The first photo looks like Costus Stenophyllus (Bamboo Ginger), native to your Costa Rica, but reportedly becoming somewhat scarce in the wild. If the picture is that of Stenophyllus, it will get several feet tall and the stems have alternating bands of either green/brown with red or dark brown. This particular Costus blooms from the base. I don't recognize the second plant in the second and third photo. Steve

I have grown this for years (about 10 years) and have found that it took a long time to mature and flower. I tried it in a container (a large, 30 gal container) for a few years and although I had a beautiful plant, I only got one itty bitty bloom. When I built my greenhouse I planted it into the ground in there and it took off. It attained an ultimate height of about 15 ft and spread all over creation. It bloomed every season with tons of blooms. Eventually, I dug it all out because, like my Etlingera elatiors, after a while they spread too much and take over too much. I saved some and have it in a container again. Even with no blooms the plant has a very appealing architectural beauty to the stems. I have talked to other people who have this plant in FL who say that it is hard to get growing really well outdoors even in true zone 10 conditions, so it may be that it is just too cold over winter where you are in zone 9B. Mine was (is) grown in what probably amount to zone 12+ conditions, never below about 56-58 at night. I'll see if I can dig up a picture of it when it was in its glory, LOL.

Cherie, I feel exactly the same way about trading with you!!! Thank you so much. I really loved the story about your begonia as well. It brought tears to my eyes, as I was really close to my grandma as well. I also have bunch of other stuff that I will keep you in mind with divisions, as they will grow. I have costus stenophyllus (bamboo costus) already, if that is what you have in mind. I do not have blue ginger. I also have variegated costus amazonicus, ( from you I have the speciocus, which I am extremely happy about). I have terrestrial philodendron gloriosum (which is one of my favorite plant), variegated psitacorum el tigre, criswick heliconia, she kong heliconia, alocasia sinuatis, ALOCASIA MACRORHIZA 'LUTEA', and bunch more rare plants. I also have lot of anthuriums, but will have to work out how to propagate them yet. My son is sleeping, so I am off gardening. Keep in touch, and any time your are in the area, please, stop by or come for our garden play date (which my husband and I decided to make it a annual thing). Still have to work out the timing better, as I don't want to take away from Ricky's. Veronika

Barb...both happy and sad....Happy he is moving forward with his life. Knowing he will go far as long as he stays focused on his studies, and learns to quit being so wasteful. Sad because he is moving on and we will be seeing very little of him in the next 4 years or so. We havent made any new life adventures yet. House needs some TLC. I suppose first we will get used to having a home with just us and the critters and go from there. Chell I used to be a dog and cat groomer. I loved it too. But my employer was a deedeedee. Never had the money to pay me each week and always "owed" me. And she never gave me my tips either.Then at the end of the year she reported more earnings for me than what I had really made.Fortunitly I kept records and proved my case and won, so make sure you don't let the same happen to you. I have kept my clippers, blades and accessories and still will do a neighbors dog or two once in awhile to keep my skills up.....but don't miss the hair stuck in places I did'nt know existed....lol. Love all the pictures the everyone post. Always enjoy seeing ya'lls babies. Regina