Featured Plant. Flacourtia indica - Governors plum

Flacourtia indica - Governors plum

Governors plum, Madagascar Plum, Batoko palm - is a tropical or subtropical small shrubby tree. It is cultivated in tropical regions as a hedge plant and for its deep red acid fruits resembling small plums. The fruits are about one inch wide and can be eaten fresh or made into preserves. They are sweet and sour, with a texture and flavor similar to a plum. Fruits mature after one to two months from flowering.
The tree is easy to grow, self-fertile and doesn't require much care, not fussy about soil and very forgiving if you forget to water it.
Seeds germinate readily, but it takes a while until the seedling is ready to be transplanted into a big pot or in the ground. If you plant them now, by spring you have a chance to get the little tree ready to go!

We have fresh seeds!

October Tropical Garden: to do list

1. Prune. Last pruning before winter. Check the trees and shrubs one more time. Cut away dead wood and remove crossing limbs and branches.

2. Mulch. Continue to mulch to stop weeds and get ready for winter. Keep mulch 1-2 inches away from the stems. Evenings are starting to cool, so it is more comfortable working in the garden.

3. Pest control. Check for mealy bugs and scales. Remember that a garden with many kinds of plants has fewer pests than gardens with lots of mass plantings. So keep up with variety! Avoid pest magnets like Oleander, Oak, Hibiscus which require constant spraying.

4. Propagation. You still can take cuttings but do it as soon as possible. Days are getting shorter and less sunlight signals thу plants to slow down their growth. Cuttings will not root as quickly.

5. Seeds. Consider growing vegetables and perennials from seeds. In mild cooler conditions, seedlings have less stress and get a good start.

Season Colors from Kristi, TopTropicals Flower Queen

Q: I live in New Jersey and I have a collection of potted tropical plants in my sun room. Our Fall season comes in bright colors, do you have something with colorful foliage for Fall?

A: For our northern customers it's almost time for the changing of the seasons. It is a very exciting and enjoyable time. The onset of fall means, less humidity, cooler nights and the Fall foliage. Here in Florida we do not get the chance to see the changing of the leaves, except maybe a few like Florida Maple Tree. So we use plants that mimic the season change, for all year round color! These are a few examples of the plants with colorful leaves that you may use for your Fall colors, plus remember - there is always a big list of Fall and Winter Flowering Tropicals!

Colorful tropical plants for Fall

Hibiscus tiliaceus - Variegated Mahoe
Acalypha wilkesiana - Chicago Brick Copper Leaf - see all acalyphas
Mussaenda philippica x flava - Calcutta Sunset Marmelade
Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum Purple Haze
Acer rubrum - Red Maple
Adenium Nil with red veined leaves
Cerbera x manghas hybrid - Enchanted Incense
Cordyline fruticosa Willies Gold - see all codyline
Graptophyllum pictum Chocolate Queen

See Fall and Winter Flowering Tropicals.

Tip of the Month: dealing with heat waves

Q: I live in California and this summer has been super hot, with temperature above 100 degrees. This heat wave is killing my plants! Please help!

A: If you live in Southwest, then you are familiar with heat waves, when temperature raises above 110F and up to 120F, while humidity is below 10%. Scorching heat can damage and kill unprotected young plants. Especially if they're recently planted.

Most tropical plants came from humid tropics and they don't easily tolerate high temperatures and low humidity. You can tell such plants immediately. Desert plants have small, waxy succulent leaves, which are capable to reduce evaporation. (See list of plants tolerant to hot and dry conditions). Tropical plants have large soft leaves and need high humidity.

These steps will help to protect them... Continue reading...

Avocado, Lychee and Mango setting fruit... give them some FOOD!

Q: Do I need to fertilize tropical fruit when they set fruit?

A: It is traditionally believed that mango and other tropical fruit shouldn't be fertilized during fruiting period. It is true to an extent: you don't want fruit to burst from fast excessive growing. Instead, try to feed fruit trees wisely, because they still need proper nutrition to produce flowers and fruit.
Our spring specials of Lychee, Avocado and Mango are full of buds and some already set tiny fruit (see examples on the photo). Here is the feeding plan for these plants once you receive your mail order:
1) Once received the plant, pot it into container size of the root ball and let establish for couple weeks. Use SUNSHINE-E to help the plant recover from shipping stress and establish root system.
2) Apply SUNSHINE-Honey right before flowering, and next time at setting fruit, to provide sweeter and bigger fruit, eliminate fruit cracks and help resist fungus and other fruit diseases.
3) Use balanced granulated fertilizer, 1 tsp per each gallon of soil. Apply once a month during Spring-Summer season. This gives the plant balanced macro-elements (NPK) necessary for overall plant health. Do not use on fruit trees fertilizers with high Nitrogen content.
4) Apply SUNSHINE SuperFood micro-element booster to keep fruit trees vigorous, develop strong root system and avoid deficiencies.
5) In case of signs of chlorosis (yellowing leaves with darker veins), give the tree SUNSHINE-GreenLeaf and watch the leaves turning green quickly.
After harvesting, don't forget to make another treatment of SUNSHINE-Honey as a preparation for the next year flowering and fruiting season.