Top Tropicals Video - Pesticide 101 Safe and Easy. Top Tropicals Plant Clinic with Robert Riefer (Certified Crop Adviser, ISA Certified Arborist). Many people are afraid of using harsh chemicals. We will discuss some pests you may find in your garden and what you can do about them, including using easy and safe household remedies.
Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what's fruiting and blooming!
Piper auritum - Root Beer Plant, Acuyo, False Kava-Kava - is a close relative of Piper methysticum (Kava-Kava), and Piper nigrum (Black Pepper). It is very often confused with Kava-Kava, and probably has some similar medicinal effects.
This herb originated from Tropical America and grows also in the South Pacific.
Large-leaved perennial, known for its leaves, which are used for their spicy aromatic scent and flavor, some liken to root beer, others to anise-clove. It can be used for making a root beer-flavoted drink.
This species is easily identified by its huge leaves which can grow over a foot long in older specimens.
The leaves are chopped and used for flavoring, as well as used whole, as wrappings for meats, tamales, etc. 📚 Learn more about Piper plants
🌸 Transform your garden with the Chinaberry Tree (Melia azedarach) - a fast-growing, fragrant beauty that doubles in size in just one season!
🌸 Its lilac flowers and sweet vanilla-like scent will fill your garden with elegance, while its hardy nature ensures it thrives even in colder climates.
🌸 Enjoy lush, green foliage and a lovely shade canopy, all with minimal care. Plus, it's low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and has medicinal benefits!
Ready to add this aromatic gem to your landscape? Don't wait bring home the Chinaberry Tree today!
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 remediesthat 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: 18 Apr 2026
The Secret to a Sharper Mind Might Be Growing in Your Backyard
Harvesting tropical fruits
The Secret to a Sharper Mind Might Be Growing in Your Backyard
Your garden shed might hold a more powerful tool for brain health than your medicine cabinet. What if the best defense against cognitive decline isn’t found in a pill bottle - but right outside your door? While we often think of gardening as just a hobby, new research suggests that the combination of physical "zone-pushing" and harvesting your own nutrient-dense tropical fruit could be a literal life-saver for your brain.
🍒 What the Research Actually Says
A massive study recently published in the journal Neurology followed more than 92,000 people to see how diet impacts the mind. The findings were clear: the quality of the plant-based foods you eat plays a massive role in your risk of dementia. It isn't just about "eating your veggies" - it's about which ones you choose.
(The full study: Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Risk of Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias in the Multiethnic Cohort Study)
🍒 Why Growing Your Own Fruit Changes the Game
If you grow your own fruit, you quietly solve two problems at once. It turns a "diet plan" into a natural part of your day.
1. Effortless Nutrition
When a ripe mango, a handful of mulberries, or a fresh guava is hanging within arm's reach, you eat it. It replaces processed, sugary snacks without any "willpower" required. You are naturally moving toward the high-quality, whole-food diet the research supports.
Mango Plant Facts
Botanical name: Mangifera indica Also known as: Mango
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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2. Functional Fitness
Gardening doesn't feel like a workout, but it is. Bending, pruning, carrying pots, and digging are all forms of functional movement. It’s steady, useful physical activity that supports your heart and brain while you’re focused on your plants.
3. The "Outdoor" Effect
Sunlight and fresh air are natural mood boosters. The mental focus required to manage tropical plants - especially when you’re protecting them from a surprise freeze - provides a level of mental engagement and stress relief that you just can't get from a treadmill.
🍒 What to plant if you are just starting
You don’t need a massive orchard to start investing in your brain health. One or two plants can shift your habits immediately.
Botanical name: Carica papaya Also known as: Papaya
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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For Small Spaces:Dwarf Mango varieties and Cherries (Eugenias or Acerola), Pineapples thrive in containers and provide massive doses of antioxidants.
Pineapple Plant Facts
Botanical name: Ananas comosus Also known as: Pineapple, Pina
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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For the "Zone Pusher":Figs and cold-hardy Avocados offer healthy fats and fiber that are essential for long-term health.
Fig Tree Plant Facts
Botanical name: Ficus carica Also known as: Fig Tree, Brevo
USDA Zone: 7 - 10
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Avocado Plant Facts
Botanical name: Persea americana, Persea gratissima Also known as: Avocado, Alligator Pear, Aguacate, Abacate
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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🍒 Start Small, Start Now
The research makes one thing clear: improving your food quality matters, and you can see results no matter your age. Planting a fruit tree changes what you eat, how you move, and how often you step outside.
That’s more than just gardening - that’s a lifestyle shift your brain will thank you for.
🍒 FAQ
Does fruit really support brain health?
Yes. Diets rich in whole, high-quality plant foods are linked to a lower risk of dementia, especially when they replace processed snacks and added sugars.
Is gardening enough to count as exercise?
Absolutely. Regular gardening provides steady, functional movement that improves circulation and supports overall physical health.
Is it too late for me to start?
No. The study showed that even participants who improved their diet quality in their 60s and 70s saw a measurable reduction in dementia risk.