Epic Grower LLC – Growing Blog

The red butterfly wing plant, bat wing, Mariposa Cristia Verpertilloris, is a rare and unusual plant in the USA.   Adeniumrose Company started experimenting with growing these plants 3 years ago.  Yes, these were offered on a limited basis starting late last year. Now we are in what we call rare plant seed / seedling production mode.

Viable Red Butterfly Wing Seeds

It took 2 years to get good seeds from various sources to start the process.  Then another 2 yrs to get viable red butterfly wing plants to produce good seeds. Purchasing seeds is not an option due to costs and getting bad seed stock.  It took 7 seed sources (all outside the USA except for one) until we received the right Mariposa Cristia Verpertilloris plant seeds.  The germination rate on the seeds purchased were less than 10%. They cost on the average $2 a seed so you see it’s expensive!

As of the summer of 2019,  ExoticGrower Company / AdeniumRose Company now has several Red Butterfly Wing plants growing for seed production. No do not and will not sell seeds.  The germination rate of the seeds produced from our plants is approximately 32%.  It takes about 8-9 months before the plants are well established in nursery pots before they are released to clients.

 

More Red Butterfly Wing Growing Information

How does Adeniumrose Company collect the red butter fly wing seeds?  First, the germination rate of the seeds directly corresponds to seed collecting timing. The flower stalks grow at an uneven rate. In other words, the seeds start to produce from the flowers starting at the bottom of the flower stalk. Each stalk needs to be checked 7 days after they start to bloom for seeds.

AdeniumRose Company waits until the first 6 sets of flowers have produced seeds before we cut off the stalk.  If you cut the stalk too soon on the Red Butterfly Wing then the germination rate will drop to 10% or less.  If you wait too long then the pod opens and you will lose the seeds.  We do not wait until all flowers have produced seeds. Each flower pod contains 3 or more seeds (VERY SMALL!!)

Each seed production plant of the Mariposa Cristia Verpertilloris plant produces several flower stalks a year in our environment.   In some environments (cooler and less humid) may not produce any viable seeds. Plus, Adeniumrose Company / ExoticGrower uses Dyna-Gro Foliage once a month.

Germination takes place in a controlled environment.  The temperatures, water and fertilizer are regulated to get the best germination rate.  All seeds are planted within 45 days of collection. ExoticGrower Company uses a soilless coir based pro propagation mix. Once the plants are 4-5 months old we transplant them into 3.5″ nursery pots. When they are well established in the nursery pots (8-9 months) they are released to clients.  They are easy to grow beautiful plants once they are well established.

Exotic herb plants, medical herb or tropical Plants received from ExoticGrower Company were grown in a tropical Southeast Florida. The exotic plant varieties grew under a shade house (60-70% sun) or out in the 100% open area in containers. SE Florida has very harsh humidity and strong sun radiation. The shade house is critical to protect plants from too much sun and heat.

This following information was just updated (April 2019).  It’s a two page sheet included with the exotic plant shipments, herb plants and  non cactus/succulents plants.

Check your growing environment and USDA zone.  If you are not in the USDA growing zone for the type of exotic plant you selected then you need to grow the plant in a container.  Many exotic herb plants, tropical and medical plants require protection from cold weather and/or extreme heat. Check to see how much sun or shade a plants can handle. These are general instructions.

Planting

In ground Planting 6 pot size plant or larger plant when received: Dig a hole at least 1 ft by 1 ft.  If you are planting a larger exotic plant (larger root system) make the hole at least twice the size of the root system.  Back fill 25% of the hole with the proper type of soil,  compost or even manure mixture. Check the internet for the proper soil mix for your type of plant.

If planting a herb, fruit or similar exotic plant then use a good airy rich soil or compost when your do the actual plant planting. Stay away from moss based mixes or ones that develop a top crust. Again check the proper soil type for your plant.

Container planting: Pick a pot at least twice the size of the exotic plant root system. Clay pots and pots with holes are better to control moisture, root breathing and heat. The roots need air to grow well and survive.  It’s better that you do not OVERSIZE the pot for the plant.  Soil nutrients get depleted and it is better to repot in size increments so soil is replenished and the roots grow strong.

