Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date:

Botanical oddball - an alien ribbon plant with a sense of humor. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Botanical oddball - an alien ribbon plant with a sense of humor

Homalocladium platycladum - Centipede Fern, Tapeworm Ribbonbush

🐸 Botanical oddball - an alien ribbon plant with a sense of humor
  • 🐍 Homalocladium platycladum - Centipede Fern, Tapeworm Ribbonbush that we mentioned earlier - this leafless wonder grows long, flat, jointed stems that look like green ribbons or, yes, tapeworms. But here's the twist: it also produces charming little flowers that surprise anyone expecting nothing but weird stems!
  • 🐍 Low-maintenance and high-impact, it thrives indoors or out, in bright shade to partial sun.
  • 🐍 The flowers are real! Tiny, greenish-white to pink blooms appear along the joints - subtle but fascinating.
  • 🐍 Conversation piece? 100%. Whether in a pot or in the ground, people will ask what it is - and you’ll love telling them.
  • 🐍 If you like your plants with a sense of humor and mystery, this one is for you.


🛒 Shop Tapeworm Plant now - get ready for double takes!

#Nature_Wonders #Shade_Garden #Container_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Give your plants their Green Magic treat. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Give your plants their Green Magic treat

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer in jars

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer in jars

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer in a bag

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer in a bag

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer label

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer label

🍀 Give your plants their magic treat

Bring your plants back to life with Green Magiс Fertilizer (16-6-11) - professional formula for container-grown fruit trees and ornamentals.

📊 What's in it? Guaranteed analysis:

Macro-nutrients:
Total Nitrogen (N) – 16.00%
Available Phosphate (P₂O₅) – 6.00%
Soluble Potash (K₂O) – 11.00%

Micro-nutrients:
Magnesium (Mg) – 1.3% (Water Soluble Magnesium 1.3%)
Sulfur (S) – 6.4% (Combined Sulfur)
Copper (Cu) – 0.07% (Water Soluble Copper)
Iron (Fe) – 0.32% (Chelated Iron)
Manganese (Mn) – 0.13% (Water Soluble Manganese)
Molybdenum (Mo) – 0.011%
Zinc (Zn) – 0.07% (Water Soluble Zinc)

⚙️ How to use:
Apply 1 tea spoon per 1 gal of soil (mix in with soil) every 6 months during active growth period, or with every re-potting.

🛒 Watch the magic begin

#Fertilizers #How_to
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

How to make plants green quickly? Green Magic - the fertilizer that truly works like magic! A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

How to make plants green quickly? Green Magic - the fertilizer that truly works like magic!

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer

🌳 How to make plants green quickly? Green Magic - the fertilizer that truly works like magic!
  • 💚 Watch your plants come back to life and thrive with this professional-grade, controlled-release fertilizer - Green Magic. Even struggling plants can turn lush and green again!
  • 💚 What makes it special? Green Magic uses poly-on technology to release nutrients slowly over 6 months - no root burn, no guesswork. Just steady, balanced feeding with all the essential macro and micro-elements your plants need.
  • 💚 Ideal for container-grown fruit trees and ornamentals. One dose lasts for six months!
  • 💚 How to use: Just mix 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon of soil every 6 months or during re-potting. That's it!
  • 💚 Give it a try - your plants will thank you!


🛒 Buy once, feed for 6 months!

#Fertilizers #How_to
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Last minute gift shopping:
Gift Card with 15% BONUS VALUE

Top Tropicals Gift Card

Live plants make perfect gifts! Let Dad choose the plants he likes.

Order now and the gift card automatically will be 15% larger face value, for example:
You pay $100, we'll issue a $115 gift card
You pay $200, the card will be of $230 value.
Make sure to use words "Happy Fathers Day" in message field to qualify for the bonus value!

Offer valid through 6/15/2025.
The Gift Card has no expiration date.
The Gift Card can be used to buy plants, seeds, and garden supplies.

Get the offer!

Please vote for Top Tropicals!
2025 Fort Myers Community's Choice

2025 best of Fort Myers Garden Centers - Community's Choice

We are excited to share with you that Top Tropicals is nominated for the 2025 best of Fort Myers Garden Centers - Community's Choice! This prestigious nomination is hosted annually by the News-Press, and Top Tropicals is thrilled to be in the top 5 garden centers!

From June 11th to June 25th, you can support us by voting for your favorite nursery and have a chance to WIN $250 just by participating! Simply follow the link to vote - look for us under Shopping / Garden Centers.

Vote for Top Tropicals!

We truly appreciate your continued support and are committed to being your go-to source for rare plants, helping make all your plant dreams come true!

Date:

Father's Day Sale!

