Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date:
Benefits of growing your own tropical fruit
"The fruit of the mango tree is no longer forbidden.
Indeed, it has been recommended to me by the physicians as an antidote to the
plague."
- Louis IX, King of France -
Q: Why do you want to grow your own tropical fruit tree?
A: Growing your own tropical fruit tree can have many benefits. Here are a few reasons why someone might choose to grow their own tropical fruit tree:
1. Fresh, flavorful fruit: When you grow your own tropical fruit tree, you have access to fresh, flavorful fruit that you may not be able to find at your local grocery store. Tropical fruit, like avocado, mangoes, papayas, and passionfruit, jackfruit, Dragon Fruit, Annona have a short shelf life, and the fruit you find at the store may have been harvested weeks ago. When you grow your own fruit tree, you can pick the fruit when it's fully ripe and enjoy it at its peak flavor. Besides, some rare fruit like Akee or Sapodilla simply never offered from the store.
2. Environmental benefits: Growing your own fruit trees can have environmental benefits. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen, which can help reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, growing your own fruit trees reduces the need to transport fruit long distances, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Cost savings: Depending on where you live and the availability of tropical fruit, growing your own fruit tree can be a cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite tropical fruits.
4. Gardening and outdoor hobby: Growing a fruit tree can be a fulfilling and rewarding outdoor hobby. It can also be a great way to teach children about where their food comes from and the importance of taking care of the environment.
Overall, growing your own tropical fruit tree can be a great way to enjoy fresh, flavorful fruit, reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and enjoy a fulfilling outdoor hobby.
In the photo: Mango tree in Top Tropicals garden.
Date:
Tropical Plant Art Contest:
we counted all the votes!
Painting above: 3rd place: "Tropical Florida" by Linda Hedary
"WOW! So many great works! Our followers certainly have a GREAT collective talent! Makes me so proud!" - a quote from TopTropicals Art Jury member, artist Mark Hooten.
Now that the whole country in in competition mode, gardeners are no
exception! Every painting is a work of art and it was hard for the Jury to make
the decision. We counted in all the votes that came in by the deadline ;)
Finally, we are happy to announce the winners of the Plant Art Contest!.
Visit our 2020 Tropical Plant Art Contest Page on our website and see all
participant entries, winners and their prizes!
See all Winners! >>
All winners will be contacted by us via email or Facebook within a few
days for their prizes. If you haven't heard from us by 11/9/20, please contact us with
the subject "Tropical Plant Art Contest" and your shipping information. You may also simply reply to this email, just make sure to set the proper subject.
A few entries came late, pass deadline/voting, keep up with the great
artwork and don't miss the next contest submission!
Thank you to all the amazing plant lovers who shared your artwork and talents with us. So much creativity and beauty for everyone to enjoy! Happy painting, and stay updated - new contest will be coming soon!
Painting above: "Hibiscus Wish" by Santhoshi Kavali
Painting above: "Mussaenda Marmelade" - Watercolor by Sally Gawler (Audience Appreciation Prize)
Painting above: "Purple Passion" by Joan Maier. Joan's painting "Butterfly" is the 1st place winner (see Contest page)
Date:
What plants are good to order in Winter?
Photo above: Christmas time in Ukraine (left) and Florida (right)
Q: Are there any tropical plants that will do well if I order them in Winter? We just bought a house in New Jersey with a large sunroom, and I can't wait to fill it with tropical beauties! Should I wait until Spring, or do you have something for a Winter start?
A: This is indeed a very good question, as many tropical plant collectors grow their treasures outside the tropics. The short answer is - yes! You can start filling your tropical sunroom any time of the year, but some plants are easier to deal with in Winter than others. Below are some guidelines.
Winter bloomers today, left to right: Jatropha, Champaka, Brunfelsia, Calliandra, Leonotis.
1. Plants that prefer Winter shipping to avoid overheating stress:
- All plants with lush foliage such as Philodendrons, Medinilla
- Trees with fine feathery leaves such as Moringa, Jacaranda, Poinciana
- Some fruit trees sensitive to overheating during shipping: Papaya, Stawberry Tree, Starfruit (Carambola), Bilimbi.
2. Subtropical plants that are relatively cold hardy
- Fruit trees:
Loquats, Olives, Avocados, Tropical Cherries: Eugenia, Malpighia, Noni (more cold
hardy than you may think),
Canistel.
- Flowering trees: Champaka, Tabebuia.
