Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
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Seven rules of cold protection for tropicals
Q: I was always wondering how you guys manage to grow true tropical trees in Florida? I live in Puerto Rico and we have Breadfruit trees growing here in a wild... but my sister lives not far away from you, in Orlando, which is much colder, and I wonder if I can get her a Breadfruit tree for Christmas?
A: Your
sister can grow a Breadfruit tree in Orlando either in a pot (and bring it indoors during
cold periods) or in the ground inside a structure (an elclosed conservatory
with heating system). See our customer's Greenhouse in Virginia. Cold protection of tropical plants is a lengthy
subject and we have many interesting publications about it in our managine
Tropical
Treasures and on the website. In a nutshell, when growing tropicals outside of
tropical climate, you need to follow these 7 rules:
1. Cut watering to a minimum. Cold+wet kills tropical roots.
2. Water thirsty plants before a cold night. Jucy leaves have fewer
chances to be cold-zapped.
3. Wind protection is more important than a temperature drop. Plant
tropicals close to a house or surrounded by other trees.
4. Duration of a cold period is more critical than the cold itself. If
expecting long cold hours, bring up all available protection resources.
Christmas lights or propane heaters - as long as there is a heat source,
everything helps!
5. Remove plastic covers during the daytime so plants don't get
"cooked" in the sun. Fabric covers are better than plastic.
6. Grow ultra-tropicals in containers and bring them inside the garage
or even indoors during the cold.
7. Use SUNSHINE plant boosters and feed your plants well during Summer to improve cold hardiness.
Related topics:
About Cold Protection
Cold protection - winter action for your plant collection
Improving cold hardiness before winter: fertilizer and micro-elements
Cold hardy tropical fruit trees
Date:
Growing mango tree in California
Q: I just ordered a mango tree. I live in Southern California and was wondering if you have any tips on how to acclimate the mango to our climate. I know it is coming from hot and humid Florida to hot and dry Southern California and don't want to kill it because of the differences in climate.
A: Mangos in fact prefer dry conditions rather then humid. It may
be perfect conditions for a mango tree at your place. Plant your tree in a
pot size of the root ball; give it ample water and then let the soil surface
slightly dry before watering again. Keep the plant in bright shade and
gradually move into full sun. Once the tree is recovered from shipping stress, you
may plant it in the ground and make sure to protect from freezing temperatures
in winter. Use Mango Food for quick establishing and better fruit production. More to
read:
Mango boosters
How to grow Mango in hot climates
Growing Mango in Arizona.
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Growing desert roses
Q: I purchased a Desert Rose and planted it in Adenium mix. I keep it in full sun with once a week watering assuming this is a desert plant that likes lots of sun. Some leaves turned yellow and now I am not sure should I move it into shade or need to water more? Or maybe fertilize with something?
A: Desert Rose - Adenium, unlike cacti and other succulents, prefers filtered light. It can grow in full sun but leaves look healthier in light shade. Watering must be very moderate, however don't let soil harden like a rock: water again right after the soil gets dry. We suggest to use special Adenium Mix. Cactus mix may work well, as well as regular potting mix, in which case it is recommended to add a bit of limestone (we simply put sea shells on top of the pot - it looks very pretty!) - because adeniums prefer slightly alkaline soil (while most of tropical plants like acidic soils). If leaves turn yellow, this may be a sign of underwatering. Use water soluable fertilizer with high phosphate as foliage spray, and only on healthy plants, according to label dosage. It helps both caudex growth and flowering. Make sure to avoid fertilizer contact with a caudex.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Adenium Plant Food - Flower and Caudex Booster
SUNSHINE-BC - Caudex booster
Adenium Soilless Mix
Read more about growing Adeniums:
What you need for successful growing Adeniums
Growing Exotic Adeniums
Date:
How to propagate plants from cuttings. Top (Tropicals) secrets.
Q: After pruning my jasmine, I have so many branches and I don't have a heart to through them away, can I use them to make more plants? Please tell me what size cuttings and do I need to remove leaves? Should I just stick them in the ground? Will they root? I don't know if you will be willing to share your secrets?
A: We are always happy to know that you grow more plants, and make our World better! These are some useful tips for the propagation of tropical plants using cuttings:
- Cuttings and leaves. Use cuttings 2-5" long. Strip leaves from
the bottom. Cut larger leaves in half to reduce evaporation.
- Soak cuttings for 15-30 min in SUNSHINE solution.
- Mix. Use special well-drained mix with lots of soil conditioner: we
have a special professional propagation mix for cuttings.
- Mist. Put community pots or trays with cuttings in mist, or if you
don't have mist - cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a
mini-greenhouse.
- Shade. Keep propagation pots in bright shade and never allow direct
sun rays.
- Rooting hormone: yes, use it if you have it. Not only it promotes
root formation but also prevents from fungus so the cuttings won't rot. We use
Dip-N-Grow.
- Rooting and food. Check in 2-3 weeks for roots. Once you see the
little roots, begin fertilizing with a special Baby-Plant Food and make sure never exceed recommended doze otherwise
you may kill the cuttings.
- Establishing. Once roots start growing, plant in 4" pots in a well-drained potting mix and watch the beauty grow! Gradually move to
the full sun only when little plants establish and start new growth.
If you are lucky to make more rare plants than you can use, contact us, we will buy them from you or trade for your dream plants! In fact, one of our customers from many years ago started selling us baby plants that he propagated from our plants, and now has a successful business (Karma Nursery); we buy a lot of plants from him every month!
For more ideas on tropical plant propagation, see also:
- Secrets of turtle tank propagation
- 5 secrets of propagation
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Q: I am in Texas, it is getting cold, but I bought these seeds the last two packs, as I didn't want to miss them, was looking for a long time and found you had them. Should I wait until spring to plant them?
A: You can
grow tropical plants from seed year round and don't have to wait until warm
weather outside. It is, in fact, beneficial to start tropicals indoors in a
controlled temperature, moisture and humidity. Seeds of some species are very
sensitive to excess water and/or require a certain range of temperature for
germination... Besides, it's so much fun!
First, read the basics: Happy Hobby: growing tropicals from seeds
Advantages of indoor growing from seed
It is easier to keep under control indoors:
1) Temperature and Light. Although many tropical seeds require
higher temperature and bright light for germination (hot sun may help), it may
be hard to avoid overheating and drying out when you put trays in full sun.
Using heat pads and additional lighting indoors makes germination smooth, even
may take a little longer than in hot sun.
2) Soil moisture. If you ever lost your seeds or tiny seedlings
to a heavy summer rain, you sure will appreciate your own moisture-controlled
environment! Just make sure to use the right soil mix.
3) Air humidity. Indoor air is drier than outside. It may not be
best for some tropical plants, but definitely perfect for seed health - they
will never get moldy considering you keep your eye on the plantings.
4) Pre-treatment. Some seeds require scarification (sanding down
hard shell), others stratification (cold treatment), but all seeds will
benefit from
SUNSHINE-S soak before planting. It is easier to do in your home lab.
Based on our experience, using Sunshine pre-treatment reduces the risk of
fungal damage and improves germination from 30 to 65%.
5) After germination culture. Watching seedlings closely in your
home environment and giving them all that is needed for healthy, fast growth
- miscroelements and first fertilizer - will help to establish young plants just in time before
planting them out in Spring-Summer.
Read more: From Kristi - how to grow tropicals from seed.
Check out our seeds selection...
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Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Wesley (Vasiliy)
Vasiliy is Russian Blue. Everybody calls him Wesley. Wesley is Marco's twin brother. They both were found as little kittens in a box
that someone dropped off... right, under TopTropicals car.
Marco is long hair, and Wes is short hair, so Wes doesn't get a haircut
like his bro.
Although Wes is much bigger and fatter, he is not as brave as skinny Marco
who fearlessly spends his days at the front gate. Wes is afraid of Thunder,
Rain, and a Doorbell. So he is mostly hiding behind the scene... unless food
is on the table!
In the photo: Wesley Roll - bikini shot
Date:
Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Lil-S*
You know how it is, cats are like potato chips, they can't be just one.
