Q: I recently purchased a Mangifera indica - Coconut Cream Mango from you and would like to know if it is possible
to keep this in a large pot rather than putting it in the ground. If so, I
have a few questions:
1. How large would you expect this variety to get?
2. What are the ideal growing conditions? Full sun, partial sun,
etc...?
3. What is the ideal soil?
4. Any specific watering directions for ideal growth?
A: Coconut Cream mango tree has a moderate growth. We've planted
one in our garden 4 years ago and it is still under 10 ft tall. This variety
should be well suitable for container culture.
1. Keep the branches trimmed after fruiting is over. Mango trees can be
grown in 15 to 25 gal containers and can be trimmed under 7-8 ft high.
2. All mango trees need full sun, the more sun the better.
3. Mango needs very well draining soil, ideally with lots of bark and
perlite. We recommend our professional soilless mix or a similar formula.
4. Mango trees hate wet feet, and prefer to stay on a dry side: make
sure soil in a pot doesn't stay wet; allow it to dry a little between the
waterings.
Remember to apply Mango Food fertilizer during warm season for vigorous growth and heavy
crop!
Date: 2 Feb 2025
Valentines Day Best Gift Plant Ideas
Q: What are the most popular gift plants for the
Valentines day?
A: Valentines Day is the perfect occasion to show your love with a gift that lasts beyond just one day. While traditional flowers are lovely, a live plant offers a meaningful, long-lasting way to express your affection. Whether it's the vibrant blooms, fragrant leaves, or the joy of watching a
plant grow, gift plants bring a touch of nature and beauty into the home. Below are a few wonderful plant ideas to help you pick the perfect
gift for your loved ones this Valentines Day. Check out a short video: Sweetheart Hoya varieties
Wax Hearts, also known as Sweetheart Hoya or Valentine Hoya, comes in 3 kinds - Green
leaf, variegated Sunshine and Variegated
Moonlight - collect them all! These plants are the perfect way to show someone you care. Hoya kerrii, often called the Sweetheart Plant, has become a favorite houseplant in recent years due to its unique heart-shaped leaves. This quirky and unusual plant is ideal for those looking for a novelty gift for their plant enthusiast friends. Its easy care requirements and distinctive appearance make it a charming addition to any home, spreading love and beauty in a simple, yet meaningful way. It's the perfect plant to celebrate Valentines Day or any special occasion!
Jasmines are about to bloom, making now the perfect time to get them before their flowers open in spring! Some of the top picks include the timeless Jasmine Sambac, French Perfume Jasmine, Rose Bud Jasmine, Night Blooming Jasmine, Parijat Jasmine Tree, and Jasmine Molle (Indian Jui). These varieties are not only beautiful but also fill your home or garden with their unforgettable, fragrant blossoms. Whether you're looking to add a touch of elegance to your space or sear!
ching for a fragrant gift, these jasmines are a must-have for any plant lover. Get them now and enjoy their aromatic beauty as they begin to bloom!
Compact Rhododendron Azalea - Red Cherry Miniature
The Vivid Red Cherry Miniature Azalea is a stunning, cold-hardy evergreen that blooms with vibrant cherry-red flowers in spring and fall. Very compact and easy to care for, it thrives in shady spots and offers year-round beauty with its glossy, dark green leaves. Whether used as a hedge, accent, or screen, this semi-dwarf variety adds a pop of color to any garden or home. A perfect way to share lasting beauty and joy with someone special!
Looking for a unique Valentines gift? The Condo Mango is the perfect choice! This compact, dwarf mango tree
thrives in containers, making it ideal for small spaces like balconies or even indoors. With its manageable size and vibrant fruit, it's a thoughtful and practical gift that brings a tropical touch to any home. Plus, with a little
pruning, it can stay small while still producing delicious mangoes. Share the joy of gardening and fruit-growing with someone special this Valentines Day!
Learn more about Condo Mango from our Telegram Chanel: What are the Condo Mangos? A Practical Guide and Top 10 Dwarf Condo Mango - great for container culture
Shady spots aren't a problem - they're an opportunity
Photo above: Niki and Cash, the Top Tropicals PeopleCats-in-residence, lounging in a lush indoor
jungle
Most tropical gardens have at least one corner that gets morning light,
filtered sun, or just bright shade - and that's exactly where Anthuriums thrive, along with many other shade-loving plants. That makes them ideal for spaces where other
tropicals struggle.
Don't have a greenhouse? You don't need one. Anthuriums do beautifully
on a shaded porch, in a screened lanai, or even indoors near a north or
east-facing window. They're perfect for:
Bathrooms with natural light
Bright kitchens with indirect sun
Shaded entryways or under eaves
Hanging baskets under tree cover
Mounting on cork or wood in humid areas
Even a small space can feel like a tropical conservatory with the right
plant - and Anthuriums bring that look without being demanding. They grow
slowly, stay manageable, and don't need constant pruning or repotting.
Best of all, they reward consistency. Keep them warm, give them some
humidity, water when the top inch feels dry, and they'll stay healthy for years.
