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The Tree Everyones Talking About: Variegated Mahoe

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe flowers

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe flowers

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe leaves

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe leaves

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe young tree

Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum - Variegated Mahoe young tree

🍀 The Tree Everyone's Talking About: Variegated Mahoe
  • 🌳 Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegatum is the must-have tree of the year - and for good reason! This stunning, fast-growing beauty delivers shade in just one season, with a more compact, umbrella-like shape than its wild cousin, the standard Mahoe (that grows into a very large tree).
  • 🌳 Variegated Mahoe's eye-catching foliage is a show in itself: splashes of red, white, green, and pink create a living kaleidoscope. The blooms are just as magical - starting yellow and deepening to orange and red as they age.
  • 🌳 Perfect for Southern gardens and hot-climate landscapes, the Variegated Mahoe is low-maintenance, colorful, cool and cooling, and endlessly rewarding. Everyone wants it, and once you see it, you'll understand why!


🛒 Add color, shade, and tropical flair to your garden with Variegated Mahoe

#Trees #Discover

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Date:

How to Plant a Tree - A Fun Guide

How to Plant a Tree - A Fun Guide
🌳 How to Plant a Tree - A Fun Guide
  1. Dig a Big Hole

    2. Start by digging a hole 2-3 times the size of the pot. Make sure it's deep enough to give your tree's roots room to grow. Remove any sandy dirt or rocks—replace them with rich, nutrient-packed soil to help your tree establish.

    2️⃣ Place the Tree Just Right
    Gently remove your tree from the pot and place it in the hole. The base of the tree (where the roots meet the trunk) should sit slightly above ground level (2-3"). Avoid covering the trunk with soil to allow for proper air circulation and to promote a healthy tree.

    3️⃣ Mound the Soil
    Add nutrient-rich soil around the roots, then toss in a handful of granulated fertilizer. With the leftover soil, build a little mound around the tree to form a "bagel" shape. This will help water stay around the roots and give your tree a strong start.

    4️⃣ Add Mulch and Water
    Spread mulch around the tree, but leave a small gap around the trunk. Water generously to settle the soil and give your tree a refreshing drink. Water by hand daily for the first couple of weeks or until you see new growth. After that, you can rely on sprinklers.

    ⭐️ With these simple steps, your tree will be off to a great start!

    🛒 Go plant shopping to excersize your green thumb and make our planet better

    📚Learn more:
    How to plant a tree: care of mail-order plants and detailed planting instructions (PDF)

    #How_to #Trees #Discover

    🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!

Pitomba, Eugenia luschnathiana - The Tropical Apricot Tree fruit

Pitomba, Eugenia luschnathiana - The Tropical Apricot Tree fruit

Pitomba, Eugenia luschnathiana - The Tropical Apricot Tree fruit

Pitomba, Eugenia luschnathiana - The Tropical Apricot Tree fruit

🍑 What is better than Apricot? Tropical Apricot!
  • 🍑 Looking for a small, ornamental fruit tree with big flavor? Pitomba (Eugenia luschnathiana) - The Tropical Apricot Tree - is a Brazilian gem that's as beautiful as it is delicious.
  • 🍑 This slow-growing evergreen reaches 15-20 feet, with glossy dark green leaves and a striking light brown trunk. In spring, it bursts into white and yellow flowers, followed by apricot-colored fruits ripening from May to July.
  • 🍑 The fruit is juicy, aromatic, with a flavor and texture similar to apricots. Rich in vitamin C, minerals, and dietary fiber, Pitomba is perfect eaten fresh or turned into jams, jellies, and juices.
  • 🍑 Pitomba grows best in full sun, likes acidic soil, and appreciates regular water and feeding. Whether in the ground or in a pot, it’s a stunning and fruitful addition to your edible landscape.
  • 🍑 Why grow Pitomba?

