Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 5 Oct 2019

Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Wesley (Vasiliy)

Vasiliy is Russian Blue. Everybody calls him Wesley. Wesley is Marco's twin brother. They both were found as little kittens in a box that someone dropped off... right, under TopTropicals car.
Marco is long hair, and Wes is short hair, so Wes doesn't get a haircut like his bro. Although Wes is much bigger and fatter, he is not as brave as skinny Marco who fearlessly spends his days at the front gate. Wes is afraid of Thunder, Rain, and a Doorbell. So he is mostly hiding behind the scene... unless food is on the table!

In the photo: Wesley Roll - bikini shot

Date: 5 Oct 2019

Gardenia flowers: how to prevent bud-drop

Q: My gardenia looks beautiful, but the flowers fall off of it before they even open up, the majority of them get this brown color at their base. Can you point me in the right direction.

A: There are 3 possible problems, either one, or a combination:
1) Lack of light
2) Too much water
3) Lack of micro-nutrients in soil
Try the following treatments:
- micro-elements SUNSHINE-SuperFood as foliar spray + drench rootball, once a month, it will improve quality of the flowers.
- Silicon protection: SUNSHINE-Power-Si. This supplement has Silicon as an active element (Si). Adding it to soil or/and over foliar spray can immensely enhance plants' resistance to external factors and boost their growth and health.
Make sure the soil is not soggy, reduce watering especially during fall/winter.

Date: 28 Sep 2019

Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Lil-S*

You know how it is, cats are like potato chips, they can't be just one. And they come to you, they adopt you. They always pick the right people. Every one of them has a story of their appearance.
Lil-S* came from a car engine. One cold winter morning of 2013 when we were about to start a car... lil "meow" squeaked as a warning... Thank God the engine wasn't started. She was hiding from cold under the hood right on the engine, probably still catching some warmth from it... She was 4" size kitten that fit in a palm of your hand... And she always has been a handful! That's why we named her Little Sh*t.

Lil-S* likes to hang out with Marco in front of TopTropicals gate, greeting the customers.

Date: 28 Sep 2019

Fragrance of Angel Hair Jasmine

Q: I got angel hair jasmine, it started flowering, but it does not have any smell. What can be done?

A: Jasminum pubescens - Angel Hair Jasmine has very fine fragrance. It is not as strong as some other jasmines like Sambac for example. However flowers do have a sweet scent especially in the early morning hours, as long as the plant is well-established, grows in a warm and humid environment. Keep in mind that flowers on young small plants that do not have a developed root system, may not be as fragrant as on mature vigorous specimens. Also, this jasmine needs a full sun location and regular fertilizer for profuse flowering.
We recommend the following fertilizers to boost flowering energy:
- Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
- Plumeria Top Dress - Smart-Release Booster
Use microelements at least once a month to improve plant vigor and quality of flowers

Date: 24 Sep 2019

Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Marco

Cat of the Day: Marco

When you visit TopTropicals Garden Center, the first Purrrrson that greets you will probably be Marco. He likes to chill out right at the parking lot under the shady oak!

Marco is a long-hair Russian Blue, and it is too hot for him in Florida. So he gets a fashionable Lion Cut every couple of months!

See more PeopleCats of TopTropicals