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What does a mature Champaka Tree look like? Practical Growing Guide

☀️ What does a mature Champaka Tree look like? Practical Growing Guide.

  • 🏵 Champaka, or Joy Perfume tree (Magnolia champaca) is the most desirable perfume tree for Southern landscapes - and a Signature Plant of Top Tropicals! You can see several of these beautiful trees around our B-Farm in Sebring, including the one right by the office front door.

  • 🏵 The flowers are used to make the world's most expensive perfume, Joy - and they smell like fruity bubble gum… you won't be able to stop sticking your nose in this flower! The Joy Perfume Tree blooms on and off year-round.

  • 🏵 The Champaka tree has a striking columnar shape and becomes very bushy and full when established - whether in a pot (with a proper fertilizer program) or in the ground.

  • 🏵 The lemon-lime, light green leaves are lush, soft, and tropical-looking, with a unique and beautiful color!

  • 🏵 Champaka trees begin flowering within 2-3 years from seed.

  • 🏵 Singing birds love this tree and in Spring make their nests in its bushy crown.

  • 🏵 The tree is relatively cold hardy and can withstand light freeze for a short time once established. Make sure to provide regular watering for Champaka tree.

  • 🏵 We have beautiful Champaka trees in all sizes:

3 gal pot: 3-4 ft tall - ready to bloom within a year, can be shipped
7 gal pot: 5-6 ft tall - ready to bloom, can be shipped
15 gal pot: 7-8 ft tall - have already bloomed, pick up or delivery*
25 gal pot: 10 ft tall - have already bloomed, pick up or delivery*
* Free delivery for qualified orders

🎥 These Champaka trees in the video are 5 years old (3 years in the ground) and already bloomed for the last 3 years!

🛒 Claim Your Joy Today – Own Your Perfume Champaka!

📚 Learn more from previous posts:

#Perfume_Plants #Container_Garden #Trees

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!

What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!
🍑 What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!

  • 🍑 Looking for a small, ornamental fruit tree with big flavor? Pitomba (Eugenia luschnathiana) - The Tropical Apricot Tree - is a Brazilian gem that's as beautiful as it is delicious.

  • 🍑 This slow-growing evergreen reaches 15-20 feet, with glossy dark green leaves and a striking light brown trunk. In spring, it bursts into white and yellow flowers, followed by apricot-colored fruits ripening from May to July.

  • 🍑 The fruit is juicy, aromatic, with a flavor and texture similar to apricots. Rich in vitamin C, minerals, and dietary fiber, Pitomba is perfect eaten fresh or turned into jams, jellies, and juices.

  • 🍑 Pitomba grows best in full sun, likes acidic soil, and appreciates regular water and feeding. Whether in the ground or in a pot, it’s a stunning and fruitful addition to your edible landscape.

  • 🍑 Why grow Pitomba?

🟡Unique tropical fruit with apricot-like flavor
  • 🟡Beautiful, compact tree for small yards or containers
  • 🟡Fruits in 2–3 years from seed
  • 🟡Cold-hardy to the upper 20s (°F) once mature. Grows in USDA zones 9–11 or indoors with winter protection
  • 🟡Traditional medicinal uses in Brazil for colds and digestive health


🛒 Buy Pitomba to add a small fruit tree with big flavor to your yard

#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!

What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot! What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!
🍑 What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!

  • 🍑 Looking for a small, ornamental fruit tree with big flavor? Pitomba (Eugenia luschnathiana) - The Tropical Apricot Tree - is a Brazilian gem that's as beautiful as it is delicious.

  • 🍑 This slow-growing evergreen reaches 15-20 feet, with glossy dark green leaves and a striking light brown trunk. In spring, it bursts into white and yellow flowers, followed by apricot-colored fruits ripening from May to July.

  • 🍑 The fruit is juicy, aromatic, with a flavor and texture similar to apricots. Rich in vitamin C, minerals, and dietary fiber, Pitomba is perfect eaten fresh or turned into jams, jellies, and juices.

  • 🍑 Pitomba grows best in full sun, likes acidic soil, and appreciates regular water and feeding. Whether in the ground or in a pot, it’s a stunning and fruitful addition to your edible landscape.

  • 🍑 Why grow Pitomba?

🟡Unique tropical fruit with apricot-like flavor
  • 🟡Beautiful, compact tree for small yards or containers
  • 🟡Fruits in 2–3 years from seed
  • 🟡Cold-hardy to the upper 20s (°F) once mature. Grows in USDA zones 9–11 or indoors with winter protection
  • 🟡Traditional medicinal uses in Brazil for colds and digestive health


🛒 Buy Pitomba to add a small fruit tree with big flavor to your yard

#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Fragrance, color, and hummingbirds - all in one tree

Fragrance, color, and hummingbirds - all in one tree Fragrance, color, and hummingbirds - all in one tree Fragrance, color, and hummingbirds - all in one tree
🌳 Fragrance, color, and hummingbirds - all in one tree
  • 💜 Looking for a fast-growing, elegant tree with year-round beauty and seasonal magic? Lilac Tree (Lonchocarpus violaceus) is a fragrant fountain of color!

