Bahamas Cocoplum - Chrysobalanus icaco
Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
James Coconuts and Bob introducing Five best fruit trees
🌳 Five best fruit trees to plant in Summer
☀️ Summer might be scorching, but it’s actually a great time to plant fruit trees that love the heat. If you've got sunshine and a little space, these five tropical picks will reward you with fresh, homegrown fruit - some you’ll never find in a store!
1. Mango - the King of all fruit, a must have in every garden. Fiberlress varieties only! You can't buy those in the store.
2. Avocado - a must have super-fruit in everyone's diet, grow your own!
3.🐲 Dragon fruit - heat tolerant easy plant with low water needs, sweet fruit-bearing cactus
4. 🍉 Guava - by far the most flavorful tropical fruit, great for Summer drinks
5. 🍐 Black Sapote - fast growing, heat- and flood-tolerant, fruit tastes like chocolate pudding
📚 Learn more from previous posts:
🛒 Explore the finest rare tropical fruit trees
#Food_Forest #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
☀️ Summer might be scorching, but it’s actually a great time to plant fruit trees that love the heat. If you've got sunshine and a little space, these five tropical picks will reward you with fresh, homegrown fruit - some you’ll never find in a store!
1. Mango - the King of all fruit, a must have in every garden. Fiberlress varieties only! You can't buy those in the store.
2. Avocado - a must have super-fruit in everyone's diet, grow your own!
3.🐲 Dragon fruit - heat tolerant easy plant with low water needs, sweet fruit-bearing cactus
4. 🍉 Guava - by far the most flavorful tropical fruit, great for Summer drinks
5. 🍐 Black Sapote - fast growing, heat- and flood-tolerant, fruit tastes like chocolate pudding
📚 Learn more from previous posts:
- 🟡10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes
- 🟡Top 10 fast-fruiting trees
- 🟡Top 10 fruit you'll ever need for your health benefits
🛒 Explore the finest rare tropical fruit trees
#Food_Forest #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Cordyline fruticosa - Hawaiian Ti plant
🌈 Color that lasts year-round: Ti plant: bold color, easy care
🛒 Ti time! Click to grow
#Container_Garden #Hedges_with_benefits #Shade_Garden
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- 🌿 Looking to add some serious color to your garden without adding a lot of work?
- 🌿 Shades of deep burgundy, hot pink, bright green, even chocolate - and everything in between. The glossy, sword-shaped leaves look like something out of a vacation photo.
- 🌿 And the best part? It's super easygoing. Ti plants grow well in sun or shade, in the ground or in pots, and need very little water.
- 🌿 Perfect for borders, containers, or as a tropical accent - Ti Leaf brings instant island vibes to your space.
Cordyline fruticosa, also known as the Hawaiian Ti plant comes as beautiful colorful leaves in so many shades and varieties!
🛒 Ti time! Click to grow
#Container_Garden #Hedges_with_benefits #Shade_Garden
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Brunfelsia isola - Lavender Lady of the Night
☀️ Five best fragrant plants for summer plantings
🛒 Shop fragrant plants
🎥 Brunfelsia isola, or Lavender Lady of the Night, are a "marble" twist of cream and purple, changing hue unpredictably. They are deliciously fragrant at night.
📚More fragrant garden ideas:
▫️ Six most desired perfume plants
#Perfume_Plants #Discover
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- ☀️ Summer heat? No problem. These fragrant plants thrive in it - and will make your garden smell like vacation every day.
- ☀️ Brunfelsia - Lady of the Night - releases its sweet scent after sunset, filling warm evenings with a dreamy, tropical perfume.
- ☀️ Gardenia - Queen of Scent - classic creamy blooms with a rich, unmistakable fragrance that perfumes the air even in peak summer.
- ☀️ Jasminum sambac - the most popular and the most fragrant Jasmine for both indoor or outdoor culture. Varieties: Arabian Nights, Belle of India, Mangalore Malli, Grand Duke, Grand Duke Supreme, Gundu Malli, Maid of Orleans, Mali Chat, Mysore Mulli, Little Duke Supreme - Baby Duke.
- ☀️ Nyctanthes arbor-tristis - Parijat. Small tree or shrub from India with highly perfumed flowers, one of the most desired fragrant plants. Mythology says the plant came to earth with God Krishna, shedding flowers like tears before dawn.
- ☀️ Plumeria - tropical icon known for its heavenly scent and stunning flowers - blooms all summer and keeps your garden smelling like vacation!
🛒 Shop fragrant plants
🎥 Brunfelsia isola, or Lavender Lady of the Night, are a "marble" twist of cream and purple, changing hue unpredictably. They are deliciously fragrant at night.
📚More fragrant garden ideas:
▫️ Six most desired perfume plants
#Perfume_Plants #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
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☀️ When tropical plant takes a Summer break
Why your plants might stop growing in mid-Summer
and what to do about it
Q: Why some tropical plants stop growing when it gets too hot? Aren't they supposed to like the heat? Should I use more fertilizer during hot Summer?
You've been watching your tropical tree thrive all spring. New leaves, steady growth, maybe even a flower or two. Then July hits, and… nothing. The heat cranks up, and your once-busy plant just sits there. No new shoots, no blooms, not even a twitch. If it feels like your plant ghosted you - but don't worry! It's not dying. It's just hot!
Q: What happens to tropical plants when it gets extremely hot?
When the heat hits, plants hit pause. In the peak of summer, especially with temperatures above 90F, many tropical and subtropical plants go into heat survival mode. Growth above ground may slow down or stop entirely. It's not because you forgot to water or skipped a fertilizer dose - it's just too hot. The plant's energy shifts underground, where roots may still be growing. Think of it like a tropical version of a siesta - less margarita, more mulch. This stage might last a few weeks or longer, depending on how intense the heat gets. But the important thing is: it's normal.
Q: What NOT to do?
- Don't drown it in extra water. That leads to root rot.
- Don't dump dry fertilizer on it. That can burn the roots or just get flushed away. Use controlled release or liquid fertilizer dozed proportionaly to the plant's water usage.
- Don't prune aggressively, hoping to jolt it awake.
None of that helps - in fact, it can make things worse.
Q: What you CAN do?
- Water deeply in the early morning, and let the soil dry a bit between waterings.
- Add mulch to help keep the root zone cool and reduce evaporation.
- Provide temporary shade for potted plants or young trees.
- Hold off on pruning or heavy feeding until you see new growth.
Just like you wouldn't run a marathon in a heatwave, your plant needs a break too.
Q: Why you shouldn't fertilize stressed plants with dry fertilizer?
Fertilizing seems like the obvious solution when a plant stalls, but in the heat of summer, it can backfire. When temperatures soar, roots slow down, and absorption becomes inefficient. You might pour in nutrients, but your plant can't use them - and what's worse, any tender new growth that does emerge can get scorched or sunburned before it has a chance to harden.
Feeding a plant with strong fertilizers during a heatwave is like telling someone to sprint in a sauna. It's not just unhelpful - it's risky. That's why you need a fertilizer that’s engineered for hot weather - not just any slow-release formula.
Liquid Sunshine Boosters mild formulas are safe to use year around. Controlled release fertilizer like Green Magic are safe as well, just make sure to follow directions and dosage.
Q: Why Green Magic fertilizer works in heat better that Osmocote?
Not all slow-release fertilizers are built for hot summer. Some popular brands might seem like a good choice - but they’re optimized for soil temperatures around 70-75F. That's a mild Spring day in the South, but in real-world Florida or Arizona heat? Not even close.
Here's the problem: Osmocote releases nutrients based on moisture, not temperature. When it's hot and humid - or worse, when you water heavily - it can dump too many nutrients at once. That nutrient surge can:
- Burn your plant's roots
- Force tender new growth that gets fried in the heat
- Leach straight out of the pot, wasting both fertilizer and money
It's unpredictable, especially in containers that heat up faster than ground soil. What you think is "slow-release" can behave more like a fertilizer bomb.
Green-Magic, by contrast, uses a temperature-sensitive polyurethane coating that responds gradually and consistently as the soil warms. That means:
- No sudden nutrient spikes
- No wasted runoff
- And no risk of heat-triggered burn
It's designed to feed steadily and predictably - even when temps hit 90F and stay there. For potted tropical plants, that kind of control is the difference between stressed and thriving.
Q: How does Sunshine Boosters help with daily plant recovery in summer?
Once your plant begins to show signs of life again - maybe a new bud, or evening perkiness - it's safe to resume feeding. But skip the salts, and reach for something gentler: Sunshine Boosters.
These amino-acid based liquid fertilizers are designed for daily use, even in containers during the hottest days. They enhance nutrient uptake, even when roots are stressed or sluggish. Unlike synthetic chelators like EDTA, Sunshine Boosters won't bind nutrients or burn root system. They stay gentle, available, and effective. Learn more from this short video.
Use SUNSHINE Robusta for foliage support, or Ca-Support PRO for strong structure and recovery. It's like hydration and nutrition in one - perfect for tropical plants fighting through summer heat.
Q: How can I help my plants during extreme heat?
Don't fight the heat - work with it. If your tree looks stalled this summer, don't panic. It's following a rhythm older than all of us. Support it with smart watering, the right fertilizer combo, and a little patience. Before long, you'll see buds again - and know your plant made it through the heat.
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🔥 Too hot to function?
20% off QUALITY fertilizers
When it gets this hot, even Macaron the cat gives up on pretending to care. He flops sideways, paw in the air like he's surrendering to the sun, and doesn't move for hours. Your plants? They’re doing the same.
That's not neglect. It's survival.
If your tropical plant suddenly stopped growing, it's not mad at you - it's on summer strike. And the worst thing you can do is try to push it with a shovel of cheap dry fertilizer.
In our next column we will tell you how to save plants from heat stress, root burn, or just plain summer sulking. Macaron's Paw of Approval 🐾.
While you're at it - give your plants the gentle support they actually need - and save!
Use code FERTI20 to
save 20% on fertilizers and garden supplies!
