Date: 28 Dec 2020
Spanish Lime Tree
Q: Do I need two plants of the Spanish lime to have fruits? Do you have a grafted tree that I would only need one plant?
A: From our experience with Spanish Lime trees - Melicoccus bijugatus, fruiting habit really depends on variety. There
are self-pollinating varieties that only require one tree. Seedling usually
require cross-pollination between two trees for better production. It doesn't
mean that one tree won't bloom or fruit - it will, but production may be lower
than if they were cross-pollinated.
The Spanish Lime trees we currently have in stock are seedlings from a
good, self-pollinating variety Key West, however, only grafted trees are
precisely true to variety since they are technically clones. Seedlings normally take
a few years (3-4) until they start fruiting. Spanish Limes don't have to be
grafted to produce quality fruit, however, grafted trees may take less time
till they fruit.
This species is really hard to obtain and we do not have any grafted trees
now, and probably not for another year. So if you really want this fruit
tree, you may want to try at least with a seedling.
We only have a few left in stock and many people want them. Otherwise, you
may sign up for the wish list and wait until we (hopefully) have grafted specimens (enter
Melicoccus bijugatus in wish list).
Date: 22 Dec 2020
Growing Stephanotis and cold protection
Q: I bought from you 3 plants Stephanotis How do I protect them from this low temperature now? I live in Ft Myers Beach.
A: In Ft Myers Beach, you have frost-free winters. You don't have to worry about cold protection for the Stephanotis. It is pretty cold hardy plant in spite of being a true tropical (it enjoys Hawaii environment for example). From our own experience, Stephanotis can even take a light frost for a short period of time without any damage.
You can keep this plant either in a pot or plant in the ground in a nice
sunny location for more profuse flowering. It can climb a tree, a fence, or a pagoda.
However, keep in mind that during cool weather you need to reduce amount of watering. Wet + cold is a bad combination for plants. Water
again only when the soil gets slightly dry. In summer time, extra water is not critical because it evaporates quickly with high temperatures.
Date: 22 Dec 2020
The Blue Tea Remedy from the Magic Clitoria
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
Butterfly-pea flower tea commonly known as Blue Tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea, or tisane, a beverage made from a decoction or infusion of the flower of the Clitoria plant. There are not many who know about the benefits of blue tea. For centuries the butterfly-pea flower tea was only known in South East Asia... The bright blue petals from the flowers of the butterfly-pea plant have been used as an ingredient in herbal tea drinks throughout the region for centuries as well as used in cooking...
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 20 Dec 2020
PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Abu, the Quiet Fighter
The Story of Abu, a brother of poor little Raja, is also challenging, but has a happy ending!
...Abu started out a quiet reserved little man. From the beginning you would find him in the
quarantine room snuggled under his thick blanket sleeping. Abu did not like to ask for help but was grateful when you gave it. We tried to help him use a toilet while his
leg was casted and getting into the letterbox was a challenge for him... However, he was too orthodox in his views to believe he needed help...
...Abu was the worse off of the two found kittens. Dr didn't sugar coat the
outlook. He gave him a thirty percent chance of walking again. The morning after the first medication, I woke up
like a kid on Christmas morning... Dressing quickly, I went to the kitten's room to see if there was any change... Abu was still laying down, not getting up on his
own. As I looked over his little body, I made my way to his swollen little wrist to see if there was any change...
CONTINUE READING >>
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your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us! Every little
bit helps. Thank you and God bless you and your pets!
Date: 20 Dec 2020
Mango ID and ripeness
Q: As the World's Leading Authority on Tropical Plants, I hope you can help us out. We obtained a mango tree from a City giveaway, and planted it a few years ago. This is the 1st year it has produced fruit. They are almost all green color, & range from 6-7 inches in length. Attached are a few photos of the tree & its fruit. Please help to identify the type, and how to determine when they would be ready to pick. Or should we just wait until they fall off of the tree?
A: If the tree is grafted, it normally starts flowering within a year after planting. If
the tree is over 6 years old and just now started fruiting - chances are, this is a seedling (possible at giveaways)
without specific variety. However the fruit looks pretty good size and shape, hopefully it tastes great. You will find out soon!
Based on the pictures, there maybe a few possible choices, including
varieties (or their seedlings) Keitt, Rosigold, it can be even Lancetilla if fruit grows bigger than 7" long. The next step would be, wait until the fruit get some color, then it will be easier to narrow down the variety.
Also see if there is a lot of fiber or no fiber.
You may wait until at least one fruit ripens on the tree and let it fall naturally - that
will be the color (can be all green, but in your case it looks like it's turning yellow blush). After that, you may pick full size fruit before they fall and let them
ripen on a kitchen table. Usually once the fruit starts showing color, it is close to ripening. For all-green varieties, just wait till fruit grows to maximum full
size. You may also check if the fruit gets softer to touch, then it's ready.
