How To Root Succulent Plants With Leaf or Stem Cuttings

Succulents are perfect plants for dry gardens and are easy to root and grow. Once you learn how easy it is to propagate succulent plants, it's a great way to expand your plant collection - and it's free! You can use this planting technique with succulent plants from the Crassula family like Jade (C. ovata), Spoon Jade or Gollum Fingers (C. Portulacea, Rosary Plant (C. Rupestris), and Crassula tetragona. This propagation technique also works on other cactus and succulent plants like Aloe Vera, Echeveria, Aeonium and Baby Jade (Portulacaria afra).

Planting Succulent Cuttings: Start with a cutting about 4 - 6 inches long. Bury about half the stalk in soil. This will give you deep roots and helps the plant withstand drought better. Trim off the last few leaves to make a bare stalk if you need to. The leaves can be planted too; bury about half the leaf, cut side down. Most succulent plants and shrubs will form roots on the joints in their stalks.

Watering Succulent Plant Cuttings: Water every 2-3 days so the soil is moist (like a squeezed sponge). After a month, cut back to monthly watering. The leaves will probably shrivel a bit as the plant forms roots. The plant is living off the stored energy in its leaves. This is normal. You may also lose a few leaves, which is also normal. Do not use this as an excuse to over water!

Save all your broken parts and leaves. When I am repotting, I always save all my bits and pieces. Tuck them into the soil and leave a little green sticking out. Most parts will take root and grow into an extra plant.

How to Grow Succulent Plants: Succulent plants want heat and light. Outdoors most succulents take full sun to light shade. Some succulents will change colors in the sun and with the seasons. If you see brown, scabby spots, plants are getting too much sun. Aloe plants will turn orange in full sun.

Most succulents and cacti make excellent houseplants. They are already accustomed to a warm, dry environment, but they do need bright light. Indoors, most succulent plants can take sun near a window, or bright light. As a general rule of thumb, if there is enough sunlight for you to read, there is probably enough sun to make your plant happy. Outdoors, Aloe and Haworthia like bright light, but take less sunlight than most succulents. One or two hours of direct sun is usually their limit. They will turn orange if they are getting too much sun. Moving them to more shade will change them back to green.

A very light frost is usually no problem for succulent plants. A hard freeze, however, will freeze them solid. Outdoors, they can survive a frost if they have overhead protection. In freezing winter areas, bring you plants inside and put them in an area with lots of light.

How to Water Succulent Plants and Cacti: Succulents are native to places like South Africa, South America and the arid Southwest. Try to keep that in mind when you are picking a spot for your plants. Succulents and cacti are equipped to store water in their leafs and stalks so that they can survive long periods of drought. Indoors, drench the pot and then allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Outdoors, water them a few times during the hottest days of summer (if they look shriveled), otherwise, leave them alone. The fastest way to kill succulents is to over water them.

Soil Requirements for Succulents and Cacti: Succulent plants in a pot: The preferred soil for succulents is light and fast draining. Some retailers carry a special cactus potting soil, which is ideal. However, regular potting soil can also be used. Just remember that regular potting soil is formulated to retain water, so be sure to let it dry between watering (after your plants are established.) Do not use the potting soil with added fertilizer as it can be too 'rich' for succulents. If available, add a scoop of sharp sand or fine gravel to assist with drainage.

Succulent Plant Cuttings Outdoors: Generally you can put your succulent plant cutting directly in the soil in the exact spot where you want the plant to grow. Just break up the soil, (add a little potting soil if you must), and plant your cutting. If the area is in full sun, your plant cutting will have an easier time rooting and getting established if you give it a little shade for a couple weeks or so. You can use a shade cloth, a piece of cardboard or anything else that keeps the sun off your cutting for a few hours during the day.

If you are rooting a succulent cutting in a pot but plan on planting it in your garden, I recommend using mainly soil from your own garden in the pot. You can add a scoop of potting soil if you wish, but the best thing is to get your cutting used to your native soil off the bat. Your plant will have a better transition from pot to garden soil when you plant it. 

Laura Zinkan 

History and Care Of Poinsettia Plants - Euphorbia Pulcherrima

Euphorbia pulcherrima, the botanical name, or poinsettia as we call it is native to Mexico and Guatemala in Central America. Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap. The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, was given to the poinsettia by German botanist, Karl Ludwig Wilenow. The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima, meaning "very beautiful".

