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Phorbias or Forbias?

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Posted by louholla South East UK (My Page) on
Sun, Jul 2, 06 at 15:02

Hi

I bought two phorbias (not sure of spelling) in summer 2004, well I think they are phorbias. They look like cordilines, spikey but with purple leaves and are big. Anyway two weeks ago I noticed two big flower stems coming out of each of them and just before i went on holiday last Saturday they were just opening. I went out there today and they have flowered!!! I was amazed as I didnt realise they produced flowers and one has red flowers and the other one has yellow flowers!!!. Can anyone tell me more about these plants and why they took so long to flower? Are the different cloured flowers for a reason? Like different sexed plants or something? I know there a lots of plants that produce different coloured flowers but for some reason I just expected these to be the same.

Thanks

Lou

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RE: Phorbias or Forbias?

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I think what you mean is Phormium - I have two of those, one with bronze leaves, the other dark pink. Both were planted 2004 as well, but no flowers so far! Below is a link with some information; it mentions flowers up to 4.5 metres in length!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Phormium info

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RE: Phorbias or Forbias?

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Yes, Phormiums flower. Phormium tenax, by far the most common, has red flowers. Yellow flowers, or orange, are often reported for Phormium tenax but these are most likely hybrid plants. They seem to flower erratically, hardly at all one year then loads the next. Also, they need to be quite mature to flower.

Phormiums do not have separate male and female plants, they can self-pollinate. It appears that cross-pollination produces more viable seed, if that is what you are looking for. You may not get seed in this country because we lack the specialised pollinators.

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RE: Phorbias or Forbias?

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Yes Phormium is what im talking about. Mine were quite big when i bought them and the flower spikes are about 2 metres in length.

Thanks for your replys.

Lou

  
 

 

 


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