Q: I need a tree for a space that is close to a pool and I don't
want a tree that is shedding leaves all year long. I don't want it too big
either. The canary tree caught my attention but I need to know if it is a
tree that is dropping leaves all year. If it does then can you recommend another
tree? I live in Fort Lauderdale.
A:Canary tree is a good choice. It is free-flowering pretty little tree.
It is evergreen and doesn't shed leaves too much especially in your area with
mild winter. However, keep in mind that every plant sheds leaves. Even
evergreen trees replace old leaves with new ones. Some trees more than others.
Flowers also have a seasonal drop.
You may check the full list of compact flowering trees suitable for small spaces.
Another great choice is a Dwarf Tree Jasmine, Radermachera - also a free-flowering tree with rose-fragrant flowers
and large, architectural leaves that hardly ever drop. It has very dense yet
compact columnar shape, and is one of the greatest trees for smaller
landscapes.
Q: Can you please tell me which zones are the best for growing
Angel Trumpets? When do they bloom and is there a specific fertilizer to use on
them?
Do you sell any variegated varieties?
A: If you are lucky enough to live in an area that doesn't
freeze or only has light frosts, you can grow Brugmansia (common name Angel Trumpet) outside all year long. They are
only entirely hardy in USDA zones 9-12, but they remain very popular
throughout the United States. They do really well in coastal settings in the
Southwest. They are simply glorious in the coastal areas of South California. In the
southwestern states, as well as in the tropics, they bloom spectacularly
throughout the spring, summer, and autumn.
Angel Trumpets are very heavy feeders and they need huge amounts of
nitrogen. You can use a standard balanced slow-release fertilizer on Brugmansia,
but then you must apply it very generously. We've created a specialized
fertilizer just for them. Angel Trumpet Delight is a perfect Brugmansia food for frequent monthly
feed. It's a 30-day Smart-Release formula that works wonders for Angel
Trumpets. A a well-balanced combination of macro- and micro- nutrients with a slow
release action, it provides continuous feed, maintains vigor and disease
resistance. It also contains coated nitrogen, early release nutrients and extra
iron (water soluble and chelated) for quick green-up.
Angel Trumpets come in a dazzling array of colors: orange, yellow,
green, white, pink, red, emerald and even purple (closely related Datura). One of our favorites is the beautiful Variegated Orange Angel Trumpet, a new hybrid with variegated leaves
and a large single bloom that starts white and turns orange. Another amazing
variety is "Sun Explosion" - with a variegated orange flower.
Most folks are usually in awe of the enormous trumpet flowers when they
see it for the
very first time. They most definitely need to be planted where they can be
admired… near a deck, terrace, lanai or, entryway. The blossoms are
short-lived, but numerous, continuous, and truly show-stopping! And they smell so
good! This is a must have in any tropical garden. They can be grown either as a
bush or a small tree. They are easy peasy to grow and root extremely easily,
making them great as pass-along gifts for friends. They are sun-loving and
super fast-growing plants. Plenty of water and fertilizers keep them happy and
at their best. Did I mention they smell good too? ;)
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.
The most wonderful, easily growing, giant flowering, fragrant, and
floriferous species of Selenicereus I have grown is an almost unknown species
called
Selenicerius hondurensis. While its climbing stems are rarely thicker than a
Sharpie marker, it's flowers measure 12 to 14 inches across (!), open as the
sun is setting, and produce a most incredible fragrance... very rich and
spreading thru the area. It smells like a combination of both white chocolate and
vanilla. S. hondurensis also develops the most richly colored flowers of the
Selenicerei, the outermost petals being a glowing orangey-gold. It's very
stunning and provocative! It flowers magnificently, several times during the
summer... Continue reading...
Q: Winter marks the vegetable season in Florida,
and my half-acre vegetable garden in Highlands County thrives during this
time. I cultivate a variety of produce, including tomatoes, cucumbers, onions,
beets, various lettuces, radishes, and beans. Despite the sandy and poor
soils, I manage a bountiful harvest that not only sustains my extended family but
also provides for friends throughout the winter. To combat our sandy soil
challenges, I heavily rely on fertilizers.
Recently, I came across your Sunshine Boosters products, and the results on my tomatoes were
astonishing. They grew twice as fast compared to those on a "manure" bed. What I
appreciate most about your product is its natural composition, allowing me to
use it on edibles. The convenience of easily integrating liquid fertilizer into
our irrigation system is a game-changer.
I'm curious if you offer budget-friendly deals on your boosters for
larger gardens?
ON SALE TODAY
A: Absolutely! We have just the solution you're
looking for - our
Professional Series of Sunshine Boosters is tailored for avid growers like you.
Having catered to the needs of various crops, including tomato and hemp
farms, our natural, amino acid-based professional formulas are the most economical
choice for any scale of production.
Our professional series covers everything, from small backyard gardens
to extensive greenhouses. The feeding process involves just three solutions
mixed with water in your fertilizer tank: NPK (Advantage or BloomBoom,
depending on the growth stage), Ca-Support (Calcium supplement), and Microelements
(Constanta-Pro). This comprehensive nutrient package meets all your garden's
needs. (See
advanced info about Sunshine PRO products.)
If you haven't implemented an injector system yet, consider the Robuster - an easy-to-install, care-free automatic system that
takes care of all the work for you.
