One Quick Gardening Tip & Plumeria News

Welcome All Plumeria & Tropical Plant Lovers,

Gardening is in full swing throughout the

Southern half of the United States.

In the Northern States gardeners still have to cope

with cool and fluctuating temperatures with yet the

possibility of one more snow or frost.....we're waiting

for the "ALL CLEAR" message from the weather

forecasters to start planting our gardens.

The following is one gardening tip I have been using for

many years that will protect your tender flowers and

vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.

Save your clear 2-liter soda bottles and/or 1-gallon plastic

milk bottles and use them as "mini greenhouses". 

Just cut off the bottom of the bottles, add a plant stake

next to the plant.  Lower the bottle over your plant.

Guide the plant stake through the top of the bottle to 

stabilize the bottle. 

Cut the stake at the top so that you are able to close

the top of the bottle with the cap in case your area

experiences a lot of Spring rains.

You can take off the bottle when the weather is warmer

and the rains have stopped. Leave the stake in place

just just in case the weather conditions require the

needed return of the "mini greenhouses' to protect

against any "late frost warnings" or more rain.

The winner of our FREE plumeria cutting 'Kimo' is

Ms. Cheryl Jackson from Texas.

Cheryl's plumeria cutting has been ordered from Hawaii

and she is going to receive it this week.

Finally, I want to inform you of one special offer....

Save an EXTRA $5 OFF on the purchase of

my plumeria care guide....

How To Grow Plumeria - Frangipani Anytime Anywhere!

during our "April Showers Bring May Flowers" event.....

THIS WEEK ONLY through May 1, 2011 @ 11:59pm PDT. 

Following is one testimonial from one enthusiastic

plumeria grower in North Carolina, dated April 10, 2011...

'Dear Bob,

Just wanted you to know how much I'm enjoying your

"How To Grow Plumeria - Frangipani Anytime Anywhere!"

book.

Everyone who wants to grow plumerias should have this

book.

I have been growing plumerias for several years now from

a small cutting that was given to me.

I have seven plumerias. I'm lucky enough to have a

greenhouse built just for my plumerias to keep them over

the winter. I cannot wait to see my **Kauka Wilder**

cutting bloom using the new rooting method in your book.

Jean G. Hair....North Carolina.' 

**Note: Jean purchased her book on March 11, 2011.

Her name was drawn on March 27, 2011 as the winner of

one FREE plumeria cutting 'Kauka Wilder'. 

Another testimonial from March 2011 reads....

'Just read your E-book. I love it! Lots of great information!

Great Book!

I'm really enjoying it and will use all the great information

on my new plumies this spring when they arrive.

Looking forward to growing my own beautiful Plumerias!

Thanks,

Cindy....Kentucky.' 

By now plumeria growers from Europe to Southeast Asia

and Australia to North America are following the proven

and tested guidelines found in my plumeria care guide.

So, whether your garden has already been planted

or you are using the mini greenhouses waiting for the

"ALL CLEAR" message, may your gardens BRING

YOU MUCH JOY AND DELIGHT ALL SUMMER LONG.

Happy Growing to all my Gardening Friends,

Bob Walsh

Plumeria Care Guide

Copyright © Bob Walsh

www.howtogrowplumeriafrangipani.com

Video - Plumeria Plants, Terms And Definitions For Plumerias And Other Tropical Plants, Part One

Plumeria plants are gaining more and more popularity worldwide as more information about growing and rooting methods become available. For the average gardener it is important to understand the lingo he or she encounters when reading about tropical plants, plumeria plants in particular.

This is the video part one of a multiple part series of terms for plumeria gardeners. The list of terms is in alphabetical order and can easily be filed for future reference. This reference series is very helpful when communicating with other knowledgeable plant lovers and gardeners . By using the same terms describing issues about plumerias moves the discussion along since these terms have you speaking the same language. 

For more information on plumerias and to receive your FREE tropical plants guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Plumeria Care.

Copyright © Bob Walsh

www.howtogrowplumeriafrangipani.com

Plumeria Plants – Part I – Terms and Definitions for Plumerias & other Tropical Plants – “A” Through “I”

Plumeria plants are gaining more and more popularity worldwide as more information about growing and rooting methods become available. For the average gardener it is important to understand the lingo he/she encounters when reading about tropical plants, plumeria plants in particular.

