Date: 31 Oct 2023
How to
establish Tabernaemontana
and get more fragrant blooms
Q: I purchased Tabernaemontana australis from you back in June of this year and it recovered just fine, but the new growth got some chlorosis. Older leaves still look normal. The flowers also look normal but lack fragrance. Since I live up north, I have it in a heated greenhouse for the winter, with a grow light to compensate for the short days. I have it in a 10 inch clay pot in a mix of equal parts standard indoor potting soil, peat moss, and perlite. It gets fed with half strength 10-10-10 about once a month on average. Is there some specific culture that you would recommend for this plant ? I really love it and want it to thrive.
A: Tabernaemontana is a plant that may take some time to establish itself, and leaf chlorosis often becomes a common issue when the root system is not well-established. This symptom is indicative of Iron deficiency, and possibly other micro-element deficiencies, such as Boron or Molybdenum, which become more apparent when the plant receives excessive water. This problem tends to intensify as temperatures drop, particularly when a combination of cool and wet conditions prevails. It's worth noting that your potting mix seems to be appropriate for this plant.
In light of these circumstances, we recommend the following steps:
1) Reduce watering during the cooler season, especially when daylight hours are shorter. Allow the top layer of the soil to dry before watering again.
2) Consider supplementing with microelements using a product like Sunshine Superfood. You can apply this as a foliar spray and mix it with your watering can.
3) Maintain your regular fertilizing program throughout the
winter months, but ensure that you use only liquid amino-acid fertilizer, such
as
Sunshine Megaflor. Follow the instructions on the label for the correct
dosage and apply it with each watering, even during the winter. Since you will be
reducing amount of water, the amount of fertilizer also will be adjusted
accordingly.
Important: do not use any dry fertilizers during winter months
(Nov-March).
Regarding the fragrance of the flowers, they typically emit a mild, sweet scent, although it may not be as potent as that of gardenia or jasmine. The strongest aroma usually becomes more prominent during warm (but not excessively hot) and humid conditions, particularly in the morning hours. As the plant grows larger and healthier, the fragrance should become more intense because the flowers produce more essential oil when the plant is robust. You may also apply Sunshine Honey supplement to improve flower quality and fragrance strength.
Date: 1 Feb 2023
10 secrets of growing a perfect Mango tree
Grow Your Own Food
How to grow a healthy and productive mango tree?
1. Right variety. Select a vigorous grower for
in-ground planting, or a condo mango cultivar for growing in container. More info on varieties.
2. Soil must be well-drained. If planted in the ground, plant on a
little elevation (see How to plant a tree)
3. Full sun is a must. The more sun, the more flower and fruit.
4. Water. Keep mango tree on a dry side, water young trees regularly
but let top of the soil dry before next watering. Mango trees don't like wet
feet.
5. Air circulation is important for mango tree to eliminate
diseases. Allow enough space from other trees and buildings.
6. Fungicide. Mango leaves are very susceptible do fungal issues,
especially in humid climates likу Florida. Spray fungicide (Copper or similar)
according to the label, once a month.
7. Fertilize year around with every watering with liquid fertilizer
Sunshine
Boosters Mango Tango. Apply Micro-elements once a month and use other good supplements.
8. Shape. Check out Video:
- to shape the most vigorous and productive
tree.
9. Protect from hard freeze. Mango tree doesn't take freezing
temperatures well. In subtropical areas Mango can be protected. Alternatively, it can successfully produce in
container, if moved indoors during cold weather.
10. Fruit. Mango tree produces thousands of little flowers, many of
them can set fruit. Do not let a small, young tree to keep more than 1-2
fruit, remove extra, to avoid exhaustion. Allow 2-3 years for the tree to
establish until it produces a full crop. Apply Sunshine Honey supplement to your tree for sweeter fruit.
Date: 28 Nov 2022
B-Farm in Sebring is now open!
Every Friday and Saturday
Thank you everyone for visiting us this weekend at new Top Tropicals
location in Sebring (B-Farm)! We met many new friends as well as old friends
that now are closer.
Local gardeners in Central Florida are now excited to have a special place
for their needs in rare tropical plants.
Top Tropicals B-Farm conveniently located at the corner of FL-66 highway and McRoy Rd.
Sunshine Boosters at B-Farm
Many guests also purchased Sunshine Boosters liquid fertilizers. Sunshine Boosters are safe for daily use year around and ensure that you will have happy and healthy plants. Stash up for feeding your plants during the winter to make them strong, hardy and healthy!
At B-Farm, we offer free consultations on Sunshine Boosters. We can help you select proper combinations of fertilizers, micro-elements and special plant supplements, including those that improve cold hardiness of tropical plants.
Date: 17 Nov 2022
Get your plants ready for winter:
Just spray this to improve cold hardiness...
How to improve plant cold hardiness?
Pland cold hardiness depends on several factors,
including:
1) genetics of specific species
2) maturity of the plant, size of root system, stems and branches
3) plant health and vigor which is supported by proper nutrition program
and adding special plant hormones.
While 1) and 2) may be out of our control, the 3rd factor is something
that can be easily improved! It is important to feed plants during the season
of active growth on regular basis by applying macro- and micro- elements.
Liquid fertilizers and especially natural plant food like Sunshine Boosters can be applied year around to keep plants healthy and
strong.
Besides the routine fertilizing program, just a few applications of special
plant hormones can increase tropical plant hardiness big time! Before the
cold is coming, spray your plants with these 3 magic potions and they will gain
a few degrees in low temperature tolerance! It is recommended to make 2-3
applications.
- Sunshine Superfood
- Sunshine Epi
- Sunshine Power-Si
Date: 11 Oct 2022
Fertilizing in Fall:
Plants need food too!
Q: I know that I am not supposed to fertilize plants in winter. But I just bought several ground orchids from you, they are blooming now and I wonder if I can give them some food to support their bloom energy? When should I do the last application of fertilizer? I will keep them in a sun room during Winter until Spring.
A: Traditionally, end of October to November is the time when we
give the last dose of fertilizer to our tropical plants. Liquid fertilizers,
and especially amino-acid based Sunshine Boosters, are safe to apply year around. This means, you can
continue feeding your plants with Sunshine Boosters through the Winter without
risk of over-feeding or burning roots. Why?
The answer is very simple: even with their metabolism slowed down in
Winter, plants will use all that food.
Sunshine Boosters have special mild formulas that are scientifically
designed and based on Amino Acids. Plants will use all essential elements from the
solution as needed.
Liquid fertilizer is diluted in water, and will be applied only when you
water the plant. During Winter, water needs are lowered = watering times are
less frequent, with less amount of water = the plants will get less water and
less fertilizer accordingly.
Importance of micro elements
in combination with plant food during winter
In the photo: winter chlorosis on Kumquat leaves that is very hard to treat and should be prevented instead
Keep in mind that feeding your plants regularly during Winter will help to avoid "winter chlorosis" and other deficiency problems. So called "cool-temperature-induced chlorosis" (CTIC) is especially common in Spring on young, actively growing leaves. Unless chlorosis is prevented by micro-element applications, affected leaves may remain in this condition for the rest of the growing season.
Make sure to select proper type of fertilizer for your over-wintering plants. We have special formulas for foliage, flowering plants, fruit trees, young seedlings, even for for orchids and bromeliads. Check out our selection!
