Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 27 Oct 2025

🌳 Why Large Grafted Trees Are Better

Comparison  of  Mango  trees  growing  in  container  and  in  ground  at  Top 
 Tropicals  nursery  -  potted  tree  with  large  green  fruit  and  in-ground  tree 
 with  ripe  purple  fruit  ready  for 
 harvest

These are not seedlings — they’re grafted trees, which means you get the true variety with known flavor, quality, and performance. Large grafted trees give you a real head start:

  • Already mature with a strong root system.
  • Handle transplanting and weather shifts with ease.
  • Can bloom and fruit in the first or second season.

No guessing, no waiting years — you’ll get the exact fruit you want, sooner.
👉 Learn more: How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit?

For Indoor and Patio Growers

No space for a full orchard? You can still grow your own tropical paradise! Our large grafted Condo Mango trees adapt beautifully to big containers on patios, balconies, and sunrooms. They stay compact, flower sooner, and can fruit even in pots when given good light and warmth.
👉 Learn more: What are the Condo Mangos?

Bring the tropics indoors — move your tree outside for summer sun, then back inside before frost. It’s the perfect way to enjoy homegrown fruit wherever you live.

Give your garden a smart start this season. Large grafted Mango trees are ready — but only for a short time before winter.

👉 Plant now, harvest sooner, and enjoy the true variety!

Mango  tree  growing  by  a  lake  in  a  Florida  backyard,  healthy  green 
 foliage  and  young  fruit  developing  on 
 branches

Plant Care Tips by Top Tropicals Plant Expert Tatiana Anderson

Large grafted Mango trees are easy to establish.

  • Soil: Well-drained, rich mix — avoid heavy clay.
  • Water: Deeply once or twice a week after the tree is established; keep soil evenly moist during the first few weeks after planting.
  • Light: Full sun or bright patio spot.
  • Feeding: Use balanced fertilizer Sunshine Boosters Mango Tango with every watering and Green Magic controlled release fertilizer every 6 months for steady growth.
  • Protection: Cover on cold nights for the first winter.
  • 👉 Learn more: How to take care of a mango tree in winter.

Plant once, care lightly, and your tree will reward you with fast growth and early fruit.

🌳 Big Trees, Local Pickup Only

For our local gardeners, we have something special. Extra-large 15- and 25-gallon Mango trees. These are full, mature specimens that simply can’t be shipped, but they’re perfect for local pickup or delivery.

Instant Impact and Faster Fruit

These trees already have strong trunks, big root systems, and start blooming next Spring. Plant one in your yard and it instantly looks like it’s been there for years.

Delivery and Installation

We offer local delivery and professional installation for large trees in the nearby area. Our team can bring the tree to your garden, position it correctly, and help with planting and setup.

👉 Contact us to arrange delivery and installation for your 15- or 25-gallon tree.

Limited Availability: Quantities are small, and these big trees go fast — once sold, they won’t be available again until next growing season.

"Large grafted trees give you a head start — they’re stronger, settle in faster, and can reward you with fruit the very next season," says Tatiana Anderson

🎥 Watch Short Videos:

🛒 Shop Mango trees

Date: 13 Sep 2025

🌸 Meet the Most Colorful Ground Orchids

Collage  of  ground  orchids  –  Phaius  tankervilleae  (Nun  Orchid), 
 Spathoglottis  varieties  (purple,  yellow,  white,  pink),  Arundina  graminifolia
    (Bamboo  Orchid),  and  Epidendrum  species  (orange,  pink,  red  Reed 
 Orchids)

Ground Orchids – Spathoglottis, Phaius, Arundina, Epidendrum

  1. Chinese Nun Ground Orchid (Phaius tankervilleae)
  2. Yokohama Ground orchid Kate (Bletilla striata x formosana)
  3. Tropical Punch, Sorbet Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis plicata)
  4. Bamboo Orchid (Arundina graminifolia)
  5. Snow Angel, Coconut Cloud Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis alba)
  6. Orange Reed Ground Orchid (Epidendrum radicans Sunrise)
  7. Lemon Kiss, Sorbet Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis chrysanta)
  8. Pink Reed Ground Orchid, Violet Queen (Epidendrum radicans Fuchsia)
  9. Lavender Reed Ground Orchid (Epidendrum elongatum x radicans)
  10. Red Raspberry Reed Ground Orchid (Epidendrum radicans Red Glow)

Orchids have a mystique that sets them apart — elegant, exotic, almost unreal in their perfection. But let’s be honest, not everyone has luck with the fancy ones that cling to trees or need greenhouse tricks.

Ground orchids are different. They grow in regular garden soil, bloom in sun or shade, and come in all sorts of shapes and colors. They’re the orchids you don’t have to fuss over.

Nun Orchid (Phaius tankervilleae) – Ever wonder why it’s called the Nun Orchid? The flowers really do look like the white veil and brown habit nuns used to wear. The plants send up spikes 3–4 ft tall with 10–20 fragrant blooms that open one after another for weeks. I like them best tucked under trees where they just keep spreading year after year.

