Q: I am looking forward to my three desert roses I just ordered from you and I am wondering how to take
care of them, especially during winter time. Should I put the pots in full sun
or shade? What kind of soil do they like? How often should I water them? When
it gets cooler, should I bring them inside? We do have occasional frost here
during winter.
A: Here are a few tips for your desert roses:
1. When received Adenium from mail-order, unpack carefully; branches are
fragile. Plant in well-drained potting mix. Cactus mix will do, but we
recommend special Adenium mix. If using regular acidic peat-based potting mix, you may
add sea-shells on top of soil to neutralize acidity: adeniums prefer alkaline
soils. Using clay pots is beneficial. Water once and do not water again until
soil gets dry. Place in bright shade until new leaves sprout, then the plant
can be moved to full sun.
2. Adenium is a succulent, but not a cactus. It needs watering, however
let soil dry before waterings. Reduce watering during cool season and
discontinue when plant gets dormant (drops all leaves in winter).
3. Bright light is the best for profuse flowering. However, adeniums
look much healthier in slightly filtered light rather than in all-day full
sun.
4. Fertilize and spray leaves with liquid fertilizer SUNSHINE Megaflor - Nutrition Bloom Booster. Phosphorous is responsible
both for flowering and caudex development. Avoid caudex, spray over foliage
only. Dry fertilizer can be used only during hot months.
5. Watch for spider mites during hot and dry season.
6. Give plants a break during winter dormant season. Keep in bright
shade and reduce watering to 1-2 per month or stop watering if temperature is
below 65F.
Growing tropical fruit trees in containers in
winter
Q: Please
give me your advice. The winter is here. I bought
mango tree, jackfruit tree, sugar apple tree and
planned them for spring. What can I do to keep them no
frost bite? My home in Bonifay FL.
A: In
subtropical areas with occasional hard freeze in
winter, we recommend you to keep tropical plants in
pots. The plants you purchase are tender to frost. For
cold protection, container growing has several
advantages:
1) easy to move into wind-protected and sun-exposed
locations as needed: for example, on a different side
of the house. In many areas, seasonal prevailing winds
have opposite directions in Summer and Winter.
2) easy to cover with frost cloth, sheets, or blankets
in case of immediate cold spells. Container plants'
growth is easier to control and trim, and those plants
naturally stay more compact.
3) easy to move indoors, inside garage, or in covered
lanai/patio.
We also recommend to keep these trees in their
original pots until Spring, in containers size of the
rootball. Step them up in Spring, when plants start
active growth of root system. This will help you to
avoid root rot due to possible overwatering in Winter.
Reduce watering in any case, and keep your plants in
bright, wind-protected spot. Do not fertilize until
Spring. Protect from cold when night temperature drops
below 35-40F.
Cold protection is a lengthy subject. You may also use
propane heaters during cold nights.
Here is some more information on cold
protection.
Black Friday
starts Wednesday!
Use this discount code in your shopping cart from Wednesday
through end of Friday.
Enter THANKS2016 in your shopping cart for
20% off on all plants and seeds from our store - no
minimum order! Offer is not valid for previous
purchases
Date: 14 Feb 2024
Ixora odorata - exclusive flower with fine perfume
Q: I see you have a very special plant - Ixora odorata with fragrant flowers, I've heard that the fragrance is heavenly. Is it easy to grow? Can I plant
it as a hedge, like a regular ixora bush?
A: Indeed, Ixora odorata is quite special. It's a must-have for any tropical plant enthusiast, often likened to esteemed fragrance collectibles like Ylang Ylang or the Joy Perfume Tree. While it shares the genus with the common Southern landscape plant, Ixora, cultivating Ixora odorata requires some special attention. We wouldn't recommend using this rare
exotic as a hedge; it's best suited as a centerpiece or specimen in your garden. The effort is certainly rewarded, as the sweet fragrance of its flowers is truly remarkable, reminiscent of Jasmines. Here are some tips for growing Ixora odorata:
1. Temperature. Ixora odorata is sensitive to cold and can't withstand even light frost. Protect it by growing it in a container that can easily be brought indoors during cold weather. 2. Soil. Like all ixoras, Ixora odorata prefers acidic soil. This is easily achieved since it's typically grown in a pot. High-quality potting soil, such as Sunshine Abundance, tends to have a lower pH (acidic), has low pH (acidic). 3. Light. Unlike most ixoras, Ixora odorata prefers shade to filtered sunlight, unlike most ixoras that are full sun plants. 4. Water. Ixora odorata prefers drier conditions during winter, so reduce watering in the winter months. In summer, regular watering is necessary, as it won't tolerate drying out. 5. Insect control. Ixora odorata can be susceptible to insects during winter. Keep an eye out for mealybugs during winter. Monitor the leaves, especially underneath. 5. Prune after flowering. 6. Fertilizer. Feed Ixora odorata with Sunshine Boosters Megaflor for most profule flowering and healthy waxy leaves.
