Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 28 May 2024

Would you like some Scrambled Eggs? Scrambled Egg Bush is a burst of sunshine, this splash of gold blooms on and on

Senna surattensis (Cassia glauca) - Scrambled Egg Bush

🍳 Would you like some Scrambled Eggs? Scrambled Egg Bush is a burst of sunshine, this splash of gold blooms on and on...

&🌞 Senna surattensis (Cassia glauca) - Scrambled Egg Bush - produces vibrant, sunny yellow flowers that resemble scrambled eggs, adding a cheerful touch to your garden.
&🌞 Long blooming season: flowers profusely throughout much of the year.
&🌞 Compact: grows into a manageable, medium-sized shrub, perfect for smaller gardens or as a stunning focal point.
&🌞 Low maintenance: easy to care for and requires minimal attention, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
&🌞 Drought tolerant: thrives in dry conditions once established, reducing the need for frequent watering.
&🌞 Attracts Pollinators: draws bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, enhancing garden biodiversity.
&🌞 Versatile: can be used as a standalone specimen, hedge, or in mixed borders for added interest.
&🌞 Soil Improvement: enhances soil quality through nitrogen fixation, benefiting nearby plants.
&🌞 Hardy and resilient: adapts well to cool winter, heat and poor soil.
&🌞 Evergreen: retains its green leaves all year round, providing constant coverage and aesthetic appeal.

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🛒 Order Scrambled Egg Bush

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🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 6 Nov 2024

What is your favorite Pineapple variety?

Pineapple Florida Special

🌞 What is your favorite Pineapple variety? A Sunshine State Delight: Florida Special!

&🍍 One of our favorites here in Sunshine State is Pineapple Florida Special
&🍍 Bred by the Libby fruit company for Florida's unique climate, the Florida Special Pineapple once thrived across 240 acres in Immokalee before Libby sold to Nestle.
&🍍 This variety produces medium to large, golden-yellow fruits with a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Known for its resilience, it can withstand temperatures down to the mid-30s without internal damage, making it a great choice for subtropical gardeners.
&🍍The plant's compact size, reaching 2-3 feet, makes it perfect for containers, patios, or garden beds. Its spiny green leaves form a striking rosette, adding tropical flair to any space. Whether grown for its juicy fruit or ornamental appeal, the Florida Special brings a slice of paradise to your garden!
&🍍 Enjoy it fresh, in smoothies, or as a tasty addition to tropical dishes.

📚 Learn more about pineapples from previous posts:

Three must-have fruit for every tropical garden
The most luscious Hospitality Fruit <
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🛒 Order Pineapple Florida Special

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Date: 5 Jan 2025

Condo (Dwarf) Mango Practical Guide:
What varieties are good for container culture
or small yards

Q: "Our winters are too cold for a mango tree, but I'd like to grow one in a pot so I can bring it inside during cold nights. Which varieties do you recommend for container gardening? I've heard of Condo Mango - do you carry them?"

A: Yes, we always carry Condo Mango varieties: they are a fantastic choice for gardeners with limited space or in cooler climates. They grow well in containers and can be easily maintained through pruning. Whether you're growing them on a balcony, in a greenhouse, or in a backyard, Condo Mangos provide the perfect mix of beauty and practicality.

What Are Condo Mangos?

Condo Mangos, also known as dwarf mango trees, are perfect for small spaces. These trees can be grown in containers, making them ideal for balconies, greenhouses, or small suburban backyards. With proper care, they can be maintained at a manageable height of 6-10 feet through regular pruning. Some plant enthusiasts even manage growing Mango tree as an indoor plant!

The term Condo Mango

Condo Mango refers to mango varieties that thrive in containers and are small by nature, allowing them to be easily kept even smaller with selective pruning.

Size and Growth

Unlike traditional mango trees, Condo Mangos are compact. They naturally grow to around 6-10 feet, but with proper pruning, they can be kept small, making them an excellent choice for limited space.