Spathoglottis – The nonstop bloomer – If you want flowers that just don’t quit, this one’s it. Spathoglottis clumps up and throws spikes of purple, pink, or yellow that last for weeks, then keep coming back through the summer. In warm spots they’ll bloom almost year-round. Honestly, it’s one of the easiest orchids you’ll ever grow.

💲 Special Offer – 20% off Ground Orchids!

Get 20% OFF ground orchids with code

ORCHID2025

Min order $100. Excluding S/H, valid online only, cannot be combined with other offers.

Hurry, offer expires September 17, 2025!

Shop ground orchids

Date: 16 May 2026

Jaboticaba skillet jam

Jaboticaba skillet jam Jaboticaba skillet jam
🍴 Jaboticaba skillet jam: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

🔵Add whole jaboticabas and a spoonful of sugar to a skillet over medium heat.
🔵Cook until the skins burst and the fruit releases its deep purple juice.
🔵Stir gently as the mixture thickens into a glossy jam.
🔵Spread warm over toast, biscuits, or even pancakes while still slightly syrupy.

🌿 About the plant:


Jaboticaba, Plinia cauliflora, is famous for its cauliflorous habit - fruit forming directly on the trunk and older branches. During heavy fruiting, the bark can look almost studded with dark purple beads.

🏡 In the garden:


It prefers slightly acidic soil and steady moisture. Mulching helps maintain humidity around the roots. Though slow growing, it can fruit while still relatively small.

🛒 Plant Jaboticaba tree - while we have large size plants

📚 Learn more:


Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) in Plant Encyclopedia

Jaboticaba Plant Facts

Botanical name: Myrciaria cauliflora, Plinia cauliflora, Eugenia cauliflora
Also known as: Jaboticaba, Duhat
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Plant used for bonsaiSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunKeep soil moistEdible plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeFlood tolerant plant
Get personalized tips for your region


#Food_Forest #Recipes

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 10 May 2026

Learn more:

Learn more: Learn more: Learn more:
💕 Why is this shrub everywhere in Southern landscapes?
  • 🌸 Nonstop blooms
    One look at Jatropha integerrima compacta - Peregrina and the answer becomes pretty obvious. This compact tropical shrub or a dwarf tree blooms almost nonstop with clusters of bright scarlet star-shaped flowers that butterflies can't seem to resist. In warm climates, it keeps adding color when many other plants take a break.

    Peregrina Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Jatropha integerrima, Jatropha pandurata
    Also known as: Peregrina, Spicy Jatropha, Coral Plant, Physic Nut
    USDA Zone: 9 - 11
    Highligths Plant used for bonsaiLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsRed, crimson, vinous flowersPink flowersPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsIrritating plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeSeaside, salt tolerant plant
    Get personalized tips for your region
  • 🌸 Compact size, big impact
    Compacta stays smaller and fuller than the regular Peregrina, which makes it especially popular for foundation plantings, pool areas, patios, and smaller gardens where oversized shrubs become a headache. The glossy green leaves stay attractive year round, giving it a clean, lush look even when it's between bloom cycles.
  • 🌸 Surprisingly low maintenance
    Another reason gardeners love it - this plant is surprisingly easygoing. It tolerates many soil types as long as drainage is good, handles heat well, and can be pruned almost anytime because it flowers on new growth. Want a tidy shrub? Trim it. Want a small tropical tree shape? It can do that too.
  • 🌸 A Southern landscape favorite
    For Southern gardeners looking for reliable color without constant fuss, Peregrina has quietly become one of those "plant it and enjoy it" landscape favorites.


🛒 Plant and enjoy the compact everblooming Peregrina

📚 Learn more:


Jatropha integerrima in Plant Encyclopedia
9 tough trees for hot, dry spots that actually thrive
7 best exotic dwarf trees for maximum impact in small tropical landscapes
2 most favorite flowering trees for small yards
5 small tropical trees that bloom all summer or year around

#How_to #Discover #Trees

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 10 May 2026

🍑 From the Garden: Why I Always Recommend Growing Your Own Peaches

by Tatiana Anderson, Top Tropicals Garden Expert

A  peach  tree  growing  outdoors  under  a  blue  sky  with  ripe  red-orange 
 peaches  hanging  among  long  green  leaves.  The  image  also  shows  a  close-up 
 view  of  several  fuzzy  peaches  ripening  on  a 
 branch.

Peach trees are beautiful long before harvest day - glossy green leaves, colorful fruit, and that classic fuzzy peach look straight from the branch.

