Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
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Featured plant. Acacia sphaerocephala - Bulls-Horn Acacia
Acacia (Vachellia) sphaerocephala - Bulls-Horn
The name of this cool unusual tree comes from the shape of the thorns which do indeed resemble the horns of a bull! The tree has a strong, symbiotic relationship with a species of an ant, Pseudomyrmex sphaerocephala for which it is the obligate habitat. The ants act as caretakers for the tree, and clear the ground and keep it free of any other plants and even prune surrounding branches of other trees that threaten to outshade the acacia. Without the protection of the ant colony, the acacia tree would fall vulnerable to chewing insects such as beetles or caterpillars, and surrounding trees and shrubs would quickly outcompete the acacia without the maintenance work of the ants to keep the tree safe.
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Clay or plastic?
Q: I purchased an Avocado tree and planted it in a nice clay pot that I bought in a special pottery place. My tree looked very healthy when arrived but after a week leaves become droopy and started yellowing. I was advised this was a sign of over-watering. I watered the tree only once since I got it 2 weeks ago. What is wrong with my plant?
A: Unfortunately, the fancy pot may be the reason. Although clay pots (plain clay, without glaze) are considered to be good for root health, however, the root system is hard to control and difficult to check without disturbing. Clay pots with fancy glaze and painting may have a drainage problem. We have noticed that cone-shaped pots are usually problematic for drainage, and a plant always has "wet feet". Avocados like watering, but cannot tolerate sitting in water. If you want to avoid root problems and still like to keep a beautiful look of your treasure plant, you may use a fancy planter, where you can put your plant growing in a plain plastic black nursery pot of much smaller size than a planter: its vertical walls are perfect for drainage, and the pot is easy to remove for re-potting or inspecting. Make sure to put a layer of drainage rock on the bottom of the planter so your efforts won't be in vain.
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Aries - 3/21-4/19
Aries is a FIRE sign ruled by the planet Mars. Plants associated with
this element and planet very often have thorns or prickles. They can be also
spicy or bitter in flavor, or red in color. Because Aries rules the head,
eyes, and face, the plants for Aries purify the blood, stimulate the adrenal
glands, and/or are high in iron (Mars rules the mineral iron). Mars-ruled Aries
is assertive, energetic and fearless. Mars rules the red blood cells, the
muscles, and metabolic processes, as well as the motor nerves and the head. These
plants help you when you want more get-up-and-go and the courage to take on
the world.
Aries Zodiac lucky plants:
Governors plum, Hibiscus Karkade, Tapioca, Mamey Sapote, Ruda, Baobab, Euphorbia, Acanthus, Aloe, Caesalpinia, Erythrina, Opuntia, Dragon Fruit, Pachypodium, Pomegranate,Chilli peppers, Syngonium, Begonia, Geranium, Red Sandalwood, Jamiaca pepper (Pimenta, Allspice), Camphor, Jujube, Anise, Red Roses, Tiger Lily, Impatiens, Calendula, Tarragon, Ginger, Coriander, Basil,Ruda, Amaryllis, Wild Indigo, Gooseberries, Sesbania, Campsis, Red Oleander, Maple, Schotia brachypetala, Momordica, Coffee, Amla , Ephedra, Red Kapok.
For links to these plants and other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.
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Hawaiian Dwarf is a True Star!
By Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc
Q: I live in Southern Ohio and love growing lots of tropical plants.
In the warm months, they all go outside under the protection of tall trees,
but in the cold months, they all come inside in a snug but very brightly lit
sun-room. For many years I have successfully kept a dwarf Meyer's lemon which
amazes my friends, and I am wondering if you could suggest some other dwarf
tropical fruit tree which I might be able to grow that would amaze them even
more?
A: Without hesitation, I would strongly suggest a particular variety of carambola (star-fruit) called Dwarf Hawaiian, as it is truly special as tropical fruit trees go. First and foremost, they begin fruiting at a very young age, often while only in a one-gallon pot, and even less than a couple of feet tall with a very little trimming. Better even is that they are perfectly happy living perpetually in a pot. I have one myself which is content in a 12 inch pot and which fruits freely throughout the year. Also, even though it should be too much to be expected, the fruits are of the highest quality and are as sweet as candy. I also like the fact that the fruits hang decoratively on the tiny tree for quite some time before finally ripening, rather like ornaments. One of these little trees in-fruit is an amazing sight and ought to make anyone take notice, especially in a sun-room in Ohio! They really are very easy to grow, and if you have a Meyer's lemon which does well, you'll certainly have no particular issues with a Dwarf Hawaiian carambola.
