Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 18 Jun 2016

New Top Tropicals Video


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!

Date: 3 Aug 2024

How to always have your own Root Beer

Piper auritum - Root Beer Plant, Acuyo, False Kava-Kava

How to always have your own Root Beer



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

🛒 Grow your own Root Beer Plant

#Food_Forest #Remedies

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 4 Apr 2025

Why settle for ordinary when you can have this?

👍 Why settle for ordinary when you can have this?



🌸 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!

📚 Learn more about Chinaberry Tree

🛒 Order Chinaberry Tree and breathe in the Vanilla Fragrance

#Trees #Remedies #Perfume_Plants #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 25 Jan 2021

Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster

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.

Use this plant food for your Canistel tree:
SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster

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: 18 Apr 2026

The Secret to a Sharper Mind Might Be Growing in Your Backyard

Harvesting tropical fruits

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
Highligths Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryYellow, orange flowersPink flowersEdible plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant
Get personalized tips for your region


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.

For Fast Results: Papaya and Mulberries produce fruit quickly and are incredibly easy to manage. Turmeric (curcuma), leafy greens (Longevity spinach, Katuk) and Cinnamon proved instant harvest.

Papaya Plant Facts

Botanical name: Carica papaya
Also known as: Papaya
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Small tree 10-20 ftFull sunWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryYellow, orange flowersWhite, off-white flowersEdible plantEthnomedical plant.
Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles.
Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region

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
Highligths Small plant 2-5 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryOrnamental foliageThorny or spinyEdible plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region

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
Highligths Plant used for bonsaiSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryOrnamental foliageEdible plantDeciduous plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeFlood tolerant plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant
Get personalized tips for your region

Avocado Plant Facts

Botanical name: Persea americana, Persea gratissima
Also known as: Avocado, Alligator Pear, Aguacate, Abacate
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyEdible plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region


🍒 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.

🛒 Start your tropical fruit journey

Guava · Mango · Mulberry · Papaya · Pineapple · Avocado · Cherries · Figs

📚 Learn more:


Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1 - Part 2
Read more about plants for brain power from our Blog

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals