Date: 2 May 2019
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
Date: 18 Mar 2019
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: 6 Oct 2024
Eight most spectacular gingers
Photo above: Costus arabicus - Spiral Ginger
Q: I grow ginger for cooking, but I know that some varieties have showy flowers. What gingers can you recommend as ornamentals?
A: Ginger is famous for its culinary and medicinal uses, and many species are also strikingly beautiful, making them perfect centerpieces for tropical gardens or potted plant collections, especially in shaded spots. Here are a few of our favorite cultivars.
1. Yellow Butterfly Ginger
Hedychium flavum x coronarium - Yellow Butterfly Ginger, Nardo Ginger Lily - rare hybrid of White Butterfly ginger we mentioned earlier (https://t.me/TopTropicals/710), it is more vigorous and tall than its parent. With attractive long green leaves with a slight fuzziness, this ginger has open long spikes of pastel yellow flowers with a beautiful heady aroma. Exquisitely fragrant!
2. Variegated Spiral Ginger
Costus arabicus (amazonicus) variegata - Variegated Spiral Ginger - is a tropical stunner originally from South America but adored in Hawaii and Florida. This ginger's eye-catching, spiraling stems are streaked with striking white variegation, topped with elegant pure white flowers with yellow centers. The pure white blooms are truly a piece of art! Perfect for shade gardens, this plant thrives in moist soil and loves plenty of water. If you're looking to add a bit of drama and elegance to your garden, this beauty is a must-have!
3. Pine Cone (Shampoo) Ginger
Zingiber Zerumbet - Pine Cone Ginger, Shampoo Ginger - is probably the most popular one. All parts of this ginger are spicy fragrant. The cone shaped flowers are long lasting and useful for cut flower arrangements. It is in fact used as a shampoo in Asia and Hawaii, and as an ingredient in several commercial shampoos! Pinecone ginger is considered a "canoe plant", that is, a plant introduced throughout the Pacific by the ancient Polynesian settlers.
4. Spiral Raspberry Ginger
Costus vargasii - Spiral Ginger Raspberry Yogurt - The name refers to the colorful raspberry colored stem, but that's not the only colorful thing about it: the leaves are dark green, long and glossy with velvety deep purple undersides. The inflorescence is a vivid red with tight bracts and bold yellow flowers. The butterflies love to drink the nectar from the flowers. Large vigorous ginger, growing up to 5-6 ft tall.
5. Cameroon Costus African Princess
Costus fissiligulatus - African Princess, Cameroon Costus - from Gabon in West Africa. It has a dazzling pink trumpet flower with a yellow throat. It is very floriferous with an inflorescence of numerous flower buds on a shortish plant of 3-4 ft that stands very erect. It is an easy grower.
6. Red Button Ginger (French Kiss)
Costus spicatus x woodsonii - Red Button Ginger, French Kiss: this ginger's inflorescence resembles a cluster of bright red buttons, making it a standout in tropical gardens.
7. White Butterfly Ginger
Hedychium coronarium - White Butterfly Ginger is a must for every Southern garden. It is famous for its intense, sweet scent. Symbol of Hawaiian Paradise along with Plumeria and Jasmine. It is popular in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands for leis and hair adornments and bears fragrant, butterfly-resembling flowers in summer. It has long lasting cut flowers, ideal for scenting the home. Can survive light freezes, with tops regrowing in the spring. Takes sun or shade.
8. Laos Silver Stripe Peacock Ginger
Kaempferia angustifolia - Laos Silver Stripe is one of the most beautiful of all the Kaempferia Peacock Ginger cultivars. It is one of the large types. The plant has boldly striped leaves of green and silver. The flowers are orchid shaped white and purple. Small, compact perennial, great for container culture. This hard to find variety is a must for every Ginger collector.