Date: 26 Mar 2016
Growing Exotic Adeniums
Exotic varieties of Desert Roses. Adeniums have many spectacular hybrids. The basic culture is very similar to orchids. A small pot with excellent drainage is a must. Adeniums do not like both over-watering or drying-out. There is a secret how to create a large swollen caudex: raise the plant a bit every time you re-pot it, so that the upper part of roots will be a little exposed. The plant will form more roots that will go down.
To make your plant develop a large swollen base/trunk, you'll need a good quality fertilizer. Fertilizer requirement for swelling up trunks is also used to increase flowering. It shouldn't be too high in nitrogen, the middle number should be the highest (similar to 10-50-10). Never apply fertilizer directly on roots and do not liquid feed when a plant is thirsty: always water first slightly to avoid root burn and leaf drop. Do not wet leaves. Adeniums need lots of light for heavy flowering.
Most hybrids and species start blooming in the spring when the conditions are warm and days get longer, and continue blooming through the fall and winter in warmer climates. Adeniums like a neutral to hard water. Acidic water tends to sour the soil too fast and may cause root rot. Water plants preferably in the early morning, and allow them to drink up throughout the day. Watering can be done daily to every few days. Never allow your plants to sit in a saucer of water, but don't let them to dry out too often - this causes adeniums to go into early dormancy.
Planting instructions for bare-rooted succulent plants. Position the plant in a pot, size of root system. Use only well-drained soil with high content of Perlite and/or sand (cactus mix can be used), water once and keep in warm (75-80F) place in filtered light. Do not water again until soil dries on surface. Once the plant is established and starts growing new leaves (may take a few weeks), gradually move it into brighter light. Then you can start fertilizing it.
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
☀️🌱 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.
- 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.
📊 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
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.
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
Date: 25 Apr 2024
Top Tropicals is now in Telegram!
Welcome to our new Telegram
Channel!
We finally did it, and excited to connect with all of you on this amazing
platform. After using Telegram for a few years for both business and personal
communications, we realized it is a winner of the modern Social Media!
In Top Tropicals Telegram Channel you will find much more than on our website or Newsletter: Fun Plant Facts, Nature Wonders, Amazing Plant Videos, Gardening How-to Tips, Exotic Recipes, Contests, Sweepstakes, Give-aways and so much more. Plus, of course, your favorite PeopleCats!
Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security, it's super-fast, simple and free. You can use Telegram on all your devices at the same time - your messages sync seamlessly across any number of your phones, tablets or computers. It's perfect for sharing your comments, photos, videos, even making calls.
You can watch news, browse your interest, message to friends and colleagues, save your files, create groups, make phone calls, and the most amazing thing - Telegram works where nothing else works, no WiFi or cell service! It proved to be more reliable than any other apps and (surprise!) even works in airplane without wifi connection - proved!
The platform has its own cloud and offers limitless storage. And the last and not least - it's ad-free! Telegram is free and will stay free - no ads, no subscription fees, forever. It's a clean, clear and easy to use for all ages and applications. Try it yourself and discover how easy and pain-free it is!
Telegram is for everyone who wants fast and reliable
messaging and calls.
See you in Telegram!
Date: 9 Apr 2023
Discovering the Amazing Guava Fruit Tree
A Gardener's Delight:
How to grow Guava Tree, delicious recipes and more...
Imagine stepping into your garden, plucking a fresh, juicy guava off a tree, and savoring its sweet, tropical flavor. Sounds delightful, doesn't it? Guava trees are not only a wonderful addition to any garden but also offer an array of delicious and nutritious fruits. Let's explore the fascinating world of guava fruit trees, dive into the different species, and share some tasty ways to enjoy this remarkable fruit.
If you're blessed with a warm climate, find a sunny spot with well-drained soil for your tree. Water it regularly, especially during dry spells, and keep it well-fed with a balanced fertilizer. Pruning is essential for maintaining a bushy, healthy tree that'll reward you with an abundance of fruits...
Date: 26 Jan 2026
Why Turmeric was named the 2026 Herb of the Year
Turmeric - Curcuma
🌷 Why Turmeric was named the 2026 Herb of the Year
- 🌷 Turmeric was named the 2026 Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association, and it is easy to see why gardeners are paying attention. This tropical plant from the ginger family is best known for its bright orange underground rhizomes, used for centuries as a spice, natural dye, and traditional remedy.
- 🌷Native to India, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is closely related to Ginger and Cardamom. Its rhizomes are a staple in curry and widely used in Asian, African, and Caribbean cuisines. In recent years, turmeric has also gained attention for potential anti-inflammatory properties.
🌷 Herb, spice or flower?
- • Botanically, turmeric is a spice, since it comes from the plant’s rhizomes rather than its leaves. In the kitchen, however, it often functions like an herb. Fresh turmeric can replace powdered turmeric in most recipes and delivers brighter flavor and color.
- • Beyond edible Turmeric, there are many Curcuma hybrids grown purely for ornament. These selections produce striking, long-lasting flower spikes in shades of pink, white, orange, red, and purple, rising above lush tropical foliage. Ornamental curcumas are popular as patio plants and indoor accents, adding dramatic color and texture even where they are grown strictly in containers.
🌷 Growing turmeric anywhere - even in cool climates
Although Turmeric is a tropical perennial, it grows very well in containers, making it suitable for gardeners everywhere. When grown in pots, turmeric is treated as a warm-season plant that can be moved indoors as temperatures cool.
🌷 How to grow Turmeric
Turmeric is a compact, but bold plant, reaching 3-4 feet tall and wide, so it needs a roomy container. It prefers:
- • Rich, well-drained soil
- • Slightly acidic conditions (around pH 6–6.5)
- • Consistent moisture
- • Warm temperatures and bright, indirect light
The plant produces flowers that do not set seed, so turmeric is grown entirely from rhizomes.
🌷 Harvesting and using Turmeric
As the season ends, turmeric naturally goes dormant and the leaves yellow and dry. This signals harvest time. Dig the rhizomes, clean them, and dry them in a cool, shaded place.
Rhizomes can be:
- • Boiled, dried, and ground into powder
- • Frozen whole and grated as needed
- • Pickled for long-term storage
Some healthy rhizomes can also be saved and replanted the following season, making turmeric both productive and renewable.
Compact, bold, and useful, turmeric proves that tropical plants can thrive well beyond the tropics - especially when grown in pots.
🛒 Plant Curcuma for both flowers, spice and herb
📚 Learn more :
#Food_Forest #Container_Garden #Remedies #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals