Tecomanthe speciosa ??

[charlie]

Anyone else growing this? I have a plant from PaulS and its really taken off this winter, I think it will have to stay in here (they did have one outside at Lammoran) questions are if its staying potted is it better to go big or keep it cramped? small pots certainly help the Pandorea's to flower more but of course you have to be more careful when watering.

Also (long shot this!) anyone ever done cuttings?

I can't show you pictures as mine has yet to flower but below is a web link to a picture, it has great leaves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tecomanthe_speciosa

[Darran]

I have the following information from Michael regarding Tecomanthe speciosa, he is currently growing it on his windowsill but it will not flower that easily in northern climates. A friend in brest has a huge one in the greenhouse but that has never flowered ,however Tecomanthe venusta flowered for Michael in a pot in Madeira but tends to only get 4 flowers or so. Guess that needs more warmth!

I am trying to convince Michael to join the forum but at the moment he is very busy studying for his diploma at Kew.

[charlie]

The plant at Lamorran was growing on one of the walls and was covered in flowers one winter (not sure whether its early or late) but they lost it during the 09/10 winter, but it was substantial, Mark Brent had sent me a picture of it but I can't find it! Anyway I want to do a couple of cuttings so I can give him one. Not sure whether to go with nodal or inter nodal cuttings (I know I could try both but I am being stingy with the material)

[Darran]

Tecomanthe speciosa can be propped from nodal or internodal cuttings as it will callus and root from anywhere in the stem just like salvia and passiflora. If you have little material do internodal (Michaels Advice ;) )

[charlie]

Thanks for that, it had the look of something that would go internodally but its nice to know before you start!

[charlie]

I can confirm it will do from internodal cuttings :) I had hoped to meet up with Michael while he was at home but he flies back to the UK the same day we fly out which is a huge shame as he has been having some success with the Lapageria plant I took out for him 3 years ago and I wanted an excuse to see his garden again!