Cultural Directions

Heliconia : Cultural Directions

Upon receipt of rhizome or bare root plant, carefully unpack, plant quickly not to let rhizomes or roots dry out. Soak bottom 2/3 of rhizome or roots if visible for ½ hour at room temperature.

Rhizome or bare root plant should be planted in a well draining soil mix of 1/3 peatmoss, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 coarse potting mix ( soil less ) with the very tip of the rhizome protruding out of the soil. Most rhizomes and bare root plants will have cut stalks attached to rhizomes, let these remain above soil line. Water thoroughly and let mixture dry out somewhat between waterings, if kept to wet, there is a good chance that rotting could occur. Heliconias grow best at temperatures at 70 degrees and above, requiring bright light, and are heavy feeders of any well balanced fertilizer.

Fertilize at least once a month during growing season. Daily misting of plants is beneficial if grown inside or in dry outdoor environment.

Musa "Bananas" Fruiting and Ornamental: Cultural Directions

Plants may arrive potted or corm. Carefully unpack corm .All banana corms will be bare root. Soak in water for 10 minutes to rehydrate )

Prepare a well draining soil that consist of 1/3 peat and 1/3 coarse potting mix, and 1/3 coarse sand or perlite. Bananas can be grown in containers or planted directly in the ground.

Water thoroughly at planting, keep on the moist side ( NOT WET ) if base of plant begins to soften or look discolored , this is a sign of too much moisture, stop watering until healthy growth appears. Once planted resumption of growth is quick as new leaves unfurl from the top center of the pseudostem, or stronger new growth will emerge from underground portions of the corm (suckers) and produce a new banana plant.

Cannas : Cultural Directions

Upon receipt of bare root plant, unpack carefully, position eyes, new shoots or cut stalk in a upward position. Plant directly in a well drained potting mix or garden soil , in the ground or container. Cover rhizome at least 1 to 2" in depth, water thoroughly and keep soil moist but not wet. When signs of new growth appears, begin fertilization with any balanced fertilizer 16-16-16 or 14-14-14. Regimental fertilization is the key element for optimal growth and flowering during there growing season March - November . In zones 6 and lower, rhizomes should be dug after first frost and stored in a dry peat moss and frost free area until after last frost of spring and replanted .If grown in containers bring indoors in a cool, dry area, with minimal water.

Gingers : Cultural Directions / hedychium/ calatheas/ costus/ alpinias/curcumas/ zingibers/ etlingera / stromanthea /etc.

Upon receipt of rhizome or rooted plant, unpack carefully, garden soil temperature should be at least 50 degrees. Position eye's or new growing shoots in a upright position, cover rhizome with a well drained potting mix consisting of a coarse soil less potting mix, perlite #2 or #3, and builders/riverbed sand all thoroughly mixed together. Cover rhizome 1 to 2" deep in a container that is 3 to 4" larger than the width of the rhizome , or plant directly in a well drained garden loam in the ground. Water soil thoroughly, and do not water again until soil is dry to the touch, if rhizome is kept to wet it may rot, especially until begins to take up new roots. Give plant appropriate lighting conditions according to plant variety and species description. A balanced fertilizer can be worked into the potting mix or garden soil at the time of planting, preferably a time release fertilizer. A PH range of 5-7 is suitable for tropical ginger's.

Proteas: Cultural Directions/ Container and Ground

Great success of protea can be obtained by planting in the ground or container. Filtered Sun To Full Sun: is preferable for proteas, the more mature plants become, the more direct full sun they can take during peak summer months.

Watering: Cool months tend to require less watering ; 1 time a week is sufficient this time a year, in summer months twice a week is preferred. If planted in a container the top portion of soil 1 ½" is dry it's time to water, once established they are very drought tolerate especially in the ground.

Feeding: Ammonia sulfate and /or blood meal is an ideal supplement during peak growth season.

Repotting or Earth Planting: Use a mixture of 1 part garden soil, 1 part cactus mix with sand and 1 part peat moss ( for container ) If planting in the ground, prepare a hole 1 ½ times the size of the container it arrives in, immerse plant and mixed soil into hole and compact while building a slight basin around the plant. To keep root zone cool, apply a light mulch of fir bark or grass clippings.

Passiflora: Cultural Direction

Upon receipt of your potted passiflora vine, we recommend repotting to allow the root system to expand which helps in regulating adequate moisture levels. Select a premixed potting soil or make your own, but should contain 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 coarse potting mix or pasteurize top soils

Tropical Plants, Trees, Shrubs And Vines: Cultural Directions Tropical Plants Trees, Shrubs And Vines: General Cultural Directions

Watering: Proper watering is a key element to success with potted plants, with few exceptions , you should wait until soil looks dry before watering, but give a thorough watering when you do.

Light Levels: Once your plants have been repotted and watered, they will need suitable location to flourish. Light is a very important element for healthy plant growth. Sun loving plants require a south- south west exposure. Plants that require partial sun should be grown in a east or west facing exposure. If plants begin to "stretch and look leggy" light levels should be increased or if plants look wilted or burned on foliage light levels should be decreased.

Temperature: When selecting a location to grow your plants, locate a range between 60 and 85 degrees fahrenheit.This is the perfect temperature range for most tropicals ( depending on variety ) temperatures falling below 40 degrees can stop growth and possibly damage plants on some varieties.

Fertilization: A regimental fertilization program is a necessity for most container grown plants. We recommend a balanced water soluble fertilizer N-P-P. Nitrogen, 20 p Phosphorus 20 Potash or 20. A recommended dilution is ½ tbs. to 1 gallon of water applied once a week. To much feeding encourages insects and disease.

Humidity: Humidity should be monitored especially during winter months. Healthy plant growth is best maintained at level above 50% relative humidity, however most plants will tolerate lower levels for short periods of time. When air is dry, misting is recommended.

Pruning: Pruning creates multiple off shoots and branching and thickens a plants appearance. If a bushy well branched specimen is desired pinch or cut growing tips, this will create lateral branching. Pruning can be performed throughout the growth cycle to maintain size or fill out loose" scraggly" appearance. On mature specimens you should only prune after flowering or at the beginning of their growing season so not to delay or interrupt flowering. Vining plants are an exception and should be staked or trained on trellis, arbors and fences as they produce off shoots and runners on their own.

Plumerias "Cultivator Plumerias"

Planting
For container planting use a coarse, well draining potting mix with perlite or sand. Start with a 6″ to 10″ container or you may consider using a large container on a plant dolly once the plant is large enough to be in a larger pot to help make the job easier moving indoors as winter approaches. Insert the cut end down in to you potting mix 2″ firm soil around cutting and water lightly

Watering
Water plumeria deeply but infrequently. Let soil dry out somewhat before watering again. “Plumerias "do not like wet feet”. Begin to reduce the frequency of watering in mid October. As the cool season approaches stop watering after all the leaves have fallen and plumeria has gone dormant. Resume watering in the spring as new growth begins.

Feeding
Plumerias should be fed with a high nitrogen fertilizer beginning in spring when growth begins. To encourage the most blooms a switch to a high phosphorous fertilizer in early May and fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks through the end of September.

Since Plumerias are so versatile, it should not stop one who lives in cold winter climates from enjoying its unforgettable fragrances and colors.

When repotting into a larger container, gently turn container over in one hand and tap bottom to release plant and root ball as roots can be damaged easily. Plant in larger container or ground at same level as it was in it's original container.