🪶 Why is it called Blood Feather?

• 🩸A true gem for tropical plant enthusiasts, Sanchezia stenomacra - Blood Red Feather - is a rare and stunning perennial.
• 🩸Native to the jungles of Peru, it thrives in humid environments with filtered light, making it perfect for lush, shaded spots in your garden, greenhouse or indoor plant collection.
• 🩸Its striking blood-red flowers, shaped like delicate feathers, add a bold splash of color and are irresistible to hummingbirds. Feathery burgundy-red plumes rise above the deep green foliage and last for weeks. The true flowers are orange-red and tubular, emerging from the wispy flower heads day after day.
• 🩸Upright, vigorous grower. When plants become too large, they can take a hard pruning and quickly recover and re-flower. Flowering continuously throughout the year, it even does well under partial sun.
• 🩸A rare find for private collections, this showy plant is sure to become a centerpiece of your tropical paradise.

🛒 Order Blood Red Feather Sanchezia

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🔥 What is Pepper Made From? Black, white, green, and red...

• ♨️ Pepper comes from the dried berries (peppercorns) of the vine Piper nigrum, a plant native to South India and now widely cultivated in tropical regions.
• ♨️ Pepper has been a prized spice for millennia, with black and white varieties known in ancient times. The modern discovery of green and red pepper has only added to the allure of this versatile spice!
• ♨️ The different types of pepper - black, white, green, and red - are all derived from the same plant! Their distinct flavors and colors result from variations in harvest timing and processing methods.
• ♨️ Secrets of the Pepper Colors:

⚫️ Black Pepper: The most common variety, black pepper is made from unripe, green berries that are cooked briefly and then dried. The drying process darkens the skin, giving it a bold flavor with both pungency and aroma.
🔘 White Pepper: Created by removing the outer skin of fully ripe berries, leaving just the seed inside. White pepper has a stronger heat and less aroma, making it ideal for dishes needing subtle flavor.
🟢 Green Pepper: These are unripe berries that are either dried or pickled to preserve their fresh, herbal flavor. Green pepper is milder and more aromatic.

• 🔴 Red Pepper: A rare variety, red peppercorns come from fully ripened berries, often dried or brined. They have a unique, fruity sweetness balanced with pungency.

♨️ Growing Pepper Plant:

• · Piper nigrum is a moderate-growing vine that thrives on a trellis and can even grow in containers.
• · Care: Prefers partial shade and moderate watering, making it suitable for indoor cultivation.
• · Fertilize with Sunhine Boosters on regular basis. Miscrolement supplement (Sunshine SuperFood) is essential as Black pepper may be susceptible to leaf chlorosis (iron deficiency).

📚 Learn more from previous post:
How to grow your own Pepper plants. Five most valuable 'Pipers'

🛒 Grow your own Pepper

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🪩 Does Queen of the Night bloom only one night out of the year?

• 💎 Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night, is a captivating cactus famous for its nocturnal, powerfully fragrant blooms!
• 💎 Native to tropical rainforests, it thrives as an exotic houseplant with its wide, fleshy leaves.
• 💎 This plant earns its royal title by producing stunning, large white fragrant flowers that open only at night, creating a spectacular and fleeting display of beauty.
• 💎 Each flower lasts only one night, but if you missed it - no worries! New blooms will follow from multiple buds. So you actually will have several nights to enjoy it!
• 💎 A must-have for those who love unique and fragrant indoor plants.

🛒 Order Queen of the Night

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🌸 What is the sweetest Passionfruit?

• 🍋 Passiflora nitida, also called Bell Apple or Water Lemon, is a rare gem among passion fruits, native to the lush Amazon jungle. Its orange-yellow fruits are much sweeter than typical passion fruits, with succulent, non-acidic pulp that’s irresistibly flavorful.
• 🍋 This tropical vine thrives in lowland regions from Costa Rica to Brazil, growing rapidly in warm climates.
• 🍋 Fruits: Small (up to 2 inches), orange-yellow, and incredibly sweet, best enjoyed fresh.
• 🍋 Flowers: Striking blue and red blooms, resembling those of P. laurifolia and P. quadrangularis.
• 🍋 Growth: A vigorous, fast-growing vine suited for tropical conditions; frost protection is essential.
• 🍋 Uses: Often eaten fresh but also a key ingredient in the refreshing drink "Purple Passion."
• 🍋 #Fun_Facts: Despite its sweet, crowd-pleasing taste, this fruit remains a relatively unknown delight, making it a treasure for tropical fruit enthusiasts.

