For some individuals, a colorful garden of roses, pansies and daffodils is the sweet reward for their time and patience when gardening. However, there are others who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of the most exotic plants possible. These avid gardeners strive to bring tropical flowers into a new environment.
When living in a climate that experiences cold and damp winters it might seem a challenge to create a lush, exotic landscape. It takes dedication, perseverance and a willingness to try inventive techniques. One of the biggest obstacles that exotic plant owners face is watering. In many parts of the country, water bans go into effect during the long dry months of the summer. Ingenuity is needed in order to comply with watering restrictions. The best solution to these dry spells is to save rainwater that runs from your roof.
It can be used on most exotic plants, but it is important to stress that it doesn't work for all plants. Some exotic plants must use sterilized water to prevent fungus growth on the roots. A great tip for watering is to insert a small pipe into the ground so that it extends down to the roots and upwards to the surface. This allows for minimal run off and ensures that the plant receives all the water it needs to grow and flourish.
These plants from the tropics love an extremely rich soil, filled with decaying organic matter. Composting, and recycling of organic waste is therefore almost second nature to these man and woman. The materials they feed to their tropical exotics have to be completely decomposed. Another point of worry for them is soil depth, drainage, root rot and heat.
Exotic plants can give any garden lush appeal. The key to working with them is to learn as much as possible about their heartiness. Some delicate plants like orchids cannot survive outside whereas sturdier plants like palms can thrive. It is a matter of determining what level of care there is time to devote to. There are many organizations
, websites and books that can help guide you through the initial stages of creating an exotic garden as well as maintaining it. I'm really looking forward to the stories that these people are going to tell.
