Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 22 Oct 2025

Which dry fertilizer to use - slow release or controlled release?

dry top dress fertilizer

dry top dress fertilizer

controlled release fertilizer Green Magic

controlled release fertilizer Green Magic

🌳 Which dry fertilizer to use - slow release or controlled release?



Q: You offer two kinds of dry fertilizers - Slow Release Trop Dress and Controlled Release Green Magic. What is the difference, and which one should I use? I used your water-diluted Sunshine Boosters with every watering, but now that I’ll be away for a few months, I just want to give my garden a long-lasting fertilizer.
  • ✔️ A: Top Dress Slow Release Fertilizer is used for quick greening-up. Although it’s called “slow release,” the nutrients become available fairly fast. It contains soluble nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) that dissolve with rain or irrigation, acting within a week or a few weeks depending on temperature and rainfall. It’s great for giving your plants a quick boost of “fast food.”
  • We use Top Dress mainly for in-ground plants. It can be used in pots only during warm weather and active growth, but not in cooler months, as it may burn roots. Since we introduced Green Magic, we mostly use Top Dress only for garden beds and landscapes.
  • ✔️ Green Magic Controlled Release Fertilizer is a true long-term, controlled-release fertilizer. Thanks to its PolyOn Technology coating, it provides steady, consistent feeding for 5-6 months. Unlike regular dry fertilizers that dump all nutrients at once, Green Magic releases them gradually - no burn, no guesswork, just steady nutrition.
Green Magic ideal for potted fruit trees, ornamentals, and houseplants. One handful keeps your plants fed for half a year. We use it for all container plants when potting up or refreshing soil every six months. It can also be used for in-ground plants if you want the best, most consistent results. Green Magic: try it out! (Sample here)

🛒 Shop Plant Food & More

📚 Learn more:


#Fertilizers #How_to
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 7 Mar 2026

SUNSHINE Boosters: The Professional Advantage

By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top Tropicals with Smokey & Sunshine help

Sunshine  Boosters  plant  fertilizers  lineup  including  Bloom,  Pikake, 
 Robusta,  Omnibus,  Ananas,  Mango  Tango,  Citrus,  and  MegaFlor

Sunshine Boosters for different types of plants

Here is why SUNSHINE Boosters are the smart choice for your garden this spring:

  • Amino Acid Stability: Unlike traditional fertilizers that use synthetic EDTA chelators, our formulas are amino-acid based. This means 100% of the nutrients are bioavailable and consumed by the plant, leaving zero toxic residues or salt build-up in your soil.
  • Safe for Every Watering: Because our concentrations are scientifically balanced and mild, they are safe for daily use. This eliminates the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers and prevents accidental root burn.
  • Pure Taste for Edibles: Our delicate formulas do not contain excess salts, urea, or ammonium salts that can ruin the flavor of your harvest. Your fruit and vegetables will retain their pure, natural taste.
  • Pollinator Friendly: Our boosters are designed to be safe for honeybees and other beneficial insects, making them the responsible choice for an organic-style garden.

🌿For Potted Plants: Breaking the "Foodless" Cycle

Schlumbergera  Christmas  cactus  with  abundant  red  blooms  after  feeding 
 with  Sunshine  Megaflor  fertilizer

Schlumbergera - Christmas cactus - after boosting flowers with Sunshine Megaflor

Container-grown plants are trapped in soilless mixes (peat, bark, perlite) that are structurally great but naturally nutrient-deficient.

  • Total Nutrition: Since pots lack the natural "buffet" of the ground, SUNSHINE Boosters™ provide every essential mineral the plant cannot find on its own.
  • No Salt Build-up: Our amino-acid based formulas are consumed entirely by the plant, leaving zero toxic residue or root-burning salts behind.
  • Daily Safety: Our mild concentrations eliminate the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers, making them safe for use with every single watering.

For In-Ground Plants: Unlocking the Soil

Mango  tree  blooming  produsely  after  applying  Sunshine  Mango  Tango 
 Booster

Mango tree blooming produsely after applying Sunshine Mango Tango Booster

Even in the ground, plants often struggle to absorb what they need because soil compounds can "lock up" nutrients.

  • Enhanced Solubility: SUNSHINE Boosters create a slightly acidic environment that helps dissolve stubborn salts in the soil, making them accessible to roots again.
  • Precision Delivery: We provide mobile elements like Nitrogen precisely when the plant needs to push new spring growth.

🌿The Foliar Advantage: Direct-to-Leaf Delivery

Did you know a plant leaf can absorb nutrients even more efficiently than the roots? Foliar feeding is your "emergency button" for instant results.

  • Quick Fix: Foliar applications with Sunshine Superfood are the fastest way to correct yellowing leaves or visible deficiencies.
  • Metabolism Boost: Sprays like SUNSHINE-Epi act as a bio-regulator, helping plants recover from the stress of spring temperature swings.
  • Better Fruit: SUNSHINE Honey is applied to leaves to naturally move sugars to the fruit, increasing sweetness and flavor.

