Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
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What to do with a Dragon fruit?
Q: What can you do with Dragon Fruit? I bought some from the grocery store, but they don't have much flavor.
A: Dragon fruit, or Pitaya, comes in many varieties that differ in flavor, sweetness, and texture. In the store they usually carry simple varieties that are easy to ship and store but have very little flavor. This is why we prefer grow our own Dragon Fruit, same way like we grow many varieties of Mango - to enjoy their excellent flavors that you can't find in a store. Our favorite is the Yellow Dragon Fruit that is not only the sweetest of all but also have the best flavor, with pineapple-mango hint. It is best enjoyed fresh out of hand.
Yellow Dragon Fruit - Selenicereus megalanthus Equador Golden
Dragon Fruit Smoothie: simple and tasty recipe
Dragon fruit, regardless of variety, makes excellent smoothies. A perfect Dragon Fruit Smoothie can be made with a creamy blend of dragon fruit, mango, and banana. The tropical flavor is played up with a squeeze of fresh lime.
Ingredients
Mix in a blender:
2 dragon fruit, peeled
1/2 cup of mango pulp
- banana
1 cup of milk of your preference - tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp Lime juce
Some Ice
-
Mint for decoration
Dragon fruit contains lots of of nutrients, most notably high vitamin C and iron. Its low calorie content helps give it superfood status because of high nutrient density. Try it today, even from the grocery store! Although these fruit can be quite costly. So, plant your own Dragon Fruit variety collection and enjoy an endless palette of deliciousness!
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Easy Sunday Morning Deals: Sweet Dragon or Sweet Cherry?.. Both!
Sweet Dragon or Sweet Cherry?.. Both!
Photo above: Biquinho Pepper (Capsicum annuum x chinense) - nipple-shaped bright orange to red fruits with unique flavor which packs quite a bang!
Not because of its heat, but because of its intense fruity habanero flavor!
Saving on your favorite plants is Easy. Easy like Sunday Morning...
This weekend we celebrate our Easy Sunday and Cyber Monday together!
So we've doubled your opportunity to Save AND we've added a second beautiful plant to help you save even more!
Take an extra day to enjoy your Easy stroll through Top Tropicals' Garden with savings of
50% OFF and MORE!
For two days only, you can easily get the sweetest variety of the Dragon Fruit and add a super rare variety of Tropical Black Cherry Lolita to your garden!
Both plants Easy Priced at $19, that's a savings of more than 50% from the regular $39 price!
Learn more about these plants:
Yellow Dragon Fruit
Selenicereus megalanthus - Yellow Pitaya, Dragon Fruit
- is the best tasting Dragon Fruit in the world that is not only sweet, it
has a great flavor (unlike most Pitayas that are pretty watery).
These plants originated from Ecuador and are well-developed, multi-branched, as you can see from the photo.
Picture of the actual plants for sale:
Lolita Cherry
Eugenia uniflora - Black Surinam Cherry Lolita
- rare, hard-to-find black-fruited variety Surinam Cherry starts as red and turns black as it ripens.
It is very sweet and has exceptional flavor, without aftertaste, large 1-1.2 inch, very juicy.
Reliable producer. The tree is upright, freely branching, cold hardy to upper
20's once established.
Plants are in 2 gal pots, well branched and ready to fruit next season.
Picture of the actual plants for sale:
You can save even more by using our Black Friday sales discount code on your order:
FRIDAY20 - 20% OFF - for orders over $200
FRIDAY15 - 15% OFF - for orders over $150
FRIDAY10 - 10% OFF - for orders over $100
Excluding S&H. Codes extended through Monday: 11/29/21
Remember, the special $19 prices are good for only 48
hours and expire Tuesday morning at 7 am EST.
Limited to availability, while supply lasts, hurry up!
Enjoy!
Date:
Gemini - 5/21-6/20.
Ruled by the mutable, changeable planet Mercury (also patron of the art of medicine), Gemini is an AIR sign. Plants ruled by Mercury tend to have ferny or highly-divided leaves or stems (like the bronchi of lungs), hairy or fuzzy leaves (related to the cilia in the lungs), or subtle odors.
Gemini rules the lungs, shoulders, arms, and hands. Its plants help to strengthen the lungs and respiratory system, relax the nervous system, strengthen ears and hearing, the tongue and speaking, the vocal cords, lungs and thyroid, as well as the shoulders, arms, and hands. Gemini has so much going on mentally that they may need a little help to digest all the information they're constantly absorbing. Herbs that have clean, pure flavor not only help physical digestion, but assist spiritual and mental intake as well.
Gemini Zodiac lucky plants: Ferns, Blechnum, Tree ferns and Cyatheas, Fern Tree, Aralias, Jackfruit and Breadfruit, Paulownia, Anthurium, Philodendron, Philadelphus, Clerodendrums, Anise, Lavender, Myrtle, Nut trees, Macadamia, Ficus, Piggyback plant - Tolmiea menziesii, Aloe vera, Fig, Honeysuckle, Azalea, Mint Tree Satureja, Vitex, Ironwood, Mulberry, Osmoxylon, Acalypha, Allamanda, Aphelandra, Iboza, Ruda, Kiwi, Caesalpinia, Cyphomandra, Monstera, Kalanchoe, Magnolia, Oregano, Ocimum, Naranjilla, Zamia, Delionix, Acacias, Calliandra, Patchoili, Palms, Geranium, Grevillea, Eucalyptus.
For other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.
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Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster
Dragon Fruit Magic Tricks
Q: I purchased two sweet red pitayas, that arrived and were planted on May 28, 2020, they were damaged but not serious. my question is this one pitaya is a beautiful green, and has grown 6or 8 " already, the other is bigger and is a grayish green and has not shown any sign of growth at all in six weeks, how long do I wait before I throw it out and buy another?
A: Being a cactus, sometimes Pitaya slows down its growth waiting
for more favorable conditions. If one of your plants doesn't show any new
growth, just give a it some more time and make sure the plant stays happy. To
make pitaya happy, provide the following:
- Water. Unlike most cacti, Pitaya prefers regular watering (but not
a wet soil). Make sure it is planted in well-drained media. Do not water
again if soil remains moist, wait until it dries out on the surface. During hot
weather, Pitaya enjoys light daily watering.
- Light. Unlike most cacti, Pitaya benefits from a filtered light
especially while establishing. Try to create a temporary shade over the plant
until it starts active growth (if grown in the ground), or move the pot in
filtered light. Dull color or dry spots are signs of sun burn. Once the plant
shows new growth, you may remove sun protection, or move the pot gradually into
the full sun.
- Food. Pitayas are heavy feeders. Use the following fertilizer:
SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster
Q: I've been growing dragon fruit cuttings from Okinawa, Thailand and Vietnam for several years in pots and cannot get them to fruit. Any fertilizer suggestions? I live in Northern Virginia so I bring the massive pots in the garage under lights and a heater for the winter but back outside once the temperature warms up.
A: There is a little trick to get Dragon fruit to flowering and
fruiting. This plant likes flowering when it is attached to a strong support.
In commercial plantations, they use special trellises/frames made out of
logs, but you can make one yourself using simple materials.
See article: Do-It-Yourself Support Structure for Dragon Fruit.
And of course, don't forget a special plant food for tropical fruit - Sunshine C-Cibus.
You can successfully get your Dragon fruits to fruit in pots, providing
bright light in Summer. In Winter, keep the plants on a dry side to give them
some rest and a chance to hibernate before the next fruiting season.
Date:
How to grow a Dragon Fruit
Q: I want to grow a Dragon Fruit. Should I use cuttings or seed? What varieties do you recommend? How difficult it is to grow? How soon does it start flowering and fruiting?
A: Dragon Fruit, or Pitaya is a highly prized, vining, fruit bearing
cactus, extremely unusual terrestrial/epiphytic plant. It has magnificent flowers,
stunningly beautiful fruit with an intense color, curious shape, and a
delicious taste. The night blooming white flowers can be up to 14 inches in
length. The fruit is most often eaten chilled and cut in half so the flesh may be
spooned out. The juice is used in frozen drinks and it is in a new Tropicana
Twister flavor. It is a must have for any collector or gardener with the flair
for the unusual.
It takes 2-3 years for seedlings to fruit, besides the variety pay not
come true to seed. We grow our plants from cuttings that are easy to root.
We offer many selected varieties, most of them self-pollinating. The plants are
ready to flower and fruit this year, or the next year.
Dragon Fruit Cactus is easy to grow, doesn't need much other than strong
support, full sun, well-drained soil - adenium soil mix works great - and fertilizer during hot months, and SUNSHINE-Honey applications for growing sweeter fruit. For larger fruit
bud thinning is recommended.
Check out Dragon Fruit varieties
Date:
New Video:
How to make a "Dragon Fruit" fruit?
Selenicereus megalanthus
Selenicereus megalanthus - Yellow Pitaya, Dragon Fruit, is the best tasting Dragon Fruit in the world that is not only sweet, it has a great flavor (unlike
most Pitayas that are pretty watery). This particular species of Dragon fruit doesn't mind regular water and rains but is also
drought-tolerant.
In this video you will find out how to grow this plant and how to make it fruit.
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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Grafted fruit trees for Hawaiian gardens
Q: Aloha guys, I purchased a Diospyros digyna - Black Sapote grafted var. Black Beauty from you and am checking to make sure it will fruit by itself and not need both sexes. Also checking to see if the grafted atemoya I bought from you will fruit at sea level (where I'm at) or if I should give it to a friend who is above 1,000 so it will fruit? My grafted Maimi soursop is thriving! Looking at getting a grafted jackfruit from you all next.
A: Black sapote Black Beauty does not need a second plant to produce
fruit. Grafted trees should be flowering and setting fruit right away, or
sometimes on the second year.
Atemoya does not require high elevation for fruiting. It is a hybrid
Annona squamosa x Annona cherimola (A. cherimola species prefers higher
elevation) so Atemoya is usually is happy at sea level.
Congratulations with your Soursop! It should be really happy in your location.
As for grafted Jackfruits, this is the list of varieties we usually carry. Since many of them are very rare, they sell out quickly once we get new arrivals. If you are looking for a specific variety, I strongly recommend to add it to your wishlist (click on "Notify me when available") and you will receive email from us as soon as we have it in stock, so you will be the first one to know about it!
Our favorite Jackfruit varieties (and also hot sellers)
Black Gold
Borneo
Red
Crispy
Dang
Rasimi
We also suggest to get a Kwai Muk (while we still have it!) - the most delicious fruit, and it should do well in Hawaii.
Date:
Fun of growing your own Pepper
By Onika Amell, tropical plant specialist
Q: Can you grow your own black pepper plants in the USA?
A: Who does not love the smell of freshly ground pepper, especially that lovely combination of white, green, black and red peppercorns, which are so much more interesting than just plain black corns. Yes, you can absolutely grow your own pepper! Peppercorns come from the plant Piper nigrum.
Growing Pepper Plant
Black pepper plants are actually vigorous vines, although they are
pretty slow growing and can be kept in a pot as a compact plant. But they will
need a strong support to climb over. Indoors, you can provide this support by
installing a trellis in a large pot. Some gardeners prefer to grow them as a
hanging plant instead. In warm climates, you can plant them directly outdoors
in a protected location with partial shade. These plants need rich, moist,
well-draining soil and warm, humid conditions. Peppers do not like temperatures
below sixty degrees, although they can survive some cold spells. It is very
important to bring these plants indoors or wrap them in a blanket if colder
weather arrives.
If you live in colder parts of the country, you can certainly grow
peppercorns in large pots. Grow them outdoors during the summer and move them
indoors during the winter, or grow them year-round in your greenhouse.
Houseplants will need bright light and consistent moisture. Spray the leaves regularly
with a bottle of water to increase humidity. Do not allow room temperatures
to fall below sixty degrees.
Besides the benefit of being able to grow your own gourmet pepper
corns, the foliage, as well as the flowers on this plant, are beautiful in its own
right. Off-white flowers appear from spring through summer, followed by slow
fruit production. The berries will appear on spikes, with 50 to 60 berries
per spike.
Fertilize this vine in the spring before new vigorous growth emerges. We
recommend:
Tropical Greenhouse Plus - Plant Booster
Tropical Allure - Smart-Release Booster
You may be surprised to learn that black, white, green and red peppercorns are all the same seed on the same plant in the various stages of development and processing.
Black peppercorns are the most familiar and come from the corns that have reached their full size but are still green and not quite ripe. They are picked and allowed to dry in the sun. Enzymes in the berries cause the skin to turn black during the drying process. They are the strongest in flavor.
White peppercorns are the mature berries that ripen to a red color before being picked. After harvesting, they are soaked and rubbed free of the outer skin down to the smooth white underlayer, then dried and bleached by the sun. They are slightly milder than black pepper.
