HORSE TAIL SHE-OAK
An evergreen to 20m, the Horse Tail
She-Oak is an attractive tree with a wide
spreading form and drooping branches
making it good coastal shelter. It will grow
on very dry soils and in difficult coastal
conditions. The seed germinates without
pre-treatment. Sow seed directly from the
packet and keep moist until germination is
complete.
SOUTH SEA IRONWOOD
This evergreen tree type blooms yellow
flowers and brown fruit in the springtime. It
requires moist and sandy or clay soil which
can be acidic, neutral or alkaline. A popular
tree used and displayed by the sea shore,
it has a fast growth rate that enjoys the
sunshine.
PASSIONFRUIT
The passionflower can be grown by just
about anyone due to their broad range of
species and requirements; some can even be
grown all year round. The bold and beautiful
fruit that is produced from this plant has
gauged the interest amongst plant collectors
for years. All species fruit have in common
their dramatic tropical flavour, whether they
are trees, shrubs or herbaceous plants.
FRANGIPANI
The striking flowers and fragrance of this
plant are truly unforgettable and remind one
of true island style. Different species produce
different coloured flowers but all share the
same five-petal shape arranged in a tubular
funnel shape. They prefer rich garden soils
and either bright sun or high shade, they
require a frost-free environment and need to
be provided with
Above from left: Coconut Palm,
Mango, Frangipani, Passionfruit,
Papaya
adequate moisture. It can be propagated
from cuttings in spring, dusted in hormone
powder and planted in damp sand. They
bloom during the wet season and reveal their
limbs in the dry season.
PAPAYA
To grow good papayas you need a frost
free climate, lots of sunlight, lots of water
(but not too much) and very good soil.
Papayas are spherical bell-shaped fruit
that are sweet with rich orange flesh which
encases black round seeds. Papayas are easiest
to grow from seeds in the garden and not in
pots as they are not easily transplanted. They
are very hungry trees so require soil that is
full of nutrients and regular fertilising. The
male papaya trees don���t bear fruit so when
the seeds have germinated there must be
some female or bisexual plants in order to
have fruit. They love heat and sunlight yet
pre-cautions must be taken when watering as
they love water but not too much, especially
during cold periods, as this is the most
common cause of them dying.
MANGO
Mangoes love the tropics! The best
environment for them to grow is frost free
with dry winters and hot summers. They
don���t need rich soils, just plenty of light and
should only be fertilised a little in spring and
summertime only. Although they don���t grow
well indoors, they can be grown in a pot so
when a wet winter kicks in, the pot can be
brought indoors where there is plenty of
light, space and heat available for them to
grow.
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