Malagasy Plants?

[harrywitmore]

Pothos scandens is a very cool plant but rare in cultivation and really didn't grow well for me. I finally lost my last bit this past winter. Pothos ovatus which is a shingler is really cool but near impossible to find in the US. Lost mine years ago.

[NathanB]

Harry, did you take photos of the Pothos ovatus? a quick google search didn't find any.
P. scandens is pretty cool

[Frogtofall]

I lost mine too. I think if I ever get it again, I'll grow it mounted.

[harrywitmore]

Nate, I didn't but the juvenile form looked almost exactly like an all green R cryptantha or even a Dischdia. The internodes were very short. I got it from Malesiana back when they sold a large selection or Aroids. They no longer offer them.

[zBrinks]

How about more readily available plants that look like their Malagasy counterparts?
I'd love to plant the vivarium with only plants from the island, but I'm ready to abandon that goal in favor of better meeting the inhabitants' needs.

[Groundhog]

Well if that's the case:

1) Aerangis--you choose;
2) Streptocarpus--you choose;

And why are we forgetting Stephanotis? I would mount this with decent light and ventilation.

[Tim F]

Angraecum germinyanum! One of my personal, all-time favs, but you've got to make sure those roots get some air.

[Pete Phillipson]

I am pleased to here that diverse interests in Malagasy plants have lead at least one of you to consult the Madagascar Catalogue (Tropicos) - as one of the people behind the project its good to have feedback and suggestions

[NathanB]

Pete, whats your living collection like at mbg?

[harrywitmore]

Pete, as a person that loves to see where things come from that is a great list which took a ton of work. Great job!

I never realized that so many Impatiens were native to Madagascar. I didn't see any that are easily available in the trade but I can say from experience that the common garden Impatiens (wallerana I think) does great in a terrarium. You just have to keep it trimmed. It also self seeds like crazy. A better subject may be I hians which should do great. It seems to flower best under cool conditions. I niamniamensis may also be worth a try.