Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
New Complete Guide to Avocado Varieties
How many varieties of Avocado are there in cultivation? Did you know that there are hundreds of them? You probably thought there were only 2 kinds - black and green?
You may not realize is that this basic (but practical!) classification doesn't encompass all the wonderful qualities avocados have to offer.
There are numerous hybrids in cultivation, and once you plant your first tree and taste the REAL fruit (not from the grocery store), you'll be eager to explore other varieties. It's a guarantee! While it's true that avocado fruit can vary in "butter" content, most superior varieties are equally delicious.
This Avocado Variety Guide helps to choose the right variety for you. With its interactive tool, you can sort cultivars by fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, crop season, flower type A or B, tree habit and more.
🛒 Shop Avocado Varieties
#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #How_to
🏵 TopTropicals
Why this Akee taste of deliciousness always follows me?
Akee fruit, Ackee
Can't wait for the next crop this year 😼
📖 Fun Fact: Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and is a key ingredient in the traditional Jamaican dish, ackee and saltfish. However, it must be properly ripened and cooked due to its toxic properties when unripe.
‼️ Check out our previous post about Akee.
📚 More about Akee
🎥 YouTube Recipe: How to cook perfect Akee?
🛒 Grow your own Akee tree
#Food_Forest #Nature_Wonders #Recipes #Fun_Facts
🏵 TopTropicals
What fruit contains 65 times more of vitamin C than an orange? Now you know - its Barbados Cherry
Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra)
Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra) fruit has a vitamin C content up to 65 times that of an orange! A single fruit contains the minimum daily recommended vitamin C requirements, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3, carotenoids and bioflavonoids - great antioxidants.
If you are looing for a compact, but fast growing tree with colorful fruit that starts fruiting right away - plant Barbados Cherry. It will also happily fruit in containers.
📚 Learn more about Barbados Cherry
🛒 Order Barbados Cherry Tree Online
#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #Container_Garden
🏵 TopTropicals
Tamarind
Tamarind fruit - Tamarinus indica
Tamarind fruit - Tamarinus indica
Tamarind flowers - Tamarinus indica
🍲 Tamarind Chutney Recipe
Ingredients:
- · 1 cup tamarind pulp
- · 1 cup water
- · 3/4 cup brown sugar or jaggery
- · 1 tsp each of ground cumin, ginger, and coriander
- · 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- · Salt to taste
- · Simmer tamarind pulp and water.
- · Strain, return to heat, and add sugar.
- · Stir in spices and salt.
- · Simmer until thickened.
- · Cool and store in the refrigerator.
Instructions:
🛒Grow your own Tamarind Tree
#Edible_Forest #Fun_Facts #Recipes
🏵 TopTropicals
Date:
Monarch Butterflies Are In Trouble
You Can Help By Planting Milkweed
Do you want to save butterflies from extinction? This is all you need - embrace the allure of butterfly plants and become a hero for monarchs!
...Ecologists and other scientists have been warning about an 80 percent
decline in monarch populations due to habitat loss, pesticides and climate
change over the past two decades, but 2024 is a critical year. A recently
released annual survey on monarch populations reported a 59.3 percent decrease in
population from 2022.
Milkweed plants are one of the best butterfly attractors and they can grow
pretty much anywhere. It is a favorite of monarchs, according to Monarch
Watch.... (Source: blockclubchicago.org)
Join us in combating the decline of monarch populations by welcoming these graceful creatures into your garden! Discover the beauty of butterfly plants today and help preserve their habitat.
In the photo: Asclepias - favorite plant of all butterflies.
In the photo: a caterpillar of a future Monarch butterfly climbing up the Calotropis gigantea - Giant milkweed flower, one of the best host plants for Monarch butterfly.
Date:
Mark your calendars: March 2, 2024
Plant Festival "March into Spring!"
Saturday, March 2, 9 am - 4 pm
Save the date! On March 2, 2024, join us for our vibrant Plant Festival, "March into Spring!"
Dive into a world of lush greenery, blooming delights, and rare fruit trees
at our garden event. Discover unbeatable sales, exclusive deals, delightful
gift bags, and receive free plants with every purchase.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to embrace the beauty of spring and
elevate your garden to new heights!
Highlights of the event:
30% OFF online prices, one day only!