🟡Unique tropical fruit with apricot-like flavor
  • 🟡Beautiful, compact tree for small yards or containers
  • 🟡Fruits in 2–3 years from seed
  • 🟡Cold-hardy to the upper 20s (°F) once mature. Grows in USDA zones 9–11 or indoors with winter protection
  • 🟡Traditional medicinal uses in Brazil for colds and digestive health


🛒 Buy Pitomba to add a small fruit tree with big flavor to your yard

#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba

Turmeric (Curcuma)

Turmeric (Curcuma)

Moringa

Moringa

Piper betle (Betel Leaf)

Piper betle (Betel Leaf)

Piper sarmentosum (Vietnamese Pepper Leaf)

Piper sarmentosum (Vietnamese Pepper Leaf)

Coconut tree with fruit

Coconut tree with fruit

Longevity Spinach

Longevity Spinach

Katuk

Katuk

🧠 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 2

🧠 Memory & Cognitive Support (Brain Boosters)
Edible Plants and Herbs:

Continued from previous post ⤴️
  • 🟡 Ginkgo Biloba - Improves blood flow to the brain, supports memory and concentration.
  • 🟡 Turmeric (Curcuma) - Contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound shown to protect neurons and boost memory.
  • 🟡 Moringa - Loaded with antioxidants, may protect brain cells and support cognitive function.
  • 🟡 Piper betle (Betel Leaf) - Traditionally used as a mild stimulant. Contains compounds that may improve alertness and support mental clarity.
  • 🟡 Piper sarmentosum (Vietnamese Pepper Leaf) - Used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.
  • 🟡 Coconut Oil - Contains MCTs, which may fuel brain cells directly, especially beneficial in age-related cognitive decline.
  • 🟡 Cinnamon - is inked to improved memory and brain function. The tree's powerful scent comes from cinnamaldehyde, a natural compound with medicinal properties.
  • 🟡 Green Leafy Vegetables (like Longevity Spinach and Katuk) - High in folate, vitamin K, and lutein, all linked to better memory and reduced cognitive aging.


🛒 Give your brain what it craves, shop tropical brain boosters: Fruit Trees & Herbal Plants

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1

Blueberries

Blueberries

Avocado

Avocado

Red Banana

Red Banana

Papaya

Papaya

Pineapple

Pineapple

Amlak (Indian Gooseberry)

Amlak (Indian Gooseberry)

🧠 Plant Smarter: Grow Your Own Brain Boosters - Part 1

Want to stay sharp, focused, and energized - naturally?
Don't just eat smart - plant smart. These tropical fruits and herbs aren't just delicious - they're packed with memory-boosting, focus-enhancing, and brain-protecting compounds. When you grow them in your own garden, you're building a personal pharmacy of mental clarity and cognitive power. No pills. No plastic bottles. Just real plants with real benefits, right outside your door.

🧠 Memory & Cognitive Support (Brain Boosters)
Tropical Fruits:
  • 🟡 Blueberries – Rich in flavonoids and antioxidants; support memory and cognitive performance (Note: not tropical, but widely grouped due to powerful brain benefits).
  • 🟡 Avocado – High in monounsaturated fats, supports healthy blood flow to the brain.
  • 🟡 Banana – Contains vitamin B6 and potassium, essential for neurotransmitter function.
  • 🟡 Papaya – High in antioxidants and vitamin C, may protect brain cells from oxidative stress.
  • 🟡 Pineapple – Contains bromelain and vitamin C, which may reduce inflammation and support brain health.
  • 🟡 Amla (Indian Gooseberry) – One of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. Used in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory, focus, and longevity. Acts as a neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogen.


Edible Plants and Herbs: continued in next post ⤵️

🛒 Give your brain what it craves, shop tropical brain boosters: Fruit Trees & Herbal Plants

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Pre-hurricane season tips: how to protect your trees from winds

Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip Tree

Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip Tree

Tabebuia caraiba - Yellow trumpet tree crooked with wind

Tabebuia caraiba - Yellow trumpet tree crooked with wind

🌪 Pre-hurricane season tips: how to protect your trees from winds

Some trees like mango have deep roots and handle wind well. Others - like our favorites Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip Tree or Tabebuia caraiba - Yellow trumpet tree (in the photos) - need extra care. You've likely seen crooked Tabebuias in South Florida or lost a bushy Tulip Tree to strong winds. Their wide crowns act like sails in a storm.

