Q: I
purchased a Plumeria from your company.
It has done quite nicely and now has produced a seed pod.
Please forward me information on how to care for it and
use the seeds that may be inside to propagate another
plant.
A: Wait
until seeds are ripe (seed pod turns brownish). Soak seeds
overnight. Use only well drained soil, or cactus
mix. Insert heavy end of seed 1/4"into soil, leaving
feathered end exposed. Place the pot in direct sunlight.
Don't allow soil to completely dry out, but don't let it
be soggy. Germination occurs usually within 3 weeks. Do
not overwater. For more information on growing Plumerias,
see our slideshow guide:
Date: 24 Jun 2018
How to keep your plants green
We continue experimenting with a new plant health booster SUNSHINE SuperFood. Couple
weeks ago we grabbed a very sad looking jasmine with
completely yellow leaves... It suffered from winter cool
night temperatures plus some overwatering that caused weak
roots and due to that - a number of deficiencies. The plant
looked pretty hopeless as far as turning yellow leaves back
to green. The best bet to revive it was to cut it short,
remove old leaves and wait for new healthy growth... but we
decided to try SuperFood. And it worked! Since the plant was
almost hopeless, we put it in a far corner and forgot about
it. Imagine the surprise when we looked again and it was
green! See full plant photo of this
jasmine.
This one is the most wanted variety with
elongated petals that are sweetly scented. Compact and
slow growing shrub, it makes a great houseplant and
flowers freely throughout the year. The most profuse
flowering is from Spring to Summer.
Called pikake in Hawaii, Jasmine sambac is the plant
used to flavor the jasmine tea and making perfumes.
Perfect houseplant takes both sun or shade, it is a
beautiful fragrant everbloomer for your home and garden.
Belle of India is a slow grower, with pale green pointed
leaves and double flowers with elongated narrow petals.
Prefers filtered light for a better look of the leaves,
but will tolerate full sun. In fact the more sun the
more flowers you get.
Secrets of successful culture:
1) use only well-drained potting soil
2) keep the plant a little bit on a dry side so roots
don't get too wet. Water again when the soil gets
slightly dry.
3) Use micro-element mix - SUNSHINE Superfood works
the best. It will keep leaves nice and green and induce
more profuse flowering.
Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by
subscribing to our channel at
YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video
news of what is fruiting and blooming!
New article by
Jane Jordan
"...Commonly known as the Devils trumpet, Datura has long
been associated with witchcraft and voodoo rituals.
Ideally suited for moon or night gardens, the blooms are
fragrant and particularly so at night..." Continue reading...
5 important
tips for successful growing Datura and
Brugmansia;
1. Full sun
2. Use fertile soil that must be vewry well-drained. Plant
in elevation
3. Ample water encourages fast growth, but never allow wet
feet!
4. Fertilize heavily during hot season
5. Propagate Brugmansia with semi-woody cuttings, Datura -
with seeds that have a long shelf live
Q: Q: My Jasmine sambac Maid of Orleans is
growing very fast and produced lots of branches and dark green leaves, when will I
see flowers? I only saw 2 or 3 flowers since since Spring. I is planted by East wall of the house. Should I use some special fertilizer perhaps?
A:Jasmine sambac is a tropical bush or vine that enjoys hot summers. Since it
tolerates wide range of light conditions, it can be grown both in shade or sun; this is why it is highly recommended for indoor
culture where light level is limited. Remember though that profuse blooming directly depends on the light level. Your Eastern
exposure location may not be providing enough light for the flowering. Dark green leaves are also a sign of a filtered light
sitution. Extra fertilizing may not help to induce flowering if the light is low, although it is always beneficial for a plant
(it may just start producing even more leaves and branches). The ideal conditions for Sambac's flowering are - full sun all
day long, high temperatures (upper 80's-90's, even over 100F is fine), and very good drainage. Some gardeners call Jasmine
sambac "almost a succulent", referring to its low watering needs. To be exact, this plant requires regular watering, but will
produce lots of flowers only providing perfect drainage. You may never see flowers if the plant has wet feet or water-logging
occurs. If your summers are rainy (like in Florida), make sure your jasmine is planted with at least 4-5"elevation and not in a
low/wet spot.
See Top Tropicals Video about jasmine Sambac:
- varieties, history and use.
