Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date:

New Exotic Adeniums

Saving on your favorite plants is Easy.
Easy like Sunday Morning...


It's time for our favorite day and another Easy stroll through Top Tropicals Garden with savings of

up to 50% and MORE!

The Flower of Prosperity and Good Fortune...

The Adenium obesum, Desert Rose, is a highly prized ornamental plant, perceived in some cultures as a sacred symbol of prosperity, abundance and good fortune. Since the Desert Rose is strong and adaptable to climatic conditions, it represents strength, persistence and resilience. We could all use a little more of these qualities in our lives...

Adeniums (Desert Roses) are the easiest plants in cultivation yet they bring you so much joy with their colorful flowers and showy caudex. There are hundreds, if not thousands of amazing colors and new hybrids are created every year. Many gardeners want to collect them all! And we can help you to grow your collection. We have many new varieties in stock and are offering two special Collection Deals!

Special Deals for Desert Rose Collectors

The plants are well developed, with large caudex, grown in 1 gal pots, normally $42.95 each,
with Collection savings of $30 and $65!

3 Adeniums Collection

Regularly $128.95,
Collection price $98.95 - savings of $30 per set!

Varieties included in this collection:
RED Adenium Red Wine
WHITE Adenium Jasmine
BLACK Adenium Black Widow

5 Adeniums Collection

Regularly $214.95,
Collection price $149.95 - savings of $65 per set!

Varieties included in this collection:
PURPLE Adenium Mee Stang
LIGHT YELLOW Adenium Yellow Gold (Vanilla Gold)
STRIPED PINK Adenium Bua Champoo
ORANGE Adenium Yellow Gift (Sai Thong)
RED-BLACK Adenium Red Dragon

Now wait... Save even more with Easy Sunday:

Combine both collections and save ANOTHER $15! Use this limited time offer coupon:

ADENIUM15

Remember, this Easy Sunday Deal expires on Tuesday 3-1-22!

Date:

What fruit smells like roses? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What fruit smells like roses?

Syzygium jambos - Rose Apple, fruit on a tree

Syzygium jambos - Rose Apple, fruit on a tree

Syzygium jambos - Rose Apple, fruit on a plate

Syzygium jambos - Rose Apple, fruit on a plate

Syzygium jambos - Rose Apple, flowers

Syzygium jambos - Rose Apple, flowers

😏 What fruit smells like roses? Rose apple!
  • 🌹 If you liked the Java Plum (Jambolan) from our earlier post, its close relative is even more exciting, because the fruit smells like roses!
  • 🌹 Syzygium jambos - Rose Apple - is a fragrant delight fruit! Also known as Malabar Plum or Pomme Rosa, the Rose Apple produces crisp, juicy fruits with a distinct rose scent, highly prized for jellies and confections.
  • 🌹 This easy-to-grow plant is moderately cold-hardy and can tolerate poor soils.
  • 🌹 Rose Apple trees are versatile – they make attractive, wide-spreading shade trees and can also thrive as compact, bushy fruiting plants in containers. Whether in the ground or a pot, this charming tree brings beauty and fragrance to any space!


🛒 Order Rose Apple

#Food_Forest #Remedies

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Growing desert roses

Q: I purchased a Desert Rose and planted it in Adenium mix. I keep it in full sun with once a week watering assuming this is a desert plant that likes lots of sun. Some leaves turned yellow and now I am not sure should I move it into shade or need to water more? Or maybe fertilize with something?

A: Desert Rose - Adenium, unlike cacti and other succulents, prefers filtered light. It can grow in full sun but leaves look healthier in light shade. Watering must be very moderate, however don't let soil harden like a rock: water again right after the soil gets dry. We suggest to use special Adenium Mix. Cactus mix may work well, as well as regular potting mix, in which case it is recommended to add a bit of limestone (we simply put sea shells on top of the pot - it looks very pretty!) - because adeniums prefer slightly alkaline soil (while most of tropical plants like acidic soils). If leaves turn yellow, this may be a sign of underwatering. Use water soluable fertilizer with high phosphate as foliage spray, and only on healthy plants, according to label dosage. It helps both caudex growth and flowering. Make sure to avoid fertilizer contact with a caudex.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Adenium Plant Food - Flower and Caudex Booster
SUNSHINE-BC - Caudex booster
Adenium Soilless Mix

Read more about growing Adeniums:
What you need for successful growing Adeniums
Growing Exotic Adeniums

Date:

Adenium: a Rose by any Other Name

New article by Jane Jordan.
"...The famous quote is often used to imply that the names of things do not affect what they really are, in the case of The Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) it is not a rose at all, rather a succulent that thrives in hot, dry and sunny conditions. These spectacular plants have no relation to the rose family, they are a species of flowering plant from the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. The naming of this plant is partly correct as they originate in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where they can grow into large trees with huge swollen trunks..."
Continue reading...

Date:

What jasmine blooms year around? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What jasmine blooms year around?

Jasminum dichotomum - Rose Bud Jasmine, Everblooming Jasmine

Jasminum dichotomum - Rose Bud Jasmine, Everblooming Jasmine

Jasminum dichotomum - Rose Bud Jasmine, Everblooming Jasmine

Jasminum dichotomum - Rose Bud Jasmine, Everblooming Jasmine

Jasminum dichotomum - Rose Bud Jasmine, Everblooming Jasmine

Jasminum dichotomum - Rose Bud Jasmine, Everblooming Jasmine

🗓 What jasmine blooms year around?
  • ❤️ Jasminum dichotomum - Rose Bud Jasmine or Everblooming Jasmine, is rare and captivating. This unique jasmine is adored for its highly fragrant flowers that bloom year-round, filling the air with a sweet, floral scent.
  • ❤️ Yes, it has Rose Buds! Its glossy green leaves add an elegant touch, beautifully contrasting with dark pink buds that open into pure white, star-shaped flowers.
  • ❤️ Super fast growing! This vigorous grower isn't just a delight for the senses - it's also a powerhouse in the garden, capable of covering a fence, trellis, or pagoda in no time.
  • ❤️ For those looking to add both fragrance and beauty to their landscape with minimal fuss, rose bud jasmine is a spectacular choice that's sure to impress!


👍 What is your favorite jasmine? Share in comments⬇️

🛒 Plant Rose Bud Jasmine

#Perfume_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Growing Adeniums: A Beginners Guide

Cat with adenium flowers

Q: How to you keep Adenium happy and blooming like on the pictures?

A: Adeniums, also known as Desert Roses, are exotic and striking plants that can bring beauty to any indoor or outdoor garden. Despite their desert origins, they require a bit of care to thrive. Here's a simple guide to help you grow healthy and vibrant adeniums:

Light and Location: Adeniums prefer filtered light, although they can tolerate full sun. In hot climates, they thrive in bright, indirect light. Position your plant accordingly to ensure optimal growth.

Potting and Soil: Use a small pot with excellent drainage to prevent waterlogging. Opt for a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for adeniums or create your own mix using cactus mix with added limestone for slightly alkaline conditions.

Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to caudex rot. Water in the early morning and ensure the plant drinks up throughout the day.

Fertilization: Use a liquid fertilizer with high phosphate content to encourage both caudex growth and flowering. Apply according to label instructions, avoiding direct contact with the caudex. We recommend Sunshine Megaflor.

Caring for the Caudex: To promote a large swollen caudex, gradually raise the plant each time you repot it, exposing the upper roots. This encourages the formation of additional roots.

Maintenance and Blooming: Adeniums typically bloom from spring through fall. Ensure they receive ample light for heavy flowering. Avoid wetting the leaves and apply fertilizer to support overall plant health.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the beauty of adeniums in your own garden or home. With proper care and attention, your Desert Roses will flourish and delight you with their stunning blooms.

Adenium field

Date:

Why Adeniums are the most popular container plants. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Why Adeniums are the most popular container plants

Varieties of Desert roses - Adeniums - chart

Varieties of Desert roses - Adeniums - chart

🌸 Why Adeniums are the most popular container plants
  • 🌸 Desert roses - Adeniums - are among the most popular container plants. Why? Because they are:

· Easy to grow and can thrive in both sun and shade, indoors, and in low humidity.
  • · Drought-tolerant, requiring minimal water and able to go long periods without it.
  • · Not fussy about soil pH.
  • · Stunning bloomers with showy flowers.
  • · Unique and eye-catching, with a curious caudex that forms unusual shapes.

  • 🌸 How many varieties and colors of desert roses out there?

· At Top Tropicals, we offer over 200 varieties of Adeniums, with more than 100 available in stock at any time.
  • · With so many colors of hybrids available in cultivation, you want to collect them all!
  • · Double flowers, red, purple, yellow, striped, dotted, rainbow, and even black flowers!


🌸 The secret to creating a large, swollen caudex:
Raise the plant slightly every time you repot it, exposing the upper part of the roots. This encourages the plant to form more roots that grow downward.
Unlike most tropical and houseplants, Adeniums prefer neutral to hard water. They have very low water needs and can grow in full sun or shade.

📸 In the photo: Selected Adenium hybrids currently available from TopTropicals

📚 More about Adeniums:
How to grow a happy Adenium
What is the easiest container plant with beautiful flowers
Multi-grafted Adenium with different colors of flowers on the same plant
What you need for successful growing Adeniums

🛍 Shop Adenium colors and hybrids

#Container_Garden #How_to #Shade_Garden #Adenium

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

News arrivals: Adenium Rainbow

Collect them all!

Rainbow can with flowers

Exciting news: Fresh Adenium arrivals straight from Thailand! Behold an array of breathtaking varieties in an explosion of colors.

