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Index > Garden Blog

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10 tips how to care of tropical garden
during hot Summer

Cats in shade of tropical plants

Q: Do you have any special recommendations how to take care of plants during hot season, to reduce heat strees?

A: Tropical plants prefer temperatures of 70-90F, except for heat-adapted desert plants. High temperatures above 90F can cause slowed metabolism and signs of stress like wilting, yellowing, and leaf drop. Hot and humid conditions attract pests and fungal diseases. To keep your plants stress-free and healthy, during Summer:

1. Monitor temperature and signs of stress.
2. Provide shade to regulate heat exposure: use shade cloth or simply a sheet of fabric as needed to protect lush foliage from burns.
3. Choose heat-tolerant plant varieties.
4. Plant in groups and levels, with trees protecting smaller shade loving plants (see companion planting).
5. Water deeply in the morning or evening to prevent evaporation.
6. Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.
7. Air: ensure good air circulation.
8. Trim damaged foliage and crowded branches.
9. Fertilize: use appropriate fertilization to improve plant heat tolerance. Remember, plants need lots of food during active growth period.
10. Remove weeds, pests, and diseases promptly.

Tibouchina multiflora (grandifolia) - Glory bush, Quaresmeira

In the photo: Tibouchina multiflora (grandifolia) - Glory bush, Quaresmeira, one of the most impressive flowering plants for tropical gardens, with impressive, large velvet leaves and beautiful purple flowers. It blooms in both sun or shade!

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NEW VIDEO:
ABC7 Fort Myers News:
Avocado Varieties at Top Tropicals

Link to YouTube Video

We continue the series of ABC-7 News on Top Tropicals selections. Previously, we showed you segments about Butterfly Plants, Rare Fruit Trees, and Mango varieties. Today's video is about growing an Avocado tree in your home garden.

Growing your own avocado tree has many benefits. You can enjoy fresh, delicious avocados right from your garden. Avocado trees are attractive, provide shade, and enhance your landscape. There are many avocado varieties to choose from, offering unique flavors, sizes, and ripening times. You will find Avocado trees for sale online right here at TopTropicals.com. Our trees can be shipped to you!

Watch the news segment by Rachel Anderson for ABC-7:
Avocado Varieties at Top Tropicals.

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!

Avocado trees in 3 gal pots

Date:

NEW VIDEO:
ABC7 Fort Myers News:
Mango Varieties at Top Tropicals

Link to YouTube Video

We continue the series of ABC-7 News on Top Tropicals selections. Previously, we showed you segments about Butterfly Plants and Rare Fruit Trees. Today's video will show you how to pick the best mango tree and how to take care of it.

At Top Tropicals, we have over a hundred varieties of mango, from Dwarf "Condo" mangoes to large upright trees, from colorful fruit to green Asian varieties. We have them all! And we can ship them to your door. Top Tropicals is open seven days a week, and their staff can answer all of your questions.

Watch the news segment by Rachel Anderson for ABC-7:
Mango Varieties at Top Tropicals .

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!

Mango trees

Mango trees in 3 gal pots

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Benefits of Canistel tree and fruit

Canistel

Q: What is so good about Canistel fruit? Should I plant a Canistel tree in my garden?

A: Canistel fruit, also known as Eggfruit, has several appealing qualities. It is highly regarded for its sweet, custard-like flavor and smooth, creamy texture. Additionally, canistel fruit is a good source of essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, making it a nutritious choice for those seeking a unique and tasty fruit experience.

Planting a Canistel tree can be beneficial for a few reasons. Firstly, it allows you to enjoy the delectable fruit it produces right in your own backyard, providing a fresh and unique addition to your homegrown produce.

Secondly, Canistel trees are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in warm climates, making them a suitable choice for tropical or subtropical regions.

Finally, by planting a Canistel tree, you contribute to the preservation and diversity of fruit-bearing trees, enriching the ecosystem and potentially attracting wildlife to your garden.

To learn more about Canistel tree, fruit, tasty recipes, and more - see this article:

Pouteria campechiana - Canistel, the curious heart-shaped Egg Super-Fruit

Canistel tree with fruit

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NEW VIDEO:
ABC7 Fort Myers News:
Rare Tropical Fruit Trees at Top Tropicals

Link to YouTube Video

We received lots of orders from our customers for butterfly attracting plants after our recent ABC7 News segment about Butterfly plants. We are glad you liked the story and the plants!

Today's topic is on tropical fruit. Enjoy this quick tour and learn more about different varieties of rare tropical fruit and what can be grown in your yard. We have them all! And we can ship them to your door.

Fruit and plants introduced in the video:

Persimmon
Coffee
Sapodilla
Sapote
Vanilla
Pomegranate
Yellow Dragon fruit
Litchi
Tamarind
Chocolate Tree
Raspberry
Grape

Watch the news segment by Rachel Anderson for ABC-7: Rare fruit trees at Top Tropicals.

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!

Yellow Dragon Fruit, Selenicereus megalanthus, fruit

In the photo: Yellow Dragon Fruit, Selenicereus megalanthus, the sweetest and the most flavorful rare Yellow Pitaya. The taste is said to be superior to most cactus fruits.

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NEW VIDEO:
ABC7 Fort Myers News:
Butterfly plants at Top Tropicals

Link to YouTube Video

Butterfly plants... what can be more romantic and sweet in your garden!
Watch the news segment by Rachel Anderson for ABC-7: Butterfly plants at Top Tropicals.

"...Spring has sprung, and if you’re looking to spruce up your garden, Top Tropicals in Fort Myers has you covered! They have hundreds of exotic plants, fruit trees, fragrant flowers and plants that will attract butterflies to your garden!
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift, plants are gifts that keep on giving!.."

Top

In the photo: Butterfly plants display in Top Tropicals office. Come and see our large selection of butterfly attractors in the nursery!

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!

Lonicera japonica Purpurea - Japanese Honeysuckle flowers

In the photo: Lonicera japonica - Japanese Honeysuckle - a garden favorite, hardy, fast growing vine. Jasmine-sweet scented flowers attract butterflies, and hummingbirds, and berries attract birds!

White butterfly on Russelia flower

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The Wonderful World of Tamarind:
from Planting to Plating

Tamarind tree

Q: I use a lot of tamarind in my cooking. Can I grow my own Tamarind fruit? Can Tamarind tree grow in North Florida? Will Tamarind grow well outside or should I keep it in a pot?

A: Originating from tropical Africa, the Tamarind - Tamarindus indica - is a tropical tree that is highly appreciated for its ornamental beauty, delightful shade, and soft texture.

Tamarind is a highly valued culinary ingredient, with its tangy and sweet-sour flavor profile making it a popular addition to many dishes. It is frequently used in South Asian, Latin American, Caribbean, and African cuisines to add a touch of acidity and sweetness. Tamarind paste, made from the fruit's pulp, is a key ingredient in Worcestershire sauce, tamarind chutney, and many curry dishes. The seeds, when roasted and ground, can be used as a coffee substitute or as a thickening agent in sauces and stews....

Tamarind tree is prized for its versatile fruits and numerous health benefits. The tree can be grown outside in warm climates, as well as in pots and indoors... even as bonsai!
CONTINUE READING >>

Tamarind fruit

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Five reasons to give your mother a live plant

Hoya kerrii - Sweetheart

In the photo: Hoya kerrii - Wax Hearts, Sweetheart Hoya, Heart leaf - makes an ideal houseplant. It has become increasingly popular in recent years because of its unusual "heart" shape leaves...

Q: What is the best Mother' Days present?

A: Buying a live plant for your mother is a thoughtful and meaningful Mother's Day gift for several reasons:

1. Growth and Nurturing: Just like a mother's love, a live plant symbolizes growth, nurturing, and the bond between a caregiver and their offspring. By gifting a live plant, you acknowledge and honor your mother's role in nurturing and supporting you throughout your life.

2. Long-lasting Beauty: While cut flowers may fade within days, a live plant has the potential to flourish and bloom for months or even years. It serves as a constant reminder of your love and appreciation, bringing beauty and vitality to your mother's living space.

3. Therapeutic and Relaxing: Gardening has been proven to have therapeutic benefits, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. By giving your mother a live plant, you provide her with an opportunity to engage in a fulfilling and calming hobby that can enhance her overall well-being.

4. Personalized and Thoughtful: Choosing a live plant allows you to select a specific type or variety that holds significance for your mother. You can consider her preferences, favorite colors, or even a plant that carries a special meaning. This personalized touch shows that you've put thought and effort into selecting a gift that resonates with her.

5. Symbol of Renewal and Hope: Plants have a natural cycle of growth, renewal, and resilience. By giving your mother a live plant, you convey a message of hope, renewal, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Some suggestions of live plant gifts

Spice trees and plants - you don't need to wait until it fruits or blooms, the spice is with you right away!
Mango or Avocado tree - a classic present of a valuable tropical tree and a sign of respect
Fragrant plants - 100% success! Ladies love fragrances. Especially Jasmines.
Flowering butterfly attracting plants are so romantic!
Gingers and heliconias - are very tropical looking, exotic beauties.

Aphelandra sinclairiana - Panama Queen

In the photo: Panama Queen - a very rare, much wanted tropical plant with extremely tropical look, fragrant flowers of unusual color combination: orange and pink

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Severe weather:
How to help your plants survive

Beautiful mango tree

By Ed Jones, the Booster Guy

Q: A horrible hailstorm hit last night, damaging the majority of plants and trees on my property (piles of hail left like snow - crazy!). Do you have any advice on how to give plants some extra TLC while they recover? Any tips are appreciated.

A: Spring is here and in some areas of the country, so is severe weather season. So what can you do to give your plants a fighting chance when Mother Nature shows her ugly side? Here in Florida, spring and summer thunderstorms are a normal occurance. Unfortunately, those storms often come with small tornados, high winds and sometimes hail.

The photo below was from a hail storm that came through the north side of Sebring, Florida in April of 2022.

Hail storm in Florida

So the question remains. What can we do to help our plants when this type of weather strikes? Well the short answer is that there is not much we can do to prevent it from happening. These storms usually strike pretty quickly and most of us, given some warning, will chose to make sure vehicles are in the garage if possible and that loose items in the yard are brought in to a safe place. If you have time to move potted plants, that would be great, but it is not worth risking your own safety to do so.

The good news is that most plants will recover on their own. Even though they may look ugly for a while, patience is the best cure for most of them. Of course, the healthier the plant, the better chance it will have when it suffers damage due to severe weather. A good fertilizer plan along with regular doses of micronutrients will help your plants to be at their best so that they can recover quickly. And here is what you can do... CONTINUE READING >>

tropical plants landscape

Date:

B-Farm in Sebring
Now open 6 days a week!

Farm dogs

In the photo: Sunshine and Mango, our friendly Customer "Service Animals" will be happy to give you a tour of the farm, including Sunshine Boosters selection and Mango Collection!

Attention local shoppers! Note new business hours for our Sebring location:

Monday - Saturday
9 am - 3 pm
Large discounts for locals!

Come visit us in Sebring, the heart of Florida, easily accessible from any Florida destination. You won't want to miss out on our 10-acre tropical farm, boasting the largest selection of rare plants, flowering and fruiting trees, edibles, and perfume plants from around the world!

Take your time and browse through our extensive collection, and don't hesitate to ask our knowledgeable staff for advice or assistance. You'll love being able to handpick your own garden gems straight from the grower. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we have something for everyone. So come on down and see for yourself...

P.S. Our Garden Center in Ft Myers is open as usual, 7 days a week

Mango trees at Top Tropicals B-Farm

B-Farm Avocado specials