Plumeria rubra (Part 2)

INTRODUCTION:

Once Plumeria trees were shunned as the older generation have the idea that this is considered as a "graveyard tree" and often refrained from growing in personal, private gardens.

Now however, the belief and garden taste had changed and I had found that there is a huge liking with fragrant trees and particularly plumerias where people are slowly coming out of the taboo of not growing plumerias.

Even the older name "Frangipani" is no longer used rather often referred to the botanical name.
And so this is my experience and finding out their different types which are commonly available around my region.

I must emphasize that the stigma is now isolated very much on the identity where the flower is white with yellow center - this particular one had been singled out as the infamous 'graveyard flower'. The rest of the colored version have now been associated with the Bali Theme Tropical Garden factor - giving it a fresh new vibrant look and taste.

I for one now very much interested in the fragrance that it emits especially when this tree like shrub had grown into it's mature size - these tend to bloom constantly without much care. These blooms last only for a day however there are many clusters which blooms on daily basis.

Similar like most common fragrant flowering plants - these emit their fragrance during the evening to night time and slowly fade away by sunrise morning time.

There are indeed easily many different varieties of these floral colors however the base color tones varies from white, yellow, orange, pink, red, magenta and the mix-match colors in these tones.

One important factor to note is that all parts of the plant is toxic hence to take note not to place this plant near an edible plants and away from children and pets.

Check more information on the Basic Care & Maintenance of Plumeria Plant Care in my earlier post in the link below:

How to Care & Cultivate Plumeria rubra

Do click on the link below for more information on Other Types of  Tropical Fragrant Flowers:

Best Tropical Fragrant Flowering Plants

 

Variegated Multi-Petaled Water Jasmine (Wrightia Religiosa)

 

INTRODUCTION:

Wrightia Religiosa commonly known as Water Jasmine, also known as Sacred Buddhist, Wild Water Plum & Wondrous Wrightia. Its considered a sacred plant for Buddhist - as you can see even the name indicate it so (Sacred Buddhist) and (Religiosa).

This particular variety is exclusively the multi-layer petaled flowers however the leaves have the variegated form of yellow cream tones. I must say these types are very slowly plant and easily succumb to many ailments as pest attacks as these are fragile plants - however the ingenious way to handle these harsh environment of nature - these plant branches are grafted into an existing tree.

Apart from the Basic Care and Maintenance of the Plant Care,

Do click on the Link Below for the Detailed information in Two Parts
Here in my earlier post in my Blog:

How to Care & Cultivate Water Jasmine (Wrightia Religiosa) Part 1

How to Care & Cultivate Water Jasmine (Wrightia Religiosa) Part 2


These variegated formation may not occur when planted using seeds hence they are more successful when planted using cuttings or grafting as they may appear to be unstable and the plant may have the tendency to push all the variegated colored pigments into a single branch and ditch that whole branch and flush off itself from its system as most might do this - Identifying itself as these are abnormalities and it's natural way of handling such occurrences.

Do click on the link below for more information on Other Types of  Tropical Fragrant Flowers:

Best Tropical Fragrant Flowering Plants

Variegated Single Petaled Water Jasmine (Wrightia Religiosa)

 

INTRODUCTION:

Wrightia Religiosa commonly known as Water Jasmine, also known as Sacred Buddhist, Wild Water Plum & Wondrous Wrightia. Its considered a sacred plant for Buddhist - as you can see even the name indicate it so (Sacred Buddhist) and (Religiosa).

This particular variety is exclusively the single layer petaled flowers however the leaves have the variegated form of white tones. I must say these types are very slowly plant and easily succumb to many ailments as pest attacks as these are fragile plants - however the ingenious way to handle these harsh environment of nature - these plant branches are grafted into an existing tree.

Apart from the Basic Care and Maintenance of the Plant Care,

Do click on the Link Below for the Detailed information in Two Parts
Here in my earlier post in my Blog:

How to Care & Cultivate Water Jasmine (Wrightia Religiosa) Part 1

How to Care & Cultivate Water Jasmine (Wrightia Religiosa) Part 2


These variegated formation may not occur when planted using seeds hence they are more successful when planted using cuttings or grafting as they may appear to be unstable and the plant may have the tendency to push all the variegated colored pigments into a single branch and ditch that whole branch and flush off itself from its system as most might do this - Identifying itself as these are abnormalities and it's natural way of handling such occurrences.