  • 💜 The Lilac Treeis a stunning evergreen native to Africa. Reaching 25 feet tall, it forms a graceful, fountain-like shape with lush, architectural foliage.

  • 💜 In late summer and fall, this tree bursts into fragrant lavender to purple-blue blooms that fill the air with a scent reminiscent of lilac.

  • 💜 Butterflies and hummingbirds flock to the flowers, bringing your garden to life. Long, slender seed pods follow, adding unique texture.

  • 💜 Cold hardy to the 30s F for short periods, it's perfect for USDA Zones 9–11. Whether you're after fast growth, tropical charm, or simply a breathtaking flowering tree, the Lilac Tree checks all the boxes - graceful, fragrant, and irresistible.


🛒 Add Lilac Magic to Your Garden

#Perfume_Plants #Trees

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Date:

Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2

Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2
🧠 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2

🧠 Memory & Cognitive Support (Brain Boosters)
Edible Plants and Herbs:

Continued from previous post ⤴️
  • 🟡 Ginkgo Biloba - Improves blood flow to the brain, supports memory and concentration.

  • 🟡 Turmeric (Curcuma) - Contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound shown to protect neurons and boost memory.

  • 🟡 Moringa - Loaded with antioxidants, may protect brain cells and support cognitive function.

  • 🟡 Piper betle (Betel Leaf) - Traditionally used as a mild stimulant. Contains compounds that may improve alertness and support mental clarity.

  • 🟡 Piper sarmentosum (Vietnamese Pepper Leaf) - Used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

  • 🟡 Coconut Oil - Contains MCTs, which may fuel brain cells directly, especially beneficial in age-related cognitive decline.

  • 🟡 Cinnamon - is inked to improved memory and brain function. The tree's powerful scent comes from cinnamaldehyde, a natural compound with medicinal properties.

  • 🟡 Green Leafy Vegetables (like Longevity Spinach and Katuk) - High in folate, vitamin K, and lutein, all linked to better memory and reduced cognitive aging.


🛒 Give your brain what it craves, shop tropical brain boosters: Fruit Trees & Herbal Plants

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1

Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1
🧠 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1

Want to stay sharp, focused, and energized - naturally?
Don't just eat smart - plant smart. These tropical fruits and herbs aren't just delicious - they're packed with memory-boosting, focus-enhancing, and brain-protecting compounds. When you grow them in your own garden, you're building a personal pharmacy of mental clarity and cognitive power. No pills. No plastic bottles. Just real plants with real benefits, right outside your door.

🧠 Memory & Cognitive Support (Brain Boosters)
Tropical Fruits:

  • 🟡 Blueberries – Rich in flavonoids and antioxidants; support memory and cognitive performance (Note: not tropical, but widely grouped due to powerful brain benefits).

  • 🟡 Avocado – High in monounsaturated fats, supports healthy blood flow to the brain.

  • 🟡 Banana – Contains vitamin B6 and potassium, essential for neurotransmitter function.

  • 🟡 Papaya – High in antioxidants and vitamin C, may protect brain cells from oxidative stress.

  • 🟡 Pineapple – Contains bromelain and vitamin C, which may reduce inflammation and support brain health.

  • 🟡 Amla (Indian Gooseberry) – One of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. Used in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory, focus, and longevity. Acts as a neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogen.


Edible Plants and Herbs: continued in next post ⤵️

🛒 Give your brain what it craves, shop tropical brain boosters: Fruit Trees & Herbal Plants

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?

Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?
🥑 Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?

👍 Yes - with the right variety and care.
While avocados love tropical and subtropical climates, certain cold hardy Avocados types - especially Mexican varieties - can survive outside the tropics, even in USDA Zone 8b (like San Antonio, TX). Once established, some can handle short freezes down to 15F, even as low as 10F in dry climates.

Key Factors for Cold Hardiness:

  • 🔤 Plant Size: Young trees are tender. Protect with mulch, blankets, and even Christmas lights during freezes. Mature trees are tougher.

  • 🔤 Wind Protection: Wind chills do more damage than cold air alone. Plant near a south-facing wall or sheltered spot.

  • 🔤 Tree Health: Healthy trees handle cold better. Fertilize regularly during the growing season.

  • 🔤 Water & Humidity: Water less in winter. Avoid soggy soil - good drainage is a must. Trees in dry winter climates tolerate more cold than those in humid areas.


✏️ Tip: Always check the hardiness rating for your avocado variety. Protection matters most during the first 1-2 winters.

📚More about Avocado:
Posts about #Avocado
Avocado Variety Guide

🛒 Shop cold hardy Avocados and grow your own guacamole

#Food_Forest #Discover #Avocado

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Date:

What makes Lolita so special and different from regular Surinam Cherry?

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora)

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora)

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

🫦 What makes Lolita so special and different from regular Surinam Cherry? 💋
  • ❣️ Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) is Sweet, Juicy, and Cold-Hardy!
  • ❣️ Lolita Cherry is the cultivar you've been waiting for - also known as Black Star or Pitanga var. Black. This rare variety starts red and ripens to a rich black color, with a flavor tha'’s incredibly sweet, juicy, and free of the typical aftertaste found in regular Surinam cherries.
  • ❣️ The fruit is large (1-1.2 inches), packed with juice, and produced by a vigorous, upright, freely branching plant that often fruits in its first year. A reliable and heavy producer, this cherry tree is both ornamental and productive.
  • ❣️ Why grow Lolita?

💋 Delicious, black-colored cherries with exceptional sweetness
  • 💋 Fast to fruit, even in the first year. Seedlings grow true to type - a rare trait!
  • 💋 Cold hardy to the upper 20s F once established. Thrives in USDA zones 9–11 or in containers with winter protection
  • 💋 Upright, bushy habit makes it perfect for edible hedge or small garden spaces
  • 💋 Hard to find and easy to love, Lolita Black Surinam Cherry is a must-have for tropical fruit collectors.


🛒 Plant a Lolita Cherry and have lots of delicious fruit and juice

📚 More about Lolita Cherry from previous posts:

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Why grow Grumichama? Benefits of Brazilian Eugenia Tree - Cherry of the Tropics

Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis), Brazilian Cherry, fruit

Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis), Brazilian Cherry, fruit

Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis), Brazilian Cherry, flowers

Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis), Brazilian Cherry, flowers

🍒 Why grow Grumichama? Benefits of Brazilian Eugenia Tree - Cherry of the Tropics
  • 🍒 Did you know you can grow a tropical cherry right in your backyard? Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis), also known as the Brazilian Cherry, is a compact, evergreen fruit tree that's as beautiful as it is delicious.
  • 🍒 With glossy green leaves and reddish new growth, it’s an ornamental gem. In spring, it produces white flowers that quickly turn into dark purple, cherry-like fruits - ready to harvest just four weeks after flowering!
  • 🍒 The fruits have soft, melting flesh with a flavor similar to northern cherries. Enjoy them fresh, dried, made into jams, or even in baked goods and herbal teas. This is our favorite fresh cherry @TopTropicals!
  • 🍒 Grumichama plant grows into a small tree or bush in tropical and subtropical climates. It tolerates light frost.
  • 🍒 Fruits in small spaces or containers (5–10 gallon pots)
  • 🍒 Perfect for edible landscaping and home orchards. Loaded with fiber and antioxidants.
  • 🍒 Whether in the ground or in a pot, Grumichama is easy to grow, stunning year-round, and gives you a sweet, juicy reward.


📚Learn more about Eugenia cherries:
Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes. # 3: Tropical Cherries: Eugenias.

🛒 Plant Grumichama and bring a little bit of Brazil to your garden

#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Secret Banana Daiquiri Recipe:
Healthy Never Tasted So Good!

Banana Daiquiri Recipe

Q: What can I do with a lot of Bananas? All three trees I got from you last year produced lots of bananas and I can eat only so much. Any exotic recipes?

A: When we get lots of bananas (which happens every year!), we make banana bread or banana pudding for the whole team. But those are pretty common recipes. Try Banana Daiquiri!

Banana Daiquiri Recipe Ingredients:

1 ripe banana
2 ounces light rum

  1. tablespoon sugar
    1 ounce lime juice
    1/2 ounce triple sec (optional for added depth)

Ice cubes
Slice of lime or banana for garnish>

Instructions:

Prepare the Banana: Peel the banana and cut it into chunks.
Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the banana chunks, light rum, sugar, lime juice, and triple sec. Add a handful of ice cubes. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a small amount of water or more lime juice to adjust the consistency.

Garnish and Serve:

Pour the mixture into a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of lime on the rim of the glass or a small wheel of banana. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing tropical flavors!

This Banana Daiquiri is not only refreshing but also offers a creamy texture and a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus. It's a fantastic choice for hot days or when you're in the mood for something a bit exotic. Cheers!

Banana Bliss Starts Here

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