Madeira - Michaels patch

[charlie]

Some of you may remember Michael from pre 2009 on the forums, he studied at Kew for the next 3 years and continued to volunteer there while working in landscape gardening around London but has now returned to his home in Funchal to start a garden on family land which he has been able to purchase from an aunt.

A short walk from our hotel across the Ribeiro Sec past one of the best Kapok trees

061 by charliepridham, on Flickr

062 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Then 5 mins up the hill to the Hospital and you are there, the drive way gives a clue to the rest, its stuffed with pots! All looked after by his mother (who is a saint!) while he is away.

064 by charliepridham, on Flickr

I am afraid I was bombarded with plant names, pretty much all now forgotten so if anyone can id stuff I will edit it in. (Chad has given Nesocodon mauritianus for this next one)

063 by charliepridham, on Flickr

065 by charliepridham, on Flickr

066 by charliepridham, on Flickr

This I think is Salvia madrensis

067 by charliepridham, on Flickr

The man himself.

068 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Some of the cleared area

069 by charliepridham, on Flickr

(Chad to the rescue again with Salvia oxyphora for the next)
070 by charliepridham, on Flickr

072 by charliepridham, on Flickr

John, given your struggles to grow and flower Lotus to see this collection of buckets on his roof has to be just a bit annoying?

073 by charliepridham, on Flickr

This view from on high shows both the small size (I would guess at about half an acre) and the steepness, he certainly has his work cut out!

074 by charliepridham, on Flickr

I wouldn't mind this around my front door Thunbergia mysoriensis

075 by charliepridham, on Flickr

I hope by next year to return to see progress

[Chad]

Thanks for posting all of these. so exciting!

063 Nesocodon mauritianus
065 I know this - don't tell me yet!
067 Salvia madrensis
070 Salvia oxyphora

I will find 065 - eventually!

The orchids I'll leave for someone who better knows the family.

Chad

[charlie]

065 - Michael did tell me but I forgot! I am hoping he may get down next week Thursday/Friday so if its still unresolved I will try and ask him!

[LONGK]

You'd get hacked off constantly cutting T.mysorensis back :lol:

[charlie]

Its a year on since this post and I once again I met up with Michael, took him a couple of bits out which he collected from me early in the holiday, he had a bunch of friends over from his days at Kew, now dispersed at Edinburgh and Cambridge botanic gardens, he was busy trying to get on top of weeding and tidying in preparation for the International passiflora society's visit at the end of my fortnight.

Michael has a bit of a mountain to climb with this garden as its very steep and access is bad to almost all parts, but the scope is immense. His year started with the importing of a large number (2000 plus) orchid plants from the UK which despite the trauma of a month in a shipping container in November seem to have survived, he indicated that 10% even managed some flowers this year (rather a nice scent)

133 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

As you can see the logistics of having that many plants in pots while you are still trying to knock your plot into shape are not made easier

126 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

He has managed to get a lot of plants previously in pots into the ground but apparently has to spend the 4 summer months just keeping up with watering. but the lower part of the garden has now been cleared and his pond is 75% finished it was looking better in the flesh with the various tropical lilies.

127 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

128 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

129 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

130 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

131 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

Can anyone put a name to this? Michael had forgotten, its apparently a form with much longer fronds than the type

132 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

Although Madeira seems tropical to us these apparently defoliate each winter!

124 Plumaria by charliepridham, on Flickr

Bit of "Lightening tours" this year so I didn't get to see all of it but the only mutually free time was quite late one evening and we lost the light chatting! but no visit would be complete without admiring the Thunbergia mysoriensis

125 Michaels by charliepridham, on Flickr

[AndyC]

Thanks for the pictures. Years back I worked part time as a volunteer at the Living Rainforest near Newbury in Berkshire and looked forward to the Thunbergia flowerings and always a popular attraction for the visitors.

[charlie]

I would have like nothing better than spend my 2 weeks giving him a hand, not sure I could have sold the idea to Liz though! :)