Whenever I've seen this plant, it's among orchid offerings and the venue is a larger "arts and crafts" fair. You might also search at a larger permanent flea market.

I've read that it's a challenging plant to grow. But...it's also a beauty. I can understand why you'd like to have one.

I know who carries them in NE FL. Not sure if they have any right now cuz I havent been in there since Feb. Otherwise, I would say to buy it online.

Hagan Ace Hardware at the south end of Jacksonville (in the Mandarin/Fruit Cove area) has carried Showy Medinilla (medinilla magnifica) in the past. When they have them, they are kept inside in their green house, at the end near the two desks. A little pricey, if I recall correctly. They are gorgeous but delicate plants that needs tons of TLC, are quick to pout and somewhat hard to keep happy. If it was a relationship, you would describe it as "needy", LOL. It is listed as a Zone 10a-11 plant.

If you have an Ace Hardware in your neighborhood that carries "upscale" plants, you could try them or call the number below to see if they still have any and then make a "quick" 2-hr drive to south Jax:

Hagan Ace Hardware
12501 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32223
904.268.9597

Carol in Jacksonville

I see that Hagan Ace has a new Green Cove Springs location. That may be even closer for you. You could try calling that location to see if they carry it.

The plant pictured looks like Medinilla Myriantha instead of Magnifica. Myriantha is much easier to grow, more cold hardy, and just as nice when flowering. The flowers start out purple and then turn pink. You'll like it a lot.

Steve

Wow, good sized plant!!!! The ones at Ace were in 4" pots and I want to say something in the $12-$20 range? Can't remember exactly. What a beautiful specimen!

Carol

Thanks Steve!! that is awesome news...I appreciate the ID very much...I figured it wasn't magnifica since the leaves do look different. Great news on the blooms being similar, totally okay with that if its a hardier variety :o)

Thanks Carol, mine was in a 2 gallon pot stands about 22" from the pot up for just under $30, I thought it was a little pricey but considering online stores for a 4" pot ( I called them and they said it was a very small starter plant) with only a few leaves plus shipping alone was $10 ,lol...and Lowe's having a 1 year guarantee sure helps a lot!!

Correction, the flowers start out pink and turn purple. Mostly shade with filtered sunlight is fine.

Steve

You will like the myriantha better. It is not near as finicky as the other one and more cold hardy. I can keep the myriantha at just above freezing in my gh whereas the magnifica will decline quick if not kept above 50F. The myriantha also can take more sun and less water.

I'm SO glad I ended up getting the 'myriantha' instead of magnifica. I'm not good with needy plants or very finicky plants,lol...glad it worked out to my advantage. I'm planning on planting it outside very close to the wall of my house ( shady but gets bright light) so I can protect it during frost a 2-4 days a year...

Thanks again!

It can take 30F for a few hours. Definitely protect from frost.

Thanks Steve, good to know!! Hopefully planting it next to the wall will help along with frost cloth, I really hope I can keep this one alive :o)

Just wanted to update and post a picture of my very first bloom from this plant, not as spectacular as the magnifica but I still love it!

When does Medinilla Myriantha bloom?

All summer for me with multiple flushes of blooms.

Just a note to either educate or annoy....in using Latin nomenclature for living organisms, the genus-the first part of the name-is always capitalized. The second word-the species-is never capitalized. Just saying......

I can be picky that way!

Thanks Wisconsin...so it should say Medinilla magnifica :o)...won't let me Edit the title or I would have...

I've read in some places it can bloom off and on almost year round :o). I can almost see that happening in south FL except winter.

That is just gorgeous. Does anyone know if I can grow it in 10b?

Ha maybe we should just call them M my or M mag :D

wisconsitom - has to laugh at your post. I once started quite a to-do on a writing site because they refused to let us write and punctuate botanical nomenclature correctly. After spending literally MONTHS during college learning exactly how to write these names correctly, I'm a real stickler for it too.

Bella, I would think it would do a little better for you than in my zone...you have less freezes than I do.

Finally got my Medinilla magnifica...my sweet daughter ordered it online for me. Nice gift :o)

I hope I don't kill it! I did repot it in an Orchid based potting mix since I plan on growing it in a hanging pot so I can bring it inside when the temps dip below 55 degrees...

keep us updated

Just wanted to updated this thread...its been about 2 1/2 months since I planted this myriantha. It's doing really well has about a dozen blooms now...I hope it survives the winter months.

Really pretty, puglvr!

Thanks writersblock :o)

Beautiful, Pug! I actually think the Medinilla magnifica is prettier!

Appreciate it Wannarunfaster...I happen to agree with you! The blooms on the magnifica is to die for! That's why I ended up having 3 different sizes of Medinilla magnifica :o)....One in a hanging basket, one in a 6.5" pot and one in a 5" pot that I took cuttings from the hanging one, Lol...it actually rooted for me after 6 weeks!! I'm hoping with 3 of them...ONE might actually survive and see it bloom one day? Maybe next spring?

Here's my hanging one and the cutting that rooted...

I knew it rooted after I saw this tiny new growths that appeared a few days ago...

oops Pug, I meant to say the one that you have blooming now is the one I think is prettier :} I really like it cause 1. it's my favorite color and 2. its such a good bloomer. Think how nice it would be planted next to the blue ginger!!! :} If you don't have a blue ginger, I can start a cutting for you :}

Wow!! Thanks wrf!! I would love to take you up on your very generous offer of rooting a blue ginger cutting for me :o)...I don't have one of those, Thanks so much!!!

I really like the flowers on the magnifica so much more...BUT, growing and flowering is SO much easier on the myriantha :o)

Logees has small starter plants of the magnifica on sale for $12 if anyone is looking

I decided to take my 3 separate Medinilla magnifica plants and pot them all in one large pot. This is much easier for me than having to water/fertilize 3 different pots...now if it will only bloom this year **sigh**

It looks healthy, so it probably will.

Thanks DG! Right now there are several new leaf growths so I'm hoping the blooms will follow in summer? Wish me luck!!