Macleania insignis Seedling (From \"Pied Beauty\" Seeds) For Sale

Macleania insignis Seedling

(From \'Pied Beauty\' Seeds**)

A Hortus Botanicus Exclusive

This spectacular Rhododendron relative, from which these seeds have been harvested, is truly one-of-a-kind! I am the only source for this sensational plant. Many years ago, when I was a vendor at a rare plant show and sale at the Arboretum in Pasadena, CA, another vendor was selling all kinds of oddities - bulbs, tubers, bareroot topicals, including jungle collected items (legally). This was among them. Since I had a nursery at the time, I picked up a bunch of small Macleania, for resale. None of the bareroot, nearly rootless trunks had any foliage. Once planted and watered-in, all of the plants took hold quickly and began to sprout foliage. This one and only plant, out of the entire batch, sprouted with variegated foliage - and has remained variegated for over 25 years.

The mother plant has slightly wavy, lanceolate leaves begin bright maroon red, gradually becoming pure white and green, later aging to golden yellow and dark green - with both spotted and veined variegation. The transformation is wonderful, and so very attractive. In late spring to summer, the tall, arching stems offer small inflorescences of waxy, 1 1/2\", orange flowers that are lighter in color at the mouth and darker at the base. The flowers are naturally pollenated by Hummingbirds, and are followed by white tinged blue, blueberry-sized, edible fruit. The berries don\'t really have much flavor, but they are pleasantly sweet. My mother plant now has a trunk larger than a football, and the arching stems reach over 3\', and create a spectacular display.

Originally collected in cloud forest of Southern Mexico, this plant can either be epiphytic or terrestrial, and can easily be grown in hanging pots. My mother plant grows in morning sun with afternoon shade, in an unheated greenhouse. The temperatures range from the mid to upper 80s, with the lows dropping into the mid 30s in winter. It is kept continuously moist, except in winter, when it is allowed to just dry between waterings. I recommend growing in a loose yet moisture-retentive potting mix; an Orchid type mix is ideal. I use a combination of organic potting soil with mycorrhizal fungi, fine-grade fir bark, and perlite.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: The young plants being offered are started from seeds that were harvested from the variegated mother plant; the seedlings being offered are NOT variegated - though they do have the potential of doing so. The plants shown in the last few photos are of the exact plants being shipped.

I\'ve been growing and collecting rare and exotic plants for over 50 years and sowing seeds has been a specialty. Most of the trees and shrubs that are growing in my garden have been started from seeds; there is something very satisfying about that.

All photos are of plants in my own collection - unless stated otherwise. Please note that various people have been stealing my photos and information, and pretending to sell my seeds on other websites (at much higher prices...) - I don\'t know what seeds they are actually selling, but they are not selling my seeds! All of the seeds I sell are harvested from my own plants, you can rest assured that you are receiving the real deal when you order from me! Thank you.

NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING - SORRY - I ONLY SHIP TO THE US.

I docombine shippingfor multiple items - please request a new shipping totalbeforechecking out. Thank you!

Upon arrival of the seeds/cutting/plant, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. I want you to be happy with your purchase and to have the greatest success in its cultivation! Thank you for checking out my offerings. Robert