Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date:
Virgo - 8/23-9/22. Virgo is an EARTH sign ruled by the planet Mercury, which also rules Gemini. Virgo is traditionally the Goddess of the Grain, and is associated with autumn. Her plants often have finely divided leaves or stems, subtle odors, or small, brightly-colored flowers. The most beneficial plants for Virgo are high in potassium and help to calm the nerves. In its rulership of Virgo, Mercury governs the abdomen and the lower intestinal tract and the entire digestive process. Herbs associated with Virgo assist in digestion (as do Cancer herbs) and help to reduce flatulence. The relaxing, calming scents help Virgo release stress and worries.
Virgo
Zodiac lucky plants: Amorphophallus, Dill,
Barringtonia, Bolusanthus, Dioscorea, Grewia asiatica
(Falsa), Hibiscus Karkade, Iboza riparia, Lagerstroemia
Queens Crape Myrtle, Laurus nobilis (Bay Leaf), Lippia,
Melissa, Catnip, Mint, Arugula, Piper betle, Piper
sarmentosum, Psychotria, Clove, Banisteriopsis, Papaya,
Mesua ferrea (Ironwood), Assai Palm, Jacaranda, Pimenta
dioica (Allspice), Petrea, Plumbago, Clitoria, Eranthemum,
Litchi, Cashew, Pecan, Nut trees, Cherries, Lavender,
Sansiveria, Aloe vera, Blackberry, Honey suckle, Satureja,
Vitex, Mulberry, Elaeocarpus, Feronia elephantum (Bel
Fruit). On the photo: Sauromatum venosum - Voodoo Lily.
For links to these plants and other signs information, see
full Plant Horoscope.
Date:
Repotting plants - Fall or Spring?
Q: I re-potted a mango tree into a five gallon pot, it looks great and is starting to bloom. Should I re-pot again while it is blooming or wait until spring? I will be moving the tree into the greenhouse when the temps drop.
A: You shouldn't re-pot any tropical plants in fall. Root system is small comparing to a new, larger pot. And it won't grow during fall-winter period. Therefore, you will have large volume of soil without any root in it, which may provoke rotting. Extra water will most likely cause over-watering of the plant. Wait till Spring to replant it.
Date:
4
steps how to check and save a tree:
1. Checking. To make sure a fallen tree can be
restored, check:
a) Roots: If less than a half of root ball is out and has
been exposed less than a week, the tree has more chances
to recover.
b) Trunk: scratch-test the bark, if it is green
underneath, then the tree is alive and worth saving.
2. Trimming. Before lifting, trim the tree. Bush
the crown approximately half-way, keeping round shape. If
the tree has only an upright trunk left, cut off the
broken top. It may bush out from the top.
3. Lifting and securing. Using towing strips or
strong thick rope, pull the tree up. For larger trees, you
may use a power of a pick up truck (we use our golf
carts). Hammer 48" metal stakes ($5 from Home Depot) 3-4
ways around the tree, at 45 degrees, 5 ft away or more
depending on tree size, and secure the tree with a strong
rope. Make sure to check rubbing points from now on and
loosen as needed to avoid bark damage and creating braking
points.
4. Maintenance. Water the tree on regular basis
and give it a few weeks for new buds to appear in case it
lost all its leaves. Some trees may take a few months to
recover. Keep the stakes at least for a year.
Date:
Plants that make you feel better
Researchers are claiming that gardening can be much more
than just a hobby, and that honing those green-finger
skills could actually have many benefits, including making
us healthier! The presence of plants has been found to be
helpful in many different settings, according to results
of several experimental studies:
At school and work:
1. Improve your learning abilities
2. Improve reaction times, attentiveness, and attendance
3. Increase energy and your performance, purpose and
motivation
4. Raise productivity and job satisfaction
At home
1. Relax and feel closer to nature while indoors
2. Make you feel needed
3. Have a clean air
4. Improve relationships and increase compassion.
In recovery:
1. Lower blood pressure (systolic)
2. Improve well-being
3. Lower levels of anxiety during recovery from surgery
4. Accelerate healing process
Get a plant, feel better, be needed and loved!
Date:
Some tropical plants like Durian, Breadfruit, Cacao are
rare in plant collections and require true tropical
environment for successful growing and most likely
greenhouse conditions unless you live in mild tropical
climate like Hawaii. These plants are hard to find and are
not cheap. They can be shipped to you in original
containers via Express mail and usually take trip well as
long as there are no delays or overheating (or cold)
during transportation. To enjoy your rare plant collection
gem, please make sure to follow these recommendations:
- Keep your eye on delivery, track the shipment and make
sure package is not left outside in the heat or cold.
- Unpack immediately and put plant in humid, warm
environment with filtered light. Remember, "warm" for
tropical plant means 78-85F.