Plumeria 'Charlotte Ebert'

This is part one of a multiple part series of terms for plumeria gardeners. The list of terms is in alphabetical order and can easily be filed for future reference. This reference series is very helpful when communicating with other knowledgeable plant lovers and gardeners . By using the same terms describing issues about plumerias moves the discussion along since these terms have you speaking the same language.

Following are the terms that are helpful knowing when reading about plumeria plants, and tropical plants in general.

Anther is the male reproductive part of flowers. This is actual the part which contains the pollen.

Anthesis describes the time and the process of budding, including the opening of flowers. One synonym for Anthesis is blossoming.

Apical bud is the terminal bud which develops at the tip of the branches.

Axis is described as the angle between the upper surface of the leaf and the stem to which it is attached.

Buds are small bulges, knobs, or swellings on stems or branches. These buds contain an undeveloped flower, leaf, or shoot. This general term covers all the multiple type buds, not just the 'flower bud'.

Bud drop is the premature dropping of the flower buds before they had a chance to fully open.

Callus is the thickened tissue which is developed by woody plants to cover cuts.

Cambium can be described as a ring of tissue which is found in woody seed plants. Cork is produced on the outside of the ring and primary tissue on the inside. This primary tissue is composed of thin-walled cells.

Chimera is a genetic mutation in plants. It can cause part of the plant or all of the plant to have a different appearance when compared to the original plant.

Chlorophyl is the green pigment of plants which traps the energy of the sun for photosynthesis.

Cork is described as the outer layer of the bark.

Corolla is the term used to describe all petals of one flower.

Cortex is the outer portion of stems and roots.

Cotyledons are the first emerging leaves of seedlings. Cotyledons are not considered “true” leaves. They provide the seedlings with nourishments until the true leaves have developed.

Damping off is the premature demise of seedlings which is many times caused by overcrowding and overwatering of seedlings.

Deciduous plants are plants which lose their leaves during a specific season.

Evergreen plants are plants which maintain their foliage throughout the year.

Floral envelope describes all sepals and petals of one flower.

Floret is an individual flower in a flower cluster.

Floriferous is the term used for plants which flower abundantly.

Flowers are reproductive structures of some seed bearing plants.

Fungus is a collective term for a wide variety of organisms which reproduce by spores.

Fungicide is described as any toxin which kills or prevents the growth of fungi. Note: fungi is plural for fungus.

Hermaphrodite is any bisexual plant which means that the flower contains both stamens and pistils.

Indigenous plants are plants which grow naturally in a particular region.

Inflorescence is the term used to describe a flower cluster or a characteristic arrangement of flowers on a stem.

Insecticide is any chemical substance which is used to kill insects.

Part One covers letters “A” through “I”. Part Two of this Plant Terms Series will begin with the letter “J”. Stay tuned for Part Two with the remaining alphabetical listings of terms and definitions from the world of plumeria plants and tropical plants in general.

For more information on plumerias and for your FREE tropical plant guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Plumeria Plant Care.

Plumeria obtusa 'Singapore'

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011

www.howtogrowplumeriafrangipani.com

Stephanotis floribunda Flowers

Stephanotis floribunda is also called Madagascar Jasmine, Waxflower and Hawaiian Wedding Flower. It is a flowering climbing plant producing flowers which are commonly used in bridal bouquets.

Stephanotis floribunda

Stephanotis flowers are waxy, star-shaped and highly scented. Flowers fade to yellow after several days. The flowers last a long time and have a strong sweet scent.

Stephanotis floribunda grows best in sunny locations. Make sure the soil is well draining and let the top of the soil come to a visible dryness before watering again. Regular fertilizing with a fertilizer high in Phosphorus promotes flowering. It also appreciates regular misting and foliar feeding.

Propagation is by cuttings or seeds, which are produced irregularly. Fresh seeds will germinate in about seven days.

Stephanotis floribunda, like other tropical plants, including plumerias, can be grown successfully  if proven and tested guidelines are followed.

Next, for your FREE tropical plants guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Tropical Plants. 

