A: Only a few inches larger than the old one. Oversized pots hold too much
moisture and may cause root rot.
Q: Why are plastic pots better than
ceramic?
A: Plastic pots are lighter, easier to handle, and you can
cut them if a root-bound plant is stuck. Ceramic pots are heavy, breakable,
and often lack drainage.
Q: How do I safely remove a plant from its
pot?
A: Turn the pot upside down and let gravity help. Never
pull by the stems or leaves. If stuck, lay the pot on its side and squeeze or
tap it. Cut the pot if needed.
Q: Should I remove old soil from the
roots?
A: No. Roots have tiny hairs that absorb water and
nutrients. Shaking off soil damages them and sets the plant back.
Q: Why must the plant sit at the same soil
level?
A: Planting too deep suffocates the stem, and planting too
high exposes roots. Keeping the same level protects the root crown.
Q: How soon should I water again after
repotting?
A: Water thoroughly right after repotting, then wait until
the top inch of soil dries before watering again.
🌱 Done! Your plant now has room to grow stronger before fall.
Q: I've
just moved to Louisiana and have been wondering whether it
would make sense to plant some tropical fruit trees in our
garden. Average lows in New Orleans are 41 deg F in
January and February, although we did hit 25 once with the
Arctic vortex. I'm interested in litchi, longan,
rambutans, and persimmons. Do you have varieties that can
tolerate Louisiana's temperature range? I'd love
mangosteen but I don't suppose they will survive. Do you
have any suggestions on tropical fruit trees that I could
try?
A:
Average temperatures are for statistics only; it is actual
temperatures that may hurt your cold sensitive plant. This
is what you should keep in mind when starting your
tropical fruit collection:
1) Ultra-tropical plants like Rambutan can not survive
winters below 45-50F. However, they can be successfully
grown in containers in a greenhouse or moved indoors into
a sun room during cold periods.
2) Tropical plants like Litchi and Longan may take some light
frost once established. Still, for areas with freeze our
advice is - keep them in pots and move inside in case of
cold.
3) There is a number of subtropical fruit trees that are
hardy enough to take some freeze. Persimmon, Feijoa, Fig, Cattley Guava, Jujube, Kiwi, some Eugenias and others. Please
refer to our Tropical Fruit Sensitivity Chart.
4) Remember that plant's ability to survive winter depends
on several factors, not only temperature itself. Important
factors are: wind protection (chill wind kills rather than
low temperature itself), exposure, how close the tree is
planted to the house, plant maturity and its overall
strength and health. If a plant had received good
nutrients during summer, has well established root system,
planted in enclosed area protected from winds and has
plenty of bright sunlight - it has better chances to
survive than a weak plant in warmer conditions.
5) Use SUNSHINE plant boosters for
improving cold tolerance of your tropical plant. It only
takes a few drops, and only costs $5!
Date: 26 Jan 2017
Aquarius Zodiac lucky plants
Aquarius - 1/22 - 2/18.
Aquarius is an AIR sign ruled by odd-ball Uranus.
The water-bearer's plants will often grow in unusual places and may vary in appearance. They often have purple or blue flowers, or may have unusual colors.
The most healing and beneficial plants for Aquarius are the ones that help circulation, relax the nervous system, or promote inspiration. When Uranus was discovered, it replaced Mercury as ruler of Aquarius. Physiologically, Uranus rules the bioelectrical impulses that power the body's nervous system (nervous tension and nervous exhaustion brought on by powerful changes in the environment are related to both Mercury and Uranus). Physically, Aquarius rules the lower legs, the calves, and the ankles, and the electrical impulses that travel through the body's nervous system. The nervous system itself is ruled by Mercury, and Uranus is said to be a "higher octave" of Mercury. Since Uranus was discovered after the correspondences with plants had been established, the herbs used in Aquarius are Mercury herbs. Always difficult to pinpoint, quirky Aquarius appreciates the unusual and complex flavor of star anise. Use this star-shaped spice when you wish to bring happy surprises into your life.
New Video: TopTropicals at TPIE show in Ft Lauderdale. Last week, your friends at Top Tropicals attended the 2017 Tropical Plant International Expo in sunny Ft. Lauderdale Florida. The Expo was an opportunity for Top Tropicals to introduce our SUNSHINE in a Bottle plant boosters as well as to bring a very rare plant Enchanted Incense to the tropical plant market!
Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what's fruiting and blooming!
Date: 6 Jan 2017
6 easiest fruit trees and 5 spices to grow in containers indoors
Q: This is why I want to move so that I can grow absolutely anything I want from your catalogue. Prefered Puerto Rico. Right now I live in New York and there is absolutely nothing I can grow there.
A: Of course living in Puerto Rico brings more opportunities to grow tropical species. However, you can create your unique tropical paradise even living in New York. We have many customers from up North who successfully grow tropical species (and get them to flower and fruit) in greenhouses, and even indoors.
Here are a few suggestions of tropical fruit trees that adapt well for container/indoor culture - for both beginners and advanced gardeners.
Top 6 fruit trees great for indoors / container culture / beginners 1. Mango (Mangifera indica). Select from one of smaller mango varieties 2. Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa)
3. Guanabana, Soursop (Annona muricata)
4. Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)
5. June Plum (Spondias cytherea)
6. Guava (Psidium guajava)
Don't forget to get some SUNSHINEboosters for your plant collection - for both successful indoor culture and cold protection!
See also our magazine Tropical Treasures) - Pushing the Limits of Tropical Gardening, with list of issues.
Date: 23 Nov 2016
Growing tropical fruit trees in containers in
winter
Q: Please
give me your advice. The winter is here. I bought
mango tree, jackfruit tree, sugar apple tree and
planned them for spring. What can I do to keep them no
frost bite? My home in Bonifay FL.
A: In
subtropical areas with occasional hard freeze in
winter, we recommend you to keep tropical plants in
pots. The plants you purchase are tender to frost. For
cold protection, container growing has several
advantages:
1) easy to move into wind-protected and sun-exposed
locations as needed: for example, on a different side
of the house. In many areas, seasonal prevailing winds
have opposite directions in Summer and Winter.
2) easy to cover with frost cloth, sheets, or blankets
in case of immediate cold spells. Container plants'
growth is easier to control and trim, and those plants
naturally stay more compact.
3) easy to move indoors, inside garage, or in covered
lanai/patio.
We also recommend to keep these trees in their
original pots until Spring, in containers size of the
rootball. Step them up in Spring, when plants start
active growth of root system. This will help you to
avoid root rot due to possible overwatering in Winter.
Reduce watering in any case, and keep your plants in
bright, wind-protected spot. Do not fertilize until
Spring. Protect from cold when night temperature drops
below 35-40F.
Cold protection is a lengthy subject. You may also use
propane heaters during cold nights.
Here is some more information on cold
protection.
Black Friday
starts Wednesday!
Use this discount code in your shopping cart from Wednesday
through end of Friday.
Enter THANKS2016 in your shopping cart for
20% off on all plants and seeds from our store - no
minimum order! Offer is not valid for previous
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