- All Bananas
- see all relatively cold hardy
plants
3. Winter-dormant and/or deciduous plants: Adeniums, Plumerias, Gingers, Sugar Apple
, Peaches and
Plums, June Plum and Hog Plum.
See all deciduous/winter dormant plants.
4. Orchids, including Ground Orchids.
5. Winter flowers. Keep in mind that many tropical plants are
winter bloomers, and their flowering is most profuse in Winter months, so you
can enjoy the blooms right away:
Dombeya,
Thunbergia,
Gloxinia, Brunfelsia, Calliandra, Tibouchina, Barleria, Leonotis, Clerodendrums, Chinese Hat (Holmskioldia).
See all Winter bloomers.
Winter bloomers today, left to right: Clerodendrum minahasse, Variegated Malvaviscus Summer Snow, Kopsia fruticosa
6. Winter plant care. During Winter the daylight is shorter and temperatures are
cooler.
- Reduce watering
- Use only liquid amino-acid based fertilizer Sunshine Boosters (safe to use year around)
- Monitor insects.
7. Shipping in Winter. We ship year around. However, if it gets below freezing in your area, you may use FedEx Hold location, they are temperature controlled so you don't have to worry about a box being dropped off at your cold porch outside.
8. A note for mild climate residents. Most tropical plants can be planted in the ground year around. Some ultra-tropical tender species such Chocolate tree, Ylang Ylang, or small size Mango trees can be grown in pots until Spring and planted out once chances of cold spell are gone. Until then, they can be moved indoors for cold nights.
Think outside the box and bring tropical paradise indoors during the time when we need warmth the most! Tropical plants will brighten your short winter days and help you to have truly HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Winter bloomers today, left to right: Gloxinia, Barleria, and ever-bright Crotons...
Date:
Tropical Fruit Collections
September is a great month to plant. The soil is warm and the air is beginning to get cooler which helps to encourage new roots to grow. For much of the Country, September typically brings more opportunity for additional rain and moisture, allowing you to water less. Take advantage of this time of year to establish new plants in your gardens!
Tropical Fruit Starter Collection
Tropical Fruit Starter Collection - 4 plants for price of 2.
Tropical Fruit Starter set for half price! Rare tropical fruit trees that
are easy to grow even for beginners. Start today to get fruit of your labor
tomorrow! The Collection includes 1 of each: Fig, Banana, Mulberry, and
Pomegranate.
Ficus
carica - Fig Brown Turkey
Musa -
Banana Double Mahoi
Morus
sp. - Mulberry, Dwarf Everbearing
Punica
granatum - Pomegranate var. Eversweet
Super Foods Bundle
Super Foods Bundle Collection - 4 plants for price of 2
Super Foods Bundle for half price! Get health foods right from your
backyard. Start today to get healthy tomorrow! The Collection includes 1 of each:
Goji Berry, Spice Ginger, Pomegranate, Tropical Asparagus (Katuk).
Lycium
barbarum - Goji Berry
Zingiber officinale - Spice Ginger
Punica
granatum - Pomegranate var. Eversweet
Sauropus androgynus - Katuk, Tropical Asparagus
Rare Fruit Collection
Rare Fruit Collection - 4 rare plants for half price.
Rare Fruit Set for Real Collectors - for half price! Hard to find, much
wanted species all at once at low cost! Limited time offer. The
Collection includes 1 of each: Chocolate Tree, Vietnamese Pepper, Peanut Butter Tree,
Jackfruit.
Theobroma cacao - Chocolate tree
Piper
sarmentosum - Vietnamese Pepper, Lalot
Bunchosia argentea - Peanut Butter Tree
Artocarpus heterophyllus - Jackfruit Super Thai
Date:
Cold hardy tropical fruit trees for Luisiana
Q: I've just moved to Louisiana and have been wondering whether it would make sense to plant some tropical fruit trees in our garden. Average lows in New Orleans are 41 deg F in January and February, although we did hit 25 once with the Arctic vortex. I'm interested in litchi, longan, rambutans, and persimmons. Do you have varieties that can tolerate Louisiana's temperature range? I'd love mangosteen but I don't suppose they will survive. Do you have any suggestions on tropical fruit trees that I could try?
A:
Average temperatures are for statistics only; it is actual
temperatures that may hurt your cold sensitive plant. This
is what you should keep in mind when starting your
tropical fruit collection:
1) Ultra-tropical plants like Rambutan can not survive
winters below 45-50F. However, they can be successfully
grown in containers in a greenhouse or moved indoors into
a sun room during cold periods.
