Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 16 Mar 2026

🌱 💪 Green Magic + SUNSHINE Boosters: A Complete System for Strong Plant Growth

By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top Tropicals with Smokey & Sunshine help

Nearly  dead  houseplants  (Dracaena,  Syngonium,  and  Spathiphyllum) 
 recovering  and  growing  vigorously  after  treatment  with  Green  Magic 
 fertilizer  and  Sunshine  Robusta  plant 
 booster.

Green Magic recovery test with SUNSHINE Robusta support: Dracaena, Syngonium, and Spathiphyllum revived from severe stress and growing vigorously.

☀️🌱 Sunshine Boosters: Complete Plant Nutrition

Sunshine Boosters provide complete plant nutrition, including Calcium and micronutrients that plants need for strong growth. Because nutrients are delivered in liquid form, plants can absorb them quickly and respond almost immediately.

The Practical Problem

Liquid feeding works well, but it requires frequent application. In real gardens, many growers simply do not have time to add liquid fertilizer with every watering.

Green Magic: The Foundation

Green Magic solves this problem by providing steady background nutrition through controlled-release fertilizer. It feeds plants gradually, so they continue receiving nutrients even between liquid feedings.

Why This Combination Works

Together, this system provides both complete nutrition and steady feeding. Sunshine Boosters supply fast nutrients and Calcium, while Green Magic maintains a stable nutrient supply between feedings.

✍️ How to Feed Your Plants

📅 Step 1 – Start of the Growing Season

  • Apply Green Magic around the root zone every 6 months.

    In ground:
    • Small Shrubs (1–3 feet): Use approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup per plant
    • Established Trees: Use 1/2 lb to 1 lb of product per 1 inch of trunk diameter.
    • Small In-Ground Ornamentals: A common "spoon" rate is roughly 1 teaspoon per gallon of estimated root volume (or per sq. ft. of surface area).
    • Spread evenly around the dripline. Avoid piling the granules against the base or trunk of the plant. For best results, lightly rake the granules into the top 1–2 inches of soil.
    Container plants:
    • Apply 1 tea spoon per 1 gal of soil (mix in with soil) every 6 months during active growth period, or with every re-potting.
  • Water normally after application.
  • Adjustment for Temperature. Because Green Magic is temperature-controlled, adjust your rate if your local climate is extreme:
    • Cooler Climates (<60°F average): Increase the rate by 20% to ensure enough nutrients are released.
    • Hot Climates (> 80°F average): Decrease the rate by 20% to prevent over-releasing as the heat speeds up the process.

☀️🌿 Step 2 – Active Growing Season

  • Apply Sunshine Boosters during the growing season.
  • Regular feeding (maintenance): Mix with tap water according to the ratio on the label. For SUNSHINE Robusta use 25 ml (5 tsp)per gallon of water and spray leaves every 5-7 days during active growth.
  • Correction feeding ("medicine" dose): if plants show visible nutrient deficiencies, combine SUNSHINE Robusta with SUNSHINE Superfood and spray every 5–7 days until new growth appears healthy. All SUNSHINE Boosters products are compatible and can be mixed with water in the same sprayer.
  • Best time to spray: early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler and leaves can absorb nutrients efficiently.
  • Important: spray both the top and underside of leaves for maximum absorption.

Tacca  plant  (bat  flower)  showing  strong  vegetative  growth  and  flower 
 bud  development  in  the  same  season  after  feeding  with  Green  Magic 
 fertilizer.

Tacca (bat flower) showing vigorous growth and producing flower buds in the same season after feeding with Green Magic.
Swipe left/right to see all data ↔️

📊 Seasonal feeding schedule with Green Magic and Sunshine Boosters.

Season Product Method Goal
Spring (March) Green Magic Soil Surface 6-month steady nutrient base.
Growing Season Sunshine Boosters Foliar (Every 5-7 days) Calcium & Bio-available growth power.
Late Summer Green Magic Soil Surface Replenish foundation for Fall.
Winter Sunshine Epi Foliar/Drench Cold tolerance and shipping recovery.

Quick Dose Reference

  • Green Magic: 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon of soil volume.
  • Sunshine Boosters: 25 ml (5 tsp) per 1 gallon of water.
  • Pro Tip: Always spray in the early morning or late evening to prevent leaf scorch and ensure maximum absorption through the stomata.

❓Frequently Asked Questions: Plant Nutrition & Fertilizer

General Fertilizer Concepts

Why is the "Spring Fertilizer Rush" a problem?
Most gardeners apply a large amount of traditional fertilizer once in March. This creates a "roller coaster" effect where plants get a sudden spike of nutrients followed by weeks of starvation. This leads to inconsistent growth and potential "fertilizer burn."

