Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date:
Cat Horoscope
Virgo Zodiac Cats 08/22-09/23
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
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...More >>
Purrrrfect office
companions!
Are you someone who occasionally finds themselves in a state of disarray, struggling to maintain a tidy living
space and manage your time effectively? Do you often find yourself behind schedule, struggling to fulfill your plans punctually?
If this sounds familiar, let the Virgo Cat lend a helping paw to restore order and rhythm to your life... The Virgo Cats are more than just a
pet; it's a dedicated companion that excels at instilling structure and cleanliness...
Eventually, you will realise that they want to accompany you to the office to be your office mate. This is why Virgo cats spread themselves over your laptop or sit
deliberately in front of the screen - it is not because they need your attention, but because they (and you!) need to get to
work...
In the photo: introducing a new member of Top Tropicals PeopleCats family - Jacques, September cat by point of entry. He is only 5 months old and still learning how to be an office cat... but he already has very daring plans!
Date:
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 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!
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:
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.
Date:
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.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Date:
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!
Date:
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!
Date:
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
Date:
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.
