By Amy Stripe, Master Gardener 2008 - Manatee County Extension ...

Spring’s Dazzling Trees
Pink Trumpet Tree
By Amy Stripe, Master Gardener 2008
The Manatee County Master Gardener Newsletter
April 2013 ‐ Volume 12 – Issue 4
Florida visitors and residents alike are in for a treat right about now,
as some of our tropical trees put on their spectacular show of color.
Silver Trumpet Tree
Jacaranda
Royal Poinciana
Photographs courtesy of Floridata.com
At this very moment, silver trumpet trees (Tabebuia caraiba) are
dressed in bright yellow blossoms which contrast beautifully with
their silvery-gray bark. Florida boasts many other Tabebuia
species, however, which you will see blooming over the course of
late winter and into early summer, sporting pink, white, or yellow
flowers in various bright shades. Collectively they are all generally
called “trumpet trees” or “tabebuias.” In addition to T. caraiba,
we commonly see T. heterophylla (“pink trumpet tree”), T.
impetiginosa (“purple tabebuia”), and T. heterophylla DC Britton
(“white cedar”).
Usually, tabebuias will drop their leaves before flowering and then
set flowers in clusters at the ends of their branches. Many have a
distinctively oblong leaf and corky or craggy bark, and an
asymmetrical canopy. In our area, the yellow blooms first, followed
by pink then white.
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosafolia) is, like tabebuia, another
deciduous native of the tropical Americas. No other tree is as
distinctive in color as the jacaranda, with its electric blue-lavender
flowers that explode into bloom between April and June and
continue blooming for up to 8 weeks. Growing up to 40 feet tall
with an equal or greater spread, it makes a nice shade tree when
not in bloom.
Perhaps the world’s most beautiful tree is the royal poinciana
(Delonix regia), a native of Madagascar that has been embraced
with enthusiasm in the tropics and in particular the Caribbean,
where it is called “flamboyant tree” or “flame tree.” Blooming in
early summer and sometimes again in late summer, its blindingly
vibrant red-orange flowers are without equal. The fernlike leaflets
of this tree make it a lovely specimen even when not in bloom,
though with a height of up to 40 feet and a spread of up to 60 feet,
you need to give a royal poinciana plenty of room.
As with the tabebuia and jacaranda, royal poinciana will produce
long seed pods that might be considered a litter nuisance, or an
opportunity for another beautiful tropical tree to grace us with its
bountiful blossoms.
“Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.” ~ Francis Bacon

Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service
1303 17 th Street West - Palmetto, FL 34221
Telephone: (941) 722-4524
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu
Master Gardeners Amy Stripe & Joy Derksen, Co-editors
Contents reviewed & edited by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent.
Send a photo or gardening problem via e-mail to the Master Gardeners
at ManateeMG@gmail.com or visit them at the County Extension Office
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed on Wednesday.
“What’s That”
By Joy Derksen, Master Gardener 2004
A surprising new plant appeared this winter in the Master Gardener demonstration
vegetable garden. What caught my eye was this large sprawling bush covered with small
purple/white flowers buzzing with bees and visited by butterflies. “What’s that” I asked,
and “Why is it in the kitchen garden”
I thought perhaps a plant had escaped the butterfly garden and seeded itself in an empty
spot. It had pods like a bean plant at the end of long drooping stems. I was told to taste a
pod, which had the crunch of a pea pod and yet tasted like a radish. Turns out this is a
rattail radish (Raphanus caudatus), introduced into the United States in the late 1800s. It
belongs to the radish family although you do not eat the root like more familiar radishes.
The pods and flowers are the edible parts.
Although we grew the rattail radish in the winter, it likes hot weather and sandy neutral soil.
The pods can be used in salads, stir-fry, or raw with dip. You might want to try this oldfashioned
plant in either your vegetable garden or the butterfly garden. Rattail radish needs
a more attractive name for what turns out to be an unusual gardening plant good for people,
bees, and butterflies. A Washington Post writer suggested “spicy bean” when serving it to
friends; what can you imagine More information is available at:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plantdetails/kc/a761/raphanus-sativus-caudatus.aspx.
2

