Sunday, April 10
Tootsie Time: Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Those Flowers!!! April 8/11
Wednesday, November 17
Morsels & Musings: vote one - mangosteen
Buy frost hardy tropical plants online at National Tropical Plants online nursery!
Tuesday, October 12
New Red Crownshaft Palms at National Tropicals Plant Nursery
Buy frost hardy tropical plants online at National Tropical Plants online nursery!
Wednesday, April 28
Victorian Going Green Expo 2010
Victorian Expo 2010 - Melbourne Exhibition Centre (Southbank)
Friday April 30
12.00 noon - 8.00 pm
Business Day
Saturday May 1
10.00 am - 6.00 pm
General Admission
Sunday May 2
10.00 am - 5.00 pm
General Admission
Admission: $ 15.00
Concession: $ 10.00
Children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult.
From the Going Green website:
"GOING GREEN"- Easy Ways To Make a Difference that Don't Cost the Earth!
There is a huge surge of interest in environmental issues and growing mainstream community awareness that action and change is needed, but consumers and businesses are largely not sure what steps they can take to contribute. Going Green Expo offers energy solutions, waterless car washes, carbon offset and trading programs and much more. Visitors will see developments that can help reduce their environmental footprint and reduce the impacts of climate change. Visit the Going Green expo to help save the evironment and contribute to a sustainable future for everybody.
Thursday, April 8
We are moving - action required
We are now moving to our new site, and this site will automatically redirect to www.nationaltropicals.com.au.
A new newsletter will be sent out fortnightly with notifications of specials, new products, latest growing information and much more. You will be sent you through a confirmation, and to stay subscribed to our updates, you will need to confirm your email address. Once you confirm no further action is required. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our newsletter on the homepage.
You are invited also to become a member and join our brand new forum, upload your photo's to the photo gallery or read the growing articles in our blog. We will soon be giving away a brand new set of Fiskars choppers for the best pruning tip, and many competitions will follow.
I hope you will stay subscribed with us, and welcome your comments on the look and feel of the new site.
Kind regards,
Dan & El Meager - National Tropical Plants (formerly Cactus Island Nursery)
Sunday, March 21
50% end of season SALE
Many plants discounted by 50%!
Limited time only!
Click here to see all plants on special.
Monday, March 8
Thursday, February 25
New! Azalea Dreamtime
Azalea Dreamtime is a medium size Azalea with very distinctive, large, silvery pink flowers.
Azalea Dreamtime grows well in both sun and part shade and is fairly drought tolerant once established.
More information of purchase by clicking here.
25% off SALE
25% offSunday, February 21
New plants & back in stock
Click on the name for more info or to purchase.
Jaboticaba Fruit (Myrciaria cauliflora)
Yucca filamentosa (purchase by contacting us)
Dictyosperma album (var. rubra) (purchase by contacting us)
Acalypha's, brown & pink (purchase by contacting us)
Gardenia True Love (purchase by contacting us)
Sedum coccineum (purchase by contacting us)
Back in stock:
Lipstick Palm / Red Sealing Wax Palm (Cyrtostachys renda)
Dwarf Sugar Palm (Arenga engleri)
Clivia miniata (Orange Lily)
Azalea Dogwood, Azalea Brides Bouquet, Azalea Glowing Embers, Azalea Red Wing, Azalea Fairy Queen (purchase by contacting us)
Native Red Back Ginger (Alpinea caerulea Red Back) (purchase by contacting us)
Spindle Palm (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii)
Mandevilla Red Riding Hood (purchase by contacting us)
Metallic Palm (Chamaedorea metallica)
Blue Yucca (Yucca rostrata) (purchase by contacting us)
Madagascar Palm (Pachypodium lamerei) (purchase by contacting us)
Cordyline Purple Prince (purchase by contacting us)
Cordyline Red Edge (purchase by contacting us)
Coming Soon:
Rangoon Creeper (Quinqualis indica)
Gardenia radicans
Wednesday, December 30
New plants in the nursery
New! Swamp Lily (Crinum pedunculatum). The Spider Lily is a beautiful leafy shrub. It grows to around 2m tall and 2m wide and has thick, succulent strappy foliage. It produces gorgeous, fragrant white flowers. Flowers resemble large ‘spiders’. Flowers are followed by round green seed capsules, borne on a long stalk. Seeds can sprout while still attached to the mother plant. Despite the name ‘Swamp Lily’, this Crinum is actually very versatile, and does not need to be grown in a swamp! It is also frost hardy, making it a wonderful versatile plant for gardens around Australia. Perfect for that cold hardy tropical garden! Click to buy now or for more information
New! Pemba Palm (Dypsis pembana). Fast growing palm from Pemba, a small island of the coast of Africa. It grows up to 12m tall and has beautiful deep green ringed trunks. It is similar to the common Golden Cane Palm, but faster growing. It is most often seen in clumping form. Dypsis pembana is a very rare palm and should be more often grown! The Pemba Palm is quite cold hardy too, but not fully frost hardy. It is best grown in moist but well draining soil, in a full sun to part shade position. Click to buy now or for more information
New! Ivovowo Palm (Dypsis lanceolata). A beautiful palm from the rainforests on the Comoro Archipelago. It is a medium sized suckering palm up to about 4m tall with thick, bamboo-like trunks. Trunks are stunning, deeply green ringed. Foliage is short and wide, and very glossy. It is quite fast growing and hardy in the right position. The Ivovowo Palm should be grown in a protected position, in frost free gardens. Best in a spot which received filtered light, or is at least partly shaded. Dypsis lanceolata is a rare palm, which is only just starting to increase in popularity. It is very attractive and should be much more often seen in gardens around Australia! Click to buy now or for more information
Special! White & Red Desert Roses for only $7 each – help us clear some stock! The Desert Rose bears beautiful flowers, in many colours. These plants are succulents, and they store water in their roots & stem bases, which is why they appear swollen. The swollen roots and stems are called the ‘caudex’. Adenium flowers throughout spring & summer. For red flowers: Click to buy now or for more information . For white flowers: Click to buy now or for more information
Special! Chamedorea sale on eBay – most Chamaedorea’s 10% off! One Chamaedorea for sale is Chamaedorea seifrizii, the Florida Bamboo Palm. It is a graceful small palm 2-3m tall with bamboo-like long slender stems. Native to Mexico and Central America where is grows as an understory palm. Usually grown with multiple plants in a pot or spot, although the plant itself naturally spreads by offshoots similar to Bamboo. The Bamboo Palm is frequently used indoors; it is tolerant to low-light areas and is low maintenance. Remove old fronds to reveal the attractive light green bamboo-like stems. Visit our eBay store
Coming very soon!
Triandra Palm (Areca triandra) - From aprox 10th of January
Lipstick Palm (Cyrtostachys renda) - Aprox February
Betel Nut Palm (Areca catechu) - From aprox 10th of January
Travelers Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) - from aprox 10th of January
Don’t be surprised if we call ourselves National Tropical Plants rather than Cactus Island Nursery – we have now changed our name to better suit our plant range! We hope to see you as a member of our 10% discount club once the new site is up and running!
Thursday, December 10
Mangosteen Fruit plants back in stock!
The very popular Queen of Tropical Fruits is back in stock in our nursery and ready for despatch before Christmas. Be quick as Monday is our last posting day until the New Year! (payments need to be received before 12pm Sunday to be processed)
Here they are on our website at
1-4 for $14.50 each http://www.cactusisland.com.au/products.php?pid=91&detail=true
5-99 $11.50 each http://www.cactusisland.com.au/products.php?pid=91&detail=true
Here they are on eBay at
1 for $25.99 (FREE express post) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250546057464
3 for $55 (FREE express post) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Garcinia-mangostana-MANGOSTEEN-rare-tropical-plant-x3_W0QQitemZ250546060041QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Plants_Seeds_Bulbs?hash=item3a55b57b09
Kind regards, El
National Tropical Plants (Formerly Cactus Island nursery)
Tuesday, December 1
Order NOW for Christmas!
Unfortunately we will not be sending plants during the Christmas period! Due to unreliable services offered by Australia Post, and postal services taking much longer than usual, our last posting day for plants is the 14th of December. Plants make wonderful present, so place your order now to receive yours in time for Christmas!
Certain things can be sent during Christmas, such as the COCOTAP – a wonderful little gadget to drink fresh coconut water easily. This would be a great present for coconut water lovers – or create a Coconut gift pack and include a fresh coconut as well to entice anyone into drinking this very healthy juice.
All fertilisers, soil improvers & seaweed solutions can be sent – basically anything that is not perishable. Be prepared for longer delivery times however!
One good thing though – we will still be here so all your emails will be responded to as quick as possible, but please do be patient as we’re trying to take it a little easier whilst the weather is at its hottest.
Exciting Nursery Changes
Cactus Island Nursery is soon to be known under a new name. From the start of the new year, we will be known under the registered name of ‘National Tropical Plants’ or ‘National Tropicals’ as is easier to say and remember. Our new name will come with a great new website – not only a brand new look but also many feature which we hope you will enjoy.
As the Christmas period traditionally is a very quiet period with, so it seems, not much gardening going on, we will try and have all changes finished by the start of the new year. If there are any delays or errors, please be patient & contact us. We’re sure you’ll love the new look, and we’re still the same so you can expect the same great personal attention & customer service you’ve been receiving up to now – hopefully with many more exciting plants & accessories.
All the best for the new year & a wonderful Christmas to all!
Cheers – Dan & El
Saturday, November 14
Plants on Special
The plants below are a few plants which are on special until the end of November.
View all the plants currently on special.
 | Butia capitata (Wine Palm / Jelly Palm | 1 – 3 $5.00 each 4 – 9 $4.25 each 10 – 99 $3.75 each |
 | Dypsis Pink Crown (Pink Crown Palm) | 1 – 4 $3.50 each 5 – 9 $2.75 each 10 – 99 $2.10 each |
 | Licuala ramsayi (Australian fan Palm) | 1 – 4 $3.35 each 5 – 9 $2.99 each 10 – 1000 $2.00 each |
Cold hardy & Frost hardy tropical plants
For other great Garden & Plant care tips and advice, visit our Garden & Plant Care page.
Is there such a thing as cold or frost hardy tropical plants?
Yes! We’ve compiled a list below of our plants for that tropical look in the colder areas & regions prone to frost in Australia.
Palms:
- Arenga engleri (Dwarf Sugar Palm) -10
- Butia capitata (Wine Palm / Jelly Palm) -10
- Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm) -10
- Sabal minor (Dwarf Palmetto) -10
- Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) -5
Cycads:
- Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm) -5
- Zamia furfuracea (Cardboard Palm) -2
Foliage & flowering plants:
- Doryanthes excelsa (Gymea Lily) -5
- Dracaena draco (Dragon’s Blood Tree) -10
- Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (Grass Tree) -4
Succulents:
- Agave bracteosa (Squid Agave) -9
- Agave filifera (Thread Agave) - 9
- Agave parryi (Parry’s Agave) -9
- Agave victoria-reginae (Queen’s Agave) -9
- Yucca’s aprox -4
Cold Hardy Plants Back to top
Palms:
- Beccariophoenix madagascariensis (Window Pane Palm) 0ºC
- Caryota mitis (Clustering Fishtail Palm) 0ºC
- Chambeyronia macrocarpa (Flamethrower Palm + Blonde Flamethrower Palm) 0ºC
- Dypsis decaryi (Triangle Palm) 0ºC
- Dypsis fakey (Fakey Palm) 0ºC
- Dypsis leptocheilos (Red Neck Palm / Teddybear Palm) 0ºC
- Dypsis lutescens (Golden Cane) 0ºC
- Dypsis Pink Crown (Pink Crown Palm) 0ºC
- Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (Bottle Palm) 0ºC
- Hyophorbe verschaffeltii (Spindle Palm) 0ºC
- Phoenix roebelenii (Dwarf Date Palm) 0ºC
Flowering plants
- Lampranthus (Ice Plant) (0ºC - best protected if for a long period of time)
- Pandorea Lady Di (White Bower Vine) 0ºC
- Randia fitzalanii (Native Gardenia / Yellow Mangosteen) 0ºC
We recommend you gradually adjust young plants to your climate. Do not suddenly expose them to wind, frost, salt, cold, sun etc.! If you believe one of the plants above is wrongly described, or you believe some of our other plants may be cold or frost hardy, please let us know!