Green peppercorns are the unripe peppercorns picked at the same stage of ripeness as black peppercorns, but not allowed to dry. They can be pickled in vinegar or brine. They are the least pungent.
Red peppercorns are the mature, but unshelled version of the peppercorn. One can usually find them in some gourmet and health food stores. They can be quite expensive.
Ground pepper will only stay fresh for about three months, but
peppercorns will last indefinitely. To make the most of your pepper harvest, store the
peppercorns in an airtight container in a cool, dark location. Grind them
immediately before use for the best flavor.
There is nothing like freshly ground black pepper simply combined with
a good quality olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar. This makes a
wonderful dipping sauce for fresh bread. Simple, yet elegant. All the better if
the pepper was grown in your very own garden!
Date:
Do-It-Yourself Support Structure for Dragon Fruit
This interesting do-it yourself project was sent to us by our customer from South Florida. Many tropical gardeners want to grow fascinating Dragon Fruit, and their most common question is - what kind of support I should use for this amazing fruiting cactus? We hope you find this information very useful. Happy Gardening!
Dragon fruit is a terrestrial/epiphytic fruit baring cactus, which may grow fleshy stems up to 30 ft high, given sturdy support. However, downward hanging or horizontal branches stimulate production of flowers at the tips of the branches. Commercial groves in different parts of the world use different method to achieve this. The traditional Vietnamese way is to train the plant into a “fountainâ€, which consists of a vertical central trunk about 8ft tall and a horizontal structure, such as a wagon wheel on top of it to support the horizontal branches (see picture on the right).
This picture served as my inspiration to build my own structure. I used five 4â€x4†10ft wood beams as the trunk, shaped as a cross. I attached the beams to each other with 10†long screws.
I dug a 2 ft deep 12â€x12†hole in the ground and positioned the trunk inside, such that about 8ft are above ground. I covered it with several layers of burlap top to bottom.
The horizontal structure on top is made of four 4ft long 2â€x2†wood beams and two 12â€x12†wood plates to hold them together. I attached this structure to the top of the trunk.
I used old watering pipe to form two rings around the trunk to support the branches. Here is the result!... See step-by-step full size pictures and the rest of the article...
Date:
Wounded Warrior Project donation
Thanks to your memorial day orders! In honor of the memory of fallen brothers and sisters in battle, Top Tropicals sent a substantial donation of 5% of Memorial Day Promotion sales to Wounded Warrior Project. Reference ID: 43810379. Thank you everybody for your orders and participation!
Gemini Zodiac lucky plants
Gemini -
5/21-6/20.
Ruled by the mutable, changeable planet Mercury (also patron of the art of
medicine), Gemini is an AIR sign. Plants ruled by Mercury tend to have ferny
or highly-divided leaves or stems (like the bronchi of lungs), hairy or fuzzy
leaves (related to the cilia in the lungs), or subtle odors.
Gemini rules the lungs, shoulders, arms, and hands. Its plants help to
strengthen the lungs and respiratory system, relax the nervous system, strengthen
ears and hearing, the tongue and speaking, the vocal cords, lungs and
thyroid, as well as the shoulders, arms, and hands. Gemini has so much going on
mentally that they may need a little help to digest all the information they're
constantly absorbing. Herbs that have clean, pure flavor not only help
physical digestion, but assist spiritual and mental intake as well.
Gemini Zodiac lucky plants: Ferns, Blechnum, Tree ferns and Cyatheas, Fern Tree, Aralias, Jackfruit and Breadfruit, Paulownia, Anthurium, Philodendron, Philadelphus, Clerodendrums, Anise, Lavender, Myrtle, Nut trees, Macadamia, Ficus, Piggyback plant - Tolmiea menziesii, Aloe vera, Fig , Honeysuckle, Azalea, Mint Tree Satureja, Vitex, Ironwood, Mulberry, Osmoxylon, Acalypha, Allamanda, Aphelandra, Iboza, Ruda, Kiwi, Caesalpinia, Cyphomandra, Monstera, Kalanchoe , Magnolia, Oregano, Ocimum, Naranjilla, Zamia, Delionix, Acacias, Calliandra, Patchoili, Palms, Geranium, Grevillea, Eucalyptus.
For other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.