Date: 7 Mar 2026
SUNSHINE Boosters: The Professional Advantage
By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top Tropicals with Smokey & Sunshine help
Here is why SUNSHINE Boosters are the smart choice for your garden this spring:
- Amino Acid Stability: Unlike traditional fertilizers that use synthetic EDTA chelators, our formulas are amino-acid based. This means 100% of the nutrients are bioavailable and consumed by the plant, leaving zero toxic residues or salt build-up in your soil.
- Safe for Every Watering: Because our concentrations are scientifically balanced and mild, they are safe for daily use. This eliminates the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers and prevents accidental root burn.
- Pure Taste for Edibles: Our delicate formulas do not contain excess salts, urea, or ammonium salts that can ruin the flavor of your harvest. Your fruit and vegetables will retain their pure, natural taste.
- Pollinator Friendly: Our boosters are designed to be safe for honeybees and other beneficial insects, making them the responsible choice for an organic-style garden.
🌿For Potted Plants: Breaking the "Foodless" Cycle
Container-grown plants are trapped in soilless mixes (peat, bark, perlite) that are structurally great but naturally nutrient-deficient.
- Total Nutrition: Since pots lack the natural "buffet" of the ground, SUNSHINE Boosters™ provide every essential mineral the plant cannot find on its own.
- No Salt Build-up: Our amino-acid based formulas are consumed entirely by the plant, leaving zero toxic residue or root-burning salts behind.
- Daily Safety: Our mild concentrations eliminate the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers, making them safe for use with every single watering.
For In-Ground Plants: Unlocking the Soil
Even in the ground, plants often struggle to absorb what they need because soil compounds can "lock up" nutrients.
- Enhanced Solubility: SUNSHINE Boosters create a slightly acidic environment that helps dissolve stubborn salts in the soil, making them accessible to roots again.
- Precision Delivery: We provide mobile elements like Nitrogen precisely when the plant needs to push new spring growth.
🌿The Foliar Advantage: Direct-to-Leaf Delivery
Did you know a plant leaf can absorb nutrients even more efficiently than the roots? Foliar feeding is your "emergency button" for instant results.
- Quick Fix: Foliar applications with Sunshine Superfood are the fastest way to correct yellowing leaves or visible deficiencies.
- Metabolism Boost: Sprays like SUNSHINE-Epi act as a bio-regulator, helping plants recover from the stress of spring temperature swings.
- Better Fruit: SUNSHINE Honey is applied to leaves to naturally move sugars to the fruit, increasing sweetness and flavor.
🌿The Calcium Problem: Solved
As your plants wake up this Spring, they need structural strength. Think of Calcium as the "cement" that holds plant cells together. Without it, new spring growth is doomed to fail.
Signs Your Plant is Starving for Calcium:
- Deformed Leaves: New growth looks twisted, hooked, or curled.
- Blackened Tips: The very edges of young leaves turn white, then quickly blacken and die.
The Industry Secret: The "Missing" Mineral
Most fertilizers, both dry and liquid, completely skip Calcium. Why? Because it’s a chemical nightmare to keep stable in a concentrated solution. Most manufacturers rely on your irrigation water to deliver Calcium, but tap water is inconsistent and often fails to provide what a hungry, growing plant needs.
The SUNSHINE Boosters: Stable Calcium in Every Bottle
We have successfully stabilized Calcium directly into every single Sunshine Booster formula. Whether you are using Bombino, Robusta, or Megaflor, you are delivering a precise, stable dose of Calcium with every watering. No lockout, no sediment, and no relying on the "luck" of your tap water. Just strong, healthy cell walls and perfect spring growth.
🌿SUNSHINE-Epi: The Year-Round Bio-Regulator
Whether it’s the transition of spring, the extreme heat of summer, or the dry air of indoor wintering, SUNSHINE-Epi is your plant’s primary defense. This natural Brassinosteroid acts as a powerful immune booster, helping plants navigate stress wherever it comes from.
