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TROPICAL PLANTS

TROPICAL PLANTS


Colorful, fresh, and full of wonder. Flowers are uplifting.  They bring a smile, a sparkle, a happy feeling within us.  Growing and tending to them is a labor of joy.  When they bloom, they are miracles of nature.  A bouquet is an ornament or a symbol of appreciation or love.  Flowers that are strung together become a garland or lei.  Flowers and leaves woven together make fine hair accessories such as a haku or lei po'o (floral crown in Hawaiian) and a hair tie.  The purpose of wearing one is to beautify oneself, as a complement, or as a mood booster.  It can be a birthday present or a bride's floral crown for her special day.  It's a natural way for someone to show his or her festivity.
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BOUGAINVILLEA

  • The Bougainvillea is a thorny ornamental tropical plant that grows like a vine. 
  • Its flowers are displayed in clusters of papery bracts.
  • It comes in a variety of shades: orange, white, purple, lavender, and pink.  
  • Popular in warm climates. 
  • Grows best in dry soil and direct sun. 
  • Doesn't require much watering. 
  • Will not flourish if overwatered. 
  • Easily propagated via tip cuttings.  Put tip cutting in soil.  Keep soil moist.
  • Official flower of Guam. 
  • Native to South America. 
  • Sap can cause skin rashes.
Bougainvillea is easy to grow.  Clippings  kept in moist soil will show roots within weeks.  New leaves also start appearing.

CROTON

     
  • Croton is also known as Rushfoil.
  • Tropical plant.
  • Has variegated leaves that are yellow, red, and orange, pink, and purple.
  • From Indonesia.
  • Thrives in direct sunlight.
  • To propagate, cut a branch off and put it in soil.
  • Soil needs to be evenly moist.  Water when the top soil is dry.  If the soil is too dry, leaves will wilt.  If the soil is too wet, leaves will turn brown.

TI


  • There are many types of Ti plants.
  • Also known as Cordyline and Good luck plant.
  • Is an evergreen flowering plant.
  • Native to Southern Asia, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Australia, and some parts of Polynesia.
  • Introduced to Hawai'i and New Zealand by early settlers.
  • Comes in various shades.
  • Planted around Hawaiian homes to welcome good luck.
  • Leaves can be used to wrap food, as platter lines and fly swatters.
  • Ti plants are easy to grow.  Soaking a broken off Ti branch in water will allow roots to start.  This will make its transition to soil easier.
  
SONG OF INDIA/SONG OF JAMAICA

Song of Jamaica   Song of                                 India   
  • Also called Dracaena Reflexa.
  • Was known as Pleomele Reflexa.
  • Native to Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, and other islands of the Indian Ocean.
  • Ornamental and house plant.
  • Thrives in indirect sunlight.
  • Doesn't need frequent watering.  Twice a week is enough. 
  • Overwatering results in discolored and droopy leaves.
  • Can be propagated using stem cuttings.  Allow the cuttings to dry out 24 hours before planting.
  • Pruning is recommended as new sprouts will appear where it's cut back.
  • Poisonous to dogs and cats.
  • Can be used to clear the air of toxins such as formadelhyde.

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  • POLYPODY FERN
Polypody fern growing between rocks of this rock wall.
  • Also known as Rock fern.
  • Grows on rocks, wall fissures.
  • Use small shoots to propagate.
  • Grows well in moist areas.
  • Tolerates dry periods well.  Rehydrates as soon as it receives water.
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LAUA'E FERN

Laua'e fern grows from pores distributed by the wind in the fissures of this rock wall.
  • Also known as Maile-scented fern, Wart fern, and Musk fern.
  • Grows on rocks, wall cracks, and trees.
  • Use roots to propagate.
  • Native to parts of Oceania and tropical Asia.
  • Popular ornamental ground plant.
  • Grows well in moist well-drained soil.


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IXORA

  • The Ixora plant is a flowering plant native to tropical and subtropical areas.
  • Also known as West Indian Jasmine, Jungle Flame, and Jungle Geranium.
  • Shades: red, orange, pink, and white.
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RED GINGER
  • The Ginger plant is native to Asia.
  • Grows in tropical areas.
  • Ornamental plant that comes in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white.
  • To propagate, use shoots that form at the base of the flower.

  • Thrives in moist soil.

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PLUMERIA
  • Also known as frangipani.   
  • Grow on trees.
  • Indigenous to Central America, Polynesia, Caribbean, and Brazil.  
  • Many species.
  • Fragrant, especially at night.
  • Easy to propagate by leafless stem cuttings.  Allow to dry before planting in well-drained soil.  Will rot if soil is too moist.
  • Used to make leis in Polynesia.
  • Sap is an eye and skin irritant.

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PASSION FRUIT/LILIKO'I

  • In Hawaiian, it's called liliko'i.
  • Grows on a vine that is native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.
  • Grows in tropical and subtropical areas.
  • The flower is delicate.  The fruit is juicy and seedy.  Used in smoothies, ice-cream, as flavoring in salad dressing, desserts such as cheesecakes and other pastries.
  • The liliko'i fruit turns yellow when ripe

If the flowers are not turning into fruits, manual pollination is necessary and simple.  Swipe the yellow pollen from the stamens with your finger (there are 5 stamens) and pollinate the 3 stigmas (receptacles for the pollen).

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SPIDER LILY

The Spider lily flower is white.  
The Queen Emma lily, when in full bloom, displays its purple-colored flowers.  

  • Spider lily plants grow in tropical and subtropical areas.  
  • They are hearty.  They can withstand wind and salty air.
  • To propagate, use dried up seeds.
  • Very low maintenance.  Do not need much watering.  Their seeds propagate easily. 
  • The flowers are pretty and  delicate.  Beautiful addition to a bouquet, but wither within a day.
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COCONUT PALM

 
The coconut tree has many uses.  Its trunk can be used as a construction material.  The palm fronds are weaved into baskets, hats, roofs, and headbands.  Here is a tutorial to make a all-natural headband.

Coconut leaf headband

In order to make this easy-to-make headband, you need 6 palm leaves.

1. Insert your thumb between the rib and the leaves to separate them.  Save 2 inches of the rib (sturdiest part).
 We will use 2 different colors of construction paper to make the folding easier.

2. Hold the black strip vertically and cross the orange strip horizontally on the black strip.


3.  Fold the right side of the orange strip under to the left.  Hold it as pictured.

4. Fold the right strip up to the left.

5.  Fold the left black strip under, up, over the black strip.


6. Fold the right orange strip over to the left and tuck under the left orange strip.

7. Continue folding that orange strip up to the right and tuck under the black strip.

Note: When your strip is too short, add an extension.  To do that, it is best to do it when your strip is at the across position.  Take your extension and tuck it under the strip that is too short.  Do not trim.  Keep folding the short strip with the extension.






8. Fold the left orange strip across to the right and tuck under the black strip on the right.


9.  Continue with that orange strip by folding up to the left and tuck under the orange strip.


10. Fold the right black strip to the left and tuck under the black strip.



11. Continue with that black strip and fold over, up to the right, and tuck under the orange strip.


12. Fold the left black strip across to the right and tuck under the orange strip.


13. Continue with that black strip and fold up, to the left, and tuck under the black strip.

14.  Fold the right orange strip across to the left and tuck under the orange strip.



15. Continue with that orange strip and fold up, over to the right and tuck under the black strip.



16.  Fold the left orange strip across to the right and tuck under the black strip.


17. Continue with that orange strip and fold up to the left and tuck under the orange strip.











Continue the pattern until the headband fits around the head of the person you are making it for.  Overlap about 3 inches.

Align the headband according to the pattern.  Using the piece of rib, poke through and back out.








 Trim the overlapping strips with scissors.

You are finished.  Looks good.  Put it on.  Well done!


  • To propagate, use a coconut that has fallen off the tree (grayish color).  It takes weeks for roots to appear, but once they show, it is ready to put in soil.

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MONEY TREE



  • Also known as Dracaena Marginata.  In Hawai'i, it is called Money tree.  
  • Also referred to as Dragon tree.
  • Very easy to grow and take care of.
  • Use stem cuttings to propagate.  To speed up the process, place it in a bucket of water until roots appear.
  • Tough, does not need much watering.
  • Indoor or outdoor plant.  Use well-drained potting mix soil if kept indoors.
  • Removes harmful chemicals from the air.
  • Medium sunlight exposure or partial shade is preferred.

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PURPLE PRINCE JOYWEED

 

  • This perennial plant with its purple color.
  • Easy to grow and propagates quickly.  Use stem cuttings.  Soak them in water until roots appear.
  • Great addition to landscape a yard, garden, and fish bowl.
  • Color of its leaves vary from ruby red to burgundy maroon.
  • In its early stages, watering daily is recommended.  
Purple Prince Joyweed and fern are alternately planted to cover a dirt strip between the wooden fence and cement driveway.
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GLOBE


Globe flowers are also an excellent ground cover.  
  • The flowers are round, hairy, and colorful. 
  • They are a nice addition to floral arrangements.  
  • To propagate, use wilted flowers.  Simply place them on top of soil.  Be patient.  They will sprout in clusters.  Gently separate the new sprouts to repot.
  • To encourage the plant to bloom, it is recommended to clip the flowers off regularly.
  • Keep soil moist.




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