Curcuma - the tropical tulip with a secret spice twist. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
Curcuma - the tropical tulip with a secret spice twist
Curcuma flowers
🌷Curcuma - the tropical tulip with a secret spice twist
🌷Curcuma, also known as Siam Tulip or Turmeric, is a plant with personality! It looks like it came straight from a fairy tale with bright, showy blooms in pink, purple, white, yellow, and even orange - that rise above lush green foliage like floral fireworks.
🌷Despite its exotic looks, it’s super easy to grow. Keep the soil moist, give it filtered light, and this beauty will reward you with long-lasting blooms. This is an excellent cut flower that lasts up to 2 weeks in a vase!
🌷And here's the kicker: beneath the soil, it hides a spicy secret - its rhizomes are the source of Turmeric, the golden powder used in curry and traditional medicine. So yes, your flower garden can also be a spice rack!
🌷Curcuma thrives in warm zones but grows happily in pots too - just bring it inside when things get chilly. With its striking looks and health-boosting roots, Curcuma is your new garden showstopper and wellness booster all in one!
The true bloom of the Flowerland. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
The true bloom of the Flowerland
Moung Kusuma Adenium
🌺 The true bloom of the Flowerland
🌺 Adenium Moung Kusuma, (also known as Moung Jinda) - meaning in Thai language City of Flowers, or Flower Land - showcases rich, deep magenta petals with a velvety texture.
🌺 The dark hues are complemented by a subtle gradient towards black border, giving the flower a striking, dramatic look. Its intricate layers and bold color make it a standout addition to your garden, radiating elegance and charm. See photos of the actual Moung Kusuma in next post 👇
From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 2: after germination. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 2: after germination
Loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) - fruit
✍️ From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 2: after germination
Continued from previous posts⤴️
🍑 4. Transplanting Seedlings
▫️When to Transplant: Once seedlings reach about 2-4” (5-10 cm) in height.
▫️Transplanting and fertilizing: Move each seedling to its own pot and add controlled release fertilizer (Green Magic is the best), or use liquid balanced fertilizer Sunshine Boosters after 1-2 weeks once the seedlings establish.
▫️Watering. Keep soil in a pot slightly moist but not soggy
▫️Temperature. Keep seedling warm - above 70F (21C), and protect from extreme heat over 90F (35C) . For small plants, avoid freezing temperatures during winter. As the seedlings get bigger, they get higher drought-, heat- and cold tolerance. Established Loquat trees (2-3 years and older) may take light freezing temperatures.
▫️Planting in the ground. You can plant the seedling in the ground when it reaches 2-3 ft tall (50-100 cm) in frost-free areas. During chill winter nights, young seedlings can be cold protected until established.
🍑 5. Sunlight Requirements
▫️Light Exposure: Loquat established seedlings thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Start seedlings in bright shade and protect from afternoon hot sun to avoid leaf burn. Once seedlings are established and new growth appears (2-4 weeks), gradually move them to full sun.
▫️Why adequate sunlight (full sun) is important:
- promotes healthy growth
- helps to avoid fungus and insect problems
- is critical for future flowering and fruit production
🍑 6. Fruit production
▫️Loquat seedlings start producing seed within 3-4 years from seed, providing adequate sunlight, warm temperatures and regular irrigation.
▫️Grafted Loquats start producing right away or the next year
▫️Fruit will develop over the winter and ripen from March through May depending on location
From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 1: planting seeds. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 1: planting seeds
Loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) - seedlings
✍️ From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 1: planting seeds
🍑 1. Harvesting and Preparing Seeds
▫️Harvest: Select ripe Loquat fruits (when they are bright yellow color) and remove 1-3 seeds from each.
▫️Clean: Rinse seeds thoroughly in cool water to remove all fruit residue. Like with every fruit seeds, any pulp leftover may prevent germination and/or cause rot of the seeds.
▫️Storage: If not planting immediately, wrap seeds in a damp paper towel and store in a vented container with moist sawdust or moss (to avoid drying out) at room temperature (if stored a few days) or at 40F if stored for over a week. Seeds can remain viable for up to 3-6 months. Refrigerating the fruit doesn't harm the seeds, although may take seeds longer to germinate. If the seeds are slightly dry, soak them in water overnight.
🍑 2. Planting Seeds
▫️Container: Use a pot with a good drainage.
▫️Soil: Fill with well-draining, soilless potting mix (no compost or top soil). Perfect seed germination mix is Abundance Mix: peat moss (or coconut fiber) - 80%, perlite - 10%, small pieces of pine bark - 10%.
▫️Depth: Plant seeds 1" deep. Place them horizontally.
▫️Spacing: Multiple seeds can be planted in one pot or tray (with drainage holes); space them adequately. You can use so called “community pots”, then separate the seedlings once they reach 2-4" in height.
🍑 3. Germination Conditions
▫️Light: Place the pot in a bright, warm area with temperatures at least (and above) 70F . The warmer, the faster the germination. We germinate seeds in a "hot house" where temperatures can reach 100F.
▫️Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist but not wet.
▫️Germination Time: Loquat seeds germinate within 2-4 weeks.
The Marble Queen that thrives on neglect. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
The Marble Queen that thrives on neglect
Epipremnum aureum Marble Queen
The Marble Queen that thrives on neglect
Epipremnum aureum Marble Queen - is a regal stunner with cascading vines of creamy white, yellow, and green variegated leaves that demand attention without demanding much care.
This low-maintenance beauty flourishes indoors with bright, indirect light and just enough moisture.
Often called Devil's Ivy or Money Plant, it's nearly impossible to kill - and brings a luck and prosperity while it's at it. A true queen that rules with ease!
This is what we plant for a compact colorful hedge solution. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
This is what we plant for a compact colorful hedge solution
Thunbergia erecta - Kings Mantle
💜 This is what we plant for a compact colorful hedge solution
💜 Thunbergia erecta - Kings Mantle - is currently in full bloom in our garden, showcasing its vibrant flowers that last almost year-round.
💜One of our favorite flowering shrubs, it's compact, easy-going, and perfect for adding a splash of color.
💜Available in blue, white, and even variegated lavender flowers, King's Mantle thrives in both sun and filtered light, with its dense, manageable habit making it ideal for low-growing hedges or garden specimens.
💜It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and with simple pruning, it stays under 4 feet while producing a profusion of blooms.
💜Hardy to 30°F and suitable for USDA Zones 9-11, it's also great for container gardening in colder regions.
Most valuable things cannot be purchased. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
Most valuable things cannot be purchased
Scooby the Cat
❤️ Most valuable things cannot be purchased...
"With money, you can buy a bed, but not sleep; food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; servants, but not friends; women, but not love; a house, but not a home; entertainment, but not joy; teachers, but not wisdom." - Socrates (Scooby the Cat agrees!)