Fill the bottom and sides of the pot with the soil you plan to use. Then plant the tree using a good airy potting soil or more compost depending upon the type of plant. Coir based mixes are great!

 

Steps:1

1. In ground planting of exotic plants, water the planting holes one day before planting the small plants.
2. Plant in the late afternoon to avoid the hot sun the first day.
3. Do not plant the root ball more than 1/2″ below the soil. The roots need to breath. Look at the exotic plant trunk color to see the coloration difference near the soil one. Keep the area that was exposed to the air above the soil!
4. If growing in a pot (especially a bonsai pot) then spread out the roots. Try not to damage the roots. We use chop-sticks to separate the root ball to gently spread the roots out.
5. Add a root hormone such as Dyna-Gro K-L-N to the water the first 21 days.
6. If the exotic plant tends to fall over then add support. Put a stick into the hole and use a twist tie to hold the plant upright. When you insert the support stick try not to damage any roots under the soil!  If using a bonsai pot, wire down the plant to support it.
7. Pack soil around the seedling base lightly.
8. Water lightly for the first few days.
9. After 30 days add a good fertilizer with micro nutrients such as Dyna-Gro Grow or Dyna-Gro Foliage.
10. Research your growing environment to make sure you are planting the type of exotic plants properly.

10. Remember these are good general planting instructions. Not all plants grow the same. If you are not sure check the internet for more information on soil types and light requirements.

Complete nutrition results in superior plant growth. Why choose anything less for your plants? There are 20 elements necessary for optimum plant growth. Air and water supply carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Macro-nutrients are required by plants in large amounts. Micro-nutrients are required in smaller amounts. Eliminate any of these elements, and plants will display abnormal growth, deficiencies or may not reproduce. The following is a brief guide to the role played by each of these essential nutrient elements. Dyan-Gro Grow and Dyna-Gro Foliage contain the macro-nutrients needed for plants. Compare the ingredients to see what your fertilizer is missing!

Neem (azadirachta indica) – Neem exotic plant (may medical uses) are semi-desert plants USDA zones 9 – 11 . They are NOT herb plants.  If you treat them like a regular herb plant they may die!  Over watering is the number one killer of neem plants.   Number two is the wrong soil. The soil needs to be fast draining and airy!  What is a neem leaf?  It’s the WHOLE frond not the individual very small petals. You may lose some or most of your fronds when planting.  Expect it to take up to 3..4 weeks to recover if planted properly and give the right sun light/water.

Moringa plants (moringa oleifera) USDA zone 9-10  – Retains its water in the roots similar to many desert plants. They like water but the soil must be fast draining and airy.

Christia Vespertilionis plants. These are new to the USA.  Since we are in a Tropical area they grow great as long as we keep them in 65-75 sunlight.  With less sunlight the leaves will not turn the red color. Too much sun and they burn. They like to dry out for 1-2 days between watering. We use a soil mix with less perlite than in our desert/semi-desert plants.   Various sites on the internet says they will go dormant and lose leaves in cooler climates. However, I would treat them as semi-tropical plants and protect them from cold weather.

How to Make soil Airy:  Add perlite to mixes.   Add small NON porous rocks. Use clay pots to allow air flow.  Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pots.

How to retain some moisture but not too much:  Use coir based mixes not Moss! Moss mixes tend to create crusts on top of the soil which causes water and air flow problems.

Advice:  The number one thing we hear from people is “My Gardener said xxxxx”  Be careful, the majority of gardeners are not exotic plant experts. They may know about local plants/grass/trees but not about rare exotic plants. There are many different growing environments and micro-environments in all areas.  Do your research and understand plants are living things that will do great but sometimes no matter what you do they may die. It may be the water, the nutrients, the sun light, heat, soil, cold, bugs or ?? causing problems.    Enjoy growing your plants. Please visit our blog for more information.

Growing Curry Leaf India Tree plant used for its leaves.  Murraya koenigii, Kadi Patta is a tropical to sub tropical tree in the family of Rutaceae. The curry left tree is native to India.

