Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 1 Jan 2026

Why young trees need staking?

Why young trees need staking? Why young trees need staking?
🌳 Why young trees need staking?

Staking a young tree is simple but important. The goal is to attach a bamboo stake to support the trunk, encourage straight growth, and-most importantly-prevent the stem from wiggling.

Young trees grow fast and vigorously, but their trunks are often much taller and heavier than their root systems can support. At the same time, those trunks are still thin and flexible. Even light wind can cause the tree to rock back and forth. This movement disturbs developing roots and slows establishment.

  • ❗️Without proper support:

  • 🔹 The trunk can break in strong wind.
  • 🔹 Roots loosen instead of anchoring.
  • 🔹 The trunk may grow crooked.
  • 🔹 The tree becomes uneven and less stable long-term.

  • 🌳 How to stake correctly

  • 🌳 Small trees

  • 🔹 Create an A-frame with one bamboo stake.
  • 🔹 Attach near the top, forming a triangle.
  • 🔹 Do not push the stake right next to the trunk. It may look neat, but it can damage roots and will not provide proper stability.

  • 🌳 Medium trees

  • 🔹 Use 2-3 tie points along the trunk.
  • 🔹 Use soft green garden tape, 1/2" wide.
  • 🔹 Secure firmly but allow slight movement.


🌳 Tall or heavy trees

  • 🔹 Use a strong support such as a metal pipe. We use 1" aluminum electrical conduit.
  • 🔹 Attach with wider green tape, about 1" to protect the bark.
  • 🔹 Build tripods around larger trees.


❗️ Important maintenance tips:

  • 🔸 Check ties and tape often-every few weeks to once a month.
  • 🔸 As the tree grows, re-adjust the tape so it does not cut into the trunk as it thickens and doesn't cause any rot.
  • 🔸 Re-position bamboo stakes as needed, and be ready to replace them with a larger, stronger stake as the tree grows.


These rules apply to both potted trees and trees planted in the ground. Proper staking early on helps your tree establish faster, grow straighter, and develop a strong, stable root system for the future.

📸 Mango trees in 7 gal pots with "nursery-style" bamboo stakes that create a neat "standard". When stepping up or planting in the ground, attach a new stake and keep it away from the trunk.

🛒 Explore fruit trees and flowering trees

#Food_Forest #Trees #How_to

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Date: 1 Jan 2026

Customer appreciation moment

Customer appreciation moment
Customer appreciation moment

"Dear Smokey and Sunshine, thank you for your recent newsletter 2026 Gardening Resolution That Actually Works.
I laughed, smiled so right and funny with my coffee!"
- Sheryl

Smokey: Look, Sunshine. Customer comments. They like us.
Sunshine: Of course. Because of my coffee and donuts advice.
Smokey and Sunshine: Thank you for your kind words and support. Gardening together with you makes this all worth it.

🎉 Happy New Year!
Here’s to a fresh calendar, happy plants, curious cats, and lots of good garden moments ahead.
Let’s make it a fun, green, slightly muddy one 🌿😺

💌 Top Tropicals Newsletter cats Smokey and Sunshine reminding you:
  • ✦ Make sure to subscribe to our Newsletter to stay informed of our New Arrivals, Happy Gardening Tips, Events, and discount coupons
  • ✦ Check out our Blog for daily news, plants and cats


#PeopleCats

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Date: 1 Jan 2026

Happy New Year, fellow gardeners!

Happy New Year, fellow gardeners!
🎊 Happy New Year, fellow gardeners!

  • As we step into a fresh year, we want to thank you for being part of our little tropical corner of the world.

  • May your garden be full of new leaves, surprise blooms, and plants that thrive beyond expectations.

  • May your hands get a little dirty, your heart stay light, and your days be brightened by greenery, flowers, and a few curious cats supervising every step.

  • Here is to another year of growing, learning, and enjoying the simple joy of life in the garden.


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Date: 31 Dec 2025

Make a wish for the New Year!

Make a wish for the New Year!
💻 Make a wish for the New Year!

🐈📸 Niki the Cat making a wish: "I want to wake up to zero news tomorrow. Nothing. Just the cat videos"

TopTropicals PeopleCats.Garden #PeopleCats

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Date: 31 Dec 2025

Year of the Fire Horse - what should you grow in 2026?

Year of the Fire Horse - what should you grow in 2026?
🐎 Year of the Fire Horse - what should you grow in 2026?

✔️ Here are the top lucky plants to grow, gift, or decorate with during the Year of the Fire Horse - each one chosen for its symbolism, element balance, and ability to channel that galloping energy in a positive direction:

🌿Anthuriums

Symbolizes: Elegance, passion, transformation
Why it's lucky: Its bold, vigorous leaves and exotic flowers are perfect for 2026.
Where to use it: Place in the southeast corner of your home, office, or garden to draw prosperity and charisma.
  • 🛒 What to plant: Exotic Anthuriums - Anthurium Black Dragon, Anthurium hookeri - Giant Birds Nest, Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium, Anthurium vittariifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium


💮 Jasmines and Gardenias

Symbolizes: Love, luck, beauty
Why it's lucky: Horses are social and affectionate - jasmine’s sweet scent supports romance and good vibes.
Where to use it: Grow near entrances or windows; use jasmine oil in bedrooms to boost relaxation and harmony.
  • 🛒 What to plant: Fragrant Jasmines - Sambac, French Perfume, Night Blooming, and many varieties of Gardenias.


🌻 Sunflowers and sunny-yellow flowers

Symbolizes: Optimism, vitality, success
Why it's lucky: Bright yellow blooms reflect Fire energy and attract recognition.
Where to use it: Display in the east or south part of your home; great for creative spaces or work areas.

🎋 Lucky Bamboo, Money Trees and Bonsai

Symbolizes: Growth, flexibility, fortune
Why it's lucky: Combines Wood (growth) with Fire (motivation) - a perfect combo for 2026.
Where to use it: Place arrangements with 3 or 9 in the southeast to promote health and wealth.

Edible Greens with Fire-Friendly Energy

Symbolizes: Nourishment, healing, grounded action
Why they're lucky: Green leafy herbs support Wood energy, which fuels Fire. Think fresh, healthy, juicy, and nourishing.
🛒 What to plant: Tropical herbs, spices and edibles, including -
  • · Chaya (Maya spinach tree)
  • · Gynura (Longevity spinach)
  • · Lippia dulcis (Aztec sweet herb)
  • · Lemongrass and Citronella
  • · Alspice and Baurum
  • · Pepper Vines (Pipers) and Chili Peppers (Capsicums)

Grow them near the kitchen, patio, or sunny balcony for both beauty and bite.

What to avoid?

Poisonous or sharp plants. The Horse is a plant lover - but not a fan of painful surprises. Keep the Fire Horse energy smooth, not spiky.

✍️ Final tip: Let the Fire Horse run wild - but not out of control

2026 is your chance to charge ahead - but keep your hooves on the ground. Plants can help you stay focused, bring balance, and add a little luck along the way. So get planting, stay bold, and let the good energy gallop in!

📚 Learn more:
  • ▫️More #Horoscope info for plants and cats
  • ▫️2026: Year of the Fire Horse - time to grow bold, live free, and plant lucky


#Horoscope

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