Ixora odorata blooms in winter, making it a delightful addition to your home during the colder months. What can be better having this perfume factory! It's a true gem that's
worth the extra care and attention - it deserves to be pampered!
We bring our Ixora odorata indoors during winter. It is happy to sit in a large bathtub with a skylight above it. It flowers all winter long, filling the air with light perfume not only in the bathroom and bedroom, but in the whole house. And of course, cats love it too!
This Father's Day, celebrate with a food forest - don't just mow, grow! Plant something meaningful
that will not only bring joy today but also provide delicious fruit,
edibles, and fragrant
blooms for years to come. Whether you're a father or celebrating one, this
is the perfect day to plant and nurture a garden that will thrive, just like
the love you share with your family. Plant today to enjoy the fruits of your
labor tomorrow!
Use the code below to save 15% on your entire order:
Join our local event:
June 14, 2025 - Father's Day Plant Market, 9 am - 4 pm
Join us on Saturday June 14 for Father's Day Plant Market
- Kids, bring your dads and surprise them with the gift of a tree! Let them
pick any tree they like and plant it together.
- Fathers, bring your kids and teach them how to connect with nature - show
them how to plant a tree and grow something lasting!
Stroll through our lush gardens, meet the friendly PeopleCats, and enjoy a fun day for the whole family. Our team will
help you choose the perfect plants for your space and guide you every step of
the way.
Event Highlights:
30% OFF online prices
FREE plant with any purchase (including Guava)
Gift bags for first 25 customers with $50+ order
$5-10 specials
$10-20 Large
Banana Trees - many varieties!
Exciting raffle prizes Green
Magic fertilizer FREE samples
Live music by the Famous Hand Pan Lady!
By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top
Tropicals with
Smokey & Sunshine help
Sunshine Boosters for different types of plants
Here is why SUNSHINE Boosters are the smart choice for your garden this
spring:
Amino Acid Stability: Unlike traditional fertilizers that
use synthetic EDTA chelators, our formulas are amino-acid based. This means
100% of the nutrients are bioavailable and consumed by the plant, leaving
zero
toxic residues or salt build-up in your soil.
Safe for Every Watering: Because our concentrations are
scientifically balanced and mild, they are safe for daily use. This
eliminates the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers and prevents
accidental root burn.
Pure Taste for Edibles: Our delicate formulas do not
contain excess salts, urea, or ammonium salts that can ruin the flavor of
your harvest. Your fruit and vegetables will retain their pure, natural
taste.
Pollinator Friendly: Our boosters are designed to be safe
for honeybees and other beneficial insects, making them the responsible
choice for an organic-style garden.
🌿For Potted Plants: Breaking the "Foodless" Cycle
Schlumbergera - Christmas cactus - after boosting
flowers with Sunshine
Megaflor
Container-grown plants are trapped in soilless mixes (peat, bark,
perlite) that are structurally great but naturally nutrient-deficient.
Total Nutrition: Since pots lack the natural "buffet"
of the ground, SUNSHINE Boosters™ provide every
essential mineral the plant cannot find on its own.
No Salt Build-up: Our amino-acid based formulas are
consumed entirely by the plant, leaving zero toxic residue or root-burning
salts behind.
Daily Safety: Our mild concentrations eliminate the
"feast
or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers, making them safe for use with every
single watering.
Even in the ground, plants often struggle to absorb what they need
because soil compounds can "lock up" nutrients.
Enhanced Solubility: SUNSHINE Boosters create a
slightly acidic environment that helps dissolve stubborn salts in the soil,
making them accessible to roots again.
Precision Delivery: We provide mobile elements like
Nitrogen precisely when the plant needs to push new spring growth.
🌿The Foliar Advantage: Direct-to-Leaf Delivery
Did you know a plant leaf can absorb nutrients even more efficiently than
the roots? Foliar feeding is your "emergency button" for instant results.
Quick Fix: Foliar applications with Sunshine
Superfood are the fastest way to correct yellowing leaves or visible
deficiencies.
Metabolism Boost: Sprays like SUNSHINE-Epi act
as a bio-regulator, helping plants recover from the stress of spring
temperature swings.
Better Fruit:SUNSHINE Honey is applied to
leaves to naturally move sugars to the fruit, increasing sweetness and
flavor.
🌿The Calcium Problem: Solved
As your plants wake up this Spring, they need structural strength. Think
of Calcium as the "cement" that holds plant cells
together. Without it, new spring growth is doomed to fail.
Signs Your Plant is Starving for Calcium:
Deformed Leaves: New growth looks twisted, hooked, or
curled.
Blackened Tips: The very edges of young leaves turn white,
then quickly blacken and die.
The Industry Secret: The "Missing" Mineral
Most fertilizers, both dry and liquid, completely skip Calcium. Why?
Because it’s a chemical nightmare to keep stable in a concentrated
solution. Most manufacturers rely on your irrigation water to deliver
Calcium, but tap water is inconsistent and often fails to provide what a
hungry, growing plant needs.
