How to get Canistel tree to produce
without dropping flowers and fruit
Q: My Canistel tree is 3 1/2 years old and is growing very well, see the
picture below. It gets hundreds of pea sized "berries" but then they fall off. No
canistel fruit. What's wrong?
A: You have such a nice looking tree, it is a shame you can't get
any fruit to ripen.
In our experience, Pouteria trees dropping fruit prematurely is a very common problem.
There may be one of the following reasons, or a combination of them:
- Cold winters may affect production, and while Canistel is generally
pretty hardy tropical plant that can easily withstand short periods of chill, the
fruit may never form properly if it had a cold winter.
- Lack of water. Canistel tree is pretty drought tolerant, but for the
proper production cycle it needs regular irrigation. Especially during hot
summer.
- The tree may be not strong enough; young trees drop fruit very often when
they don't have enough "fruiting energy" built up in their system.
Your tree looks well established and vigorous, however, flower/fruit drop
is often a sign of insufficient nutrients of particular kind, usually Boron
(B) and/or Molybdenum (Mo): either when a tree is too young and not strong
enough, or because of poor soils and lack of necessary elements.
Here is what can be done, considering you live in a warm, frost-free
climate.
1. Provide regular fertilizing program. We recommend liquid
fertilizers Sunshine Boosters that are safe to use with every watering and year
around. It is beneficial to switch plants from traditional "slow-release"
fertilizer to the liquid one because it makes a huge difference in plant growth
and flower/fruit quality and quantity. See also:
- Why liquid fertilizers are better than dry
- Article about benefits of liquid fertilizers.
2. Apply micro-element remedies that are very effective for
improving fruit production, especially when flower or fruit drop occurs:
SUNSHINE Honey - promotes more efficient blossoming and pollination, makes
flowers bigger and reduces bud drop. SUNSHINE SuperFood - improves plant vigor and quality and size of
flowers
These are all natural, eco-friendly supplements that work great for fruit
trees and other edibles.
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
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 (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.
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.
PeopleCats of the World. Cats of The Day: Theodor and Arthur from the Cat Cafe
We received many replies from Garden Cat Lovers to our previous Blog about Cat Cafe
Nurri Kassikohvik. We continue introducing a few other PeopleCats from
the Cafe: Theodor (pure black) and Arthur (tuxedo).
Theodor and Arthur are security guys. They sit at the front door and make
sure everyone passes their face-control... while they take care of each
other's faces...
TopTropicals PeopleCat Club and Zoo
Thank you for supporting us in helping PeopleCat Community! Make
your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us! Every little
bit helps. Thank you and God bless you and your pets!
Date: 12 Jul 2020
PeopleCats of the World. Cat of The Day: Sir Nicolas from Sankt Gilgen
We continue inviting PeopleCats of the World to our Blog. Today's story is about very Important Purrrson, director of a Hotel - Sir Nicolas, a Royal Tuxedo Cat.
Sir Nicolas in managing Kendler Hotel located in Sankt Gilgen, Austria. He
was interviewed by our columnist and editor Alex Butova - a big time traveler whose first writer's priorities during every trip are - botanical gardens and cats.
Sir Nicolas's lakefront Kendler Hotel located by the beautiful mountain Zwolferhorn. Accoring to what Sir Nicolas told Alex, besides beauties of the Alps, his city is famous with the fact that Mozart's mother was born here. But the most important feature that Sir Nicolas appreciates here is a small butcher's shop which is actually a part of the hotel's property.
Sir Nicolas and Alex spent good hour chatting about life, people, and nature. He showed her his business card - a leather collar with his full name, job position (hotel manager), address, and a phone number. He added (off the record) that he also owns (as a silent partner) the Guest House, the Club Restaurant, the Brewery, and - most definitely - the Butcher's shop. He says hi to TopTropicals cats and all the cat-and-plant lovers!
In the photo: Sir Nicolas and Alex
TopTropicals PeopleCat Club and Zoo
Thank you for supporting us in helping PeopleCat Community! Make
your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us! Every little
bit helps. Thank you and God bless you and your pets!
Date: 25 Jun 2020
Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the day: Anders from the King's Palace
We receive many letters from customers who enjoy our Cat of the Day column, including those who want to share their cat
stories with us! Today's guest in PeopleCat studio -
Cat Anders. Anders lives in Stockholm. He is a manager of a Garden
Center located in one of the King's properties - Palace Ulriksdal. He has so many beautiful flowers in
stock! Lots of orchids, camellias, and showy colorful annuals.
Anders' favorite spot is to sit by the cash register where he can closely
monitor every payment transaction. Sometimes he takes a walk around the
premises to take care of security issues and to stay on top of his inventory
control. During lunch time Anders visit Flower Cafe nearby, to make sure visitors'
dogs behave properly... Yes, dogs and cats are welcomed in!
TopTropicals PeopleCat Club and Zoo
Thank you for supporting us in helping PeopleCat Community! Make
your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us! Every little
bit helps. Thank you and God bless you and your pets!