Friday, November 13
Tropical Foliage Festival
Saturday 14th November 2009
Sunday 15th November 2009
Cleveland Assembly Hall
Smith Street, Cleveland
Sales, Plants, Plant Displays, Guest Speakers, Fully Catered, EFTPOS, Free Parking
Contact Info:
Secretary: Elizabeth Hubbard (07) 3396 9956 Event Co-ordinator: Bruce Roberts (075) 499 2724
Wednesday, October 7
New! Randia fitzalanii (Native Gardenia / Yellow Mangosteen)
The Yellow Mangosteen, or Native Gardenia, is a beautiful rainforest tree, native to the North Coast of Queensland in Australia. Randia fitzalanii grows to around 5m tall, possibly a little taller in some conditions, and makes an excellent small tree for many gardens! Foliage is very beautiful and glossy green, and flowers resemble the flowers of Gardenia’s, which is where the name ‘Native Gardenia’ originates. The flowers are highly fragrant.
Not only is the Yellow Mangosteen beautiful and ornamental, it is edible as well, and is appreciated as bush tucker. Randia fitzalanii produces large, edible , slightly sweet yellow fruits. Randia fitzalanii fruits are eaten raw by Aboriginal people
Growing the Native Gardenia
Although Randia fitzalanii is a tropical native, it has been reported growing well as far south as Sydney. It is best grown in warm, moist situations, but can handle very light, very short frost. The Yellow Mangosteen is also drought hardy once established, although it prefers being watered regularly. Select a position, preferably sheltered, in full sun to part shade. Mulch well.
This plant is ideal for containers, close to the house to enjoy the wonderful fragrance, or as a small shade tree in the garden. Randia fitzalanii roots are non-invasive.
New! Murraya Min-a-Min (Dwarf Orange Jessamine, Dwarf Mock Orange)
From the people who created ‘Syzygium Tiny Trev’!
Murraya Min-a-Min is a gorgeous dwarf plant with very fragrant, white flowers. Foliage is tiny, tough and glossy green, and they only grow to around 1m tall.
Murraya Min-a-Min is best grown in full sun to light shade. It is very adaptable and suitable to most condition. They are evergreen and flowers are born through spring and summer.
Murraya Min-a-Min is one of the best plants you can get for hedging, borders and topiaries! To grow Min-a-Min as a hedge, plant them 1/2m apart, and prune lightly in spring & summer, and a little more heavily in autumn after flowering has finished.
Back in stock! Desert Roses in Red, White & Picotee! (Adenium obesum)
Common names: Desert Rose, Impala Lily, Sabi Star
Usually a shrub no more than about 1.5 m tall, branching into multiple stems with age. The Desert Rose can reach heights of 4.5 m or more in some of its tropical African races. Its usual habitat is sundrenched rock outcrops. The roots are swollen and succulent, as are the stem bases. Flower colours vary from pink to deep crimson, with a white or paler zone in the middle of each petal, and at least a hint of yellow in the throat. Flowering season varies in response to climate, from late summer-autumn through to late winter.
Requires excellent drainage. In warm-temperate climates they can be grown against a hot, sunny wall, but in cool climates they require greenhouses or glass houses with high light levels. Very drought and heat tolerant, but watering through summer and autumn promotes leaf growth and prolongs flowering.
Back in stock! Triangle Palms (Dypsis decaryi)
Triangle Palm
Very unique palm with a triangular shape; leaves grow from 3 distinct points of the trunk creating the triangle look. Spectacular grey-green leaves grow almost upright from the trunk and arch at the top. Originates in Madagascar and grows up to 15 m tall (although rarely seen at this size in cultivation). Very fast growing and very low maintenance. Extremely hardy, drought tolerant & handles light frost. For best results, this palm needs its own space to fully develop the shape which makes it so unique and special. Prefers full sun, but can be grown in semi-shade. Grows best with regular watering. Great container palm, will grow a nice thick trunk with minimal height in a pot.
Propagate from seed, usually germinates within a month.
VIEW OR BUY TRIANGLE PALMS (DYPSIS DECARYI) BY CLICKING HERE
COCOTAP - The EASY way to drink Coconut Juice!
COCOTAP© – revolutionise the way you drink coconut juice!
COCOTAP© is a patented, quality product, made to last. It is made from food grade stainless steel, professionally milled and hand finished in Australia. It is easily resharpened and can be hygienically used in premises serving the public. The T-bar handle is hinged so that the COCOTAP folds to a straight tube for easy use and storage!
COCOTAP© makes the most naturally refreshing drink totally accessible. It eliminates the mess of opening coconuts with machetes, it’s simple, it’s safe, and it’s easier to use nature’s perfect packaging!
See the COCOTAP© in action in the video below!
Are you aware of the abundance of natural goodness in Coconut juice? It includes growth factors like cytokinins, which are nature's anti-ageing compounds. It has been traditionally consumed around the tropical world for rehydration, refreshment, as a sterile water source, to soothe infants, dissolve kidney stones, kill intestinal worms, facilitate removal of toxins from the blood, boost libido, for healthy skin and hair as well as a laboratory growing medium and an emergency blood plasma substitute. Now, it is also recognized as high in antioxidants and useful in cholesterol control and ophthalmic relief!
Coconuts are simply one of the greatest gifts of Nature, and COCOTAP© allows you to fully enjoy it without danger or drama!
Not only is COCOTAP© the very best for drinking Coconut juice, it is also useful as a survival tool, a de-husking tool for mature coconuts, or as a coconut harvesting gaff hook. Open shellfish with it, piece tin cans, bait crab pots, crack into crab claws or extract tent pegs! Untie knots, splice rope, cut fishing line, play guitar.....
Don’t go Beach, Boat, or Bush without one!
Only $34.99 each! Buy COCOTAP (Opens in a new window)
Friday, October 2
New! Pandorea jasminoides (Lady Di) (White Bower Vine)
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Growing Pandorea Lady Di ™
Pandorea Lady Di ™ is best grown in a full sun to shade position. It is best grown in well draining soil. Keep the soil fairly moist, but don’t let it water log. Pandorea will tolerate very light frosts and is fairly salt tolerant. Fertilise with a controlled release fertiliser for natives.
Pandorea uses
Pandorea Lady Di ™ is excellent as a fast growing plant to cover trellises, old fences or ugly walls. It grows well in pots or as ground cover. It would look beautiful growing up pergola’s or carports. Keep it well pruned to maintain shape & flowering vigour.
New! Liriope gigantum
Liriope is a beautiful, evergreen grassy type ground cover. It bears gorgeous little purple flowers and grows to 50-70cm tall, and 50cm wide. The strappy leaves are dark green, glossy and narrow.
Liriope, or Turf Lily is very tough and adaptable. It thrives without care in almost any garden. It is well suited to growing in pots, as a ground cover or as a border around a garden. Liriope is also often used as a lawn substitute, it doesn’t require anywhere near as much water as the lawn does to look good! Liriope is best grown ‘en masse’, with a whole bunch planted all together for maximum effect.
Liriope is best grown in full sun to part shade. It prefers well draining soil and is highly drought tolerant. Once established, this plant does not require any maintenance or water. You can lift and divide Liriope clumps, and plant the divisions elsewhere to create additional plants.
New! Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm)
About the Canary Island Date Palm
This palm, surprisingly, originates in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago just off the North West Coast of Africa. The Canary Island Date Palm is large & imposing, up to 20m tall. It provides a true feature in the garden with its huge, solid trunk, and long, arching feather leaves. Trunks are marked with old leaf scars. This palm bears yellow flowers, following by orange to dark red fruit with 1 large seed.
Phoenix canariensis would be great planted along streets or driveways, as a feature palm in the middle of a lawn, or even as a container palm while small. Although the fruit is edible, like other Date Palms, the size of the fruit is very small, making it hardly worth it.
Growing the Canary Island Date Palm
This palm is very hardy and is quite fast growing, especially once it starts forming a trunk. It gets large and will need to be given plenty of room. Petioles have spines on them, so keep these plants away from walkways. Choose a position in full sun, in well draining soil. The Canary Island Date Palm is frost tolerant to around -10 and also very drought tolerant. Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring and summer. Mulch well, but keep mulch away from the trunk.
New! Gazania Daybreak var. Pink Shades (Gazania rigens)
Gazania Daybreak Pink Shades (Gazania rigens)
A Hot Summer Survivor!
About Gazania Daybreak var. Pink Shades
Gazania Pink Shades is a gorgeous ground cover with sensational colour, suitable to even the most hot & dry gardens. Daybreak Gazania’s have won many awards for garden performance. They come from South Africa and have beautiful light & dark pink 3” flowers. Flowers close every night, and reopen in the morning. Foliage is feathery and bright green, and plants grow to 25cm high. The plants are nice and compact and flower freely.
This is a true easy-care plant. It will produce amazing flowers in even the driest soil, and it’s best grown in full sun. Gazania is very heat tolerant and fast growing. Fertilise with a liquid fertiliser every 2-4 weeks, or apply an organic fertiliser per directions on the packaging. Best grown in a frost free position.
Space your plants 15 - 25cm apart for a nice clumping groundcover. Also suitable as potted plant, for borders or edging.
New! Garcinia magnostana (Mangosteen)
About the Mangosteen fruit
The Mangosteen is the Queen of Tropical fruits! Beautiful, ornamental fruits are purple to red and smooth on the outside. The fruits taste delicious; sweet & tangy, and are described as being similar to peaches. It is often called a ‘super fruit’ due to the said antioxidants and anti-disease effects. Mangosteen Juice is one of the new, very popular health juices. The fruits can be made into jams, and seeds can be toasted.
About the Mangosteen Plant
The Mangosteen is an evergreen tree which grows between 6-20m tall. New growth emerges purplish to red. It is not only a wonderful edible tree, with delicious tropical fruits, it’s also used for medicinal purposes such as Dysentery, skin disorders and cystitis. Some countries also valued it for its wood.
Growing the Mangosteen Plant
Originating in Asia, the Mangosteen prefers high humidity, and would benefit from regular watering, especially during summer. This tree is a true tropical plant, and can only be grown in frost free conditions. It should be grown in very rich, organic soil, with some added sand. Ensure it has good drainage and mulch well. It cannot be grown too close to the coast as it will not tolerate strong winds, salt spray or salty water.
Garcinia mangostana will grow a taproot almost immediately, and you should plant it in its final position before it gets to around 1/2m tall. After this, you may damage the taproot, damaging or killing the plant. Keep the tree in a protected, at least semi-shaded position for the first 3-5 years, before exposing it to full sun. In good conditions, the plants will fruit in 6-9 years from sprouting. Our plants are currently 1 year old.
Propagating the Mangosteen
Propagate from ripe, fully developed seed. Seeds sprout in aprox 3 weeks.
New! Michelia coco (Large Leafed Port Wine Magnolia)
Michelia coco is a member of the magnoliaceae family, and it is a relative of the Magnolia. It bears beautiful, highly fragrant cream flowers during many months of the year. Michelia coco grows to around 4m tall and 6m wide.
The Large Leafed Port Wine Magnolia is suited to use in pots, hedges and general garden feature plant. Michelia coco is also well suited as an indoor plant.
Growing the Large Leafed Port Wine Magnolia
The Large Leafed Port Wine Magnolia is best grown in moist, fertile ground. Ensure soil is well draining and slightly acid. Michelia should be grown in a warm, bright position, part sun to part shade. Fertilise this plant in spring with a good quality liquid fertiliser (such as Miracle-Gro) fortnightly, or NPK slow release fertiliser every 3 months or as directed on the packaging. Water them regularly, and prune to shape after flowering.
Michelia coco is often confused with Magnolia coco, but Michelias flowers generally form clusters amongst the foliage, whereas Magnolias form flowers at the ends of the branches.
New! Lampranthus (Ice Plant) Pink & Mixed
Lampranthus (Ice plant)
Lampranthus is a beautiful, ground covering succulent with deep purple flowers. They are native to Africa and are very drought hardy. Lampranthus is suitable for rockeries, banks or pots, and provides a lot of colour in the garden.
Lampranthus belongs to the Ice plant family, or Aizoaceae. Foliage is very succulent and short, and blue green in colour. Flowers come in all colours such as purple, white, red, yellow, and pink. Flowers are produced year round, and they open in the morning and close at night.
Growing Lampranthus or Ice Plant
Don’t overwater your Ice plant; almost the only rule you need to abide by. They are very easy to grow, and are best placed 
Meaning of the name ‘Lampranthus’
The name Lampranthus comes from the Greek words lampros and anthos, meaning ‘bright flower’.
New! Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
About the Peace Lily
The Peace Lily is Number 1 in the Top 10 of Indoor Plants! It is ideal for the darker spots in the house, as this plant has very low light requirements. Peace Lily can help clean the air from your home & office environment, as they remove toxins from the air. Foliage is very beautiful, dark green and can be variegated. Flowers are a stunning white spathe. The Peace Lily is a member of the Arum Family, making it family to Anthurium & Philodendron.
Growing the Peace Lily
The Peace Lily is best grown in a darker, shady spot. It will not tolerate direct sun light. Keep soil moist, but don’t leave the soil completely water logged. If you have left your Peace Lily too long and it has started wilting, revive the plant by soaking it in a bucket of water. Apply a slow release fertiliser in Spring & Summer, or use a liquid fertiliser such as Miracle-Gro. Spathiphyllum plants love humidity, so if the growing environment is dry, mist the foliage regularly.
Coconut Palm Myths – True or False
- Coconut water contains growth hormones that can grow almost anything.
TRUE; coconut water contains 4 plant growth hormones or cytokinins and has 3 sets of chromosomes (triploid) it can donate genetic material and stimulate growth in many organisms. Coconut water is the father of our modern tissue culture science and is still widely used in orchid propagation. There is current research into hair loss prevention as well as wide acceptance in anti aging cosmetic products.
- Coconut oil is saturated fat and causes heart disease”
FALSE; unlike animal saturated fats which are long chain triglycerides, coconut oil contains MCT’s median chain triglycerides which metabolise easily, even without the need for bile from the gall bladder. Coconut oil provides ready energy and has an accelerating effect on metabolism. There is no credible link to heart disease but a mass of misinformation has been circulated by other edible oil lobbies in the quest for market share at the expense of lauric oils (palm and coconut), our health, and truth.
- Coconuts are more dangerous than shark attacks”
FALSE; some questionable research findings from coconut plantations, formally noted for scientific irrelevance have been broadcast by insurance interests to extract higher public liability premiums from wealthy coconut owners. Most insurance claims relate to vehicles being parked under coconut palms, which presents more of a planning and design issue than a life risk.
- Intravenous use of coconut water.
TRUE; coconut water is a suitable blood plasma extender (universal donor) it has traditionally been used when commercial IV solutions have run out. There are numerous reports of patients responding quickly to IV coconut water. There are also published findings of coconut water being used in kidney dialysis. It has been poured directly into dialysis machines and shown to dissolve kidney stones.
- Coconuts are weeds.
FALSE; although this attitude makes it easier, in some cases, to remove unwanted coconut palms, it is technically incorrect. The coconuts main method of seed dispersal is by water otherwise they are planted or sprout naturally around the parent tree.