🛒 Plant Water Lemon Passion Fruit

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🌰 Is it Cashew nut or Cashew Apple? 🍏

• 
  🥨 Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a small, fast-growing marvel that gives us both the crunchy cashew nut and the juicy, quirky "cashew apple"
• 
  🥨 It's a tropical multitasker, thriving in poor soils, drought, and salty winds, and can even fruit in a pot within two years!
• 
  🥨 Cashew #Fun_Facts:

• ♦️The Fruit Switcheroo: The true fruit is the nut, while the brightly colored "apple" is actually a swollen stem. Talk about a fruit with an identity twist!
• 
  ♦️The cashew apple has a sweet-astringent flavor and can be eaten fresh, stewed, or turned into delicious fragrant juice. A tangy treat!
• 
  ♦️Nut Know-How: Raw cashews are caustic and must be roasted outdoors because their fumes are anything but friendly.
• 
  ♦️Whether in sandy soils or salty winds, this tree keeps thriving, proving it's as tough as it is tasty.
• 
  ♦️The cashew tree is not just a food source; it's a conversation starter! Perfect for gardeners who love both practicality and personality.

🛒 Get your own Cashew Tree

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🌰 Is it Cashew nut or Cashew Apple? 🍏

• 🥨 Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a small, fast-growing marvel that gives us both the crunchy cashew nut and the juicy, quirky "cashew apple"
• 🥨 It's a tropical multitasker, thriving in poor soils, drought, and salty winds, and can even fruit in a pot within two years!
• 🥨 Cashew #Fun_Facts:

• ♦️The Fruit Switcheroo: The true fruit is the nut, while the brightly colored "apple" is actually a swollen stem. Talk about a fruit with an identity twist!
• ♦️The cashew apple has a sweet-astringent flavor and can be eaten fresh, stewed, or turned into delicious fragrant juice. A tangy treat!
• ♦️Nut Know-How: Raw cashews are caustic and must be roasted outdoors because their fumes are anything but friendly.
• ♦️Whether in sandy soils or salty winds, this tree keeps thriving, proving it's as tough as it is tasty.
• ♦️The cashew tree is not just a food source; it's a conversation starter! Perfect for gardeners who love both practicality and personality.

🛒 Get your own Cashew Tree

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😶 Did you know this about Hoyas?

*Wax Plants: Hoyas are often called wax plants because of their thick, glossy leaves and waxy flowers.

*Sweet Scented Blooms: Their star-shaped flowers not only look like candy but also emit sweet, often vanilla-like or chocolatey scents, especially in the evening.

*Epiphytic Nature: Many Hoyas grow as epiphytes in their natural habitats, meaning they live on other plants or trees, getting nutrients from the air and rain.

*Longevity: Hoyas can live for decades and may even be passed down as heirlooms. Some specimens are over 100 years old!

*Nectar Drops: Their blooms produce tiny drops of nectar, a treat for pollinators (and sometimes houseplant owners).

*Hundreds of Species: There are over 500 species of Hoyas, ranging from tiny-leafed varieties to ones with massive leaves or even fuzzy foliage.

*Sun-Loving Flowers: While the plants tolerate lower light, Hoyas flower best with bright, indirect light or even some direct sun.

*Low-Maintenance: They’re perfect for forgetful gardeners since they prefer to dry out between waterings.

*Climbing or Trailing: Hoyas can either climb with the help of trellises or cascade beautifully as trailing plants.

*Flowering Age: Hoyas are patient! Some won’t bloom until they’re a few years old, but the wait is worth it.

*Resilient Peduncles: Never cut off the “flower stems” (peduncles) - Hoyas rebloom from the same spot year after year.