🌿The Calcium Problem: Solved

As your plants wake up this Spring, they need structural strength. Think of Calcium as the "cement" that holds plant cells together. Without it, new spring growth is doomed to fail.

Signs Your Plant is Starving for Calcium:

  • Deformed Leaves: New growth looks twisted, hooked, or curled.
  • Blackened Tips: The very edges of young leaves turn white, then quickly blacken and die.

The Industry Secret: The "Missing" Mineral

Most fertilizers, both dry and liquid, completely skip Calcium. Why? Because it’s a chemical nightmare to keep stable in a concentrated solution. Most manufacturers rely on your irrigation water to deliver Calcium, but tap water is inconsistent and often fails to provide what a hungry, growing plant needs.

The SUNSHINE Boosters: Stable Calcium in Every Bottle

We have successfully stabilized Calcium directly into every single Sunshine Booster formula. Whether you are using Bombino, Robusta, or Megaflor, you are delivering a precise, stable dose of Calcium with every watering. No lockout, no sediment, and no relying on the "luck" of your tap water. Just strong, healthy cell walls and perfect spring growth.

🌿SUNSHINE-Epi: The Year-Round Bio-Regulator

Whether it’s the transition of spring, the extreme heat of summer, or the dry air of indoor wintering, SUNSHINE-Epi is your plant’s primary defense. This natural Brassinosteroid acts as a powerful immune booster, helping plants navigate stress wherever it comes from.

  • Universal Stress Shield: Protects against temperature swings (both heat and cold), drought, and transplant shock.
  • Vigorous Development: Dramatically improves root growth and speeds up the metabolism of young seedlings and cuttings.
  • Eco-Safe: 100% non-toxic to humans, pets, and pollinators.

Note: While Epi is highly effective, it is a performance booster, not a substitute for proper care. It works best when paired with the right light, water, and a consistent feeding program. It won't bring a dead plant back to life, but it will help a struggling one find its footing.

🛒 Feed your plants

Don't let your garden wake up to an empty nutrition plate.
Smokey: Save your gas money for donuts. We're shipping the boosters for free.
Sunshine: Agreed. My charm covers the delivery cost.

No coupon code required: The free shipping is automatically applied at checkout.

Complete Nutrition: Stock up on Robusta, Superfood, and Epi for the Spring growth push.
Offer valid through 03/14/2026. Free shipping offer is valid on SUNSHINE Boosters liquid products only. Not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with any other offers, coupons, or discounts. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Sunshine  Boosters  plant  supplements  including  Superfood  micro  element 
 complex,  Epi  biostimulant,  and  Honey  fruit  enhancer

Sunshine Boosters micro elements and supplements - Superfood micro-element complex, Sunshine Epi biostimulant and Sunshine Honey supplement for better fruit

❓Frequently Asked Questions: SUNSHINE Boosters™

  • What water should I use for foliar spraying?
    Tap water works perfectly for most. However, if your water is very "hard" (leaving white mineral spots on leaves), switch to distilled water for a cleaner finish and better absorption.
  • How long does a diluted solution last?
    For maximum potency and to avoid nutrient degradation, try to use your diluted mixture within a few hours of preparation. Keep away from direct sun. Fresh is always best!
  • Can I use SUNSHINE Boosters as a daily foliar spray?
    Yes! You can mist your plants daily to maintain high vigor, but you must reduce the dosage (use half the recommended strength) to avoid over-feeding.
  • Can I mix boosters with pesticides or fungicides?
    It is best to apply them separately. Mixing fertilizers with chemical pesticides in one tank can trigger reactions that "lock out" nutrients or reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
  • Will the liquid stain my patio or hands?
    No. Unlike traditional fertilizers with heavy blue or pink dyes, our solutions are clear or very light-colored. If you spill it, simply rinse with water—no stains, no mess.
  • Can I mix different SUNSHINE Boosters together in one sprayer?
    Yes. All SUNSHINE Boosters are chemically compatible. You can combine a "growth" booster like Robusta with a "micro-element" complex like Superfood in the same water to save time.
  • Are these products safe to use around my pets?
    Absolutely. Our formulas are 100% non-toxic and amino-acid based. Just ask Smokey and Sunshine—they are perfectly safe for households with curious cats, dogs, and children.
  • Can I use these boosters on indoor plants?
    Yes. They are ideal for indoor use because they don't produce a "fertilizer smell" and won't cause salt crusting on your decorative pots or furniture.
  • Is it safe to use on fruit and vegetables I plan to eat?
    Yes. Because our formulas contain no urea, nitrates, or harsh salts, they don't leave a "chemical" aftertaste. They actually help improve the natural sugars and flavor profile of your harvest.
  • What is the best temperature for foliar spraying?
    Apply when temperatures are below 85°F. Early morning or late evening is best; this allows the leaves to remain wet longer, giving the plant more time to absorb the nutrients.

What Fertilizer to Use and How?

Green Magic controlled release fertilizer keeps plants green during active growth season - apply only once in 6 months.
Sunshine: Smokey, you saved my coffee tree. But what do I do now so it stays happy?

Smokey: Simple. Spray Sunshine Robusta every five days during active growth.

Sunshine: Five days? Smokey, I barely remember where I left my coffee mug five minutes ago.

Smokey: That is exactly why we use Green Magic.

Sunshine: Fertilizer for forgetful gardeners?

Smokey: Controlled release. Sprinkle once and it feeds the plant for six months.

Sunshine: Six months? I can have a very good nap in that time.

Smokey: Exactly. The plant keeps eating slowly while you keep napping.

Sunshine: Perfect. Remember, I will bring the coffee. You bring the donuts.

Smokey: And next week we will show you exactly how Green Magic works and why plants love it. Stay tuned.

🛒 Feed your plants

✍️ Learn more about fertilizers

Date: 21 Aug 2025

🍒 Tropical Cherries – Eugenias

Two  cats  enjoy  Grumichama  fruit  indoors  —  a  tuxedo  cat  picks  berries  from  a  potted  tree  while  an  orange  fluffy  cat  smiles,  sitting  by  tea  cups  and  plates  of 
 fruit.

Tropical Tea Time with Grumichama

Eugenias have earned a spot in many Southern gardens because they’re easy, dependable, and surprisingly versatile. These small trees and shrubs grow well in the ground or in containers, and they don’t waste time before setting fruit.

15% Off Eugenias – Limited Time

Use code EUGENIA15 at checkout.
Excluding S/H. Offer expires 08/28/2025

👍 Popular Choices:

What Makes Eugenia Cherries Stand Out

  • Start producing fruit in just a couple of years
  • Compact size — easy to keep 6–12 ft tall, smaller in pots
  • Low-care — tolerant of most soils and resistant to common pests
  • Strong in hot weather, yet can handle a light frost down to the mid-20s °F
  • Plenty of fruit for people and birds alike

Close-up  of  Grumichama  tree  branches  with  clusters  of  small  white  flowers  among  glossy  green 
 leaves. Grumichama Tree in Bloom – Eugenia brasiliensis

Growing & Care

Outdoors

  • Best in USDA Zones 9–11
  • Sun or partial shade; more sun usually means sweeter fruit
  • Plant in well-drained soil; avoid heavy, wet spots
  • Withstands summer heat and humidity, and can take a light freeze

Container / Indoor

  • Do well in 5–10 gallon pots on patios or balconies
  • Need bright light indoors — a sunny window or grow lights
  • Can flower and fruit in containers if kept warm and well lit
  • In cooler zones, bring plants indoors for winter and back out in spring

General Care

  • Water: Keep soil evenly moist; drought-tolerant once established but best yields with regular watering
  • Soil: Use good potting mix - LINK TO SOIL
  • Fertilizer: Balanced slow-release LINKL TO FERTILIZER Sunshine Boosters
  • Pruning: Light trimming keeps plants bushy and productive
  • Pollination: Self-fertile; one plant will fruit on its own

Read Garden Blog about Tropical Cherries

Shop Tropical Cherries

Date: 13 Mar 2026

Tamarind shrimp stir-fry: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Tamarind shrimp stir-fry in skillet

Tamarind shrimp stir-fry in skillet

🍴 Tamarind shrimp stir-fry: quick-n-fun exotic recipes



Tamarind Shrimp Stir-Fry

Ingredients

  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp tamarind pulp
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp water (to loosen tamarind pulp if needed)
  • Optional: sliced green onions or chili flakes for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl mix tamarind pulp, garlic, fish sauce, brown sugar, and water until a smooth sauce forms.
  2. Heat oil in a very hot skillet or wok.
  3. Add shrimp and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin turning pink.
  4. Pour the tamarind sauce into the skillet and toss shrimp to coat evenly.
  5. Cook about 1 more minute until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thick.
  6. Serve immediately. Garnish with green onions or chili flakes if desired.

🌿 About the plant:


The pulp of tamarind can be used fresh from the pod, pressed into blocks, or sold as concentrate. Its acidity works like citrus but with more complexity - slightly fruity, slightly caramel-like.

🏡 In the garden:


Tamarind trees - Tamarindus indica - are drought-tolerant once established and surprisingly hardy in brief cool snaps. They develop a beautiful spreading canopy and fine, fern-like leaves that close at night.

🛒 Plant a Tamarind tree

📚 Learn more:

Plant Facts

Tamarindus indica
Tamarind, Sampalok
USDA Zone: 9-11
Large tree taller than 20 ftFull sunModerate waterEdible plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeFlood tolerant plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant

Tamarindus indica in Plant Encyclopedia

#Food_Forest #Recipes

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 24 Jun 2018

Adenium: a Rose by any Other Name

New article by Jane Jordan.
"...The famous quote is often used to imply that the names of things do not affect what they really are, in the case of The Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) it is not a rose at all, rather a succulent that thrives in hot, dry and sunny conditions. These spectacular plants have no relation to the rose family, they are a species of flowering plant from the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. The naming of this plant is partly correct as they originate in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where they can grow into large trees with huge swollen trunks..."
Continue reading...