Do click on the link below for more information on Other Types of  Tropical Fragrant Flowers:

Best Tropical Fragrant Flowering Plants

Gardenia jasminoides

INTRODUCTION:

I'm actually surprised to find that Gardenia do not have a separate botanic name rather it is simply referred to it's common name Gardenia however there are around 140 subspecies which may have been identified based location found all around the world, native to tropical and subtropical regions especially around Asia, Australia parts of Africa and surrounding regions.

There are deep cultural history and traditions that came a long way with Gardenia - mainly around Europe and also in Asia - in some regions it is also used as medicinal apart from the aromatic uses.

The Fragrance - I would describe is very much similar like Grand Duke of Tuscany  mix with Plumeria, almost similar like sweet notes, I must say, I can really tell the difference as they are truly mesmerising like evening flowers. However, it has a slight woody notes in comparison to Jasmine.

Another factor to note on a caution is that I often find minute insects making its home on the flower, hence before taking a whiff in smelling the fragrance - to inspect carefully as you don't want to take in these insects together in your nasal glands. 

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS:

Gardenia is actually a genus from a coffee plant family however it does not bear any seedpod like a coffee plant nor it is a jasmine family, though it is unique - it's similarities are like most Jasmines and Fragrant Flowers - this particular flower only last a day, these bloom from evening to morning and the flowers last a day in these hot tropical climate. Elsewhere it is different in temperate climate zone where these blooms can last for days to weeks during summer.

However, I'm focusing these plant characteristics based on my climate zone - hence these details are based on my climate conditions.

These flowers have a wavy petals and emits a nice cool fragrance during evening time and may fully dried off on its stem turning into creamy yellow in color. At times, they may form clustered flowers as new buds appear from the crown producing new blooms in daily basis but this may occur based on the plant variety. These have been cultivated over centuries long hence there are may be considered as heirloom plant considering whether they are in temperate regions or hot and dry climate.

LIGHT:

Being a Tropical plant does require good strong indirect bright sunshine, It can tolerate growing in shaded area however it must receive at least 6 hours of sunshine. It does not do well in heavy shaded area and may not bloom in such conditions. Also the leaves may turn yellow and also become leggy. Another factor in the lack of sunlight may cause the plant to become stress and can attract pest to heavily attack on them.

Hence do give a thought if your are not having open garden area as this would not so well as indoor plant - even placing them as a balcony potted plant can be challenging if they receive inadequate light.

SOIL MEDIUM:

Considering one of the most basic thing about planting material - this one doesn't require anything special - just any balanced potting mix will do. They seem to do fine in a medium or big potted plant - however they will do great if they are planted directly into the garden soil as these will require just that to produce those lovely blooms.

However if limitation occurs where you can only grow in pot - then a good balanced potting mix with rich amount of organic material and equal part of well drained soil which will help from root rot. 

Instance as such as these - they are often planted straight into open garden land where they are not in a pot - hence they appear hardy and able to take the heavy pruning.

WATERING & FEEDING:

It may require a good adequate watering - both morning and evening based on the size of the plant.
You can grow it in a nice medium or large size pot, the plant will behave and grow based on the size of the pot. However I would recommend this to grow freely on ground if you want lushful beautiful constant blooms.

Also this plant is a heavy feeder and do feed adequately during the flowering season.

However take note that over-watering can cause them to bud-drop especially during the rainy season, hence a well balance fast draining medium to ensure no root rot occurs.

PRUNING:

One of the most challenging part for this shrub is pruning. They do grow in moderate speed however it can become very unruly if not proper care is not given - especially when it comes to growth factor, this plant focus more on branching more stem and over growth rather than blooms which can be one of the down-side coming from this ever blooming plant.

However with the right pruning method and keeping it trimmed and manageable size - this one can be such a beauty. This plant can become into a hard wooden shrub - hence pruning and keeping focused in making its growth into one main stem can allow it to bloom more gracefully and not creating a wild-like shrub with stem branching everywhere.

