Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

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Reminder: smell the roses! A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Reminder: smell the roses!
🌹 Reminder: smell the roses!

😏 "Stop and smell the roses." - Walter Hagen

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How to harvest and eat Monstera Ice Cream. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Variegated Swiss Cheese Plant leaves

Monstera deliciosa - Variegated Swiss Cheese Plant leaves

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit and flower

Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant fruit and flower

🍨How to harvest and eat Monstera Ice Cream
  • 🍀 Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant - is a stunning jungle climber from Mexico and Guatemala celebrated for its dramatic, perforated leaves and delectable tropical fruit.
  • 🍀 Known for its large, fenestrated leaves with oblong or oval perforations, giving it the nickname "Swiss Cheese Plant."
  • 🍀 In its natural habitat, seedlings grow toward darkness until they locate a tree, then climb toward the light.
  • 🍀 Fruits begin appearing about three years after planting. The 9-inch, green, cone-like fruit ripens over a year, its scales separating to reveal sweet, creamy white pulp.
  • 🍀 Tastes like a mix of pineapple, sugar apple and ice cream with a strong tropical aroma.
  • 🍀 The fruit must be ripe to eat, as unripe pulp contains oxalic acid, which irritates the mouth and throat. To ripen, pick when the base wrinkles slightly, then wrap in a bag. When the scales loosen, it’s ready to eat. Rinse off black specks before eating.
  • 🍀 Spectacular variety Thai Constellation is a stunning variegated form with cream-and-green marbled leaves, has become a collector's dream. Specimens can sell for thousands of dollars, making it one of the most sought-after houseplants.


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How to get an unusual showy foliage plant for tropical look. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Osmoxylon lineare, or variegated Miagos bush (Golden Feather)

🌴 How to get an unusual showy foliage plant for tropical look
  • 🍀 Osmoxylon lineare, or variegated Miagos bush (Golden Feather), is a small, ornamental shrub native to Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
  • 🍀 This rare variegated variety from Thailand has beautiful unusual foliage: dark green variegated with gold.
  • 🍀 Growing to about 2-4 feet tall, it features striking foliage with an exotic, bamboo-like appearance, making it an eye-catching addition to a Southern garden or indoor space.
  • 🍀 This hardy plant requires little care but thrives with regular moisture and warmth. It tolerates a range of light conditions from full sun to semi-shade and prefers frost-free temperatures. Although frost may cause some damage, it can tolerate brief exposures to temperatures in the 30s F.


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The Girl with. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

The Girl with
🍑 🍑 "The Girl with Peaches Papayas"
  • 📸 Niki is showcasing Papaya fruit.


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What's the smelliest fruit on Earth? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

😷 What's the smelliest fruit on Earth? The King of Fruits: Durian!
  • 😶�️ Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a tropical fruit tree known for its prickly, spiny fruit, which is famous for its distinctive, highly pervasive aroma - often described as unpleasant by many.
  • 😶�️ Despite the powerful scent, which can deter some from trying it, durian is celebrated in Southeast Asia as the "king of fruits." To many, the strong odor is actually a welcome signal of the fruit's rich, creamy golden flesh, which has a sweet, custard-like flavor that's likened to almond and vanilla.
  • 😶�️ Its creamy texture and unique taste make it a beloved delicacy, often commanding a high price in the market.
  • 😶�️ As naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace noted after trying durian on Borneo in the 19th century, "The more you eat of it, the less you feel inclined to stop".
  • 😶�️ Other varieties, like the red and yellow-fleshed Durio graveolans, are available in Southeast Asia and even in regions like South Florida, offering a peanut butter-like taste and greater tolerance to local conditions.


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What color is garlic vine flower? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Garlic vine (Mansoa alliacea)

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The best helpers in the best place. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

The best helpers in the best place
🌳 The best helpers in the best place

✔️ "The best place to find God is in a garden. You can dig for him there." - George Bernard Shaw

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What are the best varieties of Lychee Tree? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - fruit on a tree

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - fruit on a tree

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - fruit

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - fruit

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - fruit

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - fruit

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - tree

Lychee (Litchi sinensis) - tree

💖 What are the best varieties of Lychee Tree?
  • 🍓 The three most popular Lychee varieties are Brewster, Mauritius, and Sweetheart (sometimes referred to as Hak Ip). Brewster and Mauritius are the most reliable producers and are commonly used commercially, while Sweetheart is more of a backyard specialty. Although it produces fewer fruits, the fruit are significantly larger than other varieties.
  • 🍓 Brewster: Medium to large, round fruit and a sweet, slightly tart flavor, Brewster is highly productive and ideal for fresh eating.

    • Mauritius: Medium to large, round fruit with thick skin. It has a sweet, delicate flavor and is one of the earliest varieties to ripen.
    Choose Brewster or Mauritius if you want a reliable producer with an average fruit size.
  • 🍓 Sweetheart: True to its name, Sweetheart is prized for its exceptional sweetness. It has the largest fruit of all varieties, with a thick rind and juicy, flavorful interior.

    • Some growers consider Hak Ip to be just another trade name for Sweetheart, although it is sometimes marketed as a separate variety.
    Opt for Sweetheart if you prefer larger fruit but don't mind a smaller harvest.
  • 🍓 Keep in mind that Lychee trees typically produce every other year, with heavy crop years alternating with low production years or no fruit at all.


📚 Learn more from previous post:
What is the best fruit in the world? How to grow your own Lychee tree.

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Does Red flowering banana produce fruit? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Musa coccinea - Scarlet Red Flowering Banana

Musa coccinea - Scarlet Red Flowering Banana

💄 Does Red flowering banana produce fruit?
  • 🌷 Musa coccinea - Scarlet Red Flowering Banana - is a rare, small size tropical banana tree native to China and Vietnam, known for its vibrant red flower bracts that surround delicate yellow blooms.
  • 🌷 With glossy, dark green leaves resembling classic banana foliage, this plant makes a striking addition to a rare plant collection.
  • 🌷 Although it doesn't produce edible bananas, it grows small orange fruits that enhance its ornamental appeal.
  • 🌷 The plant's pseudostems die back after flowering, but new shoots (banana pups) emerge from the roots, ensuring its continued growth.
  • 🌷 Compact and easy to grow, it's perfect for small gardens, pots, or as a colorful indoor arrangement.


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