Date: 24 Aug 2019
How to keep iguanas away?
Q: Really enjoy all the plants that I have got from you, but having a hard time keeping iguanas eating everything! We are not on the water, any solution to keep them out?
A: Iguanas may become quite a problem in the garden. Our first suggestion would be - get a Duck as we have (Duck Dobi), she is so dominant and keeps any wild animals away from the property, including gators... and cats! They are scared of her! Dobi thinks she owns the place.
Here are a few other ways to control iguana problem in your backyard:
1. Rid your lawn of dropped fruits. Iguanas love fruit. And they love
low-hanging fruit or fruit that's easy to get to. If you have fruit trees, take
the time to pick up your yard and dispose of any dropped fruit.
2. Keep a lid on a garbage can. Put your garbage cans in a place they
can't get to, or put a cinder block on your can lid.
3. Do not leave pet food out. If you're putting a bowl of dog food or a
plate of cat food out for your pets, you're inviting iguanas into your yard.
4. Fill iguana holes. Iguanas like to dig. Wherever you see a hole,
fill it. Stuff rocks into the hole first, then fill it with dirt and top it with
sod. The iguana may return to dig again, but he won't dig through large
rocks.
5 Do NOT feed the iguanas. Don't be friendly with them, so they won't
come back.
6. Wire netting around plants. You can use wire netting or screens to
prevent iguanas from entering plants and shrubs.
7. Spray them with a hose. When you see an iguana in the yard, spray
them with the hose. They also hate loud noises. Constant harassment can keep
them from returning.
8. Keep your yard clean. Excessive overgrowth or yard storage are great
places for iguanas to hide.
9. Do not leave food out, unattended. Iguanas are mainly herbivores but
that doesn't mean they won't smell something good and want to eat it. They
will TRY anything.
Hopefully these tips help keep your iguana problems to a minimum.
Date: 19 Aug 2019
When is the time to repot?
Q: According to your instructions, I understand that plants need to be placed in bigger pots. But my question is, say I plant each plant in 18in x 18 in x 18 inch square pots, how many weeks, months or years can the soil be good for these plants? When will it be time to change soil? Any specific soil recommendations?
A: Repotting is required usually once a year. It depends on the plant and growth rate of course. The best way to check if a plant needs stepping up is to check its root system. Carefully turn the pot upside down and pull the pot off the roots (make sure to support the plant from the bottom). If a root system is very dense, it is time to repot. It is an easy check with smaller plants; if a plant is large and hard to turn "upside-down", check drainage holes: if roots start growing through the holes, it is definitely time to step up. Make sure to use pot size only a few inches bigger in diameter than the existing one: just enough for the root system plus 2-3 inches extra space; do not use oversized pots to avoid root rot. Use only new quality potting soil and make sure it has perfect drainage characteristics. We recommend Professional Soilless Mix
Date: 13 Aug 2019
Caring of Soursop in container
Q: I have ordered dozens of trees from you and have a question about Soursop. I have a Soursop in a container and ants and aphids are under new leaves. Do Soursop like little water? I water almost everyday living in southern Los Angeles it's been around 76-80F. I spray the aphids and ants off with a mist setting on my hose. They come back every day. They're only on new leaves...
A: First of all, you don't have to remove the ants iа they
don't bother you. Ants are good insects, they do not harm plants; most likely
they are attracted by a sweet sap - aphid by-product. Ants clean up a plant,
and they may even take care of some bad insects.
It is not difficult to get rid of aphids. Use a safe treatment: in a
small spray bottle, mix 1 cup of warm water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 2
tablespoons of any cooking oil (if you have Neem oil or Horticultural oil - even
better, but prepare, they are pretty stinky). Spray the leaves with this
solution to a dripping point. Repeat in a few days if needed. This simple remedy
will take care of the aphids.
Daily water may be ok for the plant during hot weather, as long as the
soil is not constantly moist. Let the surface of the soil get a little dry
between waterings.
Recommended fertilizers for fruit trees:
Fruit Festival Plant Food - Super Crop Booster
Mango-Food - Smart Release Fruit Tree Booster
SUNSHINE-Honey - for sweeter fruit
SUNSHINE SuperFood - microelement supplement
Date: 19 Jul 2019
Growing Coconuts from seeds
Q: Good afternoon Anna, hope all is well. I have a question regarding Coconut growth. When I planted my coconuts seeds I notice they had water in it, after checking 6 months later I took one out from the pot and shock to see if still had water but notice no water shaken inside, still, no plant growing on all 6 seeds but no water noise inside of them. Can you indicate if I should discard them or are they still have a chance they will germinate?
A: Coconut seeds normally germinate within a month from planting.
If there is no growth within 6 month, chances are the seed was not ripe
enough, or didn't have proper conditions for germination.
To grow a coconut palm from seed, place the nut on top of the soil (if
in a pot, must be at least 3 gal pot) on its side, and bury it in soil
half-way. Keep it warm (75F or higher, the warmer the better), in full sun, and
soil must stay moist. Start fertilizing when the seed sprouts.
RECOMMENDED FERTILIZER:
Purple Palm Food - Smart Release Palm Booster
Photo below:
James Coconuts, one of our customer service reps, will be happy to answer all your questions! (Anna Banana, Stevie, or Onika can help when Coconuts is out of the office).
Date: 21 Jun 2019
Growing Jackfruit in a pot
Q: I have a young jackfruit tree, and I wanted to know, is a 25 pot enough for an adult tree?
A: 25 to 50 gal should be eventually a good size pot for growing
a Jackfruit tree. Keep in mind the following:
1. Start with a smaller container, only slightly bigger than the root
system. Do not plant directly into a large container, this may create a risk
for root rot.
2. Step up the tree in a bigger container every year as it grows
bigger. With every repotting, trim both branches and roots to compact the plant and
to encourage branching out.
3. Jackfruit trees should be kept pruned under 6-7 ft in pots and 10-12
ft in the ground. This makes healthy fruit production more efficient and
keeps fruit at the base of the tree.