April Chores in the Garden
By Joy Derksen, Master Gardener 2004
We’ve had a mild winter this year, and spring seems
to have lasted for months. Now is the time to get
out there and garden before the weather turns really
hot. Time to fertilize, mulch, and prune for the
coming summer. Prune spring blooming shrubs
now. Azaleas should be pruned and fertilized after
blooming. They need a special acid-forming
fertilizer once each season; mature plants get 4
ounces each time. Azaleas should be mulched with
oak leaves or pine straw which allow good drainage
and provide natural acids to our alkaline soils.
Lawns are greening
up. Watch out for
chinch bugs on new
growth. Control
broad leaf weeds that
invaded during
winter now with an
herbicide or hand
pulling. Herbicides
are more effective
while the
temperature is below
80 degrees.
Citrus should be on their way to developing next
year’s fruit. Citrus greening is becoming more
common in the county. If you notice mottled leaves
and a symmetrical fruit, you might want to bring a
sample branch in to the Extension center or check
out this publication:
http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/greening/sym
ptoms.shtml. To control rust and spider mites, apply
a horticultural oil. You may apply a nutritional
spray when 2/3 of the petals have fallen; the copper
in the nutritional spray will also help control Scab
and Melanose. Be sure to read the labels and only
apply products registered for use on citrus.
Insects are starting to appear as the weather
warms. Aphids are already feeding. You can use
a horticultural oil or an insecticidal soap to spot
spray them or blow them off the plants with a
stiff spray of the hose. Look for them on the
new growth. I recently saw my first tiny
lubbers. Newly hatched black and yellow
grasshoppers travel in groups climbing up onto
nearby plants. The young ones can be dropped
into a bucket of soapy water, squished, or
sprayed with bifenthrin (Talstar). As they grow
to 4 or 5 inches, no insecticide seems effective.
They are also
poisonous so predators
ignore them.
Another insect
unaffected by the
cold seems to be the
Sri Lanka weevil.
This small whitish
gray weevil with
dark spots on its
back actively feeds
in the daytime. It
chews the edges of
leaves giving them a shredded look. This is an
invasive pest and seems to eat almost
everything. The University of Florida indicates
the adult weevils can be controlled by spraying
the leaves with bifenthrin (Talstar) and acephate
(Orthene). If you are spraying fruit-bearing
trees, make sure citrus or other fruit trees are
specified on the label.
Vegetable lovers, get your warm season plants
ready. A Florida Vegetable Guide is available
online http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021. Pull out the
old plants and turn some compost into your soil.
Okra, radishes, lima and bush beans, black-eyed
peas, eggplants, corn, peppers, sweet potatoes,
and melons can go into the ground now.
3

Landscape Plants and Their Evil (Invasive) Twins
By Amy Stripe, Master Gardener 2008
A non‐native invasive plant is one that hitched a ride in or was introduced to Florida
from elsewhere and that outgrows and displaces native species. Working with the
Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), many Florida commercial growers are
attempting to stop the production and sale of some of these species.
However, some common and not‐so‐common invasive landscape plants may still be
available to the homeowner, so it is important to know if you’re buying a good guy
or its invasive imposter. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference, so go armed
with scientific names as well as common names, and shop at a reputable nursery.
Good Guy
Bad Guy
Wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) Mexican petun ia (Ruellia simplex or R.
brittoniana)
Dwarf oyster plant (Tradescantia “Dwarf
Tricolor”)
Oyster plant ( Tradescantia spathacea; also
Rhoeo spathacea or Rhoeo discolo r)
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) Snake plant (Sansevieria hyacinthoides)
Inkberry (Scaevola plumieri)
Beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada)
Sweet acacia tree (Acacia farnesiana) Lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala)
Hong Kong orchid tree (Bauhinia x Orchid tree (Bauhinia variegata)
blakeana)
Fakahatchee grass (Tripsacum
Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrical)
dactyloides)
For more information visit h ttp://ifas.ufl.edu or http://fleppc.org.
Good Guy
Bad Guy
Wild petunia
Ruellia caroliniensis
Mexican petunia
Ruellia simplex
continued on page 5
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continued from page 4
Good Guy
Bad Guy
Dwarf oyster plant
Tradescantia “Dwarf Tricolor”
Oyster plant
Tradescantia spathacea
Snake plant
Sansevieria trifasciata
Snake plant
Sansevieria hyacinthoides
Inkberry
Scaevola plumieri
Beach naupaka
Scaevola taccada
Fakahatchee grass
Tripsacum dactyloides
Cogon grass
Imperata cylindrical
5

Houseplants:
Nature’s
Clean Air Machines
By Roger Boos and Nicole Pinson,
Master Gardeners 2012
Archeologists and historians say that
there is evidence that the ancient
Greeks and Romans cultivated
houseplants. Perhaps one of man’s
earliest ancestors, sitting in his cave,
decided that in addition to the nice
artwork on the walls, his place needed
a homey touch. He saw all of the
greenery outdoors and the rest is
history.
Thanks to explorers and modern
transportation, we have access to
exotic species from all over the globe.
From the humble Apidistra spp. (“cast
iron plant”) to a spectacular orchid,
plants the beauty and splendor of
nature indoors. They are living
organisms that we care for and
nurture much in the same way as our
household pets.
Are they a part of our world or is it
really the other way around We’ve
talked about their contribution to our
souls, now for a bit of science. The
amazing ability of plants to purify the
air we breathe fundamentally affects
human life. Why bother with
houseplants We can’t afford not to!
Why Houseplants Are Important
People spend more than 90% of their
daily lives indoors. And the EPA lists
indoor air pollution as one of the top
five threats to public health. Sources
of indoor air pollution include carpet,
furnishings, adhesives, dry cleaning,
detergents, paper products, glues and
resins, tobacco smoke, electronic
devices, paints, stains and varnishes,
and pressed wood and fiberboard.
Based on research by NASA as well as
other organizations, three averagesized
floor plants or six average‐sized
tabletop plants significantly improve
air quality. Indoor pollutants that
houseplants tackle include
formaldehyde, xylene, toluene,
ammonia, benzene, trichloromethane
and of course, carbon dioxide.
Which Houseplants Are Most Effective
In the NASA study, the plants found to
have good air purifying abilities
include many of the most commonly
cultivated species, including:
• Dracaena spp. Examples
include D. deremensis “Janet
Craig," D. marginata, D.
continued on page 7
6

continued from page 6
• fragrans ‘Massangeana’ or corn
plant and D. deremensis
‘Warneckii’
• Philodendron spp. (P. cordatum
or heartleaf philodendron and
P. domesticum or elephant ear
philodendron
• Aglaonema modestum or
Chinese evergreen
• Epipremnum aureum or golden
pothos
• Sansevieria trifaciata or snake
plant
• Hedera helix orEnglish ivy
• Chamaedorea sefritzii or
bamboo palm
• Spathyphyllum spp. or spathe
or peace lily
• Chlorophytum comosum or
spider plant
Please note that many houseplants are
invasive when planted outdoors in the
landscape. They have the ability to
tolerate a wide range of conditions.
Please use caution and check with the
UF/IFAS Extension Office before
planting indoor houseplants outdoors.
For more information on houseplants,
including their care, visit
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu, e‐mail a
Manatee County Master Gardener at
manateeMG@gmail.com or call 941‐
722‐4524 and ask to speak with a
Master Gardener.
Dracaena ,’Marginata’
Chinese evergreen
Corn plant
Golden pothos
‘Janet Craig’ Spider plant English ivy
7

April
Calendar of Events
Date Time Event
Ask a Master Gardener – Rocky Bluff Library – 6750 US Highway 301 N., Ellenton. Visit the Extension Master
2 nd & 4 th
Saturday
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Gardener information table and get answers to your gardening questions.
2 nd Ask a Master Gardener – South Manatee Library – 6081 26 th Street West, Bradenton. Visit the Extension Master
Saturday 10:00 a.m.‐1:00 p.m.
Gardener information table and get answers to your gardening questions.
Maintain and Sharpen Your Garden Tools – Learn how to maintain and sharpen your garden tools. Students
may bring their tools for possible demonstration. Although we would love to, time does not permit us to sharpen
April 13 9:00 a.m.‐11:00 a.m. everyone’s tools that are brought to class. We will demonstrate the “how to” so that you can sharpen and maintain
your tools at home. Presented by John Dawson, Master Gardener. Register online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or
call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722‐4524.
Extension Master Gardener Plant ID Tour – Stroll through the De Soto National Memorial and Riverview Pointe
April 13 9:00 a.m.‐11:00 a.m.
Preserve to learn more about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. Suitable for all ages. The
hike begins in the parking area of the De Soto National Memorial Park and enters into the Riverview Preserve at 8250
DeSoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton. Call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722‐4524 to register.
Growing in Small Places – Container Gardening Workshop – This workshop will address soil types, a variety of
containers, and will also describe design elements of what plants to use including plant height, texture, and color to
April 16 1:30 p.m.‐3:30 p.m.
create pleasing combinations of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The program will begin with a demonstration of how
to assemble a container garden from two five gallon buckets. Bring two five gallon buckets and swap for an
assembled gardening bucket. Presented by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent. Register online at
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722‐4524.
Invasive Plant Workshop – Beware! Many common yard plants are actually alien invaders. Non‐native, invasive
species have thrived throughout Florida, threatening native vegetation and the wildlife on which it depends. In this
April 17 10:00 a.m.‐Noon workshop, participants will learn how to identify key invasive species, the threats they pose to native vegetation and
wildlife, and how they can be prevented throughout the landscape. Presented by Michelle Atkinson, Florida‐Friendly
Landscaping Coordinator. Register online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Michelle at (941) 722‐4524.
Florida‐Friendly Landscaping Combo – Compost and Rain Barrel Workshop ‐ Learn how to turn your
kitchen scraps and yard waste into useful soil amendments with details on how to set up home compost bins. Leave
April 20 9:00 a.m.‐Noon
with a bin to start creating your own compost. Fee for compost bin. Learn how to install, paint, and maintain a
functional rain barrel. Bring your truck or car with a large trunk and leave with your own rain barrel. Start conserving
today! Fee for rain barrel. Presented by Michelle Atkinson, Florida‐Friendly Landscaping Coordinator. Register
online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Michelle at (941) 722‐4524.
Extension Master Gardener Plant ID Tour – Stroll through Emerson Point Preserve to learn more about Florida’s
April 20 9:00 a.m.‐11:00 a.m. native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. Suitable for all ages. Tour begins in the tower parking area at 5801
17 th St. W., Palmetto. Call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722‐4524 to register.
Extension Master Gardener Plant ID Tour – Stroll through the Robinson Preserve’s salt marshes to learn more
April 21 9:00 a.m.‐11:00 a.m. about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. Suitable for all ages. Tour begins in parking area by
main entrance at 1704 99 th St. NW, Bradenton. Call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722‐4524 to register.
Lowdown on Lawn Irrigation – This class satisfies the irrigation education portion of the Manatee County
April 22 1:30 p.m.‐4:30 p.m.
Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program. Tune up your sprinkler system, learn how to adjust the timer and
sprinklers, improve uniformity, eliminate water waste, and cut costs. Presented by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent.
Register online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Joann at (941) 722‐4524.
Pondscaping, Florida‐Friendly Style ‐ Turf planted down to the water’s edge often requires frequent mowing.
The result is grass clippings entering the pond, which contribute to increased growth of weeds and algae. In this
April 24 1:00 p.m.‐3:00 p.m. workshop, learn about plants that can be grown in this area which will eliminate the need for mowing and can help
reduce pollution from entering the pond. Location: Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 US Highway 302 N., Ellenton. Register
online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Michelle at (941) 722‐4524.
Manatee Rare Fruit Council (a non‐profit organization) annual rare fruit tree sale at the Bradenton Convention
May 19 10:00 a.m.‐4:00 p.m.
Center on Haben Blvd. in Palmetto. A wide variety of citrus trees, unusual tropical fruit trees, bushes and vines with
edible fruit, as well as herbs and spices. For more information call (941) 776‐0222 or www.mrfc.org. Master
Gardeners will be available to address plant questions.
Agriculture and Extension Service ‐ Manatee County Community Services Department
Located at 1303 17 th St. W., Palmetto, FL 34221 Telephone: (941) 722‐4524
Web site: http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu E‐mail: ManateeMG@gmail.com
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and
other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non‐discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex,
sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations.