Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 29 Sep 2024

How to get a quick shade from Elephant Ear and crafts from Monkey Ear?

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, seed pod

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, seed pod

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, seed pods

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, seed pods

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, flowers

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, flowers

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, fruit

Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, fruit

🐘 How to get a quick shade from Elephant Ear and crafts from Monkey Ear?

  • 🙉 Looking for a cool looking tree that grows faster than your to-do list? Meet Enterolobium cyclocarpum - Monkey Ear Tree, or Elephant Ear Tree. This large, feathery beauty is one of the quirkiest members of the subtropics.
  • 🙉 This fast-growing, cold-hardy giant provides ample shade in no time, making it perfect for anyone seeking instant relaxation under a canopy.
  • 🙉 But here's the real kicker - the tree's pods curl up to resemble ears! These unique legume pods aren't just fun to look at, they're also great for crafts and decorations. Nature's art project, anyone?
  • 🙉 So, if you're looking for a curious tree with personality (and maybe a bit of ear charm), the Monkey Ear Tree is ready to impress. Grow it, shade it, and get crafty with its ear-shaped pods!


📱 See video how to make Monkey Ear bonsai in next post👇



🛒 Get your own Monkey Ear Tree

#Nature_Wonders #Trees

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Date: 8 Oct 2024

Why Should I Use Sunshine Boosters?

Southern Landscape

Southern Landscape

Sunshine Boosters

Sunshine Boosters

😎 Why Should I Use Sunshine Boosters?



⚠️ Plants need nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Nutrients help plants develop roots, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Sunshine Boosters fertilizers provide all key nutrients.

Sunshine Boosters are specially made to give plants everything they need to thrive. They work for both indoor and outdoor plants.

😼 Why Sunshine Boosters are better than other fertilizers?

  • 🟡Easy to use: Just mix with water and feed your plants.
  • 🟡Balanced nutrients: They contain the right mix of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as trace minerals.
  • 🟡No harmful chemicals: Sunshine Boosters are safe for your plants, pets, and the environment.


😎 Benefits of using Sunshine Boosters:

  • 🟡Plants grow faster and produce more flowers and fruits.
  • 🟡Stronger plants can resist diseases, pests, and tough weather.
  • 🟡Sunshine Boosters help plants recover from stress, like after being moved or pruned.
  • 🟡For all types of plants: whether you have tropical plants, vegetables, fruit trees, or flowers, Sunshine Boosters help them grow better.

Sunshine Boosters make your plants stronger, healthier, and more beautiful. By using Sunshine Boosters, you’re giving your plants everything they need to grow fast, resist stress, and produce lots of flowers or fruits. It’s the best way to keep your plants happy and thriving!

📚 Learn in more details from the article:


Why should you use Sunshine Boosters

🛒 Shop Sunshine Boosters

#Fertilizers

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Date: 28 Oct 2024

What is Curry made of?

Murraya koenigii - Curry Leaf

❓ What is Curry made of? 🍛

  • 🌿 Murraya koenigii - Curry Leaf - is the Flavor Powerhouse!
  • 🌿 Curry leaf, also known as curry patta, is a beloved ingredient in Indian kitchens, prized for its aromatic, oil-rich leaves.
  • 🌿 These tiny green leaves bring a burst of flavor to dishes, often used fresh or quickly fried in butter or oil to unlock their full potential. In some recipes, they are toasted or oven-dried just before use for an extra punch.
  • 🌿 Traditionally, curry leaves are enjoyed by diabetics in southern India for their health benefits.
  • 🌿 The plant also graces you with small, fragrant white flowers, followed by showy purple fruit - making it as delightful to the nose as it is to the taste buds!


🛒 Grow your own Curry Leaf

#Food_Forest #Remedies

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Date: 5 Nov 2024

How much water is too much?

Cat  in  the  pool  with  umbrella

"Always over-water your plants: just improve their soil drainage!" - Murray Corman, horticulturist, rare tropical fruit tree expert.

Q: I always tend to overwater my plants. How often should I water container plants and how to determine if it's too much water?

A: One of the most common challenges in tropical plant care, including houseplants, is overwatering, particularly in container gardening. So, how much water is too much?

The rule of thumb: let the soil dry out a bit before watering again, and never water if the soil feels wet to the touch. For indoor plants with saucers underneath, ensure they don't sit in standing water by removing any excess from the saucer after watering. However, remember that the watering schedule alone isn't the only key to success!

Improve drainage. Surprisingly, water itself isn't harmful to plants, no matter how generous your watering is. The real issue is poor drainage, which leads to stagnation and bacterial buildup, ultimately causing root rot.

In the nature. If you've traveled to places like Hawaii or explored tropical jungles, you might have noticed plants thriving between rocks with minimal soil, receiving a near-constant fine mist of rain. Conversely, swamps support very few trees - only bog or water plants adapted to wet conditions can survive there. The lesson? It's not the water, it's the growing medium!

The Soil Solution: for potted plants, always use a high-quality potting mix with excellent drainage properties. This should include ample "soil conditioners" such as perlite, vermiculite, and pine bark. At our nursery, we use a professional soil mix called Abundance. Learn more about potting soil.

Pot size matters. And the last but not least: if you tend to overwater your potted plants, consider using the smallest container size that comfortably fits the root system. A pot that's too large can mean excess wet soil, increasing the risk of root rot. With proper fertilizer program, container plants don't need to much soil to thrive.

Datura  Metel  -  Horn-of-Plenty

Photo above: Datura Metel - Horn-of-Plenty - doesn't need a large container for happy blooming indoors!

Date: 4 Nov 2024

How to overwinter tropical plants indoors

Mandevilla indoors

Mandevilla indoors

Mandevilla indoors

Mandevilla indoors

❄️ How to overwinter tropical plants indoors



I have two Mandevillas that thrived on my balcony all summer. Now that cold weather is approaching, I've moved them indoors to bright spots, but they're dropping and wilting leaves. How can I keep them healthy until spring? Should I fertilize them? Can Mandevillas grow indoors year-round?

✔️ First, keep in mind that the plants we call "indoor plants" or "house plants" are all tropical. However, not all tropical plants are suitable for indoor living. Some, especially shade-loving ones, thrive in indoor conditions, which is why we refer to them as "house plants" (philodendrons, monsteras, calatheas, peperomias, and many others, including some succulents). Others are less adaptable to the lower light and humidity typical of indoor spaces, but with a little extra care, you can overwinter them inside and move them back outdoors in spring. Mandevillas are no exception! Even tropical trees, including fruit trees, can tolerate a few months indoors if given the right conditions for semi-dormancy. Below are the 10 key tips for successfully overwintering tropical plants indoors.

Find out the secrets of overwintering in our next post ⬇️

🛒 Shop Indoor plants

#How_to

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