Pineapple on the Barbie

Written by Garden Vince | 24 November 2011

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Grilled Pineapple

Grilled Pineapple is the perfect addition to a meaty barbie. I know this article is a little different from my usual posts but a recent experience made me think: ‘Why don’t I throw Pineapple on the barbie more often?’ Whether the meat is pork, steak, or chicken, grilled pineapple is a perfectly healthy and fulfilling accent or desert. As a carnivore with some vegetarian tendencies, I have also found grilled pineapple nourishing enough as a meal, especially in the scheme of the ‘5 small meals-a-day diet’.

Here is a quick recipe to delight the senses, and the process is especially rewarding when you use your own home grown pineapples directly to the grill. Sometimes I will put out the fresh pineapple slices for dinner and then for the next morning brunch, I grill up the remainder as a personal treat.

Ingredients:

1 large ripe pineapple

20 mL honey

30 mL melted butter

15 mL lime juice

Tips for Pineapple on the Barbie:

-You can also use this recipe on skewers or kabobs. Countertop grills work well too but proper drainage of the marinade is important and also cooking can be a little smoky so kitchen ventilation is also vital.

-Substituting the honey for brown sugar will caramelize the pineapple on the barbie.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pineapple (trim the top off, peel, and core). Cut the sections into quarters, and then into 2-3 cm slices.

2. Stir the melted butter, the honey, and lime juice, together in a small bowl.

3. You can either apply this marinade mixture to the pineapple slices by brushing it onto all sides or by marinating in a freezer bag for at least 30 mins. Consider overnight marinating in the fridge for deeper flavour. Personally, more of the natural pineapple flavour the better, so I just simply brush the marinade mix on all sides and let sit for 15 mins.

4. Grill the flavourful Pineapple slices for 3-4 minutes on each side or until grilling marks appear.

5. Remove from the grill and enjoy!

Ivory Cane Palm (Pinanga coronata)

Written by Admin / Garden Vince | 11 November 2011

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Browse Online Palm Nursery

Grow Notes for Ivory Cane Palm (Pinanga coronata)

ON ARRIVAL:

Soaking:

When you receive your Ivory Cane Palm plants, unwrap them carefully, and give their roots a good soak in seaweed solution or water for a couple of hours. Some plants, mainly succulents and plants with fleshy roots should not be soaked for more than a few minutes to avoid rot. You can pour leftover seaweed solution on the Ivory Cane Palms after you have potted them.

Pot size:

Choosing the right pot size for your Ivory Cane Palms is essential for it’s ability to thrive. Do not choose a huge pot in the hopes the Ivory Cane Palm plants will grow faster, as it will not. Most small palms will grow well in 75mm or 100mm pots, medium palms will often be suited to 125mm to 140mm pots, and large palms will need bigger pots to suit.

Potting mix:

When selecting a potting mix for your Ivory Cane Palm choose a good quality soil that drains a well. You can mix your own, or purchase a pre-mix from garden centers. Adding some sand, perlite or vermiculite to your plants exchange medium will improve drainage and promote root strength.

Fertilizing:

Ivory Cane Palms appreciate good, nutrient-rich soil, and will grow well with a regular application of the right fertilizer. It is best to find a fertilizer specifically designed for palms. Generally, a slow release fertilizer (such as Osmocote) is adequate for your Ivory Cane Palm plants. Adding organic matter such as blood & bone or Dynamic Lifter to the soil will also ensure your Ivory Cane Palm plants thrive.

Watering:

Proper watering in of your Ivory Cane Palm plants is essential for them to flourish. Additionally, when re-potting your Ivory Cane Palm plants however it is necessary to water in the plant properly. You need to get air bubbles out of the soil, as roots die when they come into contact with air bubbles. This might cause them to die back, prohibiting the Ivory Cane Palm plants from thriving and might even cause death. It is one of the most important things to do when re-potting plants! Once watered in, water your Ivory Cane Palm plants regularly, the rate of which you can gauge by sticking your finger in the soil to check that the medium is moist to your second knuckle. If it feels dry, water. It is best to water when the plant needs rather than watering small amounts daily. This will stop the Ivory Cane Palm's roots from developing properly. Make sure you don’t overwater to avoid root rot and cloggy soil. Ivory Cane Palm plants, like most, require less water during the winter. Also, potted Ivory Cane Palms will need more watering than those in the ground.

Position:

It’s best to start your Ivory Cane Palm plants in a protected position away from direct heat and sun. Once you can see new growth, such as a new shoot or leaf the plants are accustomed to their new climate and environment. You can begin the process of slowly acclimating your Ivory Cane Palm plants to their final position in the garden, or pot. Ivory Cane Palms do best in full sunlight coming from the South/East/West slowly adjust them to full sun, and keep them protected from frost and wind for as long as possible. Growing your Ivory Cane Palms in pots until they’re nice and strong will ensure a good start in the garden. Make sure you mulch well when you plant your Ivory Cane Palms in the garden – mulch conditions your soil, protects roots and saves water!

Research:

As there are many aspects to growing plants, such as climate, position and care, we recommend you read as much as possible about your plant. The internet is a great source of information, as National Tropical Plants online forums and books. Some plants may have special needs in your climate, and our guide is only provided as general information and reflects our own experience. We do not accept any responsibility for consequences of the usage of the information provided in this guide.

Rhoeo Stripe me Pink

Written by Admin / Garden Vince | 09 November 2011

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Grow Notes for Rhoeo Stripe me Pink

The Rhoeo Stripe me Pink is a splendid pink versionof the standard Rhoeo, Rhoeo spathacea. This plant is frost sensitive but is a low maintenance ground cover or border plant. Best in a part shade position, or protected from hottest sun hours, this Rhoeo needs a well draining, rich soil.

ON ARRIVAL:

Soaking:

When you receive your Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants, unwrap them carefully, and give their roots a good soak in seaweed solution or water. The Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plant is a succulent with fleshy roots and should not be soaked for more than a few minutes to avoid rot. You can pour left-over seaweed solution on the plants after you have potted it up.

Pot size:

Choose the right pot size for your Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants. Don’t choose a huge pot in the hope your Rhoeo plants will grow faster, as it won’t! Most small plants will grow well in 75mm or 100mm pots, medium plants will often be suited to 125mm to 140mm pots, and large plants will need bigger pots to suit.

Potting mix:

It is best to use a well draining potting mix that is of good quality. You can mix your own, or purchase a pre-mix from garden centers. Rhoeo Stripe me Pink will appreciate a potting mix that is very well draining. You can add some sand, perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage, or purchase a specific potting mix.

Fertilising:

Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants appreciate good nutrient-rich soil, and will grow well with a regular application of the right fertilizer. It is best to find a fertilizer specifically designed for your Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plant. The Rhoeo Stripe me Pink does need special care when it comes to fertilizers, as they can be very sensitive. Use a diluted form of liquid fertilizer or an organic fertilizer only.

Watering:

Proper watering in of your Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants is essential for it to flourish. Succulents like the Rhoeo Stripe me Pink don’t need as much water as other plants do. Additionally, try to keep water out of leaf joints when irrigating, water only the soils surface as watering from overhead will cause the leaves of the Rhoeo Stripe me Pink to become discolored. When re-potting your Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants however it is necessary to water in the plant properly. You need to get air bubbles out of the soil, as roots die when they come into contact with air bubbles. This might cause them to die back, prohibiting your the Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants from thriving and might even cause death. It is one of the most important things to do when re-potting plants! Once watered in, water your Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants regularly, the rate of which you can gauge by sticking your finger in the soil to check that the medium is moist to your second knuckle. If it feels dry, water. It is best to water when the plant needs rather than watering small amounts daily. This will stop the Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plant’s roots from developing properly. Make sure you don’t overwater to avoid root rot and cloggy soil. Rhoeo Stripe me Pink, like most, require less water during the winter. Also, potted Rhoeo Stripe me Pink’s will need more watering than those in the ground.

Position:

Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants can be placed in a sunny position right from when they are young. Growing them up in pots until they’re nice and strong will ensure a good start in the garden, so we recommend growing your Rhoeo Stripe me Pink plants in pots for a while first if you plan on adding them to your garden. Make sure you mulch well when you plant them in the garden – mulch conditions your soil, protects roots and saves water!

Research:

As there are many aspects to growing plants, such as climate, position and care, we recommend you read as much as possible about your plant. The internet is a great source of information, asNational Tropical Plants online forums and books. Some plants may have special needs in your climate, and our guide is only provided as general information and reflects our own experience. We do not accept any responsibility for consequences of the usage of the information provided in this guide.

Mozes in a Cradle (Rhoeo spathacea)

Written by Garden Vince | 08 November 2011

Buy Mozes in a Cradle plants Online

Grow Notes for Mozes in a Cradle (Rhoeo spathacea)

The Rhoeo spathacea has beautiful foliage with purple on one side and a gorgeous dark green on the other. Very hardy, easy plants to grow and will provide colour all year round. Gardeners love these plants as a groundcover or featured in a pot.

Common names: Mozes in a Cradle, Moses in a Cradle, Mozes in Cradle

ON ARRIVAL:

Soaking:

When you receive your Mozes in a Cradle plants, unwrap them carefully, and give their roots a good soak in seaweed solution or water. The Mozes in a Cradle plant is a succulent with fleshy roots and should not be soaked for more than a few minutes to avoid rot. You can pour left-over seaweed solution on the plants after you have potted it up.

Pot size:

Choose the right pot size for your Mozes in a Cradle plants. Don’t choose a huge pot in the hope your Mozes plants will grow faster, as it won’t! Most small plants will grow well in 75mm or 100mm pots, medium plants will often be suited to 125mm to 140mm pots, and large plants will need bigger pots to suit.

Potting mix:

It is best to use a well draining potting mix that is of good quality. You can mix your own, or purchase a pre-mix from garden centers. Mozes in a Cradle plants will appreciate a potting mix which is very well draining. You can add some sand, perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage, or purchase a specific succulent potting mix.

Fertilising:

Mozes in a Cradle plants appreciate good nutrient-rich soil, and will grow well with a regular application of the right fertilizer. It is best to find a fertilizer specifically designed for your Mozes in a Cradle plant. Mozes in a Cradle plants do need special care when it comes to fertilizers, as they can be very sensitive. Use a diluted form of liquid fertilizer or an organic fertilizer only.

Watering:

Proper watering in of your Mozes in Cradle plants is essential for it to flourish. Succulents like the Mozes in a Cradle plant don’t need as much water as other plants do. However, when re-potting your Mozes in a Cradle plants it is necessary to water in the plant properly. You need to get air bubbles out of the soil, as roots die when they come into contact with air bubbles. This might cause them to die back, prohibiting the Mozes in Cradle plants from thriving and might even cause death. It is one of the most important things to do when re-potting plants!

Once watered in, water your Mozes in Cradle plants regularly, the rate of which you can gauge by sticking your finger in the soil to check that the medium is moist to your second knuckle. If it feels dry, water. It is best to water when the plant needs rather than watering small amounts daily. This will stop the Mozes in Cradle plant’s roots from developing properly. Make sure you don’t overwater to avoid root rot and cloggy soil. Mozes in Cradle plants, like most, require less water during the winter. Also, potted Mozes in a Cradle plants will need more watering than those in the ground.

Position:

Mozes in Cradle plants can be placed in a sunny position right from when they are young. Growing them up in pots until they’re nice and strong will ensure a good start in the garden, so we recommend growing your Mozes in a Cradle plants in pots for a while first if you plan on adding them to your garden. Make sure you mulch well when you plant them in the garden – mulch conditions your soil, protects roots and saves water!

Research

As there are many aspects to growing plants, such as climate, position and care, we recommend you read as much as possible about your plant. The internet is a great source of information, as National Tropical Plants online forums and books. Some plants may have special needs in your climate, and our guide is only provided as general information and reflects our own experience. We do not accept any responsibility for consequences of the usage of the information provided in this guide