Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

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What to do with a Dragon fruit?

Cat with 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.

Pitaya Yellow Dragon Fruit, Selenicereus megalanthus Equador Golden

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.

Dragon fruit pink smoothie with lime, mint, mango and banana

Ingredients

Mix in a blender:
2 dragon fruit, peeled
1/2 cup of mango pulp

  1. banana
    1 cup of milk of your preference
  2. tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp Lime juce
Some Ice
-
Mint for decoration

Dragon fruit smoothie ingredients: lime, mint, mango and banana

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!

Date:

Fun Fact: Long Leaf Anthurium. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Fun Fact: Long Leaf Anthurium

Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium

Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium

Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium

Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium

Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium

Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium

🔍 Fun Fact: Long Leaf Anthurium

💎 Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium. This rare rainforest gem flaunts leaves that can stretch up to 6 feet long, creating a stunning cascading effect when grown in hanging baskets. Plus, it surprises with bright pink, showy fruits that add a vibrant splash of color to its dramatic foliage!

#Fun_Facts #Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

🛒 Order Anthurium veitchii

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Fun Fact: King Anthurium. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Fun Fact: King Anthurium

Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium

Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium

Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium

Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium

Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium

Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium

👑 Fun Fact: King Anthurium

🔖 Crowning its title, Anthurium veitchii - King Anthurium - boasts leaves up to 3 feet long! Majestic houseplant! Very hard to find, rare plant.

#Fun_Facts #Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

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Black-black-black plant! It's totally black, that's right. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

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 does a dragon taste like? Does Dragon Fruit come from a monster cactus? Learn why you need to grow your own. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What does a dragon taste like? Does Dragon Fruit come from a monster cactus? Learn why you need to grow your own

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya trees on trellis

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya trees on trellis

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya on trellis

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya on trellis

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya red fruit

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya red fruit

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya purple fruit

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya purple fruit

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya Yellow Parlora

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya Yellow Parlora

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya flower

Hylocereus and Selenicereus Dragon Fruit or Pitaya flower

🐲 What does a dragon taste like? Does Dragon Fruit come from a monster cactus? Learn why you need to grow your own. 🌵
  • 🔴 You may have tried a Dragon fruit from the store l, but do you know how it grows? On a cactus tree!
  • 🔴 Names: varieties of Hylocereus and Selenicereus - these fruit bearing cactus plants are also called Dragon Fruit or Pitaya.
  • 🔴 Commercially grown fruit sold in a grocery store may be tasteless. You need to grow your own good variety to have tasty, sweet, flavorful fruit!
  • 🔴 Dragon fruit comes in many varieties. Colors of flesh differ: white, pink, dark red and even purple. The outside of the fruit can be red/pink or yellow.
  • 🔴 In commercial groves, Pitayas grow like cactus trees, over a strong support - big "umbrella frames" ☂️
  • 🔴 It is an easy plant, with low water needs, takes both sun and semi-shade.
  • 🔴 Our favorite variety is Yellow Dragon Fruit Palora, (Selenicereus megalanthus). It is the sweetest and has the most flavor of all. We shared some recipes earlier.
  • 🔴 Can be grown in container with a wooden trellis. And the flower is beautiful, too!


📚 Learn more about Dragon Fruit
🍹 Recipe: What to do with a Dragon fruit?

🛒Grow your own Tasty Dragon Fruits

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Nature_Wonders

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Year of the Dragon: Chinese or Vietnamese?

Green Wooden Baby Dragon

Q: Is Chinese New Year the same as Vietnamese Tat? I want to buy a Vietnamese Micky Mouse plant and I am wondering if this would be also a lucky plant for the Year of the Dragon?

A: Vietnam, as well as other parts of Asia, is celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, which falls on February 10. Vietnam and neighboring China share 10 of the zodiac calendar's 12 signs: the rat, tiger, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The Vietnamese traditional Tet market in Hanoi is covered in hues of red and gold, colors that represent good luck and fortune. One of the most significant plants is the golden-flowered Ochna. But there are several other plants associated with the Lunar New year, as well as Dragon Year.

Green Wooden Dragon has specific favorite plants, including all species of Dragon fruits, Lychee or First Dragon's Eye (Litchi sinensis), Longan or Second Dragon's Eye (Euphoria longana), Creeping Philodendrons, and the Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata).

Learn more:

Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria 
paniculata)

Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata). According to ancient Chinese manuscripts, the Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is crucial for Dragons, as it is believed to be connected to their existence, guarding and complementing each other. Growing these plants is considered auspicious and is believed to safeguard the Dragon family.

Green Wooden Baby Dragon

The most celebrated flower in Vietnam, Ochna integerrima, called in Vietnam Hoa Mai or Mai Vang, blooms profusely on the occasion of Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

Date:

What is the longest Anthurium? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What is the longest Anthurium?

Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium

🕯 What is the longest Anthurium?
  • 👀 Anthurium vittarifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium - is the definitive strap-leaf variety that’s sure to steal the show in any collection. Native to the South American rainforest, this rare gem is truly a sight to behold with its incredibly long, narrow leaves that can reach up to an impressive 6 feet in length yet remain a mere 2 inches wide.
  • 👀 The dramatic, cascading effect it creates when grown in hanging baskets is nothing short of stunning.
  • 👀 Adding even more charm, this rare beauty surprises with bright pink, showy fruits that pop against its lush, green foliage, providing a vibrant contrast.
  • 👀 Ideal for adding an exotic touch to your home or garden, the Long Leaf Anthurium's pendant growth and striking leaves make it a standout in any space. If you're looking for something truly unique and eye-catching, this plant is a must-have!


📚 Learn more from previous post:
Long Leaf Anthurium

🛍 Order online

#Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

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Yearning for Jungle Vibes? Discover the Giant Birds Nest Anthurium - look at the size of this monster! A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Yearning for Jungle Vibes? Discover the Giant Birds Nest Anthurium - look at the size of this monster!

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest fruit

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest fruit

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest fruit

Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest fruit

Yearning for Jungle Vibes? Discover the Giant Bird’s Nest Anthurium - look at the size of this monster!
  • Anthurium x hookeri - Giant Bird's Nest - is one of the most wanted tropical jungle plants. It has impressive foliage: enormous, wrinkly leaves with a unique cardboard-like texture that can grow up to 7 feet long! The bright red berries add to the show.
  • Jungle allure: perfect for creating a lush, tropical atmosphere with its striking and bold presence.
  • Ideal for spacious areas: thrives in places with good natural light and ample space, making it a standout feature.
  • Easy care: low-maintenance epiphyte, requires very little water.
  • Tolerates low light conditions, perfect for a shade garden.
  • Conversation piece: eye-catching texture adds visual interest and depth to your plant collection with its distinctive leaf surface. The size of the leaves is unbelievable!
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor settings.
  • Air purifying: helps improve air quality, making it a functional and beautiful addition to your home.
  • Tropical statement: brings a piece of the jungle into your environment, transforming it into a green oasis.


🛒 Order Giant Birdnest

#Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

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Date:

2/10/2024: Chinese Year of the Dragon

2024 Year of the Dragon

Q: What is the lucky plant for Chinese New Year 2024?

A: 2024 is the year of the Green Wooden Dragon according to the Chinese calendar. It will be celebrated this year on Saturday, February 10.
Dragon symbol is considered the most powerful in Chinese astrology, representing energy, strength, and power.

The lucky plant of the year 2024, the Dragon fruit, steals the show with its striking red skin and juicy white flesh. Plates overflow with succulent slices of dragon fruit, its fiery red skin contrasting beautifully with the snowy white flesh speckled with tiny black seeds, symbolizing prosperity and abundance.

2024 the year of the Green Wooden Dragon with Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit comes in many varieties that differ in flavor, sweetness, and texture.

Date:

How to make Dragon Fruit Smoothie? What to do with a. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

How to make Dragon Fruit Smoothie? What to do with a

Dragon fruit and a cat

Dragon fruit and a cat

Dragon fruit smoothie

Dragon fruit smoothie

Dragon fruit yellow

Dragon fruit yellow

🍹 How to make Dragon Fruit Smoothie? What to do with a Dragon Fruit?

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.

Recipe:

Mix in a blender:
2 dragon fruit, peeled
1/2 cup of mango pulp
  1. banana
    1 cup of milk of your preference
  2. tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp Lime juce
Some Ice
Add Mint for decoration


🛒 Shop Dragon Fruit

#Food_Forest #Recipes #How_to

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