Champaka - a true Joy of your life

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...Champaka, or Joy Perfume Tree, is regarded as one of the most sacred trees of India and tropical Asia. Its flowers exude a divine fragrance that is exceedingly pleasing to the Gods... and women!..
...The tree was traditionally used to make fragrant hair and massage oils. Jean Patou’s famous perfume, 'Joy', the second bestselling perfume in the world after Chanel No. 5, (but definitely the most expensive number one!) is derived from the essential oils of champaka flowers. The plant common name "Joy Perfume Tree" comes from this perfume. Many niche perfumers are now once again using Champaka Absolute as single note fragrances...
Planting a Golden Champaka really makes your home a sweet home. Also you can take the flower into your car, office, restroom, and anywhere you want to create fragrant atmosphere. It emits a unique warm fragrance which promotes a peaceful state of mind, reduces stress and helps you to relax and breathe easily. Looks like it is specially designed for moments of tranquil contemplation. It’s the nature of Champaka - to remind us of the Divine in all things...

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Tahitian Gardenia

Q: I am interested in your Tahitian Gardenia and I would love to try and grow this plant in a large container/fabric pot. The soil here where I live is terrible as it's hard rock, clay, and sand! So I'm not sure if amending the soil would help to plant in the ground? Can you tell me if this will do okay in a container or best in ground? I live here in Las Vegas, NV (zone 9a). Any information would be great to help me make a this decision, I love the selection of cool tropical plants you offer! Also my daughter does Tahitian/Polynesian dance and this would be a cool "topping on the cake" if she could have a live Tiare flower in her performances.

A: Tahitian Gardenia will be doing best if grown in container in your area. In its natural habitat, it grows full sun but also it enjoys mild weather conditions and high air humidity. All gardenias prefer acidic soils. In your area, if planted in the ground, it may be exposed to some harsh conditions: too high temperatures, too hot sun, dry air, and as you mentioned - heavy clay and sandy soil. You can enjoy this plant grown in container, which can be moved as needed away from too much sun during summer months. Use well-drained potting mix. Use plastic pot, do not use fabric or clay pots - soil will dry out too quickly.
Also remember to fertilize this plant on regular basis with a liquid fertilizer SUNSHINE Pikake - Fragrant Flower Booster.
Grow gardenia in full sun or semi-shade during the hottest months. You may spray it with pure water if the air too dry and hot. Enjoy your Tropical Beauty and good luck!

Fragrant plants - Sweet memories

...More than any other sense, the sense of smell has the power to recall memories of the past. Perhaps this is because the olfactory impressions are received by the brain's limbic system, one of the most ancient components that also associated with emotions. The result is that even a whiff of a certain flower or leaf can instantly transport us in time to when we first encountered the fragrance. Little wonder that fragrant plants have always ranked high among Southern favorites...

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Jasmine for a fence

In the photo: Jasmine Maid of Orleans

Q:We are looking for a jasmine variety without thorns that we can grow on a wire fence...

A: All true jasmines (Jasminum spp.) are thornless. So you are safe to get anyone you like. The most vigorous, fast growing jasmines that grow into a vine, are:
Jasminum dichotomum
Jasminum pubescens
Jasminum nitidum
Jasminum officinale
Jasminum sambac Maid of Orleans - the most fragrant!

In the photos: Jasminum nitidum (Star Jasmine)

The Magic Goji Berry

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...According to folklore, people living in the Himalayas who eat Goji berries are reputed to live to between 120 and 150 years old... The famous Li Quing Yuen - a herbalist selling litchi, goji berry, wild ginseng, and gotu kola along with other Chinese herbs, and lived off a diet of these fruits, herbs and rice wine - ate Goji berries on a daily basis. Is said he to have lived to over 250 years... Is this possible? Find out!

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Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster

Healthy Heliconia Leaves?

Q: I purchased a heliconia from you a couple months ago. The new growth seems to be doing fairly well, however some of the larger leaves are discoloring around the edges then drying up. It's potted in a large pot with potting soil with 3 holes in the bottom to help with drainage in partial sun under a Royal Palm facing northwest. I'm here in Ft Myers. I was previously watering it every other day with your rapid growth fertilizer 1 tbsp per gallon but I have cut that back to once or twice a week. Please let me know your thoughts.

A: Heliconias and Gingers tend to develop dry leaves if grown in pots, especially ceramic or clay pots, because soil in such pots dries out too fast. These dry leaves are not caused by fertilizer, and you can see lots of new healthy green growth. The plant overall seem to be healthy. Continue fertilizing it with liquid Sunshine Robusta that is great for all wide-leaf tropical species, promotes green, lush foliage, and do not use any additional dry fertilizers!
Another suggestion, try to move the plant in more shady spot. Right now it sits in pretty bright light, this may be OK for established plants in the ground, but potted heliconias are very sensitive to hot sun. They get leaf burn easily.

Mark your calendar:
June 19, 2021
Summer Solstice Celebration with PeopleCats

Special Event you can't miss!

First day of Summer and the longest day of the year! Live Jazz in the Garden, lots of cool vendors and "A Roof for Rufus" cat adoptions...
Come join the Top Tropicals crew for the longest planting day of the year. Onika, Bella, Mark and David will be here soaking in the sun and helping you to pick the right plants...

Saturday, June 19th
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Top Tropicals is proud to partner with A Roof for Rufus cat adoptions. Each cat attending this event has been hand picked and approved by King.
Don't miss this event! Talk to the kitties and find your companion in life. PeopleCats never betray and they will love you forever!

SEE KITTIES PROFIILES >>

In the photo: PeopleCats from Roof for Rufus Rescue waiting for their forever homes.

Leonotis leonurus:
Lion cub's tails looking out of a tall grass...

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...When you drive along the savannah and veld of South Africa, you can see a groups of lion's cubs running among the tall savannah grass. Their ears look out of the grass as bright cheerful spots. The tips of their tails swing by the wind with the grass where the cubs hide. Why so many Lion's cubs? What a surprise! However, these are not the cubs of the King of Animals, these are the tips of pretty flowers endemic to this region...
...A curious thing, the plant continues growing through the flower! This creates a multi-level appearance...
...Leonotis has a long history of medicinal use by traditional African tribes... This plant has a history of being used for its psychoactive properties which have been compared to a mild version of the Cannabis plant... Modern herbal medicine mainly uses this plant for a calming tea infusion...

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In the photo: Mr B stays calm with his Lion's Ears...

NEW: Top Tropicals B-Farm

Our new grow farm in Sebring, FL

Since the demand in rare tropical plants increased dramatically, we had to extend our nursery so we can satisfy all our customers' plant needs. So we started a new grow farm!
Our new, second location: Top Tropicals B-Farm in Sebring, FL (Highlands County), is still under construction, but we already grow a huge selection of rare flowering and fruiting plants for you. And of course Mr B is the supervisor of his own B-Farm!
Those who live in Central Florida, are welcomed to pick up their orders from B-Farm, save on shipping cost, and eliminate shipping stress for your plants. Please contact our Customer Service to make an appointment for picking up your order in Sebring. At B-Farm, our office is still under construction so we do not have regular hours open for public yet. For now, please shop online and you may pick up your plants either from our Ft Myers Garden Center, or from B-Farm in Sebring.
Please note: Due to 2 locations, some plants may or may not be available at one of the locations, please verify over the phone first, before planning your pick up trip!

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!