- Universal Stress Shield: Protects against temperature swings (both heat and cold), drought, and transplant shock.
- Vigorous Development: Dramatically improves root growth and speeds up the metabolism of young seedlings and cuttings.
- Eco-Safe: 100% non-toxic to humans, pets, and pollinators.
Note: While Epi is highly effective, it is a performance booster, not a substitute for proper care. It works best when paired with the right light, water, and a consistent feeding program. It won't bring a dead plant back to life, but it will help a struggling one find its footing.
Sunshine: Agreed. My charm covers the delivery cost.
No coupon code required: The free shipping is automatically applied at checkout.
Complete Nutrition: Stock up on Robusta, Superfood, and Epi for the Spring growth push.
❓Frequently Asked Questions: SUNSHINE Boosters™
-
What water should I use for foliar spraying?
Tap water works perfectly for most. However, if your water is very "hard" (leaving white mineral spots on leaves), switch to distilled water for a cleaner finish and better absorption. -
How long does a diluted solution last?
For maximum potency and to avoid nutrient degradation, try to use your diluted mixture within a few hours of preparation. Keep away from direct sun. Fresh is always best! -
Can I use SUNSHINE Boosters as a daily foliar spray?
Yes! You can mist your plants daily to maintain high vigor, but you must reduce the dosage (use half the recommended strength) to avoid over-feeding. -
Can I mix boosters with pesticides or fungicides?
It is best to apply them separately. Mixing fertilizers with chemical pesticides in one tank can trigger reactions that "lock out" nutrients or reduce the efficacy of the treatment. -
Will the liquid stain my patio or hands?
No. Unlike traditional fertilizers with heavy blue or pink dyes, our solutions are clear or very light-colored. If you spill it, simply rinse with water—no stains, no mess. -
Can I mix different SUNSHINE Boosters together in one sprayer?
Yes. All SUNSHINE Boosters are chemically compatible. You can combine a "growth" booster like Robusta with a "micro-element" complex like Superfood in the same water to save time. -
Are these products safe to use around my pets?
Absolutely. Our formulas are 100% non-toxic and amino-acid based. Just ask Smokey and Sunshine—they are perfectly safe for households with curious cats, dogs, and children. -
Can I use these boosters on indoor plants?
Yes. They are ideal for indoor use because they don't produce a "fertilizer smell" and won't cause salt crusting on your decorative pots or furniture. -
Is it safe to use on fruit and vegetables I plan to eat?
Yes. Because our formulas contain no urea, nitrates, or harsh salts, they don't leave a "chemical" aftertaste. They actually help improve the natural sugars and flavor profile of your harvest. -
What is the best temperature for foliar spraying?
Apply when temperatures are below 85°F. Early morning or late evening is best; this allows the leaves to remain wet longer, giving the plant more time to absorb the nutrients.
Smokey: Simple. Spray Sunshine Robusta every five days during active growth.
Sunshine: Five days? Smokey, I barely remember where I left my coffee mug five minutes ago.
Smokey: That is exactly why we use Green Magic.
Sunshine: Fertilizer for forgetful gardeners?
Smokey: Controlled release. Sprinkle once and it feeds the plant for six months.
Sunshine: Six months? I can have a very good nap in that time.
Smokey: Exactly. The plant keeps eating slowly while you keep napping.
Sunshine: Perfect. Remember, I will bring the coffee. You bring the donuts.
Smokey: And next week we will show you exactly how Green Magic works and why plants love it. Stay tuned.
Date: 15 Nov 2016
SUNSHINE in a bottle - your help during winter
Q: I have been using your new plant hormone SUNSHINE for plants after shipping, and I must admit it does make a big difference! They recover right away. I order plants online very often, and usually it takes up to a week or more until they start showing new growth. After SUNSHINE treatments, they look fresh within a day or two. My question would be, for improving cold tolerance, what do you recommend? I live in Florida and it is still warm here, should I start spraying my garden now or should I wait until cold spells?
A:
SUNSHINE
is very effective plant stimulant that helps tropical
plants survive different kinds of stress, including
cold, heat, drought, low light, etc. At TopTropicals
gardens and nursery, we have been using this hormone for
many years to protect our plants from unfavorable
conditions, and it saved us many rare tender species,
and lots of money!
The sooner in Fall you start treatments, the better.
Don't wait until cold spell. SUNSHINE works slowly and
in very low doses. The mechanism is actually about
boosting, building up the plant's own immune system. Low
doses once a week, even every other week will work just
fine, so you will need very little of the product. For
less than $5 you can help expensive rare plants to go
through winter painlessly. Recommended application is
only 2.5 ml/1 gal of water, to spray every 1-2 weeks
throughout winter period.
Start spraying your plants with SUNSHINE now, to help
them survive short winter days, build up insect
resistance (especially for plants indoors), and what is
most important, to remain strong through lower
temperatures. These are our suggestions:
- SUNSHINE-T
- thermo-protection booster. It is specially
formulated for winter protection of tropical plants. To
improve cold hardiness even more, spray 1-2 days prior
to cold with 5 ml/1 gal solution and after that,
continue applications with 2.5 ml/1 gal solution every
10-15 days throughout winter period.
- For large plant collections, and in-ground gardens in
subtropical areas, take advantage of very cost effective
bulk items 50
ml and 100
ml bottles of SUNSHINE.
- Don't forget that SUNSHINE is only a stimulant, and
not a plant food. While regular fertilizer should be
avoided during winter months, it is always beneficial to
apply microelements through foliar spray. During cooler
period, chances of chlorosis increase, because at low
temperatures iron is difficult so absorb by roots
especially in moist soil, hence iron deficiency! Our new
Iron supplement SUNSHINE-Super-Iron
microelement booster will help to avoid yellowing leaves
and to maintain your plants strong and healthy during
slow growth period. Ultra-potent, highly absorbable iron
mix, with chelated Iron with DTPA (instead of usual
EDTA) that is better soluble in hard water and more
effective for chlorosis. This mix contains both EDTA +
DTPA chelated iron in higher concentration than regular
micro-elements mixes.
See all SUNSHINE
booster products in our store. For advanced
information on SUNSHINE plant boosters, history of use,
formulation, and frequently asked questions, visit our
manufacturer's website TTLaboratories.com.
Best plants suitable for containers. Check out our large selection of plants that are easily grown in containers
Date: 31 Aug 2016
Hardy avocados
Q: I intend to gift three avocados, at least one type A and one type B, to a friend who lives in an area where the temperature never goes below 25F. The idea is to give them a ripening season as long as possible. Which combinations do you suggest, and which are the A and B?
A: When talking about "A" type and "B" type in Avocados, it is referring to the flowers. An avocado will produce both male and female flowers on the same plant. "A" type means that the flowers are female in the morning and male at afternoon. "B" type means that the flowers are male in the morning and female in the afternoon. If you plant to start a commercial growth, then it's important to create a proper mix of both types. However, in hot and humid climate a single tree produces flowers of both types, so it is not necessary to have both A- and B- types planted together in backyard. Even a single tree produces enough fruits for home gardener.
It is also important to know that while there are more cold hardy avocados, it refers to a full grown established tree. They will still need protection from the cold until they are bigger and more established. One can not expect a small tree, which was planted in June, to survive the first winter. It'll take few years until the tree is "harden" enough.
Wurtz Avocado: Fruits from May to Sept.
Dwarf hybrid. It is very compact and slow growing, reaching only about 8-12 feet at maturity. Distinctive weeping growth habit. Suited for planters, containers, patios, greenhouse use. Great for dooryard or container growing. The tree can handle temperatures to 25(F) degrees. Production is good and it is a consistent bearer.
