When gardening in our tropical climate, you have to take some special measures to keep your plants in good shape. If you want a nice tropical garden, it takes some effort. However, a garden with healthy, flowering plants is worth it!
Consider the quality and fertility of the soil. You might have to change or add new soil to what's originally in your garden. Ask advice at the garden center where you buy your plants about which kind of soil is best for your plants.- Though fertilizers mostly are helping plants grow, tropical flower plants should not be supplied too much of them. Especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potash containing fertilizers should be used in minimum quatity, otherwise they'll hamper the growth and blooming of the flower.
- Make sure that each plant can be exposed fully to the sun, or that it needs a form of shading. You can create protection for your plants with special canvas.
- Water your plants on a regular base, preferably in the afternoon, around sunset. Installing an automatic (drip-)irrigation system saves a lot of work!
- In a tropical climate, plants grow very fast. If you want to keep your garden looking well-maintained, trimming and cutting your plants is necessary, at least once every two weeks.
- Examples of plants that do well on Curacao: Bougainvillea, Oleander , Lantana, Jasmin , Seagrape , Frangipani , Lignum-vitea, Coconut palm, Clusia, Pitch apple