Date: 16 Nov 2019
Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Charlie, the Indoor Hunter
Carlie was a kitty drop off with LadyBug, Rickie, and Purry.
Charlie is Jamie's baby. She has an attitude of a teenager, one minute she
loves you and the next - wants nothing to do with you. Carlie stays with the
inside PeopleCats, she says it's too big in the outside world for her and she
gets scared. Carlie has a fun game (fun to her): she plays around 2:00 am in
the morning, she loves to drag random items down the hall (socks, toys,
shirts, even blankets) in her mouth MEOOOWWWING as loud as she can. She then sets
the items down on her human's bedroom rug and waits for her human to say
thank you. We're pretty sure her hunting instinct is off...
Check out and more Cat of the Day stories.
2019, from Top to Bottom: Moe, Charlie, Bagheera, and Snitch. 2016: Charlie
Date: 29 Nov 2020
Cold protection of tropical container plants
Q: I am long time customer of yours, I live in San Diego California and while the summer and Fall temperatures are warm to mild, the winter temperatures dip to a point where some tropicals die off. We are experimenting with different variations of way to heat and insulate the pots we have the tropicals planted in as a way to keep them alive during the colder winter months. I was wondering if you knew of the ideal soil temperature for these tropical in order to look their best year round. All of the heaters we have installed have thermostats and temperature adjustments so we can now keep the soil anywhere between a range of between 65-75 degrees. Any advise you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
A: This is a very interesting concept you are working with.
Indeed, keeping pots/roots warm, may help a lot! We've been experimenting with
cold protection for a long time - for the above-ground plant parts. For sure
keeping roots protected (even with a thick layer of mulch) will benefit tropical
plants during winter. In case with container plants, this may help
dramatically.
The guideline is, tropical plants slow down or stop their metabolism at
65F. As long as you can keep soil above that temperature - this should work
great. Of course, the higher the better.
Optimum temperature for growing tropical plants in general - 70-85F.
Above 90F, metabolism stops too, unless it's a heat tolerant, desert
plant.
More information on winter cold protection of tropical plants and zone pushing:
Greenhouse in Virginia
Plumeria cold protection
Ghost Cold Protection
Seven rules of cold protection for tropicals
About Cold Protection
Cold protection - winter action for your plant collection
Tropical Treasures articles on zone pushing.
Date: 7 Dec 2025
Whats for breakfast? Guava versus Banana
Smokey: Guava for fiber, banana for power. Pick wisely. Sunshine: I pick whatever requires zero effort. Smokey: So... guava in a hammock. Perfect.
🍉🍌 What's for breakfast? Guava versus Banana
Some mornings you want something light. Some mornings you want something that hits like a tiny energy bomb. That’s why people always compare guava and banana. Both are everywhere, easy to eat, and trusted since forever - from Ayurveda scrolls to modern nutrition charts.
But they’re not the same kind of morning fruit. Let’s walk through them like we’re in the kitchen deciding what to slice first.
🍉 Guava - the fiber champion
Guava looks innocent, but it’s one of the most nutrient-dense fruits.
Per 100 g: 68 calories, 5.4 g fiber, over 200 mg vitamin C, a little protein, and solid potassium.
Fiber does most of the work. It smooths digestion, keeps you full, and steadies blood sugar. Vitamin C boosts immunity, and antioxidants reduce inflammation. Studies suggest guava lowers LDL and triglycerides. Not bad for a tennis-ball-size fruit.
🍌 Banana - the quick energy classic
Bananas are the opposite personality: soft, sweet, ready in seconds.
Per 100 g: 89 calories, 22 g carbs, good potassium, and a little vitamin B6.
Bananas give fast energy without upsetting the stomach. Athletes eat them before workouts because carbs, sugars, and potassium wake up your muscles. Vitamin B6 helps mood and brain function, which is why a banana on a groggy morning works wonders.
They also pack antioxidants, polyphenols, and heart-protective compounds. Even the peel has nutrients (though not exactly breakfast-friendly).
📊 What studies say - quick notes
- · Guava: anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, boosts hemoglobin, supports dental health.
- · Banana: antioxidants, fiber, vitamins C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, and heart-protective compounds.
🔮 What Ayurveda says
- · Guava calms Pitta and Kapha - great for acidity or sluggish digestion.
- · Bananas balance Vata - grounding and nourishing - but can raise Kapha at night. Morning banana = good. Night banana = maybe skip.
🏆 Guava or banana - which one wins?
Both win, just in different ways:
🍉 Pick guava for:
· light, high-fiber start
- · better digestion
- · steady energy
- · low calories
- · weight control
🍌 Pick banana for:
- · instant energy
- · easy digestion
- · pre-workout boost
- · quick carbs
- · soft, comforting fruit
- 🍉 Slow mornings love guava.
🍌 Busy mornings belong to banana.
For home growers
If you live in a warm climate, both fruits are incredibly rewarding to grow.
🍉 Why grow guava?
- · Fruits in 1-2 years.
- · Compact for small yards or containers.
- · Super productive when mature.
- · Needs only sun, warmth, and pruning.
- · Homegrown flavor is sweeter and more aromatic.
🍌 Why grow banana?
- · Grows fast and looks lush.
- · One mat can feed a whole household.
- · Dwarf varieties fit small gardens.
- · Homegrown bananas taste richer and creamier.
- · When a bunch ripens, breakfast is handled for a week.
Growing your own fruit means you’re never out of a healthy breakfast. Something is always ripening, always ready to pick, and always sweeter than anything you buy.
✍️ Scientific reference
- · USDA National Nutrient Database: Banana, raw. Guava, raw.
- · Journal of Food Biochemistry: Antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic potential of Banana.
- · International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research: Guava (Psidium guajava). A brief overview of its therapeutic and health potential
- · International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering & Management: An analysis of health benefits of guava.
🛒 Grow your perfect breakfast for any day - Guava and Banana
📚 Learn more:
- 🟡More posts about #Bananas and #Guava
- 🟡From Plant Encyclopedia: Banana and Guava plants
- 🟡Guava beats banana in the potassium game
📱 Watch YouTube short videos:
- ✦ ' target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Six guava varieties that will keep you picking year-round.
- ✦ ' target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Why every garden needs a Banana tree
#Food_Forest #Bananas #Guava #Remedies #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Date: 29 Oct 2025
Grow your own brain food: Avocado and Cocoa
Avocado and Cocoa recipes
Chocolate tree fruit (Cocoa, Cacao beans) - Theobroma cacao
Avocado fruit
☕️ Grow your own brain food: Avocado and Cocoa
- Avocado and cocoa aren't just a delicious combo - they’re also great for your brain. Studies show that
- Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats and lutein, nutrients that support sharp thinking and long-term brain health. Cocoa, meanwhile, enhances circulation in the brain and has been linked to lower risk of stroke and dementia. So, growing your own avocado and cacao trees means growing your own natural brain boosters right in your garden.
- Try blending the two in simple treats like avocado chocolate mousse or a smoothie with banana and almond milk - creamy, rich, and packed with brain-loving nutrients.
🍽 Delicious Avocado-Chocolate recipes:
🍵 Avocado Chocolate Mousse
To make this, simply blend ripe avocado, unsweetened cocoa powder, honey (or maple syrup), and a splash of vanilla for a rich, creamy mousse that feels indulgent yet guilt-free.
🍵 Avocado Chocolate Smoothie
This is perfect for breakfast and to make it, combine avocado, cocoa powder, banana, almond milk, and a touch of nut butter for a thick, chocolatey breakfast smoothie.
🍵 Avocado Brownies
This one is for the sweet tooth lovers, use mashed avocado in regular brownie batter, add cocoa powder, and bake for fudgy, nutrient-dense brownies.
