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Index > Garden Blog

Date:

PeopleCats of the month:
Cat Brothers

Two brother cats for Gemini Zodiac

Photo above: You've met before Georgie and Philemon but you probably didn't know they were brothers. Not twins, because they were from litters following each other, so Georgie is the older brother. But they both are very smart, maybe their mother taught them the same tricks.
Photo below: Wesley and Marco are actually real twins... but they are so different! Fat and skinny, lazy and crazy, quiet and loud, velvet and fluffy. But they are both very sweet and loving!

Gemini Cats and their Zodiac
5/21-6/20

By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

Today's story is about Gemini cats.
They are known for their exceptional communication skills. They are undoubtedly quite the chatty felines! With a diverse repertoire of meows, and it's up to us humans to decipher their messages. These cats possess remarkable intelligence, capable of uttering words like 'hello' and posing 'why?' questions, even when they are just kittens. If you happen to leave paint around, be prepared for Gemini cats to step in it and leave paw print messages around the house. It's their way of communicating in a feline code that may elude our comprehension.
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Two gray brother cats for Gemini Zodiac

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Top Tropicals TikTok Reels:
Starfish Flower - Stapelia gigantea

Starfish Flower - Stapelia gigantea, Top Tropicals TikTok

Calling all Exotic Gardeners!

Discover a botanical amusement on our TikTok channel! Unearth rare plants, bizarre and strange flowers, and hidden treasures from around the globe. Join our passionate community and let's explore the extraordinary together. Follow us at tiktok.com/@toptropicals and unlock a world of captivating green wonders!

Our first reel is introducing Stapelia gigantea - Starfish Flower, Giant Toad Flower, Carrion Flower... This is one of the largest flowers in the plant world!...

Starfish Flower - Stapelia gigantea, inside the flower

Subscribe to our TikTok Channel:

Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at tiktok.com/@toptropicals and get our latest video news of what is fruiting and blooming!

Date:

NEW VIDEO:
ABC7 Fort Myers News:
Rare Tropical Fruit Trees at Top Tropicals

Link to YouTube Video

We received lots of orders from our customers for butterfly attracting plants after our recent ABC7 News segment about Butterfly plants. We are glad you liked the story and the plants!

Today's topic is on tropical fruit. Enjoy this quick tour and learn more about different varieties of rare tropical fruit and what can be grown in your yard. We have them all! And we can ship them to your door.

Fruit and plants introduced in the video:

Persimmon
Coffee
Sapodilla
Sapote
Vanilla
Pomegranate
Yellow Dragon fruit
Litchi
Tamarind
Chocolate Tree
Raspberry
Grape

Watch the news segment by Rachel Anderson for ABC-7: Rare fruit trees at Top Tropicals.

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!

Yellow Dragon Fruit, Selenicereus megalanthus, fruit

In the photo: Yellow Dragon Fruit, Selenicereus megalanthus, the sweetest and the most flavorful rare Yellow Pitaya. The taste is said to be superior to most cactus fruits.

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NEW VIDEO:
ABC7 Fort Myers News:
Butterfly plants at Top Tropicals

Link to YouTube Video

Butterfly plants... what can be more romantic and sweet in your garden!
Watch the news segment by Rachel Anderson for ABC-7: Butterfly plants at Top Tropicals.

"...Spring has sprung, and if you’re looking to spruce up your garden, Top Tropicals in Fort Myers has you covered! They have hundreds of exotic plants, fruit trees, fragrant flowers and plants that will attract butterflies to your garden!
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift, plants are gifts that keep on giving!.."

Top

In the photo: Butterfly plants display in Top Tropicals office. Come and see our large selection of butterfly attractors in the nursery!

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!

Lonicera japonica Purpurea - Japanese Honeysuckle flowers

In the photo: Lonicera japonica - Japanese Honeysuckle - a garden favorite, hardy, fast growing vine. Jasmine-sweet scented flowers attract butterflies, and hummingbirds, and berries attract birds!

