Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

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Dishes again??? I did them yesterday. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Dishes again??? I did them yesterday

Dishes again??? I did them yesterday
🔪 Dishes again??? I did them yesterday...

📸 Bob is always involved in house chores

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Mango Rainbow tasting table: varieties you should try. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Mango Rainbow tasting table: varieties you should try

Kent Mango

🌈 Mango Rainbow tasting table: varieties you should try
  • Kent Mango variety is native to Florida. It is originated in Coconut Grove, in 1945 from a Haden seed.
  • Kent has an excellent flavor, large size, and very little fiber. Considered by many to be one of the best tasting Florida mangoes and one of the most beautiful, truly rainbow colored fruit!
  • Eat before fruit gets too ripe.
  • The most rewarding attribute is a bountiful late season crop.


❔ What Mango varieties do you have in your garden?
Share in comments 👇

📚 Previous Mango Rainbow Tasting Table: 1 • 2 • 3 • 

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How to grow Mandevilla: Practical Guide to Growing Mandevilla Vine. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

How to grow Mandevilla: Practical Guide to Growing Mandevilla Vine

Mandevilla amabilis Thai Rose

Mandevilla amabilis Thai Rose

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson on a trellis

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson on a trellis

Mandevilla amabilis Thai Rose

Mandevilla amabilis Thai Rose

Mandevilla Stars and Stripes

Mandevilla Stars and Stripes

🌺 How to grow Mandevilla: Practical Guide to Growing Mandevilla Vine
  • 🌺 Mandevilla is a tropical vine known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom throughout the warm months. This fast-growing climber thrives in warm climates and adds a stunning display of color to gardens and patios.
  • 🌺 Difference Between Mandevilla and Dipladenia

    • The names Mandevilla and Dipladenia are often used interchangeably, creating confusion. While they are closely related, there are key differences. Mandevilla is a vigorous woody vine with large, stiff leaves, ideal for trellises and fences. Dipladenia, on the other hand, has a more compact growth habit with smaller, smooth leaves. Dipladenia can be also trained on a trellis but also thrives in hanging baskets or as a compact specimen plant. As a bushier type of Mandevilla, its smaller, more compact varieties are excellent for mixed containers.
  • 🌺 Growing in the Ground

💋Soil. Mandevilla prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix of garden soil, compost, and sand ensures good drainage and fertility. Both Mandevilla and Dipladenia require acidic soil. If your native soil contains limestone, consider growing them in containers with a peat-based potting mix to maintain a lower pH.
  • 💋Light. Plant in a location with full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of direct sunlight promotes the best blooms.

    • Water Mandevilla regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. During hot months, water deeply a few times a week. Reduce watering in cooler seasons.
  • 💋Feeding and Encouraging More Blooms: Feed Mandevilla with Sunshine Boosters Megaflor with every watering to encourage more blooms. Prune lightly after flowering to promote new growth and continuous flowering.

  • 🌺 Most Interesting Varieties

    • Mandevilla flowers come in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, mauve, pink, white, and even yellow. For vibrant color and impact, consider these varieties:

💋Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’– A classic pink variety with large flowers and vigorous growth.
  • 💋Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol’ Series – Offers compact plants in deep red, pink, or white, great for containers or small spaces.
  • 💋Mandevilla ‘Crimson Red’– Deep red blooms stand out against glossy green foliage.
  • 💋Dipladenia ‘Stars and Stripes’ - features striking red-and-white striped blooms.

    • In Florida, Sun Parasol and Alice du Pont perform exceptionally well, thriving in the heat and humidity while providing season-long blooms.

  • 🌺 Pests and Problems

    • Mandevilla is relatively pest-resistant but can attract aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. To manage pests:

💋Spray with a neem oil solution weekly if pests are present.
  • 💋Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to control aphids naturally.
  • 💋Remove affected leaves and rinse plants with a strong stream of water.
  • 💋Watch for fungal diseases in humid climates; ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.


🌺 Growing Mandevilla in Pots and Winter Care
Mandevilla grows beautifully in containers, making it a great option for cooler climates where it can be brought indoors for winter.
  • 💋Pot Growing Tips:

· Use a well-draining potting mix with added perlite for aeration.
  • · Choose a pot at least 12-16 inches in diameter, with several drainage holes, for vigorous growth.
  • · Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, avoiding waterlogged conditions.


💋Winter Care:
  • · In regions with frost, move potted Mandevilla indoors to a bright, cool location (50-60°F).
  • · Reduce watering and stop fertilizing during cooler season.
  • · Prune lightly before bringing indoors to maintain shape and size.
  • · Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in early spring before active growth begins, refreshing the soil and upgrading to a slightly larger container if needed.


With the right care, Mandevilla provides stunning, long-lasting blooms and thrives in gardens or pots, making it a versatile and rewarding addition to any space.

📚 Learn more from previous post:
How to overwinter Mandevilla indoors

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Productive Relaxation. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Productive Relaxation

Productive Relaxation
😪 Productive Relaxation

"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." - Mark Black

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Can you grow plums in Florida? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Can you grow plums in Florida?

Plum tree fruiting in Florida

💝 Can you grow plums in Florida?

💕 Yes, absolutely! This year, starting end of January, we are harvesting our first Plums... Sweet!

🎥 Scarlet Beauty Plum. Hypoluxo variety just started flowering, fruit coming soon!

📚 Learn more from previous post:
The most rewarding hardy fruit tree suitable for hot climate: peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums

🛒 Shop Low Chill Peaches, Nectsrunes, and Plums

#Food_Forest

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If a cat likes you, you know. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

If a cat likes you, you know

If a cat likes you, you know
😒 If a cat likes you, you know. If he doesn't, you know that, too

"Cats are different, though. A cat won't curry favor even if it's in their best interests to do so. A cat can't be a hypocrite. If a cat likes you, you know. If he doesn't, you know that, too." - Stephen King, "L.T.'s Theory of Pets"

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When Peach trees are in full bloom. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

When Peach trees are in full bloom

Flowering Peach Tree in Florida

When Peach trees are in full bloom
  • 🍑 Our Peach trees are in full bloom now. Early Spring started in January this year in Florida!
  • 🍑 You can grow peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums in Florida, provided you choose low-chill varieties. These have been developed specifically for subtropical regions like Central and South Florida, where traditional temperate varieties struggle due to insufficient chill hours.


📚 Learn more from previous post:
The most rewarding hardy fruit tree suitable for hot climate: peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums

🛒 Shop Low Chill Peaches

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Weighing Advantages. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Weighing Advantages

Weighing Advantages
😘 Weighing Advantages

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How to get mango trees to bloom and set fruit

Cat with mango fruit

Q: Is there any way to make a mango tree set more fruit? My mango trees bloomed like crazy last year but most of the flowers dropped and I had only a few fruit. What do I need to do to get more fruit?

A: Mango trees flower from late Winter to Spring, with the peak blooming season varying based on variety. During this time, mango trees produce hundreds of small, fragrant flowers in large panicles. A healthy mango tree can produce anywhere from 500 to 2,000 flowers per panicle. However, only a small fraction of the flowers will be successfully pollinated and develop into fruit, depending on the tree's size and health.

To support healthy flowering and fruit set, mango trees need dry weather, as excessive moisture can inhibit pollination and fruit development. During flowering period, it's important not to overwater, as the tree is less active in water uptake.

Avoid dry fertilizers during flowering since the tree is focused on reproduction rather than vegetative growth. Continue applying Sunshine Boosters Mango Tango liquid fertilizer to support the tree's overall health and vigor which will encourage fruit quantity and quality. Sunshine Boosters deliver essential nutrients in optimum amounts, proportionally to water intake.

Ensuring a dry, sunny environment and mild fertilizer Mango Tango will help the tree set fruit successfully.

Shop Mango Trees

Mango tree flowering

Photo above: Our Mango garden in Sebring, FL is in full bloom now! Early spring in Florida started in January 2025. Surprisingly, all our mango varieties decided to start blooming: - early, mid- and late- season cultivars. It's a stunning view! Check out a short Video.

