Most of the plants shown are still growing in my garden.   But, it’s best to come clean, and let everyone know that a few did not make it.  Right plant in the right place is the motto of every successful gardener, but that’s really a tough call for me.   We learn from our mistakes, well we should!  So, here’s the list of the dearly departed.

The two abutilons (pictum and megapotamicum) with common names of flowering maple and Brazilian bellflower trees, respectively,  are gone.   Our climate is a bit too hot and wet for them.  I’ve seen spectacular abutilon trees which you could climb in Brazil.   I thought I could maintain them in pots, but I was perhaps not diligent enough on repotting them to ensure good drainage.   I think they can be grown in pots if one really prunes both the tree and the roots as it grows.   It was watered with our common tap water, whose alkalinity and chlorine are not great for this plant.   I think it would thrive in an air conditioned greenhouse.  Moving a bit north to Gainesville would help.   Not going to try again on abutilons.

See link: https://www.plantopedia.com/abutilon/

The Echinocactus grusonii (Golden barrel cactus) is still growing, but it is progressively turning brown and likely will not make it through our soggy summer.  It needs some really dry and sunny weather.    I tried everything to ensure good drainage, but it  is impossible. Plus it doesn’t have enough hours of direct sunlight.    They are widely available, but I’m not going to try again.  It lasted 8 to 9 years, not bad.

The Archontophoenix purpurea (Mount Lewis King Palm) is gone, due to a palm disease called bud rot.  The palm weakened and the crown bent over.  I knew it was in a crowded space and the soil lacked good drainage.   As a general rule, nothing grows well near large oak trees.  Even 15 ft away is too close!

The Silver Joey Palm was planted out, and I believe began to decline due to a  fungal disease.  I’ve done a lot to keep it going, but I’m down to 1 1/2 leaves, never a good sign.  If the second leaf can just finally unfold, it might have a chance.

The Arenga var. ‘Dwarf Sarawak’  was planted out far too early and in an area which was too crowed with gingers.   It didn’t make it.

Justicia betonica (white candles) is a love-them, hate-them story.  I felt they would be nice for my butterfly garden until they started popping up everywhere.  It was difficult to keep up with and eventually I took it out.

The red cacao tree was removed to make room for other plants.  I also found that I’m not a great fruit tree person.  So, wrong plant, wrong location, and wrong owner.

Everything else is doing fine.

I’ll add to this from time to time.

Dave