The SUNSHINE Boosters: Stable Calcium in Every Bottle
We have successfully stabilized Calcium directly into every single
Sunshine Booster formula.
Whether you are using Bombino, Robusta, or Megaflor, you are delivering a
precise, stable dose of Calcium with every watering. No lockout, no
sediment, and no relying on the "luck" of your tap water. Just strong,
healthy cell walls and perfect spring growth.
🌿SUNSHINE-Epi: The Year-Round Bio-Regulator
Whether it’s the transition of spring, the extreme heat of summer,
or the dry air of indoor wintering, SUNSHINE-Epi is your
plant’s primary defense. This natural Brassinosteroid acts as a
powerful immune booster, helping plants navigate stress wherever it comes
from.
Universal Stress Shield: Protects against temperature
swings (both heat and cold), drought, and transplant shock.
Vigorous Development: Dramatically improves root growth
and speeds up the metabolism of young seedlings and cuttings.
Eco-Safe: 100% non-toxic to humans, pets, and
pollinators.
Note: While Epi is highly effective, it is a
performance booster, not a substitute for proper care. It works best when
paired with the right light, water, and a consistent feeding program. It
won't bring a dead plant back to life, but it will help a struggling one
find its footing.
Don't
let your garden wake up to an empty nutrition plate.
Smokey: Save your gas money for donuts. We're
shipping the boosters for free. Sunshine: Agreed. My charm covers the delivery
cost.
No coupon code required: The free shipping is automatically applied
at checkout.
Complete Nutrition: Stock up on Robusta, Superfood, and Epi for the Spring
growth push.
Offer
valid through 03/14/2026. Free shipping offer is valid on
SUNSHINE Boosters liquid products only. Not valid on previous purchases and
cannot be combined with any other offers, coupons, or discounts. Offer
subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Sunshine Boosters micro
elements and supplements - Superfood micro-element complex, Sunshine Epi
biostimulant and Sunshine Honey supplement for better fruit
❓Frequently Asked Questions: SUNSHINE Boosters™
What water should I use for foliar spraying?
Tap water works perfectly for most. However, if your water is very "hard"
(leaving white mineral spots on leaves), switch to distilled water for a
cleaner finish and better absorption.
How long does a diluted solution last?
For maximum potency and to avoid nutrient degradation, try to use your
diluted mixture
within a few hours of preparation. Keep away from direct sun. Fresh is
always best!
Can I use SUNSHINE Boosters as a daily foliar spray?
Yes! You can mist your plants daily to maintain high vigor, but you must
reduce the dosage (use half the recommended strength) to avoid over-feeding.
Can I mix boosters with pesticides or fungicides?
It is best to apply them separately. Mixing fertilizers with chemical
pesticides in one tank can trigger reactions that "lock out" nutrients or
reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
Will the liquid stain my patio or hands?
No. Unlike traditional fertilizers with heavy blue or pink dyes, our
solutions are clear or very light-colored. If you spill it, simply rinse
with water—no stains, no mess.
Can I mix different SUNSHINE Boosters together in one sprayer?
Yes. All SUNSHINE Boosters are chemically compatible. You can combine a
"growth" booster like Robusta with a "micro-element" complex like Superfood
in the same water to save time.
Are these products safe to use around my pets?
Absolutely. Our formulas are 100% non-toxic and amino-acid based. Just ask
Smokey and Sunshine—they are perfectly safe for households with
curious cats, dogs, and children.
Can I use these boosters on indoor plants?
Yes. They are ideal for indoor use because they don't produce a "fertilizer
smell" and won't cause salt crusting on your decorative pots or furniture.
Is it safe to use on fruit and vegetables I plan to eat?
Yes. Because our formulas contain no urea, nitrates, or harsh salts, they
don't leave a "chemical" aftertaste. They actually help improve the natural
sugars and flavor profile
of your harvest.
What is the best temperature for foliar spraying?
Apply when temperatures are below 85°F. Early morning or late evening
is best; this allows the leaves to remain wet longer, giving the plant more
time to absorb the nutrients.
What Fertilizer to Use and How?
Green
Magic controlled release fertilizer keeps plants green during active
growth season - apply only once in 6 months.
Sunshine: Smokey, you saved my coffee tree. But what do I
do now so it stays happy?
Smokey: Simple. Spray Sunshine Robusta every five days
during active growth.
Sunshine: Five days? Smokey, I barely remember where I left
my coffee
mug five minutes ago.
Smokey: That is exactly why we use Green Magic.
Sunshine: Fertilizer for forgetful gardeners?
Smokey: Controlled release. Sprinkle once and it feeds the
plant for six months.
Sunshine: Six months? I can have a very good nap in that
time.
Smokey: Exactly. The plant keeps eating slowly while you
keep napping.
Sunshine: Perfect. Remember, I will bring the coffee. You
bring the donuts.
Smokey: And next week we will show you exactly how Green
Magic works and why plants love it. Stay tuned.
