1.Zone? What Zone??
When it comes to plants, Isla Mujeres is like most tropical areas. Walking around you see bougainvillea and hibiscus in bloom, coconut and banana trees in fruit and a variety of palm trees. If you plant it, it will grow.
2.But It Ain't Easy
The challenge here is that rain or shine, saltwater spray is in the air from the constant winds and the plants have to learn how to adapt. How would you like a lukewarm saltwater shower---everyday?! And vegetable gardens or commericial nurseries?---nada and nada due to no open spaces and limestone instead of topsoil.
3.Always Pests
Along the perimeter of the island there are small "space-ships" about 4 feet off the ground. They're actually cactus moth traps. The cactus moth eats cactus at an alarming rate. It has been destroying cacti from Alabama to Central America. The Prickly Pear Cactus (Nopal) is a food staple for Mexicans so controlling the cactus moth is serious business.
4. Container Gardening
Locals typically use anything as a plant pot. I stumbled into a private courtyard where the owner's artistry took over from where the plant left off. Is that tree real or is the vine real?
5. Native Plants
Many of the poinsettias we purchase at this time of year back home are grown in Mexico. This week it was good to see that not all of them are exported!
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