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011

April Showers FREE Plumeria Cutting 'Kimo' Giveaway

Bob Walsh Enterprises announces their latest FREE Plumeria Cutting Giveaway.  Beginning today, April 7, 2011 Bob Walsh Enterprises introduces their April Showers Free Plumeria Cutting ‘Kimo’ Giveaway. The traditional saying, “April Showers Brings May Flowers”, marks April as the opening and beginning of the gardening season. 

For the next 10 days through April 17, 2011 everyone who purchases How To Grow Plumeria – Frangipani Anytime Anywhere, Bob Walsh’s step-by-step illustrated plumeria care guide, is automatically entered into the drawing to receive one FREE plumeria cutting ‘Kimo’ that will be shipped directly to the winner from Hawaii.

Plumeria ‘Kimo’ is described as a magnificent flower.   It has glowing apricot-orange or “peach” colored flowers with a strong pink band on the reverse side.  The wide, rounded, and heavily overlapping petals almost form a complete circle.  Flowers are approximately 3-inches across and have a very heavy texture.  Plumeria ‘Kimo’ is known for its good keeping quality and its sweet, fruity fragrance.

Plumeria Kimo

How To Grow Plumeria – Frangipani Anytime Anywhere is an easy to follow plumeria care guide for tropical plant lovers around the world who wish to grow these beautiful exotic fragrant flowers, but live outside the subtropical and tropical regions of the world, the natural habitat of plumeria plants, also called frangipani.  International sales include Australia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Switzerland, and Taiwan.  The United States sales stretch across the country from Florida and Georgia on the East Coast to California and Oregon on the West Coast. 

This plumeria care guide highlights the newest successful plumeria rooting method with a step by step process documenting it with photos and explanations. This process is encouraging to all plumeria lovers as it accelerates the growing process and shortens the time it takes in rooting these very popular tropical plants which may allow for year round plumeria cultivation in the future.

Many nurseries, garden centers and plant supply stores finally open their doors in April to all the enthusiastic gardeners who anxiously have been waiting for this month to arrive to begin purchasing everything that they have seen in the gardening magazines they have received in the mail, and have read cover to cover over the last three months. 

The lucky winner of the Plumeria Cutting ‘Kimo’ will add their name to the list of previous winners of the Bob Walsh Enterprises Free Cutting Giveaways.  Mr. Ron De Vasto from Florida won the free Plumeria Cutting ‘Jeannie Moragne’ in February 2011.  Ms. Jean Hair from North Carolina was the lucky winner of the free Plumeria Cutting  ‘Kauka Wilder’ last month.  

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011

www.howtogrowplumeriafrangipani.com

Vireya - Tropical Rhododendron

Vireya is also called Tropical Rhododendron.

 

These are semi-tropical rhododendrons that are mainly

native to the mountains of Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo

and Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.

In their native habitat tropical rhododendron can be found

growing either as epiphytes or terrestrials.

Vireya come in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging

from dwarf size to shrubs and trees of all sizes.

Some tropical rhododendrons have  foliage as thin as pine

needles while others have leaves that can grow a foot long. 

Their flowers are often fragrant, and are the most colorful

of all rhododendrons. The most common colors include

orange, pink, red and yellow.

 

When planting Vireya, like many tropical plants,

rapid drainage is of utmost importance. Their roots

run close to the surface and can easily heat up

from the sun. Providing Vireya with good mulch

covering keeps the roots cool.

Vireya like bright light, but not direct sunlight, which

promotes buds set. Planted in shady areas will help

keep their colors bright.  They should be protected

from hot midday sun to prevent the burning of

foliage and buds. 

Pinching new growth results in more branching.

Regular deadheading of the seedpods is recommended

to direct the plant's energy to bud production.

 

When you decide to plant your tropical rhododendron

in a pot, smaller is better as Vireya actually perform 

better when roots are pot bound.

Use a fertilizer which is designed for plants that

prefer acidic soil which results in healthy foliage

and bud production. 

Like other tropical and semi-tropical plants Vireya

can bring you years of enjoyment when you follow

tested and proven guidelines. 

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011

www.howtogrowplumeriafrangipani.com