Date: 25 Apr 2024
Top Tropicals is now in Telegram!
Welcome to our new Telegram
Channel!
We finally did it, and excited to connect with all of you on this amazing
platform. After using Telegram for a few years for both business and personal
communications, we realized it is a winner of the modern Social Media!
In Top Tropicals Telegram Channel you will find much more than on our website or Newsletter: Fun Plant Facts, Nature Wonders, Amazing Plant Videos, Gardening How-to Tips, Exotic Recipes, Contests, Sweepstakes, Give-aways and so much more. Plus, of course, your favorite PeopleCats!
Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security, it's super-fast, simple and free. You can use Telegram on all your devices at the same time - your messages sync seamlessly across any number of your phones, tablets or computers. It's perfect for sharing your comments, photos, videos, even making calls.
You can watch news, browse your interest, message to friends and colleagues, save your files, create groups, make phone calls, and the most amazing thing - Telegram works where nothing else works, no WiFi or cell service! It proved to be more reliable than any other apps and (surprise!) even works in airplane without wifi connection - proved!
The platform has its own cloud and offers limitless storage. And the last and not least - it's ad-free! Telegram is free and will stay free - no ads, no subscription fees, forever. It's a clean, clear and easy to use for all ages and applications. Try it yourself and discover how easy and pain-free it is!
Telegram is for everyone who wants fast and reliable
messaging and calls.
See you in Telegram!
Date: 21 May 2019
Colors of Cannas
By Onika Amell, tropical flower specialist
Q: I'm a beginner gardener and looking for something easy to grow that will add a lot of color to my garden fast.
A: Try growing Canna lilies. They are a favorite of many
gardeners as they are so easy to grow and always provide a reliable, beautiful show
of flowers. In fact, Cannas are one of those plants that are spectacular even
if they never bloomed. The leaves are tropical-looking, banana-like and huge!
They range in a wide variety of shades and colors, always accentuating the
large showy flowers on top.
One of our favorite cannas right now is Canna Cleopatra - very striking and most unique. Large yellow flowers
speckled with red spots, or red flowers and even flowers with a little bit of
both. Foliage is exotic and very beautiful, often dark green,
dark chocolate or a combination of both. This is a canna that will
definitely illuminate
your garden!
Caring for Cannas
Cannas like a lot of water, full sun and high heat. They are also heavy feeders and prefer soils that are well drained, organically rich and moist. The leaves will quickly tell you when the plant is hungry. Feed your cannas weekly with a water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer Broad Leaf Plus, and they will quickly respond with beautiful, lush growth. Deadhead often to encourage continued flowering. Cannas are winter hardy in US hardiness zones 7 and warmer. If you live in colder areas, the rhizomes need to be lifted in the fall, and stored indoors in a dark, warm spot until spring arrives. Be sure to divide clumps every three or four years. Give them lots of room as they grow into large plants, forming spreading colonies up to 7 feet high and 4 feet wide. Show them off in mass plantings, in large containers or in mixed flower borders. Lure in hummingbirds with these beauties!
Date: 16 Mar 2024
FREE shipping to Florida
Don't miss out on this exclusive offer, Floridians!
For a limited time only, we're thrilled to offer FREE shipping to all
destinations within Florida when you spend $75 on plants and garden supplies!
Now's the perfect time to spruce up your space without worrying about shipping
costs.
With our wide selection of plants and garden essentials, you'll find everything you need to cultivate your dream garden right at your fingertips.
But hurry! This fantastic deal won't last long, so seize the opportunity to beautify your surroundings while enjoying the convenience of doorstep delivery, absolutely FREE. Let the greenery come to you!
Limited time offer for Florida destinations
FREE SHIPPING!
Min order $75. Limited Time Offer.
Date: 23 Dec 2023
Butterfly Bush: Fast, Pretty, Low Maintenance...
Five unbeatable reasons to plant Butterfly Cassia
Q: I am trying to find some easy flowering shrub to screen the ugly corner of my neighbor's yard, can you suggest something fast growing and pretty?
A: One of our favorite flowering shrubs in Florida is the Cassia bicapsularis, commonly known as Scrambled Egg Bush or Butterfly Bush. It is one of the most desirable plants for the southern landscape. It has all the benefits any gardener may dream of, whether a beginner or an expert:
1. Very fast growing, can screen unwanted views and create a beautiful flowering hedge. Cassia bicapsularis is known for its rapid growth, making it an excellent choice for quickly transforming an unsightly corner into a vibrant and lush area. Its dense foliage and attractive yellow blooms add both beauty and privacy to your outdoor space.
2. Easy to grow, not fussy about soil or water, drought and flood tolerant, cold tolerant. Butterfly Bush is incredibly adaptable and resilient. It thrives in a variety of soil types, is not demanding when it comes to water, and can withstand both drought and occasional flooding. Additionally, it is cold tolerant and can withstand occasional frosts once established.
3. Blooms for many months, featuring especially in winter flowers from Fall to spring. Very pretty, large "sunny" flowers resembling bright yellow butterflies, hence the name. It is a generous bloomer, gracing your garden with vibrant yellow flowers for an extended period, particularly from fall to spring. The large, sunny blooms not only add visual appeal but also attract pollinators, enhancing the ecological balance of your garden.
4. Attracts lots of butterflies. As the common name suggests, the Butterfly Bush is a magnet for butterflies. If you enjoy the presence of these beautiful winged creatures in your garden, planting Cassia bicapsularis is an excellent way to encourage and support butterfly populations.
5. Low maintenance. Butterfly Bush can be trimmed and controlled at the desired shape if needed, but if you have room for a big bush in a full sun area - just let it go and it will form a nice dense bush without any pruning: this shrub is a low-maintenance delight. While it can be pruned and shaped according to your preferences, it also flourishes when left to grow naturally. Its ability to form a dense and attractive bush without constant pruning makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a fuss-free gardening experience.
If you're looking for a fast-growing, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing solution to screen an unsightly corner, Cassia bicapsularis is an unbeatable choice. It ticks all the boxes for a beautiful and resilient flowering shrub in the southern landscape.
"...Without a doubt, Butterfly Cassia became one of my favorite plants during my visit to Florida for Christmas a few years ago. I only wish I could have taken it back home with me to Latvia. If only my windowsill hadn't already reached its greenhouse capacity!.." - Alex Butova.
To see more options for flowering shrubs, check out the reference chart Hedges with Benefits Chart.
Date: 5 Dec 2023
Cat Horoscope:
Sagittarius Zodiac Cats 11/22-12/21
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
How to know the astrological sign of your cat?
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...More >>
Cats that help regain faith
in one's future...
Sagittarius cats are natural explorers, keen on investigating every nook and cranny of their abode and surroundings... Consequently, they may find themselves in situations requiring rescue, such as descending from a lofty tree pursued by curiosity or rescue from large birds of prey to whom your favorite decided to indicate who exactly is the sheriff of this district...
Restlessness characterizes Sagittarius cats, as they possess boundless energy and an insatiable curiosity for new experiences...
Sagittarius cats are exceptional healers for their human companions, alleviating physical and mental distress. Their mere presence, coupled with a soothing aura, helps individuals overcome serious illnesses and regain faith in their future...
Sagittarius cats are drawn to plants with large, striking, elongated, leathery leaves. Fruits, nuts, and chestnuts are particular favorites, satisfying their gourmet inclinations. Alocasias and Colocasias with their heart-shaped leaves and arrow-like (named also sagittate!) shouts, resonate well with both Sagittarius humans and Sagittarius cats, offering the vibrations necessary for achieving their goals. Opting for fragrant herbs, fruits, nuts, and aesthetically pleasing and fragrant flowering plants ensures the satisfaction of these feline aesthetes and gourmets.
Note: The bird was fine and flew away! Sushi the Cat was very gentle.