Date: 23 Jan 2020
Datura: a fragrant treat for tropical or indoor garden
Q: A few years ago I purchased Datura from you and it was doing well. As a matter of fact I took cuttings and propagated new plants. Now they have markings on the leaves and I do not know what it is. Any remedy?
A: Generally, Datura is a bi-annual plant, unlike its close
relative perennial Brugmansia that grows for many years. Which means, Datura is
short-lived (2-3 years maximum for the same plant) although it seeds easily and
is a very fast grower, reaching from seedling to 4-5 ft size in a matter of
couple months.
At this time of the year, markings on the leaves may be a result of normal
aging (the plant may already exhausted its natural cycle) in combination with
a cool weather that affects the leaves and overall look.
Here at Top Tropicals we especially love this plant and keep up with
propagating new plants every few months. Propagation may be by means of seeds or
cuttings, but seeds are always better for stronger, longer-lasting Datura
specimens. A lot of times you will notice little baby seedlings around the Mother
plant, even if you think all seeds has been harvested.
Just continue growing younger plants from seeds, and Datura will always be
with you in your garden to bring you joy of showy scented flowers. It makes a
great houseplant too!
Date: 19 Jan 2020
The Rolls Royce of House Plants: Medinilla
by Onika Amell, tropical plant expert
...This is an extremely showy tropical plant with bunches of bright pink
blooms that will flower for months on end. What a stunning and colorful
plant! Showy should be its middle name. It is one of those plants that truly
evokes feelings of elegance and drama...
Medinilla apoensis - Philippine Pink is particularly rare and hard to find
in the trade. The flowers on this particular Medinilla is not hidden
underneath so it is not necessary to grow it in a hanging basket like so many other
species. It is a tall upright grower that will flower throughout the summer.
For all you obsessed collectors out there, do not hesitate. This Medinilla is
not in many US collections. The plants we have right now are at least 1-1.5
feet tall and are blooming size. Wink wink ;)
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 30 Oct 2019
Fragrant Gold Leaf Orchid Vine
By Onika Amell, tropical plant specialist
Q: I am absolutely thrilled to see you have this vine. I've tried for years to get this plant! It is so, so rare. It just seemed impossible to find in this country. How do I make it thrive? I am ordering two.
A: We are happy to confirm that indeed we do have this rare vine!
Bauhinia aureifolia - Gold Leaf Orchid Vine - was discovered in Thailand in
1983. It is endemic to Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala in Southern Thailand.
Danish botanist Kai Larsen named this plant and hailed it as one of the rarest
plant species of the world when it was discovered in the eighties.
The Thai people call this vine Bai Mai Si Thong. It is a beautiful
climber with large, bi-loped leaves (7 inches or more!) and good branching.
Young leaves are a stunning burnt orange to terracotta color for about
a week and as they reach full size, they turn green over a couple of days.
This is a very rare color for Bauhinia. It produces leaves all the time and
this means this vine is always full of beautiful color. With its golden leaves,
it sure is reminiscent of Autumn.
This vine blooms from May to November. It bears bunches of small
flowers that are delicately fragrant in the evenings. The cultivated plants range
flower color from pure white to purple and pink, while the wild ones have
often white petals with pinkish patches.
Bauhinia aureifolia needs well-drained soil, full light and good humidity
to thrive. It will tolerate a light freeze once established and it is very
important to protect young plants.
Gold Leaf Orchid Vine also makes a wonderful container plant with staking
or support. It is a must for every rare plant collection!
RECOMMENDED FERTILIZERS:
Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
Tropical Allure - Smart-Release Booster
Date: 2 May 2019
How to propagate plants from cuttings. Top (Tropicals) secrets.
Q: After pruning my jasmine, I have so many branches and I don't have a heart to through them away, can I use them to make more plants? Please tell me what size cuttings and do I need to remove leaves? Should I just stick them in the ground? Will they root? I don't know if you will be willing to share your secrets?
A: We are always happy to know that you grow more plants, and make our World better! These are some useful tips for the propagation of tropical plants using cuttings:
- Cuttings and leaves. Use cuttings 2-5"long. Strip leaves from
the bottom. Cut larger leaves in half to reduce evaporation.
- Soak cuttings for 15-30 min in SUNSHINE solution.
- Mix. Use special well-drained mix with lots of soil conditioner: we
have a special professional propagation mix for cuttings.
- Mist. Put community pots or trays with cuttings in mist, or if you
don't have mist - cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a
mini-greenhouse.
- Shade. Keep propagation pots in bright shade and never allow direct
sun rays.
- Rooting hormone: yes, use it if you have it. Not only it promotes
root formation but also prevents from fungus so the cuttings won't rot. We use
Dip-N-Grow.
- Rooting and food. Check in 2-3 weeks for roots. Once you see the
little roots, begin fertilizing with a special Baby-Plant Food and make sure never exceed recommended doze otherwise
you may kill the cuttings.
- Establishing. Once roots start growing, plant in 4" pots in a well-drained potting mix and watch the beauty grow! Gradually move to
the full sun only when little plants establish and start new growth.
If you are lucky to make more rare plants than you can use, contact us, we will buy them from you or trade for your dream plants! In fact, one of our customers from many years ago started selling us baby plants that he propagated from our plants, and now has a successful business (Karma Nursery); we buy a lot of plants from him every month!
For more ideas on tropical plant propagation, see also:
- Secrets of turtle tank propagation
- 5 secrets of propagation
Date: 30 Aug 2024
Save Double This Labor Day Weekend!
"The fruit of your own hard work is the sweetest." - Deepika Padukone
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