Plant Care

Brevifolia Engelm

The Brevifolia Engelm thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south. Plants are hardier when they are grown on poor sandy soils. Prefers a hot dry position, disliking heavy rain. Established plants are very drought resistant. The flowers of this species are malodorous. In the plants native environment, its flowers can only be pollinated by a certain species of moth. This moth cannot live in Britain and, if fruit and seed is required, hand pollination is necessary.

Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Hardy
Toxicity: EXTREMELY TOXIC

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Bees

Birds

Insects

Alocasia lauterbachiana

This plant thrives best with a constantly moist soil. In the winter a little less, in summer not more, but rather no big quantities at once. Also the Alocasia likes it when it is sprayed very regularly. If you give the plant too much water, the alocasia perspires the moisture and drops can come to the leaves, this so-called "guttation" disappears by giving less water. The alocasia thrives best in sunlight. So put the plant near a window. Too little light and the plant will allow its leaves to grow towards the light. The Alocasia in the growth period once a month to administer liquid nutrition. Composting is not necessary in winter.

Sun Exposure: Some Sun
Hardiness: Hardy
Toxicity: EXTREMELY TOXIC

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Bees

Insects

Sansevieria Cylindrica

A good quality fibre is obtained from the Sansevieria Cylindrica leaves. The fibre is pliant, soft, and silky. The natural elasticity of the fibre makes it suitable for making bowstrings. The fibre is used for the preparation of cordage and matting in the regions where it occurs, and is much valued in Europe for ropes used in deep-sea dredging. It has been used for making paper, but is too expensive a fibre for this use. The fibre is usually prepared by taking the fresh leaves and placing one of them on a smooth board which is raised at one end.

Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Medium
Toxicity: EXTREMELY TOXIC

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Bees

Insects

Euphorbia Lactea Cristata

A prickly plant, easily propagated by cuttings, it is sometimes grown as a live fence or hedge where it can keep out livestock. Other Uses: A latex is obtained from the plant. It is smeared onto cuts made by tappers in the bark of Borassus flabellifer, in order to prevent attacks by red weevil. The nicely figured and aromatic wood is used for small objects such as knife handles

Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Flimsy
Toxicity: NON-TOXIC

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Insects

Kniphofia (Pineapple Series)

The Kniphofia is a deciduous Plant growing to 55nches (4ft 5in) at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects, wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Sun Exposure: Some Sun
Hardiness: Hardy
Toxicity: EXTREMELY TOXIC

I AM KNOWN TO ATTRACT:

Insects