Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 24 Jun 2018

Our honest advise on Holiday Gift Plants

Q: Any suggestions on gift plants? With Holidays around the corner, I've been thinking of getting a present for my grandma, she lives in FL and is an experienced gardener. I also have a friend that lives in CA, also warm climate, but she doesn't have a green thumb. Any "easy" plants I can try for her?

A: Live plant is a perfect gift, as we all know. However when ordering a plant online as a present, for a happy experience, you should have three things to consider:
1) Gardener's experience. Planting instructions are included with every order, and usually success is there if you follow them. But all plants go through shipping stress (some more, others less) and need time, patience and love to recover. Also, a plant will need a new home after shipping: a pot and a good soil mix. It would be wise if you add potting mix with a gift order; the plant should be planted in a permanent pot as soon as possible, but normally can wait a day in a packing bag until its new owner gets a pot, if it is not ready yet.
2) How easy the plant is? If buying a plant for a beginner, chose something easy, as well as showy. Adeniums - Desert Roses, Jasmines, Clerodendrums, Cordylines are always a good choice. Calatheas, Gingers and Heliconias are always showy, even when not in bloom. Spice trees and herbs are fun, easy to grow and one can enjoy their aroma right away without waiting on them growing bigger. Miracle Fruit is an awesome present, it comes with detailed instructions how to grow the Miracle!
3) How easy the plant ships? Some plants can be easy in cultivation, but they don't take shipping well. After being in a dark box for a few days, most plants usually recover well in experienced hands. When making a present, you want something showy, not just a stick to arrive. Besides Adeniums and Jasmines, many fruit trees usually take shipping without a problem - such as Mango or Sapote trees. You may not want to start with Avocado, Papaya, Carambola, or Cacao - unless they go to an experienced grower - these may take some time and skill to etanblish. Fig trees are super easy in shipping, but figs may drop leaves in Winter - for this same reason, you may think twice about deciduous plants like Sugar Apples, Grapes, Mulberries or Persimmons to be sent as gifts. On the other hand, if you are sending a deciduous tree to a gardener who can appreciate the variety, this may be a good choice - dormant plants take shipping with less stress!

Holiday special: On the picture: Adenium Xmas Santa. A Holiday Special Desert Rose with Christmas-colored flowers - deep-red and white.

Still not sure which plant to choose? You may buy a Top Tropicals Gift Certificate, it ships well and has no expiration date!

Date: 28 Oct 2024

A treat for Avocado lovers

🐶 A treat for Avocado lovers 🐶



"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." - Adelle Davis

🐾 More #PeopleCats in our Garden:
PeopleCats.Garden 

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Date: 21 Dec 2024

How to make a healthy Avocado Tropical Smoothie - recipe

How to make a healthy Avocado Tropical Smoothie - recipe

How to make a healthy Avocado Tropical Smoothie - recipe



Ingredients:


  • · 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • · 1 cup coconut milk (or any plant-based milk)
  • · 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • · 1/2 banana
  • · 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
  • · 1/2 cup ice cubes


Instructions:


  • · Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
  • · Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • · Taste and adjust sweetness with honey or agave if needed.
  • · Pour into a glass and serve immediately.


🐸 This smoothie is rich, creamy, and packed with tropical vibes - a refreshing and healthy treat!

🛒 Plant your own Avocado Tree

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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Date: 4 Oct 2024

Three must-have fruit for every tropical garden

Three must-have fruit for every tropical garden

🏆 Three must-have fruit for every tropical garden



🍍Pineapple is a tropical favorite that's incredibly easy to grow, making it a perfect choice for beginners. With minimal care, Pineapples don't take mush space, you can grown them underneath other fruit trees. Plant good varieties, and when you get your crop, plant the tops and you will have your little Pineapple plantation in no time: you'll enjoy sweet, juicy fruit from those little babies in about 18-24 months. Freshly harvested pineapples are delightful in smoothies, salads, or grilled, adding a tropical flair to your garden.

🥭 Mango trees are not only a staple in tropical gardens but are also easy to cultivate. They flourish in sunny spots and well-drained soil, requiring little maintenance once established. These vigorous trees can yield an abundance of juicy, flavorful fruit in just a few years. They are perfect for fresh eating or adding to salsas and chutneys. Condo varieties are dwarf trees and can be grown in containers.

Avocado trees are fun to grow and add both beauty and nutrition to tropical gardens. Grafted cultivars start yielding fruit within a few months with proper care. The rich, creamy avocados are a culinary favorite, perfect for salads, spreads, and smoothies. With their lush foliage and bountiful harvests, avocado trees are a fantastic choice for gardeners looking for ease and abundance.

📚 Learn more from previous post:



🛒 Shop fruit trees

#Food_Forest #Mango #Avocado

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Date: 3 Nov 2025

Cashews: more magnesium than almonds!

Cashew Nuts - Anacardium occidentale

Cashew Nuts - Anacardium occidentale

Cashews: more magnesium than almonds!

  • 🌰 Cashews might be the real nutty winner when it comes to magnesium. One ounce provides about 83 mg, or roughly 20% of your daily need, slightly topping almonds at 76 mg, according to Verywell Health.
  • 🌰 Magnesium plays a key role in your body’s daily operations - it helps your heart, muscles, and bones function properly, keeps blood pressure steady, and supports your energy and metabolism. Yet many people still fall short of getting enough.
  • 🌰 Along with magnesium, cashews are packed with protein, healthy fats, copper, zinc, and iron - all nutrients your body depends on.


🏆 More magnesium-rich fruit:



Avocado


Avocados are famous for their healthy fats, but they’re also surprisingly high in magnesium - about 58 mg per medium fruit. That’s one of the highest amounts among fruits. Their creamy texture and fiber content make them especially gentle on the stomach, helping digestion and easing constipation. Regularly adding avocado to meals can support gut health, muscle function, and overall mineral balance in a naturally delicious way.

🍍 Pineapple


Best known for its enzyme bromelain, pineapple also provides a helpful 20 mg of magnesium per cup. While not the top source, it offers a rare combination of fiber, enzymes, and minerals that benefit the digestive system. Bromelain helps reduce inflammation in the gut, and magnesium keeps digestive muscles relaxed. Together, they make pineapple a light, refreshing choice for better digestion and a balanced system.

✅ How to get more magnesium:

  • • Eat a mix of magnesium-rich foods every day - your body only absorbs about half of what you consume.
  • • Try pairing magnesium-rich sources. Add Cashews, Avocados, Bananas, Pineapple, or Spinach to your meals and snacks.
  • • Remember, caffeine, age, and certain medications can reduce absorption, so balance your diet and check with your doctor if needed.
  • • A handful of cashews can go a long way - for your heart, your energy, and your bones.


🛒 Explore your future food forest: fruit and edibles

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#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

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