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Index > Garden Blog

Date:

The best place to find God is in a garden

Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip Tree

Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip Tree

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

📸 Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip Tree

#Quotes

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Top 5 favorite Mango varieties
and Top 10 Condo Mango trees

How to chose the right variety of a Mango tree?

Cat with mango fruit

Q: The most Frequently Asked Question about fruit trees: What is your favorite Mango variety? Which mango varieties are the best? Help me to make a choice!

A: As we mentioned on our Introduction to Mango Varieties page, there are thousands of named mango cultivars available. Similar to the classification of avocados (see our Avocado Variety Guide), mango trees can be selected based on your specific needs. These needs can include tree size and growth habit, disease resistance and hardiness, and most importantly, fruit characteristics such as taste, texture, size, color, storage ability, juice and sugar content.

We are currently working on a comprehensive Mango Variety Guide and will be sharing it with you soon. In the meantime, below are a few tips on selecting the right mango tree.
NOTE: all of the Mango varieties we offer are FIBERLESS!

Top 5 Favorite Mango we just love!

1. Alphonso - the best Indian cultivar in terms of sweetness and flavor. One of the rarest varieties and sought after - sweet large juice fruit. Coconut-like flavor.
2. Maha Chinook - Many consider it the best mango had ever tasted. Very rare mango variety from Singapore. This variety is semi-dwarf and great for pot culture. Nam Doc Mai close relative.
3. Fralan - Super reliable producer and hardy tree. Green fruit, sweet and juicy. Fralan means "Thunder" - as the fruit cracks when peeled.
4. Fruit Cocktail - Flavor is an amazing palette of different fruit, with citrus, pineapple, and guava notes.
5. Nam Doc Mai - It's not just us, everyone loves this Mango! The most popular variety: semi-dwarf and great for pot culture. Eaten green or ripe, a Thailand favorite. It is hands down the most sought after of the Asian mangoes and for good reason.

Cat with three mango fruit

Top 10 Dwarf "Condo" Mango

1. Mallika - condo mango native to India. Among the best of the new generation of Indian dessert mangos. Intensely sweet, rich and highly aromatic flavor with hints of citrus and melon.
2. Ice Cream - far and away the most popular of the "condo mangoes." Flavored like the name. The tree can easily be maintained at a height of just six feet (!) making it ideal for container growing.
3. Julie - the most popular variety in Jamaica and many other Caribbean islands because of its rich, sweet, coconut/pineapple-like flavor. It is a dwarf cultivar, great for containers, but keep in mind it's very cold sensitive, don't plant it in the ground if you get freeze in winter.
4. Okrung - Thai compact cultivar, fruit eaten while green. The fruit is traditionally served in Thailand in combination with sticky rice. One of the most popular varieties in Thailand. The fruit is very sweet, with the highest sugar content.
5. Pickering - great for pot culture. It has a bushy, compact growth habit, and can be maintained in a container at just six feet (!). The fruit has a firm flesh with a fantastic coconut/mango flavor.
6. Nam Doc Mai - The most popular variety for pot culture, we already mentioned in our favorites above.
7. Cogshall - an ultra compact grower. Suitable for container growing on a balcony, or planting in a suburban backyard. It can easily be maintained at just eight feet tall, and it will still produce a good size crop year after year. The fruit is very colorful and has a mild, sweet flavor. It is also fungus resistant.
8. Carrie - the flavor is by far the most outstanding. It has absolutely no fiber and extremely rich in flavor, sweet, aromatic and a pure pleasure to eat. You will savor every mouthful! Its compact size makes it an excellent dooryard tree.
9. Diamond - It has a great taste very similar to Nam Doc Mai. Very compact, of a dwarf habit, great as condo mango.
10. Keitt - the best all-around late mango. It is very productive, good-flavored, and disease resistant. It also has a very long and late season. The compact tree is semi dwarf that bears 4-5 pound goliath fruit!

Mango tree with fruit

Photo above: Pim Seng Mun mango tree is a reliable and heavy producer.

Top 5 recommended vigorous growers and reliable producers

1. Glenn - Excellent eating quality, consistent production, and effortless to grow.
2. Pim Seng Mun - extremely productive mango.
3. Sweet Tart - New patented variety - exclusive offer.
4. Fruit Punch - Multi fruit flavor, delicious!
5. Orange Sherbet - One of the best new varieties for backyard growing. Flavor is sweet citrus-orange and less lemony than Lemon Meringue mango. The tree is moderately vigorous.

Top 5 exotic varieties for rare fruit collection

Now that you have decided to collect them all but have limited space, these are the top 5 of the most interesting rare cultivars:

1. Kar Lon Long - rare and unusual, native to India. Fruits that can weigh up to 5 lbs each! The unique flavor that has been described as being a cross between a mango and a pineapple.
2. Mun Kun Si - similar to Nam Doc Mai but much bigger. Rare variety, very popular among Thai and Vietnamese people. The fruit are extremely sweet, fiberless and somewhat crunchy ("Mun" means crunchy). Very late producer, fruit may still be on a tree as late as January.
3. Pina Colada - very sweet, has rich flavor with a hint of coconut and pineapple.
4. Ugly Betty - awesome mango, great sweet flavor, while the fruit is real ugly! Slightly mis-shaped at the top - hence the name.
5. Giselle - from Zill's breeding program and was a seedling of a mango called Tower. It was described as a juice mango and is named after Gary's wife.

Mango fruit display

Photo above: preparing mango seeds for planting - growing seedlings for future grafting.

Date:

Black-black-black plant! Its totally black, thats right

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

Black ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas x Black Dragon

♣️ Black-black-black plant! It's totally black, that's right.
  • ▪️ Meet the elusive Black ZZ Plant, where the leaves of this dragon truly live up to its name with their mesmerizing black hue.

  • Zamioculcas x Black Dragon - yes, the leaves of this Dragon are absolutely black!
  • ▪️Indoor plant enthusiasts may be familiar with its green counterpart, but this rare black variety is a collector's dream come true! You can see both green and black varieties on one of the photos.
  • ▪️The Black ZZ Plant is a succulent marvel, boasting dark glossy foliage thanks to its high chlorophyll concentration - a rarity in the plant kingdom.
  • ▪️With its exceptional ability to store water, the ZZ Plant can endure long periods without watering, earning its title as one of the most drought-tolerant plants on the planet.
  • ▪️Sometimes referred to as the Aroid Palm, this ancient relic shares a unique characteristic with Gonatopus: its leaflets can detach, root, and form bulblets, a trait unseen in other aroids outside the Zamioculcadeae family.
  • ▪️Witness the magic as juvenile leaves emerge green and transform into striking black as they mature, adding a touch of mystery and elegance to any indoor oasis.


🛒 Get the Black ZZ and surprise your friends

#Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

What is this shocking pink gardenia? Does it exist?

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia

👁 What is this shocking pink gardenia? Does it exist?
  • 🌸 Kopsia fruticosa: fondly known as the "Pink Gardenia", this gem is one of nature's most exquisite and elusive treasures.
  • 🌸 Its flowers are a marvel, transitioning from delicate light pink to deep hues with crimson centers, emitting a subtle fragrance.
  • 🌸 Imagine our surprise when we stumbled upon this enchanting plant labeled as a Pink Gardenia during our expedition in Thailand!
  • 🌸 Intrigued, we delved deeper into its botanical identity. While technically not a Gardenia, this beauty is a close relative of Plumeria and Adenium we mentioned earlier, as well as Tabernaemontana (also often confused with Gardenia). All these beauties belong to the esteemed plant family Apocynaceae.
  • 🌸 It's no wonder this plant has captured our hearts; its beauty is simply irresistible, leaving us wanting more.
  • 🌸 With its compact growth habit, it's perfect for containers or in-ground planting, adding a touch of elegance to any garden space.


🛒
Treat yourself with a Pink Gardenia!

#Perfume_Plants #Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

The last day of Tropical Flowering Plant Contest

The last day of Tropical Flowering Plant Contest
🏆 The last day of Tropical Flowering Plant Contest! Hurry up to enter your pictures of favorite plants for a chance to win the Joy Perfume Tree!

⏰ Deadline is approaching - June 1.

🐾 We need your votes! We already have many beautiful contest entries 👉check them out👈
Please leave your likes/hearts ♥️ 👍 for the pictures you like the most. The winner will be the picture with the biggest number of likes.

👨�‍👧 Invite your friends for voting!

Good luck and thank you for joining us!

Please forward to your friends and subscribe 👉 TopTropicals🏵

#Win

Date:

Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection

Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection
🪸 Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection.

  • ♥️ Jatropha podagrica: commonly known as the Gout Plant, this plant is a true attention grabber and a must-have in any container garden, as well as in succulent or bonsai plant collection.

  • ♥️ Features a distinctive bottle-like caudex and surprisingly large tropical leaves up to 10-12 inches in diameter. Just like you saw in Adeniums.

  • ♥️ Thrives in the shade, where its leaves grow even larger.

  • ♥️ Perfect for natural bonsai and makes an excellent potted plant or conversation piece in a small garden.

