Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 9 Apr 2024

How to start a tropical garden?

Lagerstroemia

Photo above: Lagerstroemia speciosa - Queen Crape Myrtle. Gorgeous flowering tree with cascades of lilac flowers. One of the most popular trees in Southern gardens.

Q: It's spring, finally! I can't wait to plant my paradise garden with lots of tropical flowers. We moved into a nice new house but the yard has nothing but grass. Where do I start?

A: When you start your garden from scratch, you need to plant your trees first. It's a perfect timing!
Getting tropical flowering trees now is really important for making your garden strong and beautiful. Trees are like the bones of your garden, giving it shape and shade. If you plant them in spring, they have enough time to grow strong roots before winter. This helps them survive better.
Trees also give shade to other plants so they can grow well too. It's like building a house - you need to start with the frame before adding other parts. So, it's a good idea to get those trees now before moving on to shrubs and vines.
Remember to provide regular fertilizing program which is the most important during season of active growth. The more food your tree gets, the stronger and faster it grows! For flowering trees, we recommend Sunshine Boosters Megaflor formula.

Royal  poinciana,  Flamboyant  tree,  Delonix  regia

Photo above: Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree - Delonix regia."The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance."(Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)

Date: 27 Jan 2024

Valentine Sweetheart Hoya:
a must gift for your Valentine

Hoya  kerrii  -  Sweetheart,  Valentine  Hoya

Q: What plant can you recommend for a Valentines Day present?

A: There is a perfect plant specifically for Valentine's Day! When it comes to finding the ideal plant for an occasion, it doesn't get better than this one. The Sweetheart Hoya, also known as Valentine Hoya or Hoya kerrii, is not only easy to grow but also easy-ship, making it the most user-friendly of all houseplants. Its popularity has soared in recent years, thanks to its unique and quirky "heart" shaped leaves that appeal to everyone and bring smiles to faces. In addition to these charming leaves, the Sweetheart Hoya produces fragrant, beautiful flowers resembling tiny red stars. These flowers are not only stunning but also waxy, durable, and long-lasting.

Caring for the Sweetheart Hoya is a breeze, requiring only minimal attention. It can likely thrive with just one good watering a month - that's how hardy it is. While this plant prefers a reasonably well-lit room for optimal growth, it can still fare well in shadier spots, making it a versatile addition to any home or office. Don't wait till the last moment, get your Valentine's present now - the best one ever!

We have large developed plants, ready to bloom!
Buy one (for her/him) - get one free, for yourself!

Hoya  kerrii  -  Sweetheart,  Valentine  Hoya

Don't forget some plant food for it!

SUNSHINE Bombino - Young Plant Vigor Booster

SUNSHINE  Bombino  -  Young  Plant  Vigor  Booster

Date: 31 Oct 2023

Cat of the day:
Shaka. The Tail of Two Kitties...

By Kristi VanBenschoten

New  born  kitten

For those of you who have been following the Cat of the Day stories, you may remember the heartbreaking story about Little Raja... When Raja passed, I was heartbroken and vowed, "No more new cats." Well, wouldn't you know, I would eat those words...

One of our shipping experts, Rob, came in and said that a feral cat around his house had just given birth to a kitten on his front porch, but the mother had left and not returned. I immediately asked him to go get me the kitten, knowing it was going to be cold and hungry and could not be left without warmth and food for long...
Rob rushed off to get the kitten and, within what felt like the blink of an eye, returned with the tiniest (about 4 inches), yet astonishingly vocal, kitten I had ever met.

And this is what happened next...

New  born  kitten

Date: 24 Oct 2023

Calathea Zebrina: Nature's Zebra Striped Star

Calathea  Zebrina  -  Zebra  Plant

Q: Can you recommend a showy houseplant for a living room that doesn't need much care?

A: Meet the Calathea Zebrina - Zebra Plant, the zebra-striped sensation straight from the Brazilian rainforests. This charismatic plant is like a piece of living art for your home! The Calathea Zebrina isn't just a houseplant; it's a conversation starter and a slice of jungle magic right in your living room. Get ready to embrace the zebra-stripes and let your home's wild side shine!

Calathea  Zebrina  -  Zebra  Plant

Zebra Stripes with a Twist:
With its bold dark green stripes on a velvety light green canvas, the Zebra Plant adds a touch of nature's whimsy to any room. It's like having a zebra with a green thumb as your housemate. The underside of the leaves are purple and not always visible because leaves grow horizontally (although some will curve or grow more upright).

Low-Light Lover:
Not only is it easy on the eyes, but it's also easy to care for. The Zebra Plant thrives in low light conditions, so you don't need to rearrange your whole house just to keep it happy. It even tolerates a little over-watering which all of us tend to do with house plants.

Green with Envy:
This plant may make your other houseplants a bit envious with its captivating appearance. Its zebra stripes aren't just a fashion statement; they're a botanical masterpiece. Keep it even greener with Sunshine Robusta plant food - safe to use year around!

A Slice of Serenity:
In a world that's always in a hurry, the Zebra Plant is a gentle reminder to slow down, appreciate nature's beauty, and bring a touch of tranquility to your space.

Calathea  Zebrina  -  Zebra  Plant

Date: 18 Jul 2023

Australian Tree Fern - a botanical marvel

Cyathea  cooperi,  Australian  Tree  Fern

Q: I need an exotic looking, easy to grow tropical tree that can grow in semi-shade, create a character in my small Florida garden and a shelter for small wildlife. Any suggestions?

A: The Cyathea cooperi, known as the Australian Tree Fern... Deep within the enchanting rainforests of Australia, this botanical marvel flourishes, captivating all who lay eyes upon it. Its true magnificence lies in its intricate fronds, delicate yet resilient. Unfurling like the wings of a mythical creature, they gracefully arch outward, showcasing a mesmerizing symphony of emerald green.

As sunlight filters through the dense canopy above, its fronds become a living canvas for nature's creativity. But this tree fern is more than just a visual marvel. Its significance stretches far beyond its aesthetic appeal. The Australian Tree Fern is a vital component of its ecosystem, providing shelter and sustenance for a myriad of creatures. Its high-reaching canopy offers refuge to an array of birds, insects, and small mammals, creating a microcosm of life within its majestic embrace.

For centuries, the indigenous peoples of Australia have revered the Cyathea cooperi for its medicinal properties and cultural significance.

As the seasons unfold, the tree stands as a testament to resilience. It withstands the downpour of tropical rain, enduring the wrath of winds, and gracefully survives the scorching heat of summer. Through it all, it remains a symbol of endurance, an emblem of nature's ability to adapt and flourish.

Cyathea  cooperi  Australian  Tree  Fern  -  leaves

Cyathea  cooperi  Australian  Tree  Fern  -  baby  leaves

Young leaves of Australian Tree Fern are very exotic looking...

Cyathea  cooperi  Australian  Tree  Fern  -  young  plant  in  the  ground

Australian Tree Fern recently planted in front of the office of our Bfarm is getting the best Sunshine Boosters plant food - Robusta - from the Robuster injector; it grows super fast, we should see it in its full beauty soon!