Cold Damage on Tropical Plants

When the first little bit of cool weather hits it’s a nice change from the summer heat. The problem is we forget! We forget to bring in our tropical plants what enjoyed the summer outside. The cold front got things a little more “chilled” then we expected.

Now that a few days have gone by the leaves are starting to drop in bunches or the leaves are black or even greasy looking. Some plants only hold naked branches waiting for clothing, a single leaf is only a memory.

• What can you do?
• Can the plant be saved?
• Will it grow back?

The answer to those questions as with so many things in life - it depends. How cold was the temperature? How long was the plant exposed? What was the health of the plant before the damage?

Some plants only show burned leaves, other may need a severe pruning and others, you need to say goodbye.

For more in depth details of what you can do visit this article on cold temperatures, plant growth and tropicals.

Tips for Longer Lasting Flowering Houseplants

When you buy a flowering plant for your house like a Phalaenopsis Orchid or Bromeliad don’t you want it to last as long as possible? Are you paying attention to:

• Where you are buying that houseplant?
• Where will the plant sit when you bring it home or at the office?

Three things will shorten the length of time that you’ll be able to enjoy the flowers on your houseplants.

• Bloom age
• Ethylene
• Heat

Learn more ways on making house plant flowers last longer and enjoy those orchids and bromeliads longer!

Travelers Palm Plant it North and South?

Question; While in Southern Florida visiting my mom, I got a traveling palm at a flea market. My cousins told me I need to plant it with the leaves pointing north and south. Have you ever heard of that? I love palm trees to death and am wondering if it should be in full sun or part shade or whatever.

Answer: First of all the “Traveler’s Palm” or “Traveler’s Tree” isn’t a palm, they are more from the Banana family. As for putting the plant in full sun, I’d try keeping a little protection if possible. The leaves can get ripped up easily. Sometime people confuse the Traveler’s palm - botanically Ravenala madagascariensis with the white Bird of Paradise which has grown very popular over the past decade.

To answer the question on planting the tree north or south is one I’ve heard before, but it’s been a while. The main reason plant a tree like the travelers palm so the leaves run north and south is simply a lighting issue. The sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. THis will allow the tree to grab as much light as it can get.