This plant blooms constantly on a daily basis.

PROPAGATION:

Propagation can be done but stem cutting, stripping off the bottom leaves and poking it into a deep pot with a rich potting soil. Keep it in shade until you notice a new leaves growth.

Another method is to put the cutting into perlite medium (soaked in water)  Once taken roots, it should be carefully transplanted into a good potting mix..

Do click on the link below for more information on Other Types of  Tropical Fragrant Flowers:
Best Tropical Fragrant Flowering Plants

Anthurium Crystallinum Secrets & Success Story / How to Care & Cultivat...

Basically this is How I care and cultivate my Anthurium Crystallinum where it is out in the open garden area with my tropical garden plants. 

Here in this video, I will be sharing some historic view points where this Anthurium had become an heirloom plant - passed down from generations. 

Also some detailed identification plant characteristics on how to identify a common Anthurium Crystallinum plant together with specific details on soil medium composition on how I use it to make the Anthurium full and bushy.

Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum)

CHARACTERISTICS:

By appearance - you can easily compare this jasmine with the common jasmine where the petals are a bit longer and elongated - formed in a cluster, continuous blooms appear from this crown where new flower buds appear constantly from the collective floral center.

The fragrance are more evident during the evening till night and may last till morning, my noon the flowers will wither away but the hot sun - the flowers have close resembles with the common jasmine where it is often cultivated for worship and also for traditional ceremony uses.

Personally I had found the fragrance has a slight aroma not to strong or overwhelming when sniffed in the morning. You need to take a sniff close to the flower bloom to get it's fragrance. The smell is almost similar like the common jasmine however the notes have slight variation

LIGHT:

Being a Tropical plant does require good strong indirect bright sunshine, It can tolerate growing in shaded area however it must receive at least 6 hours of sunshine. It does not do well in heavy shaded area and may not bloom in such conditions. Also the leaves may turn yellow and also become leggy. Another factor in the lack of sunlight may cause the plant to become stress and can attract pest to heavily attack on them.

Hence do give a thought if your are not having open garden area as this would not so well as indoor plant - even placing them as a balcony potted plant can be challenging if they receive inadequate light.

SOIL MEDIUM:

Considering one of the most basic thing about planting material - this one doesn't require anything special - just any balanced potting mix will do. They seem to do fine in a medium or big potted plant - however they will do great if they are planted directly into the garden soil as these will require just that to produce those lovely blooms.

However if limitation occurs where you can only grow in pot - then a good balanced potting mix with rich amount of organic material and equal part of well drained soil which will help from root rot. 

Instance as such as these - they are often planted straight into open garden land where they are not in a pot - hence they appear hardy and able to take the heavy pruning.

WATERING & FEEDING:

It may require a good adequate watering - both morning and evening based on the size of the plant.
You can grow it in a nice medium or large size pot, the plant will behave and grow based on the size of the pot. However I would recommend this to grow freely on ground if you want lushful beautiful constant blooms.

Also this plant is a heavy feeder and do feed adequately during the flowering season.

However take note that over-watering can cause them to bud-drop especially during the rainy season, hence a well balance fast draining medium to ensure no root rot occurs.

PRUNING:

One of the most challenging part for this shrub is pruning. They do grow extremely fast and become very unruly if not proper care is not given - especially when it comes to growth factor, this plant focus more on branching more stem and over growth rather than blooms which can be one of the down-side coming from this ever blooming plant.

However with the right pruning method and keeping it trimmed and manageable size - this one can be such a beauty. This plant can become into a full grown tree - hence pruning and keeping focused in making its growth into one main stem can allow it to bloom more gracefully and not creating a wild-like shrub with stem branching everywhere.

This particular Jasmine blooms constantly on a daily basis.

PROPAGATION:

Propagation can be done but stem cutting, stripping off the bottom leaves and poking it into a deep pot with a rich potting soil. Keep it in shade until you notice a new leaves growth.

Another method is to put the cutting into perlite medium (soaked in water)  Once taken roots, it should be carefully transplanted into a good potting mix..

Do click on the link below for more information on Other Types of  Tropical Fragrant Flowers:
Best Tropical Fragrant Flowering Plants