The biggest in the world Vanilla dilloniana monster grew even bigger! 2025 update
Vanilla dilloniana in 100 gal container
Vanilla dilloniana in 100 gal container
Vanilla dilloniana in 100 gal container
Vanilla dilloniana in 100 gal container
Vanilla dilloniana flowers
👹 The biggest in the world Vanilla dilloniana monster grew even bigger! 2025 update.
⭐️ Vanilla dillioniana - The Biggest Vanilla Orchid grown in 100 gal pot by Robert Riefer's "Intelligent Design" in 2017 video got so big that Robert had to step it up again - in a giant 250 gal pool on wheels! Here are some photos of this world-famous Vanilla plant in full bloom.
⭐️The Mother plant originated in 1927, awarded in 2011 with CHM certificate of Horticultural Merit by American Orchid Society.
⭐️ Leafless Vanilla Orchid is an amazing exotic vanilla that forms a multi-branched, leafless vine reaching lengths up to 15 ft. The light green flowers are similar to Vanilla barbellata but the petals and sepals are longer and the fluted lip is a deep reddish-purple with a yellow crest.
⭐️ Vanilla dilloniana is a very rare species and considered vulnerable, endangered across its range.
⭐️ The plants we have for you at Top Tropicals are grown from cuttings of this very plant - in very limited quantities, don't miss the chance to get the offspring of this legendary plant!
Q: I live in northwestern Washington state. I was wondering if I
can grow a Sapodilla tree indoors in a container? Are they self-fertile, and
which variety do you think would do best in a large container?
A: A: All Sapodillas are self-fertile. They can be successfully
grown in pots due to their slow growth rate and compact nature. The most
important requirement for successful growing and fruiting is a bright light, other
than that it is a very undemanding plant and is not fussy about watering.
The best variety for potting culture is Silas Woods which is a dwarf kind. This variety is the most profuse
producer, flowering and fruiting nearly year round providing bright light and
warmth. Although the fruit are smaller than other varieties and average 3-4"
size.
Sapodillas require regular fertilizer applications for good production.
We recommend Fruit Festival slow release fertilizer for the best results.
Date: 13 Aug 2025
🌸 Orchid Tree - Bauhinia: Winter Blooms &
Year-Round Beauty
Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia variegata var. candida, and
Bauhinia monandra – Orchid Trees in Bloom
Sometimes a plant stops you midwalk. Flowers so bright they almost glow,
leaves shaped like butterflies — that’s a Bauhinia, the Orchid Tree. These fast growers bring color when many
gardens are quiet, with some blooming in the heart of winter.
🌟 Why Grow
Bauhinia?
Exotic blooms in colors from white to deep magenta
Distinctive leaves — nature’s own butterfly design
Many varieties flower in the cooler season
Fast growth, easy shaping, more blooms after pruning
Varieties for large yards, small gardens, and sunny patios
Tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soils
Bauhinia Care Tips
🌞 Outdoor
Full sun for best flowering, well-draining soil, deep
watering once established. Light pruning after bloom keeps shape and encourages
more flowers. Protect young plants from frost. During the growing season
(Spring - Fall), apply a balanced fertilizer - like top-dress slow release fertilizer or controlled-release Green Magic. Liquid fertilizer Sunshine Boosters Megaflor can be used year around - to promote
vigorous growth and abundant blooms.
🏡 Indoor / Patio
Bright sun (south window or outdoors in warm months), large
pot with drainage, even moisture during growth, and a bloom-booster feed in
season. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer controlled-release Green Magic. Liquid fertilizer Sunshine Boosters Megaflor can be used year around - to promote
vigorous growth and abundant blooms. Bring indoors before frost.
🍂 Seasonal Note – Bauhinias are
Deciduous
Bauhinias drop their leaves in winter — even in warm
climates. This is normal and part of their rest cycle. Bare branches in the
cool season will leaf out again in spring, often just as flowers begin.
These plants are large, developed and beautiful NOW!
The Chonemorpha fragrans, also
known as the Frangipani vine, is truly a botanical marvel. With its exquisite clusters of perfume-fragrant, large flowers and lush green foliage, this vine captivates with its beauty and charm. Not only does it adorn gardens with its elegant presence, but its intoxicating scent also fills the air, creating a
sensory delight for anyone nearby. The leaves, reaching up to 12 inches in size, further enhance its appeal. As a large, woody vine, it requires sturdy support
such as a fence or robust structure to thrive, adding to its majestic presence in any garden landscape or indoor setting.
Bunchosia argentea - Peanut Butter Tree - gets its name because its small fruits taste like peanut
butter. Isn't that cool? This attractive small tree has clusters of yellow
flowers that are followed by an abundance of dark red fruit. The rich, sweet flesh has a texture very similar to peanut
butter. Yes, it tastes exactly like peanut butter! Sweet, soft pulp with a peanut flavor. One of the most fascinating exotic fruits, as amazing as Miracle fruit, Peanut Butter Fruit is loved by both kids and adults. The tree is small in size, grows only 10-15 ft, or can be kept as a bush. It starts fruiting within 2-3 years from seed! Keep it in a pot if you have limited space; it can be grown indoors, too. Very rare in cultivation.
Magnolia figo commonly known as the Banana Magnolia, is a botanical wonder. Its creamy yellow, banana-shaped flowers release a sweet, fruity fragrance that fills the air with a delightful aroma (slightly resembling banana), making it a standout among flowering shrubs. The glossy, deep green foliage
provides an elegant backdrop to the striking blooms, further enhancing its visual appeal. Growing up to 10 feet tall, this dense and bushy evergreen shrub or a small tree adds a touch of sophistication to any landscape, whether as a focal point in a garden bed or a graceful accent in a container. As a very cold-hardy tropical plant, it thrives in zones as low as zone 8. Great container plant.
The Cattley Guava, scientifically known as Psidium littorale, is a delightful small tropical fruit tree that adds both beauty and flavor to any landscape.
With its pretty round fruits - miniature guavas - this tree offers a unique culinary experience. The fruits boast a sweet and tangy flavor, making them perfect for jams, jellies, and desserts. You can make lots of guava juice just out of one tree! Cattley Guava is not only a tropical delight but also surprisingly cold-hardy plant. Great container fruit tree.
Kailarsenia
vietnamensis - Vietnamese Gardenia, is a stunning botanical treasure. It
stands out for its large, fragrant flowers and remarkable ease of cultivation. Unlike most gardenias that can be not easy to grow, this variety demonstrates resilience, tolerating
overwatering, poor soils, and showcasing exceptional cold hardiness. The flowers are like beautiful artworks, and they give off a lovely smell that fills the air. Whether grown in containers or planted directly in the
ground, this bushy beauty thrives, offering versatility and charm to any garden or
indoor setting. Learn more about Vietnamese Gardenia.
Everybody loves shopping online nowadays, and plants are no exception.
Buying plants by mail order is not uncommon anymore; it only takes one click,
and luckily, there are many sources - from big shopping malls like Amazon to
small backyard nurseries that sell their seedlings on eBay or Facebook - all
delivered to your door. But plants are alive... So when doing your online
plant shopping, you must ensure that you fully enjoy your experience and are
happy with a healthy plant that a) doesn't die; b) recovers quickly; and c)
starts growing fast, so you can see flowers and fruit as soon as possible.
The rule of thumb for shipping plants: bigger plants undergo shipping
better, experience less stress, less leaf drop, and recover quicker than plants
with smaller root systems. So when it comes to buying plants online, the
bigger, the better. Unfortunately, many mail-order plant sources may sell you a
tiny twig that has very few chances of surviving. Shipping is very expensive
today, so shipping a bigger size plant may cost more than the plant
itself.
Below is a piece of advice on how to make the best plant selection for
your garden...
1. Find a source with bigger plants. Check reviews, ask friends
for recommendations, inquire from the company about the size of their plants
and how they pack their plants for shipping. TopTropicals offers well-established, strong plants with developed root
system, in container sizes 1, 3, 7, 15 gallon, directly from a tropical
Florida growing farm. Our unique plant-packing techniques are state of the art!
2. Price not always reflects the size and quality of the plant
TopTropicals offers many deals, discounts and sales, while still
providing the biggest and strongest plants grown in real tropical conditions.
3. Most fruit trees must be grafted to produce good fruit. Make
sure you are not purchasing a seedling when it comes to Mango, Avocado,
Peaches and some other trees with named varieties that don't come true to seed. TopTropicals offers only grafted - Mango,
Avocado and a large number of other tropical cultivars.
4. Pick up when possible from the nursery your ordered from, or
get a delivery, instead of shipping the plants. A drive to the nursery will save you more time and money in the
future, plus you can hand-pick the biggest and healthiest specimens. TopTropicals is open 7 days a week for your convenience. Visit our Ft Myers Garden Center or Sebring Farm to select the biggest plants.
5. Take advantage of X-Large size plant material if you live
outside the tropical zone and are trying to zone-push your tropical garden.
Bigger plants will establish faster and have more chances to survive cold winters.
Again, it will save you money in a long run (although bigger plants may be
more expensive, but their survival rate is much higher when it comes to cold
nights). TopTropicals offers X-Large flowering and fruiting trees (7-15-25
gallons), and most of the varieties you see in our online
store can be custom-ordered in big sizes. Delivery and installation
available.