(excluding 15 gallon material and rare plants)
Gift bags - for first 25 customers with $50 order
Secret Garden: Super savings area 50-70% off
$5 and $10 plants
Raffle
Free plant with any purchase as a token of our appreciation
Event discounts valid at both locations:
Ft Myers Garden Center: 13890 Orange River, Ft Myers, FL
Sebring B-Farm: 9100 McRoy Rd, Sebring, FL
Date:
More TikTok Reels from TopTropicals
Discover more exotic plants and fun garden happenings from our TikTok updates:
Tacca - Bat Lily
Jasmine Belle of India
Dwarf Poinciana Care Instrustions
Subscribe to Top Tropicals TikTok:
Date:
Top varieties of pineapples
Q: I want to grow my own pineapples, which varieties do you recommend for the best production? Do I need any special organic fertilizer?
A: Growing your own pineapple is pure bliss. Watching the transformation from a small crown
into a luscious fruit is immensely rewarding. Every tropical gardener should
experience the joy of growing this tropical gem and relishing its sun-kissed
sweetness straight from the garden. Pineapples are easy to grow and can
fruit in containers too, so if you live in a colder climate, no problem! They
will take very little space in your greenhouse or sunroom. Just remember to feed
your pineapple plants with Sunshine Boosters so they will feed you the biggest and the sweetest
fruit! Sunshine Boosters are natural, organic-amino-acid based plant nutrients
that are perfect for any edibles.
There are several varieties of pineapples in commercial cultivation. Below
are the most interesting cultivars. Discover the pineapple paradise!
Elite Gold: Bursting with tropical flavor and vibrant gold flesh, Elite Gold dazzles with its unique taste and ornamental beauty.
Florida Special: Perfectly balanced sweetness and acidity, this variety thrives in warmer climates, gifting you a taste of Florida's sunshine.
Sugar Loaf: Irresistibly sweet with a hint of citrus, Sugar Loaf's compact size makes it an ideal choice for container gardening.
White Jade (Spineless Sweet): Exceptionally sweet and without spines, White Jade pampers you with a delectable, thorn-free harvest.
Lava Burst (Burgundy Variegated Rainbow): This visually stunning ornamental pineapple variety boasts striking burgundy and green leaves, resembling a rainbow of colors. Its fruit edible but small; its exceptional beauty adds a touch of exotic elegance to any garden or indoor space. Lava Burst is a delightful conversation starter and a captivating addition to your plant collection, making it a favorite among pineapple enthusiasts for its aesthetic appeal.
Embrace the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of savoring homegrown, mouthwatering pineapples - nature's sweetest gift!
Read more about Pineapples: The most luscious Hospitality Fruit.
Date:
Cat
Zodiac
Aquarius Cats 1/20-2/18
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
The astrological sign of a cat can be determined by either their date of birth or adoption, as adoption is often considered a second birth for cats. With this information, one can discover the astrological traits that describe the cat, such as their independence, diva-like tendencies, sense of humor, intelligence, and more. Additionally, it's also important to consider the astrological relationship between cats and plants...
The Aquarius cat is a very popular purrson. These cats have a unique
ability to form a network of friends and allies, not just among other cats, but
also with dogs, koi-koi fish in the ponds, goldfish in aquariums, parrots,
and other pets and creatures in the neighborhood. The humans in their lives are
also fully integrated into this pack, and the Aquarius cat takes great pride
in being a central figure and leader within this community. They view
themselves as the "Sheriff of the regional district," commanding respect and
authority among their fellow creatures, humans including...
...Tired of the hustle and bustle of society, Aquarius cats often seek out
secluded places surrounded by tall grass and fragrant plants, which can even
be a simple pot with your favorite plant...
CONTINUE READING >>
Date:
Cat
Zodiac:
Capricorn Cats 12/22-1/19
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
The astrological sign of a cat can be determined by either their date of birth or adoption, as adoption is often considered a second birth for cats. With this information, one can discover the astrological traits that describe the cat, such as their independence, diva-like tendencies, sense of humor, intelligence, and more. Additionally, it's also important to consider the astrological relationship between cats and plants...
The Capricorn cat is a busy feline. They are known for climbing curtains
and scaling ladders in the garden with ease. No fear of heights here! As
they age, Capricorn cats become wise and practical, they are cautious and
consider their options before acting impulsively. It is easy to see the wheels
turning in their head when they are faced with problems. Capricorn cats take
daily necessities like grooming and litter box etiquette seriously. They are
skilled hunters, companions, bodyguards, nurses, and box-inspectors, and they
love their jobs. Similar to Capricorn humans, Capricorn cats have a love for
plants that grow outdoors in gardens or patios...
CONTINUE READING>>
Find out the best plants for a Capricorn Cat...