And they come to you, they adopt you. They always pick the right people.
Every one of them has a story of their appearance.
Lil-S* came from a car engine. One cold winter morning of 2013 when we
were about to start a car... lil "meow" squeaked as a warning... Thank God
the engine wasn't started. She was hiding from cold under the hood right on the
engine, probably still catching some warmth from it... She was 4" size
kitten that fit in a palm of your hand... And she always has been a handful!
That's why we named her Little Sh*t.
Lil-S* likes to hang out with Marco in front of TopTropicals gate, greeting the customers.
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How to get Jasmines to flower
Q: On the picture, these are a few of the jasmine plants that I have from Top Tropicals. I have bought so many plants from you over the years, not just jasmine. I have several varieties of jasmine. They were all doing very well. However this year I didn't get a single flower. There are a lot of buds... But before the buds open they become brown and withered. I bought fertilizer from you. Fertilized the plants once a month like I always do. I water the plants once a week. I repotted the plants hoping that would take care of this problem. Some of the jasmine plants I pruned... the plants came back vigorous growth with a lot of buds... BUT it is the same problem! Please help.
A: One of the possible reasons why they have flower issues is - maybe they don't have enough sunlight. They need to be in full sun all day long for profuse blooming and proper flower forming. However since the buds are forming, there may be just enough light. In this case, dropping buds may be a sign of overwatering.
Important steps - how to make Jasmine Sambac flower:
1. Soil. Use only well-drained soil
2. Water. Keep plants on a dry side and never over water. If the top of the soil is still moist, do not water.
3. Sun. Keep in full sun all day long. The more sun, the more flowers.
4. Bloom booster. Use Flower booster fertilizers:
Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
Fragrant Plant Special booster, this 90-day Smart-Release container
plant food:
Plumeria Top Dress - Smart-Release Booster
Do not use fertilizers with high Nitrogen (1st number in NPK formula)
- those will promote more leaves instead of flowers.
5. Micro-elements. Use Apply micro-elements, they will help the
plant to develop healthy and long-lasting flowers:
SUNSHINE SuperFood - plant booster
Here is more information on growing Jasmine
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Save Coffee from extinct!
The most popular kind of coffee for commercial production, Coffea arabica, is already on the endangered species list. According to research, Coffea arabica plant could become extinct in as little as 60 years.
Coffee requires a forest habitat for its survival. With so much deforestation going on around the world, wild coffee species are being impacted at an alarming rate. Coffee plants grow in very specific natural habitats, so rising temperatures and increased rainfall brought by climate change can make coffee impossible to grow in places the plants once thrived.
Read the whole article
See video: Top Tropicals Showcase: Coffee plant
To reserve a cup of coffee for yourself and your children, plant the Coffee tree now!
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Dwarf and Condo mangoes - easy mangoes
Q: We leave in zone 6a, could you tell us what is the list of different types of mango plants that could be planted indoor and that they can bear fruits?
A:There is a large group of mangoes called "Condo Mango" - they literally can be grown in your apartment! Those are dwarf varieties that can remain compact in containers with minimal pruning and successfully bear fruit providing bright light and proper care, including plant food.
The best dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties are: Carrie, Cogshall, Cushman, Fairchild, Graham, Ice Cream, Julie, Mallika, Nam Doc Mai, Pickering, Irwin, Jahangir, Juliette, Lancetilla, Little Gem, Manilita, Sia Tong, Torbert, Pim Seng Mun, Super Julie.
They produce juicy, fiberless sweet fruit. Julie is also a very popular dwarf variety, however, it is very cold sensitive and not the easiest to grow. If you get a 3 gal size mango, step it up to 7 gal when the plant reaches 4 ft; you may use a bigger container as the root system grows, up to 15 gal or even 25 gal, space permitting. Trim the tree under 6-8 ft after production season is over (summer-fall).
See more information on growing condo mangoes
RECOMMENDED FERTILIZERS:
Mango-Food - Smart Release Fruit Tree Booster
Fruit Festival Plant Food - Super Crop Booster
For sweeter fruit, use
SUNSHINE-Honey - sugar booster