Date: 12 Mar 2019
Fertilizing Ylang Ylang
Q: What fertilizer should we be using for ylang ylang?
A: Ylang Ylang is a free-flowering tropical plant that requires regular
feeding during active growth period (March through November in Florida). We use balanced granulated fertilizer that contains micro-elements. Apply once a month 1 tsp per 1 gal of
soil. For in-ground plants, 1/2 cup once a month.
We also apply additional micro-element treat SuperFood as foliar spray which dramatically increases
growth rate and promotes flowering.
Check out our fertilizers, plant boosters, and garden supplies:
Date: 8 Mar 2019
RARE Featured plant, finally in stock!
Vanilla dilloniana - Leafless Vanilla Orchid
Very rare, collectible and extinct species! This plant propagated at TopTropicals nursery from Robert Riefer's unique specimen, the biggest potted specimen in the World, grown in 100 gal pot, originated in 1927, awarded in 2011 with CHM certificate of Horticultural Merit by American Orchid Society. Leafless Vanilla Orchid is amazing exotic vanilla that forms a multi-branched, leafless vine reaching lengths up to 15 ft. The light green flowers are similar to Vanilla barbellata but the petals and sepals are longer and the fluted lip is a deep reddish-purple with a yellow crest. Vanilla dilloniana is distributed throughout the West Indies and had been reported on the banks of the Miami River in South Florida. Vanilla dilloniana is a very rare species and considered vulnerable, endangered across its range. Pieces of plants from the original colony have been shared and may be found in local collections.
See the .
Date: 8 Mar 2019
Champaca tree during Spring
Q: The Joy Tree that I purchased from you is going fine but the leaves have brown tips that shriveled up. How can I avoid this?
A: All Magnolias prefer rich and moist soils. These are some
useful tips for growing Magnolia champaca:
- when planting in the ground, dig a big hole and replace sandy old
soil with a rich organic mix containing compost and lots of peat moss to retain
moisture.
- water daily for the first few months until the tree is
well-established and root system is large and strong.
- use a large amount of mulch around planting
- remember that during springtime (especially March through May)
champacas go through the semi-deciduous stage and lose a lot of leaves. Sometimes
the tree may start looking drying out - all the sudden, overnight. Give it a
few weeks and you will notice new light green re-leafing that will dress up
your tree when the time comes.
Check out Champaca trees:
Date: 2 Mar 2019
Featured plant. Mango Hoaloc, Cat Hoa Loc
Cat Hoa Loc Mango
Grafted Mango (Mangifera indica) - Hoaloc, Cat Hoa Loc... It is very
rare, Exotic mango variety from Vietnam. The fruit is fiberless, oval yellow,
with very thin seed. It is a rare, collectible variety.
Among Vietnamese mango cultivars, Cat Hoa Loc is the most popular cultivar
because of good appearance, texture, taste, and flavor. Its production ranks
the first among commercial mango cultivars in Vietnam.
It is known as one kind of the most famous mango in the Mekong Delta
and one of the favorite fruit by appealing color, taste and high nutritional
value. Hoa Loc mango became the reputation brand not only in Vietnam but also
in the world. With elongated shape, bright yellow skin when ripe, bright
yellow flesh, flesh architecture firm, smooth and low in fiber, are very tasty and
fragrant.
The Vietnamese Government supports the expanding of the production area
for Cat Hoa Loc mango. At the mature green stage, Cat Hoa Loc mango fruits
usually turn to full ripening within 4-5 days thereby limiting distribution
and marketing options.
So the best way to taste this delicious rare variety is to grow your own!
Date: 2 Mar 2019
Surprising Violet fragrance of the Blue Lips
By Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc
A few months ago while working among the bewildering array of great plants
we grow, I began to notice wafts of a very unique fragrance. The scent seemed
somehow familiar, yet for the longest time, I was unable to determine what
kind of plant it was emanating from. I knew it was somewhere toward the back
of the growing houses but just couldn't determine its source. The fragrance is
very distinct and wonderful and could be detected over a large area... That
scent is hard to describe, however, I would suggest a mixture of Lavender and
old-fashioned florist violets...
Then, a few weeks later, I happened to lean over a grouping of Sclerochiton plants, and THERE IT WAS!!! This might be the first flowering plant I have encountered which I might rate a full 10...