Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Chief
Shipping Department Supervisor
Chief is one of the oldest PeopleCats at TopTropicals. And of course the
most experienced one. So he is in charge of the Shipping Department.
Chief likes to chill out in front of the nursery gate together with Marco, Lil S*t and Dobi Duck.
Chief doesn't like car rides to his vet and when it happens, he is very
loud. The sound he makes is "Oy-yo-yo-yooooy!!!"
Chief likes milk. He has a white spot on his black face - from drinking
so much milk! No matter how much milk we buy for him, there never seems to
be enough. Chief even has a refrigerator for his milk. If you come to visit
Chief at TopTropicals Garden Center, you may bring him a small bottle of fresh
milk!
Thank you for your purrrrrrchase for Chief!
Date: 20 Apr 2019
Growing mango tree in California
Q: I just ordered a mango tree. I live in Southern California and
was wondering if you have any tips on how to acclimate the mango to our
climate. I know it is coming from hot and humid Florida to hot and dry Southern
California and don't want to kill it because of the differences in climate.
A: Mangos in fact prefer dry conditions rather then humid. It may
be perfect conditions for a mango tree at your place. Plant your tree in a
pot size of the root ball; give it ample water and then let the soil surface
slightly dry before watering again. Keep the plant in bright shade and
gradually move into full sun. Once the tree is recovered from shipping stress, you
may plant it in the ground and make sure to protect from freezing temperatures
in winter. Use Mango Food for quick establishing and better fruit production. More to
read:
Mango boosters How to grow Mango in hot climates Growing Mango in Arizona.
Date: 12 Jul 2025
Whats inside the Napoleons Hat?
Napoleon's Hat - Napoleonaea imperialis
🎩 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.
Guava varieties: Pink flesh (upper left quarter), White flesh and Cas
(upper right quarter), Red Cattley Guava (bottom left quarter) and Golden
Cattley (bottom right quarter).
Let’s talk Guava. Few fruits check as many boxes: flavor,
productivity, health, and adaptability. We’ve grown guava trees at Top
Tropicals for years here in Florida, and it never fails to surprise people
with how
easy it is — and how quickly it rewards you.
🌿 Health Benefits
We know the first question: "Why guava in addition to all the other
fruit trees I could plant?" Because guava is one of the healthiest tropical
fruits you can eat and grow — and it produces faster than almost
anything
else.
Vitamin C powerhouse — guava has four times more vitamin C than
oranges. One fruit covers your daily needs and then some.
Potassium and fiber — good for balancing blood pressure and
keeping your heart strong.
Antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin C — these keep your skin
glowing and help protect your cells from damage.
Dietary fiber — aids digestion and helps keep blood sugar
steady.
Guava is a true "food as medicine" tree you can plant right in your
backyard or in pot.
♥️ Our Favorite Varieties are Available Now
We currently have a DOZEN excellent guava varieties in stock selected by
our plant expert Tatiana Anderson — something special for every
garden. Our top picks are:
Pink Guavas
Barbie Pink
– Yellow pear-shaped fruit with thick pink flesh, sweet and juicy.
Cold
hardy for a tropical fruit. The best seller.
Hong Kong
– Large, round, smooth pink fruit. Sweet flavor, very few seeds, and
very
productive.
Tikal
– Our top pick. Fast-growing, disease-resistant, and produces the
sweetest
pink guavas with very few seeds.
White Guavas
Indonesian White
– Aromatic, classic white-fleshed guava with an excellent
tropical flavor.
Kilo White
– Giant fruit up to 2 lbs (1 kilo) each! Few seeds, creamy white
flesh,
and fruits even in containers.
Brazilian Araca
Pera – Rare hybrid used for Guava Wine in Brazil. Tart,
concentrated juice makes excellent wine, sorbet, or jelly. Learn more...
Pineapple Guava,
Guavasteen – Feijoa sellowiana. Strongly perfumed fruit, best
enjoyed when the pulp is mixed with sugar – like forest strawberries.
Cold-hardy, tolerates freeze, and doubles as a great windbreak. Learn more...
Light: Both Cassia and Bauhinia need at least 6 hours of direct
sunlight daily. Cassias handle intense heat; Bauhinias can take light
afternoon shade.
Soil: Use loose, fast-draining soil. Mix equal parts garden
soil, coarse sand, and compost.
Watering: Keep evenly moist but never soggy. Cassias tolerate
dry spells once established; Bauhinias prefer steady moisture. Water when
the
top inch feels dry.
Feeding:
For profuse flowering, feed with liquid Sunshine
Boosters Megaflor that is safe to use with every watering,
year around. You may also apply Green
Magic controlled release fertilizer every 6 months. Bauhinias and
Cassias respond quickly to feeding.
Pruning:
After flowering, prune lightly to shape and remove dead tips. Cassias can
be trimmed to shrub form; Bauhinias stay bushy with pinching.
Mulch:
Add a 2-inch mulch layer around the base to conserve moisture and prevent
weeds, but keep mulch off the trunk.
Cold protection:
Most Cassias handle brief frost; some Bauhinias like B. acuminata
and B. monandra must be sheltered below freezing. For cold nights,
cover
with frost cloth or move containers into shelter.
Dormancy: Outside of tropics, most Bauhinias drop leaves in
winter for a short period of time, right before flowering and are called
"semi-deciduous". Cassias stay evergreen.
Indoor or Porch Care (cool-climate growers)
Container: Choose a sturdy pot with several drainage holes, one
size larger than the root ball. Unglazed clay or thick plastic pots work
best
for heat regulation. Use a light, well-drained mix such as professional
soilless mix
Abundance. Both Cassias and Bauhinias dislike soggy roots. Add a thin
layer
of coarse gravel at the bottom to improve drainage. Repot every 1–2
years in spring
Light:
Brightest spot possible - south-facing window or heated sunroom. Supplement
with a grow light if sunlight is weak.
Temperature:
Keep potted trees in warm environment for best results. The optimum
temperature for Cassias and Bauhinias is between 60–85 F, although
many
species can tolerate cooler temperatures. Avoid cold drafts and sudden
drops.
Humidity:
Average indoor humidity is fine; occasional misting keeps foliage
glossy.
Watering:
Water sparingly in winter when growth slows; allow the top inch to dry
between waterings. Do not let roots sit in water.
Fertilizing:
Feed with Sunshine
Boosters Megaflor that is safe to use with every watering,
year around, to maintain flowering indoors. You may also apply Green
Magic controlled release fertilizer every 6 months.
Pest watch:
Check undersides of leaves for aphids or whitefly. A light spray of neem
oil or insecticidal soap clears them fast.
"Whether you crave golden summer fireworks or soft orchid blooms that last
nearly all year, both Cassia and Bauhinia bring pure joy to the garden.
💖 Bring color that never quits."
Did you know: Fall is the best planting season —
roots grow faster and you’ll have flowers by spring!
Detailed Cassia and Bauhinia Care Guide