Date: 23 Jul 2025
NEW VIDEO: How to cut a mango without making a mess
Ever wonder how to cut a mango without getting juice everywhere? We've got a trick that's soooo simple! You'll wish you knew it sooner!
In our newest video, Chiane and Ashley from the Top Tropicals team aren't just slicing mangoes - they are diving into a full-on mango tasting adventure. You'll get a peek at some of the most mind-blowing mango varieties you probably didn't even know existed! From buttery-smooth to crisp and tangy.
Watch now to discover your new favorite mango - and maybe a new way to enjoy it, too 😻
Discover Mango varieties - we have hundreds of them!
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Date: 19 Jul 2025
☀️ When tropical plant takes a Summer break
Why your plants might stop growing in mid-Summer
and what to do about it
You've been watching your tropical tree thrive all spring. New leaves, steady growth, maybe even a flower or two. Then July hits, and… nothing. The heat cranks up, and your once-busy plant just sits there. No new shoots, no blooms, not even a twitch. If it feels like your plant ghosted you - but don't worry! It's not dying. It's just hot!
When the heat hits, plants hit pause. In the peak of summer, especially with temperatures above 90F, many tropical and subtropical plants go into heat survival mode. Growth above ground may slow down or stop entirely. It's not because you forgot to water or skipped a fertilizer dose - it's just too hot. The plant's energy shifts underground, where roots may still be growing. Think of it like a tropical version of a siesta - less margarita, more mulch. This stage might last a few weeks or longer, depending on how intense the heat gets. But the important thing is: it's normal.
- Don't drown it in extra water. That leads to root rot.
- Don't dump dry fertilizer on it. That can burn the roots or just get flushed away. Use controlled release or liquid fertilizer dozed proportionaly to the plant's water usage.
- Don't prune aggressively, hoping to jolt it awake.
None of that helps - in fact, it can make things worse.
- Water deeply in the early morning, and let the soil dry a bit between waterings.
- Add mulch to help keep the root zone cool and reduce evaporation.
- Provide temporary shade for potted plants or young trees.
- Hold off on pruning or heavy feeding until you see new growth.
Just like you wouldn't run a marathon in a heatwave, your plant needs a break too.
Fertilizing seems like the obvious solution when a plant stalls, but in the heat of summer, it can backfire. When temperatures soar, roots slow down, and absorption becomes inefficient. You might pour in nutrients, but your plant can't use them - and what's worse, any tender new growth that does emerge can get scorched or sunburned before it has a chance to harden.
Feeding a plant with strong fertilizers during a heatwave is like telling someone to sprint in a sauna. It's not just unhelpful - it's risky. That's why you need a fertilizer that’s engineered for hot weather - not just any slow-release formula.
Liquid Sunshine Boosters mild formulas are safe to use year around. Controlled release fertilizer like Green Magic are safe as well, just make sure to follow directions and dosage.
Not all slow-release fertilizers are built for hot summer. Some popular brands might seem like a good choice - but they’re optimized for soil temperatures around 70-75F. That's a mild Spring day in the South, but in real-world Florida or Arizona heat? Not even close.
Here's the problem: Osmocote releases nutrients based on moisture, not temperature. When it's hot and humid - or worse, when you water heavily - it can dump too many nutrients at once. That nutrient surge can:
- Burn your plant's roots
- Force tender new growth that gets fried in the heat
- Leach straight out of the pot, wasting both fertilizer and money
It's unpredictable, especially in containers that heat up faster than ground soil. What you think is "slow-release" can behave more like a fertilizer bomb.
Green-Magic, by contrast, uses a temperature-sensitive polyurethane coating that responds gradually and consistently as the soil warms. That means:
- No sudden nutrient spikes
- No wasted runoff
- And no risk of heat-triggered burn
It's designed to feed steadily and predictably - even when temps hit 90F and stay there. For potted tropical plants, that kind of control is the difference between stressed and thriving.
Once your plant begins to show signs of life again - maybe a new bud, or evening perkiness - it's safe to resume feeding. But skip the salts, and reach for something gentler: Sunshine Boosters.
These amino-acid based liquid fertilizers are designed for daily use, even in containers during the hottest days. They enhance nutrient uptake, even when roots are stressed or sluggish. Unlike synthetic chelators like EDTA, Sunshine Boosters won't bind nutrients or burn root system. They stay gentle, available, and effective. Learn more from this short video.
Use SUNSHINE Robusta for foliage support, or Ca-Support PRO for strong structure and recovery. It's like hydration and nutrition in one - perfect for tropical plants fighting through summer heat.
Don't fight the heat - work with it. If your tree looks stalled this summer, don't panic. It's following a rhythm older than all of us. Support it with smart watering, the right fertilizer combo, and a little patience. Before long, you'll see buds again - and know your plant made it through the heat.
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Read more plant care tips in Garden Blog
Date: 19 Jul 2025
🔥 Too hot to function?
20% off QUALITY fertilizers
When it gets this hot, even Macaron the cat gives up on pretending to care. He flops sideways, paw in the air like he's surrendering to the sun, and doesn't move for hours. Your plants? They’re doing the same.
That's not neglect. It's survival.
If your tropical plant suddenly stopped growing, it's not mad at you - it's on summer strike. And the worst thing you can do is try to push it with a shovel of cheap dry fertilizer.
In our next column we will tell you how to save plants from heat stress, root burn, or just plain summer sulking. Macaron's Paw of Approval 🐾.
While you're at it - give your plants the gentle support they actually need - and save!
Use code FERTI20 to
save 20% on fertilizers and garden supplies!
No minimum order. Offer Ends July 24, 2025.
Date: 15 Jul 2025
🔥 Featured: 7-Gal Royal Poinciana
Bigger Tree, Bolder Start
Our 7-gal Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia) is the real deal. Carefully trimmed for strong branching, and ready to burst with tropical growth. Unlike smaller 3-gal plants, this tree already has a well-developed root system, woody trunk, and structural shape. It's ready to anchor your landscape or patio with presence.
While we trim it for safe shipping, this does not set the tree back — in fact, it encourages new lateral growth and canopy development. You’ll see fast recovery and faster flowering in the seasons ahead.
This tree is perfect for:
- Creating instant tropical curb appeal
- Adding shade and structure in a small space
- Getting a head start on future blooms — it matures faster than small plants
Even if you're not in Florida, this 7-gal size brings the bold look of the Tropics — and yes, we'll ship it to you!
Order Royal Poinciana
Date: 15 Jul 2025
🌱 Bigger Trees, Bigger Benefits
Why Choose a 15 or 25-Gal Tree?
These are not starter trees — they’re mature, fruiting specimens that give you a head start in your garden or orchard. You’ll enjoy faster harvests, fuller canopies, and a more immediate impact on your landscape.
Top Reasons to Choose a Bigger Tree:
- Already fruiting – enjoy your own mangos or avocados right away
- Pre-trained and shaped for strong structure and balanced growth
- Instant results in the yard – no years of waiting
- Thicker trunks and stronger roots make transplanting easier
We make it easy for Florida gardeners:
- Pickup available at two South Florida locations
- Local delivery and installation services offered – just ask!
Read More Garden Tips