- If a plant is wilted, put clear plastic bag over leaves
to increase humidity for a few days. Keep the branches
covered with clear plastic, in shade only - to avoid
overheating.
- Keep soil slightly moist and don't let dry out. These
plants like water as well as good drainage.
- Keep plant in original container until recovers from
shipping stress. If necessary, re-pot in 2-3 weeks in
bigger pot with rich organic potting mix, containing a lot
of peat moss, and perlite or bark for good drainage.
- Grow these plants in warm and mild conditions, in
filtered light, high humidity, with no temperature
extremes. Remember to keep these plants at temperatures
above 50F at all times.
Date:
National Sweetest Day - 100th Anniversary!
National Sweetest Day is observed on the third Saturday in October by people of all ages. Just in time for its 100th Anniversary, National Sweetest Day encourages everyone to be generous even in the smallest ways. This day reminds us that even small tokens improve the lives of those around us who are suffering or going without. While the day may have begun with sweets, encouraging us to take home sweets to our sweethearts and friends (similar to Valentine's Day!), it is a day full of lessons in persistence, resilience and doing small things in greatly. A Gift Plant (sweet fruit tree is the best!), a treat, a card, a show of support during a time of need may be the sweetest gift on this day.
Date:
Scorpio Zodiac lucky plants
Scorpio - 10/23-11/21. A WATER sign ruled by both Mars and Pluto. Scorpio's plants are often found in remote places or on poor ground. They will likely have thorns, can be red in color, and grow under adversity. The good news is, most of these plants are nearly indestructible! This makes them desirable for every gardener.
Scorpio Zodiac lucky plants: Peppers, Ceiba, Baobab, Pistachio, Nutmeg, Black-eyed Susan Thunbergia, Combretums, Dragon fruit, Medinilla, Camphor Basil, Cuban Oregano, Vanilla orchid, Hibiscus, Various cacti and succulents, Adenium, Honeysuckle, Cordyline, Spider plant, Jasmine, Gooseberries, Wild indigo, Bougainvillea, Aloe vera, Raspberry, Palmetto, Horseradish tree, Camphor, Allspice and Bay Rum, Jujube, Sweet Mimosa, Agave, Milkweed, Hong Kong Orchid Tree, Pony Tail, Dwarf Poinciana, Bottlebrushes, Clusias, Crocosmia, Zig-Zag Cactus, Dracaena, Fire Bush, Hoyas, Jatropha, Kalanchoe, Sausage tree, Devils Backbone, Pereskia, Red Plumeria, Firecracker, Rattlebox, Rhoeo, Calendula, Geranium, Thistles, Mint, Sage, Catnip, Coriander, Sandalwood, Ginseng, Euphorbias, Acacias.
For more info on Scorpio Lucky plants, links to these plants and other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.
Date:
Carambola (Star Fruit) in winter
A
word from our customer:
I just wanted to let you know that the Dwarf Carambola Kari has
survived last winter and turned into a nice bushy tree
this summer.I have been trying to grow this tree forever
it never survived winters here. Then last year you
suggested me to plant Carambola in wind protected corner,
so I picked a place next to the house,South side very
close to the wall. I covered it several times with a sheet
on windy days like you said. The tree did lose leaves
during winter but it survived and established well. I had
my first crop this year nearly 20 fruit!Just thought your
other customers wanted to know keep it protected from
winds this is the secret,it works! (M., Avon Park, FL)
Date:
Tropical Planting Breaks the Rules. Should I plant in the ground before Winter?
Q: Winter is coming and I still have a few plants I want to plant in the ground. Should I keep them in pots and wait till spring?
A: In subtropical areas, if temperatures don't drop below freezing, you can continue planting in the ground. In fact winter planting has some unique advantages - less heat stress on a plant and root system, mild environment - help the plant to establish better. Besides, no-sweat garden work is much more enjoyable, and you can get done a lot!
To learn more about winter planting, see article Tropical Planting Breaks the Rules by Murray Corman (Garden Of Delights).
Date:
Mangos in portable garage
A
word from our customer: I wanted to let you know
how happy I was with my latest order, Mesk Mango. It
arrived this past Saturday in EXCELLENT condition only
losing 3 leaves while in transit to Morgan City, LA. I
like the idea of the root ball dry, loosely packed and no
Styrofoam peanuts compared to the old wet tightly packed
root ball.
The attached pictures show where my container Mango
collection (list below) will spend this winter so I don't
lose any of my prized possessions! Again, thanks for
supplying a great product and happy you survived the
storm! 2 Nam Doc Mai, 2 Jakarta, 2 Valencia Pride, 2 Keitt, Pina Colada, Orange Sherbet, Cat Hoaloc, Spirit of 76, Carrie, Glenn, Coconut Cream, Mesk - in 7 gallon container
during winter. 6-Nov-17.