Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 24 Dec 2024

2 NEW HOLIDAY VIDEOS!

1. Cat Christmas Fairy Tale:
A Guide How to Collapse a Christmas Tree

Happy Holidays, everyone! May your pets be as helpful and productive this season as our PeopleCats at TopTropicals! Whether it's "redecorating" the tree, "reorganizing" the ornaments, or "stress testing" the branches, they're always full of holiday cheer... and a little chaos!

2. Are you a collector?
Enjoy the Holiday Display for you!

Are you a collector like many of us here in Top Tropicals community? We know our passion often lies with rare plants, but what else captures your interest?
Take inspiration from our friend Lynda, who collects... toys. Her holiday display is a delightful sight, featuring Christmas miniatures, bunnies, puppies, and, of course, teddy bears! It's a wonderful blend of festive cheer and cherished collectibles.

What are your favorite collections besides plants? Share your own pictures and unique displays with us in our Telegram Channel!

Subscribe to our Channel:

Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what is fruiting and blooming!

Date: 20 Oct 2018

Butterfly Garden from Anna Banana

TopTropicals.com

Butterfly facts

1. There are approximately 20,000 different species of butterflies, the largest of which is the Queen Alexandra Birdwing with a wingspan of 11 inches.
2. Female butterflies can lay over 1000 eggs during their short lifetime.
3. Butterflies lay their eggs on host plants which usually hatch within a few days, then turning into caterpillars. The caterpillar will then eat until it sheds it's skin several times, called instars, finally emerging from the chrysalis as a beautiful butterfly.
4. Butterflies are born to breed, their goal being to mate and begin the cycle again. Most live only a few days except the Monarch which can live up to six months.
5. Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico every fall and remain there until spring when they make the return migration.
6. Due to the continuing destruction of the rain forests, where the largest population of butterflies are found, their numbers are dwindling. We encourage you to plant a butterfly garden!!

Remember:

- A sunny, less windy location is best, however, Zebras love to float in the shade of bushes and trees.
- The more host and nectar plants you have, the more butterflies will be attracted to your garden.
- Butterflies"puddle". They like a wet sandy area where they congregate and sip minerals and nutrients from the wet sand and water.
- Rocks to rest and enjoy their beautiful garden, and don't forget a bench or hammock for yourself.

FREE butterfly garden guide from Anna Banana

For our local Florida customers, it is a perfect time now to start a garden with plants for butterflies that will appear first thing in Spring. Establish these plants now for the Spring blooms that will attract the Beauty into your garden!
Stop by our Garden Center to check out our Butterfly Plants display, or simply call Anna Banana for a free consultation on Butterfly Garden at 239-771-8081.

Hurry up while butterfly plants are on 4-day sale!

TopTropicals.com

Date: 24 Oct 2025

Guava beats banana in the potassium game

Tropical Guava - Psidium guajava

Tropical Guava - Psidium guajava

🍉 Guava beats banana in the potassium game



🍉Everyone talks about bananas when it comes to potassium, but guava (Tropical Guava - Psidium guajava) quietly beats them! One cup of guava packs around 688 milligrams of potassium, compared to about 450 in a banana!

🍉Potassium is essential for strong bones, steady blood pressure, muscle function, and a healthy nervous system. Adults need between 2,600 and 3,400 mg daily, according to the National Institute of Health - so adding guava to your fruit bowl is a smart move.

🍉Guavas are common across the tropics - from Mexico to the Caribbean - with green or yellow skin and beautiful pink or off-white flesh. Sweet, aromatic, and easy to grow in warm climates, guava is one tropical fruit that truly earns its place in the garden and on your plate.

🛒 Your body needs potassium - your garden grows it on guava tree!

📚 Learn more:


Six guava varieties that will keep you picking year-round
How to grow a Guava Tree: Practical Guide to Growing Guava
More about #Guava

#Food_Forest #Guava #Discover

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 26 Oct 2025

Plant a fruit tree - and breathe easier: fruit might be the surprising key to healthier lungs

Plant a fruit tree - and breathe easier: fruit might be the surprising key to healthier lungs

🍒 Plant a fruit tree - and breathe easier: fruit might be the surprising key to healthier lungs



🥭 Fresh fruit doesn’t just taste good - it can literally help you breathe better!

🥭 A new study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found that women who ate at least four portions of fruit a day had slower declines in lung function compared to those who ate less. Researchers believe antioxidants in fruit may help protect the lungs from the damaging effects of air pollution.

🥭 Air pollution is everywhere, and more than 90% of people worldwide are exposed to levels above safe limits. But the good news is, your diet can make a difference. Fruits are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help your body fight off the oxidative stress caused by tiny airborne particles.

🥭 The study showed that women who ate plenty of fruit had stronger lungs despite being exposed to fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) from cars and industry. The difference wasn’t small either - their lung capacity dropped significantly less over time than in those with low fruit intake.

🥭 So planting fruit trees isn’t just about homegrown flavor or saving a trip to the store. It’s about protecting your health in a polluted world. Whether it’s mangoes, avocados, guavas, or starfruit, every harvest brings you cleaner nutrition and a cleaner breath of life.

🛒 Grow fruit - grow your health

📚 Learn more:
11 tropical fruits to eat instead of taking a fiber supplement
Tropical fruit health benefits guide - what fruit and edibles can help with health issues and vitamin deficiencies, Part 1 and Part 2.
Five best fruit trees to plant in Summer
10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes
Top 10 fruiting plants you'll ever need for your health benefits

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 24 Oct 2025

Guava fudge: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Guava fruit

Guava fruit

Guava fudge

Guava fudge

🔴Cook guava pulp with sugar until thick, pour into a pan, cut into squares.
🔴A tropical fudge-like sweet.

🍴 Guava fudge: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ripe guava pulp
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook guava pulp with sugar in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Stir constantly until mixture thickens and pulls away from sides.
  3. Pour into a greased pan and let it cool.
  4. Cut into small squares and enjoy your tropical fudge.

🛒 Grow your own sweet guava fruit

📚 Learn more:


Six guava varieties that will keep you picking year-round
How to grow a Guava Tree: Practical Guide to Growing Guava
More about #Guava

#Food_Forest #Recipes

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals