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question about tropical seeds or plants? Just fax us at (416) 767-2208
or e-mail us at rainseed@interlog.com,
and watch this space!
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| Question:
I am growing apricot tomato plants. They keep growing taller and growing new leaves but the lower leaves keep falling off. Is this supposed to happen? Any other info on watering, light requirements, humidity, etc would be appreciated. |
| Answer:
The first clue is the first part of the plant's latin name, "solanum" - sol meaning sun and anum meaning year. Your apricot tomato will grow into a huge plant with leaves spanning 1 foot in diameter. You will notice the natural protection of spines that cover the leaves and stem to keep voracious fruit eaters away. Though not hazard to your health, they can create splinters when handled. Apricot tomatos thrive in direct sunlight --a southern exposure indoors is ideal, although grow lights (available in hardeware stores) are sufficient for darker spaces. The leaves pick up the red UV of the sunlight and the veins in the leaves turn a vivid purple. Apricot tomato leaves are very porous, acting as water gatherers for the plant. A regular misting from a spray bottle is very helpful in this regard. Be alert for white flies, a common household pest. As the leaves collect water, they also create an oasis for this fly (which can be gotten rid of by rinsing the leaves with soap and water). As the plant grows, the bottom leaves do fall off, but don't overwater -- let the soil dry out before rewatering, and fertilize every month or so depending on pot size and placement. Much like a tomato in size, the fruit is used for homemade jams and the taste is like that of an apricot. I recently received a letter from a retired gentleman of Italian descent from Toronto who grew these alongside his tomatps in his garden, thinking he would get tomatos. He was surprised by its taste, and we gave him a recipe for jam. Seven months later, we received a complimentary homemade jam that his wife had created. |
| Question:
I am doing a school project, where we have an organism assigned to us in the rain forest. I have been assigned a 'Rain Tree' and I was wondering if you could possibly give me any info on things like it's genus and species, order, and other classification information.. I would appreciate it GREATLY if you could help me out.. It is due tomorrow (5-30) and I am at a loss... |
| Answer:
Raintree (samanea saman ) - common english names : Rain Tree, Cow Tamarind, Monkeypod, also called Guango, Dormilon, Algarrobo, Cenicero, Carreto, zorra, lara, urero, Genizaro (in Spanish countries), in French. arbre a pluie, Gouannegoul, Samana. Dutch.; Regen boom. Early travellers to the tropics reported that the tree produced rain at night. Legend speaks " rains from the branches , are the juice of the cicadas, or Cheribus. The grass is always green beneath this tree due to the way the leaves close at night allowing the rain to fall more easily within its foliage. and thus during the days covers the grass more effectively from the harsh sun. It's a very huge canopied tree, one of the most symmetrical in the world. covered with tiny pinktipped tufts fron spring to fall. Pods filled with seeds hang from fall to winter and are used by farmers as good fodder. The wood is very durable, and is used for beautifully finished furniture in many places in the Carribbean. A great footnote on the tree is that it was used in the movie, as well as mentioned in the novel, "Swiss Family Robinson." It harboured the family in its huge limbs where they made an impenetrable fort in it's giant branches. It is no doubt that when Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the novel in the 1800's that he used his knowledge based on excursions into the Carribbeans, as a focal point and that he viewed certain massive trees particularly this one as reference in his writings. The film itself used a mock-up of the Raintree, (technicians built a fake tree based on the designs of a raintree for the 1950's Disney classic.) I hope this bit of trivia helps you out, and please mention us as your source of information. p.s. Let me know how you did. |
| Question:
I recently saw a "traveler's tree" from Martinique. I don't know if it native to the island or not. At first I thought it was an Inca headdress or...Anyway, the fronds are all on the same plane at the of the stem -- much like a peacock would loom like from the back. Do you know what this is and where I can obtain seeds? |
| Answer:
Traveler's Tree (Ravenala Madagascariensis) also called arbol del Viajero, Palma de Viajero belongs to the banana family from Madagascar. The large hollow leaf stalks can hold up to a quart of water, hence the saying that you can always find water if you find this tree while travelling in hot weather. Unfortunately, it is not on our list of palms available for this season. It is found in areas of the Caribbean as well Madagascar. If we come across the seeds this season we will let you know. El Nino is playing around with the cycle of palms and harvesting of certain species is erratic. |
| Question:
Can I sow the Star Apple seeds now in the winterime or should I wait until spring? If I have to wait, is it a good idea since the seed is only viable for 6 months? Since I live in Zone 9 in San Jose, CA where it rarely freezes, with only occasional frosts, can I just plant the Star Apple in the ground and just cover it during the winter months? Will one tree produce any fruit or will I have to plant two for pollination to occur? I would also like to plant it in a 20" container. Is this too small, and will it fruit if container-bound? How tall does it get? |
| Answer:
To answer your enquiry on star fruit, with regards to your being in Zone 9, if frost is apparent in your vicinity the star fruit should be started in a container that you can easily move inside. Seeds will germinate in 2-3 weeks, if not sooner. The star fruit is a self-pollinator. It will grow to 6' in a 24" container. The tree should be pruned every spring or fall. Flowering will usually occur in 2-3 years. At that time, begin fertilization with emphasis on K in NPK (such as 5-5-15) and do a lot of misting (daily if possible). This year, perhaps El Nino will help outdoors in your vicinity. Plenty of precipitation should be expected along the West Coast. |
| Question:
Can you give me some facts and tips on the Leucaena tree, which I am growing outside here in southern Texas? |
| Answer:
Leucaena is the common name for Leucaena Leucocephala a tropical /subtropical fast growing tree with a wide variety of uses. Increasingly, foresters and farmers are exploring the potential of developing more acreage of this versatile tree. Under optimum growing conditions, Leucaena stands have yielded extraordinary amounts of wood, among the highest annual totals reported. Leucaena Also make quality forage and is responsible for some of the highest weight gain in livestock in the tropics. The tree is being hailed as a Miracle Plant, and rightly so To learn more about this versatile tree you can send for the well researched book "Leucaena-Promising forage and tree crop for the tropics", published by the National Research Council 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20418 |
| Question:
I recently bought a package of your seeds called the Silk Tree, Is this the same as the Kapok Tree? And would you have some more information about it? |
| Answer:
You are most certainly correct. Ceiba /Kapok (Ceiba Pentandra) also referred to as the Silk cotton tree or in Spanish Pochote, Bongo, Ceiba de Lana, is one of the largest trees in Tropics of America. It is the National Tree of Guatemala as well as holding a sacred position in ancient Mayan culture where, according to Mayan legend, the first man was born in it's thick huge trunk. These trees can be a massive Height and span reaching more than 80 ft with a huge billowing crown that makes a perfect home for monkeys and their young. The Branches grow out at right angles. Leaves have 5 to 9 fingers and the creamy white flowers are 1" (2.5cm) and appear just after the leaves. Black oblong seed pods 3-6'' '(7.5-15cm) contains the seed, which is surrounded by flossy cotton called Kapok. As the pods ripen and break these seedlings are transported by the wind across great distances given buoyancy by the Kapok which is harvested and is used commercially as a stuffing for Mattresses, pillows, and life preservers. |
| Question:
I bought a package of Baby Papaya seeds from Zephyrs in Toronto, Canada. While I'm happy to say that after six months it grew into a 5-ft tree it hasn't flowered yet. Is there some way I can get the process happening a little quicker? |
| Answer:
Baby Papaya usually starts bearing flowers around its 2nd year of life. You seem to be doing everything all right so far if your tree is 5ft in 6 months. Try adding some more compost and fertilizer in what is commonly described as the Top dressing method. Replacing the top layer of soil with more nutritional Potassium sulfate fertilizer, potash, and compost. Which is good for flowering and fruit bearing species. When the flower buds do appear they are usually centered about the crown of the plant. Small tiny 5 star flowers in clusters appearing from the stem. Papayas are bi-sexual plants so you can pollinate flowers by applying a small brush from one flower to the next and spreading the pollen. Keep us posted as to your success! |
| Question:
I've grown a package of your seeds called the Rain Tree. So far 7 seedlings have started. At night the seedlings look as if they are dying. The leaves all close. Am I doing something wrong? Also, is there any more information about this tree that you can share? |
| Answer:
Do not worry, at night the rain tree will go to sleep at precisely 6:00 p.m. Even here in Canada where dusk in the summer comes later you'll notice your Rain Tree seedlings "turning in" for the evening. It has to do with its natural biological clock. In the case of your seedlings, they are still working on Costa Rican time. As your trees grow older and larger it will adapt itself accordingly. By the way the Rain tree gets its name from closing its leaves in a heavy downpour in the jungle. It is a huge barreled tree with massive branches and a low wide crown. If you recall the tales of the Swiss family Robinson and their castaway epic you'll recall the tree house in which the family lived. This was a Rain Tree (samanea saman). |
| Question:
I have heard that the Golden Lantern plant I am growing here in Montreal has some kind of medicinal quality to it. Would you have some more information on this and other species that you carry? |
| Answer:
Golden Lantern (Cassia Reticulata) is a large tree that grows in abundance in the Central American tropics. It belongs to the legume family. A cathartic is made from the sticky brown pulp that envelopes the seed in the pod and the leaves of this tree are dried and made in to a tea that are said to help combat arthritis. As for other species the list is long and varied. Many other trees have medicinal qualities that when used as a tea help relieve the most common ailments such as Juanilama (lippia alba) used for Colitis. Ruda (ruta graveolans) used during menstruation, Altamisa (Chrysantemum parthenium) for Migraine relief. Guarumo (Cecropia obtusifolia) used for weight control. Passiflora (passiflora incarnata) a Passionflower vine used as a tea for tension and nervousness. A complete list of these and other teas are available from our head office at the address listed above. |