Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 22 Dec 2025

Center of the world tree that stops traffic in Florida - now fits in a pot

Ceiba Dwarf Pink Princess

🗿 Center of the world tree that stops traffic in Florida - now fits in a pot



🎥 Ceiba Dwarf Pink Princess

🌸 If you’ve ever visited Florida in winter, you’ve probably seen those unbelievable pink trees in full bloom - that’s a Ceiba (Chorisia) speciosa, also known as the Kapok or Pink Silk Floss tree, famous for its hibiscus-like flowers and fluffy silk pods.

🌸 The problem? The classic Ceiba can grow 40 feet tall.
This one doesn’t! Ceiba hybrid Dwarf Pink Princess stays compact - about 8-12 feet in the ground and even smaller in a pot.
And unlike seed-grown trees, this one blooms right away because it’s grafted! No long wait.

🌸 In winter, it drops most of its leaves and explodes into thousands of soft pink flowers. Same wow factor. Just a fraction of the size.
Perfect for small yards, patios, balconies, or anyone who wants a show-stopping winter tree without committing to a giant.

🌸 #Fun_facts: the ancient Maya believed the Ceiba was the sacred tree at the center of the world, connecting earth to the sky.

🌸 So yes… You can officially say you’re growing the center of the world in your backyard.

🛒 Plant it now - it fits any garden

📚 Learn more:

Silk Floss Tree Plant Facts

Botanical name: Ceiba speciosa, Chorisia speciosa
Also known as: Silk Floss Tree, Bombax
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Small tree 10-20 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyPink flowersThorny or spinyPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region

Ceiba (chorisia) speciosa in Plant Encyclopedia
How this breath-taking flowering tree stays so compact

#Trees #Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden

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Date: 24 Dec 2025

I wait all year for this vine to bloom!

New Guinea Creeper, Tecomanthe dendrophila

🌸 I wait all year for this vine to bloom!



It's this time of the year when beautiful Tecomanthe is opening her majestic blooms!
The New Guinea Creeper (Tecomanthe dendrophila) is a stunning, non-aggressive vine that will captivate with its vibrant blooms and lush foliage.

🌸 New Guinea Creeper, Tecomanthe dendrophila, is one of those plants that changes the whole garden when it blooms. Winter doesn’t have to be boring! In early winter through spring, it covers itself in large trumpet-shaped flowers with deep pink tubes and creamy white tips. The display lasts weeks, not days!

🌸 Unlike many flowering vines, this one is well-behaved. It climbs without taking over, stays glossy and evergreen year-round, and works beautifully on trellises, arbors, or strong supports. Butterflies love it, and people always stop to ask what it is.

🌸 A true winter show stopper for warm climates or containers!

🛒
Your garden needs New Guinea Creeper

📚 Learn more:

New Guinea Creeper vine Plant Facts

Botanical name: Tecomanthe dendrophila
Also known as: New Guinea Creeper vine
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Vine or creeper plantSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWhite, off-white flowersPink flowersPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region

Tecomanthe dendrophila in Plant Encyclopedia
How to grow New Guinea Creeper Tecomanthe

#Hedges_with_benefits #Butterfly_Plants

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Date: 11 Mar 2026

📅 Do Not Miss: March 21 - Spring Equinox Plant Market

🍩 Saturday, March 21, 2026: 9 am - 4 pm

Smokey  the  tuxedo  cat  in  work  clothes  studies  the  Spring  Equinox  Plant 
 Market  poster  at  the  Top  Tropicals  nursery  entrance  while  Sunshine  the 
 ginger  tabby  cat  rides  a  bicycle  balancing  coffee  and 
 donuts.
Sunshine: Smokey, look at me! See what I can do on my bike? I'm practicing to give people what they like: coffee and donuts.

Smokey: You'd be perfect for a Gulf beach cafe. But gardeners don't come here for donuts.

Sunshine: Really? Then why do they come?

Smokey: Some gardeners lost plants to the freeze. Others want trees that will handle winter better. Cold-hardy avocados. Macadamia. Grumichama. And some just come for fun - to see the PeopleCats.


Sunshine: And my charm... and my donuts will make it more fun.

Read more about Smokey & Sunshine

Ft Myers Garden Center: 13890 Orange River, Ft Myers, FL
Sebring B-Farm : 9100 McRoy Rd, Sebring, FL

More Spring Equinox Plant Market details

🌞 Welcome to our Spring Equinox Plant Market, proudly hosted by the PeopleCats of Top Tropicals.

This one feels different.

After Florida’s record freeze, many gardens are brown, trimmed back, or missing a few old friends. We felt it too. And now - we rebuild.

The equinox marks equal day and night. More light ahead. New growth beginning.

And the PeopleCats are ready🐾.

  • 🐱King is back on gate duty - inspecting every vehicle for proper plant-hauling capacity.
  • 😺Paisley is rearranging freeze survivors and new arrivals like a design consultant.
  • 😼Snitch is supervising recovery efforts from a comfortable chair.
  • 😸Persephone is checking under tables for "hidden spring energy."
  • 😻Sushi and Loki are preparing for guided garden tours - recovery edition.

This is not just a plant market. This is the spring reset.

👍 Why You Should Come

It is finally warm in Florida. After several nights of hard freeze, some plants survived - and some didn’t. This event is your chance to see real freeze champions in person.

If you lost plants, you are not alone. If you are ready to plant smarter, this is your moment.

Walk the gardens. See proven winter survivors. Discover cold-hardy fruit trees and resilient ornamentals. Get practical advice about replanting after freeze. This is rebuilding - Florida style.

♥️ What Makes This Event Special

We are featuring:

  • Verified freeze survivors
  • Cold-hardy fruit trees
  • Tough flowering trees and shrubs
  • Replacement plants for damaged landscapes
  • Smart layering ideas for frost-resilient gardens
  • You will see which species handled 25F with wind and multiple nights of freeze - with no protection.

Real-world test. Real results.

Cold hardy fruit favorites include:

Avocado Plant Facts

Botanical name: Persea americana, Persea gratissima
Also known as: Avocado, Alligator Pear, Aguacate, Abacate
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyEdible plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region

🌸 Cold hardy subtropical flowering trees including:

And many other cold hardy plants

Mexican Bird of Paradise Plant Facts

Botanical name: Caesalpinia mexicana
Also known as: Mexican Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Small tree 10-20 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryYellow, orange flowersIrritating plantFragrant plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeSeaside, salt tolerant plant
Get personalized tips for your region

🎉Event Highlights

  • 30% OFF online prices
  • FREE plants with purchase
  • $5-10 specials
  • Exciting raffle prizes

🌳Don't just mow - grow!

Start your food forest, beat rising prices, and plant a future your family will thank you for.

🌿 Friendly Reminder
Just a quick reminder before we go: Sunshine Boosters are still shipping free. If you were thinking about stocking up for the season, now is a great time to do it while the offer is still active.

🛒 Feed your plants

Date: 13 Feb 2026

To trim or not to trim? When and how to trim damaged plants after winter

Sprounting buds on a dormant branch and pruners

Sprounting buds on a dormant branch and pruners

✂️ To trim or not to trim? When and how to trim damaged plants after winter



Florida just went through a record freeze (Feb 2026). Now gardens look rough - brown leaves, blackened tips, mushy stems. The big question: do you cut now or wait?
Here is the simple rule.

✂️ When is the right time to trim?



Do not rush.
Wait until the danger of more freezes has passed and you start seeing new growth. In most of Florida, that means late winter to early spring.
Why wait?
Dead foliage actually protects living tissue underneath. If you cut too early and another cold snap hits, you can cause more damage.
If a plant is completely collapsed and clearly mushy, you can remove that material. But for woody shrubs and trees - patience pays.

✂️ How far should you trim?



Trim back to healthy, green wood. Start by removing:
· Black, mushy, or obviously rotted stems
· Broken branches
· Completely dried leaves
Then cut slowly and test as you go. Do not cut everything to the ground unless you are sure it is dead.
Many tropicals look terrible after freeze but recover beautifully in warm weather. Te rule of thumb is: once minimum temperatures stay above 65F for over a week, the active growth starts.

✂️ How to tell if a branch is dead or alive



Use the scratch test. Lightly scrape the bark with your fingernail.
· Green underneath - it is alive
· Brown and dry - likely dead
Move down the branch toward the base. Often only the top portion is dead.
Also check flexibility. Live branches bend slightly. Dead ones snap.

✂️ Important - do not give up too soon



This is where many gardeners make a mistake.
After a few weeks - sometimes even months - plants can push new growth through what looks like a dead branch. Buds may appear higher than expected, not just from the roots.

✂️ You may see growth:



· Along the stem
· From lower nodes
· From the trunk
· From the base

Some plants look gone - then suddenly leaf out again.

✂️ Final thought



After a hard freeze, the best tools are patience and a careful eye.
Wait for warmth. Trim slowly. Check for green. And give your plants time to surprise you.
Tropical gardens are tougher than they look.

🛒 Need to replace a damaged plant? Explore the best options

#Discover #How_to

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 27 Jan 2026

🌸 Why adenium?