💨 To help your trees withstand wind damage:
  • ✅ Stake young trees with strong support - use a tripod-style setup (three bamboo sticks or boards secured around the tree for balance from all sides)
  • ✅ Check and adjust supports every 6 months
  • ✅ Trim long or rubbing branches - they break first
  • ✅ Add extra support if a storm is coming (larger trees benefit from sturdy tripod-style bracing with boards)
  • ✅ Lighten bushy growth, less sail = more survival

💡 Some remove all leaves from plumeria before a hurricane - it works!
💡 We pruned our Tulip Tree and Ceiba - and they withstood Hurricane Milton while others fell
  • ✅ If a tree falls, stand it up ASAP and support it. Trim broken branches - they’ll remind you what needed pruning before, not after!
  • ✅ Trees protected young, grow strong for life.


🛒 Grab your beautiful Tulip Tree and Tabebuia Tree today - support them early for strength and beauty later!

📚Learn more:
Everyone loves these tulips growing on a tree

#How_to #Trees #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?

Mexican Avocado

Mexican Avocado

🥑 Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?

👍 Yes - with the right variety and care.
While avocados love tropical and subtropical climates, certain cold hardy Avocados types - especially Mexican varieties - can survive outside the tropics, even in USDA Zone 8b (like San Antonio, TX). Once established, some can handle short freezes down to 15F, even as low as 10F in dry climates.

Key Factors for Cold Hardiness:
  • 🔤 Plant Size: Young trees are tender. Protect with mulch, blankets, and even Christmas lights during freezes. Mature trees are tougher.
  • 🔤 Wind Protection: Wind chills do more damage than cold air alone. Plant near a south-facing wall or sheltered spot.
  • 🔤 Tree Health: Healthy trees handle cold better. Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
  • 🔤 Water & Humidity: Water less in winter. Avoid soggy soil - good drainage is a must. Trees in dry winter climates tolerate more cold than those in humid areas.


✏️ Tip: Always check the hardiness rating for your avocado variety. Protection matters most during the first 1-2 winters.

📚More about Avocado:
Posts about #Avocado
Avocado Variety Guide

🛒 Shop cold hardy Avocados and grow your own guacamole

#Food_Forest #Discover #Avocado

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Date:

What makes Lolita so special and different from regular Surinam Cherry?

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora)

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora)

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) fruit

🫦 What makes Lolita so special and different from regular Surinam Cherry? 💋
  • ❣️ Black Surinam Cherry cv. Lolita (Eugenia uniflora) is Sweet, Juicy, and Cold-Hardy!
  • ❣️ Lolita Cherry is the cultivar you've been waiting for - also known as Black Star or Pitanga var. Black. This rare variety starts red and ripens to a rich black color, with a flavor tha'’s incredibly sweet, juicy, and free of the typical aftertaste found in regular Surinam cherries.
  • ❣️ The fruit is large (1-1.2 inches), packed with juice, and produced by a vigorous, upright, freely branching plant that often fruits in its first year. A reliable and heavy producer, this cherry tree is both ornamental and productive.
  • ❣️ Why grow Lolita?

💋 Delicious, black-colored cherries with exceptional sweetness
  • 💋 Fast to fruit, even in the first year. Seedlings grow true to type - a rare trait!
  • 💋 Cold hardy to the upper 20s F once established. Thrives in USDA zones 9–11 or in containers with winter protection
  • 💋 Upright, bushy habit makes it perfect for edible hedge or small garden spaces
  • 💋 Hard to find and easy to love, Lolita Black Surinam Cherry is a must-have for tropical fruit collectors.


