Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 10 Mar 2016

Do-It-Yourself Support Structure for Dragon Fruit

This interesting do-it yourself project was sent to us by our customer from South Florida. Many tropical gardeners want to grow fascinating Dragon Fruit, and their most common question is - what kind of support I should use for this amazing fruiting cactus? We hope you find this information very useful. Happy Gardening!

Dragon fruit is a terrestrial/epiphytic fruit baring cactus, which may grow fleshy stems up to 30 ft high, given sturdy support. However, downward hanging or horizontal branches stimulate production of flowers at the tips of the branches. Commercial groves in different parts of the world use different method to achieve this. The traditional Vietnamese way is to train the plant into a “fountain”, which consists of a vertical central trunk about 8ft tall and a horizontal structure, such as a wagon wheel on top of it to support the horizontal branches (see picture on the right).

This picture served as my inspiration to build my own structure. I used five 4”x4” 10ft wood beams as the trunk, shaped as a cross. I attached the beams to each other with 10” long screws.

I dug a 2 ft deep 12”x12” hole in the ground and positioned the trunk inside, such that about 8ft are above ground. I covered it with several layers of burlap top to bottom.

The horizontal structure on top is made of four 4ft long 2”x2” wood beams and two 12”x12” wood plates to hold them together. I attached this structure to the top of the trunk.

I used old watering pipe to form two rings around the trunk to support the branches. Here is the result!... See step-by-step full size pictures and the rest of the article...

Date: 22 Mar 2026

Do Fruit Trees Increase Property Value? Tropical Plants That Pay Off

Yard with fruiting tropical trees

Yard with fruiting tropical trees

Landscaped yard in Florida

Landscaped yard in Florida

Mango tree fruiting in the garden

Mango tree fruiting in the garden

Do Fruit Trees Increase Property Value? Tropical Plants That Pay Off 🏡

Can your backyard pay for itself? Learn which 12 tropical fruit trees real estate experts say are the smartest investment for your landscape. Discover how tropical fruit trees like mango and avocado add "edible equity" and curb appeal to your property, making it more desirable to future buyers. Turn your yard into a private paradise that lowers grocery bills and boosts home value.

In warm climates like Florida, a mango tree isn't just landscaping - it’s a food-producing asset. Mature tropical fruit trees offer "edible equity," saving homeowners hundreds in grocery bills while creating a unique, memorable aesthetic for buyers.

    • 🥭 1. Focus on "Instant Recognition" Favorites



    Trees buyers already know and love provide the strongest ROI. They signal that the yard is already productive - something new builds can’t offer.

  • •  Top Picks: Mango, Avocado, Papaya, Banana, Guava, and Loquat.
  • •  The Value: A single mature avocado or mango tree can yield hundreds of pounds of fruit annually.


🥭 2. Create a "Memorable Discovery" with Exotic Varieties



Unusual fruits turn a standard yard into a tropical orchard, acting as a conversation piece during home tours.
  • •  The Exotic List: Jackfruit, Sugar Apple, Soursop, Sapodilla, Ice Cream Bean, and Star Fruit.


🥭 3. Strategic Placement for Energy Savings



Large-canopy trees like jackfruit or mango do more than provide food; they act as natural insulation.
  • •  Natural Cooling: Strategic planting reduces afternoon sun exposure and lowers AC costs.
  • •  Indoor/Outdoor Flow: Use trees to frame window views, block neighbors, and create private "outdoor rooms."


🥭 4. The Power of the "Mini Orchard"



A collection of 3–5 trees creates a stronger emotional pull than a lone plant. Buyers begin to visualize a lifestyle of smoothies and harvests.
  • •  Winning Combos: Mango + Avocado + Papaya or Guava + Star Fruit + Banana.


🥭 5. Maintenance: Health Equals Value



Fruit trees only add value if they look manageable. A neglected tree suggests a neglected home.
  • •  Pre-Sale Prep: Prune for tidiness, mulch the base, and clear fallen fruit.
  • •  Spacing Matters: Avoid overcrowding; ensure buyers can walk comfortably through the yard without feeling "closed in."


🥭 The Long-Term Play



Unlike decorative plants that may need frequent replacement, fruit trees appreciate over time. Because a mango tree takes years to reach peak production, the best time to plant for future resale value is now. By the time you list, your yard will offer shade, privacy, and a harvest that buyers find hard to resist.