*Exotic Origins: Native to Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, they thrive in tropical and subtropical climates.

*Lucky Charm: In some cultures, Hoyas are considered symbols of love and are gifted as housewarming or wedding presents.

🎥 Hoya calycina - Papua Sweet Scent was discovered in Papua New Guinea in 1913. The flower is very fragrant and can infuse your entire house in a beautiful lilac scent.

😍 Do you have a favorite Hoya species in mind? Share in comments!

📚 More from previous post:
Our favorite houseplants - hoyas

🛒Shop hoya plants

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🔤 When Bamboo blooms with orchid flowers 👀

• ⭐️ The Bamboo Orchid (Arundina graminifolia), or Bird Ground Orchid, is a showstopper with its elegant, pinkish-purple flowers perched on tall, cane-like stems that look strikingly like bamboo.
• ⭐️ These towering plants can grow to hip height or even taller, bringing a bold, exotic vibe to your garden. Their resemblance to bamboo isn't just in the stems – the long, alternating leaves add to the illusion.
• ⭐️ At the top of the canes, delicate flowers bloom one at a time, keeping the show going for weeks. Each flower, about 2-3 inches wide, features soft white petals and a vibrant purple-pink lip, reminiscent of the beautiful Cattleya orchids.
• ⭐️ These blooms can appear almost year-round, with a peak in summer, adding a touch of tropical elegance to your landscape.
• ⭐️ This stunning plant is perfect for those who want a unique and low-maintenance addition to their shade garden that always reaches for the sky!

📱 Ground orchids: all-summer colors for shady gardens

📚Learn more from previous posts:

• 🟡 The prettiest flower for shade
• 🟡 Ground orchids: all-summer colors
• 🟡 Why do we love Ground Orchids
• 🟡 Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid, Sunrise
• 🟡 Terrestrial orchids
• 🟡 What orchids can be grown in the ground

🛒Shop Ground Orchids

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🟢 What dos Sugar Apple look like and how does it taste?

😋 Annona squamosa - Sugar apple, is considered by many to be the most delicious tropical fruit. The fruit is a true treat, with pulp that resembles creamy custard, offering a flavor experience that’s hard to beat.

🕺 This very small, compact tree is perfect for containers or small yards, making it an excellent choice for home gardeners. It starts fruiting within just three years from seed and is remarkably easy to grow and undemanding.

📚 More about Anonnas in previous posts:
Guanabana - the most delicious Annona fruit
Top 10 fast-fruiting trees: #1. Annona
Why everyone wants the Sugar Apple?
The best tropical fruit tree for container growing, and the fastest to fruit: Annona
Spiny Hedgehog fruit: what does it taste like?

🛒 Order Sugar Apple

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🐵 Monkey Orange or Monkey Ear? 🙉

• 🍊 Besides bizarre Monkey Ear Tree that we mentioned earlier, there is another interesting Monkey Tree -
• 🍊 The Monkey Orange (Strychnos spinosa) is a captivating fruit tree from tropical Africa and Madagascar, known for its vibrant yellow fruits and wide range of uses.
• 🍊This small to medium-sized tree, has glossy leaves and thorny branches that make it visually striking.
• 🍊What does the Monkey Orange taste like?

The fruits, size of an orange, have a hard shell that protects their sweet-tart pulp with interesting pleasant taste somewhat similar to mangosteen. Some people say it tastes like a mix of citrus and pineapple with a hint of fermentation.
• 🍊Rich in vitamin C and B vitamins, the fruit can be enjoyed fresh or transformed into jams, juices, and even wine.
• 🍊Its durable wood is prized for carvings, and its leaves and roots are used in traditional medicine and as natural insecticides.
• 🍊Slow-growing yet resilient, this hardy tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering beauty, nourishment, and practicality - an excellent choice for tropical or subtropical landscapes.

🐒 Why is it called Monkey Orange?
The "monkey orange" likely gets its name from its appeal to monkeys that eat the fruit and distribute the seeds in their habitat in Africa.

🛒 Plant Monkey Orange

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