Shipping plants during hot weather. Ship plants now or wait until it gets cooler

Q: Can you ship my plants now or should I wait until it gets cooler? Daytime temperatures here are around 90F.

A: Top Tropicals ships year around. In transit, packages are usually kept in a temperature controlled environment. In hot summer time, it is still safe to order plants in mail, as long as the box is not left at your doorstep in full sun.

Keep your eye at the weather forecast and if temperatures get to extremes (over 95F daytime), we strongly advise that you be present to accept delivery. As your package may be left on your doorstep by the carrier, this prolonged exposure to heat may be harmful to the health of your plants.

If no one is available to accept delivery, we suggest that you contact our customer service to postpone shipment until a later date or coordinate an alternate delivery address, or simply use your work address for delivery - so you can get your plants without delay. You may also use the delivery address at FedEx pickup locations to avoid delays!

We monitor the weather at destination before shipping. When daytime temperatures in your area are over 90F, your shipment may be delayed to ensure plants have a safe trip and do not overheat in the delivery truck. See information on shipping process and terms.

Please contact us for more info on holding orders during hot weather.

More about Mulberries

Customer comment on our Mulberry column in the previous newsletter:

...I planted a Himalayan mulberry, Morus macroura, about six years ago. For several maddening years, it shot only very long, un-branching tentacles out there, and it resisted my efforts to force some branching by pruning. It would send another long, reaching shoot from the tip of the pruned branch, with NO laterals. Several times, it did this. Finally, two years ago, it broke buds that looked like they meant it all along those long branches, and in one season, it fluffed out. The next season it elaborated on this, acting much more like a proper tree. The fruit is fabulous, three or more inches long, very sweet, with a rich berry flavor that's more raspberry than mulberry. I guess it just needed more time. My understanding is that mulberries don't really like to be pruned, but it needed to happen in this case, along a driveway, so I reigned it in, and now it's a treasure. Be patient.
Cheers, your admirer, C

Check out our Mulberry trees.

🌱 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!