Gardenia Plant Care

Welcome All Plumeria and Tropical Plant Lovers Worldwide,

Today's topic is Gardenia Plant Care.

Gardenia is a genus of tropical flowering plants which
includes 142 species belonging to the Rubiaceae or coffee family.

It is native to subtropical and tropical regions in Africa and
Southern Asia. Several known species grow on the Hawaiian
Islands where it is known as Na'u or Nanu.

Gardenia plants are evergreen shrubs. The flowers, white or yellow,
develop into a single blossom or into a group of blossoms and have
a strong, long lasting scent.

Gardenia 'Diamond's Fragrant Delight'

 

Popular species include....

• Gardenia coronata
• Gardenia jasminoides
• Gardenia nitida
• Gardenia taitensis

In China, Gardenia jasminoides is called Zhi zi, and the Japanese
call it Kuchinashi. In both countries the yellow flowers are used as
a dye for clothes and food.

Gardenia taitensis is the National Flower of Tahiti.

Several decades ago in France, gardenia flowers were used by men 
as boutonnieres for special occasions. Today gardenia flowers continue
to cater to special occasions of weddings and proms.

Jazz singer Billie Holiday called gardenia flowers her trademark. 
She wore the flowers in her hair.

Gardenias can also be part of special floral presentations such as
floating water blooms.

Gardenia flowers with their delightful scent are also used to make
perfumes.

Caring for gardenia plants....

When purchasing gardenia plants it is better to start with small
developing plants than buying plants full of buds. Gardenia plants
will need time to adjust to the new environment of your home.

It's hear-breaking to purchase a plant full of buds just to watch the
plant drop bud after bud once you bring it home.

The smaller developing plants adjust easier to their new environment,
and once adjusted will continue the development of their buds and
flowers.

Gardenia plants prefer partial sun and grow and flower very well under
grow lights. 

Gardenias are considered subtropical and tropical plants and therefore
prefer night temperatures not lower than 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit 
or 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Gardenia coronata

Many gardenia plants are prone to root diseases. Growing them in clay
pots can reduce the risk as the soil dries out faster in clay pots.

It's best to water gardenia plants when the surface of the soil looks and
feels dry. When watering it's important to water gardenias thoroughly until
water drips through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

Make sure there is no water left in the plant saucer after the drainage 
process is complete.

Gardenia plants prefer acidic soil meaning the soil ph is less than 7.
If the soil is not acid enough, many nutrients, including iron, cannot be 
absorbed by the roots and gardenia plants develop Chlorosis which
causes the leaves to turn yellow.

Some gardeners pour a small amount of vinegar at the top of the soil
to prevent or treat mild cases of Chlorosis.

It is not recommended to use "hard" tap water on your gardenias.
If your tap water is very hard, adding some vinegar to the water in your
watering can also lower the ph level of your tap water.

When it comes to fertilizing your gardenias, any fertilizer for flowering 
plants can be used. It is best to use the fertilizer at 1/4 strength of the
recommended dosage.

Using a fertilizer designed for acid loving plants reduces the risk for
Chlorosis.

Humidity should be 50% or higher. If your humidity is low, misting the
plants daily or using a humidifier benefits your gardenias greatly.

Using a humidifier, especially during the colder months of the year, not
only benefits your plants, but your family and pets as well.

Happy Growing,

Bob Walsh
www.BobWalshPlumeriaCare101.com
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com

Colorful Tropical Foliage Plants - Croton Plants & Caladium Plants

Codiaeum variegatum, also called “Garden Croton” or “Variegated Croton”, is a species of plants in the genus Codiaeum, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.

These colorful tropical foliage plants look great when grown in pots and grouped together with other tropical plants, including dwarf bananas, bromeliads, gingers, gardenias, small heliconias, hibiscus, jasmine, orchids and/or plumeria plants.

