Date: 24 Jun 2018
Fruitful Fruit and SuperFood...
Q: I have a large fruit garden here in Florida with many mango trees, avocadoes, guavas, and other tropical fruit. Last year hurricane Irma and flooding killed a few avocado trees, but mangos and guavas survived OK, but the sad part is, very few flowers this year and almost no fruit setting. I noticed on your website your Superfood and Sunshine-Honey boosters that supposedly help fruiting? But I am afraid it is too late now as your instructions say first application must be in early Spring? I wish I discovered earlier that my trees wouldn't want to fruit this year...
A:
First of all, it is never late to give the food! You may
start applications of SUNSHINE products at any time
of the year. The best results will be achieved once you
treat your plants on regular basis throughout the whole
year cycle of metabolism.
Couple weeks ago we started harvesting our 2 guava trees.
These two are the same variety (Variegated Honeymoon),
planted within 20 ft from each other and growing in the
same conditions. The only difference was, one was treated
with SUNSHINE-Honey and SUNSHINE-SuperFood, and another
one didn't get any treats in order to have a control
plant.
Results are very interesting, see the picture. Both trees
were heavily covered with fruit. However the one with
treatments developed fruit that is much larger, much
sweeter and juicier, and the most interestingly - with
less seeds, almost no seeds!
To answer your question: yes, you can start feeding your
fruit trees right now. It is still a Springtime. Many
mango varieties have late season; even early varieties may
delay their fruiting if flowering triggered by
miscro-elements. Guavas have very long season and most
varieties can have multiple crops throughout Summer-Fall.
Here is a simple and affordable feeding schedule to
help your fruit garden recover from last year hurricane
stress, and establish reliable production:
1) SUNSHINE-E - for boosting
metabolism - once a month
2) SUNSHINE-Honey - for bringing
sugars to the heart of the tree and boosting fruit
sweetness and quality - now and in 2 weeks
3) SUNSHINE-SuperFood - for
overall health, recovering from hurricane and fixing root
damage from flood - now and every 2 weeks throughout warm
season.
4) You may apply regular balanced fertilizer NPK as
usual (we apply once a month, a handful per in-ground
tree)
It's that simple. Just try and watch your trees produce
again!
Check out all SUNSHINE boosters... We offer FREE shipping on them, so you can make your plants happy!
Date: 30 Aug 2020
Healthy Plant Food
Q&A from Mr Booster
How to make Mango tree fruit
Q: Hello, I have a five-year-old Lemon Meringue tree that has only given me fruit one year. It put out about 50 mangoes and has done nothing for the past three years. Do you recommend any vitamins or any of the nutrients that you guys sell to help with this for next season?
A: We've had very similar problem with our Nam Doc Mai Mango tree, fruited once and no more next year. Usually the reason is nutrients deficiency, here in Florida we have poor soils.
We applied Mango-Tango tree booster and it
started flowering within a couple of weeks.
Generally, Mango flowering season is over by now, however, we recommend to
feed the tree starting now, during active growth season. This way it will get
better established before winter and also will store away all elements
necessary for triggering flowering and fruiting. So by late Fall through Winter it
will be ready to flower.
Along with the fertilizer, additional micro-element supplements will be
beneficial. For improving fruit quality and increasing number of flowers, we
also recommend to use
SUNSHINE-Honey - sugar booster
SUNSHINE Mango Tango - Mango Tree Booster, for healthy mango trees and profuse fruit production.
SUNSHINE Honey - a natural supplements that makes fruit sweeter, and increases fruit quantity and quality.
Date: 9 Nov 2018
Taste of Mango
Mango harvest season is over, and now it's the time to plant young Mango trees for the next year season of flowering and fruiting. When choosing a mango tree, researching your location for proper growing conditions is relatively easy. But refining your decision-making process based on the taste of mango is both easy and fun (and filling)! However, since it is often difficult to find a convenient source for sampling a wide variety of mango fruits; we at Top Tropicals sat down and tasted a handful of varieties for you... Just another opinion on taste!
Pickering - Sweet, juicy, fiberless, with a hint of an apricot fragrance. (A universal favorite amongst the group.)
Nam Doc Mai - A slightly fibrous marmalade-like texture, with a sweet and floral flavor.
Cogshall - Very little fiber with a slightly tart and piney flavor.
Florigon - A mild, even flavor. Not too sweet, not too tart, and fiberless.
Mallika - A fiberless cantaloupe-like consistency. Slightly tart, with some semblance to non-acidic orange juice.
Valencia Pride - Slightly fibrous, with a tangy near citrus flavor.
Glenn - Very mild flavor, less sweet compared to other varieties, but very refreshing.
Read more about Mango varieties...
Date: 2 Apr 2026
Stop Fixing Your Soil: 15 Bulletproof Fruit Trees for Tough Ground
Not everyone starts with a lush, loamy paradise. In many parts of Florida and the South, "soil" is just a polite word for sand, limestone rock, or depleted clay.
The biggest mistake new gardeners make? Spending hundreds of dollars on soil amendments before they ever put a tree in the ground.
The secret the pros know: You don't need to change your land to fit your plants; you need to choose plants that love your land. Some of the most delicious fruits actually thrive on neglect - and a few even produce better fruit when the soil is "poor."
🌳 The "Big 5" Toughest Fruit Trees
If your yard is a dry, sandy lot or a rocky outcrop, start with these. They are the ultimate "survivors."
