Date: 30 Oct 2021
Soil, media, substrate or just plain dirt, which is correct?
by Ed Jones, the Booster guy
...Dirt. What is it really and does it matter what you use to grow your plants? What is the right dirt for growing plants? In the growing industry, we refer to it as soil, media or substrate. In the real world, we just call it dirt. But is it? Is it just dirt or is it something special? We will try to give some good insight in this article...
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Date: 17 Mar 2021
Date: 30 Aug 2019
How to grow Angel Trumpet in Florida
Q: I purchased an Angel trumpet in March, 2018. It wasn't looking very good so I asked what to do about it. Your reply was to fertilize and keep it watered. I did & it started to improve. I went on vacation & it reverted, dropping leaves... How do I keep it happy?
A: With growing Angel Trumpets in Florida, there are a few things that may go wrong, although in general Brugmansia is a vigorous rapid grower. Once the plant is established, it is very easy to grow. Looks like your plant had some troubles at the start and is still struggling. Dropping leaves could be a sign of a root problem.
These are the main important points for Brugmansia growing:
1. Must be planted in a high spot, using very well-drained soil.
Brugmansias do not like soggy conditions (happens with Florida summer). They like
water, but only as long as drainage is good.
2. Full sun is a must for a healthy plant.
3. Brugmansias are heavy feeders. Fertilize at least once a month once
the plant is established:
Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
Angel Trumpet Delight - Smart-Release Booster
4. They are susceptible to bugs... check underneath the leaves and if
any pests, spray with solution of any vegetable oil, water, and some dish
soap.
The bottom line is, do not overwater but don't let it dry out. It's
rainy season now, maybe too much rain affecting the plant.
Try these Sunshine Boosters, they have amazing results and often help
us to bring stressed and weak plants back to life:
SUNSHINE-Power - plant booster
SUNSHINE-E - plant booster
Date: 24 Aug 2019
Growing a Plumeria Tree
Q: I have a graft plumeria that is growing sideways. The leaves seem to be growing upside down. I tied it up with yarn and a bamboo stick last night. Will it grow strong enough to support itself without stakes or should I just let nature take its course and take the yarn and stake away?
A: You should definitely help the tree and keep the stick. The tree will eventually straighten out. It will have a strong trunk and you will be able to remove the supports.
Make sure to feed the Plumeria tree to provide enough energy for fast
growth and strong trunk:
Plumeria Top Dress - Smart-Release Booster.
Check out all Plumerias from our store, they are 15% OFF today!
Date: 19 Aug 2019
Colorful Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow
Q: I have a large oak in front of the house and nothing grows under it, even grass. Can you recommend me a compact, colorful flowering shrub that will tolerate shade location and still will bloom for me? I love fragrant flowers, that would be nice... Also, I am a snowbird staying in Florida mostly from Fall to Spring so I miss the flowering season! Any winter bloomers? Or am I asking for too much?
A: There is a plant for every location and every need! Here is a
perfect plant for you, Brunfelsia grandiflora - Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow. It is a winter
bloomer and it enjoys filtered light. In fact, in full sun Brunfellsia leaves
sometimes turn yellowish, so a shade location will be perfect for it, leaves will
be healthy and dark green.
It is a beautiful specimen plant. The unusual popular name of this
medium-sized shrub becomes clear to anyone who observes it over the course of two
or three days. Its tubular fragrant flowers change from purple to lavender
and then to white over a three day period (First they open as rich
lavender-blue; then they change to pale lavender and finally to almost white before they
fall). Then all three colors can be seen on the same plant. It grows to
about 3-6 ft and does best in filtered sunlight. Blooms fall to winter.
Check out all Brunfelsias from our store - they all are shade lover and free-flowering!
And here is a list of all winter flowering plants for you... and a Winter-Flowering Guide for Snow Birds (PDF file) that includes many late-season trees, shrubs and fruiting plants.