Why is this wonderful little tree so unknown here in Florida? I can only
guess it's because people don't see them, and therefor don't know about
them, and that basically no nurseries grow them. Yet it's one of the most utterly
spectacular foliage plants conceivable... Provided with an appropriately
warm climate such as South Florida or elsewhere, there is no reason they should
not be seen more often (for purposes of utter awe).
Macaranga's genuinely grand foliage much more resembles the ears of actual elephants (esp. the Asian species) than do the leaves of the much more commonly known and grown "elephant ears" meaning certain
Alocasia and Colocasia.
Q: On my Stemmadenia tree I noticed tiny drops (like white sand grain or sugar
crystals) and wonder if this is a disease or some kind of insect and what can
I do about it?
A: Sometimes certain vigorously growing (mostly tropical) plants
develop suspiciously-looking tiny "growths" mostly on the undersides of their
leaves. Without strong magnification, they can be easily mistaken for mealy
bugs, scale insects, or any number of parasitic disease vectors.
However, according to plant pathologists, these are actually harmless
excretions actually exuded by the plants themselves. A chemical analysis of these
tiny granules shows that they are nothing more than polysaccharides.
Polysaccharides are basically complex chains of sugar/glucose molecules which are
simply a production of all plants undergoing photosynthesis. Polysaccharides are
at the beginning of the entire food-chain. These odd tiny sugar-grained
nodules are actually only semi-crystalline complex sugars which certain plants
have over manufactured and have had no choice but to excrete through their
stomata (breathing pores).
I have personally observed Cecropia, Psychotria, Spondias (Hog Plum), and Guavas doing this... there are many others. Nothing to worry about,
they are harmless, but if they bother you - wash them off with a hose water.
...Did you know that figs were among the very first plants grown in the
hot and arid Middle East? Fast growing and utterly delicious, they soon made
their way all over the Mediterranean, transported aboard ships and on the
backs of camels...
If you are a fig lover, you may be tempted to grow your own. Market-bought
figs are never as good and tasty as your own, homegrown figs. They just
simply do not keep well in supermarkets. Fast growing, undemanding and low
maintenance, figs will bear fruit in just two years, often bearing two crops in a
year. Another plus is that they are not bothered by too many pests and are
self-fertile. Apart from the delicious fruit, any fig tree will add beauty and
shade to a garden...
Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the day: Russian Blue - a true Angel
Many customers ask if they can adopt one of our PeopleCats. Sorry, the answers is no, because they are not only members
of our family, but also valuable employees who help us around the nursery:
to grow and ship plants, work on construction projects, and even take care of
property security. However, we can give some advise on what kind of cats make
the most purrrfect companions.
If you are searching for a pet with a heart of an Angel, who is gentle and
loving, the Russian Blue is the perfect purrson to add to your family. The
Russian Blue breed comes in beautiful shades of gray, varying from a light
shimmering silver to a darker, slate gray. Their short, dense coat has been the
hallmark of the Russian breed for more than a century. It is a naturally
occurring breed originated in the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia. They are also
sometimes called ArchAngel Blues. It is believed that sailors took Russian Blues
from the Archangel Isles to Great Britain and Northern Europe in the
1860s.
Throughout the history of Top Tropicals, we've had many Russian Blues,
including famous Wesley, Marco, and King that are loved by everyone.
In the photo: TopTropicals editor Alex with Gosha -
manager of the Puppet Kingdom, Museum of Dolls in Preili, Latvia
In the photo: King is checking security of the new
window
TopTropicals PeopleCat Club and Zoo
Thank you for supporting us in helping PeopleCat Community! Make
your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us! Every little
bit helps. Thank you and God bless you and your pets!
Q: We purchased a Royal Poinciana tree from TopTropicals not too long ago and we
gradually gave it more sun until finally we were able to plant it in direct sunlight
where it's been for a week or so. Rain has been sporadic lately so I'm giving
it a little bit of water every day. It seems to be doing fine. I do have a
question about whether the leaves are as green as they should be? I read
online that I should fertilize it with gardenia / ixoria fertilizer in March,
June, and October. I looked on homedepot.com but didn't really find anything that
goes by that name. Would fertilizer help? Can you suggest a fertilizer?
A: Your Poinciana tree looks pretty healthy and happy,
congratulations with a great job!
Traditional (old-school) fertilizer recommendations usually suggest feeding
a plant 2-3 times a year with a slow-release fertilizer. And although a
plant will benefit from any fertilizer application (extra food is always good),
however, for the best results, faster growth, sooner and more profuse
blooming, your should use complete plant nutrition products - liquid fertilizers (see
why liquid
fertilizers are better than dry).
Here is an example. Some people eat a big heavy meal once a day which we
all know, is not very healthy. Other people eat balanced food more frequently
but in smaller portions - this is always the best way to go.
