😷 What's the smelliest fruit on Earth? The King of Fruits: Durian!

• 😶�️ Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a tropical fruit tree known for its prickly, spiny fruit, which is famous for its distinctive, highly pervasive aroma - often described as unpleasant by many.
• 😶�️ Despite the powerful scent, which can deter some from trying it, durian is celebrated in Southeast Asia as the "king of fruits." To many, the strong odor is actually a welcome signal of the fruit's rich, creamy golden flesh, which has a sweet, custard-like flavor that's likened to almond and vanilla.
• 😶�️ Its creamy texture and unique taste make it a beloved delicacy, often commanding a high price in the market.
• 😶�️ As naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace noted after trying durian on Borneo in the 19th century, "The more you eat of it, the less you feel inclined to stop".
• 😶�️ Other varieties, like the red and yellow-fleshed Durio graveolans, are available in Southeast Asia and even in regions like South Florida, offering a peanut butter-like taste and greater tolerance to local conditions.

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🪩 Does Queen of the Night bloom only one night out of the year?

• 💎 Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night, is a captivating cactus famous for its nocturnal, powerfully fragrant blooms!
• 💎 Native to tropical rainforests, it thrives as an exotic houseplant with its wide, fleshy leaves.
• 💎 This plant earns its royal title by producing stunning, large white fragrant flowers that open only at night, creating a spectacular and fleeting display of beauty.
• 💎 Each flower lasts only one night, but if you missed it - no worries! New blooms will follow from multiple buds. So you actually will have several nights to enjoy it!
• 💎 A must-have for those who love unique and fragrant indoor plants.

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🌸 What is the sweetest Passionfruit?

• 🍋 Passiflora nitida, also called Bell Apple or Water Lemon, is a rare gem among passion fruits, native to the lush Amazon jungle. Its orange-yellow fruits are much sweeter than typical passion fruits, with succulent, non-acidic pulp that’s irresistibly flavorful.
• 🍋 This tropical vine thrives in lowland regions from Costa Rica to Brazil, growing rapidly in warm climates.
• 🍋 Fruits: Small (up to 2 inches), orange-yellow, and incredibly sweet, best enjoyed fresh.
• 🍋 Flowers: Striking blue and red blooms, resembling those of P. laurifolia and P. quadrangularis.
• 🍋 Growth: A vigorous, fast-growing vine suited for tropical conditions; frost protection is essential.
• 🍋 Uses: Often eaten fresh but also a key ingredient in the refreshing drink "Purple Passion."
• 🍋 #Fun_Facts: Despite its sweet, crowd-pleasing taste, this fruit remains a relatively unknown delight, making it a treasure for tropical fruit enthusiasts.

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⚡ Why this cactus is called Blue Flame 🔥

• 🔥 Pseudorhipsalis amazonica - Blue Flame Cactus - is a spectacular bloomer!
• 🔥This is a rare, spineless, epiphytic cactus from the rainforests of the Amazon jungle.
• 🔥 The flowers emerge along the leaf edges from late spring through early summer. They have a distinctive blue tip on the magenta flower, just like a blue flame!

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🌰 Is it Cashew nut or Cashew Apple? 🍏

• 🥨 Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a small, fast-growing marvel that gives us both the crunchy cashew nut and the juicy, quirky "cashew apple"
• 🥨 It's a tropical multitasker, thriving in poor soils, drought, and salty winds, and can even fruit in a pot within two years!
• 🥨 Cashew #Fun_Facts:

• ♦️The Fruit Switcheroo: The true fruit is the nut, while the brightly colored "apple" is actually a swollen stem. Talk about a fruit with an identity twist!
• ♦️The cashew apple has a sweet-astringent flavor and can be eaten fresh, stewed, or turned into delicious fragrant juice. A tangy treat!
• ♦️Nut Know-How: Raw cashews are caustic and must be roasted outdoors because their fumes are anything but friendly.
• ♦️Whether in sandy soils or salty winds, this tree keeps thriving, proving it's as tough as it is tasty.
• ♦️The cashew tree is not just a food source; it's a conversation starter! Perfect for gardeners who love both practicality and personality.

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😶 Did you know this about Hoyas?

*Wax Plants: Hoyas are often called wax plants because of their thick, glossy leaves and waxy flowers.

*Sweet Scented Blooms: Their star-shaped flowers not only look like candy but also emit sweet, often vanilla-like or chocolatey scents, especially in the evening.

*Epiphytic Nature: Many Hoyas grow as epiphytes in their natural habitats, meaning they live on other plants or trees, getting nutrients from the air and rain.

*Longevity: Hoyas can live for decades and may even be passed down as heirlooms. Some specimens are over 100 years old!

*Nectar Drops: Their blooms produce tiny drops of nectar, a treat for pollinators (and sometimes houseplant owners).

*Hundreds of Species: There are over 500 species of Hoyas, ranging from tiny-leafed varieties to ones with massive leaves or even fuzzy foliage.

*Sun-Loving Flowers: While the plants tolerate lower light, Hoyas flower best with bright, indirect light or even some direct sun.

*Low-Maintenance: They’re perfect for forgetful gardeners since they prefer to dry out between waterings.

*Climbing or Trailing: Hoyas can either climb with the help of trellises or cascade beautifully as trailing plants.

*Flowering Age: Hoyas are patient! Some won’t bloom until they’re a few years old, but the wait is worth it.

*Resilient Peduncles: Never cut off the “flower stems” (peduncles) - Hoyas rebloom from the same spot year after year.

*Exotic Origins: Native to Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, they thrive in tropical and subtropical climates.

*Lucky Charm: In some cultures, Hoyas are considered symbols of love and are gifted as housewarming or wedding presents.

🎥 Hoya calycina - Papua Sweet Scent was discovered in Papua New Guinea in 1913. The flower is very fragrant and can infuse your entire house in a beautiful lilac scent.

😍 Do you have a favorite Hoya species in mind? Share in comments!

📚 More from previous post:
Our favorite houseplants - hoyas

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💗 What are the best Mulberry varieties

Muberries are very cold hardy (to hard freeze, up to zone 6), tough trees that take poor soils and grow well in almost any conditions once established.

💬 #Fun_Facts: Did you know that mulberries belong to the same plant family with Jackfruit?

🤟 The Best Mulberry Varieties for Your Garden:

• 🐾 Dwarf Everbearing and Dwarf Issai - Compact, container-friendly varieties perfect for small spaces. These dwarf trees (6-10 ft tall) are disease and drought resistant, with multiple crops year-round, even from the first year! Ideal for patios and small yards..
• 🐾 Florida Giant - A vigorous, fast-growing tree with large, heart-shaped leaves and long purple-black fruits bursting with a sweet-tart flavor. This beauty grows up to 6-10 ft per year and thrives as far north as zone 6, despite its name.
• 🐾 Shangri-La - A modest-sized tree with giant leaves and plump, sweet-tart berries. Originally from Florida, it's heat, drought, pest, and disease-resistant. Ripens from April through summer, bringing both beauty and bounty to your garden.
• 🐾 White Mulberry - Produces medium-sized, super-sweet white fruits without a hint of tartness. This productive tree makes a mess-free option since the fruit doesn't stain. Ideal for fresh eating or drying.

📚 Learn more about pineapples from previous posts:
Top 10 fast-fruiting trees: #7. Mulberry
How Mulberry fruit helps with diabetes

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😮 Spooktacular Halloween Sale!

• 😀 Halloween is creeping in, and it's time to treat your garden to some tropical magic! No tricks - just bold, exotic beauties ready to boo-st your outdoor space. Our plants have flourished all summer, growing large and vibrant, and are now ready to keep your garden bursting with life year-round.
• 😀 Don't let these deals disappear into the night - offer ends November 1! To save 10% on your order, use code:

• 💸 Halloween24 💸


Min order $100, excluding S/H. Exp. 11-1-24

📸 Clinacanthus nutans - Snake plant 🐍

Celebrate Halloween with this exotic Thai plant that marries beauty and folklore!
Its striking blooms resemble the open mouths of snakes, adding a mysterious allure to your garden. Traditionally used in Thailand for snake bite relief, this captivating specimen not only enhances your space but also sparks conversation among guests. Don't miss the chance to impress with this enchanting plant during the spooky season!

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😶 What color is your cat's eyes?

• 
  👀 Cats can have a variety of eye colors, including blue, green, amber, and even gold.
• 👀 A cat's eye color can change as they age. Kittens are usually born with blue eyes, which may gradually change to their permanent color as they grow older, typically by around three months of age.
• 👀 The color of a cat's eyes can also be influenced by genetics, with some breeds like Siamese having striking blue eyes throughout their lives.
• 👀 Some cats can have different colored eyes, a condition known as heterochromia - a disruption in melanin production that leads to a blue and yellow eye. This can result in one eye being blue and the other yellow, or even other color combinations like amber and green.

What color is your cat's eyes? Share your cats in comments!
📸 🐈🐈🐈👇

🐾 More #PeopleCats in our Garden:
PeopleCats.Garden 

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😱 Fun Fact: Giant Pelican Flower

🦉 Aristolochia gigantea var. Brasiliensis - Giant Pelican Flower - boasts flowers over 10 inches long, with a zany pelican-like shape and a lemony scent🍋
Its striking pattern of white and reddish-brown makes it a rare and fascinating collectible that thrives on a stake, trellis, or even in a hanging basket! Great butterfly attractor.
More info: previous post.

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