Date: 20 Dec 2019
Plumeria cold protection
Q: We have a purple-flowering plumeria which resides on our sunny deck during the warm months and then Winter vacations on our back porch where we can close the plastic film windows and where it stays above 50 degrees (overnite) until it can get moved outside again. We live in zone 8+ in South Carolina and I would love to plant it outside. Do you think if we ghost-covered it when alerted that we would have an overnite freeze, that it would survive being planted in the ground and recover to flower when warm? I don't believe the soil in our yard has ever frozen below the top 1/2 inch or so, and never for more than a few hours at a time. What do you think?
A: Plumerias are tropical plants, which means, they need frost-free environment. Even if the ground is frozen only on "the top ½" or so"- this may be enough to kill the plant. From our experience, plumerias can withstand a few hours of windchill frost (not frozen soil), but even if they survive, they may get some branches damage, and recovery may take so long that the plant may not even bloom the next year. So I wouldn't take that risk even with a ghost-cover cold protection. We have customers who grow tropical plants in the ground in colder areas, but they have greenhouse protection: this means, the soil is warm and the air temperature is maintained above 45-50F. For example, this Greenhouse in Virginia.
We recommend to continue growing your rare plumeria in container and
move it inside when temperatures drop below 50F (recommended) and for sure when
they drop below freezing. Plumeria can take a cold night (a few hours of
upper 30's) as long as it is followed by a nice warm sunny afternoon with at
least upper 50s. Otherwise, keep it indoors. The good news is, since plumerias
are deciduous and have no leaves in winter, low light level won't affect the
plant.
Just make sure to minimize watering and keep the plant on a dry side
until it starts growing new leaves in Spring. You may continue fertilizing once
a week with half-doze of Sunshine boosters - Sunshine TotalFeed. This will maintain the plant healthy and prepare
for the blooming season in Spring.
Date: 28 Sep 2019
Fragrance of Angel Hair Jasmine
Q: I got angel hair jasmine, it started flowering, but it does not have any smell. What can be done?
A: Jasminum pubescens - Angel Hair Jasmine has very fine fragrance. It is
not as strong as some other jasmines like Sambac for example. However flowers do have a sweet scent especially in
the early morning hours, as long as the plant is well-established, grows in
a warm and humid environment. Keep in mind that flowers on young small plants
that do not have a developed root system, may not be as fragrant as on
mature vigorous specimens. Also, this jasmine needs a full sun location and
regular fertilizer for profuse flowering.
We recommend the following fertilizers to boost flowering energy:
- Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
- Plumeria Top Dress - Smart-Release Booster
Use microelements at least once a month to improve plant vigor and quality
of flowers
Date: 25 Jun 2019
How soon will Guava tree fruit?
Q: Can you tell me how your Guava trees are propagated? Grown from seed vs. air grafted, etc.? I'm interested especially in the Barbie variety. In particular, I'd like to know how long it takes them to bear fruit - I live in Southern California zone 10b, with good sunlight.
A: Guavas can be propagated by seed, air layers, or grafting.
Propagation method depends on the species.
Cattley guavas - Psidium littorale - are usually grown from seeds and start flowering
and producing as early as in 2-3 years from seed. Tropical guavas, Psidium guajava - especially named varieties, are propagated usually by
air layers, and the rarest varieties like Variegated Honey Moon are often grafted, although they will come true
from seed (it's just takes them longer to fruit). Both air-layered and grafted
plants start producing right away, usually on the same year of planting or
next year, depending on growing conditions.
Barbie Pink is a superior variety, very popular among fruit lovers. It
produces large aromatic fruit with a bright pink pulp and very few seeds. This
variety is air-layered; in our nursery, these plants start flowering and
setting fruit in 3 gal containers.
Plant this tree in full sun and provide regular watering, guavas don't
like to dry out. Use fertile soil, with at least 50% of compost, and add some
soil conditioning components for better drainage: bark, sand, perlite, etc.
Mulch well, just make sure to keep mulch 2-3"away from the trunk. Follow our
detailed planting instructions that come with every plant, and you are good
to go!
Recommended fertilizers:
Fruit Festival Plant Food - Super Crop Booster
Mango-Food - Smart Release Fruit Tree Booster
Date: 17 May 2019
Grafted Guanabana - what is the trick?
Q:Should I buy grafted Guanabana or a seedling? It is a big price difference. I have heard that Annonas fruit within 3 years from seed, why do I need a grafted tree?
A: Annona muricata - Guanabana, or Soursop - is known as the best tasting
Annona fruit. Many fruit lovers and gardeners want to have this tree in their
plant collection, and the first question they always ask is: "How soon will
it fruit? I can't wait to enjoy its deliciousness!"
Most Annonas start flowering and fruiting at a young age, 3-4 years from
seed. Annona muricata seedling takes longer. You may read more information on
how to grow Guanabanas from seed, even in a pot, even indoors - in Tropical Treasures Magazine issue # 7. Although it may take up to 15
years to see the fruit...
Now we have a solution to get this fruit sooner - a grafted tree! It
will fruit within a year after planting. The secret of grafting Guanabana was
almost lost (it's a tricky one to graft) and grafted plants were nearly
impossible to find. Now we have them! Quantities are limited.
Keep in mind that Guanabana is very cold sensitive and won't tolerate
even light freeze. However it is still relatively easy to grow even in
subtropical areas: the tree is small, and if tree grown in ground, a simple cold
protection structure can be built around it using basic wood or pipes (metal or
PVC) and covered with plastic for a few weeks of cold weather. Grafted
Guanabana is also a perfect choice for container culture (hand-pollinating maybe
required).
Photo: This grafted tree was planted less than a year ago, and was covered in winter with cold protection for about 8 weeks. Within a year, it has 4 large fruit on it!
Date: 16 Jan 2019
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!