Date: 30 Oct 2019
Fragrant Gold Leaf Orchid Vine
By Onika Amell, tropical plant specialist
Q: I am absolutely thrilled to see you have this vine. I've tried for years to get this plant! It is so, so rare. It just seemed impossible to find in this country. How do I make it thrive? I am ordering two.
A: We are happy to confirm that indeed we do have this rare vine!
Bauhinia aureifolia - Gold Leaf Orchid Vine - was discovered in Thailand in
1983. It is endemic to Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala in Southern Thailand.
Danish botanist Kai Larsen named this plant and hailed it as one of the rarest
plant species of the world when it was discovered in the eighties.
The Thai people call this vine Bai Mai Si Thong. It is a beautiful
climber with large, bi-loped leaves (7 inches or more!) and good branching.
Young leaves are a stunning burnt orange to terracotta color for about
a week and as they reach full size, they turn green over a couple of days.
This is a very rare color for Bauhinia. It produces leaves all the time and
this means this vine is always full of beautiful color. With its golden leaves,
it sure is reminiscent of Autumn.
This vine blooms from May to November. It bears bunches of small
flowers that are delicately fragrant in the evenings. The cultivated plants range
flower color from pure white to purple and pink, while the wild ones have
often white petals with pinkish patches.
Bauhinia aureifolia needs well-drained soil, full light and good humidity
to thrive. It will tolerate a light freeze once established and it is very
important to protect young plants.
Gold Leaf Orchid Vine also makes a wonderful container plant with staking
or support. It is a must for every rare plant collection!
RECOMMENDED FERTILIZERS:
Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
Tropical Allure - Smart-Release Booster
Date: 14 Sep 2024
Why do we love Ground Orchids?
Q: I need your expert advice on a low growing perennial with pretty flowers that I can plant in semi-shade close to my house. What is your favorite perennial?
A: Our most favorite bright flowering perennials are ground orchids!
Ground orchids are the easiest and most rewarding flowers for a tropical garden. They thrive in regular garden soil or potting mix, tolerate both sun and shade, and bloom nearly year-round.
Their adaptability makes them a perfect choice for any spot in the garden, whether you need to fill a sunny patch or a shaded area under trees. And look at these colors! From vibrant purples to soft pinks and yellows, ground orchids bring a splash of tropical beauty with minimal effort. Their consistent blooming makes them a must-have for gardeners seeking color all year.
Date: 22 Dec 2024
What are the easiest, low maintenance plants?
Photo above: Bauhinia blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree. The most beautiful of all orchid trees. This winter bloomer starts flowering in very small size, when only 2-3 ft tall, and grows fast. (Bonus plant: makes it 7 easy plants!)
Six easiest to grow, effortless plants
Q: I'm seeking low-maintenance, tropical plants for my yard since I have limited time for gardening. Could you recommend some easy-to-care-for options that will still give my outdoor space a tropical feel?
A: Tropical plants don't necessarily require extensive care. Many options are low maintenance, effortless, and easy to grow, including a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, and vines that demand minimal upkeep. They are fast growing, not fussy about soil, cold- and heat- resistant, and can rely on regular sprinkler irrigation. Below are six our favorites - the easiest and most effortless tropical plants for your Southern landscape. You can find the full list here.
1. Fruit tree: Lolita Cherry
Eugenia uniflora - Black Surinam Cherry Lolita. The plant is vigorous and ready to fruit the same year. The fruit has exceptional flavor, very sweet, without aftertaste, large 1-1.2 inch, very juicy. Reliable producer. These cherries are cold hardy and can take short periods of frost.
2. Flowering tree: Shaving Brush Tree
Pseudobombax ellipticum - Shaving Brush Tree is one of the coolest looking flowering trees, this fast-growing tree bears spectacular showy staminate flowers in the spring. It usually has no leaves at that time, which serves to show off the large and striking blooms. Very low water needs, grows fast!
3. Flowering shrub: Firespike
Odontonema cuspidatum - Firespike - ultimate butterfly magnet with showy bright red flowers. Will take sun or shade. Very easy and happy plant!
4. Flowering vine: Bleeding Heart
Clerodendrum thomsoniae - Bleeding Heart. One of the most spectacular blooming vines. Spectacular, dramatic flowers are slightly flat, they have white sepals on either side of bright crimson petals. The appearance may be liken to a line of dangling hearts, each emerging from the other. Very easy to grow and undemanding plant. Blooms in both sun or shade!
5. Small perennial: Ground Orchids - many colors!
Ground orchids are the easiest and most rewarding flowers for a tropical garden. They thrive in regular garden soil or potting mix, tolerate both sun and shade, and bloom nearly year-round. They take both sun or shade, are cold-resistant and carefree. And look at these colors! From vibrant purples to soft pinks and yellows, ground orchids bring a splash of tropical beauty with minimal effort. Their consistent blooming makes them a must-have for gardeners seeking color all year.
6. Fragrant exotic: Queen of the Night
Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night - powerfully fragrant at night! This special cactus grows in tropical rainforests and has large wide meaty leaves. The flower is huge, white, and nocturnal. Blooms at night hours, hence the name. One of the most exotic indoor plants, great shade garden specimen. Easy to care, very low maintenance. Very low water needs.
Date: 4 Aug 2016
Top Tropicals Video: Orchids 101. Part 1.
Part 1. What is an orchid? Orchids come in many shapes, sizes and colors. There are approximately between 25,000 species as well as over 250,000 of hybrids. It's one quarter of a million! Learn about these amazing plants from series of Orchid videos with our orchid expert Robert Riefer.
Check out this video: Top Tropicals Orchids 101. Part 1. What is an orchid?...
Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals
Date: 4 Apr 2026
Rare Night-Blooming Cactus that Glows and Grows Large Edible Fruit
Did you know this nigh blooming beauty has large edible fruit? Why the Epiphyllum hookeri is the ultimate two-for-one plant for tropical garden lovers.
🌠 The Midnight Spectacle
Most gardeners grow the Epiphyllum hookeri for its "ghostly" white flowers. These massive, fragrant blooms wait until sunset to unfurl, reaching their peak beauty under the moonlight before fading at dawn.
🌠 The Edible Bonus
What many don’t realize is that this specific seed-grown type is a "fruiting" powerhouse. After the dramatic floral display, the plant sets smooth, elongated fruit. The flavor? Mild, sweet, and surprisingly refreshing -think of it as a garden-grown secret.
🌠 How to Grow It
Light: Filtered sun or bright shade (no harsh midday sun!).
Hydration: Regular watering in well-drained soil.
Display: It’s a natural climber/cascader—put it in a hanging basket and let it shine.
🛒 Claim your fruiting night-bloomer
Collect epiphytic jungle cacti:
- · Epiphyllum hookeri - Large-Fruiting Night-Blooming Cactus
- · Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night
- · Pseudorhipsalis (Wittia) amazonica - Blue Flame
- · Epiphyllum guatemalense Monstrosa - Orchid Cactus, Curly Locks
- · Disocactus ackermanni - Red Orchid Jungle Cactus
📚 Learn more:
#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden #Food_Forest
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