Tom Knoblock 308-660-0410

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Subtropical Nursery and

Texas Subtropical Botanic Garden in Aransas Pass

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Plant Sale

At Subtropical Nursery

Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM

161 N Rife St Aransas Pass

Place your order for Planting Fruit Trees This Spring

Click the links below

308-660-0410


Trees will be available for pickup

at the nursery in March for Spring Planting

Place your order by February 25th

Click the links below

Fruit Tree Order Form For March Pickup at the Nursery

Bamboo Order Form For March Pickup at the Nursery

Do your feet and your pets feet not like the prickly sand burs? Now is the time to apply a Pre-emergent herbicide for sand burs to help control the sand burs in your lawn and garden.

I have used this with great success Lesco granular fertilizer with Dimension pre-emergent. https://amzn.to/4bhkNdS


Having problems with Leaf Cutting Ants?

I track them back to the nest - hole in the ground

and pour Demon Max down the hole to kill the queen

Texas leaf-cutter ant basics

and other natural solutions


Precious Metal Prices are Surging

Consider this

GOLD ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY

If you would like to learn more go to the link above

or contact Ed Victory a former financial planner

at 661-902-9952

Let him know I sent you my member # 0009

The price of gold is at $5,000 or $160+/ gram

CURRENT GOLD SPOT PRICE

Red Yucca

Dwarf Santonio Rose

Texas Sage

Subtropical Nursery

Plant Sale Saturday 10 to 4

161 N Rife St, Aransas Pass

The Red Yucca, Super Purple Lantana, Dwarf Texas Sage, Magenta Towers Butterfly bush, and Shoal Creek Vitex are hot pollinator plants and we have lots of them to attract butterflies, bee & Hummeringbirds to your garden.

These are all very hardy and make great flower arrangements.

We have plenty of Citrus tree varieties, figs, pomegrantes.

A couple of rare Sugar Maples for great fall color in our climate

Specimen Jelly/Pindo Palms that produce great tasting fruit.

Check out our Featured Plants that are listed below

Featured Plants

Pindo Palm also know as Jelly Palm

Is a cold-hardy palm tree native to South America that is well-loved for its distinctive blue-gray, arching fronds and edible, flavorful fruit. It is a popular ornamental plant due to its tropical appearance and low maintenance requirements.

  • Appearance: The Pindo Palm has a single, stout trunk and graceful, arching feather-shaped fronds that range in color from light green to a silvery blue-gray.
  • Size: It generally reaches a mature height of 10 to 20 feet, with a potential spread of up to 15 feet.
  • Watering: While establishing (the first year after planting), water the palm deeply and consistently, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Once established, the palm is highly drought-tolerant 
  • Cold Hardiness: It is one of the most cold-hardy feather palms, capable of withstanding temperatures down to approximately 10°F (USDA Zone 8a) for short periods.
  • Fruit: The palm produces clusters of cherry-sized, yellow-orange to red fruit in the summer. The fruit is edible, with a sweet and tart, fibrous, juicy flesh said to taste like a mix of apricot, pineapple, and vanilla. It is often used to make jams, jellies, or wine, hence the nickname "Jelly Palm".


Frost Owari Satsuma 

is a variety of mandarin orange tree that is known for its cold hardiness and ease of peeling. It is a popular choice for citrus enthusiasts and can be grown in containers. 

· Fruit: Medium-sized, seedless, deep orange, sweet, juicy, and easy to peel 

· Tree: Vigorous grower that can reach 10–15 ft tall outdoors, but can be kept shorter in containers 

·  Climate: Cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures in the low 20s°F and even into the teens for mature plants.

·  Harvest: Fruit ripens in late fall and is usually ready for harvest in early winter 

· Flavor: Rich but sub acid 

Meyer Lemon (own root)

Blooming Meyer lemon tree (Citrus x meyeri) is a popular, compact evergreen citrus hybrid (citron x mandarin) known for its sweet, less acidic fruit, glossy leaves, and fragrant white-to-purple flowers, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, and ideal for containers as it's self-pollinating and can be moved indoors in colder zones (USDA 8-11) to avoid frost. It is grown from cuttings, so grown on its own roots. If it freezes to the ground and the roots have been protected it will come back as a Meyer Lemon, not the grafted root stock.


Pindo Palm

Specimen Pindo Palms (Butia capitata), often called the Jelly Palm, is a slow-growing, cold-hardy feather palm prized for its elegant arching fronds and edible fruit. Native to South America, it is one of the most popular exotic palms in the southeastern United States due to its ability to withstand temperatures as low as 10–15°F.

