Logee’s Tropical Plants Blog · Since 1892, we’ve been growing and selling plants in our retail greenhouses and by mail. In this blog, come experience the flavor of what goes on behind the scenes at Logee’s,and let the romance of flowers, form, and plants infuse your life with joy!
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Logee's Plants for Home & Garden Blog 
I’ve bought a number of Edithcolea grandis from you, and wonder if you could share your culture strategy. They are listed in many guides as extremely difficult plants, prone to quickly rotting and turning to mush.
Yours look fantastic. Any advice you can offer to help me keep mine as happy as they were in your greenhouse would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Cliff
The best way to grow Edithcolea grandis is the same way you would grow Lithops “Living Stones”. They like it extremely dry. Watering only about 4-5 times a year and they like it really warm. Also, with Edithcolea, do not fertilizer but maybe once a year. The root rot is usually overwatering and overfeeding. Our tendency with gardening is to be nurturing and caring but this plant doesn’t need much! Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Where can I buy your plants in Virginia Beach, VA.?
You can buy our plants on line at http://www.logees.com and we will mail out 2 1/2 inch or 4 inch pots. You can also check your local garden centers for some of our plants. Thanks for asking.
Can you comment on pruning potted citrus? I feel as if I have bought cute little lion cubs and now they are full grown lions!
Typically we recommend pinching back some new growth as the plant is growing, in order to create a bushy specimen. This isn’t the best time of year to be pruning the plant back as it tends to stress the plant. Approximately how large is your plant?
There are approximately 10 trees – 7 feet tall! They are in 14 inch – 18 inch pots. Eureka and meyer lemons, grapefruit, etrog, persian lime, tangerine, and blood orange. If I make them bushy they don’t fit in the room, so they tend to be thin and tall – lemons, limes, and oranges produce fruit. I’m not sure if they fruit on new wood or if that matters.
The small plants I got from you last spring are growing well. About 12 inches tall by now and the key lime has fruit. It is the “trees” which have to share the room with about a dozen hibiscus, also in large pots. (and one bauhinia).
Thanks.
I have trouble growing the unusual hoyas, I’ve ordered several and they all die within a month. The usual wax plant I have no trouble with.
Hoyas are epiphytes or tree dwellers and therefore they need and open potting, well-drained potting mix and a period of dryness between watering. They can tolerate dryer soil conditions than most plants. Be sure the soil is visually dry between waterings or even beyond that. They also like good quality light, although they will tolerate shade. Being tree dwellers, they prefer some direct or dappled sun light during the day. Too much sun and it will bleach out the leaves . An east or west exposure is perfect. Also try growing them in clay pots not plastic as this will help increase the wet dry cycle in the soil which they need.
I am interested to get nycanthes arbor-tristes plant. Any suggestions where I can get this from. I live in Atlanta
Sid Gardino of Gardino nurseries in florida carries these.
I have been growing a Meyer Lemon plant in a hanging basket, per your suggestion in your book. It was doing very well for about a year, has produced three lemons. A few weeks ago, after a 2-month period of no growth, the buds of new growth began to form. Then quite a few of the full-sized healthy-looking leaves started to fall off! It’s lost about half of its leaves. I don’t know what to do. The new buds look fine. Any ideas as to why the leaf-drop? Thanks.
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with your Meyer Lemon. However, it sounds like you are doing a good job. Sometimes in the winter time your leaves can drop and it is just going through a new re-growth. However, the first thing to do is to check the root system and make sure it is not experiencing root rot. Root rot can be caused from the roots sitting in wet, cold soil for long periods of time. Be sure to grow in clay pots and let it dry down between waterings. Good Luck! Write back if you need more help.
Thanks so much. I have it in a plastic hanger but have been worrying about overwatering….and therefore, root rot. Should I unpot it to check?
Yes, unpot, check the roots and move into clay so the roots can dry out between watering. Plastic tends to keep moisture in.
Laurelynn Martin Vice-President/co-owner Logee’s Plants for Home and Garden Specializing in Fruiting, Rare & Tropical Plants laurelynn@logees.net 1-888-330-8038 work 1-888-779-9932 fax http://www.logees.com http://www.logeesblog.wordpress.com
Will do! Thanks, Laurelynn. I have loved Logee’s since my first order in 1973. I still have the plant, a wonderful round-shaped Osmanthus, in full bloom most of the year. Thanks so much for carrying on the family tradition.
Hi—I have been trying to identify a plant I have, the same as your “spikey plant with a friendly garter snake” pictured on you Annual Company Picnic page. It has pink/red 1 1/4″ flowers. We are from Mystic, CT, snowbirding in Florida. Thanks for your help. Pete
It sounds like a euphorbia. I didn’t find the page you were referring to but I believe it is this plant you are talking about.
http://www.logees.com/Crown-of-Thorns-Confetti/productinfo/S7820%2D2/ This is one example of Euphorbia..but if you go to our website and type in euphorbia all the different choice will come up…Or send me a link or a photo of your plant and we can identify it for you. Thanks…PS It was a good winter to be in Florida!