Happy Father's Day Cat

This Father's Day, celebrate with a food forest - don't just mow, grow! Plant something meaningful that will not only bring joy today but also provide delicious fruit, edibles, and fragrant blooms for years to come. Whether you're a father or celebrating one, this is the perfect day to plant and nurture a garden that will thrive, just like the love you share with your family. Plant today to enjoy the fruits of your labor tomorrow!

Use the code below to save 15% on your entire order:

FATHERS25

Min order $150. Excluding S/H. Exp. 6-15-25

Reminder: use our FREE and DISCOUNTED SHIPPING for qualified orders

Shop Now

Mango trees in pots

Join our local event:
June 14, 2025 - Father's Day Plant Market, 9 am - 4 pm

Join us on Saturday June 14 for Father's Day Plant Market
- Kids, bring your dads and surprise them with the gift of a tree! Let them pick any tree they like and plant it together.
- Fathers, bring your kids and teach them how to connect with nature - show them how to plant a tree and grow something lasting!
Stroll through our lush gardens, meet the friendly PeopleCats, and enjoy a fun day for the whole family. Our team will help you choose the perfect plants for your space and guide you every step of the way.

Event Highlights:

30% OFF online prices
FREE plant with any purchase (including Guava)
Gift bags for first 25 customers with $50+ order
$5-10 specials
$10-20 Large Banana Trees - many varieties!
Exciting raffle prizes
Green Magic fertilizer FREE samples
Live music by the Famous Hand Pan Lady!

Event discounts valid at both locations:

Ft Myers Garden Center: 13890 Orange River, Ft Myers, FL
Sebring B-Farm: 9100 McRoy Rd, Sebring, FL

Explore the Event

Top Tropicals Plant Market

Date:

Why every collector wants the Gothic Black Dragon Anthurium. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Why every collector wants the Gothic Black Dragon Anthurium

Black Dragon Anthurium

🐉 Why every collector wants the Gothic Black Dragon Anthurium
  • 🌑 A living shadow

    • Anthurium Black Dragon is one of the most prized centerpieces of the Top Tropicals plant collection. This rare and exotic hybrid is celebrated for its deep, dark foliage that looks as if it were painted with charcoal or ink. It belongs to the coveted "dark foliage" group of anthuriums - a favorite among collectors for its dramatic, gothic elegance.
  • 🌑 It changes color with light

    • This plant changes color like magic! What sets Black Dragon apart is its ability to transform. In bright filtered light, the leaves darken dramatically - almost jet black. But in lower light, they fade to a mysterious greenish-maroon. It's like having two plants in one, depending on how you position it.
  • 🌑 Its spadix and spathe are weapons of style

    • Unlike many anthuriums that flaunt bright reds or whites, Black Dragon keeps it sleek and sinister with a brown spadix and dark-brown spathe - adding a sense of surreal drama when it flowers. But wait to see the real show when is sets fruit - cascades of bright red berries!
  • 🌑 Tropical but tough

    • Though exotic-looking, it's surprisingly resilient. With the right humidity and warmth (typical of most anthuriums), it's a slow but steady grower - ideal for collectors who want something dramatic yet manageable indoors.
  • 🌑 A collector's hybrid, not found in the wild

Black Dragon is likely a man-made hybrid created by crossbreeding dark-leaved species like Anthurium watermaliense or Anthurium forgetii. It doesn’t grow in the wild, which makes it even more of a sought-after trophy in aroids circles.

🛒 Get your own Black Dragon

📚 Learn more:
The most unique plant in your collection

#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden #Nature_Wonders
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Big color in a small tree: Maroon jacaranda and why Jacaranda trees are so popular. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Big color in a small tree: Maroon jacaranda and why Jacaranda trees are so popular

Maroon jacaranda - Jacaranda jasminoides

👏 Big color in a small tree: Maroon jacaranda and why Jacaranda trees are so popular
  • 💜 Jacaranda jasminoides (Maroon Jacaranda) is a charming, compact tree that brings a touch of drama to small gardens and patios. It grows 10-12 feet tall, with a bushy habit that makes it perfect for tight spaces or even containers.
  • 💜 What really steals the show are its deep maroon to dark purple trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters from late spring through summer. In warm climates, it may surprise you with blooms at other times too!
  • 💜 The fine, fern-like leaves add a delicate, lacy texture to the overall look.
  • 💜 This jacaranda loves full sun but will tolerate a bit of shade, and it is happiest in fertile, well-drained soil. Water it regularly when it is young or during dry spells, but once established, it is fairly easygoing. It s best suited for USDA zones 9 to 11, and while mature plants can handle brief cold snaps down to 20F, younger ones appreciate a little extra protection when the temps dip.
  • 💜 Whether in the ground or in a pot, the Maroon Jacaranda is a low-maintenance beauty. A little pruning here and there keeps it tidy, and its elegant blooms make it a standout wherever it s planted. In warm places it may keep its foliage year-round, giving you a long-lasting touch of tropical color. A great pick for anyone who wants big color in a small footprint!


