Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date:
Top 5 favorite Mango varieties
and Top 10 Condo Mango trees
How to chose the right variety of a Mango tree?
Q: The most Frequently Asked Question about fruit trees: What is your favorite Mango variety? Which mango varieties are the best? Help me to make a choice!
A: As we mentioned on our Introduction to Mango Varieties page, there are thousands of named mango cultivars available. Similar to the classification of avocados (see our Avocado Variety Guide), mango trees can be selected based on your specific needs. These needs can include tree size and growth habit, disease resistance and hardiness, and most importantly, fruit characteristics such as taste, texture, size, color, storage ability, juice and sugar content.
We are currently working on a comprehensive Mango Variety Guide and will be sharing it
with you soon. In the meantime, below are a few tips on selecting the right mango tree.
NOTE: all of the Mango varieties we offer are FIBERLESS!
Top 5 Favorite Mango we just love!
1. Alphonso - the best Indian cultivar in terms of sweetness and
flavor. One of the rarest varieties and sought after - sweet large juice fruit. Coconut-like flavor.
2. Maha Chinook - Many
consider it the best mango had ever tasted. Very rare mango variety from Singapore. This variety is semi-dwarf and great for pot culture. Nam Doc Mai close relative.
3.
Fralan - Super reliable producer and hardy tree. Green fruit, sweet and
juicy. Fralan means "Thunder" - as the fruit cracks when peeled.
4. Fruit Cocktail -
Flavor is an amazing palette of different fruit, with citrus, pineapple, and guava notes.
5. Nam Doc Mai - It's not just us, everyone loves this Mango!
The most popular variety: semi-dwarf and great for pot culture. Eaten green or ripe, a Thailand favorite. It is hands down the most sought after of the Asian mangoes and for good
reason.
Top 10 Dwarf "Condo" Mango
1.
Mallika - condo mango native to India. Among the best of the new generation of Indian dessert mangos. Intensely sweet, rich and highly aromatic flavor with hints of citrus and melon.
2. Ice Cream - far and away the most popular of the "condo mangoes." Flavored like the name. The tree can easily be maintained at a height of just six feet (!) making it ideal for container growing.
3. Julie - the most popular variety in Jamaica and many other Caribbean islands because of
its rich, sweet, coconut/pineapple-like flavor. It is a dwarf cultivar, great for containers, but keep in mind it's very cold sensitive, don't plant it in the ground if you get freeze in winter.
4. Okrung - Thai compact cultivar,
fruit eaten while green. The fruit is traditionally served in Thailand in combination with sticky rice. One of the most popular varieties in Thailand. The fruit is very sweet, with the highest sugar content.
5. Pickering - great for pot culture. It has a bushy, compact growth habit, and can be maintained in a container at just six feet (!). The fruit has a firm
flesh with a fantastic coconut/mango flavor.
6. Nam Doc Mai - The most popular variety for pot culture, we already mentioned in our favorites above.
7. Cogshall - an ultra compact grower. Suitable for container growing on a balcony, or planting in a suburban backyard. It can easily be maintained at just eight feet tall, and it will still produce a good size crop year after year. The fruit is very colorful and has a mild, sweet flavor. It is also fungus resistant.
8. Carrie - the flavor
is by far the most outstanding. It has absolutely no fiber and extremely rich in flavor, sweet, aromatic and a pure pleasure to eat. You will savor every mouthful! Its compact size makes it an excellent dooryard tree.
9. Diamond - It has a great taste very similar to Nam Doc Mai. Very compact, of a dwarf habit, great as condo mango.
10. Keitt - the best all-around late mango. It is very productive, good-flavored, and disease resistant. It also has a very long and late season. The compact tree is semi dwarf that bears 4-5 pound goliath fruit!
Photo above: Pim Seng Mun mango tree is a reliable and heavy producer.
Top 5 recommended vigorous growers and reliable producers
1. Glenn - Excellent eating quality, consistent production, and effortless to grow.
2. Pim Seng Mun - extremely productive mango.
3. Sweet Tart - New patented variety - exclusive offer.
4. Fruit Punch - Multi fruit flavor, delicious!
5. Orange
Sherbet - One of the best new varieties for backyard growing. Flavor is sweet citrus-orange and less lemony than Lemon Meringue mango. The tree is moderately vigorous.
Top 5 exotic varieties for rare fruit collection
Now that you have decided to collect them all but have limited space, these are the top 5 of the most interesting rare cultivars:
1. Kar Lon Long -
rare and unusual, native to India. Fruits that can weigh up to 5 lbs each! The unique flavor that has been described as being a cross between a mango and a pineapple.
2. Mun Kun Si - similar to Nam Doc Mai but much bigger. Rare variety, very popular
among Thai and Vietnamese people. The fruit are extremely sweet, fiberless and somewhat crunchy ("Mun" means crunchy). Very late producer, fruit may still be on a tree as late as January.
3. Pina Colada - very sweet, has rich flavor with a hint of coconut and pineapple.
4. Ugly Betty - awesome mango, great sweet flavor, while the fruit is real ugly! Slightly mis-shaped at the top - hence the name.
5. Giselle - from Zill's breeding program and was a seedling of a mango called Tower. It was described as a juice mango and is named after Gary's wife.
Photo above: preparing mango seeds for planting - growing seedlings for future grafting.
When you are in the mood for something special - you need a Loquat Liquor
🍑 Loquat tree is an excellent choice for any garden, as it is quite cold hardy, drought-, poor soil- and salt tolerant. The delicious fruit look and taste similar to apricots, but there is only one problem: there are too many of them! Make Loquat the perfect fruit for an easy home winery...
🍹 Loquat Liquor recipe
Wash loquat fruit and slit in 4-5 places. You may leave seeds in for Apricot-nutty flavor similar to Amaretto. Combine fruit with vodka and sugar in a wide mouth jar and cover. Stir fruit once a day until sugar is dissolved. Then stir once a week for 4 weeks. Drain liquid and strain through fine cheesecloth. Enjoy!
You can dispose the used fruit but we usually give it a second life: add water, bring to boil, let sit, chill, and it will make another (almost non-alcoholic) drink!
✔️ 3 quarts of loquat fruit- ✔️ 1 quart vodka
- ✔️ 3 cups sugar
- ✔️ vanilla to taste (optional)
📚 From previous posts:
🎥 YouTube video about Loquat
📁 Overlooked fruit: tasty Loquat recipes (PDF)
🛒 Shop Loquat varieties
#Recipes #Food_Forest #Loquat
🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Date:
Grow your own food:
How hardy is a Loquat tree?
Q: I am looking for a fruit tree for my backyard that is low maintenance, fast fruiting, and can take some cold (I live in Orlando FL and we do get occasional frost in winter). I like the taste of Loquat fruit, it reminds me of apricots. How cold hardy is this tree?
A: Loquat tree is a very good choice for Florida gardens. It can
take both cold and heat and produces lots of tasty fruit right away. Last
winter when we had a record freeze in our area with a couple of nights around
25F, the only trees that didn't get any damage at all were Loquats and
Macadamias, and those were still young, newly planted 4 ft trees.
To learn more about Loquat trees, check out this
">video and article: Golden Loquat - the symbol of Prosperity.
Date:
Golden Loquat - the symbol of Prosperity
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...The Loquat is a wonderful tree, ideally suited to small gardens
thanks to its compact growth habit. The plant is very fast growing, drought
tolarant, and cold-tolerant to mild frost. It is an ideal fruit tree for the
beginner...
...The flavor is a mixture of peach, citrus and a mild mango...
...In China, the Loquat because of its golden color, represents gold and wealth. It is often one in a bowl or composite of fruits and
vegetables to represent auspicious wishes or the "Five Prosperities" or
wurui...
CONTINUE READING >>
Chinese believe that planting a Golden Loquat Tree will bring you prosperity and wealth. Growing a Loquat is like growing your own Money tree!
What tropical fruit tree is cold hardy and easy to grow? Its Golden Loquat the Symbol of Prosperity, and it tastes like
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruit
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) trees in pots
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) tree
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) compot
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruit
- 🍑 Loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) is fast-growing, drought-tolerant, cold-tolerant, compact tropical fruit tree.
- 🍑 Heavy producer. Fruits are juicy, aromatic, and resemble apricots. Ripen from early Spring to early Summer.
- 🍑 Ideal for small gardens, beginner fruit tree growers.
- 🍑 High in sugar, acids, vitamins B and C, minerals, and pectin.
- 🍑 Eaten fresh, used in fruit salads, jams, jellies, chutneys, pies, tarts, and wine
- 🍑 Grown in Japan for over 1,000 years. In China, represents gold and wealth, often included in auspicious displays or offerings for prosperity💰
Popular as a natural sweetener and for creating sauces.
📚 Learn more about Loquats
'>🎥 YouTube video about Loquat
📁 Overlooked fruit: tasty Loquat recipes (PDF)
🛒Start your fruit garden with Loquats
#Food_Forest #Recipes
🏵 TopTropicals
Date:
New Video:
What is a Loquat?
Loquat is one of the easiest tropical/subtropical fruit trees to grow, with delicious fruit resembling Apricots (in fact, from the same family!). This video presented by our video host David Mortimer.
More information on Loquat trees:
Golden Loquat - the symbol of Prosperity
Kristi's Loquat Tropical BBQ sauce
Overlooked fruit: tasty Loquat recipes (PDF from Tropical Treasures
Magazine)
Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what is fruiting and blooming!
Date:
Ten
top fruiting plants you'll ever need
for your health benefits
Q: I planted Mango and Avocado trees, and I still have room for more trees but want to use the space wisely. What other trees should I plant to get the most benefits out of the fruit?
A: Everyone loves planting Mango or Avocado trees for their well-known benefits. But did you know that adding a variety of other fruit trees to your garden can expand those benefits even more? If you plant just one of each of these 10 trees, you'll have a complete spectrum of nutrients and health-boosting ingredients you ever need. With a diverse range of healthy fruits, you'll boost your diet, improve your health, and elevate your lifestyle. Let's check out the TOP TEN most rewarding and useful fruit...
1. Guava
Guava is rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and helps protect
against colds and infections.
Guava helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it a good option for people
with diabetes.
Its potassium content helps maintain healthy blood pressure.
Guava's antioxidants, like lycopene and vitamin C, contribute to glowing
skin and may reduce the risk of cancer.
Guava is eaten fresh, made into juices, jams, and jellies, or added to
desserts and smoothies.
2. Coffee
Coffee is widely enjoyed as a beverage and is used in various desserts and
drinks.
It is rich in antioxidants, which may reduce inflammation and lower the
risk of chronic diseases.
It improves focus and mental alertness due to its caffeine content.
Coffee boosts metabolism and aid in fat burning, supporting weight
management.
3. Noni
Noni
is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce joint
pain and arthritis symptoms.
Fresh noni fruit and juice are popular in traditional herbal medicine and
drinks.
It boosts the immune system due to its rich vitamin C content.
Noni juice is used traditionally to improve digestion and fight infections.
4. Papaya
Papaya is a popular ingredient in salads, smoothies, and tropical desserts.
It contains enzymes like papain that aid digestion and reduce bloating.
It is high in vitamin C and vitamin A, the antioxidants in papaya may
protect against heart disease and reduce cancer risk.
5. Banana
Bananas
are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports
heart health.
They provide a quick source of energy and are great for post-workout
recovery.
The fiber in bananas aids digestion and promotes gut health.
East them fresh, add to smoothies, bake into breads and desserts, or use in
various savory dishes.
6. Dragon fruit
Dragon
fruit is often used in smoothies, fruit salads, and refreshing drinks.
It is high in fiber, aiding digestion and promoting gut health.
Low in calories and packed with nutrients, it's great for weight
management.
7. Tamarind
Tamarind is a common ingredient in sauces, chutneys, and beverages.
Rich in antioxidants, it protects the liver and reduces inflammation.
It contains natural compounds that help lower cholesterol and improve heart
health.
Tamarind has a mild laxative effect, aiding digestion and relieving
constipation.
8. Loilita (Surinam) Cherry
Surinam cherry is rich
in vitamin C, boosting the immune system and skin health.
Its antioxidants reduce inflammation and protect against free radical
damage.
It contains fiber, which supports healthy digestion.
Surinam cherries are used in jams, sauces, and desserts or eaten fresh.
9. Nescafe
Nescafe - Mucuna pruriens - is used in herbal supplements or ground into powder for teas and health drinks.
It is known for its potential to boost dopamine levels, improving mood and reducing stress.
It supports cognitive function, muscle growth and increases energy levels.
10. Loquat
Loquat are very popular and are eaten fresh or used in making jams, jellies, pies, and fruit salads.
Loquat is rich in vitamin A, supporting eye health.
It contains antioxidants that help fight inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
The fiber in loquats aids digestion and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
By planting these 10 diverse fruit trees, you'll not only enjoy a delicious and abundant harvest but also ensure your garden provides all the nutrients needed for a healthier, more vibrant life.
Date:
The best grafted Loquat varieties
at 15% OFF for 3 days!
Q: I have a nice Loquat tree started from seed. I understand it will not bear fruit unless grafted. Can you graft the tree in your nursery? If this is not possible let me know the cost of Loquat tree and I buy it from your nursery.
A: From our experience, Loquat trees grown from seed bear fruit
much sooner (within 5-6 years) than seedlings of such trees as Mango and
Avocado (8-15 years). Also, unlike Mango and Avocado, the fruit quality of a
Loquat seedling is usually not too bad. However, in order to have a tree with a
superior fruit, it is recommended to plant grafted variety for a guaranteed
tasty crop. If your seedling is already a large plant (with a trunk diameter
over 5 mm), it may be too late to graft it, because quality graft requires fresh
wood.
If you have plenty of room in your yard with enough space for both grafted
tree and a seedling, you may still plant the seedling in the ground and give
it a chance to produce in a few years. If your garden space is limited, we
recommend you to plant a grafted variety and enjoy fruit as soon as the next
year.
The most popular grafted Loquat varieties, heavy
producers:
Champagne
Christmas
Gold
Nugget
Yehuda
SALE: 15% OFF now, no min. order!
- $20% OFF discount code PARENTS2020 for orders over
$200
- 5% automatically off all orders over $100
= make it a steal!
Offer expires 7-28-20
If you are local, stop by our Garden Center and we will pick the biggest
and the best tree for you. Or just order online and get it in just a few
days to your doorstep!
See full list of Loquat varieties available at the moment.
Top 10 Dwarf Condo Mango - great for container culture
Mango Cogshall
Mango Ice Cream
Mango Julie
Mango Okrung
Mango Pickering
Mango Nam Doc Mai
Mango Mallika
Mango Carrie
Mango Diamond
Mango Keitt
- 🟠 1. Cogshall - an ultra compact grower up to just eight feet tall, will still produce a good size crop. Very colorful and has a mild, sweet flavor. Fungus resistant.
- 🟠 2. Ice Cream - far and away the most popular of the "condo mangoes." Flavored like the name. Maintained at a height of just six feet (!) making it ideal for container growing.
- 🟠 3. Julie - the most popular variety in Jamaica and many other Caribbean islands because of its rich, sweet, coconut/pineapple-like flavor. Great for containers, but keep in mind it's very cold sensitive, don't plant it in the ground if you get freeze in winter.
- 🟠 4. Okrung - Thai compact cultivar, served in Thailand in combination with sticky rice. One of the most popular varieties in Thailand. The fruit is very sweet, with the highest sugar content.
- 🟠 5. Pickering - great for pot culture. It has a bushy, compact growth habit, maintained in a container at just six feet (!). The fruit has a firm flesh with a fantastic coconut/mango flavor.
- 🟠 6. Nam Doc Mai - The most popular variety for pot culture. Everyone loves it. Eaten green or ripe, a Thailand favorite.
- 🟠 7. Mallika - condo mango native to India. Among the best of the new generation of Indian dessert mangos. Intensely sweet, rich and highly aromatic flavor with hints of citrus and melon.
- 🟠 8. Carrie - the flavor is by far the most outstanding. It has absolutely no fiber and extremely rich in flavor, sweet, aromatic and a pure pleasure to eat. You will savor every mouthful! Its compact size makes it an excellent dooryard tree.
- 🟠 9. Diamond - It has a great taste very similar to Nam Doc Mai. Very compact, of a dwarf habit, great condo mango.
- 🟠 10. Keitt - the best all-around late mango. Very productive, good-flavored, and disease resistant. Has a very long and late season. The compact tree is semi dwarf that bears 4-5 pound goliath fruit!
📝 See also earlier post: 5 most Favorite Mango Varieties
🛒 Shop Mango Trees
#Food_Forest
🏵 TopTropicals
Date:
10 secrets of growing a perfect Mango tree
Grow Your Own Food
How to grow a healthy and productive mango tree?
1. Right variety. Select a vigorous grower for
in-ground planting, or a condo mango cultivar for growing in container. More info on varieties.
2. Soil must be well-drained. If planted in the ground, plant on a
little elevation (see How to plant a tree)
3. Full sun is a must. The more sun, the more flower and fruit.
4. Water. Keep mango tree on a dry side, water young trees regularly
but let top of the soil dry before next watering. Mango trees don't like wet
feet.
5. Air circulation is important for mango tree to eliminate
diseases. Allow enough space from other trees and buildings.
6. Fungicide. Mango leaves are very susceptible do fungal issues,
especially in humid climates likу Florida. Spray fungicide (Copper or similar)
according to the label, once a month.
7. Fertilize year around with every watering with liquid fertilizer
Sunshine
Boosters Mango Tango. Apply Micro-elements once a month and use other good supplements.
8. Shape. Check out Video:
">Tipping your mango tree - to shape the most vigorous and productive
tree.
9. Protect from hard freeze. Mango tree doesn't take freezing
temperatures well. In subtropical areas Mango can be protected. Alternatively, it can successfully produce in
container, if moved indoors during cold weather.
10. Fruit. Mango tree produces thousands of little flowers, many of
them can set fruit. Do not let a small, young tree to keep more than 1-2
fruit, remove extra, to avoid exhaustion. Allow 2-3 years for the tree to
establish until it produces a full crop. Apply Sunshine Honey supplement to your tree for sweeter fruit.

