🍵 Chocolate Avocado Pudding Pops
To make this bite-size snack, blend avocado, cocoa powder, dates (or honey), and coconut milk, then freeze in molds for refreshing delights.
🛒 Plant your own Chocolate tree (Cocoa, Cacao), and Avocado tree for long lasting brain power
📚 Learn more:
- Plant a fruit tree - and breathe easier: fruit might be the surprising key to healthier lungs
- 11 tropical fruits to eat instead of taking a fiber supplement
- Tropical fruit health benefits guide - what fruit and edibles can help with health issues and vitamin deficiencies, Part 1 and Part 2.
- Top 10 fruiting plants you'll ever need for your health benefits
#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover #Recipes
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Date: 28 Sep 2025
Guava Tree Plant Care
Tips from Top Tropicals Plant Expert - Tatiana Anderson
Where to Plant Outdoors
Guavas love full sun — aim for 6–8 hours of direct light. They’re adaptable to many soils but do best in well-drained, organic-enriched mixes. Plant them in a spot where you can water easily; guavas are thirsty trees during fruiting.
Container & Indoor Growing
Don’t have space or live in a cooler climate? Guavas thrive in large pots. Use well-drained potting mix. LINK TO OUR SOIL Keep them on a sunny patio during warm months and bring them indoors when nights dip below freezing. Compact varieties like Dwarf Hawaiian Rainbow or Tikal are especially good for pots.
Winter Care
Mature guavas can handle a light frost (down into the high 20s F), but young plants need protection. If planted outdoors, cover them with frost cloth on cold nights. Container guavas can be wheeled into a garage, greenhouse, or bright indoor window until the weather warms.
Watering and Fertilizing
Water deeply once or twice a week, more often in hot weather or when fruit is developing. They don’t like soggy soil, but they won’t complain about short floods either. Fertilize 3–4 times a year during the growing season with a balanced fruit tree fertilizer. Guavas especially love potassium and phosphorus for strong flowering and heavy crops. We recommend liquid crop booster Sunshine C-Cibus and balanced controlled release fertilizer Green Magic.
Pruning
Prune after fruiting to keep them compact and open up airflow. Remove crossing or dead branches. In containers, trim back vigorous shoots regularly to manage size and encourage more fruiting wood.
Pests and Problems
Guavas are generally tough and pest-resistant. The main thing to watch for in humid or rainy climates is mealybugs - those cottony white clusters on leaves or stems. They're easy to manage with neem oil or a quick spray of horticultural soap.
Fruit time
Guavas fruit young - often within a year or two.
Pollination
Guavas are self-pollinating, so you'll get fruit even with a single tree. Planting more than one tree, however, often boosts harvests and gives you a longer fruiting season.
If you've ever wanted instant gratification from a fruit tree, guava is it.
🍴 Guava Recipes
With all that fruit, the next question is always: "What do I do with it?" Here are our favorites:
Cas Guava: Make Agua de Cas
Boil halved Cas Guava fruits with sugar, simmer, strain, and bottle. Dilute with water when serving. The concentrate keeps for months in the fridge.
Check out the recipe.-
Hawaiian Gold: Make Drinks
Perfect for Mojitos or Margaritas. Sweet, tangy juice pairs beautifully with lime and mint. Learn more
-
Araca Pera: Guava Wine
Famous in Brazil, where the fruit is turned into a vibrant rosу wine. Locals say it’s the taste of summer in a glass — and yes, you can make it at home too. Learn more...
-
Quick snack: Guava Grilled Cheese
Spread guava paste or fresh mashed fruit with cheese, grill until golden. Sweet and savory heaven. Learn more...
-
Simple Guava Juice
Blend ripe guavas with water, ice, and a little sugar if you like. Instant refreshment.
✅Ready to Grow? Whether you want fresh juice, sweet fruit, or even your own guava wine, we’ve got the best varieties in stock right now. Your future self, sipping guava juice on a hot summer afternoon, will thank you.
