Date: 18 Jun 2024 Top Tropicals Telegram channel & chat

Medusas Head Flower - from Greek mythology

Strophanthus preussii - Poison Arrow Vine, Medusa Flower

🦑 Medusa's Head Flower - from Greek mythology...

🐙 Strophanthus preussii - Poison Arrow Vine, Medusa Flower - has an intriguing flower!
🐙 The faintly fragrant flowers have long, slender, and curly petals that resemble the snakes on Medusa's head from Greek mythology, giving it the nickname "Medusa Flower." The petals often extend and twist dramatically, creating an eye-catching appearance. The tips of the petals become narrowed and elongated, forming a twisting, sticky string that dangles down from the flower and touches lower leaves.
🐙 The flowers are brightly colored, often in shades of white, yellow, and red, which can attract pollinators and add to their striking visual appeal.
🐙 As suggested by another common name "Poison Arrow Vine," parts of the plant contain toxic compounds. Historically, the seeds were used by some African tribes to poison the tips of arrows for hunting. This gives the plant a certain mystique...
🐙 Interesting pollination mechanism: the elaborate design of the flowers is not just for show; it plays a role in the plant's pollination strategy. The intricate structure can help ensure that pollinators come into contact with the reproductive parts of the flower, thereby facilitating cross-pollination.
🐙 Blooms almost year around

❓ What bizarre plants do you have in your collection? Share in comments👇

🛒 Order Medusa Flower

#Hedges_with_benefits #Nature_Wonders #Butterfly_Plants

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 6 Jun 2024 Top Tropicals Telegram channel & chat

This is not AI

Wood Chip Flower - Strophanthus bovinii

👽 This is not AI...
It's a real plant, called Wood Chip Flower - Strophanthus bovinii - blooming now in our garden.

@TopTropicals you will discover exotic plants you've never seen before:
🏵 Breathtaking flowers and perfume plants
🥭 Rare fruit trees from around the world
🌿 Ethnomedical herbs

✅ All you need to know about rare tropical plants, how to grow and use them, where to get them - in one TopTropicals channel.
We have them all.

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TopTropicals - We Grow Happiness

Date: 22 May 2024 Top Tropicals Telegram channel & chat

This is not AI

‼️ This is not AI...
It's a real plant, called Wood Chip Flower - Strophanthus bovinii - blooming now in our garden.

@TopTropicals you will discover exotic plants you've never seen before:
🏵 Breathtaking flowers and perfume plants
🥭 Rare fruit trees from around the world
🌿 Ethnomedical herbs

✅ All you need to know about rare tropical plants, how to grow and use them, where to get them - in one TopTropicals channel.
We have them all.

👉 Subscribe and share:
TopTropicals - We Grow Happiness

Date: 13 Jun 2019 Top Tropicals Newsletter

How to get Strophanthus tree to bloom?

Q: I purchased from you three of these plants - Strophanthus bovinii and I wonder if you could help me. The plants are out of control growing large limbs to the sides and I would like it to grow more upright. Is this possible? Second, it does not flower. What type of fertilizer should I use and how often? How about the watering schedule? I have them in an eastern exposure but possibly they are not getting enough sun? Right in front of them, there is a large tree outside the curb of my house. What should I do about that?

A: Strophanthus bovinii - Wood shaving flower, is quite a unique plant that is very rare in cultivation, this is why very little information is available on its cultivation due to limited experience among gardeners. We have had this plant in our garden for over 12 years and this is what we can advise.
In the nature (Madagascar) it supposedly grows into a large tree, however, from our experience, it tends to be rather bushy, umbrella-like large shrub. Yes, you can train it into a tree by trimming branches growing side-wise, and by removing lower branches. The best time for pruning is early spring when the tree starts new growth and re-leafs (it is semi-deciduous). As far as flowering, the plant is very particular about blooming season, with profuse flowering in Summer (here in SW Florida), however it may produce more flowers sporadically throughout the year.
It thrives in full sun but will tolerate bright filtered light. If a large tree is shading it too much, try to trim some limbs of that large tree to allow more light. Water needs of Strophanthus bovinii are very moderate, so you can rely on your sprinkler system or water once a week for established plants.
You should use 2 types of fertilizers - slow release (once a month) and water-soluble bloom booster (frequent applications are safe):
Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
Tropical Allure - Smart-Release Booster

Date: 30 May 2019 Top Tropicals Newsletter

Selecting the right jasmine

Q: Would you please help me select the right jasmine? I want to find a jasmine that smells like lily of the valley or honeysuckle or roses, not the one that smells like gardenia. I'm in Missouri, zone 6, so I want a jasmine for my deck for the summer, so I want it to bloom this season.

A: There are 3 major types of tropical flower fragrances - Sweet, Fresh, and Fruity (including Lemony). Below are the most interesting fragrant tropical flowers, excluding Gardenias (which are sweet type). These are all same-year bloomers, so you can enjoy the fragrance this year assuming proper care and bloom booster feeding.

* - The fastest growers that can be treated as annuals. Others can be grown in a pot and brought inside for winter, and be enjoyed every year.