Date: 28 Dec 2020
Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster
How to grow a happy Red Jade Vine?
Q: My Red Jade Vine has the leaf tips turning brown. I water this plant four times a week and I am using a half a teaspoon of miracle grow bloom booster 15-30-15 per 2 gallons, every two weeks. In the beginning I had to water this plant off city water in South Fort Myers. Over the last two months I picked up a dechlorinator buggy plus threw that on my hose and I've been watering it with that but it didn't seem to make a difference. I put this plant in the ground last September. It has three shoots that run into the top of the tree, so it is growing but leaves seem to drop off down low at the base of the vine and the brown tipping running into the top of the plant. But not the newest shoot its leaves are solid green all the way at the top. Thanks for any advice.
A: Mucuna benettii - Red Jade vine - is not the easiest plant to grow, and
we are glad your vine is growing well. For those who love this plant but not
ready to face all challenges, we recommend its cousin - Camptosema grandiflora - Dwarf Red Jade Vine, which is much hardier and
easier plant.
We looked at the photos and these are our thoughts.
1) The top of the plant with green fresh leaves definitely indicates
that the plant is generally healthy and vigorous.
2) Dry tips of the old leaves may indicate excess salts in soil, in
combination with the summer heat that it went through. Based on your feeding program
description, that fertilizer may create a problem. Water soluble traditional
fertilizers are EDTA-chelated which often causes nutrients lock up in soil
and leaf drop. Try to stay away from that fertilizer for a month and let the
rains and/or irrigation water flush the soil for a couple of weeks.
3) Red Jade vine is a very sensitive species. Normally, during hot season
it is safe to use traditional fertilizers, especially slow-release granulated.
However, with this plant we recommend you to switch to more delicate formula
and use only liquid fertilizer.
SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster will be the best. It is
safe to use it as frequent as with every watering! It is amino-acid
based, and will be totally consumed by the plant without nutrient lockup.
4) Another cause of dry leaf tips may be micro-element deficiency.
Megaflor booster already has all necessary micro-nutrients in it, plus you
may apply some extra: SUNSHINE Superfood.
5) You may continue using regular water for watering (including city water)
as long as you use amino-acid based plant food and supplements: they improve
soil acidity (what tropical plants like is acidic soil, and Florida soils
are alkaline). Additionally, to improve soil acidity which can be critical for
this Mucuna species, you may add 1"layer of pure peat moss on top of the
soil around the plant. Please keep us in loop how the plant is doing. It is
pretty rare species in cultivation and we will be happy to help you to keep it
thriving.
Date: 25 Jan 2021
Coastal Plants. List of plants that do well in coastal areas
In the photo: Delonix regia - Royal poinciana, Flamboyant
Q: How can I get a list of plants that do well in coastal areas (i.e. next to sea)?
A: Many tropical plants live by the sea in natural habitat and
don't mind ocean breeze. We have a large selection to pick from. The following
groups of spectacular flowering trees will enjoy coastal environment:
Cordia trees
Plumerias
Orchid trees (Bauhinias)
Caesalpinias
Callistemons (Bottle brush trees)
Cassias
Many palm trees
See full list of salt-tolerant plants available at this time.
In the photo: Cordia sebestena - Scarlet Geiger tree
Date: 5 Jan 2021
Growing Loquat in container
Q: I purchased a Sherry Loquat tree from you in April of 2020. It got off to a slow start initially, but now is five feet tall with healthy leaf growth! It is in a 15-gallon pot and was brought into the house by October 15th. I live in Zone 6 and kept the plant outside from end of May to October 15th. I have given the tree artificial lights in addition to slow release fertilizer. Can you please advise me on what steps I need to take to get the Sherry Loquat tree to fruit? E.g., lighting requirements, soil pH, soil type, etc.
A: Loquat is normally winter flowering and spring fruiting tree, here in Florida it is usually heavily covered with fruit by April. With a proper care, you may see flowers throughout the winter and they may set some fruit for you. Considering that during this time you have to keep the plant indoors, here are some recommendations:
1. Soil. Well-drained, porous potting mix. Do not use any heavy garden soils. For our plants we use the following mix which is excellent for containers: Abundance
2. Light. The brighter the better. Sunroom would be great, or at least put the tree next to a large window. Extra lighting with grow lights is beneficial. Any type of light will work, you can even use a simple clip-on light, the brighter the better. 8-10 hours a day.
3. Water. Loquat is drought tolerant but for fruiting it will need regular watering; just don't keep soil soggy, let is slightly dry before waterings.
4. Fertilizer program. Use liquid fertilizer. We recommend Sunshine
Boosters that are safe to use with every watering and year around - SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster.
We recommend to switch plants from traditional"slow-release"fertilizer to the liquid one because it makes a huge difference in plant growth and flower/fruit quality and quantity.
Sunshine Boosters are scientifically balanced fertilizers that supply all necessary elements for daily plant
needs. They are natural and eco-safe, great for any edibles.
5. Micro-elements. These are essential for potted plants, because in containers roots can't reach out to elements that are usually present in soil when trees grown in the ground.
Apply micro-element remedies that are very effective for improving fruit production,
especially when flower or fruit drop occurs:
SUNSHINE Honey - promotes more efficient blossoming and pollination, makes flowers bigger and reduces bud
drop.
SUNSHINE SuperFood - improves plant vigor and quality and size of flowers
These are all natural, eco-friendly supplements that work great for fruit trees and other edibles.
Read more about Loquat trees: The best grafted Loquat varieties.
Date: 26 Mar 2026
🌸 How to Grow Adeniums Without Overthinking It
By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top Tropicals with Smokey & Sunshine help
✅ Simple rules that actually make them bloom and grow well
- Light - The more light, the better the growth and flowering. Full sun is ideal, but in very hot climates, filtered bright light keeps plants looking healthier.
- Water - Water well, then let soil dry on the surface. Sitting in wet soil damages roots, but letting plants dry out too often can push them into early dormancy.
- Pot and shaping - Use a shallow pot with excellent drainage. To develop a sculptural caudex, lift the plant slightly each time you repot and remove some of the top soil so upper roots become exposed. Over time, this creates a thicker, more prominent base.
- Soil - Use a fast-draining Adenium potting Mix.
- Cold hardiness - Adeniums are tropical and do not tolerate frost. Keep above 40 F. Brief drops to mid 30s may be tolerated if dry, but cold and wet conditions can damage or kill the plant. In cooler climates, bring indoors or protect during cold nights.
- Indoor winter care - Move plants indoors before cold nights. Place in the brightest spot possible, ideally a south-facing window. Or use additional lighting. Water very lightly and less often, as growth slows. Do not fertilize during dormancy. Some leaf drop is normal in winter.
- Feeding - Adeniums respond best to liquid fertilizer. We apply Sunshine Megaflor Booster with each watering throughout the year. During dormancy, watering is reduced, so fertilizer use decreases accordingly. Consistent, light feeding promotes strong roots, a thicker caudex, and improved flowering.
- Pruning - For multiple blooms, regular pruning is essential. After flowering, cut back long or leggy growth to stimulate branching. Each new branch can produce more buds, leading to a much fuller bloom in the next cycle.
✍️ Learn more about Adeniums from our Blog
🎥 Watch videos of Adenium Rainbow
🛒 Explore Exotic Adenium varieties
Date: 17 Jul 2025
Mango tasting table with Chiane and Ashley
📱
#Food_Forest #Mango #Mango_Rainbow
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals