COSTA RICA CROTON WANDERINGS-THE MANY FACES OF VEITCHII

[donroberth]

INTERNATIONAL CROTON SOCIETY WIKI: "Named after a member of the Veitch family,enterprising botanists who were responsible for the contribution of crotons worldwide. They had traveled to the South Pacific and brought this hybrid back to their native England."

REF: Brown, B. Frank 1995 Crotons of the World p.22. Photograph

"Large, long leaves veined and mottled yellow, flushing pink."
REF: Reasoner's Tropical Nurseries inc, croton listing. Group 1, Common Varieties, p.2.

"Porter's Pink Veittchii - More cream and pink than the type. Very good."
"Sturrock's Narrow Leaved Veitchii - Much narrower leaves than type and stronger pink."
REF: Reasoner's Tropical Nurseries inc, croton listing. Group II, Better Standard Varieties, p.3.

THE CHRISTIAN PAPERS: VEITCHII ;- "Type I, 2 ½” X 11” , - Ground color is bright green in new leaves with midrib and veins heavily outlined and margined yellow which shades to pink and rose in the older leaves. One of the best of the standard varieties."

FOTOS: #1-2-3-4…Four close-ups for Ana.

 

[donroberth]

FOTO: #5…Throw-back branch manifesting this all green sport on a VEITCHII.

FOTO: #6…More of the same as #5 but this all green sport has almost completely devoured the VEITCHII mother plant.

FOTO: #7…Another but more colorful VEITCHII SPORT in my garden…notice that I have placed an airlayer on it. I hope it keeps its present coloring and does not revert back to its origin which is not uncommon when taking an airlayer...that would be a “bummer”!

FOTO: #8…Another VEITCHII SPORT but this time even more colorful. The owner of the nursery allowed me to take the cutting as pictured in the foto inserts…WOW!

 

[donroberth]

FOTOS: #9…Croton Cluster featuring a nice pastel and pinkish-colored VEITCHII, FOTOS: #10-11…front yard gardens also showing-off VEITCHII.

 

[donroberth]

FOTOS: #12…a nicely done garden with a VIETCHII in the center, FOTOS #13-14…2 more street side gardens.

 

[donroberth]

FOTOS: #15-16-17…all three of these pix were taken outside the Central Valley in rural areas. NOTE: # 16…depicts both VEITCHII and MORTII for comparison purposes & #17…easily over twenty feet high, this is one humongous plant(s)! HOPE ALL OF YOU ENJOYED THIS THREAD...

 

[Judy Glock]

Great pics, Roberto! A well grown Veitchii is beautiful! Love your pic! We have been to Costa Rica twice, and it is my favorite destination ! Cannot wait for our next visit!

 

[palmisland]

Thanks for the pics, Robert. Wow, that sport is identical to Madam Butterfly. It sure shows how variable Veitchia is.

 

[annafl]

Robertico, you did it again! Wonderful photos of a lovely croton cultivar in oversized form. Seeing the Costa Rican colorful homes and gardens is fun too. I also can't wait to go back to visit your country again. For sure, it was our family's favorite vacation. We need to do it again. Thanks for taking the time to show us your photo collection.

Ana

 

[donroberth]

Hi Judy and Ana…thanks for your comments. Judy, I agree…a well grown VEITCHII is stunning.

PALMISLAND…for your enjoyment and a better look, please see the three VEITCHII SPORT pix I have attached regarding your observation that it was "identical to MADAM BUTTERFLY". I have never seen a MADAM BUTTERFLY in person but it must be a beautiful thing.