Croton plants are known for their colorful foliage which has a waxy texture with vertical growth and leaves facing outwards. The more sun or bright light Croton plants receive, the more colorful their foliage becomes.

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

When fertilizing Croton plants any fertilizer high in Nitrogen, like 9-3-6 is recommended.

Crotons belong to the family of Euphorbiaceae and are therefore considered poisonous. The sap may cause skin eczema and is also toxic if ingested.

Popular varieties of these colorful tropical foliage plants include Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Moon’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Sun’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Goldfinger’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Grubell’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’ and Codiaeum variegatum ‘Excellent’.

Croton plants, when grown outdoors, have to be protected or brought indoors if the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise leaf drop may occur.

Another great group of colorful tropical foliage plants are Caladium plants which is one genus of plants in the Araceae family.

Currently there exist over 1000 cultivars of Caladium bicolor which is considered the original Caladium from South America.

Caladium plants have been cultivated in Europe since the eighteenth century.

Popular varieties of these colorful tropical foliage plants include Candidum White, Cardinal Red, Carolyn Wharton Pink, Fannie Munson Pink, Frieda Hemple Red, Postman Joyner Red, Roselight Pink, White Queen and Rojo Red, to name a few.

Croton and Caladium plants can be grown outdoors during the warmer months of the year and indoors as house plants the rest of the year.

Caladium plants are only hardy in zone 9 and 10. In colder regions they have to be dug up in fall. They also make great house plants year round.

While actively growing Caladium plants need a great deal of moisture and should not be allowed to dry out.

As with Croton plants it’s best to use a fertilizer high in Nitrogen, like 9-3-6 and mist their foliage daily if the humidity is low.

All parts of Caladium plants are considered poisonous and may cause skin irritations in sensitive individuals.

I hope you’re already enjoying your Croton and Caladium plants. If not, give them a try and brighten up your plant stand indoors or add that needed color to your outdoor garden.

Next, for your FREE Tropical Plant Guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Plumeria Care.

Copyright © Bob Walsh
www.BobWalshPlumeriaCare101.com 

www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com

Plumeria Frangipani Pflege--- Wie Sie Plumeria Stecklinge Bewurzeln

Einer der schnellsten Wege, um Plumeria und Frangipani Blüten zu genießen, ist Plumeria Stecklinge zu setzen. Es kann nicht genug betont werden Plumeria Stecklinge nur bei seriösen Händlern zu kaufen, sodaß Sie Plumeria Stecklinge von guter Qualität erhalten. Die Preise variieren und höhere Preise bedeuten nicht immer bessere Qualität. Aber Sie müssen sich bewußt sein, daß bekannte und seltene Plumeria Hybriden mehr kosten.

Einer der großen Vorteile Plumeria Pflanzen von Stecklingen zu ziehen ist, daß der Käufer in der Lage ist, bestimmte Plumeria Hybriden zu wählen. Der Käufer kann aus verschiedenen Blütenfarben, Wuchsformen, Düften und anderen Eigenschaften wählen. 

Steckling mit guter Wurzelentwicklung

Stecklinge sollten mindestens 30 cm lang sein und die Rinde sollte braun und nicht grün sein. Stecklinge mit grünem Holz sind sehr schwer zu bewurzeln.

Bestimmte Hybriden, wie Plumeria obtusa und Plumerias mit roten Blüten, sind nicht leicht zu bewurzeln und es kann länger dauern bis sich das Wurzelsystem voll entwickelt hat.

Besprechen Sie mit Ihrem Plumeria Händler wie Ihre Plumeria Stecklinge versand werden. Dies sollte Ihnen garantieren, daß Ihre Plumeria Stecklinge in einem guten Zustand bei Ihnen eintreffen, besonders während der kälteren Monate. 

Während Sie auf die Ankunft Ihrer Plumeria Stecklinge warten, sollten Sie sich überzeugen, daß Sie alles bereithaben, um Ihre Stecklinge zu setzen.

