Date: 29 Sep 2020
Shipping Tropical Plants Worldwide
Q: We are very interested in introducing frost-hardy avocado varieties into Switzerland. We would really, really like to have our own avocados in our garden. And we believe that the plants have a large sales market here. Do you see a way to send some plants to Switzerland? Which varieties would you recommend, which are the cold-hardiest?
A: Yes, we do ship plants all over the world, including Europe. For basic information on international shipping, please refer to these guidelines. Shipping plants internationally is a bit complex procedure, however we have over 17 years experience with that and you came to the right place. For a quote on shipping cost and to make sure you get all the necessary paperwork, contact our international department direct number 239-771-8082 or email us .
Regarding your questions about Avocado varieties:
First, please take a look at Cold hardy Avocado varieties guide pdf file. The most cold hardy
varieties like Brazos Belle, Fantastic, Joey, Lila, Poncho, Winter Mexican - can
take short period of light freeze as long as they well established. This means,
for the first year or two you need to protect them from freeze. Keep in mind
that if you have hard freeze every night for several weeks, then even
cold-hardy Avocados must be grown with cold protection. It is possible to do by
creating a greenhouse/conservatory around plants in the ground, see example from one of our customers in Virginia. Even better - grow them
in large pots. This way plants will be easier to handle and move around as
needed. See the photo above of avocado production in pots.
Date: 20 Aug 2020
Coral Bean - Hummingbird Delight
Erythrina herbacea
by Onika Amell, tropical plant expert
Q: I am creating a natural, native garden on the southwest coast of Florida. In some of the far corners of my landscape, my soil unfortunately is poor and my irrigation does not reach these areas. I am hoping to find something unusual and native to grow in these challenging areas of my garden. Any luck of finding something tough that will also attract hummingbirds and/or butterflies?
A: Most of us have these areas in our gardens where the soil is sandy or where irrigation simply does not reach. It is always wise to choose tough, native plants that will grow in these areas with minimum care, fertilizer or the luxury of being watered regularly.
One plant to consider is the Coral bean or Erythrina herbacea. This legume, native to the southern portions of the United States, is Florida-friendly, unusual and a great choice for natural and informal planting. It will add interest to these challenging area(s) of your landscape from spring to fall...
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 4 Jun 2020
Plant of the Month: Tecomaria capensis Apricot
Stevie's Pick: what's in bloom?
Today we are starting a new column about the most spectacular specials that are in bloom or in fruit today. Our exotic plant grower Steven Gowdy will spotlight the most interesting plants he discovers and recommends today while working in TopTropicals greenhouses.
Summer is in full bloom and everyone is wanting dirt under there nails
after being quarantined for two months! Enjoy warm tropical breezes with
Apricot flowers of this showy African Tecomaria in your garden.
Tecomas and Tecomarias make a wonderful splash of color in any garden,
and apricot is no exception. Tecomaria Apricot has pretty unusual color of
flowers, ranging from bright apricot color to light-salmon. Ever blooming in
warmer climates, it can grow 3-4 feet high and a whopping 4-5 feet wide. In
addition to its beautiful flowers, this plant has many medicinal benefits. An
easy fast growing addition to any landscape, it is a great hummingbird and
butterfly attractor. It is pretty cold hardy and can tolerate light frost which
is a great benefit for gardeners living in subtropical climates with cooler
winters.
Date: 20 May 2020
How to prevent Jasmine flower drop
Q: My jasmine buds turn purple to brown and drop before it blooms. What should I do to get the jasmines to bloom fully. Appreciate your help & suggestions.
A: At this time of the year in Florida, jasmines may drop flowers because of the sudden hot weather. The plants
didn't have a chance yet to change their metabolism to summer type. The high
temperatures promoted early bloom, but the plant is not strong enough to
support the flowers. It needs extra food. To improve flower quality and reduce
bud drop, we recommend these supplements:
SUNSHINE Pikake - Fragrant Plant Booster
Sunshine Honey
and Sunshine Superfood
Date: 8 Apr 2020
Gardening has hooked another fan!
Over the last few weeks, we've been discussing using this time to engage
in the activities that make you happy, to do more of what you love. Of
course, for all of us at Top Tropicals, we have been singing the praises of
gardening and tropical plants for years and sharing the love with any friends and
neighbors who have expressed an interest in our activity of choice.
Do we have an affect on some people? Do we encourage them to try their hand
at gardening and experience the wonder of plants? Yesterday, we just saw it
with our own eyes. Our neighbor, to whom we once gave an Ylang Ylang tree, has consistently and politely resisted a suggestion
to try gardening herself and put some new and interesting plants in an
otherwise traditionally landscaped builders' home. Even her husband emphatically
stated that he was never going to put plants in, let alone take existing plain
boring stuff out!
What a pleasant surprise when we saw them both and their 2 young children
digging in the garden together yesterday. They replaced a whole section of
generic stock plants provided by the builder and filled the area in with loads
of colorful flowers and even topped it off with a healthy dose of new mulch!
We couldn't believe our eyes and was so happy to see the gardening "bug" made
yet another friend!
We hope our Dream Cart Offer will help someone make their dreams come true, and this forced vacation time will be well spent on their home and garden!