Adeniums are a must-have for gardeners, with enthusiasts avidly collecting diverse strains. These resilient plants flourish in pots, whether adorning outdoor gardens or brightening indoor spaces. With their charming compactness and eye-catching caudex, Adeniums effortlessly spark conversation and make memorable gifts.

Every year, new hybrids emerge, boasting double and triple blooms in an array of captivating hues - think vibrant reds, pinks, yellows, regal purples, and even dramatic blacks. Each variety is a masterpiece, showcasing unique patterns from dots to stripes to variegations.

Act fast - quantities are limited! Seize the opportunity to expand your collection now!

Adenium Collage

Photo above: selected varieties that just have arrived.

Date:

Care of Desert Roses

Q: I am looking forward to my three desert roses I just ordered from you and I am wondering how to take care of them, especially during winter time. Should I put the pots in full sun or shade? What kind of soil do they like? How often should I water them? When it gets cooler, should I bring them inside? We do have occasional frost here during winter.

A: Here are a few tips for your desert roses:

1. When received Adenium from mail-order, unpack carefully; branches are fragile. Plant in well-drained potting mix. Cactus mix will do, but we recommend special Adenium mix. If using regular acidic peat-based potting mix, you may add sea-shells on top of soil to neutralize acidity: adeniums prefer alkaline soils. Using clay pots is beneficial. Water once and do not water again until soil gets dry. Place in bright shade until new leaves sprout, then the plant can be moved to full sun.

2. Adenium is a succulent, but not a cactus. It needs watering, however let soil dry before waterings. Reduce watering during cool season and discontinue when plant gets dormant (drops all leaves in winter).

3. Bright light is the best for profuse flowering. However, adeniums look much healthier in slightly filtered light rather than in all-day full sun.

4. Fertilize and spray leaves with liquid fertilizer SUNSHINE Megaflor - Nutrition Bloom Booster. Phosphorous is responsible both for flowering and caudex development. Avoid caudex, spray over foliage only. Dry fertilizer can be used only during hot months.

5. Watch for spider mites during hot and dry season.

6. Give plants a break during winter dormant season. Keep in bright shade and reduce watering to 1-2 per month or stop watering if temperature is below 65F.

More info on growing Desert Roses:
What you need for successful growing Adeniums
Overwintering Adeniums outside of tropics
Growing Exotic Adeniums - Growing Exotic Adeniums

Date:

Desert rose winter care

Q: I purchased several packets of desert rose seeds last year. I now have 45 very healthy seedlings some of them in bud. Almost all of my seeds grew but I lost most of them when I rook them in during winter. I did not water them for a month , kept them in their pots and set them by the window. they either dried up and died or rotted and died. I noticed when you send me grafted specimens that you bareroot them. Is this a better way to keep them inside in winter, bareroot? I hate to lose these plants come winter time. Pls advise me. I live in Houston, Tx. where we get temps below 40 degrees and sometime a day or more of freezing temps.

A: Thank you for your question. Rot is pretty common problem with Desert Roses. We monitor our Adeniums closely and have a special set up of watering environment and schedule, in dedicated greenhouses just for them. Nevertheless - every now and then we see a rotten caudex and can't help it to say "oops! over-watered!" These plants are very sensitive to environment changes, especially when it comes to a combination of water and temperature. These are a few tips that should help you to reduce risk of plant loss to a minimum:

1) Use only well drained mix with much higher content of perlite than you would use for most tropical plants. For adeniums, we use mix with 30-40% of perlite in it, while regular mix has 10-15%.

2) Adeniums like alkaline soil, unlike most of tropical plants (hard to say what else likes alkaline... Ficus for sure!). This means, regular mix with high content of peat moss may cause root rot. To increase alkalinity, you may add dolomite. Here in Florida where we have natural supply of shell rock handy, it is easy to add some shell to a potting mix (shell sand, rather than quartz sand). We always add a few large shells on top of a pots with a big specimen. Besides increasing soil pH (making it more alkaline), shells look very decorative.

3) Water very carefully during cooler months. When it is hot (85-100F), excessive water usually won't harm adeniums: it will be partially used by a plant, and partially will evaporate. Especially be careful with water when temperatures drop below 65F - then tropical plants simply stop growing process and go dormant. Once adeniums start losing leaves, this is a sign to reduce watering to once a week to once a month, and in very small quantity (couple tablespoons per pot).

4) We do not bareroot adeniums for winter storage. They are not bulbs. Barerooting of this plant is recommended only during shipping. Adeniums can stay without soil for up to a week without hardly any stress, sometimes even longer.

5) We keep our big collection specimens on a roofed porch during winter, where level of light is very low. Last winter we haven't lost a single plant due to low light. They take shade pretty well considering minimum or no water. However bright light is always better - it creates healthier environment for a plant. We all know about space limitations for our large collections, especially in winter. So if you can afford a bright spot for adenium during winter - the plant will be lucky!

Adenium Summer Sale: 20% off plants and seeds!