Castanospermum australe
20th January 2008
This is an odd little plant (actually, it makes a big, tropical tree) that turns up occasionally as a houseplant. The seeds are imported (I think from Australia),
germinated in pots and sold as houseplants while they are tiny. I grew it about a decade ago when I had a warm greenhouse, and killed it (I can't remember what I did).
This year I got another seedling and I'm trying it in a cold greenhouse to see if I can keep it.
16th August 2009
3rd March 2011
I am amazed by the cold tolerance of the plant. It grows slowly in the greenhouse but remains evergreen.
23rd August 2018
My seedling has become a sapling and it would like to become a tree. Unfortunately there won't be enough headroom to allow that, so at some stage I will have to cut it back
and hope that it sprouts easily from the base. If I am able to find another, I would love to try it in a sheltered space outside. I can't believe that it would be hardy
but I would love to see one mature into a tree. As a baby, it is a constant delight.