2) Tropical plants like Litchi and Longan may take some light
frost once established. Still, for areas with freeze our
advice is - keep them in pots and move inside in case of
cold.
3) There is a number of subtropical fruit trees that are
hardy enough to take some freeze. Persimmon, Feijoa, Fig, Cattley Guava, Jujube, Kiwi, some Eugenias and others. Please
refer to our Tropical Fruit Sensitivity Chart.
4) Remember that plant's ability to survive winter depends
on several factors, not only temperature itself. Important
factors are: wind protection (chill wind kills rather than
low temperature itself), exposure, how close the tree is
planted to the house, plant maturity and its overall
strength and health. If a plant had received good
nutrients during summer, has well established root system,
planted in enclosed area protected from winds and has
plenty of bright sunlight - it has better chances to
survive than a weak plant in warmer conditions.
5) Use SUNSHINE plant boosters for
improving cold tolerance of your tropical plant. It only
takes a few drops, and only costs $5!
Date:
Cold hardy tropical fruit trees for Zone 9
Q: Can you suggest tropical fruit that can be grown (cold hardy) in Zone 9?
A: There are quite a few tropical/subtropical trees that will
grow well in zone 9. Our favorites are:
Figs - very cold hardy and drought tolerant.
Loquats - grafted trees that start fruiting right away, reliable
producers.
Tropical Mulberry - very fast growing trees that can take freeze, heavy
producers.
Macadamia - these trees are of a compact nature, very easy to grow and
start producing nuts right away.
Many different varieties of Eugenias - tropical cherries - all-time favorites. Another tropical cherry - Malpighia, or Barbados cherry - starts fruiting in small size under one food tall! Great for containers.
Tropical (Low Chill) Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums. See full list of low-chill, relatively cold hardy fruit
trees.
And of course -
Bananas!
Don't forget to fertilize your fruit trees to improve their cold hardiness!
What plant has fragrant leaves and flowers? Soft and fuzzy Tropical Lilac!
Cornutia grandifolia, African lilac, Jamaican lilac, Tropical Lilac
Cornutia grandifolia, African lilac, Jamaican lilac, Tropical Lilac
Cornutia grandifolia, African lilac, Jamaican lilac, Tropical Lilac
- 🟣 Cornutia grandifolia, also known as African lilac, Jamaican lilac, or Tropical Lilac, is a fast-growing, large shrub with astonishing fragrant velvet leaves.
- 🟣 Tall stalks shoot out multiple lavender blue flowers, creating an outstanding display.
- 🟣 Attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, it adds life to any garden with its lively inflorescence
- 🟣 Leaves can grow very large, up to 10" wide. They are fuzzy, very soft to touch, and aromatic, emitting pleasant tobacco-like scent when rubbed.
- 🟣 Relatively cold hardy, Tropical Lilac thrives in full sun or semi-shade positions, bringing joy with its pleasant aroma and beautiful blooms.
🛒 Get aromatic Tropical Lilac
#Butterfly_Plants #Perfume_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits
🏵 TopTropicals
Date:
Easy Sunday Morning Deals: Tropical Asparagus
Saving on your favorite plants is Easy.
Easy like Sunday Morning...
Photo above: Aphelandra hartwegiana - is at peak of its flowering season now. Spectacular flower for a shade garden.
It's time for our favorite day and another Easy stroll through Top Tropicals' Garden with savings of 50% and MORE! Christmas Day has come and gone, and now it's time to treat yourself with our Easy Sunday Deal!
This week we bring you one of the most popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and Southeast Asia, the Tropical Asparagus - Sauropus androgynus. Notable for its high yields and palatability, Tropical Asparagus is a favorite with crab meat, minced pork, dried shrimp, or to make soup... and has delicious young shoots!
Tropical Asparagus
50% OFF and MORE!
For this Easy Sunday we have priced these at incredible savings:
Sauropus androgynus, regularly $39, is on Easy Sunday sale for only
$19
Sauropus Variegata, regularly $39, is on Easy Sunday Sale for only
$19.
Combine the two for your own Tropical Asparagus Kit and save even more, only $29 for the kit!
While supply lasts.
