Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date:

Why we planted a whole field of this Dragon Fruit: how to get your own Dragon Fruit plantation. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Dragon fruit plantation

🌵🌵🌵 Why we planted a whole field of this Dragon Fruit: how to get your own Dragon Fruit plantation
  • 💛 Do you like Dragon Fruit? Our favorite variety is Parlora.
  • 💛 It's a yellow Pitaya cactus from Ecuador, and hands down the most flavorful dragon fruit out there. While most varieties are pretty but kind of bland, this one is sweet, juicy, and packed with flavor.
  • 💛 We love it so much at Top Tropicals, we planted a whole plantation! All it takes is a simple trellis – just a few posts and some chicken wire - and you can grow your own and enjoy this delicious fruit year-round.


📚 Learn more:

🛒Grow your own Tasty Dragon Fruits

#Food_Forest #How_to #Dragon_Fruit

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 3. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Dragon Fruit varieties collage

Dragon Fruit varieties collage

🐲 Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 3

Continued from previous post ⤴️

🛍 Limited-Time Offer:

This week only, enjoy an instant 5% discount on all dragon fruit plants, no code needed! Hurry - some varieties are in limited supply and highly sought after!​

🎮 Explore Our Unique Varieties:
  • 💋David Bowie - Red-skinned with white flesh, offering a sweet, tangy, lemon-like flavor. Self-pollinating and best enjoyed fresh.
  • 💋 Delight - Pink-skinned with light pink flesh, this variety is exceptionally fertile and produces large, flavorful fruits.
  • 💋 Eureka Red - Large, red-skinned fruit with red flesh, known for its sweet and tangy flavor. Self-pollinating and originally from Nicaragua.
  • 💋 Halleys Comet - A hybrid with pink skin and purple flesh, producing impressively large fruits up to 2 pounds. The flesh is sweet, and the plant features large, striking flowers. ​
  • 💋 Lake Atitlan - Named after the Guatemalan lake, this variety has pinkish-red skin with white flesh, offering a sweet and tangy taste. Fruits typically weigh between 0.75 to 1.5 pounds.
  • 💋 Palora (Ecuador, Columbian) - Yellow-skinned with white flesh, Palora is renowned for being the sweetest dragon fruit variety. It originates from Ecuador and is self-fertile.
  • 💋 Seoul Kitchen - This variety produces medium to large red-skinned fruits with white flesh. The pulp is smooth and sweet, excellent when chilled and eaten fresh. Self-pollinating.
  • 💋 Thai Gold - A rare yellow-skinned variety with white flesh, known for its sweet flavor with a hint of tartness. ​
  • 💋 Vietnamese Jaina - Pink-skinned with white flesh, this variety is among the most common and is known for its mild, sweet flavor with a hint of Strawberry.


📚 Learn more about Dragon fruit:

🛒 Start your dragon fruit journey today and savor the unmatched flavors of homegrown, exotic fruits!

#Food_Forest #Discover #Dragon_Fruit

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 1. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Sunshine C-Cibus fertilizer for Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

Sunshine C-Cibus fertilizer for Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

🐲 Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 1

🐉 WHY GROW YOUR OWN DRAGON FRUIT?

Dragon fruit isn't just a stunning addition to your garden - it's a nutritional powerhouse. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, this low-calorie fruit supports digestion, boosts immunity, and promotes overall wellness. While store-bought dragon fruit can be bland, homegrown varieties offer a spectrum of sweet, vibrant flavors you won't find on supermarket shelves.​
  • 🍓 Unparalleled Flavor: Experience the true taste of dragon fruit with homegrown varieties known for their sweetness and rich flavors - far superior to the often bland, commercially grown ones.​
  • 🍓 Stunning Variety: Choose from a range of types featuring white, pink, red, or purple flesh, each with unique flavors and appearances.​
  • 🍓 Easy and Rewarding: Dragon fruit cacti are low-maintenance, thriving in containers or in the ground, with minimal water needs. They're perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners.​


HEALTH BENEFITS:
  • 🍓 Digestive Health: High fiber content aids digestion and promotes gut health.​
  • 🍓 Weight Management: Low in calories yet nutrient-dense, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. More health benefits in next post ⤵️


🌵 EASY GROWING TIPS:
  • 🍓 Adaptable: This cactus plant thrives in both sun and partial shade and enjoys humid rainy summers unlike most cacti.​
  • 🍓 Container-Friendly: Ideal for pots with a sturdy trellis, making it suitable for small spaces.​
  • 🍓 Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant and forgiving, perfect for those who occasionally forget to water.​


‼️ Want more fruit? Enhance growth and fruit production with Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus fertilizer, ensuring a bountiful harvest of this exotic fruit.

