Date: 18 Oct 2019
Using SUNSHINE Complete Nutrition System
For hydroponics and potted plants
Q: I recently bought both the 5ml of the sunshine epi and the 100 ml advanced nutrition kit. I read on the paper for the Epi not to use any other strong fertilizers along with this but I was wondering if it'd be alright to use both this foliar spray and nutrition watering together?
A: All solutions in SUNSHINE Booster Nutrition System (NPK-macro and micro-boosters) are
compatible.
The only exception is Sunshine-Epi - brassinosteroid bio-stimulant. Epi
should be mixed with distilled water separately from other boosters. The
reason is, it is very bio-active, and if mixed with other compounds, oxidizes
quickly which may affect its performance.
Sunshine-Epi solution must be prepared using distilled water and applied as foliar spray only (it only works on contact with leaves and not through the root system). Epi shows extremely impressive results when you apply it before the application of other nutrients because it increases plant metabolism; so all boosters become even more effective if you spray Epi the day before.
When using Micro- and Macro-boosters, you may mix all components in one watering can/tank (except for Epi), using regular tap water. Besides watering root ball, the macro-micro solution can be also used for foliar spray. It is optional, as in some circumstances growers prefer to keep leaves dry at all times: to stay away from mold, fungus and other issues caused by the wet environment.
Here is an example of Sunshine Boosters Nutrition System application:
1. Daily watering in one can: NPK 25 ml/gal (one of 5, depending on growth stage) + Constanta 5 ml/gal + Ca-Support 5 ml/gal, mixed in tap water
2. Every 2 weeks: spray Sunshine-Epi 2.5 ml/gal - to boost the immune system and growth rate,
mixed in distilled water
3. From daily to every 2 weeks: Sunshine-Power-Si 25 ml/gal to protect from diseases and keep pH at
5.5-6.5. Can be used as often as daily and mixed with a daily watering solution
(1)
4. As needed: Sunshine SuperFood and GreenLeaf - for correcting deficiencies. Can be also mixed with the
daily solution (1)
Make sure to prepare a solution right before use and do not store solution for more than 1 day. Keep concentrates and solutions protected from bright sunlight.
Here is also advanced information on Sunshine Boosters compatibility.
Date: 11 Mar 2025
What trees are fruiting and blooming right now?
Photo above: Tabebuia chrysotricha - Dwarf Golden Tabebuia
Q: What tropical trees are fruiting and flowering in March?
A: There's always something blooming and fruiting, especially with spring on the way! Our garden is buzzing with bees and butterflies, and in the nursery, you'll always find plants in bloom or bearing fruit. Here are a few standout winners of the season.
Orchid Trees
Orchid trees are among the most spectacular trees in Florida, flowering from late winter through spring. They are fast-growing, not fussy about soil or water, and bloom for several weeks in a stunning display of white, purple, pink, or red flowers. In the photo: Bauhinia alba (candida) - White Orchid Tree - the most cold-hardy of all Bauhinias, tolerating temperatures as low as 26F. You can see them in full bloom across Florida right now!
Carambola - Star Fruit
Starfruit trees (Averrhoa carambola) have been fruiting in our garden since fall, and they just keep producing! We've had so many starfruits that we ended up making lots of jam.
Calliandra
Calliandras are known to be spectacular winter bloomers, but in our garden, they
seem to flower year-round. They make fantastic ever-blooming hedges or
striking small specimen trees.
In the photo: red-flowering Calliandra tweedii "With Love" - Red Tassel Flower, yright now, this
beautiful bush is covered in red blooms in front of our office at Sebring
Farm.
Mulberry Trees
Yes, it's Mulberry season! Some varieties have already ripened, while others are just about to. We're competing with the birds to see who gets the first fruit, but honestly, there's plenty for everyone! These trees are very cold hardy and highly productive.
Loquat Trees
Loquat trees (Eriobotrya japonica) are loaded with fruit right now! We've started picking them and have already made some delicious preserves - you can only eat so many fresh. Loquats continue fruiting through April and May, making them one of the most rewarding, easy-to-grow, and productive fruit trees.
Tabebuia Trees
Tabebuia
trees put on a spectacular show from late winter through spring! Golden
and pink Tabebuias are small, compact trees that fit any yard and deliver a
breathtaking display year after year.
Check out these short videos of blooming Tabebuias:
Tabebuia
chrysotricha - Dwarf Golden Tabebuia
Tabebuia
impetiginosa - Dwarf Pink Tabebuia, Pau DArco, Taheebo
Date: 27 Feb 2020
7 secrets of a Happy Avocado Tree
Q: I purchased an avocado tree from local garden centers three times but every time it dies on me. My neighbor has a nice tree in his yard and it grows beautifuly. I just purchased one online from you and I need to know what I was doing wrong? Are there any secrets how to make an Avocado tree happy? I have a big garden and several mango trees, but no luck with Avocado...
A: Avocado tree is famous for being such a pain to establish. But once it starts growing, it's growing! We will share a few simple tricks how to make it right.
1. Plant high and provide good drainage. Wet feet is number one
reason for failing an avocado tree. It doesn't like wet soil and won't
tolerate soggy conditions. Plant it in the highest spot of your yard and slightly on
a "hill" (3-4"higher than the surrounding ground).
DO NOT plant Avocado tree in low spots or wet spots of your yard. Save
those spots for Cannas or Black Sapote or even a Mango if you want a fruit tree there.
2. Use quality soil. Use only well-drained soil with high content of
organic matter. You may add compost to existing sandy soil, or add some professional potting mix that contains pine bark and perlite. Remove
rocks from the hole if you see any while digging. Dig a big hole and fill it
with a good soil; compact the soil in the hole very well before setting the
root ball. Reminder: plant the tree high!
3. Water regularly. After planting an Avocado tree in a nice high
spot with a good drainage, start watering it... daily! Avocado likes water,
although it doesn't like wet feet! Once you figure out this combination, you've
got the recipe of success. Water by hand daily for the first week after
planting, then twice a week for couple weeks, then once you notice new growth -
you may rely on sprinklers, but keep watching the tree and don't let the soil
over-dry. It must be slightly moist, but not soggy.
4. Fertilize. For such finicky tree, we suggest mild formulas of
fertilizers. Dry fertilizers may burn roots, especially of a young tree. Even
smart-release granulated fertilizers should be used very carefully. The best
way to feed your young avocado tree - get a complete set of Sunshine Boosters Pro system. It has all necessary elements for all
stages of plant development and never burns the roots. Sunshine Boosters Pro can
be used with every watering - no need to guess how much and when. Besides,
it is a natural fertilizer based on amino acids - exactly what you want to use
on your fruit trees and other edibles!
5. Boost immune system of the tree. Apply Sunshine Epi plant hormone every 2 weeks as a foliar spray to boost
immune system and metabolism of the tree and protect it from diseases. Epi makes
plants (especially young plants) grow twice faster! It also enhances effect
of fertilizers by increasing plant metabolism.
6. Do not prune until you see significant growth. The tree is small
and can use as many leaves and branches as possible for photosynthesis and
healthy metabolism. We suggest to avoid pruning for at least the first year. On
the second year your tree most likely will be covered with flowers (assuming
you followed fertilizer program). Let it go through the blooming stage and
setting fruit; prune in Fall after fruiting is over.
7. Keep number of fruit to minimum for the first crop. Don't let the
small tree exhaust itself. Keep just 2-3 fruit to develop. The next year, no
need to control fruit quantity, the tree will develop as many as it can
support.
P.S. If you got the tree from a mail-order, remember to establish it
in a pot before planting in the ground; move gradually from shade to sun.
Follow planting instructions.
Learn more about Sunshine Nutrition System - a Natural solution for your garden.
Date: 7 Oct 2025
⭐ The Winter Stars: 8 Flowering Trees That Steal the Show
8 Best Flowering Trees That Bloom in Winter: Royal Poinciana with red-orange canopy, Dwarf Pink Tabebuia, Dwarf Golden Tabebuia, Pink Butterfly Orchid Tree, Golden Rain Tree, Weeping Red Bottlebrush, Hong Kong Orchid Tree, and Jacaranda with purple flowers.
Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia)
The diva of tropical trees. Huge red-orange flowers blanket the branches
from late winter through summer. If you’ve ever seen one in full
bloom, you know — it stops traffic.
Best in large yards or open spaces, but young ones do great in big pots for
a few years.
🛒 Shop
Tatiana: “If you want a tree that makes
people
say ‘wow,’ this is it.”
Tabebuia chrysotricha – Dwarf Golden Tabebuia
Small tree, big drama. It turns solid gold just before new leaves appear. Blooms while completely bare — a stunning contrast of yellow on brown wood. Perfect for patios, courtyards, and containers. Handles cool nights down to the mid-20s F. Bright, cheerful, and forgiving — the kind of tree that always looks like it’s celebrating. 🛒 Shop
Tabebuia impetiginosa – Dwarf Pink Tabebuia (Pau D’Arco)
The Florida “cherry blossom.” Pink-lavender flowers smother the branches each winter, often before any leaves return. Thrives in sandy soil, tolerates drought, and grows beautifully in large planters or pots indoors near a sunny window. Ideal for seasonal residents or anyone who wants color when everything else is asleep. 🛒 Shop
Jacaranda mimosifolia
If color had music, this would be jazz. Soft, fern-like leaves and cascades of violet-blue trumpet flowers — airy, elegant, unforgettable. Outdoors, it makes a graceful shade tree; in containers, it stays compact with regular pruning. Jacarandas reward patience — they bloom bigger each year. 🛒 Shop
Koelreuteria paniculata – Golden Rain Tree
A favorite for its surprises — golden blooms in summer, pink paper lantern pods in fall, and bronze leaves before rest. Fast-growing, tough, and easy. Loves full sun and moderate water. Great for open lawns or patio tubs. The kind of tree that gives you something new to look at every month. 🛒 Shop
Callistemon citrinus – Bottlebrush Tree
The hummingbird magnet.
