Newbies start a collection...

Needless to say we were inspired by all the great posts!!
We got a few cuttings to start our collection!

 

They look good now... lol.

 

I am really fascinated with this one!

 

Sorry, I really really like those weird leaves... reminds me of clown balloon.

 

They are so photogenic!!

 

Finally done potting... no special treatment for these guys... survival of the fittest! Hopefully they'll live!


I'll do an update after they lose all their leaves

 

Angela,

Boy, I think somebody's getting bit by the croton bug. You'll be amazed on how well they'll stand out in your garden after being planted. I like to refer to them as adding a "splash" of color.

I look forward to seeing them soon (wink,wink).


Jeff

 

Those are truely some amazing crotons!
Lee, Ray, know any of the names? I cant guess any. Angela, have any to share!? We need to get these spread out on the mainland here!

 

I've always liked them but I've been so busy propagating tis and collecting berries etc.
Also the ones in our garden that Dean has had for a while have been very slow growing but it looks like now they are picking up speed.
When we got the cuttings I found some seeds... is it hard growing them from seed?

 

Is the one with the weird leaf shape in post #3 common? I've never seen a leaf narrow down to its middle vein before and then pop back out.

 

I suppose it could be arranged

 

Angela,
Your crotons are great ones! I would suggest that, to give them a rooting head start, to:
1. Cut off the largest lower leaves all together
2. Cut the remaining leaves in half.
3. Scrape off the outer edge of 'bark' from the stem leaving only a tan stem. Do this for say, 4 inches up the stem, if possible.
4. Use a root tone power to help root establishment.
5. Make certain that they do not move while being rooted. If they blow around, then rooting will have a difficult time.
6. Keep the soil damp, but not wet. A misting every day may be beneficial as well.

You should have a nicely rooted croton with 12 weeks or so.

Welcome to the croton bug!

 

Hi Angela

There are maybe 5 or 6 known varieties that interrupt, (that's what it's called), but I have seen quite a few newer hybrids that have come up recently as seedlings and propagated by hybridizers.

Although you can't tell which variety it is:

1- It's awesome, very nice colors and seriously interrupting!
2- There are never enough interrupted plants propagated. Dr. Brown has always tried to encourage hybridizers to concentrate on the interrupted leaves, since there are so few varieties.
3- Is that really a purple/pink coloring on the leaf?

Oh, by the way, welcome to the obsession...........

Lee

 

Hi Lee,
The color is a little off but it is close. The underside is a purplish-red rather than a orangey red (like the top of the leaves).

 

Here's an update. They are in the wilting stage. I thought I would try the "stick 'em in the ground" method first (because I can always get another round of these cuttings). I have not done any prepping of any kind... no trimming of leaves, no root tone... nothing... I'm experimenting.

 

I collected some seeds when we got these cuttings and planted them on July 23. Here's an update:

 

Update! I went to move some pots (of the cuttings) and I heard a "rrrip!" Ooops.. the roots were coming out the bottom already!

 

Angela, How about some updated pictures of your Crotons.

 

Scott,

Great idea! How about it Angela? I'm sure some of these from last year are pretty big by now.

 

Angela, We are waiting for your updated pictures.

 

And still waiting ...