NEW VIDEO:
How to properly cook Akee - quick recipe

Akee is a close relative of Lychee, Longan, and Rambutan. You can find delicious akee meals only in Jamaican restaurants! But no need to search for it - grow your own tree, it can't be easier. It will start fruiting for you the next season, you don't have to wait long. Sometimes it fruits twice a year! However, the fruit is used as a vegetable, and is not eaten raw. It must be picked after the fruit has opened naturally. After the fruit has "yawned", the arils are parboiled and lightly fried in butter. Then they are really delicious! Watch the QUICK RECIPE provided by our PeopleCats!

The Akee tree - scientific name Blighia sapida - is easy in cultivation, fast growing and can be maintained compact. It is not bugsy or picky about soil/water conditions, and is relatively cold tolerant for being a tropical tree. Now it's the perfect time to plant it!

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Time to plant some Winter Bloomers!

Winter is upon us, but for tropical gardeners, it's the perfect time to enjoy. As the days grow shorter and the heat of summer subsides, Fall planting brings its own advantages. It's not so hot now, making it the ideal moment to dive into the enchanting realm of winter flowering plants. Don't miss out on the opportunity to add some tropical gems to your plant collection and keep the spirit of summer alive all winter long.

Plant them now to enjoy winter flowers!

In the photo: in full bloom now - Justicia carnea - Pink Brazilian Plume, Jacobinia. Spectacular pink flowers, butterfly and hummingbird attractor. The plant is relatively cold hardy to light freeze and grows back from roots even if leaves are damaged.

We remember 9/11. We must never forget.

As September 11th arrives once again, our hearts are heavy with memories of the fateful day that forever changed our nation. We remember the lives lost, the heroes who emerged, and the enduring resilience of our country.
As we pay tribute to the past, we recommit ourselves to building a brighter future. Remember to focus on the beauty that surrounds us every day - the kindness of a stranger, the laughter of loved ones, the warmth of a sunrise. In these simple moments, we will find solace and inspiration.

NEW VIDEO:
My new Jaboticaba fruit tree from Top Tropicals

By Scott Riddle

For those new to plant mail orders, common questions arise: Can live plants be shipped successfully? What's the secret to safe packaging and a secure journey?
Scott Riddle, our California customer, is here to spill the beans on his Jaboticaba tree mail order experience! Join him as he unveils the plant, step by step, and reveals the journey it took.
If you are thinking about buying a live plant online and want to know the secrets of safe shipping, proper packaging, and post-transit care, this video is a must-watch! Get all your burning questions answered in this comprehensive, firsthand account.

Subscribe to our Channel:

Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what is fruiting and blooming!

Event Mementos (September 2)

Thank you all for making this happen!

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for making our garden event in celebration of our manager Kristi's birthday such a resounding success!

To our wonderful guests, thank you for joining us on that beautiful Saturday and making the day special for Kristi and all of us at Top Tropicals. We hope you enjoyed reconnecting with nature and finding the perfect plants to adorn your gardens. Your presence and the efforts of our amazing Team combined to create a memorable day filled with tropical beauty and inspiration for all.

A heartfelt shout-out goes to our exceptional Top Tropicals Team, the true heroes behind the scenes. Our dedicated People and PeopleCats , who generously shared their knowledge and passion, guided you through the nursery, and helped you select the perfect plants. They are the ones who work tirelessly to ensure every plant thrives, nurturing our garden with love and care. Their unwavering dedication was particularly evident in the incredible recovery of our garden after Hurricane Ian last year. Today, you witness its beauty once again, renewed and flourishing, thanks to their hard work and commitment.
These People are: Kristi, Jamie, Onika, Tony, Chiane, Mark H, Mark M, Ed, Beatriz, Aurelio, Mick... (see Our Team).
The PeopleCats are: King, Snitch, Sushi, Loki, Paisley, Josephine... (+10 more at Garden Center and 9 more at B-Farm! See all PeopleCats)

Here are a few pictures from the past event, and please visit Event Mementos page to see all of them!

This Saturday, September 2nd: Garden Event

Kristi's Birthday Bash and Plant Market "Tropical Harvest"
September 2, 9 am - 4 pm

Join us in a celebration recognizing the central pillar of the great Top Tropicals temple - Kristi! We are excited to invite you to a special event, "Kristi's Birthday Bash and Plant Market", where we will be celebrating our beloved manager, Kristi, and showcasing a wide selection of tropical fruit trees and flowering plants.

This event will be an opportunity for you to explore our beautiful garden and discover a variety of plants for your own green oasis. We have lined up exclusive deals and sales on our exceptional plant collection, making it the perfect time to add some tropical flair to your home. Bring your friends and family, and immerse yourself in a day of gardening joy and community spirit!

Event agenda:

9 am - 4 pm: Plant Market. 30% OFF online prices. Raffle.
Gift bags - for first 25 customers with $50 order
Secret Garden: Super savings area 50% off
$2 and $5 sale racks: for local pick up only!

Event discounts valid at both locations:

Ft Myers Garden Center: 13890 Orange River, Ft Myers, FL
Sebring B-Farm: 9100 McRoy Rd, Sebring, FL

Facebook event page - Download invitation

Event Special:
Yuca Root - Cassava - Tapioca - Manihot...

Reminder: now is the time to plant Cassava - Yuca Root!

It takes one year to grow a good root crop. This wonderful tropical root vegetable is grown as a handsome shrub and harvested for its root and leaves that are high in starch. The plant contains low levels of protein in the root and high levels in the green leaves. And Cassava fries are both delicious and healthy! Yum! (see the recipe)

NEW VIDEO:
Senna alata - Empress Candle, Candelabra Plant

Need a fast growing, colorful, exotic looking solution for your garden? Here it is!
Empress Candle, or Candelabra Plant - is a true garden wonder. Imagine a plant that grows fast, almost always in bloom, and covers large spaces with its lush leaves...
Empress Candle has beautiful golden flowers resembling candles. The huge leaves create nice cool shade for many feet around it which keeps weeds away. Providing full sun and regular water Empress Candle grows up to 10 ft wide and 6-8 ft tall just in one or two seasons!

Subscribe to our Channel:

Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what is fruiting and blooming!

Does Size Matter?

TopTropicals plants vs other mail order plants

Cat Horoscope
Two Cat Zodiacs: Cancer and Leo

By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

Photo above: James Coconuts

How to know the astrological sign of your cat?
The astrological sign of a cat can be determined by either their date of birth or adoption, as adoption is often considered a second birth for cats. With this information, one can discover the astrological traits that describe the cat, such as their independence, diva-like tendencies, sense of humor, intelligence, and more. Additionally, it's also important to consider the astrological relationship between cats and plants...More >>

Our Summer cats

Cancer Zodiac sign is represented by James Coconuts (his second day of birth is 7/15/2017 when he was rescued) and his best friend Riki. They live at our Bfarm in Sebring, are very affectionate and have intuitive sense of when we need someone close... they will readily snuggle up!

Leo Zodiac classic representative is Snitch, the Cat with Charisma - he runs and rules our Garden Center in Ft Myers. Come and meet this Purrson in person!

Photo above: Riki

Photo above: Snitch