Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 14 May 2019

How to get gingers to bloom

TopTropicals.com

Q: I have several gingers in my yard, including Red Torch, Lobster Claw, and Red Bamboo Ginger, they grow beautifully but only produce large dark green leaves and no flowers. Is there anything I can do to make them bloom? Do they need any special fertilizer?

A: Gingers are easy to grow tropical plants with so many benefits, giving us unique spice, and showy flowers (including long-lasting cut flowers!) - where other plants fail, especially in deep shade. They are not fussy about soils and even water once established. To keep your gingers happy, follow these simple steps:

1. Bright light is essential for flowering, but planting gingers in semi-shade or filtered light will keep them stress-free from burning summer rays.
2. Water gingers regularly until they established and start producing new leaves and stems. Once they start clumping, you may reduce watering to a minimum 9once a week or so), or rely on your sprinkler system.
3. Once the plant is established, start using fertilizer to induce flowering and healthy growth.
- We recommend granulated "smart release" fertilizer for all tropical plants. For gingers, the best formula is Tropical Allure. It provides all macro- and microelements essential for the healthy growth of the plant.
- Apply balanced water-soluble plant food for Gingers, Heliconias and Bananas - Broad Leaf Plus - once a month.
- Additionally, you may also add to the menu flower booster Pink N Good Daly Plant Food - this fertilizer is used in very low concentration and can be used with every watering.
4. Remove old dry and yellowing leaves with sharp cutters to avoid pest problems and keep good air circulation around these clumping plants.
5. Keep soil covered with 1"mulch to protect from weeds and maintain the optimal amount of moisture for the rhizomes.

Check out our specialized fertilizers for different plants - for all your gardening needs!

TopTropicals.com

Date: 25 May 2024

Whats wrong with your water? (Dont do this to your irrigation system)

Whats wrong with your water? (Dont do this to your irrigation system)

🎥 What's wrong with your water? (Don't do this to your irrigation system)



☔️ Your hose or rain water brings your plants a drink, but not a plant food! Adding composted manure to your irrigation is just not the right solution... Instead, you should make a solution of scientifically formulated liquid plant food - Sunshine Boosters.

💧All Sunshine Boosters are compatible and can be mixed all in one watering-can right before use.

💧They can be used with every watering, year around including winter time

💧Different formulas designed for different plant types: fruiting, flowering, foliage plants, etc., plus additional supplements of microelements and biostimulants.

💧Sunshine Boosters have a full spectrum of essential elements. Amino-acids provide total consumption, so nutrients do not build up in soil even with daily applications.

🛒 Shop Sunshine Boosters 💦

#Fertilizers

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 28 Jun 2024

Fruit of Money and Love

Theobroma cacao - Chocolate Tree, Cacao Tree

Theobroma cacao - Chocolate Tree, Cacao Tree

Theobroma cacao - Chocolate Tree, Cacao Tree

Theobroma cacao - Chocolate Tree, Cacao Tree

Theobroma cacao - Chocolate Tree, Cacao Tree

Theobroma cacao - Chocolate Tree, Cacao Tree

❤️💰 Fruit of Money and Love



Theobroma cacao, commonly known as the Chocolate Tree or Cacao Tree, is very exciting plant and a superfood as we mentioned earlier.

💥 Theobroma means "food of the gods" in Greek. "Theo" means god, and "broma" means food.

💥 The Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs were among the first to cultivate cacao, using it to make a bitter beverage called xocoatl. It was often spiced with chili peppers and used in various rituals and ceremonies.

💥 Currency: in ancient Mesoamerican cultures, cacao beans were so valuable that they were used as a form of currency. For example, 100 beans could buy a slave or a turkey.

💥 The Aztecs believed that cacao had stimulating properties and used it as an aphrodisiac. Emperor Montezuma was said to consume a large amount of cacao before visiting his harem. We can't deny that chocolate's mood-enhancing properties, combined with cultural and psychological factors, contribute to its romantic allure! ❤️

💥 A cacao pod contains 20 to 50 beans, each surrounded by a sweet, mucilaginous pulp. The pods grow directly on the trunk and larger branches of the tree, a feature known as cauliflory.

💥 After harvesting, cacao beans are fermented for several days, a critical step that develops the flavor precursors needed for chocolate production.

💥 The Cacao tree thrives in the humid, tropical regions around the equator. It can be grown as an exciting house plant.

💥 Health benefits: cacao beans are rich in antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and other minerals. They also contain flavonoids, associated with heart health benefits.

💥 There are three main varieties of cacao beans: Criollo, Forastero, and Trinitario. Criollo is considered the highest quality but is less common due to its susceptibility to disease. Forastero is the most widely grown, known for its hardiness. Trinitario is a hybrid of the two.

💥 It takes about 400 cacao beans to make one pound of chocolate. The beans undergo roasting, grinding, and mixing with sugar and other ingredients to produce the final chocolate product.

📚Learn more: Plants of Love - Aphrodisiacs of the plant world

🛒 Grow your own Chocolate Tree

#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 25 Jun 2024

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul

Plumeria

Plumeria

💻 "Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul." - Luther Burbank

📸 Plumeria (mentioned earlier) is one of the most beautiful and desired perfume flowers. It makes you happy.

🛒 Shop plumeria varieties

#Quotes

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 28 Sep 2024

What is Barbados Gooseberry?

Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry, flowers

Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry, flowers

Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry

Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry

Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry, fruit

Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry, fruit

What is Barbados Gooseberry?



Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry, is a very interesting, unusual addition for any self-sustaining landscape due to its fast-growing nature and unique combination of cactus and leafy vine, with beautiful flowers and showy edible fruit.

Low-maintenance plant, it is perfect for covering walls or fences, adds greenery and a productive food source, making it both practical and visually appealing.

A unique cactus with real leaves, unlike most cacti. Needs very little water.

Fast-growing vine that can cover fences or walls quickly.

When in bloom, the vine is covered with beautiful white flowers, followed by bright orange, edible, tangy fruits.

Great for adding greenery and a food source to your garden.

🛒 Plant Barbados Gooseberry

#Food_Forest #Hedges_with_benefits

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