I'll be honest with you. The first time I bit into a peach straight off the tree, still warm from the afternoon sun, I understood why people get obsessed with this fruit. There is no comparison to what you find in a grocery store. Store peaches are picked hard, shipped cold, and by the time they reach you, something important is already gone. A tree-ripened peach is soft, fragrant, juicy, and sweet in a way store peaches rarely are. Eat it fresh, slice it into a cobbler, throw it on the grill - it holds up beautifully either way.

Peach Plant Facts

Botanical name: Prunus persica, Amygdalus persica
Also known as: Peach
USDA Zone: 5 - 10
Highligths Small tree 10-20 ftFull sunWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWhite, off-white flowersPink flowersEdible plantDeciduous plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region

So let's talk about how to actually get there.

Planting

Peaches are not difficult. Give them sun, drainage, and room for air movement, and they will usually tell you very quickly that they are happy.

  • Full sun is essential - 8 hours minimum, and more is better.
  • Drainage matters - peach roots do not like sitting wet.
  • If your soil stays wet, plant on a mound - simple fix, big difference.
  • Water deeply, then pause - let the soil partially dry before watering again.
  • Prune every year - it keeps the tree open, improves airflow, and helps the tree put energy into fruit instead of tangled growth.

Branches  of  a  peach  tree  covered  in  masses  of  bright  pink  blossoms 
 during  spring  bloom.  The  flowers  densely  fill  the  tree,  creating  a  colorful 
 display  of  pink  petals  against  the  brown 
 branches.

Peach trees put on one of spring's prettiest shows - clouds of pink blossoms before the fruit season even begins.

What If You Do Not Have Room?

You can still grow peaches in a large container. This is a great option for patios, small yards, renters, or gardeners who want better control over soil and drainage.

  • Use a large pot with drainage holes.
  • Choose a fast-draining potting mix, not heavy garden soil. We recommend Sunshine Abundance potting mix.
  • Place the container in the sunniest spot you have.
  • Water more often than in-ground trees, but never let the pot stay soggy.
  • Prune to keep the tree compact and easy to manage.

Fertilizing

Peach trees are generous plants, but producing vigorous growth and a heavy crop of sweet fruit takes energy. Regular feeding makes a noticeable difference in tree health, flowering, and fruit quality.

I prefer a simple two-part approach that provides both steady background nutrition and quick, readily available nutrients when the tree is actively growing.

  • Green Magic controlled-release fertilizer provides a steady supply of nutrients for months and serves as the foundation of the feeding program.
  • Sunshine Boosters liquid fertilizers deliver amino acid-based nutrients that are quickly absorbed and especially useful during periods of active growth, flowering, and fruit development. Sunshine C-Cibus formula is the best for fruit trees.

During the growing season, this combination helps build stronger branches, healthier leaves, better flowering, and sweeter, higher-quality fruit.

If your tree shows yellowing leaves or weak growth, consistent feeding often makes a dramatic difference within a few weeks.

📚 More about low-chill peaches from our garden Blog

Clusters  of  ripe  fuzzy  peaches  growing  on  tree  branches  surrounded  by 
 long  green  leaves  in  bright  sunlight.  The  peaches  show  shades  of  pink,  red, 
 and  soft  yellow  as  they  ripen  on  the 
 tree.

Tree-ripened Tropic Beauty peaches warming in the sun - fuzzy, colorful, and almost ready to pick straight from the branch. Tropic Beauty variety is one of the most colorful and sweet.

📚 More about Tropic Beauty Peach

🛒 Shop Low-Chill Peach trees

Sunshine’s Philosophy: Lazy Peach Sundae 😺

Sunshine absolutely loves peach cobbler, especially when someone else does all the peeling, slicing, mixing, and baking. But when he is left to prepare dessert on his own, his standards become much more practical. Why turn on the oven when perfectly ripe peaches already taste amazing? His philosophy is simple: if a recipe takes less than five minutes and ends with peaches and vanilla ice cream in the same bowl, it is a masterpiece.

A  bowl  of  sliced  ripe  peaches  topped  with  two  scoops  of  vanilla  ice 
 cream,  drizzled  with  honey  and  lightly  sprinkled  with  cinnamon,  sits  on  a 
 rustic  wooden  table  outdoors.  Fresh  whole  peaches  rest  nearby,  with  a  sunny 
 peach  orchard  full  of  fruit  and  a  bright  blue  sky  in  the 
 background.

Sunshine's Lazy Peach Sundae - fresh peaches, cold ice cream, and zero effort on a perfect sunny day.

Sunshine's Lazy Peach Sundae

This is not cooking. This is assembly.

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe homegrown peaches
  • 2 big scoops of vanilla ice cream
  • A drizzle of honey (optional)
  • A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Slice the peaches.
  2. Put them in a bowl.
  3. Add vanilla ice cream.
  4. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon if you feel ambitious.
  5. Eat immediately while smiling.

Sunshine's Review

"I peeled exactly nothing and still got dessert. This is my kind of gardening."

Want this?
Start with a low-chill peach tree. That is usually how it begins.

🛒 Plant your own Peach tree