I just went outside and saw something I never expected to see. My caapi plant in the ground is putting out tons of flower buds. No flowers yet and with a cold snap coming I would not be surprised if all the buds dropped off. That particular plant has been there for a few years, maybe 4 or 5, I forget. It's a huge one and reaches out about 8' in all directions.
Anyone else get their caapi to flower?
If it actually produces flowers as opposed to buds, I'll try to take and post a photo. I'm not holding my breath on that and the chances of getting viable seed is fairly slim. But, this is a good development for sure.
Since my first sighting, I've noticed that another caapi is also in bloom. It only has a few flowers but I'm glad to see them. My other two caapi are not flowering but they are the youngest ones. The oldest one is flowering the most. The flower buds are tiny pale green globes. They are getting larger and I see a few starting to open and a pinkish flower coming into view. It doesn't look like any of the flowers are open yet. It's like a pink globe inside the green one. I'm starting to have hopes for seeds since they didn't die off in the cold yet.
Updates to follow...
The pinkish capsules have started to open. The capsule becomes the petals of the flower. I tried to log into the gallery but it sends me back to the forum. I was never able to get it to work last time I tried. Is anyone interested?
Hey Stoney,
I'd love to see some photos. Try posting to photobucket or something and just hotlinking em. :)
Peace
ObOdAOuR
Photos are at shroomery and the nook. No seeds formed, all the flowers just dropped off. Same with the rivea. But at least I got to look at the flowers.
I'm happy to say that while all the early flowers fell off, some of the later flowers did form seeds. I ended up with 50 or 60. I planted a few and just had one come up.
I ended up with a few seedlings. I hope this year to do better. I will work harder on cross pollenation with the other caapi that also flowered. They had been in the ground for 5 to 7 years and got direct sun the whole time. They have been getting streetlight at night so it was almost 24 hour light. I hope that helps someone. I fert them now and then when they look pale.
nice it's always nice to see the caapi flower and seed even my rivea have seeded but it too five or more years and it's still a small plant in terms of size
peace
My caapi is back in flower but just buds at this point in time. I'm hoping it's learned how to set seed better this time around.
Merry Christmas everyone!
...and a Happy New Year to you Stone, I hope you get what you wish for with your flowers!!!
Thanks, Syd. No seeds yet but it's flowering profusely. It got burned by a recent freeze but is still going. My black caapi didn't get burned at all. The rivea hasn't flowered yet.
My main plant got hit by a couple freezes and did not set any seeds except for one which has not matured yet. My second plant which only produced a few last year is doing much better this year and is taking up the slack. I already have one sprout. The percentage of seeds that sprouted was low last year and I don't think any of the small seeds sprouted. This year they go straight to the damp paper towel.
My caapi has been flowering every year for a long time now, ten years+.
I'm such a slacker, I never even checked for seeds, I know, what's up with that? :roll:
I propagate by root cutting...
My Rivea always flowers and sets many seeds. Puna Big Island.
Im wondering how old a vine needs to be in order to flower?
How long was yours in the ground stonehenge?
'bout 6 or 7 years before it flowered. But the other one was only around 5 years so it varies.
Irie,
These are about 6-7 month old..
The one in the foreground has just stretched out it's arm!
Respect
Z
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Looking good, Zaka!
I have some caapi seedlings about 6" tall that i would consider trading for other plants or other things. Within usa only due to customs hassles. Make me an offer.
My 2 main outdoor caapi plants died way back in the winter freeze. The two smaller ones did better but they have not flowered yet either one. Now, they all have made a good comeback but are not as big as they once were. The flowers died off in the freeze and of course no seed set. Interestingly enough, the first caapi shoots from the ones that died back were the seedlings from seeds that dropped off before i could grab them. These little delicate seedlings did not freeze a bit while the old mature plants died way back. They are coming back too and I hope the seedlings flower some day but not likely this year.
My voacanga died way back but have several shoots coming from each plant. My kratom died back too but one shoot is over 2' tall now. I was worried about it. I though i lost my rivea altogether but i see some heart shaped leaves among the caapi leaves so it looks like it made it too. My fo ti and kat were not hurt at all nor were the cactuses. My e novos were taken indoors and did ok until a mite infestation hit them. I caught it in time and they have recovered nicely since i put them outdoors. I should have some novo berries ripe very soon. P viridis was not hurt at all and is flowering. By fall i'll have a ton load of berries again. Ask about cuttings or a seedling if you are interested.
Hey Stonehenge, PM me when you get novo seeds.
I got 'em. PM me when you are ready.
What sort of soil do you normally use for the Novo seeds? I heard that African violet soil works best
African violet works fine but any soil that drains ok and is not basic ph will work. One way to lower ph is put in some pine bark. If the soil is a little sandy, some phagnum or peat moss which will lower ph and increase water retention. You don't want too much water retention but some is good. They like a ph between about 5.5 and 6.0. Tap water is usually around 8 or so. Rain water is much better because it's usually a little acidic. Don't give them full sun or any sun when they are small. Some will drop leaves if they are too close to the window when they are seedlings even if no direct sun. They can be grown indoors all winter or all year around.