Featured plant.Camptosema grandiflora - Dwarf Red Jade Vine

Camptosema grandiflora - Dwarf Red Jade Vine

Dwarf Red Jade vine. If you always wanted to own THE Red Jade Vine, here is your chance! Also called Cuitelo, Crista-De-Galo (Rooster's Crest), it is sometimes miss-identified as a Mucuna species. This amazing eye-catcher is closely related to Red Jade Vine, however, it is much hardier than the ultra-tropical Mucuna benettii! It is a spectacular fast-growing vine from Brazil with long pendulous chains of fiery bright red flowers. Heavy vine, it needs large trellis or pagoda. An arbor is ideal so that the brilliant flowering racemes can hang down from the ceiling. Blooms in fall and winter. Prune heavily in spring after flowering. Give full or partial sun with adequate moisture and fertilizer. It is very easy to grow, can tolerate some drought and light frost.

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BELOVED AMAZON LILY

By Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc

Question: I'm hoping you can recommend a lush looking houseplant which will be happy in an otherwise bright "sun room" which receives only a little actual sunlight. Something that looks tropical and exotic, and maybe even makes flowers which are fragrant?

Answer: Perfect timing because at this moment, my much beloved Amazon Lily (Eucharis grandiflora) is currently flowering spectacularly! I've had this particular plant for nearly twenty years, and it's one of my absolute favorites.

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Check out our large selection of rare beauties that are great as houseplants.

Climate change is wiping out the Baobab, Africa's tree of life...

According to The Guardian News and Media, Africa's "tree of life" may not have much longer left... These highly important species are threatened with extinction, due to climate change and human development. Some species may not survive the next century. While plants have generally adapted to extended droughts, climate change is different, and with the Anthropocene, we are already witnessing the loss of these impressive trees. Africa's largest, oldest inhabitants, that have played silent witness to numerous generations, are already paying a heavy price for the environmental crimes of foreign lands.
Baobab forms an integral part in people's livelihoods. In West Africa, it is also called the "palaver tree" because of its social functions: when there is a problem in the community, meeting under the Baobab tree with the chief or the tribesmen would be synonymous with trying to find a solution to that problem; it reinforces trust and respect among members of the community. Its extinction would not simply be an environmental tragedy...

Every tropical gardener should have a Baobab to help to save this amazing species for the planet!

Featured Plant. Mucuna nigricans - Black Jade Vine

Mucuna nigricans - Black Jade Vine

Black Jade Vine is a real gem of a rare plant collection and a conversation piece when in bloom. The flower color is beyond description, as most of the Jade vines. This spectacular woody climber is closely related to red Jade vine (Mucuna bennettii). Branches sparsely velvet-hairy, and blackish purple flowers hanging in racemes. Drooping flower-cluster-stalks are up to 1 ft long and 6"in diameter! The blooms appear closely pushed together in grape-like clusters. Flowers are clustered in threes; each cluster supported by a deciduous bract. It is a very vigorous woody tree creeper - during warmer weather it can grow 2 feet or more a week. Cold hardy in Florida to at least zone 9b.
This plant is a must for every rare tropical plant collection. It is easy to grow and doesn't require much care once established other than regular watering. In colder climates with a hard freeze, this spectacular vine can be grown in a large container providing a strong trellis support.

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Growing Nutmeg from seed: secrets of successful germination

Q: I received a Nutmeg nut and I am wondering do I need to open a hard shell before planting it? Any other tips on growing nutmeg from seed? When will you have Nutmeg plants for sale?

A: We just received fresh nutmeg seeds from Sri Lanka and planted them right away, so we should have Nutmeg plants by Spring/Summer. These are some tips on how to make germination a success:
- nutmeg seeds are viable only for a few weeks after harvesting so plant them as soon as possible.
- wash the seed and soak it in warm (100F) water with a few drops of SUNSHINE-S booster that improves germination. Soak for up to 24 hours. You may use a thermos to keep it warm.
- there is no need for scarification. The outer shell of nutmeg is hard, however, it is not thick so the water will penetrate easily. On the photo above, you can see 2 seeds: the one on the right expanded twice in size after sozking.
- Plant in a porous soilless mix, preferably light seed germination mix, in 4-6"pot, and keep moist but not soggy. You may cover the pot with plastic to keep moisture in.
- Unless you are germinating the seed in hot tropical conditions, you should use bottom heat - 80-85F. A heating pad is the best solution (make sure it doesn't have a timer that automatically shuts it off). For safety, use GFI protected electric outlets since you will be watering the pot.
- Be patient and allow a few weeks for germination. Once the seed sprouted, keep it in bright filtered light and apply SUNSHINE Superfood to young seedling, along with a small dose of Slow Release Fertilizer, for kickstart.
- Move the seedling out in bright sun light once the temperature outside is above 70F.

We have a very long waiting list for Nutmeg plants (item 3878) and seeds (item 6203), so you may reserve one for yourself using our Wishlist form; this way you will be notified immediately when we have the plants in stock, as they won't last long. A few seeds are still available for sale, order now while they are fresh: