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.
🛒 Experience Napoleon's Hat - the most bizarre flower with benefits!
📚 Learn more:
A French Emperor's Hat Blooming in Your Garden
Napoleons Hat - Endangered species from the outgone era of the Napoleon's War
#Fun_facts #Trees #Nature_Wonders
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Date: 28 Sep 2025
Guava: The Healthiest Fruit You Can Grow
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.
Compact/Dwarf
Dwarf Guava Hawaiian Rainbow
- Dwarf Hawaiian Rainbow – Stays under 6 ft, perfect for patios and pots, yet produces full-sized fruit.
Specialty Varieties
Cas Guava with zero sugar for Costa Rican Agua de Cas drink
- Cas Guava – Bold, tangy, almost zero sugar. The traditional Costa Rican Agua de Cas drink comes from this fruit. Cold hardy.
- Hawaiian Gold, Yellow Strawberry Guava – The sweetest Strawberry Guava, golden fruit, great for fresh eating and drinks.
- 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...
Pineapple Guava, Guavasteen – Feijoa sellowiana
Every one of these thrives here in Florida or in warm climate. Some are better in pots, some as landscape trees, but all produce generously.
🎥 Watch short videos about Guava:
💲 Special Offer – 20% off Guava Fruit Plants!
Get 20% OFF already discounted Guava plants with code
GUAVA2025
Min order $100. Excluding S/H, valid online only, cannot be combined with other offers.
Hurry, offer expires October 02, 2025!
Date: 22 Oct 2025
Detailed Cassia and Bauhinia Care Guide
Outdoor Cassia and Bauhinia Care
- 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!
Date: 12 Sep 2025
Mulberry yogurt swirl: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes
Mulberry yogurt swirl
🍴 Mulberry yogurt swirl: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes
- 🔵Layer fresh mulberries with plain yogurt and a drizzle of honey.
- 🔵The berries bleed into the yogurt, creating a natural tie-dye effect.
Mulberry Yogurt Swirl
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh mulberries
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Layer fresh mulberries with plain yogurt in a glass.
- Drizzle with honey on top.
- Let the berries bleed into the yogurt, creating a natural tie-dye swirl.
🛒 Discover Mulberry varieties
#Food_Forest #Recipes
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals