COSTA RICA CROTON WANDERINGS-THE MANY FACES OF PETRA

PETRA-CATEGORY: BROAD LEAF

“One of the most common crotons available. Hybridized by Azienda Gloreal Diem (AFD) Nursery in Italy. Developed from a cross of Fournieri and Norma. Introduced in the US by Kraft Nursery in Boca Raton. Named after AFD nursery manager's daughter.” REF: Brown, B. Frank 1995 Crotons of the World p.111

NOTE: I found very little useful information on internet for this pictorial’s narrative other than just general comments re: care and maintenance applicable to just about any Croton.

By far the best PETRA specific advice available in the care and planting of Petra was found in this discussion Forum. I’ve taken the liberty of quoting a few below…GOOD STUFF!

SCOTT MCINTOSH:“My experience with growing Petra in Shade shows the best leaf color with nice hues of orange and pinks with more pronounced veining of the leaves. Full sun grown Petras show lots of yellow color and have less pronounced veining. Overall Petra performs well in sun to shade conditions” or Scott gets a little poetic in another post: “Petra can be really nice if planted in a location that is barley kissed by sun. I do not like Petra that is planted in sun locations. These are only kissed by the sun as the sun sits in the western sky.”

RAY HERNANDEZ: “It's a crotons nature to keep us guessing. Petra, as common as it is, is a stunning plant in shade. It was originally hybridized for interior low light conditions.”

FAWNRIDGE: “… the more sun you give "Petra" the more yellow you're gonna get. Try one in almost full shade and it will go deep red. There is a pure yellow "Petra" by the way; it'll blanch in the full sun though.”

NOTE: Yellow Petra will be the subject of my next pictorial submission

Five closeups for Anna:

Fotos 01 & 02 Closeups
Foto 03 Closeup of foto # 11
Foto 04 Closeup with about 4 more months of full sun exposure as compared to foto no. 08
Foto 05 Closeup of foto # 12

 

Foto 06 PETRA: Red & yellow side-by-side for comparison…
Foto 07 Robertico’s garden
Foto 08 Supermarket parking lot during the rainy season… see foto no. 04
Foto 09 Escazu, north side of house
Foto 10 Escazu mini-shopping center

 

Foto 11 Receives about one-half day of afternoon sunlight
Foto 12 This garden receives only 2-3 hrs of early morning sun & solid shade the rest of the day… red & beautiful
Foto 13 Both fotos, 13 & 14 are of planters that face west and receive about 2 hrs…
Foto 14 …of late evening light. This location in relation to the sun is favored by many Forum contributors

 

Foto 15 This homeowner has Petra planted all over the yard…filtered light all day
Foto 16 Petra duo in front yard facing northwest
Foto 17 Petra center piece, La Garita Nursery
Foto 18 Petras & Palms…difficult to go wrong with this combination

 

Thanks Robert,the bromeliads with the Petras look fantastic

 

Thank you sir. Quit your day job so you have more time to entertain us? I like the photo of the entry way, top of the class.

 

Robert,

Those are some very impressive looking Petra plantings. Thanks!

 

Robert, Thanks for the photos & all the time & research into the background. You certainly moved Petra up a few notches.

 

Robert, A well done salute to very popular Croton. Great photos! Thanks again for another "The Many Faces Of", I will await and look forward to your next wandering.

 

Thanks, Bob. Great photos as always.

Ana