Vor dem Einpflanzen der Stecklinge empfiehlt es sich die notwendigen Dinge zum Setzen bereit zu haben, einschließlich dem Topf, Bewurzelungshormon mit Fungizid, Pflanzenstab, Schnüre um den Steckling an den Stab zu binden und vorgemischte Blumenerde.

Der Topf sollte der Größe des Plumeria Stecklings angepaßt werden. Er sollte groß genug sein, sodaß der Steckling stabil ist und die Wurzeln genug Platz haben sich auszubreiten.

Die Blumenerde muss vorgemischt werden, sodaß das Wasser gut abfließt. Staunässe muß unbedingt vermieden werden. Sollte die Blumenerde zuviel Wasser halten, kann der Steckling absterben.

Steckling bildet Blätter

Nachdem der Topf mit der vorgemischten Blumenerde gefüllt wurde, gießen Sie die Erde bis das Wasser durch die Löcher abläuft. Sie müssen sicher sein, daß kein extra Wasser im Topf verbleibt.

Plumeria Stecklinge bilden ihre Wurzeln nur am Ende wo der Steckling geschnitten wurde. Es macht keinen Unterschied wie tief Sie den Steckling setzen. Wenn Sie den Plumeria Steckling zu tief setzen, kann es passieren, daß der Steckling unter der Erde verfault. Der Pflanzenstab kann jetzt bereits in der Mitte des Topfes platziert werden.

Der nächste Schritt ist das Ende des Stecklings mit lauwarmen Wasser zu befeuchten. Schütteln Sie das überschüssige Wasser ab, tauchen Sie das feuchte Ende in das Bewurzelungshormon und setzen Sie den Steckling ungefähr 3 cm tief. Jetzt binden Sie den Plumeria Steckling an den Pflanzenstab. Dies gibt Ihrem Steckling die notwendige Stabilität im Topf.

Der erste Schritt im Bewurzelungsprozess ist die Entwicklung von Kallusgewebe. Die Wurzeln bilden sich durch dieses Kallusgewebe. Es ist sehr wichtig, daß Sie Ihren Steckling nicht gießen bis sich die Blätter und/oder der Blütenstand entwickelt hat.

Plumeria Stecklinge haben eine so starke Lebenskraft, daß sie Blätter und Blütenstände entwickeln können und noch nicht einmal angefangen haben Wurzeln zu entwickeln. Man kann herausfinden, ob sich Wurzeln gebildet haben, indem man dem Steckling einen sehr leichten Ruck gibt. Widerstand zeigt eine Wurzelentwicklung an.

Plumeria Steckling mit Blütenstand

Anstatt zu gießen, sollte der Steckling täglich mit Wasser bestäubt werden.

Plumeria Stecklinge können innerhalb weniger Wochen Wurzeln entwickeln oder es kann mehrere Monate dauern. Dies hängt davon ab, welche Plumeria Hybride der Steckling ist. 

Eine bewährte und getestete Plumeria Pflegeanleitung anzuwenden ist die beste Versicherung für Ihren Erfolg in der Bewurzelung von Plumeria und  Frangipani Stecklingen. Auch bei solchen Stecklingen, die sehr schwierig zu bewurzeln sind.

Für mehr Information über Plumerias, Frangipani besuchen Sie biite Plumeria - Frangipani Pflegeanleitung Für Alle Klimazonen.

Copyright © Bob Walsh
www.BobWalshFrangipaniPlumeriaPflege.com
www.BobWalshPlumeriaCare101.com

Growing Plumeria Cuttings And Plumeria Plants With The Egg Method

Plumeria cuttings which are planted using the egg method correctly develop a massive root system in record time. It is no longer necessary to sacrifice any inflorescences that develop during the rooting process. Inflorescences and roots develop simultaneously.

Plumeria plants which are planted applying the egg method correctly show lush growth and massive flower production. The keeping quality of the flowers increases as well which means the flowers stay fresh longer.