  • Easy to grow in containers
  • Thrive in sun or shade, indoors or out
  • Tolerant of low humidity
  • Very low water needs
  • Forgiving plants that tolerate missed watering
  • Long-lived plants that improve with age
  • Compact size, ideal for patios, balconies, and windows
  • Form unique, sculptural caudex shapes
  • Decorative even when not in bloom
  • Produce stunning, long-lasting flowers
  • Often blooming in a few months

🌸 Adenium Care Basics

Adeniums have many spectacular hybrids, and their basic culture is closer to orchids than to typical houseplants. The key is a small pot, excellent drainage, bright light, and careful watering.

Adenium Plant Facts

Botanical name: Adenium sp.
Also known as: Adenium, Desert Rose, Impala Lily
USDA Zone: 9 - 10
Highligths Plant with caudexLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryYellow, orange flowersRed, crimson, vinous flowersUnusual colorBlue, lavender, purple flowersWhite, off-white flowersPink flowersToxic or Poisonous
Get personalized tips for your region

Pot and Soil

  • Use a small pot sized to the root system.
  • Excellent drainage is required.
  • Use a very well-drained mix. We recommend specially formulated for Adeniums Desert Rose Soilless Mix

Light and Blooming

  • Give lots of light for heavy flowering.
  • In warm conditions and longer days, most hybrids and species begin blooming in spring.
  • In warmer climates they can keep blooming through fall and winter.

Watering (Most Important)

  • Adeniums dislike both extremes: over-watering and drying out too often.
  • Use neutral to hard water when possible.
  • Acidic water can sour the mix quickly and may cause root rot.
  • Water in the early morning so the plant can drink through the day.
  • Watering frequency can range from daily to every few days, depending on heat, light, and how fast the mix dries.
  • Never let the pot sit in a saucer of water.
  • Do not let the plant dry out too often, or it may go into early dormancy.
  • Do not wet the leaves.

Fertilizer (Caudex + Flowers)

  • To build a large swollen base/trunk (caudex), use a good quality fertilizer.
  • A fertilizer that helps trunk swelling also supports flowering. The best choice for this is Sunshine Megaflor.
  • Avoid fertilizers that are too high in nitrogen; choose a formula where the middle number is the highest.
  • Never apply fertilizer directly on roots.
  • Do not liquid feed a thirsty plant.
  • Always water lightly first, then feed, to avoid root burn and leaf drop.

The Caudex "Secret" (Shaping the Base)

  • At each repotting, lift the plant slightly so the upper roots are a little exposed.
  • This encourages new roots to grow downward and helps create a thicker, more interesting caudex shape.

Multi-Grafted Plants (Important Note)

  • Adenium hybrids can be multi-grafted with several colors/varieties on the same plant.
  • The swollen base forms only when the rootstock plant is grown from seed.

✍️ Adenium FAQ

How much light do Adeniums need?

Adeniums need lots of light for heavy flowering. Most hybrids and species start blooming when conditions are warm and days get longer, and in warmer climates they can keep blooming through fall and winter.

What is the best pot size for Adeniums?

Use a small pot sized to the root system, with excellent drainage. A small pot with excellent drainage is a must.

What kind of soil mix should I use?

Use only a well-drained mix. Adeniums do best in very well-drained soil. A small pot plus excellent drainage is the foundation of success.

How often should I water Adeniums?

Adeniums do not like both over-watering and drying-out too often. Water preferably in the early morning and do not water again until the mix dries on the surface. Watering can range from daily to every few days depending on heat, light, and how fast the mix dries.

Can Adeniums sit in a saucer of water?

No. Never allow your Adenium to sit in a saucer of water.

Should I wet the leaves when watering?

No. Do not wet the leaves.

What kind of water do Adeniums prefer?

Adeniums prefer neutral to hard water. Acidic water tends to sour the soil too fast and may cause root rot.

How do I create a large, swollen caudex?

At each repotting, lift the plant slightly so the upper parts of the roots are a little exposed. This encourages the plant to form more roots that grow downward and helps create a thicker, more interesting caudex.

What fertilizer should I use for caudex growth and blooms?

Use a good quality fertilizer to support both trunk swelling and flowering. Avoid formulas that are too high in nitrogen; the middle number should be the highest. Never apply fertilizer directly on roots, and do not liquid feed when the plant is thirsty. Water lightly first, then feed, to avoid root burn and leaf drop.

Can an Adenium have multiple flower colors on one plant?

Yes. Adenium hybrids can be multi-grafted with several colors or varieties on the same plant. Note that the swollen base forms only when the rootstock plant is grown from seed.

✍️ Learn About Adeniums

🎥 Watch Adenium Videos

🛒 Shop Adeniums