Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

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How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit?

How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit? How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit? How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit? How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit?
How long does it take for a mango tree to bear fruit?

  • A Mango tree (Mangifera indica) grown from seed can take anywhere from 7 to 10 years to start fruiting, depending on conditions. Doesn’t sound too exciting, ah? Besides such a long wait, you never know how good the fruit will be – most likely it'll taste fibrous and not very sweet. Unless your cross-pollination was perfectly set between some top-notch parent cultivars, it's a gamble. Seedling results are always hit or miss.

  • That's why you need a grafted tree – it fruits soon (in the ground or in a large container) and guarantees the quality of the fruit. There are hundreds of cultivated varieties to choose from: juicy, sweet, and flavorful. Some taste like pina colada, pineapple, or lemon meringue pie, others like peach sherbet or even guava! The mango flavor spectrum is broader than that of apples!

  • So, you’ve got yourself a nice mango tree in a container and can’t wait for your first harvest. How soon?

    • Mango trees start flowering from early winter (early cultivars like Nam Doc Mai) to early spring (late cultivars like Keitt). One little tree can produce hundreds, even thousands of tiny flowers, but not all will set fruit. The younger the tree, the fewer fruits it can hold. Expect just a few the first year. Even if your mango sets a lot, don’t keep them all - let the young tree focus on establishing roots and strong growth. Leave 1-2 fruits and remove the rest. Your tree will thank you and grow fast and sturdy.

  • By the second year, you can let your tree keep a bit more fruit. Young trees usually know their limits and will naturally drop any extra fruit they can’t support. Within 2–3 years, you’ll be harvesting good crops – enough to enjoy yourself and share with friends!

  • Remember, a strong, healthy tree produces sooner and more. Feed it with Sunshine Mango Tango liquid booster or Green Magic controlled-release fertilizer, and protect it from frost, especially while young. Once established, your mango will reward you with reliable, abundant harvests year after year.


📸 In the photos: the trees in 7 gal pots are 2 years from grafting, and the trees in the ground are 1 year from the time of planting and 3 years from grafting.

🛒 Shop Mango varieties

📚 Learn more about #Mango and different varieties: #Mango_Rainbow

#Food_Forest #Mango

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Sweetleaf tea: quick-n-fun exotic recipes. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Sweetleaf tea: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Sweetleaf tea with Mexican Aztec sweet herb (Lippia dulcis)

Sweetleaf tea with Mexican Aztec sweet herb (Lippia dulcis)

🍴 Sweetleaf tea: quick-n-fun exotic recipes
  • 🟢Delicious Sweetleaf tea can be made with Mexican Aztec sweet herb (Lippia dulcis).
  • 🟢Steep Aztec sweet herb leaves in hot water with lime peel.
  • 🟢Naturally sweet, no sugar needed!


    • Sweetleaf tea: quick-n-fun

    Ingredients

    • Fresh or dried Aztec sweet herb (Lippia dulcis) leaves
    • Hot water
    • Lime peel or a slice of lime

    Instructions

    1. Bring water to a boil and pour over Lippia dulcis leaves.
    2. Add lime peel or a slice of lime.
    3. Let steep for 5–10 minutes.
    4. Enjoy this naturally sweet tea—no sugar needed!


🛒 Add sugar-free Mexican Sweetleaf (Lippia dulcis) to your herb garden

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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What fruit contains an enzyme that is used as a meet tenderizer? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What fruit contains an enzyme that is used as a meet tenderizer?

Papaya - Carica papaya

🍊What fruit contains an enzyme that is used as a meet tenderizer?
  • ✔️ Papaya (Carica papaya) is more than just a tropical treat - it's a natural digestive aid packed with powerful enzymes. The most famous one, papain, is so effective at breaking down proteins that it's actually used as a meat tenderizer! That same enzyme helps your body digest food more efficiently, easing bloating and supporting gut health.
  • ✔️ Beyond its digestive superpowers, papaya is rich in vitamins A and C, making it a strong ally for your immune system and skin. It’s a fast-growing, space-saving tree that starts producing fruit within a year, and dwarf varieties can fit even in small gardens or containers.
  • ✔️ For home gardeners, dwarf papayas are quickly becoming favorites. These compact varieties grow beautifully in containers, making them perfect for patios, greenhouses, or small yards. Even in cooler climates, they can thrive with a bit of protection. This season’s top picks are TR Hovey, Lady Red, and Wang Deng.
  • ✔️ Papayas are endlessly versatile in the kitchen - enjoy them fresh as a dessert, blended into smoothies, tossed into salads, or even used in cooking.
  • ✔️ Fun fact: the fruit and even the leaves can be used to tenderize meat naturally. Sweet fruit, strong plant, easy to grow - papaya really does it all!


📚 Learn more:

🛒 Grow your own meat tenderizer - Papaya

#Food_Forest #Papaya
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Surinam cherry salsa: quick-n-fun exotic recipes. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Surinam cherry salsa: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Surinam cherry salsa

Surinam cherry salsa

🍴 Surinam cherry salsa: quick-n-fun exotic recipes
  • 🔴Dice Surinam cherries (Eugenia uniflora) with red onion, cilantro, and lime 🍒🔴

Sweet, tart, and perfect for grilled fish 🐟

Surinam Cherry Salsa:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced Surinam cherries (Eugenia uniflora)
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Remove seeds and dice Surinam cherries.
  2. Mix with onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
  3. Add salt to taste and stir gently.
  4. Serve chilled with grilled fish or chips.

🛒Plant Surinam Cherry: Red and Black (Lolita)

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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