However, I have found that in order for them to remain extra dwarf and fruit especially precociously, this variety needs to be grafted and not cutting grown. Fortunately, Top Tropicals has recently obtained a number of these extra wonderful grafted trees which are of the highest quality I have seen in some time, all of which will likely begin fruiting very shortly. They simply are wonderful little trees! Check them out...
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Featured plant. Heliconia rostrata - Lobster Claw
Heliconia rostrata - Lobster Claw
Lobster Claw, Parrot's beak... Tropical flowers never fail to astound and amaze with their forms and colors. Lobster Claw plant (Heliconia rostrata) is no exception, with large, brightly hued bracts that cluster up a stem. It is also called Parrot Beak and has inconsequential tiny flowers covered by the showy bracts. It is native to Central to South America and is one of the most recognized and widely grown species of showy heliconias, and one of the most beautiful! The inflorescence it produces is one of the most colorful you will ever encounter. Pendulous blooms of striking red and yellow bracts often reach 3' in length! The flowers last a long time and make an excellent cut flower. It is an easy grower in tropical areas but some room is required because the stalks can reach 7 feet in height. It can withstand temperatures in the high 20s. Can be grown in large pots, it starts blooming once the plant reaches 4-5' tall and the amazing inflorescences will appear one after another creating a spectacular show to enjoy. Grow in full to partial sun and rich soil with lots of water and fertilizer.
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Spectacular Evergreen Wisteria
Q: When I was a child growing up in Virginia, my mother always had Wisteria growing around the house. It became one of my favorite plants growing up. I loved the beautiful cascading purple flowers. The highly fragrant and colorful flowers provided a feast for the senses. I have now re-located to Florida and understand the the Wisteria I knew as a child will not flower here in the warmer climate. Is there a vine similar to the wisteria that I can grow here in Florida?
A: There is a great alternative to the Wisteria sinensis you knew and loved as a child! Millettia reticulata - Evergreen Wisteria is a beautiful and highly fragrant vine. Unlike Wisteria sinensis, Millettia is not an invasive plant and can be maintained much more easily. The royal purple flowers completely cover the plant throughout the Spring and Summer.
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Featured plant. Sauromatum (Typhonium) venosum - Voodoo Lily
Sauromatum (Typhonium) venosum - Voodoo Lily
Rare Amorphophallus ralative, Typhonium venosum (Sauromatum venosum), is
a common shade-loving house or garden plant from temperate and tropical
Africa and Asia. This plant is also known as the Voodoo Bulb because of its
ability to flower from a corm without soil and water. Tuberous perennial with
solitary, segmented round leaf and strange, arum-like flower. Rare collectable,
it is a showy exotic container plant.
Typhonium grows to around 20 inches tall from an underground corm. A
large corm can spawn multiple new corms. Inflorescences emerge before the
leaves. An inflorescence has a purplish-brown-spotted, yellowish spathe and a
purplish-brown spadix which emit a strong odor perceived as similar to cow
manure, rotting flesh, or a dirty wet dog, depending on who smells the
inflorescence ;) The odor lasts only a day and attracts carrion-feeding insects which can
pollinate this plant.
Plants we have in stock, have tubers 1-2" in diameter. The plant goes
dormant in winter and starts sprouting in March-April. Keep soil slightly
moist but not wet, and wait for the magic leaf to pop up... The plant should
flower within a year or two.
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Cocoa plant after winter
Q: I purchased the Theobroma cacao two months ago. The leaves are wilting from the edges. Do you think this from not enough water, too much water or not enough sunlight? I am keeping the plant indoors.
A: During winter time, Cocoa plants even inside our greenhouse look the same. Dry tips of the leaves are normal for this time of the year. It is a combination of lower temperatures and low humidity that causes it. Indoors air humidity is especially low. Weather permitting, bring plant outside in the bright shade, when temperatures are above 65F. Humidifier and water-spraying will help too. You may put the plant on top of a tray with pebbles/water. Do not overwater - extra watering is not a substitute for high humidity. As spring comes, Cocoa plants start looking greener and grow new healthy leaves.
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Save Coffee from extinct!
The most popular kind of coffee for commercial production, Coffea arabica, is already on the endangered species list. According to research, Coffea arabica plant could become extinct in as little as 60 years.
Coffee requires a forest habitat for its survival. With so much deforestation going on around the world, wild coffee species are being impacted at an alarming rate. Coffee plants grow in very specific natural habitats, so rising temperatures and increased rainfall brought by climate change can make coffee impossible to grow in places the plants once thrived.
Read the whole article
See video: Top Tropicals Showcase: Coffee plant
To reserve a cup of coffee for yourself and your children, plant the Coffee tree now!
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Spring mulching
Q: When do I start re-mulching my garden? Should I wait till summer?
