"/>
Index > Garden Blog

Date:

Why Bauhinias are called Orchid Trees: orchid flowers with butterfly wings

 Why Bauhinias are called Orchid Trees: orchid flowers with butterfly wings
🦋 Why Bauhinias are called Orchid Trees: orchid flowers with butterfly wings...

Bauhinia trees have striking orchid-like flowers in hues ranging from white and pink to purple and red. The flowers boast delicate petals with intricate patterns, resembling the elegance of true orchids.

The leaves are deeply divided, typically into two lobes or halves, hence another common name "Butterfly tree" due to their resemblance to butterfly wings.

Need a fast growing, easy to care tree with beautiful blooms? Orchid trees offer quick shade solution and guarantee a spectacular winter flower show.

📚 Learn more about Orchid trees

🛒 Shop Orchid Trees

#Butterfly_Plants

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Cat Philemon is eating Avocado!

🥑 Cat Philemon is eating Avocado!

Avocado is good for you. It's one of the Superfoods. Even cats know this fact.

Did you know that Avocado comes in hundreds of varieties, not just green and black?

📚 Check out Avocado Varieties Guide

🛒 Shop Avocado Trees

📸 😺 👇 Share your cats in comments!

#PeopleCats #Food_Forest

@TopTropicals

Date:

How to water a newly planted Mango tree?

How to water a newly planted Mango tree?
🥭 How to water a newly planted Mango tree?

Never rely solely on your sprinkler system when planting a new tree, especially during the first week or even several weeks if you have no rain. By rain, we mean a nice downpour. Here in Florida, we usually have a hot and dry spring, and while springtime is great for starting new trees, additional hose-watering becomes essential for establishing them during the first months.

📚 Learn how to water your mango tree

#How_to #Food_Forest

TopTropicals.com
We Grow Happiness

Date:

How to water a new Mango tree?

Mango tree in the ground with fruit

Q: I got a large mango tree from your garden center recently, planted in the ground, but noticed the corners of the leaves turning brown. It was full of little fruit when I planted it but now they are falling off... I wonder how much should I water the mango tree? We have lawn sprinkler system that runs daily, is this enough?

A: Generally speaking, never rely solely on your sprinkler system when planting a new tree, especially during the first week or even several weeks if you have no rain. By rain, we mean a nice downpour. Here in Florida, we usually have a hot and dry spring, and while springtime is great for starting new trees, additional hose-watering becomes essential for establishing them during the first months.

Dry leaves are a signal of under-watering. Make sure to hand water your mango tree every day for at least the first week after planting. Even if you have an individual sprinkler for the tree, ensure that the soil around the rootball receives enough water, not only around the trunk. Surprisingly, the bigger the tree, the more it may suffer from a lack of water, and sprinkler watering does not saturate the large root system, sometimes only reaching around the trunk. Big tree means lots of leaves and branches - they all get thirsty!

Mangos are pretty drought-tolerant trees, but only once established. They even benefit from hot, drier air (means less leaf fungus). However, young trees require regular irrigation until they start growing new leaves and branches.

Note that fertilizing your Mango tree is especially important during the spring and summer seasons - the period of active growth. This ensures that the tree takes the best advantage of nutrients with a faster metabolism encouraged by high temperatures. Give your tree a chance to build up lots of energy for the cooler winter as well as for the next flowering and crop season. To ensure a strong tree and reliable crop with no fruit drop, apply Sunshine Mango Tango liquid fertilizer with every watering and watch your mango tree become a Champ!

Sunshine Mango Tango liquid fertilizer with mango fruit

Date:

Why buy Mango from the store? Plant the trees today to enjoy your own fruit tomorrow!

 Why buy Mango from the store? Plant the trees today to enjoy your own fruit tomorrow!
🥭 Why buy Mango from the store? Plant the trees today to enjoy your own fruit tomorrow!

🛒 Shop Mango trees

#Food_Forest

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

How to make a Mango tree fruit?

How to make a Mango tree fruit?
🥭 How to make a Mango tree fruit?

We use SUNSHINE Mango Tango - Mango Tree Booster, for healthy mango trees and profuse fruit production.

📚 Learn how to make a Mango tree fruit

#Food_Forest #How_to #Fertilizers

TopTropicals.com
We Grow Happiness

Date:

How to start a tropical garden?

 How to start a tropical garden?
🌳 How to start a tropical garden?

❓ Q: It's spring, finally! I can't wait to plant my paradise garden. We moved into a nice new house but the yard has nothing but grass. Where do I start?

👉 A: When you start your garden from scratch, you need to plant your trees first.
Getting tropical flowering trees now is really important for making your garden strong and beautiful. Trees are like the bones of your garden, giving it shape and shade. If you plant them in spring, they have enough time to grow strong roots before winter. This helps them survive better.
Trees also give shade to other plants so they can grow well too. It's like building a house - you need to start with the frame before adding other parts. So, it's a good idea to get those trees now before moving on to shrubs and vines.

📚 Learn how to start a tropical garden

#How_to

TopTropicals.com
We Grow Happiness

Date:

Grow your own Olive Oil

Branch of olives

Q: Can I grow an olive tree in Florida and have my own olives? How long does it take to fruit?

A: Olive trees can indeed thrive and fruit in various regions of Florida. Their adaptability to different climates makes them suitable for the state's diverse conditions. In the northern and central parts of Florida olive trees can flourish.

Easy to grow. Olive trees prefer well-drained soil, and they thrive in full sun, which Florida offers in abundance. While they may not produce as prolifically as in their native Mediterranean habitats, with proper care and suitable varieties, such as Arbequina, Coratina and Leccino, you can still enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Cold hardy. One advantage of olive trees in Florida is their cold hardiness. They can withstand occasional frosts and freezes, particularly when they are mature.

