Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 23 Apr 2019

Love (and FEAR) the black flowered Dead Rat Lily!

TopTropicals.com

By Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc

I acquired this rare and freaky aroid, (Typhonium roxburghii) when my wife Suzie and I were living in So. California in the early 1990's... When I first saw this plant (growing in a few pots of bamboo, along with other weeds), it had perhaps the most unusual flowers of anything I had ever seen...

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TopTropicals.com

Date: 17 Apr 2019

Mulberries - biggest, sweetest, and compact...

TopTropicals.com

Q: What is the difference between Pakistani and Australian Mulberry plants? Would one be better suited for South Florida backyard? Can one be maintained/pruned to be a tall shrub vs a large tree? Which one has the sweetest fruit? Thank you for the previous plants we've purchased from you. They're all doing great.!

A: These two varieties are very similar indeed. Both fruit are very large. Var. Pakistani fruit is a little longer than var. Australia and the tree is a more vigorous grower, but they both are very sweet, even before the fruit fully ripen. Both trees are a good choice and start fruiting at a young age.
We've had Australia in the ground in our garden for 4 years by now and for some reason, it has been very slow growing which is normally not the case with Mulberries. Maybe it is not fully happy with FL humid conditions.
There are two Mulberry varieties that can be maintained as bushes: Issai and Dwarf Everbearing. However, even vigorous Mulberry trees respond well to pruning and can be kept compact for easy harvesting. Just make sure to prune before the flowering season starts; here in S Florida Mulberries start flowering in March, and fruit start ripening during April-May.

Check out our Mulberry trees.

Date: 15 Mar 2019

Spring mulching

TopTropicals.com

Date: 12 Mar 2019

Fertilizing Ylang Ylang

TopTropicals.com

Q: What fertilizer should we be using for ylang ylang?

A: Ylang Ylang is a free-flowering tropical plant that requires regular feeding during active growth period (March through November in Florida). We use balanced granulated fertilizer that contains micro-elements. Apply once a month 1 tsp per 1 gal of soil. For in-ground plants, 1/2 cup once a month.
We also apply additional micro-element treat SuperFood as foliar spray which dramatically increases growth rate and promotes flowering.

Check out our fertilizers, plant boosters, and garden supplies:

Date: 26 May 2024

Mark your calendars: June 15, 2024

June  15,  2024  -  SATURDAY  -  Summer  Plant  Market

Summer Plant Market
Saturday, June 15, 9 am - 4 pm

Save the date! Join us on June 15, 2024, for our Sizzling Summer Plant Market!

Beat the heat and create your own oasis with our stunning selection of shade-giving trees, vibrant flowers, and unique fruit trees. Enjoy unbeatable prices, exclusive offers, and special gift bags filled with gardening goodies. Plus, receive a free plant with every purchase!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your garden and stay cool this summer. We can't wait to see you there!

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

Cat  with  gift  bags

Summer  Plant  Market