White butterfly on Russelia flower

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Five reasons to give your mother a live plant

Hoya kerrii - Sweetheart

In the photo: Hoya kerrii - Wax Hearts, Sweetheart Hoya, Heart leaf - makes an ideal houseplant. It has become increasingly popular in recent years because of its unusual "heart" shape leaves...

Q: What is the best Mother' Days present?

A: Buying a live plant for your mother is a thoughtful and meaningful Mother's Day gift for several reasons:

1. Growth and Nurturing: Just like a mother's love, a live plant symbolizes growth, nurturing, and the bond between a caregiver and their offspring. By gifting a live plant, you acknowledge and honor your mother's role in nurturing and supporting you throughout your life.

2. Long-lasting Beauty: While cut flowers may fade within days, a live plant has the potential to flourish and bloom for months or even years. It serves as a constant reminder of your love and appreciation, bringing beauty and vitality to your mother's living space.

3. Therapeutic and Relaxing: Gardening has been proven to have therapeutic benefits, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. By giving your mother a live plant, you provide her with an opportunity to engage in a fulfilling and calming hobby that can enhance her overall well-being.

4. Personalized and Thoughtful: Choosing a live plant allows you to select a specific type or variety that holds significance for your mother. You can consider her preferences, favorite colors, or even a plant that carries a special meaning. This personalized touch shows that you've put thought and effort into selecting a gift that resonates with her.

5. Symbol of Renewal and Hope: Plants have a natural cycle of growth, renewal, and resilience. By giving your mother a live plant, you convey a message of hope, renewal, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Some suggestions of live plant gifts

Spice trees and plants - you don't need to wait until it fruits or blooms, the spice is with you right away!
Mango or Avocado tree - a classic present of a valuable tropical tree and a sign of respect
Fragrant plants - 100% success! Ladies love fragrances. Especially Jasmines.
Flowering butterfly attracting plants are so romantic!
Gingers and heliconias - are very tropical looking, exotic beauties.

Aphelandra sinclairiana - Panama Queen

In the photo: Panama Queen - a very rare, much wanted tropical plant with extremely tropical look, fragrant flowers of unusual color combination: orange and pink

Date:

Severe weather:
How to help your plants survive

Beautiful mango tree

By Ed Jones, the Booster Guy

Q: A horrible hailstorm hit last night, damaging the majority of plants and trees on my property (piles of hail left like snow - crazy!). Do you have any advice on how to give plants some extra TLC while they recover? Any tips are appreciated.

A: Spring is here and in some areas of the country, so is severe weather season. So what can you do to give your plants a fighting chance when Mother Nature shows her ugly side? Here in Florida, spring and summer thunderstorms are a normal occurance. Unfortunately, those storms often come with small tornados, high winds and sometimes hail.

The photo below was from a hail storm that came through the north side of Sebring, Florida in April of 2022.

Hail storm in Florida

So the question remains. What can we do to help our plants when this type of weather strikes? Well the short answer is that there is not much we can do to prevent it from happening. These storms usually strike pretty quickly and most of us, given some warning, will chose to make sure vehicles are in the garage if possible and that loose items in the yard are brought in to a safe place. If you have time to move potted plants, that would be great, but it is not worth risking your own safety to do so.

The good news is that most plants will recover on their own. Even though they may look ugly for a while, patience is the best cure for most of them. Of course, the healthier the plant, the better chance it will have when it suffers damage due to severe weather. A good fertilizer plan along with regular doses of micronutrients will help your plants to be at their best so that they can recover quickly. And here is what you can do... CONTINUE READING >>

tropical plants landscape

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Mark your calendars: June 17
Summer Flowers Plant Market

Summer Flowers Plant Market at Top Tropicals

Saturday, June 17, 9 am - 4 pm

Join us for a celebration of Summer Garden Festival and Plant Market! Immerse yourself in a world of colorful blooms, fragrant scents, and nature's beauty. Don't miss out on the opportunity to stroll through our gardens and nursery. Bring your friends and family for a day of fun in the sun!

Event agenda:

9 am - 4 pm: Plant Market. 30% off online price, one day only! Raffle.
Gift bags - for first 25 customers with $50 order
Secret Garden: Super savings area 50% off
Fruit tree specials
$10 plants and FREE plants with a purchase!

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

Outlook.com - Office 365 - Google

Date:

B-Farm in Sebring
Now open 6 days a week!

Farm dogs

In the photo: Sunshine and Mango, our friendly Customer "Service Animals" will be happy to give you a tour of the farm, including Sunshine Boosters selection and Mango Collection!

Attention local shoppers! Note new business hours for our Sebring location:

Monday - Saturday
9 am - 3 pm
Large discounts for locals!

Come visit us in Sebring, the heart of Florida, easily accessible from any Florida destination. You won't want to miss out on our 10-acre tropical farm, boasting the largest selection of rare plants, flowering and fruiting trees, edibles, and perfume plants from around the world!

Take your time and browse through our extensive collection, and don't hesitate to ask our knowledgeable staff for advice or assistance. You'll love being able to handpick your own garden gems straight from the grower. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we have something for everyone. So come on down and see for yourself...

P.S. Our Garden Center in Ft Myers is open as usual, 7 days a week

Mango trees at Top Tropicals B-Farm

B-Farm Avocado specials

Date:

Attracting butterflies

Cat with butterflies

Q: How to attract more butterflies to my garden?

A: Attracting butterflies to your garden can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you create a butterfly-friendly environment.

1. Choose the right plants: Butterflies are attracted to nectar-producing flowers such as milkweeds, butterfly bushes. Plant lots of bright flowers, especially of yellow and pink colors like some cassias which seem to be the pleasant to butterfly's eye. Use a variety of flowers to attract different species of butterflies. This is a full list of butterfly-attracting plants.

2. Provide food for caterpillars: Butterflies lay their eggs on specific host plants that caterpillars will eat. For example, monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed. Passion flower is also a great butterfly host, but be prepared to sacrifice some leaves!

3. Provide a water source: Butterflies need a source of water to drink from. A shallow dish or birdbath with rocks in it will provide a place for butterflies to rest and drink.

4. Avoid using pesticides: Pesticides can harm butterflies and other beneficial insects. Try using natural methods to control pests in your garden, such as companion planting and hand-picking.

5. Create a sunny spot: Butterflies love warm, sunny spots. Plant your butterfly garden in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

6. Add a butterfly house: A butterfly house can provide shelter for butterflies during bad weather and at night.

Odontonema callistachyum - Lavender Butterfly Bush

In the photo: Odontonema callistachyum - Lavender Butterfly Bush. Showy bright lavender flowers, butterfly attractor. Blooms in both sun or shade.

Tecomaria capensis Apricot (Hammers 
Rose)

In the photo: Tecomaria capensis Apricot - Hammers Rose, Apricot Tecoma, Cape Honeysuckle. Very fast growing, it has attractive, light green foliage and frequent displays of long, tubular flowers that may be apricot or orange at the ends of the stems. Great for a privacy hedge that attracts butterflies!

Date:

Cat Horoscope

By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

Taurus Cats 4/21-5/20

Taurus cat - big fat gray cat

The astrological sign of a cat can be determined by either their date of birth or adoption...More >>

...Taurus Cats are real sybarites! They are relaxed and seeming not to be worried about anything. It is pragmatic, the Cat who comes down to earth. They enjoy being petted, groomed, and they’re not likely to pass up a meal. They enjoy their food...
...One of the overriding characteristics of Taurus Cats is that they are gourmands. They are greedy pussy cats who put on layers for winter… all year around. They also have impeccable taste in food as they prefer human food to cat food, likely because human food costs more...
...They may also enjoy dreaming in a garden, nestled in the shade of plants with soft, broad leaves ...may listen the chirping birds with half-opened eyes, observing them at the same time - just in case...
CONTINUE READING >>

Taurus Plant Zodiac for humans

Taurus lucky Zodiac plants