What is "fertilizer burn"?
Traditional fertilizers are made of soluble salts. When too many salts accumulate around the roots, they actually pull water out of the plant tissues (osmosis), dehydrating the plant and damaging sensitive root tips and leaf edges.

Is there a difference between "Slow-Release" and "Controlled-Release"?
Yes.

  • Slow-Release: Relies on natural factors like moisture and soil microbes to break down. It is often unpredictable.
  • Controlled-Release: Uses engineered polymer membranes (like Polyon) to release nutrients at a specific, predictable rate based primarily on temperature.

Green Magic & Temperature

How does temperature affect my fertilizer?
Most fertilizers are lab-tested at 75°F. In hot climates (90°F+), the nutrients release much faster. A "6-month" fertilizer might only last 3 months in the summer heat.

How should I adjust Green Magic for my local weather?

  • Cooler Climates (<60°F): Increase the application rate by 20%.
  • Hot Climates (> 80°F): Decrease the application rate by 20% to prevent over-releasing.

The Calcium Gap

Why doesn't Green Magic contain Calcium?
Calcium salts are highly soluble and can destabilize the polymer coating used in controlled-release granules. Therefore, most high-quality granules leave Calcium out. You can provide Calcium by using SUNSHINE Boosters

Why is Calcium so important for new growth?
Calcium is the "bone" of the plant, building strong cell walls. Unlike other nutrients, it is immobile—the plant cannot move it from old leaves to new ones. If you don't provide a constant supply, new leaves and fruit will emerge distorted or weak.

Advanced Science & Troubleshooting

What makes Sunshine Boosters "Bioavailable"?
Unlike most liquid fertilizers that use EDTA chelators, Sunshine Boosters are amino-acid based. They use organic acids and glycine to escort minerals into the plant, allowing it to incorporate nutrients into its proteins almost immediately.

Will these fertilizers affect the taste of my fruit?
No. Sunshine Boosters are made from pharmaceutical-grade components and contain no urea or harmful salts, ensuring your harvest (like Mangoes or Avocados) has a pure, natural flavor without a chemical aftertaste.

✨ Green Magic - 15% Off This Week

Give Your Plants a Strong Start This Spring
Green Magic - 15% OFF.

Build the foundation for the entire growing season with a steady, long-lasting nutrient base.

No coupon needed. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.
Offer valid through 03/21/2026. Discount applies to Green Magic products only. Not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts. Offer subject to change without notice.
Sunshine: So Green Magic feeds the plant for months. Does that mean I can forget about Sunshine Boosters?

Smokey: Not quite. Green Magic is the steady base diet. Sunshine Boosters are the weekly power drink during active growth.

Sunshine: Ah. Like my regular meals and donuts on top.

Smokey: Exactly. Plants eat slowly from Green Magic, and once a week they get a fresh boost.

Sunshine: Sprinkle once, then boosters every week. The plant grows, I drink coffee, and nobody forgets anything important.

Smokey: Except where you left the donuts.

Sunshine: Smokey... nobody forgets donuts. Ever

🛒 Feed your plants

✍️ Learn more about fertilizers

Date: 4 Sep 2025

📅 Do not miss: September 6 - Fall Plant Market!

September  6,  2025  -  Fall  Plant  Market  at  Top  Tropicals

Saturday, September 6, 2025: 9 am - 4 pm

Fall is just around the corner, but Florida is still full of sunshine and growing energy! It’s one of the best times to plant - cooler days are coming, but there are still months of warmth ahead for your garden to thrive. Our nursery is bursting with big, healthy plants that grew all summer long - loaded with blooms, fruit, and lush foliage, ready to shine in your yard.
Come stroll the gardens with our PeopleCats, enjoy the most beautiful season for planting, and let us help you find the perfect picks for your space. Bring your friends and family for a weekend of fun, color, and fresh ideas - this is your moment to plant, grow, and enjoy!

Explore the Event

Event Highlights:

30% OFF online prices
FREE plant with any purchase (including Guava)
Gift bags for first 25 customers with $50+ order
Special deals on select plants
Exciting raffle prizes
Green Magic fertilizer FREE samples
The LAST PERFORMANCE of the Famous Hand Pan Lady! (She is moving from Florida)
See her previous performance at Top Tropicals - here and here.

Event discounts valid at both locations:

Ft Myers Garden Center: 13890 Orange River, Ft Myers, FL
Sebring B-Farm: 9100 McRoy Rd, Sebring, FL

to confirm attendance
RSVP on Facebook!

