Date: 13 Apr 2021
Barbados Cherry:
equal to 65 oranges!
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...If you are looing for a low-growing tropical fruit tree that's quite
colorful in fruit and starts fruiting right away - plant Barbados Cherry...
...Small, bright red, berry-sized fruit has a vitamin C content up to 65
times that of an orange! A single fruit contains the minimum daily recommended
vitamin C requirements...
...Barbados Cherry is very easy to grow and is generally free of pests,
diseases, and any problems. It is drought tolerant and requires very little
care. And the best part is, it will fruit for you right away! As small as 2"tiny
plant can bear fruit!..
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 4 Apr 2021
Aglaia odorata:
A present from the Greek Goddess
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...The plant's genus name comes from Greek mythology. Aglaia was the name of one of the three Graces.
Aglaia is the Greek goddess of beauty, splendor, glory, magnificence, and adornment...
...Aglaia
odorata produces highly perfumed, tiny yellow flowers almost year round - each about the size and shape of a grain of rice. They
grow in panicles about 2-4"long and are shaped like tiny balls but do not open when the flowers bloom. The scent exuded by Chinese Perfume Tree flowers is sweet
and lemony, with spicy undertones... Aglaia is a must have for every fragrant plant lover!
CONTINUE READING >>
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: 15 Oct 2020
Plant of the Month: Hibiscus El Capitolio
Stevie's Pick: what's in bloom?
Our exotic plant grower Steven Gowdy will spotlight the most interesting plants he discovers and recommends today while working in TopTropicals greenhouses.
OMG! These plants are awesome. The flowers are stunning, ruffled,
brightly colored. These are very unique double flowers about 5"long, with ruffled
petals, followed by a sort of a stamen, than more ruffled petals... Wow.
These are the perfect plants - they can be grown in a container or in-ground, in
full sun. They are drought and disease resistant, ever-blooming, can be
pruned into a standard weeping tree, or pruned into a bush... It's a convenient,
dream plant! Prune frequently, because it blooms on new wood.
Hibiscus El Capitolio grows best in zones 9 through 11. In colder
climates leave it in a container outside in the summer months, but bring inside in
the winter months.
Remember - ever-blooming! You prune and they will flower all year long.
These are fabulous plants that will satisfy any first-time or experienced
gardener: you just can't go wrong El Capitolio! They will have you growing
happiness... That's true.
Stevie with Kristi and Jamie celebrating his Happy Birthday. Check out Stevie's painting "TopTropicals Theme"
Date: 10 Oct 2020
Trimming and treating Adeniums in winter
Q: My desert rose below dropped leaves after I replanted it in a bigger pot. I noticed that one of the branches that had been pruned is black at the tip. Please let me know if the section of the branch that turned black needs to be cut. I also wasn't sure how often to water it since the leaves have all dropped. None of the other dessert roses have dropped their leaves but they are all younger plants. Any advice would be much appreciated.
A: Your plant looks healthy and vigorous overall. Dropping leaves
after repotting, or shipping, especially at this time of the year, is normal
in Adeniums. They are deciduous and stay leafless from Fall to Spring.
Some individual specimens can go into dormancy sooner than others - all depends
on conditions: temperature, light, exposure, etc. and individual plant's
"clock".
The black spot on the cut branch may be a sign of a fungus as a result of
excess water.
You may carefully clean/rub it with a paper tower dipped in Hydrogen
Peroxide (pharmacy grade). Then rinse with fresh water.
Keep the plant warm and in a dry spot. Once leaves are dropped, it doesn't
need much water. Once a week watering is enough.