The leafs used in India cooking know as Indian Curry.  The curry leaf plant names include Curry leaf plant, Karivepallai, Curry Patta, Kari patta, Murraya koenigii spreng or Sweet Neem tree.  Do not confuse this with the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica).  Growing the curry lleaf plant is easy once established.

The plants offered by ExoticGrower Company are grown by seed in south Florida.  Seeds are from a know quality parent plant.   The nature curry leaf tree  grows 4–6 m (13–20 feet) tall with a trunk up to 40 cm (16 in) diameter. The aromatic leaves are pinnate with 11–21 leaflets. The plant produces small white flowers which produce small shiny-black  drupes containing a single seed.

Curry Leaf Tree Plant Uses

When growing curry leaf plant remember to use organic fertilizers and sprays.  The leaves are valued as seasoning in southern and west-coast Indian cooking. It’s usually fried along with vegetable oil, mustard seeds and chopped onions in the first stage of the preparation. Used to make thoran, vada, rasama nd kadhi.  In Asia, the plant is used for many Thai or other dishes.

The leaves of Murraya koenigii are used as a  herb in ayuvedic and Siddha medicine which they are believed to possess anti-diabetic properties, but there is no high-quality scientific evidence for such effects.  You agree by using the site or purchasing the plant  that the company or staff of Adeniumrose Company LLC, ExoticGrower Company or associated companies is not liable for any usage of the plant  what-so-ever.

Growing Curry Leaf Plant

If you live in a tropical or semi-tropical climate (zones 9-12) growing curry leaf plant is preferred for year round leafs.  The curry leaf plant does not like frost.  It’s a great container plant which you bring in during winter.  When grown as a container plant is restricts the plant to a more manageable size.

The curry leaf plant lover bright sun light.  If you live areas with temperatures above 90 degrees then give them a bit of shade if possible.  We grow them 100% once they are in the 3.5″ pots under a shade house (70% full sun) since SE Florida gets very hot and humid.

Exotic Rare Plant releases start next month. Expect very hard to find plants including Red Butterfly wing (Christia vespertilonis red).  The red butterfly wing plant seed germination rate is very low and the seeds are costly.  ExoticGrower Company (AdeniumRose Company LLC) started over three years ago to grow these exotic plants.

               Seeds were obtain from USA and other sources.  The USA and Thailand seeds were a complete  waste of time and money. In fact, the Thailand seeds received, from three different sources were nothing more than grass seeds.  Finally 3yrs ago some good seeds arrived from Europe. Out of the 50 Exotic rare plant seeds received only 11 germinated and 5 survived.

Exotic Rare Plant Christia vespertilonis Release Date

After 2yrs the 5 plants started to produce seeds of the red butterfly Exotic Rare Plant .  ExoticGrower planted the seeds as soon as they were obtained from the plant.  Fresher the better with rare plant seeds. These seeds have a higher germination rate (about 40 percent) than any ones  purchased.  The parent plant red butterfly wing Christia vespertilonis are now approximately 2.5 feet tall with several branches.

Yes, we started to take cuttings and 60% survived the rooting process.

Expect the release of these Christia vespertilonis plants is in late March or first part of April when the weather gets a bit warmer in most areas of the USA.  yes, we will send notice to registered clients.  Please go to the Adeniumrose.com website to register (create an account). No purchase required.

Other Soon to be Release Exotic rare plants from ExoticGrower Company

Yucca Rostrata   4″ pot size March

Pachypdiums  March

Moringa Release include 3gal sizes March

PseuodoBomax specimen bonsai specimen size March

Euphorbia knuthii   April

Curry leaf tree    April

Jumbo Adeniums Late April – Yes we received some yellows!

Extra-large size Adeniums April

Dioscorea elephantides specimen size April

and others.

Currently, Epic Grower LLC has over 30 varieties of exotic rare plants in various stages of growth from seed. The process to grow exotic rare pants is slow. it requires learning about the plants, finding good seed sources and experimenting.  Many times the seeds received are not the right plant or completely fail to germination.  Plants considered rare include ones endangered, very hard to propagate, and hard to find.