The History of the Poinsettia in its Native Habitat

The Aztecs in the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries called this plant "Cuetlaxochitl" in their native Nahuatl language. Cuitllatl means "residue" and xochiti means flower, thus it is "the flower that grows in the residues or soil". Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, had poinsettia plants brought up to what is present day Mexico City by caravans. The Aztecs saw the plant as a symbol of purity and used it as a dye and against fevers.

Seventeenth century Spanish botanist Don Juan Balme mentions poinsettia plants in his writings. He found the plant flourishing on the slopes and in the valleys near Cuernavaca. He described the plant as having large green leaves and a small flower surrounded by brilliant red bracts, almost as if for protection.

At the same time the Spanish Franciscan Friars, who settled in the Taxco region of southern Mexico, included the timely winter grown red blooms of the plants in their Fiesta de Pesebre, the Nativity procession. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and was named "Noche Buena" meaning Christmas Eve. The name "poinsettia" is derived from Joel Roberts Poinsett who was the first United States Minister to Mexico from 1825 to 1829. Mr. Poinsett first brought poinsettia plants to America.

Poinsettias are fascinating winter blooming small shrubs or trees which can grow anywhere from about two to sixteen feet tall. Dark green leaves which are about three to six inches in length add to the festive appearance of this plant.

The colored bracts of poinsettia plants are actually leaves. Colors of the bracts can be red, pink, orange, white, or marbled. These colored bracts are caused by photoperiodism. Many flowering plants use a photoreceptor protein, such as phytochrome or cryptochrome, to sense changes between daylight and the darkness of night or photoperiod, which they take as signals to flower.

People not familiar with poinsettia plants believe that the colored bracts are the actual flowers. But the flowers, called cyathia, are located at the center of each leaf bunch.

Poinsettia plants are considered toxic by many. But this is not the case. They may cause mild skin irritations to some individuals who are sensitive to it. If any part of the plant is ingested, it may cause an upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. In addition, the sap that exudes from a broken branch may cause temporary blindness if it comes in contact with the eyes.

History of the Poinsettia Arrival in the Unites States and its Name

The poinsettia was introduced to the United States by Mr. Poinsett in 1828. He had sent and brought cuttings from Mexico to his greenhouses in Greenville, South Carolina. He shared these cuttings with friends and other horticulturalists he knew at the time.

Euphorbia pulcherrima, the name originally given by German botanist Karl Ludwig Wilenow was changed to "Poinsettia" in honor of Mr. Poinsett in 1836 by William Prescott, the historian and horticulturalist, who was asked to rename the plant. In his newly published historical work at the time on Mexico, 'Conquest of Mexico', Mr. Prescott details Mr. Poinsett's discovery of this beautiful plant in the area of Taxco del Alarcon in southern Mexico.

During the 1920s Albert Ecke and his son Paul became interested in poinsettia plants which grew wild in southern California at this time. As these plants bloomed during the Holiday season both Albert and Paul thought that this would be a perfect plant to introduce to the public. Paul continued to foster the idea of making the poinsettia the "official holiday flower" for Christmas. They grew fields of poinsettia plants and began to sell them commercially. The plants were initially sold at roadside stands in the Hollywood and Beverly Hills area.

In 1923 the family moved their business to Encinitas, about 2 hours south of the very fast developing area around Los Angeles. Encinitas proved to be the perfect location for growing poinsettias as it mirrored the growing conditions of its native Mexico where these plants grow wild.

From 1923 to the mid-1960s they grew fields of poinsettia mother plants, and shipped them to plant nurseries around the country that purchased them for cultivation and future commercial sales. Paul personally traveled the country promoting the plant to nurseries nationwide and encouraged nursery owners to market the plant as a holiday flower.

But this changed in 1963 when the first commercial-quality poinsettia cultivar was developed. It grew best as a potted plant and was introduced to the public. This dramatically changed the nature of commercially growing and selling poinsettia plants. Even for the Ecke Family Business, they moved indoors from the fields to growing these smaller plants in greenhouses. They began shipping by air freight rather than by rail.

Paul Jr. with his marketing ideas to always keep the poinsettia plant in the public eye used the very popular growing medium of television to promote these bright red and later red and white potted flowering plants. They became a part of the scenery in most every popular TV show and all the Christmas Specials during the holiday season. No holiday scene would be complete without at least one blooming poinsettia plant.

Today Dr. Ruth Kobayashi continues to produce new poinsettia hybrids for the Ecke family. Dr. Kobayashi's work resulted in the knowledge of the most important poinsettia genetics known today. In 2002 'Prestige Red' was introduced known for its outstanding branching capabilities and very sturdy stems. 'Prestige Red' quickly became the number one selling red poinsettia. Presently experiments continue to breed other species with the Euphorbia genus. Currently there are more than 100 varieties of poinsettias available.

