Date: 26 Sep 2021
Edible Landscape: fruit bearing hedge
Photo above: Biquinho Pepper (2 months old plant)
Q: My mom had to remove a hedge for some renovations and after being heartbroken about losing my little bird haven, I've decided to plan on a fruit bearing hedge that offers some privacy and places for the little fledgling to wait for food. Any suggestions? I was thinking blueberries or citrus but open to any ideas.
A: Below are a few suggestions for a fruit bearing hedge planted with fast-growing, tropical species. They will contribute to a nice edible landscape for both your family and the birds - they will be very happy!
Larger size hedge (small trees), grows full-size within 1
season:
- Loquats
- Dwarf Mulberries (very cold hardy too) such as Dwarf Everbearing
Medium size hedge (shrubs or vines), 2-3 seasons to grow full
size:
-
Black Surinam Cherry Lolita
- Blackberries and raspberries
Low hedge (4-5 ft tall, 1 season, fast growing):
-
Biquinho Pepper
- Wiri
Wiri Pepper
Citrus is probably not a good idea, not bird's favorite, and blueberries require a special acidic soil here in Florida, so they will need extra maintenance, special soil, and heavy mulching.
Surinam Cherry Lolita, 2 year old plant
Date: 22 Aug 2021
How to fertilize herbs and vegetables
Q: We moved to Florida from New York earlier this year. My wife and I used to grow many fresh veggies and herbs in our garden up North during Summer, but it seems like in hot Florida the season for them is not until Fall. So we are preparing the beds and also looking for some organic fertilizer solutions. We've heard a lot about your natural Boosters and wonder if they can be used in our vegetable garden?
A: You came to the right place for organic fertilizer solution.
Sunshine Boosters are based on organic amino-acids and are completely natural,
non-toxic, eco-friendly, and do not build up nutrients in the soil. Their
mild formulas designed specifically for edibles.
We just have started our own vegetable garden with some Biquinho and Wiri Wiri peppers, cherry tomatoes, and basil, and will be adding more
as the the weather cools down.
For small scale gardens (both vegetables and herbs), you can start with Sunshine Robusta - a total feed "all on one". All necessary elements are provided in just one bottle, both macro- and micro-elements, it is a scientifically balanced formula. For larger gardens, especially if you have fertilizer injector system, we recommend
Sunshine Boosters Pro Series - this product is much more economical, and
you will need to mix only 3 solutions into your watering tank at the time of
watering.
For more information, please contact our Booster guy Ed Jones, he can help you with selection and dosage information. Sample Discount program
is available for samples of Sunshine Pro.
Date: 26 May 2021
Jasmine for a fence
In the photo: Jasmine Maid of Orleans
Q:We are looking for a jasmine variety without thorns that we can grow on a wire fence...
A: All true jasmines (Jasminum spp.) are thornless. So you are safe to get anyone you like. The most vigorous, fast growing jasmines that grow into a vine, are:
Jasminum dichotomum
Jasminum pubescens
Jasminum nitidum
Jasminum officinale
Jasminum sambac Maid of Orleans - the
most fragrant!
In the photos: Jasminum nitidum (Star Jasmine)
Date: 5 May 2021
Leonotis leonurus:
Lion cub's tails looking out of a tall grass...
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...When you drive along the savannah and veld of South Africa, you can
see a groups of lion's cubs running among the tall savannah grass. Their ears
look out of the grass as bright cheerful spots. The tips of their tails swing
by the wind with the grass where the cubs hide. Why so many Lion's cubs?
What a surprise! However, these are not the cubs of the King of Animals, these
are the tips of pretty flowers endemic to this region...
...A curious thing, the plant continues growing through the flower! This
creates a multi-level appearance...
...Leonotis has a long history of medicinal use by traditional African
tribes... This plant has a history of being used for its psychoactive properties
which have been compared to a mild version of the Cannabis plant... Modern
herbal medicine mainly uses this plant for a calming tea infusion...
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 24 Nov 2020
Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster
How not to kill gardenias?
Q: I have tried to grow gardenia in pots for years and never keep them alive. When i look on camellia websites they say fertilize potted plants twice a year. I'm confused as I tend to kill them with kindness haha. Also, if our tap water has high cal/mag and that stops the gardenia getting other nutrients why would I make up the feed with tap water? So confusing and online is mixed messages...
A: Gardenias are not the easiest plants to grow, however, they are easier in pots than in the ground: they prefer acidic soils, and in many areas soils are alkaline. The most important factor is balanced and sufficient nutrients. In the ground, plants have no limits to reach out to different elements by spreading their root system. In a pot, once all the good stuff is consumed, plants start suffering nutrient deficiency. This is why a balanced feeding program is important.
Generally speaking, Cal/Mag in tap water cannot be bad, because they are
essential elements, good for plants (in proper amounts). However, just
Cal/Mag is not enough. This is why you need a balanced liquid fertilizer for plants that prefer acidic soil.
Excessive Cal/Mag alone can create nutrient lock up, especially if they are chelated
with EDTA like in dry fertilizers, which are not fully accessible for
plants.
We recommend natural, Amino-Acid based fertilizers that are completely
consumed by a plant and are safe to use with EVERY watering, even in Winter. They
are scientifically formulated and cover all plant needs.
For your gardenias, you should use SUNSHINE Pikake - Fragrant Flower Booster.
Another important factor is proper watering. Gardenias like regular water
but don't like wet feet = well drained potting mix is a must, similar to Abundance professional growing mix.
