A Buyers Guide to Popular Tropicals part 2

A Buyers Guide to Popular Tropicals
(The Favorite Plants of Stokes Tropicals)

The Pineapple became a hospitality symbol in 16th century America and Europe and has remained so throughout the world until this day. This communal symbol of friendship and hospitality became a motif of architects, artisans, and craftsmen throughout the European colonies of the world. And today pineapple-themed products still abound. It is also known as the "Princess of Fruits".

The average plant height is 25" and can be enjoyed as an indoor plant, patio plant or even an outdoor plant (in frost-free areas). Pineapples provide a tropical accent along with a delicious tropical taste. And it always tastes better if you grow it yourself. It thrives in full sun to 30% shade. It can be used outside year round in zones 10 and higher.

Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) originated in China and is admired everywhere for its striking black, glossy-colored culms (or stems). Culms emerge from the ground dark green in color and then turn a shiny jet black after 6 to 24 months. It is extremely popular because of its graceful growing habit and the sharp accent of its culm color and delicate evergreen leaves and is highly esteemed for Asian-style gardens. Under ideal conditions, it can grow to 20-30' tall. But, depending on the growing conditions (soils, light, temperatures, water, growing area, etc.) mature plants could finish out at 8-10'. It is a runner that produces underground rhizomes; however it can be easily contained by growing in containers, planters or enclosed areas. It can tolerate cold temperatures down to 0°F and even lower with mulch. It thrives in part sun and can be successfully grown inside as well as outside. It looks great in atriums and enclosed courtyards that have high light.

Curcuma alismatifolia (Siam Tulip) is a truly magnificent ginger. This native ginger of northern Thailand was literally discovered about 15 years ago. Dutch, American and Japanese plants men saw the cut flowers of this ginger being sold in the native markets of Chaing Mai and Chaing Rai and immediately recognized the potential of this native ginger as an ornamental plant and as a cut flower. The Thai peasants, who cut the flowers during the rainy season (May to September) in the surrounding country savannah areas, and brought them to market to sell, were encouraged to cultivate the ginger on small plots of land and to dig and sell the dormant rhizomes in November and December (dry season). The Dutch and American growers proceeded to buy and grow millions and millions of rhizomes for ornamental plant and for cut flower production, which continues through today. The plant superficially resembles a tulip in leaf and flower, producing a beautiful dark, rose-pink inflorescence on a long stout stem that is held well above its tough tulip-looking leaves. It grows in high light to full sun up to 2-3' tall and blooms all summer. It grows equally well in containers or in beds in well-drained soils. It returns when planted outside in Zones 9 and higher.


source : hydroponicsearch