Date: 2 May 2026

What makes Sunshine Boosters different

What makes Sunshine Boosters different

What makes Sunshine Boosters different



If your plants look stressed, slow, or inconsistent, the issue might not be your care - it might be how you’re feeding them. Most fertilizers are harder to use than they should be. Once you understand why, everything starts to make sense.

  • ☘️ Why fertilizers are so confusing?


If you’ve ever stood in front of a shelf full of fertilizers thinking "what do I even pick?" - you’re not alone.
Most feeding programs are a mess. Different brands, different formulas, different schedules. One for growth, one for bloom, one for micros, one more "just in case".
And somehow it still feels like guesswork.
Easy to overfeed. Easy to underfeed. Easy to waste money.
That’s exactly the problem Sunshine Boosters were built to solve.
The formulas are balanced and mild, so you can use them regularly without stressing about mistakes.
Now here’s where it gets interesting.

  • ☘️ The problem with traditional fertilizers


Most traditional fertilizers weren’t made for how we actually grow plants today. Dry fertilizers are built for large field use. They often carry excess salts and don’t work well in containers or soilless mixes. Many don’t even include enough trace elements.
And over time, they can build up in the soil.
Sunshine Boosters works differently.

  • ☘️ Why liquid feeding wins


First - it’s liquid.
Plants don’t eat nutrients, they drink them. Liquid feeding means nutrients are available right away. Every watering becomes feeding. No waiting, no uneven supply.

  • ☘️ Amino-acid chelation - the real difference


Second - the way nutrients are delivered is completely different.
Most fertilizers use synthetic chelators like EDTA. They keep nutrients stable, but plants have to spend energy to use them.
Sunshine Boosters use amino-acid chelation instead.
That means nutrients come in a form plants already recognize and use naturally. Less effort for the plant, more energy for growth, flowers, and fruit.
And there’s no salt buildup over time.

  • ☘️ Low salt index - better water uptake


Speaking of salts - this is a big one.
High salt levels in fertilizers actually make it harder for plants to absorb water. That’s why plants can look stressed even when the soil is wet.
Sunshine Boosters has a low salt index.
Less resistance, better water flow into the roots, better hydration, stronger plants.

  • ☘️ Faster growth without the risk


Put it all together and you get faster growth, stronger structure, more flowers and fruit - without the usual risk of burning or overdoing it.
Because the nutrient levels are balanced and not overly concentrated, they do not affect the natural taste of fruits and edibles.
The products are also safe for regular use and friendly to pollinating insects, which is important for fruit production.

☘️ Feeding made simple



And the best part?
It’s simple.
Mix Sunshine Boosters with water. Use it when you water. That’s it.

  • 👉 Stay with us - next we’ll break down how different formulas match different plant needs, so you can get even better results. 👉 More...


🛒
Get your plants real food

📚
Learn more:
📱 What are Sunshine Boosters

#Discover #Fertilizers #How_to
🟢 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.

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

Date: 24 Sep 2025

The SECRET growers never tell you: simple trick how to bring plants back to life and keep green

Green Magic Fetilizer makes plants green

🌳 The SECRET growers never tell you: simple trick how to bring plants back to life and keep green

  • 💚 Green Magic is plant food that really works. It keeps your plants green, strong, and growing steady.
  • 💚 We call it Magic - because it even brought back plants we thought were gone! So thу Green Magic can bring dead to live!
  • 💚 The secret is slow release. Most dry fertilizers dump everything at once, burn the roots, then disappear. Green Magic feeds little by little for six months straight. No burn, no guesswork, just steady food that plants love.
  • 💚 It's perfect for potted fruit trees, ornamentals, and houseplants. One handful is all it takes, and your plants stay fed for half a year.


✔️ How to use:


Mix in 1 teaspoon per gallon of soil when potting, or sprinkle on top once every six months. That's it!

✔️ Why it works:

  • Feeds slowly and evenly for six months
  • Keeps leaves green and plants healthy
  • Strong growth, even for weak or struggling plants
  • Works in any climate, indoors or out
  • Great for containers, trees, and ornamentals
  • This isn’t a flower booster. It’s a growth booster. The kind of steady food that builds strong plants for life.

  • 👉 Watch your plants come back to life and thrive with this professional-grade, controlled-release fertilizer - Green Magic. Even struggling plants can turn lush and green again.
Give it a try - your plants will thank you!

🛒 Buy once, feed for 6 months!

📚 Learn more


#Fertilizers #How_to
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals