Plant in full sun to partial shade. Young leaves are too small for lack of nutrients. This versatile large shrub/small tree also tolerates a fair amount of shade, though blooms less as it gets less direct light. Then remove lower branches from your jatropha as it grows. Keep it as a summer annual or a patio container tree in colder locations. Water frequently (two times daily) for the first week. Full sun is a big no for the jacaranda dwarf tree. Put the cutting into a container of damp sawdust. Prune in the late winter after the last frost but before the plant puts out new growth. Prune any growth below 1 1/2 foot on the jatropha to encourage development above this area. You can trim for shape anytime. Then remove lower branches from your jatropha as it grows. Make sure the branches are spaced so that each one has room to grow and reach its full potential. Then remove lower branches from your jatropha as it grows. 8 What should I do with my jatropha plant? Trim the branches each year once the plant is a height of 6 feet to maintain this height and prevent the plant from becoming overgrown and difficult to maintain. We've put together plant groupings to help you visualize how various plants look together. Once established, J. integerrima and J. multifida are both low maintenance and drought tolerant. The shrub/small tree known as Jatropha integerrima, or just plain Jatropha for short, is a plant selection that will not disappoint you. Jatropha is an evergreen shrub or small tree with stunning flowers that will bring butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. This plant is not salt tolerant. It has a moderate growth rate. Here's a handy ebook written just for you! shrub is drought-tolerant once established. Jatropha can grow to 15 feet tall and wide and is hardy in Zone 10. 'Compacta' is the most popular variety for South Florida and the one commonly sold in plant nurseries. This plants both maintenance and drought tolerant. If you have questions about jatropha, just drop us an email and our experts will get back to you. I live in Houston and we got strange weather this year! 4 How tall does a jatropha plant need to be? If you hire a tree service, don't let them climb with tree spikes, since these cause permanent damage to the trunk. It blooms reliably every day of the year. Plant with wildlife in mind. These plants can reach about 15 feet tall and have an equal spread when left unpruned. Prune heavily in spring (late March and early April) and it will fill out quickly to become lush and full. In colder-winter areas, you can grow jatropha as a beautiful patio tropical for the summer. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell [at] charlottecountyfl [dot] gov. Okay Gardenstew, its been a while. Once you feel the moisture on the surface, please remove it from warm water. If you would like yours to grow in a tree shape, simply cut out all but one stem coming out of the ground to force it to have a trunk. This shrub is drought-tolerant once established. Prepare the soil for planting. It handles pruning well and can be kept to shrub size, trained to a tree form or used in espalier. Why is my Jatropha tree turning yellow? They typically reach 10 to 15 feet in height, and about 8 feet wide. Keep your cuts at a 45-degree angle to prevent water damage and disease. This slender-stemmed, multi-trunked tropical evergreen tree or large shrub, a native of Cuba, reaches 15 feet in height with an equal spread, and has unusual 3 to 6-inch-long leaves varying in shape from oblong, fiddle-shaped, or even-lobed. Pinch off branch tips in early spring with a pruning clipper once the Jatropha reaches a height of 2 feet to promote new, lush branch growth. A height of 6 feet is suggested for jatropha plants. Its not a good choice for the seaside or beach setting. Pinch off the tips in each subsequent year until the plant reaches a height of 6 feet. These guidelines are most pertinent to climates with four distinct seasons and definite winter chill. The "head" of this little tree will spread wide so come away from the house at least 3 to 4 feet. Cover the newly cut stumps with soil to prevent drying and fungal problems. If you dont prune it, it produces multiple trunks with slender stems. Integerrima performs best in full sun frost-free locations but will grow in partial shade. A similar tree you can purchase for your yard is a dwarf jacaranda tree. While there are many tried and true flowering shrubs for our area, there is one that stands out as an almost foolproof selection. This shrub is drought-tolerant once established. They're evergreen but may lose some leaves during cold weather. We love chatting with other gardeners. Information Science 1. In regions that have harsh winters, late-summer pruning encourages new growth that might not harden before the cold settles in. UF/IFAS, some rights reserved. wide low-growing tree that is easier to harvest. Jatropha Questions? If you allow it to grow free-form, it will become an interesting, wide bush or multi-trunk tree. The tiny flowers won't make a mess so placement very close to a patio, walk or drive works fine. Every part of the Spicy Jatropha is poisonous if eaten. Plant directly into the soil outdoors in a sunny location. Jatropha can be pruned at any time. Other small flowering trees you might like: Red Cluster Bottlebrush Tree, Powderpuff Tree. The one-inch wide scarlet-red flowers can technically appear year round and are favored by hummingbirds and butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails, and zebra longwings. 2. Hard pruning is a drastic cutting back of a plant's stems in order to manipulate grow, stave off. Light Conditions For Bonsai Jacaranda. After waiting the required amount of time, and once the jatropha has established itself more permanently, functional and decorative pruning can begin. The Jatropha plant contains a milky sap that can irritate sensitive skin. Reduce watering to once daily until the seedlings are ready to be transplanted. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Use a water-soluble fertilizer or slow-release pellets. Pinch off branch tips in early spring with a pruning clipper once the Jatropha reaches a height of 2 feet to promote new, lush branch growth. Make clean cuts at an angle to prevent diseases or damage, using a sharp knife. Integerrima performs best in full sun frost-free locations but will grow in partial shade. Some of the butterflies you may see enjoying this plant include monarchs, swallowtails, and zebra longwings. Jatropha grows best in zones 10 to 11. Once established, this beautiful landscape plant holds up fairy well to dry conditions, making it a good choice for yards that don't have regular irrigation during dry spells. Small jacaranda trees can tolerate light shade if necessary, but the lack of optimal sunlight can affect the number and vitality of flowers. Versatile and showy, the clusters of tiny but vivid flowers stand out against deep green leaves and the small size makes it the perfect accent tree for sunny areas. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Tropical Climate Ecosystem Plant Transpiration Rain Seasons Biomass Photosynthesis Droughts Climate Phylogeny. A delightful shrub for a sunny spot in any size South Florida landscape, this pretty plant grows full and lush with regular trimming, and makes an excellent accent or anchor for a garden bed with other butterfly attracting plants. You can let it grow naturally into an interesting multi-trunked tree, or with some pruning, it can be trained into a fabulous espalier, shrub, or single-trunked tree. The Jatropha plant contains a milky sap that can irritate sensitive skin. How tall does a jatropha plant need to be? Keep several inches distance from the trunk where you are going to cut off the branch. The next step in pruning a jacaranda tree is to thin the canopy. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it adaptable to poor, dry soil. Remove lower branches on the Jatropha with pruning clippers or a saw to force a single central stem when the desired stem has reached a diameter of about 1 1/2 inches. [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] - "Temperature drives the assembly of endophytic communities' seasonal succession" Fertilize 3 times a year spring, summer, and autumn, with a top quality granular fertilizer. J. integerrima and J. multifida are wonderful shrubs for South Florida plant lovers. The ultimate guide to low-maintenance plants and landscaping! Remove lower branches on the Jatropha with pruning clippers or a saw to force a single central stem when the desired stem has reached a diameter of about 1 1/2 inches. Pinch off branch tips in early spring with a pruning clipper once the Jatropha reaches a height of 2 feet to promote new, lush branch growth. Few Categories Of Artificial Potted Plants: You must keep the cutting warm between 77 86 degrees Fahrenheit (25 C 30 Celsius) with a high level of humidity 70% to 90% percent. Availability: In Stock GPO Stock Number: 001-000-04755-8 ISBN: 9780160913761. It is also used as a house plant. You still need to follow the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principle #1. which is Right Plant. We've put together plant groupings to help you visualize how various plants look together. Mortality is rare. It is an broadleaf evergreen which has an interesting assortment of different-shaped six-inch long leaves oval, fiddle-shaped and lobed all on one plant. Jatropha Curcas has been identified for India as the most suitable Tree Borne Oilseed (TBO) for production of bio-diesel both in view of the non-edible oil available from it and its presence throughout the country. liquid to keep the blooms coming on strong. Try to choose winter season to prune a tree, as it is a dormant season for trees. Propagation is as easy as taking a tip cutting. Then remove lower branches from your jatropha as it grows. Its a good idea to cover the plant if cold temperatures are expected. Trees Ericaceae Quercus Oleaceae Coniferophyta Fagaceae Rhododendron Larix Angiosperms Pachysandra Cistus Pinus Litchi Camellia Gymnosperms. They are marginal in zone 9B; frosts and freezes will damage them, but they usually recover quickly. Step 1. The UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Floridas Natural Areas has labeled Jatropha gossypiifolia and Jatropha curcas as invasive plants that should not be planted. Always use gloves when working with Jatropha. Jatropha, also known as peregrina (Jatropha integerrima), is an evergreen that can be trimmed into a shrub or small tree for an ornamental feature in the home landscape. Always use gloves when working with Jatropha. Its highly tolerant of a wide range ofsoil pH levels so long as the soil is well-drained. This red flowering tree is actually a jatropha shrub trained to a single trunkor you can grow it as a bush, and, as it matures, keep the base cleaned up for a multi-trunk tree look.One of South Florida's most consistent butterfly attracting plants, jatropha is also a favorite with hummingbirds. For more information on this important, over-arching program, please contact Sara Weber, FFL Education-Training Specialist, at Sara.Weber@charlottecountyfl.gov . An ebook by Chase Landreauthor of South-Florida-Plant-Guide.com. Posted: October 2, 2020. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. The soil should consist of equal parts of sand, garden soil, and aged manure. You can let it grow naturally into an interesting multi-trunked tree, or with some pruning, it can be trained into a fabulous espalier, shrub, or single-trunked tree. Expect viburnum snowball bushes to blossom in May. To grow from seed: Prepare the seeds by soaking them in warm water for eight hours before planting. Supplement with bone meal to promote heavier bloom. Pruning jatropha begins after the plant's trunk equals more than 1 1/2 inches in diameter at ground level. Step 2. Jatropha is the one shrub you can count on for year round blooms, with bright scarlet flower clusters that attract butterflies. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Jatropha is a tropical evergreen that has slender stems and multiple trunks. Remove branches that show signs of damage first. Jatropha integerrima, commonly called peregrine, spicy jatropha or firecracker, is native to Cuba and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 10B through 11. hawthorne and muhly grass. South-Florida-Plant-Guide. There are a number of plants in the genus Jatropha that can be found growing in our landscapes, but the Jatropha, aka: peregrina, spicy jatropha, or fire-cracker, is a gardeners favorite. GOOD SNOWBIRD PLANT? The University of Florida, IFAS. Prune heavily in spring (late March and early April) and it will fill out quickly to become lush and full. Remove any individual plants that have a rotten bottom and repot the healthy specimens in a fresh batch of 'Houseplant' compost. Though all parts of the plant are poisonous, seeds have the highest concentration of the toxin and are highly poisonous. Jatropha curcas is known for various medicinal uses. Cut the branches from the underside of them to prevent them from cracking closely to the trunk. They require very little care, other than pruning. Gilman, E. F., Watson, D. G., Klein, R. W., Koeser, A. K., Hilbert, D. R. & McLean, D. C. (2018) Jatropha integerrima: Peregrina. health screening for preschoolers ati. Warning. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Trim regularly to keep the plant full and bushy and do a hard pruning in spring (late March or early April). If you would like yours to grow in a tree shape, simply cut out all but one stem coming out of the ground to force it to have a trunk. Pruning jatropha begins after the plant's trunk equals more than 1 1/2 inches in diameter at ground level. The flowers appear in bunches during the summer. Prune away any rotten areas and check its base for a softened profile. Composite soil mixtures with high grit content will suffice where loamy soils are unavailable. Trim off all branches in the lower 12 inches of the Jatropha in the dormant season after the second year of growth to promote new branch growth and flower production. how to prune a jatropha tree. Right Place, but this beautiful flowering shrub is readily available and puts on a nice show! If you haven't been pruning your fruit-bearing bushes regularly, you might need to do some rejuvenation pruning to remove anything that's overgrown or dead. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. If you would like yours to grow in a tree shape, simply cut out all but one stem coming out of the ground to force it to have a trunk. While these two species are not a problem in our state, there are some Jatropha species that are problematic in Florida. Check out our page on Butterfly Gardening! var year=today.getFullYear() It will do best with a regular irrigation schedule and time to dry out between waterings. Then remove lower branches from your jatropha as it grows. The Jatropha Tree is a pretty drought tolerant plant. All Rights Reserved. You can prune jatropha at any time. Fertilize jatropha, if necessary, in the spring and summer months. Jatropha curcas, 2 belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, is a low-growing tree, native to South America, but widely cultivated also throughout Central America, Africa and Asia. Jatropha grows best in zones 10 to 11. Start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and as deep or not much deeper than the root ball of your Anise plant. And, if you want another flower color, try the pink-flowering cultivar which is less common and may take some hunting to locate locally, or on-line. Keep the planting substrate moist but not saturated. How to Prune Jatropha. 2023 Costa Farms, LLC. The Jatropha Tree is not very picky or particular about what type of soil it grows in. A height of 6 feet is suggested for jatropha plants. An ebook by Chase Landreauthor of South-Florida-Plant-Guide.com. You can prune jatropha at any time. Over-watering can kill the Jatropha plant. They can be pruned as a single trunk for tree growth, or tip pruned for internal branching. This step generally occurs in the first six months of growth to create a tree shape. The flowers bring butterflies and attract hummingbirds, which bring an extra dose of color into your yard. Prune heavily in spring (late March and early April) and it will fill out quickly to become lush and full. Jatropha produces glossy leaves with clusters of attractive star-shaped flowers. The Jatropha can survive on a good rain once a week but should be irrigated in dry climates. It should be noted that all parts of Jatropha are poisonous when ingested, so take care if you have children or pets frequenting your landscape. These plants can reach about 15 feet tall and have an equal spread when left unpruned. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. Because of its broad-spectrum activity, we investigated aqueous and methanol leaf extracts for cytotoxicity and its potential to inhibit hemagglutinin protein of influenza virus. Feed the Jatropha plant once in early spring and again in late summer. Colorful and entertaining hummingbirds and butterflies will flock to your garden if you offer a generous supply of nectar-rich bloomers. Fertilize jatropha, if necessary, in the spring and summer months. can cats have truffle oil Menu. The plant lives for up to 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) tall. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The stems of the Jatropha will produce a milky sap when they are cut. buyit stays smaller and denser and is the one most commonly sold at It is considered to be drought tolerant once established. Plant Jatropha in a full-sun site with well-drained soil. For more information on these Florida-Friendly varieties of jatropha, contact your county Extension office. Just as the title says, beautiful red blooms with minimal effort. var year=today.getFullYear() She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. As your jatropha grows, you can cut off the tips of the lower branches. Want to learn more about South Florida planting, watering, fertilizing and dealing with weeds and pests? The soil should consist of equal parts of sand, garden soil, and aged manure. The Jatropha plant contains a milky sap that can irritate sensitive skin. You can see why Jatropha multifida is often called coral plant. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Let's learn the simple care guide for a jatropha tree in the rest of the article. If you would like yours to grow in a tree shape, simply cut out all but one stem coming out of the ground to force it to have a trunk. Water the Jatropha on a regular basis during times of low rainfall. (You may have heard of J. curcas; it was once proposed as source for biodiesel fuel production.). The lower leaves turn yellow and fall off as a result of the process of natural aging. Fertilize jatropha, if necessary, in the spring and summer months. The ultimate guide to low-maintenance plants and landscaping! During the spring and summer months, if necessary, fertilize jatropha. Dallas Arboretum Trial Gardens: Jatropha Integerrima. The ultimate guide to low-maintenance plants. The tree looks like I killed it but comes back in a few months to look this good every yr. {{gwi:984885}} Learn how to get instant curb appeal with fast growing plants and landscaping techniques! granular fertilizer. Plant directly into the soil outdoors in a sunny location. This callus is essential to the health of the tree. Spicy jatropha ( J. integerrima) is cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics for its continuously blooming crimson flowers. Jatropha plants need well-drained soil, and while they can handle partial shade to full sun, they will flower best in areas with full sun. Jatropha tolerate pruning well, which gives you options when it comes to the form of your plant. This tree is a fast grower - the dwarf variety gets only 6 to 8 feet tall. Cutting should be taken from the base of the tree, be at least 18 inches long and have a minimum of four nodes. Jatropha is a tropical evergreen that has slender stems and multiple trunks. This promotes development on the branches. 3. The wider the hole the better. Jatropha trees will grow in large containers as long as they can dry out between drinks of water. Fertilize jatropha, if necessary, in the spring and summer months. Now can the Jatropha get any better? But with frequent "haircuts" (minor trimming back of branches) they can be kept nicely rounded for a formal landscape. Fertilize jatropha, if necessary, in the spring and summer months. A full sun setting will produce the most flowers. Trim the top of the jatropha to maintain a specific height or shape, using pruning shears. You can do several hard prunings throughout warm weather if you want. Trim the top of the jatropha to maintain a specific height or shape, using pruning shears. Jatropha Red care In areas warm enough to support its growth, wait until mid-May or later to set it out. This plant has red flowers that appear at the end of every branch. document.write(year) South-Florida-Plant-Guide.com All rights reserved. Polyphagotarsonemus latus. It needs full to part sun and a well-drained spot. A variety of plants are on display, such as cactus, ferns, black-eyed Susans, palms, maples, aloe veras and bonsais. What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree? A height of 6 feet is suggested for jatropha plants. You can clean up the base of the plant as it gets larger to create a multi-trunk tree - or buy a single trunk jatropha tree from the nursery, if you prefer. Buddha belly plant ( J. podagrica) was used to tan leather and produce a red dye in Mexico and the southwestern United States. There are two species of Jatropha that grow quite well in South and Central Florida, Jatropha integerrima and Jatropha multifidi. Jatropha integerrima. It will do best with a regular irrigation schedule and time to dry out between waterings. The primary reason trees developed thorns in the first place was to deter hungry herbivores. Alpha diversity of endophytic communities in roots (A and C) and stems (B and D) measured as observed OTUs (A and B) and Shannon entropy (C and D). You can cut back the entire plant to 6 to 12 inches of growth (basically starting over), or you can prune gradually over time. 15 feet high Cut off any dead or dying branches and remove discolored leaves. Symptoms. How do you prune a Jatropha plant? You can trim for shape anytime. If you plant several in a row, place them 4 to 6 feet apart. Wear long sleeves, gloves, and goggles when pruning. Remove all branches that grow at less than a 40-degree angle to the trunk. What should I do with my jatropha plant? Spread a layer of mulch along the base of the plant to aid in retention of soil moisture and control of weeds. YESCOMPANION PLANT SUGGESTIONS: Firecracker plant, gold mound, hibiscus, copper plant, buddleia, dwarf allamanda, white fountain grass, buttercup and lantana. (60-90 cm) Hardiness: USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 C (25 F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 C (30 F) Jatrophas are also cold sensitive and may lose leaves after a frost, which is seldom a problem this far south. For optimal flowering, plant jacaranda trees in full sunlight, with at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. Start this trimming step earlier if you want a train the Jatropha into a smaller shrub size. There are countless types of artificial plants and artificial trees to choose from at Pepperfry. Note: Jatropha is not intended for human or animal consumption. crown of thorns, dwarf bougainvillea, lantana, bulbine, plumbago, Indian regular irrigation schedule and time to dry out between waterings. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The 1-inch-widebright red or pink flowers are produced year-round in beautiful clusters held upright . To take stem cuttings, remove a small piece of stem, dip it in a rooting hormone, and then put it into a small pot with seedling starter soil. Remove lower branches on the Jatropha with pruning clippers or a saw to force a single central stem when the desired stem has reached a diameter of about 1 1/2 inches. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Jatropha integerrima [jat-ROE-fuh in-teh-GAIR-rih-muh] is a perennial evergreen shrub from the genus Jatropha and is often trained to grow as a small tree. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for the UF/IFAS Charlotte County Extension Service. Feed the Jatropha plant once in early spring and again in late summer. Like most plants, it flowers best when it gets an even supply of moisture though the season. The Jatropha plant prefers full sun (8 hours of sunlight a day), but can tolerate partial shade. This plant has red flowers that appear at the end of every branch. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool . If placing along a walk or drive, come in 4 feet. Jatrophas are drought-tolerant once established, preferring regular waterings with time to dry out in between. . Pinch off the tips in each subsequent year until. Spread a layer of mulch along the base of the plant to aid in retention of soil moisture and control of weeds. Cut off any dead or dying branches and remove discolored leaves. It is not a shade tree by any regards, but it can be pruned and trained to one central trunk to assume a tree-like appearance. Where is the best place to plant Jatropha? The cutting should begin developing roots within 7 10 days. Description: The coral plant (Jatropha multifida) is a glabrous, eglandular, succulent-type, evergreen or deciduous shrub or small tree, which grows 1.5 to 3 m tall, but occasionally as high as 5(-6) metres.It is cultivated in many tropical gardens for true beauty of its scarlet flowers and round strongly incised leaves. You can do several hard prunings throughout warm weather if you want. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. If you would like yours to grow in a tree shape, simply cut out all but one stem coming out of the ground to force it to have a trunk. kg/ha Irrigation It is required only for the first two years Pruning During first year when branches reach a height of 40-60 . All Rights Reserved. Resources: 21800 SW 162ND Ave. Miami, Florida 33170| (800) 327-7074 How Much Light Do Coral Plants Need? Can you get sick from eating Dungeness crab? All Rights Reserved. Provide a brighter location and reduce the number of waters slightly to avoid further rot. They typically reach 10 to 15 feet in height, and about 8 feet wide. Feed the Jatropha plant once in early spring and again in late summer. Take care when pruning Jatropha plants, as the milky sap can irritate sensitive skin. If space is a concern, there is even a compact cultivar called Compacta. No matter which variety you choose, it's important to remember not to move your begonias from shade to full sun conditions abruptly as this could cause them to become stressed out or even die off. Jatropha belongs in the Euphorbiaceae family and is a massive bush or multi-trunked, tropical evergreen tree that grows to mature heights of up to 15 feet tall with similar-sized canopies. When grown in tropical and subtropical regions, Jatropha has been known to bloom all year. First Time Home Buyer? Take a pot (1-gallon) and fill it with sterile soil, manure and sand uniformly. These plants can reach about 15 feet tall and have an equal spread when left unpruned. london mayor candidates Phenomena and Processes 10. A height of 6 feet is suggested for jatropha plants. To prune a young tree to a single leader, the stem that will become the main trunk, locate the straightest and strongest leader to retain. Passionate about plants? Prune any growth below 1 1/2 foot on the jatropha to encourage development above this area. Photo: Edward Baker, some rights reserved (cc-by-nc-sa 2.0). If left these lateral branches will compete with the leader and form a weak, multi-leader tree. J. integerrima is native to the West Indies, Cuba, and Hispaniola and is a Jatropha species of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. Take care when pruning Jatropha plants, as the milky sap can irritate sensitive skin. 4. Spider mites. It blooms reliably every day of the year. Removing large branches leaves stubs that can cause several health problems. Young plants get very thick and sturdy leaves with veins almost on top of the leaf surface. It will do best with a regular irrigation schedule and time to dry out between waterings. Prune back the Jatropha plant in late winter. I obtained my specimen from a tip cutting which rooted relatively quickly in sterile potting medium. Primary Purpose. Jatropha multifida, commonly called coral plant, is native to Mexico. Most of the time, this landscape shrub doesn't require fertilization unless it's grown in container gardens. She is a food and travel writer who also specializes in gaming, satellites, RV repair, gardening, finances and electronics.