Date: 5 May 2025
💝 Mother's Day Sale!
Happy Mother's Day to all the plant lovers and their amazing, caring and hard-working moms! Mother is the only one who truly loves you unconditionally - show her your love back this Mothers Day Week - with our special sale. Bring a little more beauty and a smile into her (and your) garden. Celebrate the love and care that mothers bring, just like the nurturing nature of plants.
Don't miss out - use the code below for your 15% OFF Mother's Day discount!
MOTHERS25
Min order $150. Excluding S/H. Exp. 5-12-25
Reminder: use our FREE and DISCOUNTED SHIPPING for qualified orders
🎁 Mother's Day Gift Shopping
Gift Card with a 15% Bonus!
Searching for the ultimate Mother's Day gift? Look no further - a live plant never fails to brighten a day, and with a Top Tropicals Gift Card, she gets to choose her very own slice of paradise! Allow your mom to select the perfect plants for her garden or home - let her explore our wide selection of tropical plants and create her own green oasis this Mother's Day.
To get 15% bonus value: make sure to mention words Mother's Day in your gift card message.
What Makes It Special?
Bonus Value: For every gift card purchased, we add an extra 15% value at no additional cost. For instance, a $100 gift card transforms into $115 worth of plant magic!
Flexibility: No expiration date means your special someone can pick their dream greenery at their leisure.
Instant Delivery: The gift certificate is emailed directly to you - no hassle, no delays.
Gift Card has no expiration date.
Offer to purchase the card with the BONUS VALUE expires 5-12-25
Date: 3 Feb 2019
Aquarius Plant Horoscope
Aquarius - 1/22 -
2/18.
Aquarius is an AIR sign ruled by odd-ball Uranus.
The water-bearer's plants will often grow in unusual places and may vary in
appearance. They often have purple or blue flowers, or may have unusual
colors.
The most healing and beneficial plants for Aquarius are the ones that help
circulation, relax the nervous system, or promote inspiration. When Uranus
was discovered, it replaced Mercury as ruler of Aquarius. Physiologically,
Uranus rules the bioelectrical impulses that power the body's nervous system
(nervous tension and nervous exhaustion brought on by powerful changes in the
environment are related to both Mercury and Uranus). Physically, Aquarius
rules the lower legs, the calves, and the ankles, and the electrical impulses
that travel through the body's nervous system. The nervous system itself is
ruled by Mercury, and Uranus is said to be a "higher octave" of Mercury. Since
Uranus was discovered after the correspondences with plants had been
established, the herbs used in Aquarius are Mercury herbs. Always difficult to
pinpoint, quirky Aquarius appreciates the unusual and complex flavor of star anise. Use this star-shaped spice when you wish to bring happy
surprises into your life.
Aquarius Zodiac lucky plants:
Anise, Orchid, Golden rain - Koelreuteria paniculata, Bird of Paradise, Heliconia, Petrea, Mandevilla, Jasminum, Kiwi, Persimmon, Loquat, Olive, Alocasia, Colocasia, Citrus, Apple, Peppers, Gingers, Carambola, herbs spicy with an unusual flavor, White Pothos, Ivy, Shami - Prosopis cineraria, Neem, Medinilla, Sheesham Tree, Catnip, Passion fruit, Valerian, Aloe, Myrrh, Kava-kava, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Coffee, Cola nut, Nepenthes, Vanilla Orchid, Strongylodon - Jade vine, Tacca - Bat Lily, Eranthemums, Agapanthus, Orchid trees, Bolusanthus, Chamaedorea metallica, Clerodendrum ugandense, Clitoria, Duranta, Guaiacum, Jacaranda, Lavanda.
For other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.
Date: 24 Dec 2018
Growing Nutmeg from seed: secrets of successful germination
Q: I received a Nutmeg nut and I am wondering do I need to open a hard shell before planting it? Any other tips on growing nutmeg from seed? When will you have Nutmeg plants for sale?
A: We just
received fresh nutmeg seeds from Sri Lanka and planted them right away, so
we should have Nutmeg plants by Spring/Summer. These are some tips on how to
make germination a success:
- nutmeg seeds are viable only for a few weeks after harvesting so
plant them as soon as possible.
- wash the seed and soak it in warm (100F) water with a few drops of SUNSHINE-S
booster that improves germination. Soak for up to 24 hours. You may use
a thermos to keep it warm.
- there is no need for scarification. The outer shell of nutmeg is
hard, however, it is not thick so the water will penetrate easily. On the photo
above, you can see 2 seeds: the one on the right expanded twice in size after
sozking.
- Plant in a porous soilless mix, preferably light seed germination mix, in 4-6"pot, and keep moist but not soggy. You
may cover the pot with plastic to keep moisture in.
- Unless you are germinating the seed in hot tropical conditions, you
should use bottom heat - 80-85F. A heating pad is the best solution (make sure
it doesn't have a timer that automatically shuts it off). For safety, use
GFI protected electric outlets since you will be watering the pot.
- Be patient and allow a few weeks for germination. Once the seed
sprouted, keep it in bright filtered light and apply SUNSHINE Superfood to young seedling, along with a small dose of Slow Release Fertilizer, for kickstart.
- Move the seedling out in bright sun light once the temperature
outside is above 70F.
We have a very long waiting list for Nutmeg plants (item 3878) and seeds (item 6203), so you may reserve one for yourself using our Wishlist form; this way you will be notified immediately when we have the plants in stock, as they won't last long. A few seeds are still available for sale, order now while they are fresh:
Date: 6 Dec 2018
Seven rules of cold protection for tropicals
Q: I was always wondering how you guys manage to grow true tropical trees in Florida? I live in Puerto Rico and we have Breadfruit trees growing here in a wild... but my sister lives not far away from you, in Orlando, which is much colder, and I wonder if I can get her a Breadfruit tree for Christmas?
A: Your
sister can grow a Breadfruit tree in Orlando either in a pot (and bring it indoors during
cold periods) or in the ground inside a structure (an elclosed conservatory
with heating system). See our customer's Greenhouse in Virginia. Cold protection of tropical plants is a lengthy
subject and we have many interesting publications about it in our managine
Tropical
Treasures and on the website. In a nutshell, when growing tropicals outside of
tropical climate, you need to follow these 7 rules:
1. Cut watering to a minimum. Cold+wet kills tropical roots.
2. Water thirsty plants before a cold night. Jucy leaves have fewer
chances to be cold-zapped.
3. Wind protection is more important than a temperature drop. Plant
tropicals close to a house or surrounded by other trees.
4. Duration of a cold period is more critical than the cold itself. If
expecting long cold hours, bring up all available protection resources.
Christmas lights or propane heaters - as long as there is a heat source,
everything helps!
5. Remove plastic covers during the daytime so plants don't get
"cooked" in the sun. Fabric covers are better than plastic.
6. Grow ultra-tropicals in containers and bring them inside the garage
or even indoors during the cold.
7. Use SUNSHINE plant boosters and feed your plants well during Summer to improve cold hardiness.
Related topics:
About Cold Protection
Cold protection - winter action for your plant collection
Improving cold hardiness before winter: fertilizer and micro-elements
Cold hardy tropical fruit trees
Date: 6 Nov 2018
Shopping for gifts is not an easy chore!
6 important steps for successful Holiday Gift Plant Shopping
1. Make a list of friends and family members that absolutely
require your special plant attention. Obviously, a live plant is the best
present!
2. Set deadlines for shipping gift plants. Remember good timing
is 50% of a good surprise!
3. Set a budget and call our Customer Service to help you pick the right plant that fits
your needs and finances. Check out current sales and deals to get more for your dollar, and low cost offers.
4. Buy plants for plant lovers, or simply for those who
appreciate the Nature, and the Beauty. Check out fragrant gift plants, fruit, and spice plants - these are always win-win! A gift certificate can be a great option so they can pick what they like,
and it is not time sensitive!
5. Prepare. Remember that live plant requires some attention.
Prepare pots, soil, and planting instructions beforehand so your beloved ones
can enjoy a happy plant for a long time.
6. Don't forget about yourself! Take advantage of BOGO deals