Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
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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!
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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!
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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
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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)
Date:
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!
Date:
Does Size Matter?
TopTropicals plants vs other mail order plants
Q: I purchased various plants via mail order (including a Coffee tree and some flowering vines) from companies *** and ***, but they did not survive, possibly due to their small size and the stress of shipping. Could you provide information about the size of your plants, their resilience to shipping stress and the time required for establishment?
A: Plants, as living beings, may experience stress during a few days of travel in a dark box. However, the critical factor influencing their survival is the plant's size. Most of our plants are grown in pots ranging from 1 to 3 gallons, have established root systems and developed branches. Some even feature flowers and fruit, although these may drop during transit. We've included images comparing our 1 gallon size plants with those from other mail-order firms we previously obtained for our own collection.
Understanding that post-shipping plant establishment is a gradual process is crucial. Yet, most plants handle shipping well and commence new growth within days to a couple of weeks post-arrival. Here are some success pointers:
1) Opt for a container matching the root ball size, avoiding excessive
sizing until growth initiates.
2) Begin in a shaded area, progressively transitioning to brighter
spots.
3) Apply
Sunsine Epi spray to lessen stress and enhance vitality.
4) Initiate fertilization once the plant displays fresh growth.
For more information on how to establish mail order plants, simply download our Plant Care Guide.
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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
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Yuca Fries Recipe
Food from your garden
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized Yuca Root
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt, to taste
Optional: spices or herbs of your choice (paprika, garlic powder, cayenne
pepper, etc.)
Instructions:
Prep the Yuca: Peel the Yuca root with a sharp knife and remove any fibrous parts. Cut the Yuca into evenly sized sticks or fries.
Boil the Yuca: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the Yuca fries. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until the fries become tender but not mushy. You should be able to pierce them easily with a fork.
Drain and Cool: Drain the boiled Yuca fries and let them cool for a few minutes. Preheat your oven to 425F during this time.
Seasoning: Toss the slightly cooled Yuca fries in olive oil, ensuring they are evenly coated. Add a pinch of salt and any additional spices or herbs you prefer for added flavor.
Baking: Arrange the seasoned Yuca fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the Yuca fries for about 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even browning.
Serve: Once they turn golden and crispy on the outside, take the Yuca fries out of the oven. Serve them hot as a delicious and unique alternative to regular fries. You can enjoy them as a side dish with your favorite dipping sauce or as a snack on their own.
These Yuca fries are not only tasty but also a great way to introduce friends and family to this delightful tropical root vegetable! Enjoy your yuca-culinary adventure!
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Yuca root, Cassava, Manihot, Tapioca...
Food and Beauty
Q: Can you recommend a pretty plant for my edible garden? Something that is not only useful but also very ornamental.
A: Introducing the fabulous and flamboyant star of the garden - Manihot esculenta, better known as the Yuca Root! This tropical root vegetable plant is the epitome of botanical fashion, showing off its cheerful and showy foliage like it's walking the runway of a tropical paradise...
The most stunning variety is Variegated Yuca root. You won't find this rare and remarkable variety of Yuca root just anywhere! It's like the unicorn of the edible plant world, combining practicality with pure visual delight. Not only can you feast on its starchy goodness, but you can also proudly display it as a stunning ornamental piece in your garden.
This tropical root vegetable knows how to put on a show, making its home as a shrub in subtropical zones across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Its roots and leaves are the real stars of the show, packed with all that starchy goodness. But hold on, there's a little twist to this drama! The root contains low levels of protein, while the green leaves are practically gym buffs with high protein levels.
Now, we must address the elephant in the botanical room - the mistaken identity crisis. Some folks confuse our lovely Yuca Root with Yucca, but let's clear things up: Yucca is a no-go in the culinary world. It's a non-edible plant from the Agave family, and you definitely don't want to cook that up for dinner!
So there you have it, folks! The Yuca Root, a true superstar of both the kitchen and the garden. Delicious, eye-catching, and ready to add a dash of tropical charm to your life. Get one for yourself, and let the good times yuca-roll!
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Top varieties of pineapples
Q: I want to grow my own pineapples, which varieties do you recommend for the best production? Do I need any special organic fertilizer?
A: Growing your own pineapple is pure bliss. Watching the transformation from a small crown
into a luscious fruit is immensely rewarding. Every tropical gardener should
experience the joy of growing this tropical gem and relishing its sun-kissed
sweetness straight from the garden. Pineapples are easy to grow and can
fruit in containers too, so if you live in a colder climate, no problem! They
will take very little space in your greenhouse or sunroom. Just remember to feed
your pineapple plants with Sunshine Boosters so they will feed you the biggest and the sweetest
fruit! Sunshine Boosters are natural, organic-amino-acid based plant nutrients
that are perfect for any edibles.
There are several varieties of pineapples in commercial cultivation. Below
are the most interesting cultivars. Discover the pineapple paradise!
Elite Gold: Bursting with tropical flavor and vibrant gold flesh, Elite Gold dazzles with its unique taste and ornamental beauty.
Florida Special: Perfectly balanced sweetness and acidity, this variety thrives in warmer climates, gifting you a taste of Florida's sunshine.
Sugar Loaf: Irresistibly sweet with a hint of citrus, Sugar Loaf's compact size makes it an ideal choice for container gardening.
White Jade (Spineless Sweet): Exceptionally sweet and without spines, White Jade pampers you with a delectable, thorn-free harvest.
Lava Burst (Burgundy Variegated Rainbow): This visually stunning ornamental pineapple variety boasts striking burgundy and green leaves, resembling a rainbow of colors. Its fruit edible but small; its exceptional beauty adds a touch of exotic elegance to any garden or indoor space. Lava Burst is a delightful conversation starter and a captivating addition to your plant collection, making it a favorite among pineapple enthusiasts for its aesthetic appeal.
Embrace the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of savoring homegrown, mouthwatering pineapples - nature's sweetest gift!
Read more about Pineapples: The most luscious Hospitality Fruit.