📚 Learn more:

🛒 Shop Jacaranda trees

#Trees #Container_Garden

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Who can handle a quarter of a million plants? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Who can handle a quarter of a million plants?

🌸 Who can handle a quarter of a million plants?

Orchids come in many shapes, sizes and colors. There are approximately between 25,000 species as well as over 250,000 of hybrids. It's one quarter of a million! Learn about these amazing plants from our orchid expert Robert Riefer:
📱

🛒 Explore orchids and epiphytes

#Fun_Facts #Shade_Garden #Container_Garden

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Charming Elephant Ears: Alocasia vs Colocasia. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Charming Elephant Ears: Alocasia vs Colocasia

Alocasia and Colocasia

🐘 Charming Elephant Ears: Alocasia vs. Colocasia - which one is better?

Alocasias and Colocasias, or Elephant Ears, are both remarkable and popular plants that can bring a tropical exotic touch to your garden, pond, or pool area. Why are they so popular - and which one should you choose?
  • 🍀 Why gardeners love Elephant Ears

  • ✔️ Tropical appeal: Bold, architectural foliage creates a lush, exotic atmosphere.
  • ✔️ Striking leaves: Huge heart- or arrow-shaped leaves in green, purple, black, or variegated tones.
  • ✔️ Versatile placement: Ideal for containers, garden beds, water features, or borders.
  • ✔️ Low maintenance: Thrive in part shade with moist soil and occasional fertilizer.
  • ✔️ Big impact: Some varieties reach over 6 ft tall, adding strong vertical structure.


🍀 Alocasia vs. Colocasia - what's the difference?
  • 🟢Leaf shape: Alocasia = upright, arrow-shaped; Colocasia = drooping, heart-shaped.
  • 🟢Leaf texture: Alocasia = glossy; Colocasia = more matte.
  • 🟢Stem color: Alocasia = green; Colocasia = often purplish.
  • 🟢Light and soil: Alocasia prefers bright, indirect light and good drainage; Colocasia loves shade and wet soil.
  • 🟢Cold tolerance: Colocasia is generally more cold-hardy and water-tolerant.


📚 Learn more:

🛒 Go big with giant leaves!

#Shade_Garden #Container_Garden

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 2: after germination. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 2: after germination

Loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) - fruit

Loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) - fruit

✍️ From seed to fruit. How to grow Loquat from seeds, step-by-step guide. Part 2: after germination

Continued from previous posts⤴️
  • 🍑 4. Transplanting Seedlings

  • ▫️When to Transplant: Once seedlings reach about 2-4” (5-10 cm) in height.
  • ▫️Transplanting and fertilizing: Move each seedling to its own pot and add controlled release fertilizer (Green Magic is the best), or use liquid balanced fertilizer Sunshine Boosters after 1-2 weeks once the seedlings establish.
  • ▫️Watering. Keep soil in a pot slightly moist but not soggy
  • ▫️Temperature. Keep seedling warm - above 70F (21C), and protect from extreme heat over 90F (35C) . For small plants, avoid freezing temperatures during winter. As the seedlings get bigger, they get higher drought-, heat- and cold tolerance. Established Loquat trees (2-3 years and older) may take light freezing temperatures.
  • ▫️Planting in the ground. You can plant the seedling in the ground when it reaches 2-3 ft tall (50-100 cm) in frost-free areas. During chill winter nights, young seedlings can be cold protected until established.

  • 🍑 5. Sunlight Requirements

  • ▫️Light Exposure: Loquat established seedlings thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Start seedlings in bright shade and protect from afternoon hot sun to avoid leaf burn. Once seedlings are established and new growth appears (2-4 weeks), gradually move them to full sun.
  • ▫️Why adequate sunlight (full sun) is important:

    • - promotes healthy growth
    - helps to avoid fungus and insect problems
    - is critical for future flowering and fruit production


🍑 6. Fruit production
  • ▫️Loquat seedlings start producing seed within 3-4 years from seed, providing adequate sunlight, warm temperatures and regular irrigation.
  • ▫️Grafted Loquats start producing right away or the next year
  • ▫️Fruit will develop over the winter and ripen from March through May depending on location


🛒 Shop Loquat Trees and enjoy fresh fruit benefits

📚 Learn more:
" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" >🎥 YouTube video about Loquat
📁 Overlooked fruit: tasty Loquat recipes (PDF)

#Food_Forest #Loquat

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
< Previous pageNext page >Most recent entryBlog table of contents