Date: 9 May 2017
Secrets of flowering of Jasmine Sambac
Q: Q: My Jasmine sambac Maid of Orleans is growing very fast and produced lots of branches and dark green leaves, when will I see flowers? I only saw 2 or 3 flowers since since Spring. I is planted by East wall of the house. Should I use some special fertilizer perhaps?
A: Jasmine sambac is a tropical bush or vine that enjoys hot summers. Since it
tolerates wide range of light conditions, it can be grown both in shade or sun; this is why it is highly recommended for indoor
culture where light level is limited. Remember though that profuse blooming directly depends on the light level. Your Eastern
exposure location may not be providing enough light for the flowering. Dark green leaves are also a sign of a filtered light
sitution. Extra fertilizing may not help to induce flowering if the light is low, although it is always beneficial for a plant
(it may just start producing even more leaves and branches). The ideal conditions for Sambac's flowering are - full sun all
day long, high temperatures (upper 80's-90's, even over 100F is fine), and very good drainage. Some gardeners call Jasmine
sambac "almost a succulent", referring to its low watering needs. To be exact, this plant requires regular watering, but will
produce lots of flowers only providing perfect drainage. You may never see flowers if the plant has wet feet or water-logging
occurs. If your summers are rainy (like in Florida), make sure your jasmine is planted with at least 4-5"elevation and not in a
low/wet spot.
See Top Tropicals Video about jasmine Sambac:
Date: 26 Apr 2017
Plant Horoscope. Taurus Zodiac lucky plants: Apricot and Verbena
Taurus - 4/20-5/20.
Taurus is an EARTH sign ruled by the planet Venus.
Venus is the planet
that represents desire and beauty, regarded as the female embodiment of sexual
love and human appetite, so Taurus plants often have gorgeous flowers and
enticing fragrances and, occasionally, red fruit. It rules the internal sexual
organs, the nose and sense of smell.
Because Taurus rules the throat and
ears, the best plants for the Bull are often soothing to the throat, or may
calm the digestive system after overindulging in the finest foods. Taurus is
related to those things we want and value. It harmonizes various body systems,
and influences the complexion and facial appearance. Also under Venus's
dominion are the abdomen, kidney, thymus, and breasts. Venus-governed herbs are
soothing and help to regulate the body's metabolism through the endocrine
system (see Libra). Taurus herbs are traditionally used to attract money and
resources. Earthy Taurus sign is all about building a stable and comfortable
foundation and can help you generate greater abundance and prosperity in your
life.
Taurus Zodiac lucky plants: Aglaia, Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang),
Artabotrys (Climbing Ylang-Ylang), Cerbera, Night blooming jasmine, Chonemorpha,
Erblichia, Euodia, Hiptage, Iboza (Musk Bush), Anise, Lavender, Lonchocarpus
Lilac Tree, Nutmeg, Parijat, Camphor Basil, Osmanthus, Funeral tree, Quisqualis,
Satureja (Kama Sutra Mint Tree), Viburnum, Carissa, Murraya, Curry Leaf,
Bunchosia (Peanut butter fruit), Eucalyptus, Lily, Vitex agnus castus (Blue
Chaste Tree), Alstonia scholaris (Sapthaparni), Papaya, Maple, Jasmine, Guaiacum,
Camellia, Ephedra, Fuchsia, Geranium, Spider lily, Gardenia, Magnolia,
Plumeria, Paeonia, Verbena, Clerodendrums, Apple, Pear, Apricot, Peach, Plantain,
Olive, Grape, Pomegranate, Mango, Neem Tree, Cherry, Cypresses, all Berries,
Raspberry, Asparagus, Mint, Clove, Roses, Stagshorn fern, Catnip.
For links to these plants and other signs information, see full Plant
Horoscope
Date: 21 Apr 2017
Radio TT secret discount code
Radio Top Tropicals Live
Webcast upcoming event: Saturday April 22, at 11 am EST.
Topic:
Eat me! Discussing
lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in diet. Herbivore=Plants,
Carnivore=Meat, Technovore=Pre-processed, synthetic, MANUFACTURED food. Soylent Green
Anyone? Our Host Robert Riefer - Internationally Certified Crop Adviser and Weed
Scientist - answering all your gardening questions.
Watch for Discount code for
shopping at TopTropicals.com - during first 15 min of the webcast!
For
the special secret code for 20% off - listen to this radio show. We will
give the code within the first 15 minutes of the webcast!
Listen to Radio Top
Tropicals, every Saturday, at 11 am EST! You may use our website radio player DURING AIR TIME. To ask
questions using live chat, you need to log in at Mixlr.com or simply call our office 239-887-3323
during air time!
If you missed a live webcast, you may listen to recording by
following
Showreel item link.
Check out our upcoming radio shows
Date: 25 Mar 2017
Plant Horoscope. Aries Zodiac lucky plants: Pomegranate and Chilli peppers
Radio Top
Tropicals Live Webcast upcoming event: Saturday March 25, at 11 am EST.