But what exactly is the egg method which has been used in agriculture for many years to increase the production of vegetables?

The egg method which is based on anaerobically fermenting eggs and probiotics not only benefits plumeria cuttings and plumeria plants but many other tropical plants as well, including bananas, gingers, heliconias, hibiscus and many more.

The egg itself is one powerhouse of nutrients.

The egg shell which has about 9000 pores serves as a permeable membrane for nutrients and moisture. 95% of the egg shell is made up of calcium carbonate. Minerals, such as calcium phosphate and magnesium carbonate make up the remaining 5%.

The albumen is made up of 90% water and seven major proteins as stated by the Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database. The albumen in fresh eggs contains carbon dioxide which passes through the egg shell as the egg ages. 50 mg of Sulfur are contained in the albumen. 

The following picture shows the root development of one cutting of Plumeria 'Puu Kahea' 39 days after the unrooted cutting was planted applying the egg method.

All vitamins found in an egg are contained in the egg yolk, including several B-vitamins as well as vitamin A, D, and E. The egg yolk also contains many antioxidants and trace amounts of Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and other metals. In addition, the egg yolk contains about 25 mg of Sulfur.

According to Biofeed Probiotics ‘plant stimulants, plant hormones, are produced during the metabolism of some bacteria, yeasts, molds, and cyanobacteria’, also known as blue-green algae and blue-green bacteria. 

These plant stimulants, plant hormones, include auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, florigen and salicylic acid.

Auxins are named for the greek word “auxein” meaning to grow or to increase. Auxins were the first of the major plant hormones to be discovered. How auxins are distributed within plants is one major factor for plant growth. The distribution of auxins throughout plants is accomplished by the well executed transport of auxin molecules. Auxins usually work with or against other plant hormones that is most advantageous for the plant.

Gibberellins were first discovered by Eiichi Kurosawa, a Japanese scientist, in 1926. Gibberellins stimulate budding, cell elongation, dormancy, flowering and seed germination.

Cytokinins promote cell division in plant roots and shoots. This process is called “cytokinesis”. The effects of cytokinins were first discovered by Swedish born plant physiologist Folke Skoog at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Cytokinins are involved in many plant processes, including cell division, root and shoot development. Cytokinins are known to regulate axillary bud growth, lateral or side shoots. In addition, cytokinins also affect apical dominance which is the inhibition of growth of lateral buds, side shoots, by the terminal bud of a plant shoot. 
Cytokinins are usually produced in roots, young fruits and seeds. The balance of cytokinins and auxins determines what regenerates.

Florigen was first described in 1937 by Mikhail Chailakhyan, a Russian scientist. Florigen molecules, produced in the leaves, are responsible for controlling flowering in plants.

Salicylic acid, which is used for rooting, derives its name from the Latin word “salix” meaning “willow tree”. Salicylic acid plays part in plants’ photosynthesis, transpiration and resistance to pathogens which are bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause diseases.

All these processes are important to understand how plumeria and tropical plants develop.
 
An exact scientific defined process of the egg method, when correctly applied, is not clearly written in a scientific formula anywhere. But the phenomenal results speak for themselves.

For more information on the Success of the Egg Method, growing Plumeria Plants, or to receive your FREE Tropical Plant Guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Plumeria Care. 

Copyright @ Bob Walsh
www.BobWalshPlumeriaCare101.com 
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com
 

 

Plumeria 'Kimo'

The flowers of Plumeria ‘Kimo’ are a glowing mix of apricot and orange with pink bands on the back. The petals overlap so heavily that they almost form a circle. Plumeria ‘Kimo’ is considered a chameleon as the appearance of the flowers changes with weather conditions. The flowers, which have a sweet fragrance, are close to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter and have a very good keeping quality. Plumeria ‘Kimo’ is known for its heavy flower production over a long period of time.

Plumeria 'Kimo'

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