Date: 30 Jun 2021
Black Magic of Colocasias
Spectacular unusual plants
Q: I need something unusual to plant next to a small pond at my front yard. It is full sun location. I need a plant that is not too messy and doesn't require much maintenance. Preferably without flowers, so they don't drop into the water, and not too tall. Any suggestions?
A: Your ideal solution is - colorful Colocasia hybrids with
spectacular large leaves. Our favorite is variety Black Magic - it creates a magic tropical atmosphere. The color of the
leaves in full sun is dark purple, almost black, and the brighter the light,
the deeper the color.
Light colored varieties - Royal Hawaiian Maui Sunrise, with bright sunny stripes, or Illustris, in case you want to create a bright, mixed-color border
around your pond. Colocasias are perfect plants for perimeter borders, and
naturally are marginal plants around lakes and along river banks.
Photo above: for enhanced effect of your Black Magic Colocasias, use Black Magic Ti Leaf for the background planting... Cordyline fruticosa Black Magic
Date: 4 Jun 2021
Fragrant plants - Sweet memories
...More than any other sense, the sense of smell has the power to recall memories of the past. Perhaps this is because the olfactory impressions are received by the brain's limbic system, one of the most ancient components that also associated with emotions. The result is that even a whiff of a certain flower or leaf can instantly transport us in time to when we first encountered the fragrance. Little wonder that fragrant plants have always ranked high among Southern favorites...
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 5 Jan 2021
Growing Loquat in container
Q: I purchased a Sherry Loquat tree from you in April of 2020. It got off to a slow start initially, but now is five feet tall with healthy leaf growth! It is in a 15-gallon pot and was brought into the house by October 15th. I live in Zone 6 and kept the plant outside from end of May to October 15th. I have given the tree artificial lights in addition to slow release fertilizer. Can you please advise me on what steps I need to take to get the Sherry Loquat tree to fruit? E.g., lighting requirements, soil pH, soil type, etc.
A: Loquat is normally winter flowering and spring fruiting tree, here in Florida it is usually heavily covered with fruit by April. With a proper care, you may see flowers throughout the winter and they may set some fruit for you. Considering that during this time you have to keep the plant indoors, here are some recommendations:
1. Soil. Well-drained, porous potting mix. Do not use any heavy garden soils. For our plants we use the following mix which is excellent for containers: Abundance
2. Light. The brighter the better. Sunroom would be great, or at least put the tree next to a large window. Extra lighting with grow lights is beneficial. Any type of light will work, you can even use a simple clip-on light, the brighter the better. 8-10 hours a day.
3. Water. Loquat is drought tolerant but for fruiting it will need regular watering; just don't keep soil soggy, let is slightly dry before waterings.
4. Fertilizer program. Use liquid fertilizer. We recommend Sunshine
Boosters that are safe to use with every watering and year around - SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster.
We recommend to switch plants from traditional"slow-release"fertilizer to the liquid one because it makes a huge difference in plant growth and flower/fruit quality and quantity.
Sunshine Boosters are scientifically balanced fertilizers that supply all necessary elements for daily plant
needs. They are natural and eco-safe, great for any edibles.
5. Micro-elements. These are essential for potted plants, because in containers roots can't reach out to elements that are usually present in soil when trees grown in the ground.
Apply micro-element remedies that are very effective for improving fruit production,
especially when flower or fruit drop occurs:
SUNSHINE Honey - promotes more efficient blossoming and pollination, makes flowers bigger and reduces bud
drop.
SUNSHINE SuperFood - improves plant vigor and quality and size of flowers
These are all natural, eco-friendly supplements that work great for fruit trees and other edibles.
Read more about Loquat trees: The best grafted Loquat varieties.
Date: 7 Aug 2020
Top Tropicals Golden Reaper
Gold Carolina Reaper pepper plants
by Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc
Because only people who are already well informed about SUPER HOT chili varieties are likely to be curious about these, there is no need for discussion about the history of what could be termed the "Hot Chili Wars"... Anyone reading this likely knows the chili variety which currently holds the official world's record for heat is a red one called 'Carolina Reaper'. They have a very unusual shape and texture.
Our distinct variety - Gold Carolina Reaper Pepper - originated from a batch of seeds of the
regular red fruited 'Carolina Reaper' (received directly from the breeder).
Out of the regular red fruited seedlings grew a plant producing truly brilliant
orange-gold colored fruits. As this plant was much more healthy, vigorous,
and productive than the normal red ones, (even producing considerably larger
fruits and just as searingly hot), we segregated and isolated that one. Seeds
from that specimen were then grown out to see the result, which, happily all
came out exactly identical to and as vigorous as the original gold parent.
Our plants have been grown from those.
We have very strong plants beginning to bud-up!
Date: 4 Apr 2020
You are safe in your garden!
Lucie Herard, Montreal Tropical.
Lucie's tropical garden in Montreal, Canada:
"The movement of plants fascinates me!"
Our customer Lucie
Herard shared pictures of her tropical garden with us... Many of you have
beautiful gardens that you are proud of... but this one is... in Canada! Believe it
or not, before winter she digs everything up and brings it inside! Then in
Spring, she starts again every year. Dedication? Determination? Heroism! Lucie
won the Planet Bananiers photo contest for the third time.
Look at these pictures and visit Lucie's Facebook page for more photos and videos of her amazing garden.
Ask yourself: and what can I do? Is my life really that hard with mowing a
lawn once a week and blowing the leaves? You don't have to be a hero to make
something worthwhile in your life. Just take a shovel and start... one plant a
day. And you will end up living in Paradise.
Lucie reminds you: "Ornamental horticulture production activities are
now considered an essential service! Add soil in a pot, water very slightly for
the first two weeks and put closer to the window. That's all, the leaves
will start growing again!"
Tropical Paradise Contest 2020
Share with us photos of your garden. The winner of this contest will get plants $200 worth, with FREE shipping!
Submit your photos before April 15, 2020
and win $200 in tropical plants!
and win $200 in tropical plants!