Here are some of the cultivar names exhibiting some of the most spectacular poinsettia colors available today: Cortez Red, Cranberry Punch, Flirt, Galaxy Red, Marblestar, Nutcracker Pink, Monet, Plum Pudding, Silverstar White, Sonora Fire, Victory Red, White Christmas, Spotlight Apricot, and Pearl.

In addition many commercial growers have cultivated new plants which have longer lasting bract colors and lasting foliage that can survive poor watering schedules. Poinsettia growers have characteristically made today's plants bruise resistant and more flexible with less fragile bracts that can survive shipping without dropping their leaves that allows them to arrive beautifully intact to the stores and nurseries for retail sales.

Initial Care of your newly purchased Plant....

When purchasing poinsettia plants make sure the plant is wrapped properly to protect it from cold temperatures during the trip home.

Place it near a sunny window. Maintain a temperature above 65 degrees F. Mist the plant daily with lukewarm water. To avoid spots on the leaves from misting use distilled water. Water the plant when the surface is dry to the touch. Water thoroughly until the water completely drains into the saucer. Make sure to empty the saucer of drained water. Keep the plant away from all drafty areas, hot or cold air.

Poinsettia Care after the Holidays....

January to March- Keep watering when the surface is dry and misting the plant throughout the day (3-4 times). Poinsettias love the humidity the misting creates.

April- Gradually decrease watering allowing the poinsettia plant to get dry between watering. But be careful that the plant does not shrivel. Discontinue misting during this period. After your poinsettia is used to this dryness, move it to a cool basement or any place where the temperature is about 60 degrees F for a period of about four weeks.

May- Cut the plant back to about 4-5 inches above the soil level, repot into the next size container and sprinkle one tablespoon of bone meal over the roots. At this time you may also add some slow release fertilizer, like 14-14-14, or 19-6-12 for faster growth. Water the newly transplanted plant with Superthrive or any transplant solution which contains Vitamin B1. Now it's time to place your poinsettia plant in a sunny window where the temperature is above 65 degrees F. Mist the plant daily and water when the surface is dry. If you haven't added a slow release fertilizer while transplanting, start fertilizing with an all purpose fertilizer every two weeks as soon as new growth appears.

June- Move your poinsettia plant outside into a partial sunny location and continue to water and fertilize it.

July- At the beginning of the month cut back each stem about an inch. This will encourage your poinsettia to branch resulting in a bushy plant. If you don't pinch it back, your poinsettia grows tall without side branches.

August- By now your plant should have branched well and it's time to cut it back one more time so each shoot has about four leaves left. At this time continue with your fertilizing, misting, and watering schedule.

September- Continue to fertilize, misting, and water and make sure the temperature stays above 65 degrees F.

October- As your poinsettia needs short days in order to set buds, you have to provide it with twelve hours of total darkness starting the first day of October. Give the plant darkness from 5 pm to 8 am every day during this period. Without these additional hours of darkness poinsettias won't set buds and the leaves remain green. Place a box or black plastic bag over the poinsettia plant making sure no light reaches the plant. During daytime move the plant to a sunny window and continue to fertilize, misting, and water.

November- At the end of the month discontinue the darkness treatment and leave the plant in its sunny window. At this time you should be able to see flower buds.

December- Discontinue fertilizing about the middle of the month. Continue watering and misting and treat your poinsettia plant just like you did after you bought it. At this time your poinsettia should be blooming again.

Like many tropical plants poinsettias can be grown successfully indoors when properly tested and proven guidelines are followed. One can enjoy poinsettia plants for months until it is time to bring out the Easter Lily.

Bob Allen Walsh

Growing Hawaiian Hibiscus Plants and Flowers

Most of us are familiar with hibiscus flowers that range in colors from red, yellow, pink, blue, and everything in between. The flowers are quite large ranging in size from two to ten inches compared to other tropicals.

Hibiscus plants are members of the Malva family, Malvaceae. This plant family includes more than 200 species of annual and perennial plants.

The Hibiscus, in all colors and varieties, was the State Flower of Hawaii until the 1920s. It was not until 1988 that the yellow Hibiscus, Hibiscus brackenridgei, which is native to Hawaii, was officially adopted as the State Flower of Hawaii.

Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands think that all the beautiful hibiscus flowers which they observe on the Islands are native to Hawaii. But this is not the case.

Chinese Hibiscus, also called Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, is the hibiscus plant most commonly grown as ornamental plant on the Islands. This is the one so often associated with Hawaiian flowers.

