Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 12 Apr 2020

People of TopTropicals. Chic of the Day: Easter Present from Klaksa

In the photo: Duck versions 2.1 and 1.0

In our last newsletter Cat of the Day was Klaksa with her hunting habits and her love for birds...
While we are still sticking to the statement that "no birds were hurt in the process so far", she brought us an Easter Present! Yes, the Present is very much alive and super hungry. Klaksa did not tell us where she got it and how can we bring it back... So we are stuck with another duck! The previous version - Duck Dobi, has been raised by Kristi from a little chic-duckling, and after 2 years of ruling the Cat Community in our Garden center, Dobi finally left with her boyfriend - without saying thank you or even good-bye!
The Duck Version 2.1 has been eating and pooping happily all day. Luckily we found a person with a duck farm, and hopefully will get this baby a good home soon!

In the photo: Duck Dobi

TopTropicals PeopleCat Club

Thank you everybody for supporting us in helping PeopleCat Community!
Make your kind donation today and receive a surprise gift from us. Thank you and God bless you and your pets!

Date: 16 Sep 2019

What pot is good for Medinilla?

Q: I just acquired a Medinilla plant. I have a cylindrical tall clay pot that I would like to repot this beauty into. Would like to know if a deep pot is good for this type of tropical plants even if the medium is lightweight with bark and perlite allowing adequate drainage. Would appreciate your advice.

A: Medinillas are very close to epiphytes, meaning they like high air humidity and very good soil drainage characteristics. Clay pots usually provide good air circulation, as long as they are not glazed. If you add a lot of soil conditioner into your mix, like orchid mix and perlite, the tall pot will provide a good drainage. Tall pot is also great for displaying the beautiful pendulous blooms!

Plastic pots work well too, as long as you provide a well-drained soil for the plant. If a nursery plastic pot is not pretty enough, you may place it in a fancy planter; however, make sure never let the pot sit in water, Medinillas do not like wet feet.

Date: 5 Apr 2025

10 reasons why chocolate is actually good for you and how you can grow your own

Chocolate Tree (Theobroma cacao) fruit on a tree

Chocolate Tree (Theobroma cacao) tree in a pot

Chocolate Tree (Theobroma cacao) opened fruit with cacao beans

💩 10 reasons why chocolate is actually good for you and how you can grow your own

☕️ That's right - the source of your favorite sweet treat, the Chocolate Tree (Theobroma cacao) we introduced in earlier post, produces cocoa that's packed with powerful health benefits. Growing your own chocolate tree isn't just fun and rewarding - it's a way to bring a superfood right into your backyard!
☕️ Here are 10 reasons why cocoa is a health hero:

🍫 Loaded with Antioxidants - Fights free radicals and supports overall cell health.
🍫 Heart Healthy - Helps lower blood pressure and improve circulation.
🍫 Mood Booster - Promotes feel-good chemicals like serotonin and endorphins.
🍫 Brain Power - Flavanols support memory, focus, and cognitive function.
🍫 Fights Inflammation - Natural compounds help reduce chronic inflammation.
🍫 Supports Blood Sugar Balance - May improve insulin sensitivity.
🍫 Glowing Skin - Boosts hydration and protects against UV damage.
🍫 Aids in Weight Management - May reduce cravings and support metabolism.
🍫 Rich in Minerals - Packed with magnesium, iron, copper, and more.
🍫 Good for Gut Health - Acts as a prebiotic to feed good bacteria.

☕️ With all these benefits, why not grow your own source of chocolate? Plant a Theobroma cacao tree and enjoy the magic of harvesting your very own cocoa pods. It's not just a tree - it's a conversation starter, a wellness booster, and your personal chocolate factory in the making.

🛒 Get your Chocolate Tree today and grow your own goodness

#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 13 Nov 2022

Vietnamese Mickey Mouse Plant...
Hoa Mai - for good luck!

Ochna integerrima (thomasiana)

What is the yellow flower that brings good luck on Vietnamese New Year (Tet) Celebration? Why is it called Mickey Mouse Plant?

The most celebrated flower in Vietnam, Ochna integerrima, called in Vietnam Hoa Mai or Mai Vang, blooms profusely on the occasion of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. Commonly known as Yellow Mai Flower (Hoa Mai literally means "yellow blossoms"), this plant is considered the quintessential symbol of Spring. In Southern Vietnam, Hoa Mai are some of the first plants to flower.
This plant is a must for exotic plant collection. It is a rather slow growing, medium size shrub that can be trained into miniature tree. In winter the plant is covered with pretty bright yellow flowers, believed to bring good luck and prosperity. They are followed by cute shiny black berries on bright red sepals that resemble the face of Mickey Mouse.

The plant is easy to grow and relatively cold hardy to light freeze. Start fertilizing your Hoa Moa plant right now through the Winter to encourage early blooms. Luckily, we have a perfect bloom booster liquid fertilizer that is safe to use year around, including Winter months: Sunshine Boosters MegaFlor!

Lunar year 2023 will be a year of the Cat on the Vietnamese zodiac, from January 22nd, 2023 to February 9th, 2024. Cat is the fourth sign in Vietnamese Zodiac, taking place of the Rabbit in Chinese Zodiac.

Get Hoa Mai plant for good luck!

Date: 10 Apr 2025

Do good

🔍 Do good

"While you are young, strong, and full of energy, never tire of doing good! Happiness does not exist, nor should it. If life has meaning and purpose, that meaning and purpose are not in our happiness but in something more rational and greater. Do good!" - Anton Chekhov

🐈 PeopleCats.Garden
#PeopleCats #Quotes

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Next page >Most recent entry Blog table of contents