A: It is time now to get ready for the growing season when not
only plants start growing, but weeds as well. To protect your garden from
unwanted invasives, keep a thick layer of mulch in areas around tree trunks and
shrubs.
Heavily mulch your garden at least once a year, at springtime. Add
mulch during the year as needed.
After mowing your lawn, use cut grass (hay) as a mulch around trees.
Hay is the best natural mulch, it compresses well after the rain or watering
and becomes very dense - weeds won't grow through it. You may cover it with
some colored mulch of your choice for a more attractive look.
Mulching is also helpful for retaining water for root systems, so
plants will require less frequent watering.
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Spring tips
Once temperatures stay above 65F, growing season starts for tropical plants.
1. Increase watering as soon as you see new buds opening and new leaves growing
2. Trim all dead or damaged wood 1-2 inches above new growth
3. Apply the following treats to make your plants happy:
- granulated balanced fertilizer
- SUNSHINE Superfood microelements as foliar spray for healthy growth, profuse flowering, and disease/bug resistance
- SUNSHINE-E to help plants come out of dormancy faster and increase metabolism. 100 ml bottles and 50 ml bottles available for large plant collections.
- SUNSHINE-Honey to fruit trees so you can enjoy sweeter and bigger fruit later this year
4. If nights are still chilly, take potted plants outside to enjoy the afternoon sun and bring them back indoors for the night.
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Fertilizing Ylang Ylang
Q: What fertilizer should we be using for ylang ylang?
A: Ylang Ylang is a free-flowering tropical plant that requires regular
feeding during active growth period (March through November in Florida). We use balanced granulated fertilizer that contains micro-elements. Apply once a month 1 tsp per 1 gal of
soil. For in-ground plants, 1/2 cup once a month.
We also apply additional micro-element treat SuperFood as foliar spray which dramatically increases
growth rate and promotes flowering.
Check out our fertilizers, plant boosters, and garden supplies:
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RARE Featured plant, finally in stock!
Vanilla dilloniana - Leafless Vanilla Orchid
Very rare, collectible and extinct species! This plant propagated at TopTropicals nursery from Robert Riefer's unique specimen, the biggest potted specimen in the World, grown in 100 gal pot, originated in 1927, awarded in 2011 with CHM certificate of Horticultural Merit by American Orchid Society. Leafless Vanilla Orchid is amazing exotic vanilla that forms a multi-branched, leafless vine reaching lengths up to 15 ft. The light green flowers are similar to Vanilla barbellata but the petals and sepals are longer and the fluted lip is a deep reddish-purple with a yellow crest. Vanilla dilloniana is distributed throughout the West Indies and had been reported on the banks of the Miami River in South Florida. Vanilla dilloniana is a very rare species and considered vulnerable, endangered across its range. Pieces of plants from the original colony have been shared and may be found in local collections.
See the .
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Champaca tree during Spring
Q: The Joy Tree that I purchased from you is going fine but the leaves have brown tips that shriveled up. How can I avoid this?
A: All Magnolias prefer rich and moist soils. These are some
useful tips for growing Magnolia champaca:
- when planting in the ground, dig a big hole and replace sandy old
soil with a rich organic mix containing compost and lots of peat moss to retain
moisture.
- water daily for the first few months until the tree is
well-established and root system is large and strong.
- use a large amount of mulch around planting
- remember that during springtime (especially March through May)
champacas go through the semi-deciduous stage and lose a lot of leaves. Sometimes
the tree may start looking drying out - all the sudden, overnight. Give it a
few weeks and you will notice new light green re-leafing that will dress up
your tree when the time comes.
Check out Champaca trees:
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Featured plant. Mango Hoaloc, Cat Hoa Loc
Cat Hoa Loc Mango
Grafted Mango (Mangifera indica) - Hoaloc, Cat Hoa Loc... It is very
rare, Exotic mango variety from Vietnam. The fruit is fiberless, oval yellow,
with very thin seed. It is a rare, collectible variety.
Among Vietnamese mango cultivars, Cat Hoa Loc is the most popular cultivar
because of good appearance, texture, taste, and flavor. Its production ranks
the first among commercial mango cultivars in Vietnam.
It is known as one kind of the most famous mango in the Mekong Delta
and one of the favorite fruit by appealing color, taste and high nutritional
value. Hoa Loc mango became the reputation brand not only in Vietnam but also
in the world. With elongated shape, bright yellow skin when ripe, bright
yellow flesh, flesh architecture firm, smooth and low in fiber, are very tasty and
fragrant.
The Vietnamese Government supports the expanding of the production area
for Cat Hoa Loc mango. At the mature green stage, Cat Hoa Loc mango fruits
usually turn to full ripening within 4-5 days thereby limiting distribution
and marketing options.
So the best way to taste this delicious rare variety is to grow your own!