Information on Calathea Makoyana

Calathea Makoyana

Common name: Peacock Plant
Scientific name: Calathea Makoyana
Height: 2 ft (60 cm)
Growth rate: Medium
Sun Tolerance: Partial Sun, Shade, Indoor
Span: 30 cm Peacock Plant is greatly admired for its distinctive colored patterns and variegated foliage.
The oval shaped leaves are 10-20 cm long, glossy and leathery. They are attractive both on the top side and the bottom side. The top side has patterns - drawings of little leaves with a striped white background. The bottom side is a splash of very dark purple, contrasting the top side, giving it colors as the wind blows the leaves. The foliage of Calathea makoyana is striking and beautiful to say the least, giving it the accolade of being called the Peacock Plant.

Calathea Makoyana leaves

Close up picture of Calathea makoyana leaves

Calathea Makoyana

Calathea makoyana Roots

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Guide-to-houseplants 
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Dicksonia Antarctica

Dicksonia Antarctica

Common name: Soft Tree Fern 
Scientific name: Dicksonia Antarctica 
Height:  15 m (49 ft)

Growth rate: Slow
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun

 Dicksonia antarctica is part of the family Dicksoniaceae. Members of this family are the tree ferns. Dicksonia antarctica is wide-spread species growing from south-eastern Queensland, through the NSW and Victoria coast and in Tasmania. This species is endemic to Australia. In the wild this species likes to live in moist areas with high water content in wet sclerophyll forests, along creek beds, in gullies and occasionally at high altitudes in cloud forests. 

Dicksonia Antarctica Leaves

The indusium is up leaving mature sporangia hovering about to unfold and disperse the spores.

Close up picture

Dicksonia Antarctica new Leaves

Dicksonia Antarctica jolanta anna karolska

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Information on Brachychiton acerfolius

Brachychiton Acerfolius - Australian Flame Tree

Common Names: Australian Flame Tree
Scientific Name: Brachychiton acerfolius

Height: 40 ft. (12 m)
Growth Rate: Fast

Sun Tolerance: Full sun


Australian Flame Tree is a large tree native to subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is leafless. This tree is tolerant of temperate climates and is now cultivated world-over for its beauty. However, the maximum height of 40 m is reached only in the original, warmer, habitat. It usually grows to be about 20 m. Leaves are variable, either entire or with 5-7 deep lobes. It sheds its leaves after the dry season. The spectacular flowering occurs in late spring and new foliage is ready for the summer rains. In areas where the winter is not particularly dry, this natural rhythm may become somewhat erratic and the tree may flower only partially.  

brachychiton acerfolius Fruit

brachychiton acerfolius flowers

brachychiton acerfolius leaves

brachychiton acerfolius

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learn2grow

Fiddle leaf Fig

 Fiddleleaf Fig

Common Name: Fiddle leaf Fig

Scientific Name: Ficus Lyrata  

Height:  40-50 ft

Span:  10-15 ft

Growth Rate:  Slow

Sun Tolerance:  Shade

Fiddle leaf Fig is native to Western Africa, which generally grows in tropical rain forest plains.  It is species of fig tree that can grow up to 40-50 ft.  The leaves of the Fiddle leaf Fig are large, broad, dark green and resemble Fiddle. It is generally used as an indoor plant,as only average watering is needed. This indoor plant grows slow and blooms all the year. The tree comes in bush and tree forms. A Fiddle Leaf Fig has large wide leathery leaves that often resemble a violin or fiddle.

Care of Fiddle leaf Fig:
Light:
A Fiddle Leaf Fig requires bright indirect light. Not enough light causes small new growth and leaf drop. Turn a Fiddle Leaf Fig often to keep it growing straight. Sun has great effect on Fiddle Leaf Fig, too much Sun causes the leaves of a Fiddle Leaf Fig to fade and lose their dark green color.  
Temperature:
Temperature has also little effect on Fiddle leaf Fig. Fiddle leaf Fig does well in temperatures between 65-80 degrees. Keep the Fiddle Leaf and all Ficus away from air conditioners, drafts, and heating vents. Intense cold or heat causes leaf drop.

Water: 
Fiddle Leaf Fig, requires less water.  Allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before watering. Leaves become soft and more flexible as the soil dries out. Try to keep water off of the large leaves to prevent mold.

 

Fiddle leaf Fig Leaves

Fiddle leaf Fig's Fruits

Fruit of Fiddle leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf Fig in Primary Stages

Fruits of Fiddle leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf Fig's Leaves 

Indoor Fiddle leaf Fig 

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For more information:
Wikipedia Fiddleleaf Fig
Fiddleleaf Fig Detailed Information 

Bristlecone Pine

The Bristlecone Pine

The Bristlecone Pine

Common Name:  Bristlecone Pines

Scientific Name:  Pinus longaeva    

Height: 5 -16 m

Span: 3-5 m
Growth Rate: Slow

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun 

The bristlecone pine is one of the longest-living species in the world. Some of the bristlecone pines have lived for almost 4800 years. They preserve the moisture every season and grow slowly. The bristlecone pines are found in high altitude and elevations. The common height of bristlecone pines is 5-16 m and they mostly grow in rocky areas. The male cones, which is also called catkin is red-purple in color while female cones are dark-purple in color. The span of the bristlecone pine grows continuously resulting in gigantic trunks. The beauty of this plant comes from the aged thick trunk which resembles the art of Jin or deadwood in Bonsai terms. The grandfather of all plants - Bristlecone Pines.

Full Grown Bristlecone Pine

  Bristlecone Pine Male cones

  Bristlecone Pine Female cones 

  Gigantic Trunk of Bristlecone Pines

  Bristlecone Pine Female cones

 Bristlecone Pine Male cones

 Bristlecone Pine Young Sapling

Full Grown Bristlecone Pines

 Bristlecone Pine Foliage

Huge Bristlecone Pine trunk

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Arkive Bristlecone Pines 
Gymnosperm-Bristlecone Pines