Topic: You need a brown thumb TO BE A GREAT GROWER!Manure,
Sheeeeeee........it , Fertilizer, What ever you call it. Proper understanding of nutrient plant
needs will give YOU great returns. At Top Tropicals, we know our Sheee.....
uh, fertilizer. Our Host Robert Riefer - Internationally Certified Crop
Adviser and Weed Scientist - answering all your gardening questions.
Listen to Radio Top
Tropicals, every Saturday, at 11 am EST! You may use our website radio player DURING AIR TIME. To ask
questions using live chat, you need to log in at Mixlr.com or simply call our office 239-887-3323 during air time!
If you missed a live webcast, you may listen to recording by following Showreel item link.
Check out our upcoming
radio shows and get your gardening questions ready!
Aries Zodiac lucky plants
Aries - 3/21-4/19. Aries is a FIRE sign ruled by the planet Mars. Plants associated with this element and planet very often have thorns or prickles. They can be also spicy or bitter in flavor, or red in color. Because Aries rules the head, eyes and face, the plants for Aries purify the blood, stimulate the adrenal glands, and/or are high in iron (Mars rules the mineral iron). Mars-ruled Aries is assertive, energetic and fearless. Mars rules the red blood cells, the muscles, and metabolic processes, as well as the motor nerves and the head. These plants help you when you want more get-up-and-go and the courage to take on the world.
Aries Zodiac lucky plants:
Governors plum, Hibiscus Karkade, Tapioca, Mamey Sapote, Ruda, Baobab, Euphorbia, Acanthus, Aloe, Caesalpinia,
Erythrina, Opuntia, Dragon Fruit, Pachypodium, Pomegranate,Chilli peppers, Syngonium, Begonia, Geranium, Red Sandalwood, Jamiaca pepper (Pimenta, Allspice), Camphor, Jujube,
Anise, Red Roses, Tiger Lily, Impatiens, Calendula, Tarragon, Ginger, Coriander, Basil,Ruda, Amaryllis, Wild Indigo, Gooseberries, Sesbania, Campsis, Red Oleander, Maple, Schotia
brachypetala, Momordica, Coffee, Amla , Ephedra, Red Kapok.
For links to these plants and other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope
Date: 22 Mar 2017
Condo Mango
Q: I was curious about indoor fruiting mango trees. I live in upstate New York and was thinking about trying to grow an indoor tree for fruit. I have a small heated greenhouse. Is there a variety that can be grown from seed that would suit my purposes and if not what is the most economical way I could obtain a cutting or small grafted plant? I keep my greenhouse around 60F in the winter and have no supplemental lighting. Are there any varieties that may work in a sunroom or other well lit indoor location?
A:
There are many dwarf varieties of mango suitable for container culture. They
are called "condo mangoes".
The most popular condo varieties are: Carrie, Cogshall, Cushman, Fairchild,
Graham, Ice Cream, Julie
, Mallika, Nam Doc Mai,
Pickering. You may read more about them in our online
catalog. You may also look into variety
Lancetilla which is also a compact tree, and produces one of the biggest size
fruit, up to 5 pounds. If you want some rare variety that hardly anyone else has -
try Baptiste, an exotic Haitian dessert
mango.
Your greenhouse should work for the winter time. Mango trees can take
as low as mid 40s during winter and even lower as long as that cold is
occasional. If you keep the temperature around 60, this should work well for over
wintering. Just make sure to reduce watering to a minimum, because cool
temperatures, low light and wet soil - is a bad combination for tropical plants,
especially for mango trees which prefer to be kept on a dry side.
Many indoor gardeners have fruiting mango trees in their collection. However,
keep in mind that the most important requirement for a mango is full sun.
While you may over winter the plant for a few months in a low light conditions,
in order for it to flower and produce fruit it needs lots of light. If moving
the tree into full sun your yard during the summer is possible, this would
be the best solution.
We always recommend
SUNSHINE boosters for both over wintering tropical plants in colder
climates, and for indoor gardening. SUNSHINE applications will help your tree to
cope with cool temperatures and low light conditions. This will also
dramatically increase flowering and fruiting performance. Another important factor for
keeping your container plant healthy is quality of your potting soil. We
offer a special
professional mix that contains lots of good stuff: coconut fiber, peat moss, pine
bark, and perlite. Fertilizing potted plants
is also very important during the warm season, because this is the only way
for them to get nutrients (which in the ground can be reached by spreading
root system).
As far as seedlings vs. grafting - the only way to
have a nicely fruiting mango tree is to plant a grafted variety. Seedlings start
producing only after 8-15 years, and the quality of such fruit may be
questionable. Only grafted plants can guarantee the desired taste of a variety.
Besides, grafted mangoes start producing immediately - you may see fruit forming
on plants as small as 3 ft, in 3 gal containers. However, during the first
1-2 years you will need to remove extra fruit and leave only 1-2 fruit so the
plant doesn't get exhausted and has enough energy to establish strong root
system.
For fun stories about growing mango, check out our Radio
Show recording YO Tango Mango!