Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 17 Apr 2019

Mulberries - biggest, sweetest, and compact...

TopTropicals.com

Q: What is the difference between Pakistani and Australian Mulberry plants? Would one be better suited for South Florida backyard? Can one be maintained/pruned to be a tall shrub vs a large tree? Which one has the sweetest fruit? Thank you for the previous plants we've purchased from you. They're all doing great.!

A: These two varieties are very similar indeed. Both fruit are very large. Var. Pakistani fruit is a little longer than var. Australia and the tree is a more vigorous grower, but they both are very sweet, even before the fruit fully ripen. Both trees are a good choice and start fruiting at a young age.
We've had Australia in the ground in our garden for 4 years by now and for some reason, it has been very slow growing which is normally not the case with Mulberries. Maybe it is not fully happy with FL humid conditions.
There are two Mulberry varieties that can be maintained as bushes: Issai and Dwarf Everbearing. However, even vigorous Mulberry trees respond well to pruning and can be kept compact for easy harvesting. Just make sure to prune before the flowering season starts; here in S Florida Mulberries start flowering in March, and fruit start ripening during April-May.

Check out our Mulberry trees.

Date: 22 Oct 2024

How to grow Jackfruit in a pot:
the biggest fruit in the world

Jackfruit  -  Artocarpus  heterophyllus

Q: Can I grow Jackfruit in a pot?

A: Yes, you can! Jackfruit trees, despite producing the largest tree-borne fruit in the world - up to 80 pounds and 36 inches long - can thrive and fruit in containers. The tree has a clever feature: it grows fruit only at the base of the trunk, allowing you to manage its height and size. With regular pruning, the tree can stay compact at just 6-7 feet tall, making it perfect for pot culture.

1. Getting started: pot sizes and growth tips

Start with: A 3-7 gallon container.
As it grows: Gradually increase to a 15-25 gallon pot by the time it reaches fruiting size (2-4 years).
Pruning is key: Keep the tree topped at 6-7 feet to focus its energy on fruit production.
Fertilize regularly: Use high-quality plant food like Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus to promote healthy growth and fruit development. C-Cibus is the best natural plant food for fruit and edibles.

2. Fun facts about Jackfruit - Artocarpus heterophyllus

Jackfruit  -  Artocarpus  heterophyllus

A mature Jackfruit tree can produce 200 pounds of fruit per year.
The fruit consists of large, sweet, yellow bulbs with a banana-like aroma.
Seedlings start fruiting within 3-4 years, with fruits ripening in just 4-6 months after flowering.

3. Cold tolerance of Jackfruit trees

Though often thought of as ultra-tropical, mature trees can withstand light frost for short periods without major damage. Keeping Jackfruit in pots also offers an easy way to move them indoors during cold spells if you're in a cooler climate.

4. Secrets for successful Jackfruit production

- Frost-free temperatures are essential.
- Use rich, organic soil with compost, manure, or peat moss.
- Maintain moist soil with regular watering.
- Constant pruning to keep the tree under 7 feet promotes healthy fruiting.
- Apply fertilizer and microelements regularly for better fruit quality.

By following these tips, you'll be able to enjoy the world's biggest fruit right from your patio!

Jackfruit  -  Artocarpus  heterophyllus

Learn more:
About Jackfruit
How to grow the biggest fruit on Earth
Cheena - Jackedack

Videos:
Jackfruit Fruit

Jackfruit  -  Artocarpus  heterophyllus

Jackfruit  -  Artocarpus  heterophyllus

Date: 22 Dec 2024

What are the easiest, low maintenance plants?

Bauhinia  blakeana  -  Hong  Kong  Orchid  Tree

Photo above: Bauhinia blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree. The most beautiful of all orchid trees. This winter bloomer starts flowering in very small size, when only 2-3 ft tall, and grows fast. (Bonus plant: makes it 7 easy plants!)

Six easiest to grow, effortless plants

Q: I'm seeking low-maintenance, tropical plants for my yard since I have limited time for gardening. Could you recommend some easy-to-care-for options that will still give my outdoor space a tropical feel?

A: Tropical plants don't necessarily require extensive care. Many options are low maintenance, effortless, and easy to grow, including a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, and vines that demand minimal upkeep. They are fast growing, not fussy about soil, cold- and heat- resistant, and can rely on regular sprinkler irrigation. Below are six our favorites - the easiest and most effortless tropical plants for your Southern landscape. You can find the full list here.

1. Fruit tree: Lolita Cherry

Eugenia  uniflora  -  Black  Surinam  Cherry  Lolita

Eugenia uniflora - Black Surinam Cherry Lolita. The plant is vigorous and ready to fruit the same year. The fruit has exceptional flavor, very sweet, without aftertaste, large 1-1.2 inch, very juicy. Reliable producer. These cherries are cold hardy and can take short periods of frost.

2. Flowering tree: Shaving Brush Tree

Pseudobombax  ellipticum  -  Shaving  Brush  Tree

Pseudobombax ellipticum - Shaving Brush Tree is one of the coolest looking flowering trees, this fast-growing tree bears spectacular showy staminate flowers in the spring. It usually has no leaves at that time, which serves to show off the large and striking blooms. Very low water needs, grows fast!

