Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 8 Dec 2021

Event Mementos (Saturday 12/4)

We thank all of our guests for joining us last Saturday for the Holiday Sale. We met lots of great people who got lots of great plants and goodies! Our vendors offered wonderful treats and entertainment and everyone could find something special! The food was not only tasty but also COLORFUL!
Special Thanks to our PeopleCats who ran the show, as always!
Come back again to our next event in a few months, info coming soon.

SEE EVENT MEMENTOS >>

Date: 24 Nov 2021

Winter is coming tips

Reminder from Kristi, the Tropical Flower Girl

As the weather gets cooler, many of you move your potted tropical plants indoors. Please remember:
1. Leaf drop. Lower air humidity, lower light and short day may cause some leaf drop. This is normal for seasonal environment change.
2. Reduce watering as it gets cooler and darker. Under lower light and in cooler temperature, plants won't need much water; some plants go dormant and only need minimum water (so soil doesn't completely dry out). Excess water may damage roots and kill a plant in winter.
3. No dry fertilizer in winter. Active growth stops. Let the plant to go into dormancy or simply have a rest. You can continue liquid Sunshine Boosters according to regular dosage chart with every watering. Since the watering is reduced, the plants will get only as much food as needed for getting through the winter.
4. Watch for insects by inspecting leaves regularly. They may attack plants more likely in the indoor conditions. You may use organic NoBug insecticide especially for your indoor plants.

Stay Warm!

In the photo: Mr Big and Zoe-the-Scooby-Doo sharing a warm tub with Emerald Peperonia.

Date: 10 Nov 2021

Cat of the Week:
Snitch, the Garden Boy

...According to the National survey, 80% of cats suffer misunderstanding from humans: "Every time I try to have a serious talk with him, he simply gives me food" - this was the most common opinion among cats who took the survey...

See more: TopTropicals PeopleCats

Date: 26 Sep 2021

Edible Landscape: fruit bearing hedge

Photo above: Biquinho Pepper (2 months old plant)

Q: My mom had to remove a hedge for some renovations and after being heartbroken about losing my little bird haven, I've decided to plan on a fruit bearing hedge that offers some privacy and places for the little fledgling to wait for food. Any suggestions? I was thinking blueberries or citrus but open to any ideas.

A: Below are a few suggestions for a fruit bearing hedge planted with fast-growing, tropical species. They will contribute to a nice edible landscape for both your family and the birds - they will be very happy!

Larger size hedge (small trees), grows full-size within 1 season:
- Loquats
- Dwarf Mulberries (very cold hardy too) such as Dwarf Everbearing

Medium size hedge (shrubs or vines), 2-3 seasons to grow full size:
- Black Surinam Cherry Lolita
- Blackberries and raspberries

Low hedge (4-5 ft tall, 1 season, fast growing):
- Biquinho Pepper
- Wiri Wiri Pepper

Citrus is probably not a good idea, not bird's favorite, and blueberries require a special acidic soil here in Florida, so they will need extra maintenance, special soil, and heavy mulching.

Blackberry hedge

Surinam Cherry Lolita, 2 year old plant

Loquat (5 years old bushy specimen)

Date: 30 Jun 2021

Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster

Meet our new Booster Guy

Plants need food too! Our line of Complete Plant Nutrition system - Sunshine Boosters - will give your plants exactly what they need, and nothing they don't! The boosters are easy to use, and -

ON SALE NOW with FREE shipping

- as a part of our 4th of July specials!

We have a new team member to help you learn more about Sunshine Boosters and how they can make your plants grow healthy and fast.
Meet Ed Jones - our new Booster Guy! Ed will be your contact for all Sunshine Boosters questions, he will help you with fertilizer product selection and ordering.

Soon we will introduce some new fun stuff... including: new advanced formulas, and cool electronics for ultimate control of your plant collections, gardens, greenhouses, and groves... Stay connected!

MORE ABOUT ED >>

Meet Ed's serious Booster People: Roxy and Delilah