💃 One of the top 10 most impressive trees on the planet

✍️ "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn

📷 Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree, Delonix regia - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer.

"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)

🛒Grow your own Royal Poinciana

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🌸 What orchids can be grown in the ground?

Orchids have a mystique that seems to set them apart from most other flowers... they are elegant and almost unreal in their perfection... But not every gardener has luck growing traditional orchids.

• ⚜️ Terrestrial orchids (a.k.a. ground orchids) grow in regular garden soil instead of in the air on tree branches!
• ⚜️ Ground orchids come in many colors and shapes.
• ⚜️ Ground orchids will be happy to bloom in sun or shade and are very easy to grow!

🎥 Watch YouTube: Ground Orchids

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How to grow a Lychee tree and have a reliable crop. Practical Guide to Growing Lychee.

• 🍑 Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is a tropical evergreen tree renowned for its delicious, aromatic fruit. Native to southern China, lychee trees can reach heights of up to 40 feet and are prized for their attractive foliage and bountiful fruit clusters.

🍑 Important factors to consider when planting a Lychee tree

• 💋Climate: Lychee trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates with warm, humid summers and cool, dry winters. They require a period of winter chilling (100-200 hours between 32F and 45F) to induce flowering. Mature trees can tolerate temperatures as low as 25F, but young trees are susceptible to frost damage.
• 💋Sunlight: Plant lychee trees in full sun to ensure vigorous growth and optimal fruit production. They require at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
• 💋Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic soils rich in organic matter are ideal. Avoid heavy clay soils or areas prone to waterlogging, as lychee trees are susceptible to root rot.
• 💋Spacing: Ensure adequate space for the tree's mature size by planting at least 20 feet away from other trees or structures.

🍑 When and how do you harvest lychee fruit?

• 💋Lychee trees typically begin to produce reliably after 3-5 years, with the fruit ripening in early summer.
• 💋Timing: Wait until the fruit's skin turns bright red or pink, indicating full ripeness. Lychees do not ripen off the tree, so it's essential to harvest at the right time.
• 💋Method: Use pruning shears to cut entire clusters, leaving a short stem attached to each fruit to prolong freshness. Handle the fruit gently to avoid bruising.
• 💋Post-Harvest: Consume fresh lychees within a few days or store them in the refrigerator to extend shelf life. The skin may darken when refrigerated, but the fruit's quality remains unaffected.

🍑 How to grow a Lychee tree?

• 💋Watering: Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. However, avoid overwatering, as lychee trees are sensitive to waterlogged conditions. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
• 💋Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to support healthy growth and fruit development. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can inhibit flowering. Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus - natural liquid fertilizer - is the best choice, and is safe to use with every watering year around.
• 💋Pruning: Minimal pruning is required. Remove dead or diseased branches and shape the tree to maintain its structure. Pruning after harvest can encourage new growth.

🍑 More practical advice on propagation and harvest in next post 👇

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🍉 How to grow a Guava Tree: Practical Guide to Growing Guava

• 🍑 Guava Trees (Psidium sp.) are beloved for their flavorful fruit and easy-growing nature. These fast-growing trees are reliable producers and can thrive in a variety of climates, making them a favorite among home gardeners. Guavas are compact and can be grown in containers, making them suitable for small spaces and urban gardens.

🍑 Light and Soil


Guava trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best fruit. They prefer well-draining soils rich in organic matter but are adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils. Slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal. While guavas tolerate poor soils, enriching the soil with compost or manure will improve growth and yield.

🍑 Pruning tips


Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape, size, and productivity of guava trees.

· Frequency: Prune guavas annually, ideally after the fruiting season, to encourage new growth and improve airflow.

• · Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain tree health.
• · Shape the tree to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy, which enhances fruit production.
• · For container-grown guavas, keep the tree compact by trimming back vigorous shoots regularly.

🍑 Guava in containers

Guavas are well-suited to container growing. Compact varieties like the "Nana" guava are ideal for pots. Use a large container (at least 15-20 gallons) with good drainage. Fill it with a high-quality potting mix enriched with organic matter. Place the container in a sunny location and water consistently. Regular pruning helps maintain a manageable size and promotes fruiting in container-grown guavas.

🍑 Watering

· Guava trees require consistent watering, especially during dry periods and the fruiting season. While they can tolerate short periods of flooding, ensure the soil is not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on your climate.

• · Fertilize guavas 3-4 times a year during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus to promote flowering and fruiting. Adding organic matter like compost or manure annually boosts soil fertility and improves yields.

🍑 Harvesting

• · Guava trees are quick to fruit, often producing their first harvest within a year of planting. For container-grown trees, fruiting can start in even smaller pots, such as 1-gallon containers.
• · Signs of ripe guava fruit include:
- A change in color from green to yellow (depending on the variety).
- A sweet, fruity aroma.
- Slight softness when gently pressed.
• · Harvest ripe guavas by hand or with pruning shears. Consume fresh or use them to make juices, jams, or desserts.

🍑 Health Benefits of Guava

• · Guava is a nutrient powerhouse, offering numerous health benefits:
• · Vitamin C: Boosts the immune system and helps protect against colds and infections.
• · Potassium: Supports healthy blood pressure levels.
• · Antioxidants: Contribute to glowing skin and may reduce the risk of cancer.
• · Fiber: Aids digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

🍑 Popular Varieties of Guava

• · Tropical Guava (Psidium guajava): Sweet and aromatic, suitable for warmer climates.
• · Cattley Guava (Psidium littorale): Cold-hardy with a slightly tart flavor.
• · Cas Guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum): Known for its sour taste, perfect for juices like Costa Rica’s traditional "Agua de Cas." Cold hardy, disease resistant and vigorous, productive variety.
• · Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana): Fruity and floral, thriving in cooler climates.

🍑 Additional Tips

• · Guava trees are relatively pest-resistant but may require monitoring in humid climates for mealybugs. Use neem oil if needed.
• · Planting multiple guava varieties ensures a continuous supply of fruit.
• · With their fast growth, compact size, and delicious fruit, guava trees are a fantastic addition to tropical garden, greenhouse or patio.

📚 More from previous posts about #Guava

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🍇 If you are missing Northern fruit that don't tolerate hot climate, plant this

Tropical Raspberry Mysore (Rubus albescens x niveus) is from India. It thrives in heat!

• 🔹 Unlike common raspberries from up North that can not tolerate heat, Mysore Raspberry grows very well in hot humid climates.
• 🔹 Grows very fast into a scrambling shrub with flexible stems.
• 🔹 Blooms and fruits throughout the year.
• 🔹 The fruit turns purple black when ripe, it is very juicy and sweet.
• 🔹 One cluster may contain as many as couple dozen fruit.
• 🔹 Great for large containers and will produce large amounts of fruit.
• 🔹 Cold hardy to upper 20s F.

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