  • ♥️ Grows only 2-3 feet high, with a knobby, swollen stem and eye-catching, coral-like red flowers in large terminal clusters.

  • ♥️ Prefers partial sun and well-drained soil, and is very drought-tolerant.

  • ♥️ Easy to care for, adding exotic flair and intrigue to any plant collection.


🛒 Shop Gout plant

#Container_Garden #Nature_Wonders #Shade_Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection

Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant

Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant

 Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant flowers

Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant flowers

 Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant

Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant

 Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant leaves

Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant leaves

 Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant caudex

Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant caudex

🪸 Attention grabber: swollen trunk, giant leaves, and flowers just like corals! A must for bonsai collection.
  • ♥️ Jatropha podagrica: commonly known as the Gout Plant, this plant is a true attention grabber and a must-have in any container garden, as well as in succulent or bonsai plant collection.
  • ♥️ Features a distinctive bottle-like caudex and surprisingly large tropical leaves up to 10-12 inches in diameter. Just like you saw in Adeniums.
  • ♥️ Thrives in the shade, where its leaves grow even larger.
  • ♥️ Perfect for natural bonsai and makes an excellent potted plant or conversation piece in a small garden.
  • ♥️ Grows only 2-3 feet high, with a knobby, swollen stem and eye-catching, coral-like red flowers in large terminal clusters.
  • ♥️ Prefers partial sun and well-drained soil, and is very drought-tolerant.
  • ♥️ Easy to care for, adding exotic flair and intrigue to any plant collection.


🛒 Shop Gout plant

#Container_Garden #Nature_Wonders #Shade_Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Tired of an ugly hedge? Replace it with Aglaia - Chinese Rice Flower, and enjoy Lemony Fragrance year around!

Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant flowers

Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant flowers

 Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant

Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant

 Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant

Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant

 Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant hedge

Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant hedge

🍋 Tired of an ugly hedge? Replace it with Aglaia - Chinese Rice Flower, and enjoy Lemony Fragrance year around!
  • 🟡 Aglaia odorata is also known as Chinese Perfume Plant, Chinese Rice Flower, or Mock Lemon.
  • 🟡 The plant has an outstanding fragrance from tiny, rice-sized yellow flowers.
  • 🟡 Aglaia grows into a dense bush without pruning. It is relatively slow-growing; so large plants are rare and hard to find.
  • 🟡 Easy to grow bush, it is perfect for a cold tolerant tropical hedge.
  • 🟡 Aglaia has many medicinal uses; contains odorine and odorinol, which have cancer chemopreventive activity.


🛒
Get a few bushes of Aglaia for lemony-fragrant hedge

#Perfume_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits #Remedies

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Evening routine of James Coconuts

🧻 Evening routine of James Coconuts

Do your cats also have an addiction to paper products?
Good night🌜

📸 😺 👇 Share your cats in comments!

🐾 More #PeopleCats in our Garden:
PeopleCats.Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

What can be better than a Cherry? Cherry juice!

Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra)

Barbados Cherry juice

Barbados Cherry juice

🍒 What can be better than a Cherry? Cherry juice!
  • 🍷 We discovered that Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra) we introduced earlier makes an excellent fresh-squeezed juice!
  • 🍷 Barbados Cherry is a vigorous grower that starts producing right away, and by the second year you have so much fruit that you don't know what to do with it - you can eat only so much fruit out of hand!
  • 🍷 Here is our Top Tropicals Signature Recipe -


🍒🥤Barbados Cherry Juice:
  1. Collect berries and rinse them with cold water
  2. In a bowl, press the fruit with a potato musher, spoon or cup, and drain the fresh juice into a cup - put the juice aside.
  3. Add a few spoons of sugar to the mush (optional), push-mush some more to extract more juice.
  4. Add to the remaining mushed pulp some hot boiled water, stir, and let sit for a couple of hours.
  5. Drain the liquid through a colander (you may add a little extra water in the process of extracting more tasty pulp out) and add to the fresh juice you made earlier. 6. Refrigerate for an hour, then serve in a clear glass to enjoy the color.


  6. 🎀 The Barbados Cherry juice made this way tastes very similar to Guava juice. It is very aromatic and tasty, and has a beautiful Baby-pink color!

    ❤️ Enjoy and stay healthy!

    🍊 Remember Barbados Cherry fruit contains 65 times more of vitamin C than an orange
    !

    📚 Learn more about Barbados Cherry

    🛒 Order Barbados Cherry Tree

    #Food_Forest #Recipes

    🏵 TopTropicals