Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 24 Jul 2021

Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster

How to fertilize Caladiums and other Aroids

By Ed Jones, the Booster Guy

Q: I have a large collection of Aroid plants, different Monsteras, Philodendrons, and several unique varieties of Caladiums. I've been always told that Caladiums should not be fertilized, they don't like it. Is it so?

A: Caladium farmers often say that these plants don't need any additional fertilizer and that they really don't like it... The thing is, caladiums do not like DRY fertilizers, and this is why. Most Aroid plants do not like being watered too often, so dry fertilizers in combination with infrequent watering create excessive salinity for the root system. We have run some tests on the proper fertilizers for caladiums and the best results were performed after using SUNSHINE Robusta. It is amino acid based, so the delicate, large-leaved Aroid plants will not have to work quite so hard to take up the nutrients, and there will be no nutrient lock up in soil. The nutrients are readily available to these plants.
In this article, you will see some test results of caladiums fertilized with SUNSHINE Robusta vs. other brands of fertilizer, with more vigorous growth and larger leaf size occurring after use of Sunshine Robusta...

Caladiums do not have to be just an accent plant. They can also be the focus point of a garden area. It is said that as many as 98% of the world's caladium tubers come from right here in Highlands County, Florida, also home to the Sunshine Boosters manufacturing facility. It is such a big deal that they have a Caladium Festival here each summer. The fields are absolutely stunning in all of their colors. This year the festival runs this weekend, July 23 - July 25.

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Date: 8 Oct 2024

Why Should I Use Sunshine Boosters?

Southern Landscape

Southern Landscape

Sunshine Boosters

Sunshine Boosters

😎 Why Should I Use Sunshine Boosters?



⚠️ Plants need nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Nutrients help plants develop roots, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Sunshine Boosters fertilizers provide all key nutrients.

Sunshine Boosters are specially made to give plants everything they need to thrive. They work for both indoor and outdoor plants.

😼 Why Sunshine Boosters are better than other fertilizers?

  • 🟡Easy to use: Just mix with water and feed your plants.
  • 🟡Balanced nutrients: They contain the right mix of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as trace minerals.
  • 🟡No harmful chemicals: Sunshine Boosters are safe for your plants, pets, and the environment.


😎 Benefits of using Sunshine Boosters:

  • 🟡Plants grow faster and produce more flowers and fruits.
  • 🟡Stronger plants can resist diseases, pests, and tough weather.
  • 🟡Sunshine Boosters help plants recover from stress, like after being moved or pruned.
  • 🟡For all types of plants: whether you have tropical plants, vegetables, fruit trees, or flowers, Sunshine Boosters help them grow better.

Sunshine Boosters make your plants stronger, healthier, and more beautiful. By using Sunshine Boosters, you’re giving your plants everything they need to grow fast, resist stress, and produce lots of flowers or fruits. It’s the best way to keep your plants happy and thriving!

📚 Learn in more details from the article:


Why should you use Sunshine Boosters

🛒 Shop Sunshine Boosters

#Fertilizers

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Date: 4 Nov 2024

10 key tips for successful overwintering of tropical plants indoors

10 key tips for successful overwintering of tropical plants indoors

10 key tips for successful overwintering of tropical plants indoors



1. Maximize Light:
The more light, the better. There's no such thing as too much indoor light. If windows aren't enough, use LED grow lights, which stay cool and won't dry the air. Rotate plants every few days to prevent uneven leaf loss.

2. Reduce Watering: Less light and cooler temperatures mean plants need less water. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, and avoid overwatering - combination of cold + wet is especially harmful.

3. Maintain Moderate Temperatures: Most tropicals are happy with daytime temperatures around 75F and nights at 50-60F. In sunrooms or greenhouses, some can handle 45F if watering is kept to a minimum.

4. Boost Humidity: Avoid placing plants near heaters or vents that dry the air. Misting daily helps, or place pots on trays filled with water and pebbles to raise humidity around them.

5. Monitor for Pests: Check leaves weekly to catch insect problems early, as pests can cause serious damage or even kill the plant indoors.

6. Fertilize Smart: Use ONLY liquid, amino-acid-based fertilizers like Sunshine Boosters throughout winter; they won't burn roots since their dosage adjusts with reduced watering. Avoid dry, granulated, and EDTA-based fertilizers during winter and dormancy.

7. Use Micro-Nutrients: Along with macro-elements (fertilizers), supplement with micro-elements like Sunshine Superfood and bio-stimulants such as Sunshine Epi to build strong plants with robust immune systems, better able to withstand unfavorable conditions and resist diseases.

8. Hold Off on Pruning: Leaf drop and leggy growth are normal responses to winter. Wait until spring to prune, when new growth starts, to encourage branching and healthy foliage.

9. Don't Repot Yet: During dormancy, roots slow their growth. Repotting too soon risks root rot. Wait until spring when new growth appears to transplant into a larger container. Typically, roots grow in proportion to the above-ground parts.

10. Let Them Rest: Winter is a natural resting period. Avoid forcing growth - your plants will reward your patience with vibrant leaves and flowers when spring returns.

🛒 Shop Indoor plants

#How_to

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Date: 20 Nov 2024

Sunshine Boosters Winter Use

The magic fertilizer in action

Crazy  banana  with  Sunshine  boosters

Do you remember that Sunshine Boosters fertilizers can be applied year-round?

As natural fertilizers, their scientifically created formulas provide perfectly balanced nutrition for your plants throughout the year. Follow the instructions on the labels and apply Sunshine Boosters with every watering. Give your plants extra boost during winter months! The fertilizer amount is balanced, adjusting proportionally to the water amount, which is tailored to the plant's winter needs. Unlike dry fertilizers, Sunshine Boosters can be used all year without fear of burning plants with excessive nutrient lockup.

Those who visited on B-Farm in Sebring, have noticed our little garden by the office, with plants that are always happy and vigorous - year around. They are irrigated automatically with Sunshine Boosters using the Robuster injector. We are proud of our "crazy banana", it is taller than the building, we honestly have never seen a banana of that size! The solution we are using there is Sunshine Robusta (also available for pick up in 2.5 gal jugs).

Save on Sunshine Boosters with the discount code above!

your  plant  needs  food  -  sunshine  boosters

Date: 20 Jan 2025

How to Grow Jackfruit: Practical Guide

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

How to Grow Jackfruit: Practical Guide

  • 🍈 Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tropical tree that produces the largest fruit in the world, weighing up to 80 pounds and reaching 36 inches in length. The trees thrive in frost-free, humid climates with plenty of sunlight. They require well-draining soil rich in organic matter and regular watering to flourish. Despite their reputation as ultra-tropical, mature Jackfruit trees can tolerate light frost for a few hours without significant damage. Additionally, they can be grown in containers in colder areas with proper care and pruning.
  • 🍈 What Climate is Essential for Growing Jackfruit Trees?



    Jackfruit trees require a tropical or subtropical climate, with temperatures ideally between 60-95°F. While young trees are frost-sensitive, mature trees can withstand light frost for short periods. However, cold winters can reduce fruit production. Frost-free temperatures are crucial for optimal growth and fruiting.
  • 🍈 How Often Do Trees Need Fertilizing, and What is the Best Type of Feed?



    Jackfruit trees are heavy feeders. Fertilizing them regularly is key to their health and productivity. During the active growing season (spring to fall), apply a balanced dry fertilizer once a month. Liquid amino-acid-based fertilizers, such as Sunshine Boosters, can be used year-round with every watering. These fertilizers help maintain healthy growth and encourage abundant fruiting. Supplement with organic matter like compost, manure, or peat moss to enrich the soil.
  • 🍈 How Important is Pruning, and When is the Right Time to Prune?



    Pruning is essential for maintaining a manageable tree size and promoting healthy fruit production. Jackfruit trees produce fruit at the base of the trunk, allowing them to be pruned annually to a height of 7-12 feet. This practice not only makes harvesting easier but also encourages more fruiting. Prune after the fruiting season or in late fall to remove excess growth and shape the tree. Regular pruning also improves air circulation and reduces the risk of disease.
  • 🍈 Key Tips for Successful Jackfruit Production


  • · Climate: Ensure frost-free temperatures and adequate humidity.
  • · Soil: Use well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
  • · Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging.
  • · Pruning: Keep the tree under 7-10 feet for easier management and better yield.
  • · Fertilizing: Apply balanced fertilizers and supplements regularly.


🍈 Jackfruit facts

  • · The fruit consists of large, edible bulbs of yellow, sweet, banana-pineapple-flavored aromatic flesh.
  • · Seedlings start fruiting within 3-4 years, with fruit ripening 4-6 months after flowering.
  • · A mature tree can produce up to 200 pounds of fruit annually.
  • · For colder regions, growing Jackfruit in containers is an option, provided the tree is regularly pruned and topped.


👍 Jackfruit trees grow fast and fruit abundantly with proper care, making them an exotic addition to tropical fruit collections.

📚 From previous posts:


The largest tree-borne fruit in the world
How to grow the biggest fruit on Earth

🛒 Plant your own Jackfruit

#Food_Forest #How_to

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