🛒 Plant a Lolita Cherry and have lots of delicious fruit and juice

📚 More about Lolita Cherry from previous posts:

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 3

Dragon Fruit varieties collage

Dragon Fruit varieties collage

🐲 Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 3

Continued from previous post ⤴️

🛍 Limited-Time Offer:

This week only, enjoy an instant 5% discount on all dragon fruit plants, no code needed! Hurry - some varieties are in limited supply and highly sought after!​

🎮 Explore Our Unique Varieties:
  • 💋David Bowie - Red-skinned with white flesh, offering a sweet, tangy, lemon-like flavor. Self-pollinating and best enjoyed fresh.
  • 💋 Delight - Pink-skinned with light pink flesh, this variety is exceptionally fertile and produces large, flavorful fruits.
  • 💋 Eureka Red - Large, red-skinned fruit with red flesh, known for its sweet and tangy flavor. Self-pollinating and originally from Nicaragua.
  • 💋 Halleys Comet - A hybrid with pink skin and purple flesh, producing impressively large fruits up to 2 pounds. The flesh is sweet, and the plant features large, striking flowers. ​
  • 💋 Lake Atitlan - Named after the Guatemalan lake, this variety has pinkish-red skin with white flesh, offering a sweet and tangy taste. Fruits typically weigh between 0.75 to 1.5 pounds.
  • 💋 Palora (Ecuador, Columbian) - Yellow-skinned with white flesh, Palora is renowned for being the sweetest dragon fruit variety. It originates from Ecuador and is self-fertile.
  • 💋 Seoul Kitchen - This variety produces medium to large red-skinned fruits with white flesh. The pulp is smooth and sweet, excellent when chilled and eaten fresh. Self-pollinating.
  • 💋 Thai Gold - A rare yellow-skinned variety with white flesh, known for its sweet flavor with a hint of tartness. ​
  • 💋 Vietnamese Jaina - Pink-skinned with white flesh, this variety is among the most common and is known for its mild, sweet flavor with a hint of Strawberry.


📚 Learn more about Dragon fruit:

🛒 Start your dragon fruit journey today and savor the unmatched flavors of homegrown, exotic fruits!

#Food_Forest #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 2

10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRAGON FRUIT

10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRAGON FRUIT

🐲 Grow Your Own Exotic Dragon Fruit Garden - Part 2

Continued from previous post ⤴️

➕ 10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRAGON FRUIT
  • 💚 BONES AND TEETH

    • Great source of calcium & phosphorous which work together to improve bone mass and prevent osteoporosis.
  • 💚 NERVOUS SYSTEM

    • High in B Vitamins which aid in the formation of nerve cells and healthy fats for proper conductive signalling.
  • 💚 EYE SUPPORT

    • Contains Vitamin A in the form of carotene needed for proper colour vision and prevention of night blindness.
  • 💚 DIGESTION / METABOLISM

    • Incredibly high in fibre for optimal digestive health. Aids in weight loss via improvement of metabolic rate.
  • 💚 CARDIOVASCULAR

    • Prevents cardiovascular disease, lowers cholesterol & reduces high blood pressure.
  • 💚 ANTI-AGING

    • Antioxidants work against free radicals and make your skin tighter & younger looking!
  • 💚 GLOWING SKIN

    • Antioxidants and essential fatty acids for blemish-free, softer, tighter, younger looking skin!
  • 💚 IMMUNITY

    • High vitamin & mineral content to improve immunity and prevent disease & illness.
  • 💚 ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

    • Provides alkalinity due to high vitamin & mineral content, helping to reduce inflammation and irritation in joints, and nourish healing wounds, cuts, bruises and scrapes (as well as prevent disease).
  • 💚 CANCER PREVENTION

Loaded with phytoalbumins, an antioxidant that prevents cancer-causing free radicals and blocks tumour cell growth. Also rids the body of toxic heavy metals.

Continued in next post ⤵️

🛒 Start your dragon fruit journey today and savor the unmatched flavors of homegrown, exotic fruits!

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
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