From this point, plants prefer SNACKING - frequent feeding, but with less
concentrated, mild and balanced nutrients.
For your beautiful Poinciana tree (and other flowering plants), we suggest
the following nutrition program:
1) SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster - you may use this
fertilizer as frequent as with every watering, it won't burn the roots, and will
provide a complete nutrition for all plant needs throughout the year. You can
continue fertilizing with Megaflor even during winter time. Sunshine Megaflor
will help you to keep the plant healthy, vigorous, and resistant to stress and
diseases. It turns leaves green and makes the plant strong so it will start
flowering sooner for you.
Plant of the Month: Golden Dewdrop - Duranta erecta
Stevie's Pick: what's in bloom?
Our exotic plant grower Steven Gowdy is featuring the most
interesting plants he discovers and recommends today while working in TopTropicals
greenhouses.
Duranta - Golden Dewdrop - is simply stunning with cascading flowers in
abundance. Either it has lavender, blue, or solid white flowers, it is a
sight to behold. The popular name Golden Dewdrop is inspired by the clusters of
bright orange-yellow berries that follow the flowers, in such quantities that
they often cause the slender branches to droop gracefully.
Duranta erecta blooms off and on all year and can be pruned to size as a
bush or a standard tree. If let go, it can grow up to 20 feet tall and wide.
Durantas are excellent butterfly and hummingbird attractors. They will
complement your tropical garden or a stand alone in your Southern landscape.
Great for providing a color contrast in the landscape, they are especially
well-suited as a bright-colored background or screening. White
Golden Dewdrop has pure white flowers that appear in loose clusters, and
both berries and blossoms are often seen on a plant. This evergreen fast
growing shrub spreads and arches to 10 feet tall and wide and is great for live
hedges and covering fences and corners.
Variegated variety, also called Variegated Sky Flower, is grown for its summer flowers, and very showy
leaves that are dark green with bright white variegation and creamy-yellow
margins around the one inch long serrated leaves.. In the summer, cascading
clusters of blue tubular flowers appear followed by wonderfully contrasting
orange-yellow berries.
In mild climates, Durantas can be in flower nearly year round with flowers
and fruit appearing at the same time. It does best in full sun with frequent
deep watering and is pretty hardy, to about 20-25F. It is a good choice for
espaliers, as a small tree or large bush; all forms benefit from frequent
selective pruning. Prune back in late-winter to encourage a more compact shape
and strong flush of fresh spring foliage. Requires moderate watering in a
well-drained soil.
Today we are starting a new column about the most spectacular
specials that are in bloom or in fruit today. Our exotic plant grower Steven Gowdy
will spotlight the most interesting plants he discovers and recommends today
while working in TopTropicals greenhouses.
Summer is in full bloom and everyone is wanting dirt under there nails
after being quarantined for two months! Enjoy warm tropical breezes with
Apricot flowers of this showy African Tecomaria in your garden. Tecomas and Tecomarias make a wonderful splash of color in any garden,
and apricot is no exception. Tecomaria Apricot has pretty unusual color of
flowers, ranging from bright apricot color to light-salmon. Ever blooming in
warmer climates, it can grow 3-4 feet high and a whopping 4-5 feet wide. In
addition to its beautiful flowers, this plant has many medicinal benefits. An
easy fast growing addition to any landscape, it is a great hummingbird and
butterfly attractor. It is pretty cold hardy and can tolerate light frost which
is a great benefit for gardeners living in subtropical climates with cooler
winters.
Q: My jasmine buds turn purple to brown and drop before it blooms. What
should I do to get the jasmines to bloom fully. Appreciate your help &
suggestions.
A: At this time of the year in Florida, jasmines may drop flowers because of the sudden hot weather. The plants
didn't have a chance yet to change their metabolism to summer type. The high
temperatures promoted early bloom, but the plant is not strong enough to
support the flowers. It needs extra food. To improve flower quality and reduce
bud drop, we recommend these supplements:
SUNSHINE Pikake - Fragrant Plant Booster
Sunshine Honey
and Sunshine Superfood
Thank you everybody for supporting us in helping PeopleCat Community! Make
your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us. Every little
bit helps! Thank you and God bless you and your pets!
Q: I need some advice on which fertilizer(s) would be perfect for
my Cannonball tree and its cousin Heaven's Lotus (Gustavia augusta). I also have fruit trees... soursops, mango, etc. and a collection of flowers including pua keni keni, plumeria, bougainvillea, etc. I am wondering if you can recommend a custom
fertilizing regimen for my garden (especially the cannonball and the gustavia since
they are young).
A: It is a perfect time now to fertilize your plants as they
start active growth. We have suggestions on fertilizing programs for your trees.
You will find here our recommendations for:
1. Young trees
2. Flowering trees
3. Fragrant plants
4. In-ground grown fruit trees... CONTINUE READING >>