No drama - just quiet, lasting beauty.
If you've never grown tropicals in the shade, this is where to start.
Q: How to
grow Baobab bonsai properly? How long does it take to shape a nice little
bonsai tree?
A: Baobab,
or Adansonia digitata, is a unique addition to a bonsai collection. Native
to Africa, it has an unusual structure and appearance. Some legends say that
the tree was cast down from the heavens and landed upside down, where it
began to grow. This story is no doubt a result of its appearance in the
winter, when the upper branches of the tree look more like roots than treetops.
The Baobab has some specific needs, but if you pay careful attention to its
requirements, this tree is not difficult to grow and makes an excellent
bonsai specimen.
1. Keep Baobab warm, it is sensitive to freeze.
2. Place Baobab in a bright, sunny window. Baobabs need at least six
hours of full sunlight per day, so a window with a western or southern exposure
is best. If your house doesn't get enough light, supplement natural light
with artificial grow lights. See article Indoor lighting for
tropical plants.
3. Water Baobab regularly during the growing season whenever the soil
is dry. Never water the tree when it is dormant (dropped leaves).
4. Feed Baobab a good-quality fertilizer about once a month. Apply
micro-element solution SUPERFOOD once a month, as well as SUNSHINE-BC plant booster for Bonsai and Caudex plants.
5. Prune the branches of your Baobab bonsai as often as they need it to
give the tree the shape you desire, pruning or pinching off branches that
are growing at odd angles or are too long. Trim early in the spring before new
growth appears.
6. Repot the baobab bonsai every year in Spring. Remove it from pot and
trim the roots back by one-third of their length, completely removing any
that are damaged or dead. Place it in a container that is twice the size of the
root ball and fill the pot with a well-drained soil like Adenium Mix.
It is believed that it takes forever to form a nice shaped tree, up to a
few years. However if you provide warmth and bright light, branches grow
very quickly, and an experienced bonsai hobbyist can make a unique specimen
within 2-3 years. And then, the tree will stay with you for 5000 years - it can
be passed from generation to generation!
The Alien Lily: why this rare Peruvian bulb is taking over garden feeds
Eucrosia bicolor - Peruvian lily
The Alien Lily: why this rare Peruvian bulb is taking over garden feeds 🔥
Most bulbs are predictable, but Eucrosia bicolor is a total showstopper. Discover why this rare Peruvian lily looks like a firework and how to grow it.
💥 I planted a simple, nondescript bulb and honestly? I wasn’t prepared for what came out of the soil. This one feels like it belongs in a museum, or on a tiny stage with spotlights!
💥 Eucrosia bicolor is not your typical garden plant - it’s a rare bulb from the dry regions of Peru, and when it blooms, it puts on a theatrical performance. It’s rare, it’s a bit dramatic, and it looks like something designed for a sci-fi movie set.
Peruvian Lily Plant Facts
Botanical name: Eucrosia bicolor Also known as: Peruvian Lily
USDA Zone: 8 - 11
Highligths
Picture this: you’ve got a simple tulip-like bulb sitting quietly for months. Then suddenly, a flower stalk shoots up, and out comes this wild bloom - bright red base with long, thin golden “whiskers” sticking out like fireworks frozen mid-burst. It doesn’t even look real at first glance.
💥 Move over, Orchids: why Peruvian Lily is the ultimate conversation starter
The Eucrosia bicolor is a rare bulb from the dry forests of Peru. For months, it sits quietly in its pot, looking like a plain onion. But then, the magic happens:
· The "Fireworks" Bloom: A tall stalk shoots up, topped with bright red flowers and impossibly long, golden-tipped "whiskers. · The"Museum"Look: The stamens are so long and delicate they look like frozen explosions or a tiny botanical chandelier. · Lush Foliage: Even when it isn't blooming, its broad, soft leaves offer a"Lily of the Valley"elegance that keeps your shelf looking green.
💥 The"introverted"bulb: why you should stop watering this plant to make it bloom
Being part of the Amaryllis family, Peruvian Lily has a unique quirk: it craves a"disappearing act."
It requires a dry dormancy period where it completely dies back.
It’s essentially a"don't call me, I'll call you"plant.
But when it decides it's time? It comes back stronger every year.
💥 Quick Care Guide for Collectors
How to Master the"Peruvian Performance"? Caring for this rarity is actually quite simple once you understand its rhythm.
· Light. Yes, it blooms in shade! To get those museum-quality blooms, you’ll want to place it in a spot with warmth and bright, indirect sunlight - a sunny windowsill is usually its happy place. · Water. During its active growing season, keep the soil moist, but here is the"secret sauce": once the leaves begin to yellow, stop watering entirely. This mimics the dry season in Peru and allows the bulb to rest. · Placement. Because of this specific"on/off"cycle, it’s best kept in a container where you can easily control its environment and move it to a place of honor the moment those firework-like stalks appear. · The Verdict: It’s not a constant bloomer, and that’s exactly why it's special. When that stalk finally appears, it feels like an event. It’s the kind of plant that makes you run to the living room every morning just to see if"today is the day."