Jujube, Chinese Date (Ziziphus jujuba): Arguably the toughest fruit tree on earth. It laughs at drought, poor soil, and neglect. The fruit is crisp like an apple when fresh and sweet like a date when dried.
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica): A Southern staple. It’s evergreen, beautiful, and produces honey-sweet fruit in early spring when nothing else is ripe.
Mulberry (Morus alba): If you can’t grow a Mulberry, you might be gardening on the moon. It grows in sand, clay, or sidewalk cracks with equal enthusiasm.
Fig (Ficus carica): Figs actually prefer not to be pampered. In overly rich soil, they grow lots of leaves but little fruit. Give them well-drained, mediocre soil and they’ll thrive.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum): These trees are "stress-lovers." Rocky, alkaline soil is no problem, and a bit of soil stress often results in a higher sugar content in the fruit.
🌳 Tropical Flavors That Don't Need "Perfect" Dirt
You don’t need a rainforest to grow tropical treats. These species are surprisingly resilient once they get their roots established.
🌟 The Sand-Lovers:
Mango (Mangifera indica): While young trees need a little babying, a mature Mango is incredibly drought-tolerant and handles Florida’s sandy "sugar sand" like a champ.
Sapodilla (Manilkara sapota): A rugged, wind-resistant tree that produces fruit tasting like brown sugar and pear. It is a top-tier choice for coastal or sandy areas.
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): It’s slow-growing but patient. Once it’s in, it’s there for a century, regardless of soil quality.
🌟 The Low-Maintenance Stars
Longan (Euphoria longana): If you’ve struggled with finicky Lychee trees, try Longan. It’s more cold-hardy and much less picky about its soil.
Citrus: While they need regular feeding (fertilizer), Citrus trees are naturally adapted to the sandy ridges of the South.
🌟 The "Quick-Win" Berry & Shrub Layer
If you want fruit this year, don’t wait for a tree to mature. Add these hardy producers to your edges. And here is why it works:
Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus). It’s a cactus! It literally prefers poor, fast-draining soil over rich potting mixes.
Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra). A vitamin C powerhouse that handles low-nutrient soil with ease.
Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis). Slower grower, but steady and tolerant once established.
Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora). Virtually indestructible. Often used as a hedge because it grows so vigorously in poor soil.
Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana). A beautiful silver-leafed shrub that is salt-tolerant and drought-resistant.
🌳 The Strategy: "Plant First, Improve Later"
In the South, the "dig a $100 hole for a $10 tree" rule doesn't always apply. Trying to completely re-engineer your soil often leads to drainage issues (the "bathtub effect").
Try this instead:
1. Select a species naturally adapted to your pH and texture.
2. Plant it at the correct height (never too deep!).
3. Mulch heavily with wood chips. This improves the soil from the top down over time, mimicking a natural forest floor.
🛒 Shop Fruit Trees and Mango
📚 Learn more:
- · Loquat, Sapodilla, Mulberry, Eugenia, Tamarind - in Plant Encyclopedia
- · 10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes
#Food_Forest #How_to #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Date: 5 Jan 2021
Growing Loquat in container
Q: I purchased a Sherry Loquat tree from you in April of 2020. It got off to a slow start initially, but now is five feet tall with healthy leaf growth! It is in a 15-gallon pot and was brought into the house by October 15th. I live in Zone 6 and kept the plant outside from end of May to October 15th. I have given the tree artificial lights in addition to slow release fertilizer. Can you please advise me on what steps I need to take to get the Sherry Loquat tree to fruit? E.g., lighting requirements, soil pH, soil type, etc.
A: Loquat is normally winter flowering and spring fruiting tree, here in Florida it is usually heavily covered with fruit by April. With a proper care, you may see flowers throughout the winter and they may set some fruit for you. Considering that during this time you have to keep the plant indoors, here are some recommendations:
1. Soil. Well-drained, porous potting mix. Do not use any heavy garden soils. For our plants we use the following mix which is excellent for containers: Abundance
2. Light. The brighter the better. Sunroom would be great, or at least put the tree next to a large window. Extra lighting with grow lights is beneficial. Any type of light will work, you can even use a simple clip-on light, the brighter the better. 8-10 hours a day.
3. Water. Loquat is drought tolerant but for fruiting it will need regular watering; just don't keep soil soggy, let is slightly dry before waterings.
4. Fertilizer program. Use liquid fertilizer. We recommend Sunshine
Boosters that are safe to use with every watering and year around - SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster.
We recommend to switch plants from traditional"slow-release"fertilizer to the liquid one because it makes a huge difference in plant growth and flower/fruit quality and quantity.
Sunshine Boosters are scientifically balanced fertilizers that supply all necessary elements for daily plant
needs. They are natural and eco-safe, great for any edibles.
5. Micro-elements. These are essential for potted plants, because in containers roots can't reach out to elements that are usually present in soil when trees grown in the ground.
Apply micro-element remedies that are very effective for improving fruit production,
especially when flower or fruit drop occurs:
SUNSHINE Honey - promotes more efficient blossoming and pollination, makes flowers bigger and reduces bud
drop.
SUNSHINE SuperFood - improves plant vigor and quality and size of flowers
These are all natural, eco-friendly supplements that work great for fruit trees and other edibles.
Read more about Loquat trees: The best grafted Loquat varieties.