Day Avocado: Fruits July to Sept.
Day avocado is green, smooth skin and is shaped like a club. The fruit is of very good quality and has a nice buttery consistency. The slender tree is relatively cold tolerant and produces July through September.
Fuerte Avocado: Fruits Nov to June.
Relatively cold hardy variety. Green fruit, elongated,flavor excellent, buttery. Vigorous compact tree with decidedly alternate year bearing habit. Ripens November to June.
These three will provide you with fruit ripening during the whole warm season.
For the most cold hardy avocado varieties, see this info sheet
Date: 1 Aug 2016
Growing gardenias indoors
From Brian B, WI: Just wanted to share this photo of one of the plants my parents got from you 3 months ago.
Q: Gardenia taitensis is my favorite gardenia. I would need to keep it indoors under a grow light. Is it worth trying to grow indoors or is really difficult? If so, can you recommend and indoor plant that has big fragrance and blooms often?
A: When growing gardenias indoors, four most important factors must be taken in consideration:
1. Bright light (Southern window and/or proper lighting set up)
2. Proper watering (gardenias love water, but roots are very sensitive to excessive water)
3. Rich organic soil with perfect drainage characteristics, regular feeding with high phosphate component and micro-elements containing Iron or Ferovit.
4. Insect control (inspect underneath leaves regularly and apply systemic or on-contact treatments as needed). See
target=_blank>Top Tropicals video on easy insect control.
We definitely recommend Gardenia taitensis (both single and double flower varieties) for indoor culture. Another species, Gardenia vietnamensis, is even easier in cultivation as it takes wide range of conditions and may tolerate slight overwatering (unlike other varieties which are more sensitive). These three mentioned gardenias are somewhat tolerant to low light conditions. Under a proper care, they will grow successfully even in bright shade, however for blooming they require as much light as you can provide. Properly adjusted growing light may be helpful. You may refer to our article about indoor plant lighting in our magazine Tropical Treasures, Issue # 15, or website page
Date: 18 Apr 2016
Seeds germination in summer
Q: What is the best way to germinate seeds in summer? Should I keep trays indoors or put them outside?
A: Summer is the best growing season for plants, and for their propagation. Seed germination process of tropical plants usually benefits from warm, and even hot temperatures, so keeping pots with seeds outside in full or partial sun can be the best way. However some seeds may be more sensitive than others, or require slightly cooler or higher temperature for germination. These are a few tips that may help:
- For seed germination, use only well drained mixes, containing either peat moss or coconut fiber to retain moisture. Some succulents may require adding sand to the germination mix. You may also try our Professional Formula Seed Germination Mix.
- Large tropical seeds, like palms, or seeds of Fabaceae (Bean) family, can be grown in full sun. Their germination will benefit from higher temperatures (up to 90-95F). Make sure to keep soil moist. Cover them well, with 3/4 to 1 inch of soil.
- Fruit seeds (large size) should be germinated either in individual cells or small pots (3-4"diameter).
- Small to medium size seeds can be grown in so-called community pots. Seedlings can be separated after they establish their first roots.
- Tiny seeds should be planted closer to the surface, covered with only 1/4-1/8 inch of soil; some seeds require bright light for germination, so full sun will be a plus. Some small seeds like Ficus for example, prefer to be broadcasted on the surface, uncovered. Put containers with such seeds in bright shade, as you don't want the surface of the soil to dry out.
- Once your seeds sprouted, move them in filtered light - bright to medium shade depending on tenderness of the species. (Gingers prefer shade, while succulent sprouts can stay in brighter light). Regardless of water/sun needs of the species, all young sprouts and first leaves are sensitive to hot sun and may get burned or even killed. Once a baby plant has a few leaves and well-branched root system, you may start moving trays into a brighter light.
- Do not overwater young seedlings, keep soil slightly moist but not soggy.