Date: 6 Nov 2018
Elephant Foot Yam seed production
Q: Very interesting information about Amorphophallus in your recent newsletter! (which I always enjoy BTW). I would like to purchase those fresh seeds, and I have a couple of questions. Did you have to hand pollinate that flower? I've heard it is not easy to set a fruit. Also, is this an edible variety?
A: From
Mark Hooten, the Garden Whiz. These Elephant Yam seeds were produced as
a result of hand pollination between two different Amorphophallus
paeoniifolius plants grown from entirely different sources. Both plants over ten years
old. One corm originated from a traditional Chinese market here in Ft. Myers,
while the other came from a Hindu market in Naples. As both were being sold
for eating (the prepared corms of the sweet types are a popular Asian
vegetable), we know they are of the "sweet" type, not the acrid type which is the
commonest in cultivation. The flowering occurred this last April, with the fruit
spike maturing in October which is very fast considering it may take up to a
year to mature this fruit!
The flowering image shows three different flowers all emerging from a
single clump of the Chinese plant which has developed over the years, each
flower being a couple of days apart. This is the plant which made the
fruit-spike, one of its flowers having been hand pollinated by the Hindu store plant on
the other side of the property. Notice all of the large blue flies swarming
the fully mature and very stinky flower!
Check out Fresh seeds of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius. Only a few packs left!
Date: 26 Oct 2018
Alyogyne: Blue Hibiscus with prismatic effect of peacock feathers...
By Mark Hooten, the Garden Whiz.
Certain plant families contain many members which I consider outstanding and requiring much admiration. One of these families is the Malvaceae, known as the"Hibiscus (or Mallow) Family". This group contains many members whose ease of growth and visual impact is undeniable. Among those which really stand out is a group of species from far-off Western Australia called Alyogyne. They are especially special! Continue reading...
Date: 12 Oct 2018
Portlandia - rich hot chocolate with vanilla
From Mark, the Garden Whiz. Since working in the horticultural field for nearly 50 years, at either nurseries or botanical gardens both in Florida and southern California, I have come into contact with a LOT of very cool plants. So many of them in-fact, that it's becoming increasingly difficult to run across new ones that really make me take special notice. Since being at Top Tropicals for a while now, there are a few species I had not met before which really stand out. Among them are a couple of kinds of Portlandia. Continue reading...
See our selection of Portlandias...
Date: 1 Oct 2018
Information on new exotic fruit
variety:
Artocarpus x integer (Jackfruit x Chempedak), Cheena cv.
TopTropicals
FRESH SEEDS! Grow exotic Chempedak from seeds and you will have the trees for only $1 each!
Check out a short video of the opened fruit.
Cheena is a natural hybrid between jackfruit and
chempedak. Comes true from seed.
This highly recommended variety has grown in TopTropicals
garden from a seedling of Cheena (Jackfruit x Chempedak)
that fruited within 3 years from planting. The fruit
(20-25"size) is probably the best we ever tasted! It is
super sweet, crunchy and has a rich, pleasant, excellent
flavor. It has very little latex which makes it easy to
handle when cutting up. The tree produces at the very base
of the trunk, so you can prune it as short as you want.
Our tree survived light frosts as well as 48 hours of 3ft
flooding, with no damage!
The tree has an open, low and spreading growth habit and
can be maintained at a height and spread of 8 ft with
annual pruning. It is very easy to grow and is not as cold
hardy as we thought for a Jackfruit x Chempedak types of
plants. The only two recommendations are - good fertilу
soil with a high content of compost and regular watering.
Cheena is a consistent producer. The fruit is up to 5 lbs,
long, narrow and uniform in size and shape. The skin is
green, with blunt spines that yellow and open slightly
upon maturity.
Check out Chempedak Cheena seeds - FRESH - FRESH -
FRESH
Check out Chempedak Cheena plants - special
offer $30 OFF!
Date: 7 Sep 2018
6 reasons to buy tropical plants in Fall
1) Easy planting. No sweat. Enjoy your gardening fun during cooler weather!
2) Easy shipping. With cooler weather, there are less chances for the mail order plants to get overheated in transit or at your doorstep in case you miss the delivery. But don't wait too long, another few weeks and too much cold will put another restriction for deliveries up North.
3) Easy establishing. Stress-free roots = stress-free plants = happy gardeners. Cooler weather is always better for planting and quick establishing.
4) Easy maintenance. Plant growth rate slows down during cool period, so your garden maintenance will be minimal.
5) Winter bloomers will brighten your days! Look at these winter-flowering plants that create a spectacular show during Fall-Winter in subtropical climates. If you grow them as houseplants, this is your chance to have flowers in Winter!
6) House plants Many tropical species suitable for indoor cultivation are available year round, but when you buy them in Fall - they are in their fullest and best shape after Summer vigorous growth.
One the photo: Barleria cristata Striped Lavender Lace