Continued in next post ⤵️

🛒 Start your dragon fruit journey today and savor the unmatched flavors of homegrown, exotic fruits!

#Food_Forest #Discover #Dragon_Fruit

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

We didn't know if this hairy thing was a fern or a cactus. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

We didnt know if this hairy thing was a fern or a cactus

Rhipsalis x pilocarpa - the Hairy Stemmed Jungle Cactus

🙄 We didn't know if this hairy thing was a fern or a cactus... But everyone wanted it
  • 🌿 Looking for something unique? Rhipsalis x pilocarpa - the Hairy Stemmed Jungle Cactus - is an incredibly rare, "hairy-fruited wickerware cactus" from Brazil that's bound to wow any plant lover.
  • 🌿 With its spidery, fuzzy stems reaching up to 20 inches and delicate white to peach-colored flowers, this plant is bound to wow anyone who sees it. After blooming, it even produces pink or red berries covered in fine bristles, adding to its charm.
  • 🌿 What makes the Hairy Stemmed Jungle Cactus a must-have? It's easy to grow, thriving in warm, humid conditions with minimal watering. Perfect for USDA Zones 9-11, it makes an exotic addition to your garden or home.
  • 🌿 But be quick – this rare beauty is vulnerable in the wild, making it even more special in your collection!


🛒 Add this special to your collection

#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden #Nature_Wonders #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

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This is how Exotic Blue Flame Cactus is blooming. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

This is how Exotic Blue Flame Cactus is blooming

Pseudorhipsalis amazonica - Blue Flame Cactus

⚡ This is how Exotic Blue Flame Cactus is blooming
  • 🔥 Why we love this plant? Because it's a true showstopper that delivers again and again! Pseudorhipsalis amazonica - the Exotic Blue Flame Cactus, isn't just rare - it's a repeat bloomer that puts on an unforgettable display.
  • 🔥 At the @TopTropicals garden it's blooming not once, but twice a year - in November and now again in March - with a burst of dazzling, truly "blue-flame" flowers that light up the whole space.
  • 🔥 This plant turns any garden or patio into a tropical wonderland. Don’t miss the chance to grow something truly exotic and spectacular!


📚Learn more:
Why this cactus is called Blue Flame

🛒 Plant Blue Flame Cactus for exotic allure

#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden #Nature_Wonders #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

What cactus vine produces gooseberries

Perescia aculeata, Barbados Gooseberry fruit

Q: I've heard about a tropical gooseberry suitable for making jams but don't know its exact name. Do you have it? Gooseberry jam is my husband's favorite, but I can't find gooseberries here in Florida - too hot, maybe?

A: Yes, we do have the plant you're looking for! We've just made some delicious jam from this tropical gooseberry, and it tastes just like the northern varieties but even more flavorful! Florida's winter is the perfect season for this wonderful fruit. Right now, our plant is growing quickly and vigorously over our fence, and it's covered with fruit. Just a couple of months earlier it was full of fragrant, beautiful white flowers!

The plant in question is Perescia aculeata, commonly known as Barbados Gooseberry. It's a unique cactus with both edible leaves and fruit, making it a tropical treasure that offers beauty as well as culinary delights.

The fruit is yellow with a juicy, subacid pulp that tastes remarkably similar to traditional gooseberries. You can enjoy the fruits fresh, stewed, or transformed into jams and jellies.

The young leaves are also edible, adding a nutritious boost to your meals.

This fast-growing vining cactus prefers well-drained soil that remains moist during the summer and drier in winter, and it can be effectively grown in containers on a trellis.

Watch a short video of Barbados Gooseberry fruiting.

Plant Barbados Gooseberry

Perescia aculeata, Barbados Gooseberry jam

Perescia aculeata, Barbados Gooseberry flowers

Date:

Unlock Your Carefree Tropical Paradise:
Discover Our Useful Succulent Sale!

Red plumeria flower

Beautiful flowers and Edibles

It's no secret that everyone's dream plant is the one that requires little to no care yet still blesses us with the beauty of flowers or the bounty of fruits. Does such a plant exist? Some might say, "Sure, get a plastic one!" But the truth is, some tropical plants, which typically need a lot of water and nourishment, can thrive with minimal effort.