🛒 Start Growing Your Edible Equity - Find the Perfect Fruit Tree for Your Yard

📚 Learn more:

Plant Facts

Mangifera indica
Mango
USDA Zone: 9-11
Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunModerate waterYellow, orange flowersPink flowersEdible plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant

Mango trees in Plant Encyclopedia

#Food_forest #How_to #Discover

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 6 May 2020

PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the day: Snitch - here, there, and everywhere

Everyone who visited TopTropicals Garden Center, most likely met Snitch. He greets customers at the front office door, and often helps them with checking out in the office. Snitch is an expert on fragrant plants and herbs. He is a great office assistant who is always there when you need him! A Purrrfect multi-tasker, Snitch even find time to give a hand in Shipping department, so don't be surprised if you find his whisker in the box! :)

TopTropicals PeopleCat Club

Thank you everybody for supporting us in helping PeopleCat Community!
Make your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us. Every little bit helps! Thank you and God bless you and your pets!

Date: 11 Sep 2025

American flag blended into sky with clouds, young Acacia farnesiana tree with yellow flowers growing upward, and text

September 11th remains one of the darkest days in our nation’s memory, a tragedy that touched every life in some way. More than two decades later, we may come from different places, hold different views, and see the world through different lenses — but on this day, we stand together in remembrance.

Like a young tree reaching toward the sky, we find strength in renewal. Nature reminds us that healing takes root quietly and grows over time. A branch in bloom, a sunrise after storm clouds, the steady rhythm of the seasons — all speak of life’s resilience. As we honor the lives lost, may we also honor the life that continues around us.

And we will keep remembering, together.

For us, trees and gardens are daily reminders of resilience. That’s why we grow them, and share them with others who find hope in nature. Explore our plants.

Date: 15 Jan 2026

When the Black Bat Lily decides to bloom

Blooming Black Bat Lily (Tacca chantrieri) with dark bat-shaped flower and long whisker-like filaments surrounded by green leaves

Every so often a plant blooms and the whole greenhouse seems to slow down.

That is what happened this week with the Black Bat Lily, Tacca chantrieri. We have grown Taccas for years, but when the black ones open properly, it still feels special. The flowers are dark and quiet, almost unreal up close. They do not shout for attention. They make you lean in.

Right now, we have a lot of them blooming at the same time. If you have never seen one in person, photos only get you part of the way there. The wings are darker than you expect, and the whiskers seem to go on forever. People walk into the greenhouse, stop, stare, and usually ask the same question: "Is that real?" - Yes. It is.

Group of blooming Black Bat Lily plants (Tacca chantrieri) with dark bat-shaped flowers and long whisker-like filaments in a greenhouse

A quick honest note, because this matters. The blooms themselves are delicate and may not travel well. That is just the nature of this plant. The plants, however, are strong, well established. With the right conditions, they bloom again. This is not a one-time trick.

Black Tacca is not a beginner houseplant, but it is also not impossible. It likes filtered light, steady warmth, and humidity. It does especially well in a greenhouse or a bright indoor spot where you already keep plants that enjoy moisture. It is the kind of plant you keep close, not one you forget in the corner.

We are offering them now simply because they are ready and looking their best. If you have been waiting for one, this is a good moment.

You can see the Black Bat Lily here: https://toptropicals.com/store/item/2345.htm

Just wanted to share something we are enjoying in the greenhouse right now. Some plants come and go. Some stay with you.

Tacca (Bat Lily) FAQ

What is Tacca?

Tacca, also known as Bat Lily or Devil Flower, is a tropical plant grown for its unusual bat-shaped flowers with long whisker-like filaments. The most popular species is Tacca chantrieri, the Black Bat Lily.

Is Tacca hard to grow?

Tacca is not a beginner plant, but it is not impossible. It does best with warmth, humidity, and filtered light. Gardeners who already grow orchids, calatheas, or other humidity-loving plants usually do well with Tacca.

Does Tacca need a greenhouse?

A greenhouse is ideal, but not required. Tacca can be grown indoors in a bright spot with indirect light and good humidity, such as near a humidifier or in a bright bathroom with a window or skylight.

Will my Tacca arrive in bloom?

Plants may be blooming in the greenhouse, but flowers are often removed before shipping because they are delicate and do not travel well. The plants are well established and capable of blooming again with proper care.

How often does Tacca bloom?

Tacca does not bloom constantly. It may take time to establish before flowering, but once settled, it can bloom seasonally and may produce multiple flowers in warm, humid conditions.

Does Tacca grow from a bulb?

Tacca grows from a rhizome, not a bulb. The rhizome stores energy and allows the plant to regrow and bloom again.

Why does Tacca have long whiskers?

The long filaments are thought to help attract pollinators such as flies by mimicking the look of decaying organic matter. While unusual, this is part of the plant's natural pollination strategy.

✍️ More about growing Tacca
🛒 Get your own Tacca plant
🎥Watch our videos about Tacca
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