Date: 22 Sep 2022
Ceiba pentandra, Kapok Tree:
Maya's Sacred Tree at the Center of the Earth
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...Everybody who sees this tree for the first time, always says "What's THAT???" And everybody wants to have one! Kapok Tree is a large, magestic, gorgeous shade tree that just requires a little bit of space in your garden! It is definitely a conversation piece and is a must for every botanical garden or a large private tropical tree collection. Kapok is a fast growing tree, however, it may take many years to reach its mature size. It is worth the wait though!..
Date: 5 Aug 2022
Planting in August
Top Tropicals Garden Calendar
August is the hottest month in most places, and tropical/subtropical areas are not the exception. In Florida we have some hot August days in upper 90's. Is it still OK to plant during hot weather? Yes, and here are some guidelines for you:
1. Hot metabolism.
Many tropical plants grow faster at high temperatures. Select heat-resistant species for August planting (below are just
a few suggestions).
2. Water adequately.
Water thoroughly your newly planted tree. Water daily (lightly) with a hose for at least a week, don't
rely on sprinklers. Then reduce watering to every other day and gradually switch to sprinkler system if you have it. Do not overwater: non-established plants don't like combination of heat+wet.
3. Mulch well.
Keep mulch 1"away from the trunk to avoid rot.
4. Shading.
Protect the young tree from hot sun with a shade cloth or a sheet if leaves get wilted, for 1-3 days, then remove it, let the plant adjust to bright light.
Photo above: Trachelospermum jasminoides
Date: 5 Feb 2022
Easy Sunday Morning Deals: Fried Egg Tree and Giant Mafafa
Saving on your favorite plants is Easy.
Easy like Sunday Morning...
It's time for our favorite day and another Easy stroll through Top Tropicals Garden with savings of
up to 50% and MORE!
Fried Egg Tree and Giant Mafafa
How do you like your eggs for Sunday breakfast, sunny side up or over easy? We have an amazing Sunny flower for you that is Easy to get today - with Easy Sunday Morning Deals. And yet another plant that is not only amusing, but also edible and nutritious...
Fried Egg Tree
- Oncoba spinosa -
Oncoba spinosa - Fried Egg Tree, has beautiful white and yellow camellia-like flowers look like 'fried eggs'! Flowers are honey-sweet fragrant and attract butterflies and bees. The fruits have a sour, edible pulp.
Taro Root, Mafafa
- Colocasia Thailand Giant -
This Taro has the biggest leaf on planet, it is a conversation piece in every garden. Grown as a root vegetable for its edible starchy corm, and as a leaf vegetable. The corms are roasted, baked or boiled, and the natural sugars give a sweet nutty flavor. The starch is easily digestible, and since the grains are fine and small it is often used for baby food. The leaves are a good source of vitamins A and C and contain more protein than the corms.
Both plants are
large and developed, grown in 2-3 gal pots, regularly $42.95 each,
on Easy Sunday sale for only $21.95!
Combine the two and save even more!
2 plants total price: Reg. $85.95 - Easy Sunday Deal: $39.95
Remember, the Easy Sunday Deal expires on Monday February 7th.
Date: 9 Jan 2022
Easy Sunday Morning Deals: It's all about figs
Saving on your favorite plants is Easy.
Easy like Sunday Morning...
Photo above: Duck Dobi can't believe this deal!
It's time for our favorite day and another Easy stroll through Top Tropicals Garden with savings of 50% and MORE!
We are not figging!
Get our two most popular fig trees for only $19 each or $34 for both!
This week it's all about figs. Delicious fruit; make a great indoor or patio plant; cold hardy, and grow with little attention. The fig was one of the first plants ever to be cultivated by humans!
Top health benefits of figs
(from webmd.com):
Reduce high blood pressure;
Improve digestion;
Increase bone density;
Satisfy your sweet cravings...
Add them to your garden and you can taste the fruit of your labor!
Learn more about Fig trees >>
For this Easy Sunday we have priced these large plants in 3 gal pots at incredible savings:
Fig Brown Turkey, regularly $39, is on Easy Sunday sale for only $19
Fig Black Mission, regularly $39, is on Easy Sunday Sale for only $19.
Combine the two for your own delicious pair of Figs and save even more:
only $34 for both!
Picture of the actual plants
in 3 gal pots
- Ready to fruit this year! -
Remember, the Easy Sunday Deal expires on Monday January 10th.
Date: 5 Jan 2022
Five Favorite Winter Bloomers
#5. Parrots Beak
Gmelina philippensis - Parrots Beak. An extraordinary fountain-like shrub with pendant branches, large long leaves and exotic flowers comprised of yellow blossoms which emerge at the end of a tube-like structure of overlapping bracts. The flower resembles parrot's beak!
#4. Royal Queens Wreath
Petrea - Royal Queens Wreath, Tropical Wisteria. Spectacular tall clusters of purple flowers similar to those of Wisteria come in racemes reaching over 1 foot long!
#3. Chinese Hat
Holmskioldia sanguinea - Bronze Chinese hat. Rare variety with orange-bronze flowers. Unique flowers are the main interest: each is a narrow tube backed by a broad, circular calyx, just like an oriental hat!
#2. Jacaranda
Jacaranda - all-time favorite winter flowering tree. Hypnotizing bluish-purple, trumpet-like flowers create the magical image of the tree...
#1. Royal Poinciana
Delonix regia - Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant. one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.