Heat- and drought-tolerant. Olive trees also offer additional benefits beyond their fruit production. They are drought-tolerant once established, making them well-suited to Florida's sometimes erratic rainfall patterns.

Beautiful in landscape. Evergreen foliage of olive trees adds aesthetic appeal to landscapes year-round, and their gnarled trunks and silvery-green leaves create a Mediterranean ambiance reminiscent of warmer climates.

Fertilize for quick fruit. Olives will start flowering within 1-2 years of planting, providing regular fertilizing program. We recommend Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus liquid fertilizer, perfect for edibles and organic gardens.

Symbol of Prosperity. The olive branch has long been revered for its symbolic significance, representing peace, prosperity, and hope across cultures and centuries. It transcends mere botanical importance to embody the enduring power of goodwill.

Healthy Olive Oil. Similarly, olive oil, extracted from these timeless fruits, has been celebrated not only for its culinary excellence but also for its remarkable health benefits. Rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy fats, olive oil has sustained generations with its nourishing properties, earning it a cherished place in both culinary traditions and holistic wellness practices worldwide. So, whether adorning Olympic crowns or enriching Mediterranean cuisine, the olive and its offerings continue to inspire and enrich our lives with their timeless allure and profound significance.

Get your own Olive tree today!

Read more: How to grow a nice Olive tree fast?

Large olive tree

Date:

How to start a tropical garden?

Lagerstroemia

Photo above: Lagerstroemia speciosa - Queen Crape Myrtle. Gorgeous flowering tree with cascades of lilac flowers. One of the most popular trees in Southern gardens.

Q: It's spring, finally! I can't wait to plant my paradise garden with lots of tropical flowers. We moved into a nice new house but the yard has nothing but grass. Where do I start?

A: When you start your garden from scratch, you need to plant your trees first. It's a perfect timing!
Getting tropical flowering trees now is really important for making your garden strong and beautiful. Trees are like the bones of your garden, giving it shape and shade. If you plant them in spring, they have enough time to grow strong roots before winter. This helps them survive better.
Trees also give shade to other plants so they can grow well too. It's like building a house - you need to start with the frame before adding other parts. So, it's a good idea to get those trees now before moving on to shrubs and vines.
Remember to provide regular fertilizing program which is the most important during season of active growth. The more food your tree gets, the stronger and faster it grows! For flowering trees, we recommend Sunshine Boosters Megaflor formula.

Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree, Delonix regia

Photo above: Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree - Delonix regia. "The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)

Date:

Bauhinias: trees with Orchid Flowers
and Butterfly Wings...

Bauhinia variegata - Purple Orchid Tree

Photo above: Bauhinia variegata - Purple Orchid Tree, one of the most spectacular varieties.

Q: We just moved to Florida and I see these beautiful trees with large purple flowers. I was told these are Orchid trees, do you have them?

A: Bauhinias, commonly known as Orchid trees, are renowned for their captivating flowers and unique foliage. These trees typically grow to a moderate height of 15-25 feet with a spread of 10-15 feet, showcasing a rounded to vase-like shape. Thriving in hardiness zones 9-11, they exhibit resilience to heat and can withstand mild frost. There are over 300 species of Bauhinia, which are distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. These species vary in characteristics such as size, foliage, and flower color, contributing to the diversity and appeal of this genus. You can find them as trees, shrubs, and even vines.

Bauhinias are evergreen (in tropics) to semi-deciduous (in cooler climates), offering year-round beauty with intermittent blooming cycles. The peak bloom time varies depending on the species and location, often occurring in late winter to early spring, bedecking the tree with striking orchid-like flowers in hues ranging from white and pink to purple and red. The flowers boast delicate petals with intricate patterns, resembling the elegance of true orchids.

One of the distinguishing features of Bauhinia leaves is their unique bi-lobed or bilobed structure, which gives them a distinct appearance. The leaves are deeply divided, typically into two lobes or halves, hence the common name "Butterfly tree" due to their resemblance to butterfly wings. This characteristic is often used as an identifying trait for Bauhinia species. The bilobed leaves add to the visual appeal of the tree, contributing to its ornamental value in addition to its beautiful flowers.

Bauhinia monandra - Napoleons plume

Photo above: Bauhinia monandra - Napoleons Plume, starts flowering in small size. This one is very beautiful but the most cold sensitive and should be grown in pots in areas with winter freeze. It will happily bloom in container!

Low-maintenance by nature, Bauhinias require minimal upkeep. Annual feeding with a balanced fertilizer enhances growth and flowering. Pruning is generally optional but can be done in late winter or spring, after flowering, to maintain shape or remove dead or damaged branches. These trees thrive in full sun, preferring well-drained soil. With their enchanting blooms and easy care requirements, Bauhinia orchid trees are a delightful addition to any landscape, and a colorful specimen for tropical winter gardens.

In addition, Orchid trees grow fast and provide excellent shade. They can make a shady spot in your garden in no time, giving relief from the hot sun. This is really valuable, especially in places where it gets very hot. So, not only are Orchid trees pretty to look at with their lovely flowers, but they're also great for keeping you cool!

Read more about Bauninias:
Bauihnias: Orchid trees with Butterfly flowers... and leaves

Bauhinia x alba (candida) - White orchid tree

Photo above: Bauhinia x alba (candida) - White orchid tree, the most cold hardy variety that can take light freeze once established.

Bauhinia purpurea - Purple Orchid Tree

Photo above: Bauhinia purpurea - Purple Orchid Tree, one of the most popular and easy trees in Southern landscapes.