In addition to the yellow Hibiscus, here is a list of hibiscus plants native to the Hawaiian Islands....

Hibiscus arnottianus produces white flowers. Hibiscus arnottianus is closely related to Hibiscus waimeae. Both produce fragrant flowers, which is a unique characteristic of hibiscus flowers.

Hibiscus brackenridgei produces showy, bright yellow flowers. This yellow hibiscus can grow to be over 30 feet in height; this is tall for the hibiscus family. Hibiscus brackenridgei is closely related to Hibiscus divaricatus.

Hibiscus clayi is a small tree found in its natural habitat on the Island of Kauai. It produces bright red flowers.

Hibiscus furcellatus, a pink flowered hibiscus plant, is found in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and on Hawaii. On Hawaiian Islands it is known as akiohala, hau hele, and hau hele wai.

Hibiscus kokio can grow up to 20 feet or more with red and orange flowers.

Hibiscus tiliaceus, common to the tropics, may be native to Hawaii or was brought to Hawaii by early Polynesians.

Hibiscus waimeae grows up to 30 feet tall producing white flowers.

Hibiscus plants we grow on the mainland produce gorgeous flowers, either monochromatic (one color) or polychromatic (many colors) on each plant.

Hibiscus hybrids include 'All Aglow', 'Black Beauty', 'Bon Temps', 'Cajun Blue', 'Kona', 'Norman Lee', 'Peggy Hendri', and countless more.

Hibiscus plants can be grown in the ground year round in areas with little or no frost, such as plant hardiness zones 9 and 10.

When brought home from the nursery the hibiscus should be placed in a partial sunny area and gradually moved to sunnier exposures until it's exposed to full sun.

It is essential for hibiscus plants to have a very well draining soil. Otherwise the roots may rot.

Do not to use any fertilizer high in nitrogen when fertilizing. This results in lots of vegetation growth, but hardly any flowers. Your plants will benefit tremendously from regular foliar feeding. It is important to spray both sides of the leaves. It is also very helpful to add a surfactant to your spraying solution. This will prevent the solution from running off the leaves.

When your hibiscus plant grows out of shape, it can be pruned to the desired shape. You need to be careful that all danger of frost has passed. New growth can be easily damaged by a late frost.

Unfortunately, insects like to feast on hibiscus leaves. The insects include aphids, mealy bugs, scales, thrips, and whiteflies. If this is the case a good spraying with insecticidal soap a few times or one application of a systemic insecticide should take care of the problem.

Grown indoors, hibiscus likes sunny windows or be put under grow lights.

Hibiscus is just one of many tropical plants that reward you with colorful flowers all year long when you give them the proper care they need.

( Bob A Walsh )

How to Grow Tropical Plants in Cool Climates and Frost

It is a fact of life that most people want something different, not just in the way of their looks, but in the way of their garden. No one wants to have the same plants as the neighbours, and wants their garden to stand out from the crowd. This does however often mean growing plants which do not grow easily in your climate. People in the tropics often wish to grow cottage plants in a cottage or formal style garden, whereas people in temperate and cool climates love growing tropical plants in a tropical, or Bali style garden.

Your aim is to provide a climate as close to the tropical plant's natural climate, that is, the climate it originates from. Many plants come from places close to the equator for example, where the weather is always warm, and very humid. There are many things you can do to produce an artificial climate for the plants you want to grow. These frost protection methods range from very simple, temporary solutions, to permanent structures such as shade houses. The purpose of all the available frost protection methods listed below is to stimulate the natural needs of each plant so they grow well regardless of their position.

Often, when you live in a fairly mild climate where you do not experience a lot of frost, and when you do get frost it is very mild; you may not be prepared to protect your plants from frost. Most of the plants you are growing in your garden are probably semi hardy to frost, and would survive many winters without any damage. Until, one day, a hard frost strikes your garden.... This frost may only be a few degrees colder than the frosts you received the other years, but it's enough to kill some of your semi-hardy plants if they are not protected from the frost.

You will usually get some warning about when a hard frost is about to strike. There will most likely be a few nights of mild frost preceding the really serious frost. You may also see some very mild damage on the foliage of the plants, or some frosted stretches of lawn or soil. Some places are more susceptible to frost; these places are known are 'frost pockets'. Frost occurs more readily in stretches of open ground exposed to the sky (as frost settles from above), in hollows in the ground, and in valleys where the frost settles on the bottom and can't escape easily.