Bright red, brush-shaped flowers bloom several times a year —
sometimes even in cool weather.
The dwarf form, ‘Little John,’ stays about 4 feet tall, perfect
for pots or small borders.
Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact and colorful. 🛒
Shop
Tatiana: “If you’ve never grown a
tropical tree before — start here. It’s the friendliest
one.”
Bauhinia variegata – Pink Butterfly Tree
Graceful, fragrant, and forgiving. Its pink-lavender orchid-like flowers open from late winter through spring, filling the garden with color and pollinators. It’s fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and excellent for both ground and pots. Even the buds are edible — a fun bonus for adventurous gardeners. 🛒 Shop
Bauhinia blakeana – Hong Kong Orchid Tree
The queen of them all.
Huge magenta-purple blooms that last for months, from fall through spring.
Fragrant, clean (no messy seed pods), and perfect for patios or large
decorative containers.
Give it sun, a little water, and it will reward you with bloom after bloom.
🛒 Shop
Tatiana: “It’s the one tree that never lets winter
win.”
A note on grafted Hong Kong Orchid Trees: Most Hong Kong Orchid Trees are grafted, and that’s actually a big advantage. Because they don’t grow from seed, grafted plants mature faster and begin blooming while still small — sometimes within the first year. That makes them perfect for patio pots or small gardens where space is limited.
Bringing the Tropics Home
Whether your garden faces the Gulf or your window faces the snow, these trees let you live in color year-round. Plant them outdoors in warm zones or grow them in pots indoors — they adapt, they bloom, they brighten every corner.
Gardening isn’t about waiting for spring — it’s about finding joy in every season. And when a tree blooms in January, that joy feels twice as sweet.
🛒 Shop Winter Flowering Plants
✍️ Winter Bloomer Q&A
Q: Can these trees really bloom indoors?
Yes! Smaller species like Bottlebrush ‘Little John,’ Dwarf Tabebuias, and many Bauhinias bloom beautifully in pots with bright light or grow lamps.
Q: Do they lose their leaves in winter?
Some, like Tabebuias and Jacarandas, drop leaves right before blooming — it’s normal and part of their charm. Others, like Bottlebrush, stay evergreen.
Q: What fertilizer works best?
We use Sunshine Boosters — gentle, balanced, and perfect for tropicals. Feed every 2–3 weeks during active growth.
Q: How do I know when to water?
Touch the soil! If it’s dry an inch or two down, water deeply. Overwatering is the main mistake with tropicals.
Q: Can they handle frost?
A quick dip into the upper 20s F is fine for most mature trees. Cover young ones or move containers under shelter if colder.
Q: Which are best for beginners?
Start with Bottlebrush ‘Little John’ or Golden Tabebuia — compact, colorful, and nearly foolproof.
Q: When will they bloom?
Usually within few years if they get enough sun and warmth. Grafted plants blooms much sooner
Q: Which of these trees are best for pot growing?
For patios, balconies, or indoor sunrooms, choose the compact or grafted types:
- Tabebuia chrysotricha, Dwarf Golden Tabebuia, bright and easy.
- Tabebuia impetiginosa, Dwarf Pink Tabebuia, hardy and long-blooming.
- Callistemon ‘Little John’ – stays neat and flowers all year.
- Grafted Bauhinia blakeana – blooms while young, perfect for pots.
🎥 Watch videos of Dwarf trees in bloom:
Date: 26 Sep 2021
Edible Landscape: fruit bearing hedge
Photo above: Biquinho Pepper (2 months old plant)
Q: My mom had to remove a hedge for some renovations and after being heartbroken about losing my little bird haven, I've decided to plan on a fruit bearing hedge that offers some privacy and places for the little fledgling to wait for food. Any suggestions? I was thinking blueberries or citrus but open to any ideas.
A: Below are a few suggestions for a fruit bearing hedge planted with fast-growing, tropical species. They will contribute to a nice edible landscape for both your family and the birds - they will be very happy!
Larger size hedge (small trees), grows full-size within 1
season:
- Loquats
- Dwarf Mulberries (very cold hardy too) such as Dwarf Everbearing
Medium size hedge (shrubs or vines), 2-3 seasons to grow full
size:
-
Black Surinam Cherry Lolita
- Blackberries and raspberries
Low hedge (4-5 ft tall, 1 season, fast growing):
-
Biquinho Pepper
- Wiri
Wiri Pepper
Citrus is probably not a good idea, not bird's favorite, and blueberries require a special acidic soil here in Florida, so they will need extra maintenance, special soil, and heavy mulching.
Surinam Cherry Lolita, 2 year old plant