Photo below: 2024 fruiting trees. We use Sunshine Mango Tango year around.

Mango tree fruiting

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How to get mango trees to bloom and set fruit. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

How to get mango trees to bloom and set fruit

Mango trees flowering

How to get mango trees to bloom and set fruit
  • Our Mango garden in Sebring, FL is in full bloom now! Early spring in Florida started in January this year. Surprisingly, all our mango varieties decided to start blooming: - early, mid- and late- season cultivars. It's a stunning view!
  • Mango trees flower from late Winter to Spring, with the peak blooming season varying based on variety. During this time, mango trees produce hundreds of small, fragrant flowers in large panicles. A healthy mango tree can produce anywhere from 500 to 2,000 flowers per panicle. However, only a small fraction of the flowers will be successfully pollinated and develop into fruit, depending on the tree's size and health.
  • To support healthy flowering and fruit set, mango trees need dry weather, as excessive moisture can inhibit pollination and fruit development. During flowering period, it's important not to overwater, as the tree is less active in water uptake.
  • Avoid dry fertilizers during flowering since the tree is focused on reproduction rather than vegetative growth. You may continue applying Sunshine Boosters Mango Tango liquid fertilizer to support the tree's overall health and vigor. Sunshine Boosters deliver essential nutrients in optimum amounts, proportionally to water intake.
  • Ensuring a dry, sunny environment will help the tree set fruit successfully.


📚 Learn more from previous posts about #Mango varieties

🛒 Check out new Mango varieties - just arrived!

#Food_Forest #Mango

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True Love. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

True Love

😍 True Love

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love." - Albert Einstein

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What flower smells like warm chocolate? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What flower smells like warm chocolate?

Portlandia - Glorious Flower of Cuba

🍭 What flower smells like warm chocolate?
  • 🎂 Portlandia - Glorious Flower of Cuba is a rare treasure, boasting bell-shaped blossoms that exude a luscious perfume reminiscent of warm, creamy chocolate.
  • 🎂 Even better, it's one of the few tropical plants that can handle alkaline soils, making it a true gem for any collector seeking a fragrant and hardy addition to their garden.


🛒 Order Portlandia

#Perfume_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits #Trees

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Spread the Green Love This Valentine's Day: Gift Card with a 15% Bonus! A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Spread the Green Love This Valentines Day: Gift Card with a 15% Bonus!

Spread the Green Love This Valentines Day: Gift Card with a 15% Bonus!
💕 Spread the Green Love This Valentine's Day: Gift Card with a 15% Bonus!

😘 Searching for the ultimate Valentine's gift? Look no further - a live plant never fails to brighten a day, and with a Top Tropicals Gift Card, your loved one gets to choose their very own slice of paradise!

❤️ What Makes It Special?

  • 🔥 Bonus Value: For every gift card purchased, we add an extra 15% value with promo code Valentine at no additional cost. For instance, a $100 gift card transforms into $115 worth of plant magic!
  • 🔥 Flexibility: No expiration date means your special someone can pick their dream greenery at their leisure.
  • 🔥 Instant Delivery: The gift certificate is emailed directly to you - no hassle, no delays.


🛍 To apply 15% bonus: mention word Valentine in your gift card message. Offer expires 2-15-25

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Frog Princess. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Frog Princess

Frog Princess
Frog Princess

"What can turn a frog into a princess?"
"A five-star dinner, because who needs a kiss when you’re well-fed?"

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The star of the orchard. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

The star of the orchard

Start Fruit - Carambola Tree (Averrhoa carambola)

😛 The star of the orchard

Start Fruit - Carambola Tree (Averrhoa carambola). Growing this tree is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy this unique and delicious fruit right at home!

📚 Learn more from previous posts:
Star Fruit from our garden
How to grow your own Carambola
Top 10 fast-fruiting trees: #8. Carambola - Starfruit
Carambola Banana Whip
Carambola tree is the Star of the orchard

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