Size: Typically matures to 15–25 feet tall with a similar spread of 10–15 feet.

Fruit: Produces large clusters of orange-yellow, cherry-sized fruits in summer. The fruit is sweet and tart—often described as a mix of pineapple, apricot, and banana—and is commonly used to make jellies, jams, and wine.


Pineapple Guava

The pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana), also known simply as feijoa or guavasteen, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native

The fruit has a unique flavor profile often described as a mix of pineapple, guava, apple, and mint or strawberry.

Edible Flowers: The fleshy white and pinkish-red flower petals are also edible and have a sweet, marshmallow-like flavor, often used in salads or as a garnish.

Thrives in USDA Zones 8-11, tolerating cooler weather down to about 10-15°F

Magnolia, Little Gem

The 'Little Gem' magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem') is a popular dwarf evergreen tree known for its compact, narrow form, glossy green leaves with a rusty-brown underside, and large, fragrant white flowers. 

Size: The tree typically reaches a mature height of 15 to 25 feet and a spread of 8 to 15 feet,

Texas Sage, San Antonio Rose

The 'San Antonio Rose' Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens 'San Antonio Rose') is a popular, compact, drought-tolerant shrub known for its vibrant rose-pink to lavender flowers and silvery-green foliage, thriving in hot, full sun, and blooming throughout warm seasons, especially after rain, making it ideal for arid landscapes, hedges, and attracting pollinators.  

Size: A compact, mounded form, typically reaching 4-5 feet tall and wide.

Growth: Moderate growth rate, with a naturally dense, rounded shape.

Hardiness: Grows well in USDA Zones 7-11.



Billbergia nutans

Queen's Tears

"Queens Tear's" for the ornate hanging flowers with royal blue highlighting that often exude tear-like droplets of nectar, another common name is "Friendship Plant" which is attributed to this plant multiplying readily

Dyckia platyphylla hybrid "Cherry Cola" Bromeliad

This is a soil-dwelling Bromeliad that is easy to grow, and can handle temperatures down to the low-20s. It's a handsome, low-maintenance plant that multiplies readily into a big stand!

Planting this fall/winter will establish a good rootsystem for fast growth next spring

Did you know fall is actually a better time of year to plant than spring?

1. Warm soil + cool air = Happy Plants.            

Plants prefer moderate temperatures and warm soil.       

Fall is the only time of year you get those 

2. Less insect, pest and disease pressure.  

3. Less water stress. 

4. Planting is more pleasant.  

5. Plants have a head start next spring as they grow roots in the fall.            

Plants are ready to get growing faster in spring.        

Flowering is often better the first spring/summer.

6. Better drought tolerance. 

Plants get an extra 6-8 months of root growth before they have to withstand dry conditions the following summer compared to planting in spring. Deeper, better established roots are a large factor in determining how well a plant tolerates Heat & drought.

Planting Containerized Trees

Containerized Trees are trees that contain all of their roots in the container.

These can be planted successfully at any time of year if planted properly.

Handling Trees before Planting

Avoiding unnecessary damage and stress to trees prior to planting will ensure better success.

  • Keep the rootball moist.
  • Handle the tree by the container, not by the trunk.

Preparing the Hole and Planting the Tree

Preparing the planting area properly before planting is very important.

  • Dig the planting hole two to three times the diameter of the tree’s rootball and no deeper than the rootball itself.
  • For clay soil, plant trees one to three inches above grade. Plant trees at their original grade in sandy soil.
  • Do not put crushed stone or gravel in the bottom of the hole!
  • Carefully remove the container.
  • If roots are excessive and circling the inner walls of the pot, score the outer edge of the rootball by slightly severing or scratching to loosen the root system. Do not cut deeply into the rootball.

Backfilling the Planting Hole

Fill in the planting hole (backfill) with native soil and mix in 1/3 compost to the backfill.

Compost mixed in with sandy soil will increase the ability of the soil to retain water and nutrients. In clay soil, organic material helps to add air pockets and gives space for the roots to find oxygen.

Fertilizing

A new tree should not be fertilized for the 1st year to encourage its roots to expand out into the native soil.

Future seasons it should be fertilized out at the dripline of the tree.

Watering the New Tree

Newly planted trees should be watered in well at the time of planting to ensure air pockets are removed from the backfill material.

