Turn your garden into a tropical paradise - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

The folks from Pike Nurseries always have some great tips to share when it comes to making your flowers and plants flourish, and this week, they're showing us how to add a little exotic flair to your home garden!  They also answered some of the questions submitted by our viewers online.

CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PLANT TROPICAL PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN!

Here are the answers to some of your questions, courtesy of the folks from Pike Nurseries:

Q: I received this lovely tropical plant as a sympathy gift, and have no idea what it is or how to care for it!  If you can you provide any information, I would be grateful! (with photo attached)

A: The plant pictured appears to be calathea crocata, a tropical plant. In Atlanta, calathea is typically used as a houseplant and prefers medium, indirect light. They thrive on filtered light. Since it's a tropical plant, it likes humidity so the soil should be kept uniformly moist throughout spring and summer, and you should mist often. Don't be afraid to bring it outside for the summer months; just keep it out of direct sunlight.

Q: I planted gardenias last fall and now they are thinning leaves on the bottom half of the plant. What may be the cause? They are in full sun until 1pm. Then shaded by the house for the remainder of the day. Thanks, Christy. Avondale Estates. (with photo attached)

A: The tops of the plants look healthy and it appears they are getting enough sun because they are blooming. 

Because blooming takes a lot out of the plant, apply an acidifying fertilizer (like Azalea – Camellia food) to the plant according to the package directions.  Also, make sure the plants are getting enough water. Gardenias should be kept consistently moist and require at least an inch of rain (or equivalent watering) each week. Also, maintain a 2 inch layer of mulch (pine straw, pine bark or cypress mulch) to help retain moisture in the soil, discourage weeds and maintain a constant soil temperature. 

The gardenia shrub, especially when young, has a tendency toward straggly growth and requires pruning to keep it in shape and promote fuller growth. Right now, you can remove the faded blooms to encourage more flowering. When they have finished flowering, you can prune away any dead wood and remove straggly branches. Around mid to late February, cut back about 1/3 of their existing growth. This will help the plants to put on more growth and achieve a fuller appearance. 

To submit your question for the folks from Pike Nurseries, click here to email it to us at goodday@myfoxatlanta.com.