Date: 18 Jul 2023
Australian Tree Fern - a botanical marvel
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.
Young leaves of Australian Tree Fern are very exotic looking...
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
Date: 13 Nov 2022
Vietnamese Mickey Mouse Plant...
Hoa Mai - for good luck!
Ochna integerrima (thomasiana)
What is the yellow flower that brings good luck on Vietnamese New Year (Tet) Celebration? Why is it called Mickey Mouse Plant?
The most celebrated flower in Vietnam, Ochna integerrima, called in Vietnam Hoa Mai
or Mai Vang, blooms profusely on the occasion of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. Commonly known as Yellow Mai Flower (Hoa Mai literally means
"yellow blossoms"), this plant is considered the quintessential symbol of Spring. In
Southern Vietnam, Hoa Mai are some of the first plants to flower.
This plant is a must for exotic plant collection. It is a rather slow
growing, medium size shrub that can be trained into miniature tree. In winter the plant is covered with pretty bright yellow
flowers, believed to bring good luck and prosperity. They are followed by cute shiny black berries on bright red sepals that resemble the face of
Mickey Mouse.
The plant is easy to grow and relatively cold hardy to light freeze. Start fertilizing your Hoa Moa plant right now through the Winter to encourage early blooms. Luckily, we have a perfect bloom booster liquid fertilizer that is safe to use year around, including Winter months: Sunshine Boosters MegaFlor!
Lunar year 2023 will be a year of the Cat on the Vietnamese zodiac, from January 22nd, 2023 to February 9th, 2024. Cat is the fourth sign in Vietnamese Zodiac, taking place of the Rabbit in Chinese Zodiac.
Date: 10 Mar 2021
Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster
Jasmine Grand Duke flowering
Q: Hey can you help me figure out why my jasmine grand duke supreme is not flowering? Ive had it for almost a year (in NY) and only had 1 flower bloom and that immediately turned brown and died. Since then no flowers have come. The leaves are green and healthy and its growing like crazy but not flowers. Please help me figure this out.
A: For profuse flowering, Jasmine sambac needs 2 things: bright light and special plant food.
We have plenty of both here in Florida. If your grow this plant indoors in
colder climate, get it to flowering can be a bit tricky.
Your plant grows well overall with lots of vegetative growth, this is a
good sign, it means it's healthy, and not being overwatered which is one of the
most common problems with Sambacs. You're doing a great job! This jasmine
just needs more sun and fertilizer.
Make sure to keep it in the brightest spot of your home. The more hours of
light, the better. When night temperatures stay above 65F, it is beneficial
to bring the plant outside on a balcony, patio, or in a garden in full sun as
a potted specimen (move to bright light gradually).
You should give this Jasmine plenty of food with every watering. We
recommend SUNSHINE Pikake - Fragrant Flower Booster. This is a natural fertilizer
that can be applied to plants year round without risk of burning the roots
or nutrient lock up in the soil. It provides all necessary elements for the
flowering cycle - just add a bit into watering can, every time you water.
Date: 15 Jan 2021
Never-never be without one! Ctenanthe lubbersiana variegata
Stevie's Pick: what's special today?
Our exotic plant grower Steven Gowdy spotlights the most interesting plants he discovers and recommends today while working in TopTropicals greenhouses.
Year 2021 is celebrated as a Year of Variegated Foliage plants, and I have something special for those rare plant collectors. Besides exclusive Monstera variegata Thai Constellation, there are a few less expensive plants that are as much beautiful and yet fit into any budget.
Known as the Never-never plant, this beauty is native to Brazil. I think in South Florida a shade garden should
never-never be without one!
Ctenanthe lubbersiana variegata has deep
variegation, with branching bamboo-like stems and oblong green, veined leaves that are mottled with cream and gold. Needing high humidity and indirect, bright filtered light, it just screams tropical and fun! Ctenanthe is a close relative of showy Marantas grown for the beauty of their foliage, and also makes a great house plant in
cooler climates.
In warmer climates, it can be planted as an under story plant. The plant is growing to 2-3 feet high and 4-6 feet wide, with leaf patterns of indistinct cream and green marbling. It does have a rapid growth rate and liking soil moist, but not soggy. In the winter, water
should only be given when the dirt is somewhat dry. Watch out for mealy bugs, spider mites, and aphids and apply Sunshine NoBug if you notice any - they
will be easy to get rid of.
Give it a liquid fertilizer SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster and divide as needed.
This plant is one of my favorites. I planted a nice specimen at TopTropicals entrance gate last year, and now we finally have beautiful baby plants propagated from it, looking great!
Date: 25 Dec 2019
EASY GROW-BOX
How to quickly germinate tropical seeds in winter
By Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc
Q: I live in the New England area where the winters are very long and dreary. I plant both a veggie and flower garden during the warmer seasons and am especially fond of growing chili-peppers. On account of most chili's longer growing seasons, I need to get already established plants in the ground as soon as the weather is warm enough. My problem is that despite my best attempts to germinate and grow seedlings ahead of time - even in my sunniest window - I just can't seem to keep the soil evenly warm enough to get them to germinate, no matter how warm the room is kept. And on the occasion they do come up, the seedlings always seem to remain weak and stunted, likely owing to the especially low humidity of winter. I also tried using an electric seed-starting heating pad, and the results were only a little better. Are there any tips you could give me?
A: Yes, I understand your issues and can sympathize! While it might be surprising to some, even here in sunny S.W. Florida, there are long stretches of winter weather where the ambient temperatures are simply too cold for germinating many of the more tropical seeds, such as the notoriously warm-weather chili-peppers. Also, I am likewise a fan of chilis, and always have at least a few different kinds growing at any given time. I have two great suggestions...
