CACTACEAE. Tree-like to prostrate columnar cacti valued for their large, showy, night-blooming flowers. Fast growing and easy from seed, they take rich soil and plenty of water in the growing season, making them ideal cacti for beginners. Several of them will stand considerable frost, probably down to 10°F. Sow on the surface of a sandy, well-drained mix. Gibberellic acid may double germination.
—Trichocereus Bridgesii X peruvianus. TRCH-6P. Packet: $3.50
Seed from bridgesii X peruvianus crosses.
—Trichocereus peruvianus. (25) TRCH-42. Packet: $2.50
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'PERUVIAN TORCH'. Stout, often bluish-green columns to 6 - 15 feet and 6 - 8" thick, with 6 - 8 ribs and stout 1 1/2" spines. Large, showy, white, sweet-scented 10" flowers bloom at night. Peruvian Andes to 7000 feet or more. Easy and fast-growing, standing some frost. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks with GA-3.
TRICYRTIS (tri-SIR-tis)
LILIACEAE. About a dozen Asian half-hardy perennials valued for their beautiful flowers and attractive foliage. Good in pots, rock gardens and woodland. Hardy to Zone 5 - 7.
—Tricyrtis hirta var. alba. (100) TRIC-4A. Packet: $2.50
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'WHITE TOAD-LILY'. White, orchid-like inch-wide flowers flushed green, in late summer. Hardy perennial to 30", with downy leaves. Japan. Zone 4. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
"Disobedience, the rarest and most courageous of virtues..."—George Bernard Shaw.
TROPAEOLUM (tro-pay-O-lum)
TROPAEOLACEAE. 'NASTURTIUM'. Hardy and half-hardy annual and perennial South American herbs. Their brilliant flowers, abundant foliage, and easy culture have made them garden favorites. Good for covering walls or fences, or as prolific, quick-growing ground cover. In mild climates, they may grow and bloom almost year round, making a striking display. Excellent, long-lasting cut flowers. Easily grown, thriving in any warm, sunny place. In rich, moist soil they tend to produce mostly foliage and few flowers, so a poor, dry soil is preferred. Germinates in 1 - 5 weeks warm. Seed viable 5 years.
Tropaeolum majus Varieties:
'GARDEN NASTURTIUM'. The common hardy annual, with sweetly fragrant flowers in a range of vivid colors. Also called 'Indian Cress', as the flowers and leaves have a spicy taste and are added to salads. The flower buds and unripe, tender seeds are pickled in vinegar and used as a piquant seasoning, like capers. The leaves and flowers make a delicious, fragrant tea. Stuff the large blooms with nut butter, cheese, etc, for a tasty and visually stunning addition to summer meals. Blooms in 2 - 3 months, and makes long-lasting cut flowers. Easily grown in any well-drained sunny spot, poor soil encouraging bloom. Most seed germinates in 1 - 2 weeks, with stragglers up to 5 weeks.
—Tropaeolum majus nanum 'Alaska Mix'. (25) TROP-5A. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $9.00
1/4 Pound: $20.00
Variegated foliage, conspicuously marked with creamy white. Bright single flowers in a good range of reds, oranges and yellows. Non-trailing.
NEW—Tropaeolum majus 'Black Velvet'. (25) TROP-5BV. Packet: $2.50
50 grams: $12.00
Deep velvety dark maroon flowers with golden throats. Low compact plants.
—Tropaeolum majus 'Blue Pepe'. (25) TROP-5BP. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $6.00
100 grams: $12.00
Striking new variety bred especially for salad use. The small leaves are steel blue with purplish undersides, and make an attractive addition to baby salad mix, to add color and flavor. Choice!
—Tropaeolum majus 'Empress of India'. (50) TROP-5E. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $10.00
Pound: $20.00
Single deep crimson-scarlet flowers on compact plants with dark bluish green foliage. Hardy annual to 9". A traditional favorite, over 100 years old.
—Tropaeolum majus 'Purple Emperor'. (25) TROP-5PE. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $7.50
100 grams: $20.00
Burgundy-purple flowers fading to lilac. Nice!
TURBINA: See Rivea corymbosa.