Article Written By: Jane Letterman
Tropical plants originated from the tropical areas along the equator around the world. This is an area where there is no shortage of rain, the temperatures range from very warm to hot all year, and plenty of sun is experienced. The conditions are right for these attractive shrubs to grow vigorously.Some of the popular types that people come into contact with, if they are walking through shopping malls or office blocks, would be varieties like the dramatic Amazon Elephant's Ear, showy Anthurium and very well known Bird of Paradise. There are hundreds more that are highly sought after for interior decoration of homes, conference venues, around hotels, casino's and offices to name but a few.The shrubs and trees coming from the tropics are popular for their visual appeal. It might be that they have particularly interesting leaves, or are brightly colored or have attractively shaped branches. In some cases one specimen might possess two or more of these features.They also have wide appeal because even though they may not cope with the outside environment, they will do well inside, in sheltered and warm, but light areas. Their growth an overall appearance is great when they find themselves in an environment that supports their growth. This includes their often overlooked water and fertilizer requirements.In the outdoors, tropical plants will grow fast. This is usually due to the very warm temperatures in their environment which promotes the decomposing bacteria. These are responsible for unlocking essential nutrients for their growth. At the same time, the soil profile at their roots is kept damp due to the large amount of rotted vegetation near their roots, which act as sponges.Usually, shrubs and trees will have leaves of a particular size that is dictated by the amount water stress they experience. This is because leaves are constantly acting as pumps for releasing water into the surrounding air. There has to be a through flow of water since it carries essential minerals from the soil needed for growth.Because tropical species don't ever lack water, their leaves can be big. This feature means that the minerals essential for growth are quickly taken up and move around their bodies, at a pace that can keep it growing fast. The nutrients absorbed are replaced almost immediately through the activities of decomposition bacteria, leading to rapid and sustained growth.When these specimens are put into planters and moved indoors, it is a common mistake to think that they will continue to need copious amounts of watering. However, they will become much less active, since their roots are restricted and become dependent on getting fertilizer from the person tending them. They usually experience temperatures below the optimum for their usual growth rate.It is necessary to pay attention to the possibility that these tropical plants could be getting too much liquid, which is likely to cause root rot. Excessive fertilizer will also lead to problems and could mean that it will die. By carefully monitoring these aspects, a long lived and healthy plant will those who admire it plenty of pleasure.
This Article Has Been Published on Thu, 5 May 2011 and Read 271 Times