bloom. It needs to be seen up close to appreciate its delicate beauty .

[tropicbreeze]

On 25/06/2017, 1:57:05, scottgt said:

I have four wells. The ground water is very close to the surface , only 4-5!mts.

I find the Mussaenda's to be less water dependent than my crotons .

I wish I could get a Calcutta Sunset.

One of my favorites is Queen Sirikit. It is a pale pink with dark pink edges .

I gather what you call a "well" we call a bore (or water bore). Wells here are generally over 1 or 2 metres diameter. My bore has a 150 mm diametre. It's drilled to 60 metres depth, casing (sleeve sort of thing) is down to 40 metres depth, and the casing is slotted up to 4 metres from the bottom. The pump is 27 metres down. When measured many years back standing water (level of water table) during the dry season was 6 metres. Continuous water flow capability is 5 litres per second but I pump at about 2 litres per second when irrigating. It makes a big difference having that during the dry season.

Funnily enough my Crotons are doing a lot better than my Mussaendas. Maybe I should try some in some different positions where Crotons do well. I was always concerned the Mussaendas might get too soggy during the wet season.

[annafl]

8 hours ago, tropicbreeze said:

I gather what you call a "well" we call a bore (or water bore). Wells here are generally over 1 or 2 metres diameter. My bore has a 150 mm diametre. It's drilled to 60 metres depth, casing (sleeve sort of thing) is down to 40 metres depth, and the casing is slotted up to 4 metres from the bottom. The pump is 27 metres down. When measured many years back standing water (level of water table) during the dry season was 6 metres. Continuous water flow capability is 5 litres per second but I pump at about 2 litres per second when irrigating. It makes a big difference having that during the dry season.

Funnily enough my Crotons are doing a lot better than my Mussaendas. Maybe I should try some in some different positions where Crotons do well. I was always concerned the Mussaendas might get too soggy during the wet season.

Our crotons are definitely more cold tolerant than mussaendas.  Especially the more usual large-flowered ones.  I wish I could grow those successfully.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

14 hours ago, scottgt said:

Invasive in what way ? I always cut mine back severely every year.

They bloom on new growth , benefit from a good pruning.

I have been "pollarding" my mussaendas for a couple years now and I like the results.  It works well on the white one as it has more upright growth and heavier wood.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

On 6/26/2017, 7:33:45, Johnk9 said:

Mussaenda 'Orange Marmalade'

Me likey that orange one!

What did one duckling say to the other duckling when he saw his mother sitting on an orange?

"Hey! Look at the Orange Marmalade!"

 

[Johnk9]

double white mussaenda

[annafl]

Wow, John, you have quite the collection!  The white one's a beauty too.  Where in Southwest Florida are you and do you protect them in winter?  How long have you had them and how have they fared in January-February?  I've always loved Mussaendas, but stayed away from them.  You must be in Naples?  I'm in Sarasota.

[tropicbreeze]

On 27/06/2017, 10:02:09, annafl said:

Our crotons are definitely more cold tolerant than mussaendas.  Especially the more usual large-flowered ones.  I wish I could grow those successfully.

The problem here is dry heat. The Crotons seem to like the heat, tolerating low humidity and a bit of drying out. But the Mussaendas wilt rapidly with dry winds and if they're not watered a lot. I might try another area on the property that has more water retentive soil.

[Johnk9]

On 6/28/2017, 8:09:43, annafl said:

Wow, John, you have quite the collection!  The white one's a beauty too.  Where in Southwest Florida are you and do you protect them in winter?  How long have you had them and how have they fared in January-February?  I've always loved Mussaendas, but stayed away from them.  You must be in Naples?  I'm in Sarasota.

Anna the Mussaenda 'Orange Marmalade' is in the ground about 6-7 years.Do nothing  in the winter. The Red would have to be covered ir brought in if the temps start to go down past 40 deg they die.the white it a little better. I am about 60+ miles south of you

[Johnk9]

Mussaenda flava. yellow mussaenda-- Anna you can plant this it is good to 25 deg

[annafl]

On 6/29/2017, 9:23:32, Johnk9 said:

On 6/29/2017, 9:23:32, Johnk9 said:

Mussaenda flava. yellow mussaenda-- Anna you can plant this it is good to 25 deg

I did plant one of these last year, John, as an experiment also.  It did fine, but defoliated more during the winter than the Orange Marmalade for some reason.  It's in a more protected spot, too.  It looks good right now, but not as lush as yours yet.  Thanks!