Growing in Containers

- Condo Mango trees thrive in pots and containers.
- A 15-20 gallon pot is ideal to give the roots enough room to grow.
- Ensure your container has drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Planting Tips

- Plant Condo Mangos in full sun, where they'll get plenty of heat and light.
- Use well-draining soil for optimal growth.
- Fertilizer regularly with quality plant food. Out best choice is Sunshine Mango Tango for edibles. - Late Winter to early Spring is the best time to plant in containers, before the rainy season starts.
- Mangoes grow well in USDA zones 9-10, but if you live in cooler climates, you can grow them indoors or in a greenhouse, as long as you meet their heat and light needs.

Pruning and Maintenance

- Prune Condo Mango trees once a year to keep them at the desired height (6-10 feet), right after harvesting (late Summer to Fall)
- Trim the tips of the branches to maintain a compact shape and encourage healthy growth.
- Regular pruning will help keep the tree manageable and ensure better fruit production.

Learn more: Find out what are Top 10 Dwarf Condo Mango - great for container culture.

Shop Condo Mango

Learn more about Condo Varieties

Date: 29 Jan 2025

Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia integrifolia)

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 6: Macadamia Nut Tree.

&🌰 Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia integrifolia) are known for their delicious flavor and high price tag, but you can grow these popular, sweet nuts right in your own garden!
&🌰 Cold-Hardy and Productive. Macadamia trees are fairly cold-hardy, grow quickly, and thrive in all Florida soils. They are very productive and can tolerate both flooding and drought once established. Older trees can survive cold winters with minimal dieback, while young trees need protection from temperatures below 25-26F.
&🌰 Water and Soil Tolerance. Macadamia trees need plenty of water and can handle some flooding, but they are also drought-tolerant once mature. They adapt well to all Florida soil types.
&🌰 Fertilizer Needs. Macadamia trees require a special fertilizer program for healthy root development and optimal production. Use only liquid fertilizer such as Sunshine C-Cibus and apply microelements regularly, such as Sunshine SuperFood, to prevent nutrient deficiencies that can stunt growth.
&🌰 #Fun_Facts:

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⏺Did you know the Macadamia nut is the hardest-shelled nut in the world - and also one of the most nutrient-rich? The shell material is five times harder than hazelnut shells, with mechanical properties similar to aluminum!

⏺Despite being rich in calories, macadamia nuts may help you lose weight. This may be partly explained by their amounts of protein and fiber, two nutrients known to reduce hunger and promote feelings of fullness.
⏺Macadamia nuts are rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and mineral. They're linked to numerous health benefits, including improved digestion, heart health, weight management, and blood sugar control. High in monounsaturated fats, they may help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk. These nuts are also a good source of antioxidants, including tocotrienols, which may protect against cancer and brain diseases.

📚 Learn more:

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🛒 Plant your own Macadamia Nut Tree

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Date: 22 Apr 2025

Low-Maintenance Bloom for Your Patio

Q: I'm looking for compact, low-maintenance plants for my patio - something colorful, unusual, and not like the boring crotons. I need several for my lanai, preferably flowering, showy, and easy to care for since I often forget to water. Do such plants even exist?

A: Sounds like you need Adeniums - also known as Desert Roses. They're perfect for patios and lanais, and they check every box: compact, low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and bursting with color. You can grow them in sun or shade, and they don't mind if you forget to water now and then. Plus, they're real conversation pieces - people collect them like art! Adeniums look like living sculptures thanks to their thick, swollen caudex.

At Top Tropicals, we grow over 200 hybrid varieties of Adeniums, and usually have 100+ in stock. You'll find doubles, reds, purples, yellows, even striped, dotted, rainbow, and black flowers. With so many options, you'll want more than just one!

Want that iconic fat base? Here's the trick:

Every time you repot, raise the plant slightly to expose more of the upper roots. This encourages downward root growth and thickens the caudex over time. Just use a well-draining mix, water only when dry, and feed with Sunshine Megaflor Booster to support both blooming and trunk growth.

Adeniums aren't just low-effort - they're living art for your lanai!

Add Color to Your Lanai

The First Video of Exotic Adenium Hybrids

Our Desert roses - Adeniums - were planted in March - and now, at the end of April, they're in full bloom. Just look at these colors in this !

Watch 1 min video

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