Generally, young plantings need an equivalent of one inch of rain per week. Newly planted trees may need to be watered two or three times a week in extremely hot, dry, windy weather because their root systems cannot take up the amount of water needed to replenish the water lost through the leaves. Watch for signs of wilting as an indicator that the tree needs water. (wilting can also be a sign of overwatering especially in clay soil) Be cautious not to overwater or the amount of oxygen in the soil will be lowered to a level that will damage roots, especially in clay soil.

Dig under the mulch a couple of inches to check the soil moisture before watering and only water when it starts to dry out.

If you have several young trees and shrubs, a drip irrigation system would be wise.

Mulching the New Tree

The secret to a thriving orchard is mulch.

New trees should be mulched using organic mulch two to four inches deep and five to six feet in diameter; keep mulch at least two inches away from the trunk of the tree. Do not mound mulch up against the trunk of the tree. You can also put cardboard underneath the mulch to discourage weeds.

The benefits of mulching are:

  • Create a weed and turf-free area.
  • Reduced plant competition for water and nutrients.
  • Regulate soil temperature and moisture.
  • Add organic matter to the soil as the mulch decomposes.

Pruning a New Fruit Tree

To produce quality fruit, fruit trees need regular pruning in their first few years to develop healthy growth and well-spaced branches, and continuous minor pruning thereafter. There are many different ways to prune fruit trees that result in good-quality trees.

When you pick up your trees at the nursery I can help you prune your tree to get it to a good start.


Staking Trees

Stake young trees sparingly and briefly when possible.

Stake trees when top-heavy or planted in windswept areas. The material used to attach the tree to the stake should be broad, smooth and somewhat elastic. Do not stake the tree too rigidly. Always allow for sway. 


Have your soil & water tested

Texas A & M Soil & Water Testing Lab


How To Prune Young Fruit Trees - Peach, Apple, Fig and more

Winter Blackberry Pruning

How to Prune Peach Trees

WINTER PRUNING...Fruit Tree Structure


Have your soil & water tested

Texas A & M Soil & Water Testing Lab


Biological mosquito control

Mosquito Bits 'Quick Kill'

Mosquito Dunks 

Ponds & Marshy swampy areas inundated with larvae?

Sprinkle Mosquito Bits (Quick Kill) as a shock to quickly annihilate the larval population. 

Quick acting formula kills mosquito larvae within 24 hours

Mosquito Bits are labeled to control Fungus Gnats in plant beds or pots! 


Tips for planting in sandy soil

Sandy Soil Amendments: How To Improve Sandy Soil


Soil Amendments

Super-Dirt


7136 CT 3561 Taft

361-528-3600


Sandy Loam/Cotton Seed Compost Mix

Mora J T Trucking

3153 County Rd 49A

Corpus Christi,

361-510-6023


Moisture Meter

Overwatering and how to avoid it


Tap Water Conditioner to help Your Plants THRIVE

API TAP WATER CONDITIONER


How to Make Blueberry Soil

Growing Blueberries in Pots


Having problems with Leaf Cutting Ants?

I track them back to the nest - hole in the ground

and pour Demon Max down the hole to kill the queen

Texas leaf-cutter ant basics

and other natural solutions


Post Freeze Care

Now that we are having some warm weather it is best to uncover your plants if your forecast does not show a freeze at night. If you leave them covered - especially if you covered with plastic or a vinyl tarp it could heat up too much and damage your plants if they are in the sun.


There still is a possibility of another freeze

Be Patient it will take a month or so before you will know what has died.

So wait till you start seeing some new growth.

Damaged banana leaves can be cut off, leave the trunk it may put new leaves out of the center next spring

Hardy perennials and most trees will take a lot longer to know what (if any) damage was done.

I suggest waiting on trimming/pruning/pulling most of your hardy perennials/trees until you have a better understanding on what survived. Many plants will look stunted or dead but have just been put into dormancy and trimming could do more damage than good right now.

Particularly you may notice pomegranates that were fully green drop all of their leaves. This is normal. In cold climates, pomegranates are deciduous trees and drop their leaves every season. Most of these trees have a cold tolerance down to around 10 degrees and will come right back in warmer weather.

Loquats are another tree that might look very damaged, but have a cold tolerance to about 10 degrees. They may look bad but they are probably fine. However, if you trim your loquat too early after a freeze, you will often kill the tree.

Citrus wait probably 2 weeks or so to see how far down the trunk is dead, by scratching the bark and looking for rich green cambium beneath the bark. If the cambium (the layer just under the bark) is a sickly green or brown that portion is dead. It is possible the citrus could be dead all the way below the graft (close to ground level) and if so the tree needs to be replaced. But if you have healthy wood even a few inches above the graft, you will prune away the dead top and the well established root system will produce a new tree faster than replanting. Be sure to keep any suckers wiped off the portion below the graft.

Winter Pruning Tips

Of your fruit trees

 

How To Prune Young Fruit Trees - Peach, Apple, Fig and more

Winter Blackberry Pruning

How to Prune Peach Trees

WINTER PRUNING...Fruit Tree Structure


Bamboo Misconceptions

Bamboo scares some people because its nature is to grow…a lot. The running variety of bamboo is considered invasive with rhizomes that grow like crazy to often take over your yard and the ones next to it.

Some varieties are Clumping Non-invasive Bamboo that have non-invasive shorter rhizomes that don't stray far from their origin. And grow in dense clumps, making them ideal for hedging and screening, garden borders, and containers. These bamboos are not classified as invasive.

But – and there’s a big thing – bamboo is one of the most beautiful, hardy, drought-and-pest-tolerant plants a homeowner can add to his yard once established. Quick-growing, long-lived, and easy to maintain.

Bamboo is an attractive and versatile plant that can add a touch of elegance to any garden or interior plantscape.

You can create a beautiful, thriving bamboo landscape that adds an exotic touch to your garden.

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, so it can quickly form a screen that provides visual, wind and noise buffering. 

Bamboo is a Perennial Evergreen in the grass family. Bamboo is a versatile and visually appealing plant that can be used in many ways in a garden, including: 

Ornamental Centerpieces, Focal Point

Many landscapers and home gardeners have found that clumping bamboo plants is the perfect choice for creating an ornamental centerpiece. Whether an urban yard or an Asian-inspired landscaping theme, the unique attributes offered by many varieties of bamboo make a perfect focal point, ornamental centerpiece, and conversation piece.

Have your soil & water tested

Texas A & M Soil & Water Testing Lab

Used as a privacy screen or hedge

Wind Breaks are often constructed using bamboo in many other parts of the world. Because bamboo is a flexible plant that can bend and sway in the strongest of winds, its use as a wind break is common in typhoon-prone areas and tropical locales experiencing heavy winds. 


In planters or beds add screening to a patio area. 

Some of the shorter bamboos can be successfully confined to pots


Edible Bamboo for Bamboo Shoots are known for their health benefits. This includes weight loss, balanced cholesterol, and anti-inflammatory properties. Bamboo shoots also contain high amounts of vitamins and fiber. 

Taiwanese Sweet Shoot Edible Bamboo

Non-Invasive Clump Bamboo

Highly prized for edible shoots due to its crisp flesh, similar to Asian pears. Grows to 30' with up to 2" diameter thick-walled culms. The culms are straight and erect with relatively short branches forming fairly open clumps. 

15 gal Specimen Clumps Available

Hardy to 20 to 25 F

asian

Tropical and Exotic Feel or Asian Ambience.

Bamboo is a versatile and beautiful plant that is perfect for creating a stunning landscape design in your backyard. Bamboo is known for its fast growth and elegant, upright stems, which provide a tropical and exotic feel to any garden

Bamboo for the Interior Plantscaping

A clumping bamboo is easier to grow as a houseplant. indoor bamboos need good drainage, regular watering, and fertilizing.

Bamboo loves humidity, which you can increase by misting it with a spray bottle several times a day. Placing a pebble tray with a little bit of water under the container also helps raise moisture levels. Or place a humidifier nearby. Provide your indoor bamboo with as much bright, indirect sunlight as possible for the best growth.

Keep a close eye on the soil's moisture to make sure your plant is properly hydrated but not soaking; overwatering can cause root rot. Allow the top 2-3 inches to dry out before watering again, and don't water as frequently during the winter. A

pply an organic, slow-release fertilizer twice a year for healthy growth.


Click the Links Below for YouTube videos

Gopher Control that has worked best for me


Attract DRAGONFLIES For A MOSQUITO-FREE Yard


How to Water Your Fruit Trees LOW MAINTENANCE Drip Irrigation Walkthrough and Tour


Trimming Banana Plant Leaves to promote faster growth, Flowers, and Bananas


How to Stimulate Dragon Fruit Bud Growth With Nutrients

 
 
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Call Tom for an appointment

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308-660-0410