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Date:

Why this Magnolia flower smells like banana?

Magnolia figo, Banana Magnolia

🍌 Why this flower smells like banana?
  • 🤌 Magnolia figo, or Banana Magnolia that we mentioned earlier, is currently in full bloom and filling the air with its unbelievably delightful fragrance! The sweet, fruity aroma of its perfume-like flowers carries a hint of banana, making it a truly irresistible addition to your garden.
  • 🤌 Looking for a little perfume tree for a small garden or container? Compact and evergreen, reaching only5-6 ft in container, this small tree or shrub adds sophistication to any landscape. Glossy, deep green foliage enhances its visual charm.
  • 🤌 Cold tolerant and heat tolerant. Takes sun and shade.


🛍 Plant Banana Magnolia

#Perfume_Plants #Container_Garden #Trees

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Date:

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

🛒 Shop Star Fruit varieties

#Food_Forest

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Date:

How to Grow Jackfruit: Practical Guide

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

🫡 How to Grow Jackfruit: Practical Guide
  • 🍈 Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tropical tree that produces the largest fruit in the world, weighing up to 80 pounds and reaching 36 inches in length. The trees thrive in frost-free, humid climates with plenty of sunlight. They require well-draining soil rich in organic matter and regular watering to flourish. Despite their reputation as ultra-tropical, mature Jackfruit trees can tolerate light frost for a few hours without significant damage. Additionally, they can be grown in containers in colder areas with proper care and pruning.
  • 🍈 What Climate is Essential for Growing Jackfruit Trees?


    • Jackfruit trees require a tropical or subtropical climate, with temperatures ideally between 60-95°F. While young trees are frost-sensitive, mature trees can withstand light frost for short periods. However, cold winters can reduce fruit production. Frost-free temperatures are crucial for optimal growth and fruiting.
  • 🍈 How Often Do Trees Need Fertilizing, and What is the Best Type of Feed?


    • Jackfruit trees are heavy feeders. Fertilizing them regularly is key to their health and productivity. During the active growing season (spring to fall), apply a balanced dry fertilizer once a month. Liquid amino-acid-based fertilizers, such as Sunshine Boosters, can be used year-round with every watering. These fertilizers help maintain healthy growth and encourage abundant fruiting. Supplement with organic matter like compost, manure, or peat moss to enrich the soil.
  • 🍈 How Important is Pruning, and When is the Right Time to Prune?


    • Pruning is essential for maintaining a manageable tree size and promoting healthy fruit production. Jackfruit trees produce fruit at the base of the trunk, allowing them to be pruned annually to a height of 7-12 feet. This practice not only makes harvesting easier but also encourages more fruiting. Prune after the fruiting season or in late fall to remove excess growth and shape the tree. Regular pruning also improves air circulation and reduces the risk of disease.
  • 🍈 Key Tips for Successful Jackfruit Production

  • · Climate: Ensure frost-free temperatures and adequate humidity.
  • · Soil: Use well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
  • · Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging.
  • · Pruning: Keep the tree under 7-10 feet for easier management and better yield.
  • · Fertilizing: Apply balanced fertilizers and supplements regularly.


🍈 Jackfruit facts
  • · The fruit consists of large, edible bulbs of yellow, sweet, banana-pineapple-flavored aromatic flesh.
  • · Seedlings start fruiting within 3-4 years, with fruit ripening 4-6 months after flowering.
  • · A mature tree can produce up to 200 pounds of fruit annually.
  • · For colder regions, growing Jackfruit in containers is an option, provided the tree is regularly pruned and topped.


👍 Jackfruit trees grow fast and fruit abundantly with proper care, making them an exotic addition to tropical fruit collections.

📚 From previous posts:
The largest tree-borne fruit in the world
How to grow the biggest fruit on Earth

🛒 Plant your own Jackfruit

#Food_Forest #How_to

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Date:

NEW VIDEO:
How to get variegated vanilla bananas.
Discovering natural banana with seeds

Variegated Banana video

with Fermin Garcia

We got a variegated banana from Thailand, planted it at our farm and started fertilizing with our famous Sunshine Rubusta (featured in our earlier blog: Sunshine Boosters Winter Use - The magic fertilizer in action.

In just a few months, it grew into a massive banana tree - one of the largest we've ever seen! Soon, a flower spike appeared, followed by variegated bananas. As they ripened, they turned yellow and developed a sweet vanilla flavor, with seeds! These are natural bananas, not modified. In today's video, we’re showing how we harvested the fruit, tasted it, and discovered the seeds...

We’ve named this banana Fermin's Vanilla Delight Banana (Musa x paradisiaca). Fermin planted the seeds and we hope to have these plants soon. Add item 6379 to your wishlist and be the first to know when they're ready!

Variegated Banana video

WATCH THE VIDEO

Use Sunshine Robusta magic fertilizer to have your bananas (and everything else) grow like crazy! It is safe to use all Sunshine Boosters year around with every watering.

Sunshine Rubusta and C-Cibus with bananas

Check out different banana varieties we have at TopTropicals - delivered to your door!

Shop Banana varieties

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Cat with Papaya fruit

Date:

How to make a healthy Avocado Tropical Smoothie - recipe

How to make a healthy Avocado Tropical Smoothie - recipe
🥑 How to make a healthy Avocado Tropical Smoothie - recipe

🤩 Ingredients:

  • · 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • · 1 cup coconut milk (or any plant-based milk)
  • · 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • · 1/2 banana
  • · 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
  • · 1/2 cup ice cubes


🤢 Instructions:

  • · Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
  • · Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • · Taste and adjust sweetness with honey or agave if needed.
  • · Pour into a glass and serve immediately.


🐸 This smoothie is rich, creamy, and packed with tropical vibes - a refreshing and healthy treat!

🛒 Plant your own Avocado Tree

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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Date:

What to do when you have too many bananas: make Grilled Banana Boats recipe

What to do when you have too many bananas: make Grilled Banana Boats recipe
🍌 What to do when you have too many bananas: make Grilled Banana Boats recipe 🚣‍♂️

😘 Ingredients:

  • · 2 ripe bananas
  • · 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
  • · 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
  • · 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (e.g., pecans or almonds)
  • · Aluminum foil


🏄‍♂️ Instructions:

  • · Slice each banana lengthwise down the middle, but don’t cut all the way through - leave the peel intact to form a "boat."
  • · Gently open the banana and stuff with chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and nuts.
  • · Wrap each banana in aluminum foil.
  • · Grill over medium heat (or bake in the oven at 375°F) for 10–12 minutes, until the banana is soft and the chocolate is melted.
  • · Carefully unwrap and serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.


👌 This fun dessert is easy to make and highlights banana's natural sweetness!

🛒 Shop Banana Trees

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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Date:

Does Red flowering banana produce fruit?

Musa coccinea - Scarlet Red Flowering Banana

Musa coccinea - Scarlet Red Flowering Banana

💄 Does Red flowering banana produce fruit?
  • 🌷 Musa coccinea - Scarlet Red Flowering Banana - is a rare, small size tropical banana tree native to China and Vietnam, known for its vibrant red flower bracts that surround delicate yellow blooms.
  • 🌷 With glossy, dark green leaves resembling classic banana foliage, this plant makes a striking addition to a rare plant collection.
  • 🌷 Although it doesn't produce edible bananas, it grows small orange fruits that enhance its ornamental appeal.
  • 🌷 The plant's pseudostems die back after flowering, but new shoots (banana pups) emerge from the roots, ensuring its continued growth.
  • 🌷 Compact and easy to grow, it's perfect for small gardens, pots, or as a colorful indoor arrangement.


🛒 Order Scarlet Red Flowering Banana

#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden #Nature_Wonders

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Date:

How to make a simple and delicious mango smoothie

How to make a simple and delicious mango smoothie
🥭 How to make a simple and delicious mango smoothie

  • ✅ Ingredients:

  • · 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped
  • · 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
  • · ½ cup plain yogurt (optional for creaminess)
  • · 1-2 tablespoons honey or sugar (optional, to taste)
  • · 1 cup ice cubes (adjust for desired thickness)


✅ Instructions:

  • · Add mango chunks, milk, yogurt, honey (if using), and ice cubes to a blender.
  • · Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • · Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  • · Pour into glasses and serve immediately.


For a tropical twist, you can add a splash of orange juice, a banana, or a pinch of cardamom. Enjoy! 🥭

🛒 Plant a Mango Tree today for a happy crop tomorrow

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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Date:

Sunshine Boosters Winter Use

The magic fertilizer in action

Crazy banana with Sunshine boosters

Do you remember that Sunshine Boosters fertilizers can be applied year-round?

As natural fertilizers, their scientifically created formulas provide perfectly balanced nutrition for your plants throughout the year. Follow the instructions on the labels and apply Sunshine Boosters with every watering. Give your plants extra boost during winter months! The fertilizer amount is balanced, adjusting proportionally to the water amount, which is tailored to the plant's winter needs. Unlike dry fertilizers, Sunshine Boosters can be used all year without fear of burning plants with excessive nutrient lockup.

Those who visited on B-Farm in Sebring, have noticed our little garden by the office, with plants that are always happy and vigorous - year around. They are irrigated automatically with Sunshine Boosters using the Robuster injector. We are proud of our "crazy banana", it is taller than the building, we honestly have never seen a banana of that size! The solution we are using there is Sunshine Robusta (also available for pick up in 2.5 gal jugs).

Save on Sunshine Boosters with the discount code above!

Shop Sunshine Boosters

your plant needs food - sunshine boosters

Date:

What Pinwheel flower is fragrant?

Tabernaemontana australis, Australian Pinwheel

Tabernaemontana australis, Australian Pinwheel

Tabernaemontana australis, Australian Pinwheel

Tabernaemontana australis, Australian Pinwheel

Tabernaemontana australis, Australian Pinwheel

Tabernaemontana australis, Australian Pinwheel

💌 What Pinwheel flower is fragrant?
  • 🌸 Tabernaemontana australis, or Australian Pinwheel, is a stunning plant that makes an exceptional addition to any rare fragrant plant collection.
  • 🌸 With beautifully shaped, white pinwheel-like flowers and strikingly dark, glossy leaves that are elongated and pointed, this plant is a feast for the eyes and a treat for the senses.
  • 🌸 Ideal for adding interest to landscape understories, Australian Pinwheel is a slow-growing, low shrub that can be maintained at a manageable 3-4 feet, or allowed to reach up to 5-6 feet, forming a dense, bushy specimen. This versatility makes it an excellent choice as an accent plant, specimen, or container plant.
  • 🌸 Though it shares similarities with other species like Tabernaemontana divaricata (Pinwheel Jasmine) and T. orientalis (Banana Bush), this Australian native has its own unique character. Its blooms resemble those of T. africana but are smaller, at about 1 inch in diameter.
  • 🌸 If you're looking to add an exotic, fragrant, and eye-catching plant to your collection, the Australian Pinwheel brings elegance and distinction, standing out with its lush foliage and starry, white blossoms!


📚 Learn more:
How to establish Tabernaemontana and get more fragrant blooms

🛒 Plant Australian Pinwheel

#Perfume_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
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