No minimum order. Offer Ends July 24, 2025.
Tebow Mango
Tebow Mango - smooth, sweet, and melting.
Mango Rainbow🌈
🛒 Shop Mango varieties
📚 Previous posts: #Mango_Rainbow - varieties you should try
#Food_Forest #Mango #Mango_Rainbow
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Mango Rainbow🌈
- 🟡 Mango Tebow is Kent x Edward hybrid, an excellent late season variety. It is a Florida-born favorite named after Tim Tebow.
- 🟡 Fiber-free, smooth orange flesh with a sweet, tropical pineapple-coconut twist. It's juicy, fragrant, and just melts in your mouth.
- 🟡 A compact, heavy-bearing tree - perfect for home growers.
🛒 Shop Mango varieties
📚 Previous posts: #Mango_Rainbow - varieties you should try
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Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree
🌞 National treasure of Thailand: Golden Shower Tree
▫️In Thailand, it’s called Ratchaphruek and symbolizes royal identity.
🛒 Shop showy Cassia trees
📚 Learn more:
▫️Compact and showy flowering trees: Rainbow Cassias.
#Butterfly_Plants #Trees
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- ☀️ Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree is known as the national flower of Thailand. It is one of the most spectacular flowering trees for tropical and subtropical gardens.
- ☀️ From late spring through summer, it puts on a breathtaking display of golden-yellow flower clusters that hang in long, pendulous chains, often over a foot long. When in full bloom, the entire tree appears drenched in gold.
- ☀️ This deciduous tree drops its leaves in the dry season, allowing the brilliant flowers to take center stage. The leaves re-emerge after flowering, followed by long, dark brown seed pods that can reach up to two feet.
- ☀️ Cassia fistula is fast-growing, typically reaching 20-30 feet tall, and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It prefers a dry season to initiate heavy blooming and is tolerant of drought once established.
- ☀️ Aside from its beauty, the tree has cultural and medicinal significance in Asia in Ayurvedic medicine.
- ☀️ Fun facts:
▫️In Thailand, it’s called Ratchaphruek and symbolizes royal identity.
- ▫️Its golden flowers are often used in local festivals and ceremonies.
- ▫️It attracts bees and butterflies and provides seasonal shade.
🛒 Shop showy Cassia trees
📚 Learn more:
▫️Compact and showy flowering trees: Rainbow Cassias.
#Butterfly_Plants #Trees
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Van Dyke Mango
Van Dyke: the mango that glows and flows.
Mango Rainbow🌈
🛒 Shop Mango varieties
📚 Previous posts: #Mango_Rainbow - varieties you should try
#Food_Forest #Mango #Mango_Rainbow
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Mango Rainbow🌈
- 🟠 Van Dyke is a Florida classic mango that’s loved all over the world - and once you try it, you’ll know why!
- 🟠 The trees are strong, spreading, and loaded with beautiful fruit.
- 🟠 Walking through the grove, this one really pops - bright yellow skin with a red blush, like it’s lit from within.
- 🟠 I pick it, slice it open... and wow! No fiber, just rich, juicy flesh with a sweet, spicy twist. It’s dense, meaty, and bursting with tropical flavor. This mango isn’t just pretty - it's pure magic!
🛒 Shop Mango varieties
📚 Previous posts: #Mango_Rainbow - varieties you should try
#Food_Forest #Mango #Mango_Rainbow
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How to cut a Mango
How to cut a Mango without making a mess: Mango Rainbow tasting table
Mango harvest is exploding! Today we had another epic mango tasting table at Top Tropicals - and wow, do we have some favorites to share. From creamy classics to crisp green delights, here's what stood out and why we can't stop talking about them!
🌈 Today on the Mango tasting table:
🛒 Discover Mango varieties - hundreds!
📚 Previous posts: #Mango_Rainbow - varieties you should try
#Food_Forest #Mango #Mango_Rainbow
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Mango harvest is exploding! Today we had another epic mango tasting table at Top Tropicals - and wow, do we have some favorites to share. From creamy classics to crisp green delights, here's what stood out and why we can't stop talking about them!
🌈 Today on the Mango tasting table:
- 🟠 P22 - Ultra-sweet with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Completely fiberless and silky smooth like mango cream.
- 🟠 Sweet Tart - Bright orange flesh with bold sweet-tart flavor, floral aroma, and a juicy, creamy texture. Tangy when green, syrupy sweet when ripe.
- 🟠 Van Dyke - Rich and juicy with dense, meaty flesh and a tropical spice twist. Fiberless and bursting with sweet aroma and high juice content.
- 🟠 Pim Seng Mun - Crisp and tart when green, with a bright apple-like snap. When fully ripe, it has an amazingly smooth, melting, and silky texture - a true Thai favorite for eating both ways.
- 🟠 Florigon - Creamy and mild with a buttery texture and hint of spice. Sweet but balanced - delicious on its own or over ice cream.
🛒 Discover Mango varieties - hundreds!
📚 Previous posts: #Mango_Rainbow - varieties you should try
#Food_Forest #Mango #Mango_Rainbow
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals