Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 8 Apr 2020

Gardening has hooked another fan!

Over the last few weeks, we've been discussing using this time to engage in the activities that make you happy, to do more of what you love. Of course, for all of us at Top Tropicals, we have been singing the praises of gardening and tropical plants for years and sharing the love with any friends and neighbors who have expressed an interest in our activity of choice.
Do we have an affect on some people? Do we encourage them to try their hand at gardening and experience the wonder of plants? Yesterday, we just saw it with our own eyes. Our neighbor, to whom we once gave an Ylang Ylang tree, has consistently and politely resisted a suggestion to try gardening herself and put some new and interesting plants in an otherwise traditionally landscaped builders' home. Even her husband emphatically stated that he was never going to put plants in, let alone take existing plain boring stuff out!
What a pleasant surprise when we saw them both and their 2 young children digging in the garden together yesterday. They replaced a whole section of generic stock plants provided by the builder and filled the area in with loads of colorful flowers and even topped it off with a healthy dose of new mulch! We couldn't believe our eyes and was so happy to see the gardening "bug" made yet another friend!

We hope our Dream Cart Offer will help someone make their dreams come true, and this forced vacation time will be well spent on their home and garden!

Save 20% on ANY 20 Dream Plants in your cart!

Date: 4 Jun 2019

Plants for South Texas and other hot states

Q: Pretty much adore last newsletter. Haven't been buying because our weather here in deep south Texas is so bad it is stunting and killing even the Tamaulipan Scrub! Do you have a cure for that? :) I have every expectation the new grafted Plumeria I purchased from you last year will bloom soon. One of my favorite plants. Thanks again and keep up the good works.

A: Yes, there is a "cure" - using biostimulants that improve drought- and heat- resistance (SUNSHINE boosters), plus the right plant selection. In fact, there is a large number of tropical rare plants that can be successfully grown in hot climates like yours. One of our partners lives in hot and dry Arizona area and has an amazing tropical garden that includes many fruit trees (Mango, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Loquats, etc). Here you can see a few pics from his garden.
Your choice is absolutely right about plumerias. Other easy plants would be Desert roses - Adeniums, and Fancy Euphorbia millii - all these come in so many varieties of colors and bloom throughout most of the year. Our special recommendations for you would be also:

Bougainvillea Dwarf Pixie
Jasmine sambac
Calliandra selloi Pink Lilian
Dracaena marginata Tricolor - Colorama, Money Tree
Hamelia patens Lime Sizzler - Variegated Fire Bush
Jatropha berlandieri - Buddah Belly
Pedilanthus tithymaloides - Devils Backbone
Trachelospermum asiaticum Mandaianum - Dwarf Confederate Jasmine

See full list of more plants that are suitable for hot and dry landscapes.

Apply fertilizers, miscroelements, and plant stimulants for improving heat tolerance

Date: 24 May 2019

Synergy of SUNSHINE, biostimulants, and macro-micro

TopTropicals.com

Q: I've heard that plants grow better and bigger with SUNSHINE boosters and when using Myco-Mix instead of regular soil mix. Do they work like fertilizers? If I use a Myco-mix, do I still need a fertilizer?

A: SUNSHINE boosters are not fertilizers, they are natural plant hormones, or biostimulants, as well as Myco-Mix which is a naturally occurring compound or microbes. Biostimulants are becoming increasingly attractive to folks interested in sustainable agriculture, and very popular for plant growth or pest resistance. A plant biostimulant is not a fertilizer because it provides no nutritional value to the plants. But, it can promote greater nutrient and water use efficiency, increase resistance to pests and diseases, reduce abiotic stresses, and in turn, lead to plant growth and health.

To answer your question, you can not replace regular fertilizers (NPK) and micro-elements with plant boosters and stimulants. However, fertilizers and microelements will work more efficiently when used in combination with biostimulants. Together they create a synergy, so plants use the most of fertilizer's potential, and will grow a lot better, faster, and healthier.

4 components for the best growing results

1. SUNSHINE boosters. They are a must during the juvenile stage of plant development - seedlings and cuttings. They are especially important for recovery of weak or stressed plants (boosting their immune system).
2. SuperFood microelements
3. NPK fertilizers. Select from water-soluble and smart-release types and make sure do not exceed the recommended concentration. Lower dose and more frequent use is always better for a plant.
4. Specialized soilless mixes: Myco-Mix (with biostimulant Mycorrhiza) for exclusive growing projects and special/unique plants, Professional potting mix for potted plants, and Propagation mix for seeds and cuttings.

TopTropicals.com

Date: 3 Jul 2024

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Celebrate Freedom on Happy 4th!
- Independence Day Sale ending soon -

Feel Free to Fill Your Yard!

Independence  Sale  plants  collage

Feel FREE to fill your yard with plants you ever wanted for your garden - at the lowest prices. Hurry up, only one day left! Choose from over 100 varieties of rare tropical plants specially priced for this Independence Day:

BLUE TAG SALE $9.95 >> SHOP

RED TAG SALE $14.95 >> SHOP

Check out our BOGO DEALS and Shipping discounts and make it a steal!

While supply lasts
Deals expire July 4, 2024
No minimum order
Max order: 2 plants per variety per order (for shipped orders)
Local pick up - no limit!

Independence  Sale  plants  collage

Independence  Sale  plants  collage

SEE MORE DEALS

Date: 30 Dec 2024

2025: The Year of the Green Wood Snake
A Time for Wisdom, Growth, and Renewal

2025:  The  Year  of  the  Green  Wood  Snake

Are You Ready to Transform?

Q: What does the new year 2025 offer in horoscope? And what are the lucky plants for the New Year 2025?

A: On January 29th, 2025, Asia ushers in the Lunar New Year of the Green Wood Snake, a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and creativity. This isn't just any snake year; it's one filled with the potential for significant personal and communal evolution.

What Makes the Snake So Special?
In Chinese astrology, the Snake is known for its intelligence, elegance, and quiet strength, paired with the Wood element to foster creativity and flexibility in 2025. Are you ready to shed old habits and embrace new possibilities?

What Does It Mean to Be Born in the Year of the Snake?
Those born under the Snake sign are intelligent, creative, and determined, often thriving under pressure. This year offers them a special opportunity to leverage their talents fully.

How Can the Snake Inspire You?
The Snake's ability to solve problems and adapt to changes encourages us to face life's challenges with grace. What will you shed this year to reveal your best self?

What Can We Learn from Snake Myths?
The legend of Nuwa, the goddess who embodies creation and balance, teaches us about renewal and harmony. How will you harness this energy in 2025?

Why Is 2025 Perfect for Growing Something New?
The Wood Green Snake, as the Patroness of Plants, makes 2025 an ideal year for gardening and embracing nature. What will you grow this year?

How Can You Blossom in 2025?
This year encourages personal growth, healthier habits, and creativity. What steps will you take to thrive?

Are You Ready to Embrace the Possibilities?
2025 invites you to grow, create, and transform. Follow the Snake's lead and make it a year to remember. What will you achieve in the Year of the Green Wood Snake?

What are Snake's lucky plants and your lucky plants for the New Year 2025?
Find out now! Check out the lucky plants especially for you, depending on the year you were born:

2025:  The  Year  of  the  Green  Wood  Snake