"/>
Index > Garden Blog

Date:

Condo (Dwarf) Mango Practical Guide:
What varieties are good for container culture
or small yards

Condo dwarf mango with fruit

Q: "Our winters are too cold for a mango tree, but I'd like to grow one in a pot so I can bring it inside during cold nights. Which varieties do you recommend for container gardening? I've heard of Condo Mango - do you carry them?"

A: Yes, we always carry Condo Mango varieties: they are a fantastic choice for gardeners with limited space or in cooler climates. They grow well in containers and can be easily maintained through pruning. Whether you're growing them on a balcony, in a greenhouse, or in a backyard, Condo Mangos provide the perfect mix of beauty and practicality.

What Are Condo Mangos?

Condo Mangos, also known as dwarf mango trees, are perfect for small spaces. These trees can be grown in containers, making them ideal for balconies, greenhouses, or small suburban backyards. With proper care, they can be maintained at a manageable height of 6-10 feet through regular pruning. Some plant enthusiasts even manage growing Mango tree as an indoor plant!

The term Condo Mango

Condo Mango refers to mango varieties that thrive in containers and are small by nature, allowing them to be easily kept even smaller with selective pruning.

Size and Growth

Unlike traditional mango trees, Condo Mangos are compact. They naturally grow to around 6-10 feet, but with proper pruning, they can be kept small, making them an excellent choice for limited space.

Growing in Containers

- Condo Mango trees thrive in pots and containers.
- A 15-20 gallon pot is ideal to give the roots enough room to grow.
- Ensure your container has drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Planting Tips

- Plant Condo Mangos in full sun, where they'll get plenty of heat and light.
- Use well-draining soil for optimal growth.
- Fertilizer regularly with quality plant food. Out best choice is Sunshine Mango Tango for edibles. - Late Winter to early Spring is the best time to plant in containers, before the rainy season starts.
- Mangoes grow well in USDA zones 9-10, but if you live in cooler climates, you can grow them indoors or in a greenhouse, as long as you meet their heat and light needs.

Pruning and Maintenance

- Prune Condo Mango trees once a year to keep them at the desired height (6-10 feet), right after harvesting (late Summer to Fall)
- Trim the tips of the branches to maintain a compact shape and encourage healthy growth.
- Regular pruning will help keep the tree manageable and ensure better fruit production.

Learn more: Find out what are Top 10 Dwarf Condo Mango - great for container culture.

Condo dwarf mango with fruit

Condo dwarf mango with fruit

Date:

New Year with New Plants: how to choose from 17 Tropical Paradise Resolutions

New Year with New Plants: how to choose from 17 Tropical Paradise Resolutions
๐Ÿ“Œ New Year with New Plants: how to choose from 17 Tropical Paradise Resolutions

โœ๏ธ "A garden is never so good as it will be next year..." - Thomas Cooper.

โšก๏ธ As we step into a fresh new year, it's the perfect time to think about what exciting, special, and life-changing plants we can add to our gardens. The days are getting longer, and spring is just around the corner, so now's the time to make a plan and prepare for the season ahead. Let's take small steps each year to create the garden of our dreams. This winter, consider these fun resolutions:

  • ๐Ÿ’‹Hang a bird feeder and install a rain barrel
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Order some tropical plant seeds for an early start
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Ask your grandparents about their favorite garden plants
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Build a raised bed for succulents
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Plant a fruit tree or two to have some crop this year
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Start a compost pile
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Switch to organic fertilizers and plant boosters
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Fill empty spaces with flowering trees, shrubs, and vines
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Add butterfly attractors to your garden
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Provide water for bees and butterflies to help them thrive and pollinate your fruit trees
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Get a bonsai starter to try bonsai art
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Enjoy meals outside as often as you can
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Teach a child how to plant a tree
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Plant berry-bearing shrubs like Tropical Cherries to feed the birds
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Rake up leaves for winter mulch
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Add a few exotic plants to your indoor collection or container garden
  • ๐Ÿ’‹Share plants as gifts all year long

  • ๐Ÿšฉ๐Ÿšฉ๐Ÿšฉ๐Ÿšฉ Happy gardening in 2025!


#How_to #Quotes

๐Ÿ”ด Join ๐Ÿ‘‰ TopTropicals

Date:

New Year with New Plants:
Choose from 17 Tropical Paradise Resolutions!

Indoor garden and 
greenhouse

"A garden is never so good as it will be next year..." - Thomas Cooper.

Happy New Year, dear fellow gardeners! As we step into a fresh new year, it's the perfect time to think about what exciting, special, and life-changing plants we can add to our gardens. The days are getting longer, and spring is just around the corner, so now's the time to make a plan and prepare for the season ahead. Let's take small steps each year to create the garden of our dreams. This winter, consider these fun resolutions:

  1. Hang a bird feeder and install a rain barrel
  2. Order some tropical plant seeds for an early start
  3. Ask your grandparents about their favorite garden plants
  4. Build a raised bed for succulents
  5. Plant a fruit tree or two to have some crop this year
  6. Start a compost pile
  7. Switch to organic fertilizers and plant boosters
  8. Fill empty spaces with flowering trees, shrubs, and vines
  9. Add butterfly attractors to your garden
  10. Provide water for bees and butterflies to help them thrive and pollinate your fruit trees
  11. Get a bonsai starter to try bonsai art
  12. Enjoy meals outside as often as you can
  13. Teach a child how to plant a tree
  14. Plant berry-bearing shrubs like Tropical Cherries to feed the birds
  15. Rake up leaves for winter mulch
  16. Add a few exotic plants to your indoor collection or container garden
  17. Share plants as gifts all year long

Happy gardening in 2025!

Cat with tropical plants

Date:

When is the flowering season of Dwarf Chanel No 5 Tree?

Cananga fruticosa - Dwarf Ylang-Ylang, Chanel No5 Tree

๐Ÿ†’ When is the flowering season of Dwarf Chanel No 5 Tree?
  • โœจ Our Dwarf Ylang-Ylang has been flowering non stop for almost a year by now! Even during cool winter. What a surprise!
  • โœจ Cananga fruticosa - Dwarf Ylang-Ylang, or Chanel No5 Tree - is a fragrant favorite, the star of perfume plants and the secret behind Chanel No. 5!
  • โœจ Its elegant, pendant flowers aren't just fragrant - they're works of art.
  • โœจ Easy to grow and naturally compact, this tree keeps a tidy, tree-like shape.
  • โœจ Perfect for containers, it's a stunning houseplant that smells as good as it looks!


๐Ÿ“šLearn more from previous posts:
How to grow your own Chanel #5
What is the best perfume tree for container culture
Ylang Ylang Tree

๐Ÿ›’ Order Dwaf Ylang Ylang

#Perfume_Plants #Container_Garden #Trees

๐Ÿ”ด Join ๐Ÿ‘‰ TopTropicals

Date:

My Therapist has whiskers

My Therapist has whiskers
๐Ÿฑ My Therapist has whiskers

"Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise." - Sigmund Freud

  • ๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿˆ

Share your cats in comments!


๐Ÿ”  More #PeopleCats in our Garden:
PeopleCats.Garden 

#Quotes

๐Ÿ”ด Join ๐Ÿ‘‰ TopTropicals

Date:

Carefree Garden:
How easy is it to grow a Papaya tree?

Cat eating Papaya fruit

Q: What is the easiest to grow fruit tree? It must tolerate, heat, rains, and hurricanes! I live in Florida.

A: Papaya is the easiest to grow fruit tree. In our garden in Florida, newly planted Papaya trees survived several hurricanes, frosts, drought and heat, and keep producing year around!

We all enjoy eating Papaya fruit every day. It is great for digestion and is a perfect naturally sweet, healthy snack. Even our PeopleCats love Papaya. Check out this short video how our cat Cash is begging for his daily Papaya treat!

Cat eating Papaya fruit

Why do we love Papaya? Fun facts about Papaya:

Not a tree: Papaya is technically a giant herb with a single, straight trunk that can grow up to 30 feet tall.

Gender flexible: Papaya plants can change their gender based on environmental conditions. This complex mechanism ensures better adaptability.

Cold and wind resistant: Papayas can withstand light freezes and strong winds, making them surprisingly hardy for a tropical plant.

Solo cultivars: These smaller, round or oval papayas are incredibly sweet and less susceptible to fruit flies.

Papaya tree and fruit

How to grow a Papaya Tree: Practical Guide

Papaya is one of the fastest fruiting plants to grow. Often starting production the same year from planting a seed, papayas are ideal for gardeners seeking quick rewards. Many dwarf varieties reach only 6-8 feet tall, yet produce large crops of full-sized fruit that are easy to harvest. Papaya trees are space-efficient, making it possible to plant multiple trees in even small gardens. Plant 2-3 different cultivars to enjoy year-round harvests of healthy, delicious fruit.

How Easy Are Papaya Trees to Grow?
Papaya trees are exceptionally easy to grow. Technically a large herbaceous plant rather than a true tree, they are resilient and adaptable. They can tolerate light freezes and even hurricane winds without significant damage. Additionally, many varieties are self-fertile, but planting multiple trees encourages better pollination and higher yields.

What Light Levels and Soil Types Are Ideal?
Papayas thrive in full sunlight, so choose a sunny spot in your garden or balcony. They prefer well-draining, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Add compost or manure to improve soil quality and ensure healthy growth. Avoid waterlogged areas as papayas are sensitive to standing water.

How Much Watering Is Required?
Papayas need some watering to thrive, especially during the growing and fruiting seasons. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on your climate, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Growing Papayas in Containers
Papayas can be successfully grown in large containers, making them ideal for gardeners in cooler regions or those with limited space. Choose a container at least 7 gallons in size with good drainage. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix, and place the container in a sunny location. Select dwarf varieties to keep the plant manageable and productive.

Health Benefits of Papaya
Papaya is considered a superfood due to its high nutritional value. Rich in the enzyme papain, it aids digestion and promotes gut health. Papaya is also an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants that boost immunity and overall wellness. Additionally, papaya leaves can be used as wraps for cooking meats, naturally tenderizing them.

Papayas are a low-maintenance, high-reward addition to a Southern garden or greenhouse collection, whether in the ground or in a container. Their fast growth, year-round fruiting potential, and health benefits make them a must-have for gardeners and fruit enthusiasts alike.

Papaya tree and fruit

Photo above: For small gardens, limited space, or container culture, choose dwarf varieties that remain compact and short (5-8 ft tall) while producing a tremendous amount of fruit! Most productive dwarf varieties: Red Vietnam, Lady Red, TR Hovey, Wan Deng. Semi-dwarf: Waimanalo, Sunrise.

Date:

Carefree Garden: How Easy Is It to Grow a Papaya Tree?

Carefree Garden: How Easy Is It to Grow a Papaya Tree?
๐Ÿค” Carefree Garden: How Easy Is It to Grow a Papaya Tree?

๐Ÿ‘† For the previous post:

๐ŸŽฎ Practical Guide to Growing Papaya

  • โค๏ธ Papaya is one of the fastest fruiting plants to grow.

  • Often starting production the same year from planting a seed, papayas are ideal for gardeners seeking quick rewards. Many dwarf varieties reach only 6-8 feet tall, yet produce large crops of full-sized fruit that are easy to harvest. Papaya trees are space-efficient, making it possible to plant multiple trees in even small gardens. Plant 2-3 different cultivars to enjoy year-round harvests of healthy, delicious fruit.

  • โค๏ธ How Easy Are Papaya Trees to Grow?

  • Papaya trees are exceptionally easy to grow. Technically a large herbaceous plant rather than a true tree, they are resilient and adaptable. They can tolerate light freezes and even hurricane winds without significant damage. Additionally, many varieties are self-fertile, but planting multiple trees encourages better pollination and higher yields.

  • โค๏ธ What Light Levels and Soil Types Are Ideal?

  • Papayas thrive in full sunlight, so choose a sunny spot in your garden or balcony. They prefer well-draining, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Add compost or manure to improve soil quality and ensure healthy growth. Avoid waterlogged areas as papayas are sensitive to standing water.

  • โค๏ธ How Much Watering Is Required?

  • Papayas need consistent watering to thrive, especially during the growing and fruiting seasons. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on your climate, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

  • โค๏ธ Growing Papayas in Containers

  • Papayas can be successfully grown in large containers, making them ideal for gardeners in cooler regions or those with limited space. Choose a container at least 15 gallons in size with good drainage. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix, and place the container in a sunny location. Select dwarf varieties to keep the plant manageable and productive.

  • โค๏ธ Health Benefits of Papaya

  • Papaya is considered a superfood due to its high nutritional value. Rich in the enzyme papain, it aids digestion and promotes gut health. Papaya is also an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants that boost immunity and overall wellness. Additionally, papaya leaves can be used as wraps for cooking meats, naturally tenderizing them.

  • โค๏ธ Papayas are a low-maintenance, high-reward addition to a Southern garden or greenhouse collection, whether in the ground or in a container. Their fast growth, year-round fruiting potential, and health benefits make them a must-have for gardeners and fruit enthusiasts alike.


๐Ÿ“šMore from previous posts:
Top 10 fruit you'll ever need for your health benefits: #4 Papaya
Top 10 fast-fruiting trees: #6. Papaya
How to have fresh Papaya fruit year around
Top 3 most wanted Papaya varieties
The truth about Papaya
Papayas contain a secret enzyme

๐Ÿ›’ Shop Papaya trees

#Food_Forest #How_to #Papaya

๐Ÿ”ด Join ๐Ÿ‘‰ TopTropicals

Date:

Top Tropicals Telegram Channel

Pachira aquatica (Bombax glabra) - Malabar Peanut or Guiana Chestnut

๐Ÿ’ฐ What do the blooms of Money Tree look like?
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Pachira aquatica (Bombax glabra) - Malabar Peanut or Guiana Chestnut is in bloom right now! The flowers are exotic and eye-catching. They resemble fireworks bursting into bloom!
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Each flower features long, thread-like stamens in shades of creamy white, pale yellow, or pinkish hues, forming a feathery, pom-pom-like structure at the center. The flowers are surrounded by greenish or reddish-brown sepals, adding to their unique look.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ It is a beautiful, fast growing flowering tree with edible nuts.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to those who own it, and is sometimes referred to as a "money tree"
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ While the flowers are stunning, they are usually seen in mature outdoor trees and not as commonly in indoor potted plants.


๐Ÿ“š Learn more from earlier post:
Good luck tree that brings money and prosperity

๐Ÿ›’Shop Flowering Trees

#Trees #Food_Forest

๐Ÿ”ด Join ๐Ÿ‘‰ TopTropicals

Date:

How to care for your mango tree in winter

โ“ How to care for your mango tree in winter

  • ๐Ÿฅญ If you want to enjoy mangoes like ours (in the video) next summer, protecting your tree in winter is a must! Give it the care it needs now, and you'll reap sweet rewards when the warm weather returns.

  • ๐Ÿฅญ Keep it cozy and protected: Mango trees love warmth, so when winter comes, they need extra care to stay happy.

  • ๐Ÿฅญ Temperature: Mango trees are sensitive to cold. If temperatures drop below 35F, cover the tree with frost cloth or burlap to protect it. For potted mango trees, move them indoors or to a greenhouse.

  • ๐Ÿฅญ Watering: Reduce watering during winter. Mango trees donโ€™t like soggy roots in cold weather. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings.

  • ๐Ÿฅญ Mulching: Add a thick layer of mulch around the base of the tree to insulate the roots and retain warmth. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

  • ๐Ÿฅญ No pruning: Avoid heavy pruning in winter, as it can stress the tree. Besides, pruning promotes young tender growth that may get cold damaged. Save major trimming for spring.

  • ๐Ÿฅญ Feeding: Stop dry fertilizer in winter. The tree slows its growth, so too much dry fertilizer can do more harm than good. You can continue using Sunshine Boosters Mango Tango year-round because it is water-soluble and natural, and the amount of food needed will adjust with reduced watering.


๐Ÿ›’ Shop Mango Trees

#Food_Forest #How_to #Mango

๐Ÿ”ด Join ๐Ÿ‘‰ TopTropicals

Date:

Event mementos:
Green for the Holidays - a Blooming Good Time!

Holiday Plant Market mementos

Last Saturday Dec 14 - our Holiday Plant Market was in full bloom! The day overflowed with smiles, shared plant knowledge, and a vibrant mix of greenery. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us, supported local growers, and found their new favorite leafy companions. Enjoy these special moments captured in our event photos - if you spot yourself, feel free to share with friends! Stay tuned - our next plant sale is just around the corner in March. We look forward to seeing you again!

Holiday Plant Market mementos

Holiday Plant Market mementos

Holiday Plant Market mementos

Holiday Plant Market mementos

Holiday Plant Market mementos

Holiday Plant Market mementos

We are always ready to help you grow your plant collection!
Chiane, Kristi, Onika, Mark, Damien and Jamie (behind the camera).