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...
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.
One of the easiest and hardiest Gardenias in our collection is the
Vietnamese Gardenia. This plant is much easier to grow than many other Gardenias.
It can handle overly moist soils much better, is quite drought tolerant once
established and has a high resistance to the typical Gardenia woes. It is
hands down also the most cold hardy Gardenia in our collection!
Are you looking for an exceptional ground cover that is incredibly easy
to grow? Burle Marx is a low growing variety of Philodendron. This plant
works exceptionally well in mass plantings as they develop runners which creates
that beautiful tropical feel and look so many gardeners desire. You can also
create wonderful borders with this Philodendron. Plant them in your favorite
container and watch them cascade beautifully over time. Give them a tree and
they will climb. This plant is almost prehistoric looking with jungle-green,
shiny, leathery, elongated heart shaped leaves on reddish stems...
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.
What is a garden without fragrance? Unknown to so many gardeners because
of its rarity, the Milky Way tree or Stemmadenia litoralis is one of those trees that are simply
unforgettable. This is without a doubt one of the most fragrant flowering trees you can
plant in the tropics or warm greenhouse conditions...
When this tree is in full bloom, masses of large, white, tornado-shaped
flowers cover the branches. The fragrance is something to behold… soft,
vanilla sweet and musky. Leaves are dark green and sparkly and a striking contrast
against the large, white flowers. Even the seed pods are pretty,
double-horned and orange-gold, born in pairs and hanging from the tree. This tree is so
ornamental!..
There is something very rewarding in growing your own peppers. Brazilian
Starfish pepper - Capsicum baccatum is a little bomb of flavor! This is not a plant you
will find just anywhere in the United States.
This is a very uniquely shaped pepper which makes it an excellent
ornamental plant. But unlike many other peppers with pretty faces and lacking in
flavor, the Brazilian Starfish pepper is delicious too. It is hailed for the
complex floral and fruity undertones and a medium level of heat for most folks.
These fruity and juicy, crunchy peppers are perfect for pickling or just eating
raw in salads or salsas. They are irresistible in a glass pickling jar
because of their unique shape. Bold and crisp, this pepper is much sought after by
foodies and gardeners alike.
