🐿 Macadamia trees (Macadamia integrifolia) that were flowering earlier in Spring, are now full of nuts at Top Tropicals garden! We are looking forward to harvesting these sweet, delicious and nutritious treats, competing with squirrels!
Cananga fruticosa - Dwarf Ylang-Ylang Tree, Chanel No 5 Tree
✨ Perfume in a pot: exotic Dwarf Chanel No 5 Tree
⭐️ The Chanel No. 5 tree in a pot? Yep.
Cananga fruticosa - Dwarf Ylang-Ylang Tree, is the compact cousin of the famous perfume tree. It has the same elegant, drooping flowers that smell like the original Ylang-Ylang - the scent behind Chanel No. 5 - just in a smaller, easy-to-grow version.
⭐️ It stays nicely shaped like a little tree, blooms year-round in warm weather, and does great in a container. Just give it bright light, and if the air is humid, you'll get that dreamy fragrance in full force.
⭐️ A perfect plant for anyone who wants their space to smell amazing - naturally.
Rare Orchid Tree you may never find again and everyone wants
Bauhinia madagascariensis - Red Butterfly Orchid Tree
🌺Rare Orchid Tree you may never find again and everyone wants
🌺 Bauhinia madagascariensis, the Red Butterfly Orchid Tree, is one of the most dazzling flowering trees you can grow.
🌺 Its scarlet blooms open like bright butterflies, each petal painted with a golden stripe at the base. When in full bloom, the tree looks alive with fluttering wings.
🌺 It's fast-growing, can be kept as a small tree or a large bush, and thrives in full sun. A rare orchid tree species and a true collector’s prize. Grow it in a pot or in the ground.
Most people picture cactus as desert plants: hot sun, sharp spines, dry
sand. But that’s only half the story. There’s another branch of
the family that lives in the shade of rainforests. These are the jungle
cacti
— epiphyte plants that climb trees, trail from branches, and throw out
flowers so big and showy they look closer to orchids than to cactus
blooms.
See one up close and it’s a surprise. The stems can be flat,
zig-zagged, or even curly. Some trail like ferns, others pile into a shaggy
basket. And when the flowers open — often at night —
they’re
wide, fragrant, and gone by morning. It’s no wonder gardeners like
them
from a first sight.
✔️
Jungle Cactus Q&A
Aren’t all cacti desert plants?
Not these. Jungle cacti are epiphytes and grow in rainforests, clinging
to trees and catching rain. They never touch desert sand.
What kind of light do they need?
Outdoors, filtered sun under a tree works best. Indoors, give them
bright but indirect light — east or north windows are usually safe.
Direct
summer sun can scorch the stems, whether inside or out.
How much water is safe?
They take more water than desert cactus but still hate wet feet.
Outdoors, a rain shower is fine if the pot drains fast. Indoors, water when
the top
inch of soil feels dry. Always use a loose mix like Adenium
mix so roots get some air.
Do they bloom indoors?
Yes. In fact, many bloom better inside where conditions are steady. They
set buds when a little root-bound, and cooler nights help. Outdoors in
frost-free zones, flowers come with seasonal shifts. Indoors, expect
surprise buds
after a cool spell by the window.
Best way to display them?
Hanging baskets show off trailing stems both inside and out. Shallow
pots work well on shelves or ledges indoors. In warm climates, they can even
be
tied to a tree branch outside — exactly how they grow in the wild.
Extra note on indoor vs. outdoor care?
Indoors, watch for dry heated air in winter — they like a bit of
humidity. A tray of pebbles and water under the pot helps. Outdoors, protect
from heavy midday sun and bring them in if nights dip below the mid 30s
F.
Jungle cacti are easy to keep and full of surprises. Whether trailing
from a basket or blooming after dark, they prove that not every cactus
belongs
in the desert.