3. Flowering shrub: Firespike

Odontonema  cuspidatum  -  Firespike,  Red

Odontonema cuspidatum - Firespike - ultimate butterfly magnet with showy bright red flowers. Will take sun or shade. Very easy and happy plant!

4. Flowering vine: Bleeding Heart

Clerodendrum  thomsoniae  -  Bleeding  Heart

Clerodendrum thomsoniae - Bleeding Heart. One of the most spectacular blooming vines. Spectacular, dramatic flowers are slightly flat, they have white sepals on either side of bright crimson petals. The appearance may be liken to a line of dangling hearts, each emerging from the other. Very easy to grow and undemanding plant. Blooms in both sun or shade!

5. Small perennial: Ground Orchids - many colors!

Ground  orchids

Ground orchids are the easiest and most rewarding flowers for a tropical garden. They thrive in regular garden soil or potting mix, tolerate both sun and shade, and bloom nearly year-round. They take both sun or shade, are cold-resistant and carefree. And look at these colors! From vibrant purples to soft pinks and yellows, ground orchids bring a splash of tropical beauty with minimal effort. Their consistent blooming makes them a must-have for gardeners seeking color all year.

6. Fragrant exotic: Queen of the Night

Epiphyllum  oxypetalum  -  Queen  of  the  Night

Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night - powerfully fragrant at night! This special cactus grows in tropical rainforests and has large wide meaty leaves. The flower is huge, white, and nocturnal. Blooms at night hours, hence the name. One of the most exotic indoor plants, great shade garden specimen. Easy to care, very low maintenance. Very low water needs.

Date: 18 Apr 2025

Want Constant Blooms? Plant Clerodendrums

Your Shortcut to a Colorful Garden

Cat  with  Bleeding  Heart  Clerodendrum

Q: Q: I live in Florida, and while everything is green, I want more color in my garden and patio. What low-maintenance perennials can add nonstop blooms without constant care? I'm tired of annuals that don't last. Do such plants even exist?

A: Yes, they do - and your perfect solution is Clerodendrums. These colorful tropical perennials grow fast, bloom for most of the year, and thrive in both sun and shade. They're easy to care for, relatively cold-tolerant, and come in many shapes: shrubs, vines, and even small trees. Ideal for both garden beds and containers.

Why Grow Clerodendrums?

Clerodendrum  philippinum  -  Cashmere  Bouquet

Clerodendrums are tough, reliable, and visually striking plants:
- Fast-growing with a compact habit
- Available in many forms: shrubs, vines, and small trees
- Colorful flowers, many of them are sweetly fragrant!
- Thrive in sun or shade; cold tolerant; not picky about soil
- Bloom repeatedly or continuously
- Excellent for pots, patios, or indoors

Clerodendrums as Shrubs

Clerodendrum  ugandense  and  mastacanthum

- Clerodendrum bungei - Glory Bower: fragrant pink blooms, spreads quickly
- Clerodendrum incisum - Musical Note: unique buds shaped like musical notes
- Clerodendrum inerme - Wild Jasmine: salt-tolerant, good for seaside areas
- Clerodendrum mastacanthum - Pink Butterfly Bush: long-blooming, eye-catching pink
- Clerodendrum paniculatum - Pagoda Flower: layered red-orange towers of flowers
- Clerodendrum philippinum - Cashmere Bouquet: double fragrant flowers, shade-tolerant
- Clerodendrum ugandense - Blue Butterfly: delicate blue blooms that attract pollinators

Clerodendrums as Vines

Clerodendrum  thomsoniae  -  Bleeding  Heart

- Clerodendrum thomsoniae - Bleeding Heart: classic red-and-white contrast, climbs easily
- Clerodendrum speciosum - Red Bleeding Heart: vivid magenta blooms, great on trellises

Clerodendrums as Small Trees

Clerodendrum  quadriloculare  -  Winter  Starburst

- Clerodendrum minahassae - Fountain Clerodendrum: upright, white flower sprays
- Clerodendrum sahelangii - Champagne Clerodendrum: cascading white blooms
- Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst: purple leaves, late winter blooms
- Clerodendrum schmitii - Chains of Glory: dangling flower clusters, unusual look
- Clerodendrum wallichii - Bridal Veil: long white flowers, graceful arching branches

Clerodendrum  minahasse

Date: 22 Apr 2025

Celebrate Earth Day - Plant a Tree, Power the Planet!

Earth  Day  April  22

This Earth Day, join the world's largest civic movement for the planet! Celebrated every April 22, Earth Day brings over a billion people together in support of a greener future. The 2025 theme, "Our Power - Our Planet ", encourages bold action - like planting trees that clean our air, feed our families, and brighten our landscapes.

Ready to grow your impact? Grow something powerful!

Get 10% OFF everything in our store using this code:

EARTH2025

Min order $100, excluding S/H. Exp. Exp 4-27-25.

Cat  with  trees  in  nursery