About Sauropus androgynus - Katuk, Tropical Asparagus
Sauropus, or Katuk, is a perennial shrub grown in some tropical regions as a leaf vegetable. It is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in Southeast Asia. It is among only a few flora containing vitamin K. Leaves and stemmed can be cooked as vegetable; young shoots are delicious eaten out of hand and taste just like sweet peas, they can be added to salads. The plant has many medicinal properties.
Katuk is fast growing and keeps growing as you trim it for your kitchen needs. Multiple upright stems can reach 6-7 ft high. It has great ornamental value, has pretty red flowers and ornamental fruit showing shiny black seeds when they crack open. Varieties with green leaves and variegated leaves have slightly different flavor but are equally good for your healthy, fiber-rich diet.
Remember, the Easy Sunday Deal expires on Wednesday December 29th.
Enjoy your Hot Deals!
December 26th - Boxing Day
Remember, December 26th is Boxing Day, with different theories on the roots of Boxing Day, but one commonality: Boxing Day is a day for charity and kindness. Let's all continue to be charitable and kind humans!
Date:
Cold protection of tropical container plants
Q: I am long time customer of yours, I live in San Diego California and while the summer and Fall temperatures are warm to mild, the winter temperatures dip to a point where some tropicals die off. We are experimenting with different variations of way to heat and insulate the pots we have the tropicals planted in as a way to keep them alive during the colder winter months. I was wondering if you knew of the ideal soil temperature for these tropical in order to look their best year round. All of the heaters we have installed have thermostats and temperature adjustments so we can now keep the soil anywhere between a range of between 65-75 degrees. Any advise you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
A: This is a very interesting concept you are working with.
Indeed, keeping pots/roots warm, may help a lot! We've been experimenting with
cold protection for a long time - for the above-ground plant parts. For sure
keeping roots protected (even with a thick layer of mulch) will benefit tropical
plants during winter. In case with container plants, this may help
dramatically.
The guideline is, tropical plants slow down or stop their metabolism at
65F. As long as you can keep soil above that temperature - this should work
great. Of course, the higher the better.
Optimum temperature for growing tropical plants in general - 70-85F.
Above 90F, metabolism stops too, unless it's a heat tolerant, desert
plant.
More information on winter cold protection of tropical plants and zone pushing:
Greenhouse in Virginia
Plumeria cold protection
Ghost Cold Protection
Seven rules of cold protection for tropicals
About Cold Protection
Cold protection - winter action for your plant collection
Tropical Treasures articles on zone pushing.
Date:
Cold protection for tropical plants
Pushing the limits of tropical gardening
The year is almost over but the winter is not. This Christmas weekend at our Sebring B-farm we had it down to 30F. As a tropical gardener, winter can be challenging, especially if you grow plants outside of tropical zones.
To protect your garden from the cold, consider the following:
1. Monitor freeze watches and be prepared to take action if
necessary.
2. Create temporary structures like mini-greenhouses using PVC pipes,
carport frames, or bamboo sticks to support covers.
3. Use covers such as frost cloth, cardboard boxes, blankets, and bed
sheets.
4. Use Christmas lights and other heating elements, including propane
heaters, to keep plants warm.
5. Add a layer of heavy mulch around plant trunks to protect them from the
cold.
6. Apply plant boosters that improve cold hardiness, such as Sunshine Epi,
Sunshine-Si, and Sunshine Superfood.
At TopTropicals B-Farm, we sprayed our plants with a special cold hardiness treatment Sunshine-Si and covered and wrapped everything we could. We also moved cold sensitive species inside greenhouses. All of our plants are looking great and happy!
Photo above: Mulching mango trunks and using Christmas lights for cold protection
Read more about this special treatment plan: Cold Hardiness Improvement Kit.
Photo above: Temporary wrapping of a section of a greenhouse with a plastic or frost cloth protects from a windchill. It may also win you a few degrees even without a heater. In this particular case, according to our temp sensors, it was 30F outside, and 41F inside this "dome", no heaters used.
Sunshine Boosters:
Last chance to stock up
at a lower price!
Sunshine Boosters are natural, amino acid-based liquid fertilizers made with only the highest quality ingredients. Starting in 2023, the pricing for Sunshine Boosters will be adjusting to reflect the increasing cost of supplies. This is your last chance to stock up on Sunshine Boosters before the end of the year! Sunshine Boosters are safe to use year around, with every watering.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to get the best value for your money!
Use discount for even better deal:
22FOR22
for 22% off orders $220+
Min order $220. Offer expires 12-31-22