- Coconut oil provides protection against the sun.
TRUE; the old coconut based tanning oils were largely made from highly processed copra grade coconut oil with additives and often just coconut fragrances. Many seasoned sun bakers owe their wrinkles to these products. Fresh virgin coconut oil is very nourishing if applied directly to the skin, especially just after a shower, while the skins’ pores are open. If applied in this manner, and adsorbed before going into the full sun, the skin is well protected. It is still wise to be moderate in any exposure and not allow dehydration.
- Coconuts are not native to Australia.
FALSE; there is much evidence to suggest that coconuts (native to our oceans and coastal strands) have been washing up for thousands of years. There is even fossil evidence of coconut type palms in New Zealand (20 million year ago). Indigenous peoples have prized the developing sprout as an easy food source, devouring the rich cream and haustorium inside, made available after the palm sprouts. Consequently, in areas of high habitation young palms had little chance to establish. To the eyes of Joseph Banks and our early explorers, our coastal coconuts looked very sparse by comparison to most Pacific islands which were well visited and explored by other mariners over the centuries. This distinction weighed heavily to emphasise the newness of their discovery.
- Coconut is the “tree of life” in the tropics.
TRUE; to this day, traditional techniques and patterns of use of this “tree of life” have driven the development, or not, of local coconut industries and led to patterns of discovery of the wealth of the coconut palm. These differ significantly around the globe, wherever and however, the coconut is appreciated. Now, with the aid of the internet, we are much better able to share recipes and explore the unrealised potential and try new coconut products.
Friday, September 18
CQ Garden & Lifestyle Expo 2009
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th of September at the Rockhampton Showgrounds.
Contact: Ashlee Allwood (Marketing and Events Officer) (07) 4922 2855
- Indoor & outdoor exhibits
- Guest Speakers - Question
& Answer sessions with
local and visiting garden experts - Celebrity Chef
demonstrations - Children’s entertainment
- Food Stalls
- Market Stalls
- Outdoor Markets
Thursday, September 17
Cactus Island Nursery – Plant catalogue September 2009
It’s been a dry, dry month here at the nursery. We haven’t seen rain for months and can’t wait for the rains to arrive. Forecasters are predicting there will not be any rain until November…. Rain or no rain however, the plants have definitely decided Spring’s here, and all are growing well. We have added quite a few new plants this month, some of which are:
Lampranthus Deep Purple & Lampranthus Hot Pink. Commonly called Iceplants, these are truly tough little succulents, which are great for use in rockeries or as groundcover. Spathiphyllum Rob. Commonly called ‘Peace Lily’. Beautiful foliage plant which is excellent for use in shady positions and as indoor plant. Liriope gigantum, the Turf Lily or Giant Liriope. A staple plant for every garden and suited to pots, or as border plant. Pandorea Lady Di, the White Bower Vine. A stunning climbing plant with gorgeous white flowers. Randia fitzalanii, the native Gardenia with edible fruits. Michelia coco, the Large Leafed Port Wine Magnolia with beautiful white fragrant flowers. Garcinia mangostana, the edible Mangosteen, known as one of the most tasty tropical fruits on earth. One of my personal favourites is Murraya Min-a-Min, it’s fragrance draws me to the shade house every morning, it is delicious! It is very, very tough and suitable for low hedges up to 1m tall, topiaries or just a general garden plant!
Some of our Azalea’s, including the popular Azalea Magnifica, are ready for sale again as well, as are 2 of our Bougainvillea’s, Bougainvillea Scarlet Glory & Bougainvillea Orange Glory. Bougainvillea Orange Glory comes with tags as it is Trademark protected by ColourStream Growers. All are available in limited numbers only, grab yours soon if you’d like some! Chamaedorea elegans, the very dainty & elegant Parlour Palm has also come up; we’re now selling small seedlings of those as well.
As always, if any of the plants below are not available on the website, just send me an email to set you up an order – I usually respond within a few hours, and can send a PayPal invoice to make it easy for you!
Kind regards, El – Cactus Island Online Nursery
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