Dive into our Useful Succulent Sale, where you'll find plants like the enchanting Plumerias, the striking Adeniums (Desert Roses) and Starfish Flower, fragrant Epiphyllums (Queen of the night), delicious Dragon Fruits, and exotic Barbados Gooseberries that promise a low-maintenance slice of paradise. These hardy succulents need just sunshine, occasional watering, and a splash of our liquid Sunshine Boosters for flourishing flowers and fruits. Take advantage of our INSTANT 15% discount on all these splendid succulents - one week only!

Instant 15% discount to start your carefree tropical garden today!

No code required!

No min order. Exp. 2-25-25

Reminder: use our FREE and DISCOUNTED SHIPPING for qualified orders

Shop Useful Succulents

Dragon fruit cat

Dragon Fruit, or Pitaya - a striking member of the cactus family known for its spectacular night-blooming flowers and vibrant fruit. This climbing cactus can stretch up to 30 feet, producing fruit with flesh in shades of white, red, or magenta. Rich in antioxidants, it offers health benefits such as reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. A staple in both traditional and modern cuisine, it's featured in products from major brands like Tropicana and Snapple. According to the legend the fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire breathing dragons.

Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night

Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night - exotic cactus from tropical rainforests with large, meaty leaves and spectacular, huge white flowers that bloom nocturnally, filling the night with their powerful fragrance. A truly mesmerizing addition to any Southern or indoor garden.

Stapelia gigantea - Starfish Flower

Starfish Flower (Stapelia gigantea), or Zulu Giant - Large, up to 12" wide flowers in shape of Star Fish. The plant looks like a cactus, but it's really not, belonging to Milkweed family. Makes a stunning container plant and a conversation piece!

Date:

What cactus vine produces gooseberries? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What cactus vine produces gooseberries?

Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry

🐰 What cactus vine produces gooseberries? Barbados Gooseberry!
  • 🙂 Perescia aculeata - Barbados Gooseberry - unique cactus with edible leaves and edible fruit, fast-growing vine. It is a tropical treasure that combines beauty with edible delights.
  • 🙂 The fruit is yellow with a juicy, subacid pulp, and has a flavor that closely resembles a gooseberry. The fruits can be enjoyed fresh, stewed, or made into jams and jellies.
  • 🙂 The young leaves are also edible, making them a nutritious addition to your meals.
  • 🙂 A fast growing vining cactus, the Barbados Gooseberry prefers good drainage but likes its soil to remain moist during the summer, while being kept drier in the winter.
  • 🙂 Can be grown in container on a trellis.


📚 Learn more from previous posts:
What is Barbados Gooseberry?
A vine, a cactus, a tasty fruit, and a pretty flower

🛍 Plant Barbados Gooseberry

#Food_Forest #Hedges_with_benefits

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals🙂

Date:

What are the best plants for a bathroom oasis. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

🌳 What are the best plants for a bathroom oasis

👍 If you are lucky to have a large bathroom with a skylight, you can create your little tropical oasis!
Plants on the video are the easiest candidates that require minimum care:

Philodendrons
Calatheas
Monsteras
Aspidistra
Christmas Cactus
Peperomias
Vanilla Orchid
Ruellia makoyana - Monkey Flower

🛍 Shop indoor garden

#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

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Date:

Why Red Cactus is better than Christmas Cactus. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Why Red Cactus is better than Christmas Cactus

Red Rhipsalis (Rhipsalis ramulosa)

😡 Why Red Cactus is better than Christmas Cactus
  • ⛔️ Everybody wants this plant when they see it! Red Rhipsalis (Rhipsalis ramulosa) is a show-stopper with its arched, flat stems that cascade into a pendant display. When exposed to bright light, the stems turn a stunning violet-red, adding a vibrant pop of color to your space.
  • ⛔️ Flat, ribbon-like stems deepen to violet-red in high light. Tiny flowers and ornamental shell-like berries line the edges for an extra decorative touch.
  • ⛔️ Can be grown as a creeper or in hanging baskets for a dramatic display. In bright light, the leaves are bright red year around - this is why it is even better than popular Christmas Cactus that blooms only once a year!
  • ⛔️ Thrives in full sun to semi-shade with moderate watering. Use well-drained soil to prevent root rot and pinch the tips to encourage fuller growth.
  • ⛔️ Looking for a unique and low-maintenance plant? Whether indoors in a pot or outdoors as a garden accent, Red Rhipsalis brings a touch of the exotic with minimal effort. Its vibrant stems and easy care make it a must-have for any plant lover!


🛒Get your own Red Rhipsalis Cactus

#Container_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
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