Date: 26 May 2021
The Magic Goji Berry
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...According to folklore, people living in the Himalayas who eat Goji berries are reputed to live to between 120 and 150 years old... The famous Li Quing Yuen - a herbalist selling litchi, goji berry, wild ginseng, and gotu kola along with other Chinese herbs, and lived off a diet of these fruits, herbs and rice wine - ate Goji berries on a daily basis. Is said he to have lived to over 250 years... Is this possible? Find out!
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 18 May 2021
Mark your calendar:
June 19, 2021
Summer Solstice Celebration with PeopleCats
Special Event you can't miss!
First day of Summer and the longest day of the year! Live Jazz in the
Garden, lots of cool vendors
and "A Roof for Rufus" cat adoptions...
Come join the Top Tropicals crew for the longest planting day of the year.
Onika, Bella, Mark and David will be here soaking in the sun and helping you
to pick the right plants...
Saturday, June 19th
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Top Tropicals is proud to partner with A Roof for Rufus cat adoptions. Each cat attending this event has been
hand picked and approved by King.
Don't miss this event! Talk to the kitties and find your companion in life.
PeopleCats never betray and they will love you forever!
SEE KITTIES PROFIILES >>
In the photo: PeopleCats from Roof for Rufus Rescue
Date: 4 Feb 2021
2021: White Cow with a Golden Udder... not an Ox!
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
In China, the zodiac system calculations are quite complicated... Learn
the science of the Chinese horoscope and find out why the symbol of Year 2021
is actually the Metal Cow - not an Ox!..
...See what lucky flowers this year brings you and meet the most bizarre
plant - Nipple Fruit, or Cow's udder!..
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 28 Dec 2020
Spanish Lime Tree
Q: Do I need two plants of the Spanish lime to have fruits? Do you have a grafted tree that I would only need one plant?
A: From our experience with Spanish Lime trees - Melicoccus bijugatus, fruiting habit really depends on variety. There
are self-pollinating varieties that only require one tree. Seedling usually
require cross-pollination between two trees for better production. It doesn't
mean that one tree won't bloom or fruit - it will, but production may be lower
than if they were cross-pollinated.
The Spanish Lime trees we currently have in stock are seedlings from a
good, self-pollinating variety Key West, however, only grafted trees are
precisely true to variety since they are technically clones. Seedlings normally take
a few years (3-4) until they start fruiting. Spanish Limes don't have to be
grafted to produce quality fruit, however, grafted trees may take less time
till they fruit.
This species is really hard to obtain and we do not have any grafted trees
now, and probably not for another year. So if you really want this fruit
tree, you may want to try at least with a seedling.
We only have a few left in stock and many people want them. Otherwise, you
may sign up for the wish list and wait until we (hopefully) have grafted specimens (enter
Melicoccus bijugatus in wish list).
Date: 22 Dec 2020
The Blue Tea Remedy from the Magic Clitoria
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
Butterfly-pea flower tea commonly known as Blue Tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea, or tisane, a beverage made from a decoction or infusion of the flower of the Clitoria plant. There are not many who know about the benefits of blue tea. For centuries the butterfly-pea flower tea was only known in South East Asia... The bright blue petals from the flowers of the butterfly-pea plant have been used as an ingredient in herbal tea drinks throughout the region for centuries as well as used in cooking...