Some simple ways of protecting your tropical plants from frost include a cardboard box placed around the plant, of which you can open the top ('lid') in the morning, and close it at night for protection. You can also pile up leaves or palm fronds around the plant to create a frost barrier, or use bamboo stakes to create a simple tent frame around the plant, which plastic covering. Hessian bags are a great way of covering plants to keep the cold out, and small greenhouses can be purchased very affordably these days!

( Elle M )

Artificial plants for home decoration

If you like beauty and elegance plants bring to your home but don't have time to maintain the flora learn how artificial plants can inspire your living space adding harmony to your life.

What are artificial trees and plants?

High-quality artificial plants are made from reformed barks and printed silks.

Artificial plants are 100% maintenance and watering free except occasional dusting and can adapt to anywhere in your home, from the extreme environments in the conservatory to the hustle and bustles of the living or dinning room.

Artificial plants leaves are manufactured with a UV coating to ensure the lasting colour when in direct sun light.

Artificial plants are Pollen free for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Most popular artificial plants

How to select artificial plants for your home decoration? Learn more about most popular aptificial plants to decide which one better suits your needs.

Phoenix Palm

A beautiful Variety of the Areca Family of Palm trees, This tree has been meticulously reproduced, with its stunning foliage tapering from foot to top, this tree will create a stunning focal point for any room. Ideal for conservatories, around the home or office.

Mawai Palm Tree

This palm tree is a really adaptable due to its size and foliage and is extremely popular, with its mid green finger leaves and beautiful stems, finished with a twist of Real palm crape at the foot of the tree. Looks fantastic free standing in the middle of a room or positioned anywhere within your home or business.

Brazillian Cross Flower Tree

This is a sensational Tree. The Size, the Colours of the beautiful flowers and the Texture, of the foliage have been meticulously reproduced to the finest detail, This rare tree stands over 5 1/2 feet tall, you will not find it anywhere else in the UK. Superb for any room in the home or around the office.

Giant Bracenea Tree

An amazing tree that is extremely difficult to maintain if real. A stunning example of this rare tree that stands over 5 feet tall and with its spider foliage and beautiful yellow and greens makes this an eye catching tree that will take center stage in any room. Would look great in any room around the office or home.

Oblong Topiary Tree

A tree of Stature, with its extensive foliage rising in parallel lines, your room is brought to life. The beautifully crafted tree makes it a focal point of any room, standing in dining rooms, living rooms or conservatories; this topiary will bring something different to your home.

Triangle Topiary tree

A fantastic looking tree made with a stunning life like foliage and cut with to an amazing triangle shape, this truly gives your home a modern feel, ideal for entrances, decking and around the home.

Affection Grass

Pure elegance is the only way to describe this stunning tree. The single stem crookedly rises with an explosion of green foliage. With such harmony and attention to detail you have an ideal lifestyle tree for the indoor or outdoor environment, decking, patios, exterior door placing or living room, dining rooms.

Topiary Balls

The most agile of Topiary Trees, Just pick it up and place it anywhere goes the saying, easy on the eye, this adaptable lifestyle variety will be a perfect accessory to any room in the home or for outdoors in the garden.

Conical Topiary Tree

Placed anywhere in the home this dual shaped topiary tree gives the center focus it deserves, from dinner parties to family entertaining this Topiary tree is always the topic of conversation.

Melon Grass Topiary tree

A Superb Topiary tree that has been meticulously, reproduced to the finest detail, with genuine bark and the finest lifestyle foliage, this tree is truly a contemporary focal point for any room, or Garden.

Tropical Lotus Plants

The tropical lotus is growing in popularity in many people's homes. They are amazing to look at, superb to touch, so if you are looking for a tropical touch of class to your decoration, a plant that looks amazing year in year out, then this plant is for you. It has been reproduced to the finest detail and like all our products, totally maintenance free.

Chrysanthemum Plant

Chrysanthemums have a long history, but although the Chinese where growing them 2500 years ago, they did not reach Europe until 1789. Nowadays they are immensely popular, so splash an injection of colour around the home, this fantastic life like plant will bring your dull corners to life. No watering no sunlight just a beautiful foliage season after season, year after year.

Ginger Water Lily Plant

An amazing plant that is extremely difficult to maintain if real. It stands over 3 feet tall and with its large foliage and beautiful yellow flowers makes this an eye catching plant that will take center stage in any room. A real alternative to a medium sized tree, where colour is needed.

Kiwi Yucca Plant

This is a sensational plant, The Size, the Colour, the Texture, have been meticulously reproduced to the finest detail, this plant is so lifelike you would not know it was artificial "Fact" This plant is exclusive to easyplants, you will not find it anywhere else in the UK. Superb for any room in the home or office or outdoors on the decking.

Thai Yucca Plant

A plant of Grandeur and scale, this popular plant has been gracing homes and offices across the UK for generations. It has been meticulously reproduced to offer a maintenance free alternative to the real Yucca plant. Why spend your time and effort nurturing a Yucca when Modern day alternatives are just a phone call away. Perfect for homes and businesses.

Mediterranean Lotus Plant

This tropical lotus is now appearing in many homes and offices homes. They are amazing to look at, so if you are looking for a Mediterranean touch of class to your decoration, a plant that looks amazing year in year out, then this plant is for you. It has been reproduced to the finest detail and like all our products, totally maintenance free.

Chilean Lotus Plant

This is a Lotus plant of fantastic colour and texture. They originated from Chile but are now found throughout south America. This plant has been meticulously reproduced to the finest detail and will look amazing year in year out, don't forget this plant is totally maintenance free. Superb for homes and offices, add a touch of class to your room.

Aloe Plant

For Generations this futuristic looking plant has been used as a supplement to care for your body. This unusual Tropical plant has been reproduced to the finest detail, this is an immensely difficult plant to keep in this continent, but now you have the chance to show off an aloe plant in the comfort of your home or office.

Hydrangea Plant

Many people remember Hydrangeas from their childhood; today we are falling in love with them all over again. This plant is so beautiful it can easily blend in with any interior and lives up to it billing as one of the most adaptable plants in the world. Great for anywhere in the home, no watering and no sunlight needed, just stunning all year round.

Tiger Lily

For Centuries the lily has ranked as one of the most popular flowers in the World. 

Unlike a real tiger lily that begins growth in the spring, blooms in early summer and then goes dormant for the long winter months, our sensational Lily will look superb all year round in any environment, season after season.

Crouch Grass

The Crouch grass is growing more in popularity due to its adaptability, this display of foliage will look great anywhere around the home or office. The varied mixtures of exotic grasses, tropical ferns portrays a natural looking display, superb to look at, so if you are looking for a tropical touch of Grass to your decoration, a plant that looks amazing year in year out, then this plant is for you. It has been reproduced to the finest detail and totally maintenance free. 

All artificial plants are amazing, elegant, and stylish, you it's difficult to choose the best one, however now you know from what to choose.

Peter Drinkell

Musa, Musella, Ensete: The Hardy Banana Tree - History and Background

The Banana Tree is a tropical herbaceous perennial (and not actually a real tree) in the family Musaceae. They are native to Southeast Asia, China, Madagascar and Africa. Forty million years ago, bananas were also native to North America as far north as Oregon. There are 3 genera of bananas; Ensete, Musa, and Musella. These genera are widely cultivated in hot, wet regions between the equator and 30N/S. The cold tolerant taxa come from high altitude locations in the tropics. The family Musaceae is closely related to other well known ornamental tropicals such as Bird-of-Paradise (Strelitziaceae), Canna Lily (Cannaceae), the tropical gingers (Zingiberaceae) and Heliconia (Heliconaceae).

Bananas have been cultivated as a food for 4,000-10,000 years in tropical areas. However, Europeans were not aware of the fruit until they started exploring the world during the Age of Discovery in the 1500's. Edible bananas were not introduced to America until 1876 during the Philadelphia World Exposition. Today there are several hundred cultivars of edible bananas grown around the world. However, since the 1960's, only one cultivar has been used to produce the yellow dessert bananas eaten in the U.S. and Europe; Musa acuminata 'Cavendish'. The 'Cavendish' banana is a sterile triploid. It produces fruit in the absence of pollination (parthenocarpy) and therefore does not have any seeds. Most edible bananas belong to Musa acuminata or to Musa balbisiana (or are hybrids between). Hybrids are given the species name Musa paradisiaca. In addition to the sweet dessert varieties, there are starchy, unsweet cooking bananas that are used in a manner similar to how Americans use potatoes. These cooking bananas are sometimes known as plantains and are commonly boiled, baked, or fried. In America, we generally call the sweet fruits (that are eaten raw) bananas, and the starchy fruits (that must be cooked) plantains. Musa and Ensete may be eaten in other ways too. The Chinese eat the immature male flower and many cultures use the rhizomes and the stem as food or fodder. Bananas may also be dried and eaten as a chip or ground into flour. Bananas are the 4th largest fruit crop in the world behind apples, citrus, and grapes and are a staple food in some parts of the world.

The era of the 'Cavendish' banana may be coming to an end. Over the last few years a fungal pathogen called Panama disease (Fusarum oxysporum f. sp. cubense) Tropical Race 4 has evolved that attacks and kills 'Cavendish' plants. It has wiped out 'Cavendish' in almost all of Asia. There is no known preventative or cure for it and it spreads extremely quickly. If the fungus ever reaches Central America, the monoculture 'Cavendish' farms that supply the U.S. will be decimated. Ironically it was a different race of the same disease that allowed the 'Cavendish' to become so popular in the first place. 'Cavendish' replaced the sweeter and larger 'Gros Michael' banana in the 1950's which was also wiped out by a race of Panama disease. There is currently no replacement for the 'Cavendish' banana that is tolerant of Panama disease and has the all the traits that American consumers demand. The next best choice is a cultivar called 'Goldfinger' which is not as sweet and has a slight tart-apple flavor. However, the best long term solution is not to replace a single monoculture crop with another monoculture crop, but rather to adopt the sustainable practice of growing and eating multiple cultivars of banana.

Bananas also have non-food uses. Ensete and Musa banana stems and leaves are used for their fibers. The course fibers are called manilla hemp and are used to make paper and rope. The fine fibers are used to make high quality cloth called banana cloth. Banana leaves are waterproof and are often used to wrap food for storage or cooking. The Fehi group of bananas. grown in Polynesia are used to make a red dye (that will also turn your urine red if you eat them). Bananas are used by certain cultures to treat medical disorders such as bronchitis, ulcers, diabetes, hemorrhoids (don't ask me how!), and diarrhea among other things. Central Americans collect the sap of the red banana and take it as an aphrodisiac (although this may be a fallacy...or is it 'phallacy') while the Hindus regard the plant as a symbol of fertility and place the leaves and fruits on the doorstep of newlyweds. In the 60's it was popular to smoke banana peel for its alleged hallucinogenic affects (what didn't they smoke back then?) but the original newspaper story (The Berkeley Barb, March 1967) that reported this fad was a hoax that fooled the nation.

Bananas are such an important and profitable food crop that the companies that produce them (primarily United Fruit Company, known today as Chiquita and the Standard Fruit Company, known today as Dole) have grown extremely powerful. Their influence on Central American politics has lead to the term 'Banana Republic' (coined by the author O'Henry in his 1904 book Cabbages and Kings) which is a pejorative term for a small, unstable, country run by wealthy, corrupt elites who support the exploitation of people and land for cheap banana production by taking bribes and kickbacks from the banana companies. Hmmm...Large companies influencing public policy. Good thing that could never happen in the U.S.

Tony Avent 

Colorful Tropical Foliage Plants - Croton Plants And Caladium Plants

Codiaeum variegatum called also "Garden Croton" or "Variegated Croton," it is a sort of plants of the genus Codiaeum, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.

These colorful plants tropical plants look great when grown in pots and along with other tropical plants including dwarf bananas, bromeliads, ginger, gardenias, small heliconias, hibiscus, jasmine, orchids and plumeria plants summarized.

Croton plants are known for their colorful foliage turned a waxy texture with vertical growth and bulges outward. Get The more sun or bright light, more colorful Croton plant foliage.

Crotons should be well watered with the remaining soil moist. They prefer to be grown to high humidity and benefit from daily misting when the humidity is low.

When fertilizing plants Croton each fertilizer rich in nitrogen, is recommended as 9-3-6.

Crotons belong to the family of the Spurge family and therefore are classified as toxic. The sap can cause skin and eczema is also toxic.

Popular varieties of colorful tropical greenery include Codiaeum variegatum 'Golden Moon', Codiaeum variegatum 'Gold Sun', Codiaeum variegatum "Goldfinger" Codiaeum variegatum 'Grubell' Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra' and Codiaeum variegatum 'Excellent'.

Croton plants when grown outdoors should be protected or placed indoors if the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the falling leaves.

Another large group of colorful tropical plants plants Caladium plant is a genus in the family Araceae.

Currently, there are over 1,000 varieties of Caladium bicolor, which is considered the original Caladium from South America.

Caladium plants cultivated in Europe since the eighteenth century.

Popular varieties of colorful tropical greenery include Candidum White, red cardinal, Carolyn Wharton Rosa, Rosa Fannie Munson, Frieda Hemple Postman Joyner Red Light Red Rose Rose, White and Red Red Queen, to name a few.

Croton and Caladium plants can be grown in the warmer months of the year outside and indoors as houseplants than the rest of the year.

Caladium plants are hardy in Zone 9 and 10 must be dug in autumn in colder regions. They also make great houseplants all year.

