Loquat is one of the easiest tropical/subtropical fruit trees to grow,
with delicious fruit resembling Apricots (in fact, from the same family!).
This video presented by our video host David Mortimer.
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Date: 9 Aug 2021
Care of Desert Roses
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.
Q: I am interested in your Tahitian Gardenia and I would love to try and grow this plant in a
large container/fabric pot. The soil here where I live is terrible as it's hard rock, clay, and sand! So I'm not sure if amending the soil would help to plant in the ground? Can you tell me if this will do okay in a container or best in ground? I live here in Las Vegas, NV (zone 9a). Any information would be great to help me make a this decision, I love the selection of cool tropical plants you offer! Also my daughter does Tahitian/Polynesian dance and this would be a cool "topping on the cake" if she could have a live Tiare flower in her performances.
A:Tahitian Gardenia will be doing best if grown in container in your
area. In its natural habitat, it grows full sun but also it enjoys mild weather
conditions and high air humidity. All gardenias prefer acidic soils. In your
area, if planted in the ground, it may be exposed to some harsh conditions:
too high temperatures, too hot sun, dry air, and as you mentioned - heavy clay
and sandy soil. You can enjoy this plant grown in container, which can be
moved as needed away from too much sun during summer months. Use well-drained potting mix. Use plastic pot, do not use fabric or clay
pots - soil will dry out too quickly.
Also remember to fertilize this plant on regular basis with a liquid
fertilizer SUNSHINE Pikake - Fragrant Flower Booster.
Grow gardenia in full sun or semi-shade during the hottest months. You may
spray it with pure water if the air too dry and hot. Enjoy your Tropical
Beauty and good luck!
Encouraging blooms on the Hawaiian Sunset Bell Vine
Q: Please can you advise how to encourage the Stictocardia beraviensis the Hawaiian Sunset Bell
vine blooms? Mine is all beautiful leaves and full sun in Miami.
A: Providing full sun, Stictocardia blooms profusely. In your area, it
should be happy and thriving. However, keep in mind that these flowers can be seasonal (meaning, not ever-blooming). The good
news it, Hawaiian Sunset Bell usually blooms several times a year on and off. In our garden, we have a large plant growing in
the ground and covering a whole fence; we see flowers 3 times a year:
- Early Spring
- Summer (sporadically)
- Late Fall to early Winter
Make sure to provide proper fertilizer to encourage blooms. It is especially important if
you grow this plant in container (where nutrients are very limited). We suggest the following fertilizer for your
Stictocardia:
Q: I received my avocado Wurtz tree yesterday. Per instructions I
have put the tree in a pot first. However I am having difficulty deciding
what to trim off. Yesterday I removed obvious damaged leaves. However as you
can see, the leaves are lighter in some areas and contain yellow and red in
some spots. What would you advise? Given this is a critical state as I do not
want to shock the tree after the trip, I would like to do everything possible
to protect it and ensure viability.
A: Your Avocado tree looks great and healthy overall. You've done excellent job planting it. Wurtz is a good, vigorous variety, while the tree is somewhat dwarf,
great for containers.
You are right, it is the best for the tree to leave it alone and do not
trim or remove leaves any more, until it starts showing new growth. Then it will
be obvious what needs to be trimmed. Reddish/orange color of young leaves is
normal. If any spots or dots - no need to remove those leaves yet. Wait
until the plant grows more leaves. It needs them for photosynthesis, in order to
become stronger.
SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster from Garden Series, or Combo
Total Feed Collection - all nutrients in just one bottle, for fruit trees and
edibles.
