🎩 What's inside the Napoleons Hat? False Kola experience!
🎩 Napoleon's Hat (Napoleonaea imperialis), lives up to its name with large, saucer-shaped flowers that bloom straight from the leaf axils or even directly from the trunk!
🎩 The hat-shaped, brightly colored flowers smell like butterscotch!
🎩 The reddish seeds resemble kola nuts and even have a similar taste, giving you a fun, "false kola" experience.
🎩 An instant conversation starter, Napoleon's Hat is a quirky, fragrant addition to your garden - perfect for those looking for something a little different.
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!
Q: I got a large mango tree from your garden
center recently, planted in the ground, but noticed the corners of the leaves
turning brown. It was full of little fruit when I planted it but now they are
falling off... I wonder how much should I water the mango tree? We have lawn
sprinkler system that runs daily, is this enough?
A: Generally speaking, never rely solely on your
sprinkler system when planting a new tree, especially during the first week
or even several weeks if you have no rain. By rain, we mean a nice downpour.
Here in Florida, we usually have a hot and dry spring, and while springtime is
great for starting new trees, additional hose-watering becomes essential for
establishing them during the first months.
Dry leaves are a signal of under-watering. Make sure to hand water your
mango tree every day for at least the first week after planting. Even if you
have an individual sprinkler for the tree, ensure that the soil around the
rootball receives enough water, not only around the trunk. Surprisingly, the
bigger the tree, the more it may suffer from a lack of water, and sprinkler
watering does not saturate the large root system, sometimes only reaching around
the trunk. Big tree means lots of leaves and branches - they all get
thirsty!
Mangos are pretty drought-tolerant trees, but only once established.
They even benefit from hot, drier air (means less leaf fungus). However, young
trees require regular irrigation until they start growing new leaves and
branches.
Note that fertilizing your Mango tree is especially important during the
spring and summer seasons - the period of active growth. This ensures that
the tree takes the best advantage of nutrients with a faster metabolism
encouraged by high temperatures. Give your tree a chance to build up lots of energy
for the cooler winter as well as for the next flowering and crop season. To
ensure a strong tree and reliable crop with no fruit drop, apply Sunshine Mango Tango liquid fertilizer with every watering and watch
your mango tree become a Champ!
Q: Can I grow an olive tree in Florida and have
my own olives? How long does it take to fruit?
A:Olive trees can indeed thrive and fruit in various regions of Florida.
Their adaptability to different climates makes them suitable for the state's
diverse conditions. In the northern and central parts of Florida olive trees
can flourish.
Easy to grow. Olive trees prefer well-drained soil, and they
thrive in full sun, which Florida offers in abundance. While they may not produce
as prolifically as in their native Mediterranean habitats, with proper care
and suitable varieties, such as Arbequina, Coratina and Leccino, you can
still enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Cold hardy. One advantage of olive trees in Florida is their cold
hardiness. They can withstand occasional frosts and freezes, particularly
when they are mature.
Heat- and drought-tolerant. Olive trees also offer additional
benefits beyond their fruit production. They are drought-tolerant once
established, making them well-suited to Florida's sometimes erratic rainfall patterns.
Beautiful in landscape. Evergreen foliage of olive trees adds
aesthetic appeal to landscapes year-round, and their gnarled trunks and
silvery-green leaves create a Mediterranean ambiance reminiscent of warmer
climates.
Fertilize for quick fruit. Olives will start flowering within 1-2
years of planting, providing regular fertilizing program. We recommend
Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus liquid fertilizer, perfect for edibles and
organic gardens.
Symbol of Prosperity. The olive branch has long been revered for
its symbolic significance, representing peace, prosperity, and hope across
cultures and centuries. It transcends mere botanical importance to embody the
enduring power of goodwill.
Healthy Olive Oil. Similarly, olive oil, extracted from these
timeless fruits, has been celebrated not only for its culinary excellence but
also for its remarkable health benefits. Rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy
fats, olive oil has sustained generations with its nourishing properties,
earning it a cherished place in both culinary traditions and holistic wellness
practices worldwide. So, whether adorning Olympic crowns or enriching
Mediterranean cuisine, the olive and its offerings continue to inspire and enrich
our lives with their timeless allure and profound significance.
Photo above:
Lagerstroemia speciosa - Queen Crape Myrtle. Gorgeous flowering tree with
cascades of lilac flowers. One of the most popular trees in Southern
gardens.
Q: It's spring, finally! I can't wait to plant my
paradise garden with lots of tropical flowers. We moved into a nice new
house but the yard has nothing but grass. Where do I start?
A: When you start your garden from scratch, you
need to plant your trees first. It's a perfect timing!
Getting tropical
flowering trees now is really important for making your garden strong and
beautiful. Trees are like the bones of your garden, giving it shape and shade.
If you plant them in spring, they have enough time to grow strong roots
before winter. This helps them survive better.
Trees also give shade to other plants so they can grow well too. It's like
building a house - you need to start with the frame before adding other
parts. So, it's a good idea to get those trees now before moving on to shrubs and
vines.
Remember to provide regular fertilizing program which is the most important
during season of active growth. The more food your tree gets, the stronger
and faster it grows! For flowering trees, we recommend Sunshine Boosters Megaflor formula.