While actively growing plants Caladium high humidity and should not need to be dry.

As with Croton plants, it is best to make a fertilizer rich in nitrogen use 9-3-6 and mist the leaves every day, when humidity is low.

All parts of the Caladium plant are considered toxic and can cause skin irritation in susceptible persons.

I hope you're enjoying your plants and Croton and Caladium. If not, they give them a try and clear his plant foot inside or add the required color in your garden outdoors.

Tropical Plants - Grow Your Own Tropical Garden

Love at first sight. You hear the stories of two people meeting for the first time, and they "fall in love at first sight". It's a very magical experience, and it is happening over and over again with more and more frequency all over the world involving more and more people.

People from all over the world are seeing tropical plants in their natural habitat, and they are falling in love with them. More people are travelling to the tropical and subtropical regions of our world discovering for themselves the myriad of tropical flowers. They travel to various Caribbean Islands in the West Indies, to Hawaii and the Polynesian Islands such as Tahiti, Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Bali, and the jungles of Central and South America.

The modern international travelers, like the explorers centuries before them, discover the precious gems called tropical plants and flowers, often for the first time. Their bright exquisite colors, rich intoxicating fragrances are like gold in the senses of the modern day explorers.

Like their predecessors, they, too, want to bring these newly found treasures home with them. These treasures include heliconias, gingers, bananas, costus, bromeliads, hibiscus, bird of paradise and other tropical plants with variegated foliage.

With love and for love they want to create a bit of the tropics and a bouquet of tropical blossoms right in their own backyard gardens, green houses, porches, and in every room and window available in their homes savoring the very sensuous experience of the tropical paradise they just visited.

Many of these international travelers live in temperate zones that would prevent these subtropical and tropical plant species from surviving and/or growing. In the past this would have been the end of the story. Like a disappointed teary-eyed child, they would have returned home and lived with a broken heart for the rest of their lives.

But over the years with new modern day equipment of indoor lighting, better techniques and improved growing methods, the dream of creating one's own tropical garden of visual beauty and intoxicating fragrances can become a part of their reality.

More and more books are being written for the passionate tropical plant lover. More and more nurseries and garden centers each year are introducing and offering more and more varieties from more and more destinations around the world.

Both locally and on the internet interest in tropical plants is growing by leaps and bounds every year. With more and more books being written on the subject describing in details how to grow your own tropical garden and how to care for your tropical plants, more and more tropical plant lovers can live out their dreams.

Even if you live outside the subtropical and tropical hardiness zones of 9, 10, or 11 hope springs eternal for tropical plant lovers worldwide. You, too, equipped with the right book with good solid information and a good and reputable nursery or plant store, can create your own tropical garden both indoors and outdoors, in greenhouses, garden rooms, and on window sills throughout the house.

Even if you can't afford to travel to a tropical paradise every year, you will have a bit right there in your own home with all of the beauty and fragrances of these exotic flowers.

Bob A Walsh

Bringing Your Tropical Plants Inside for the Winter

As autumn creeps toward winter, it's time to start thinking about protecting their tropical plants in pots before the coming colder temperatures. And even though we all have different definitions of "cold" for a tropical plant, which begins at 55 degrees. Fahrenheit.

However, it is not as simple as quickly bring their tropical plants inside. Often owners of tropical plants wait until autumn to winter is changing, and suddenly what your houseplants. This just is not working. This causes an excessive burden on the plant. Possible outcomes of this case, the loss of leaves, yellowing of leaves, their scale depends on the severity facility is shocked by the transition. However, there are some simple steps that can be taken to avoid all the problems between the seasons.

A simple but valuable tool preexposure their plants to the conditions inside the gates. The main part of this technique is the exposure light and daylight. About three weeks before your scheduled collection day, they start changing daylight hours and the level of exposure of plants to light. That sounds complicated, but all you have to do is, move the potted plants in the shade and later to the deepest shadows withdrew.

The plants in the deep shaded outdoor for about a week before moving tropical plants start indoors. This allows plants to low light (indoor simulation of the atmosphere) and fewer daylight hours to adapt to the day. This is easy to bring a much less severe shock work indoors immediately.

Even three weeks before moving day, you reduce the amount of water that you feed your tropical plants. You, the less tolerated only a minimal amount of water before suffering. With less exposure, the plant will naturally need less water to survive in a healthy condition.

Interested in more information on natural pearls [http://www.naturalpearls.org]? Visit how you will find the latest website of Jack in [http://www.naturalpearls.org], useful information to find the top line of beads.