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How Avocado trees set fruit

Flowering Avocado tree

👍 How Avocado trees set fruit
  • 🥑 Similar to Mango trees we mentioned earlier, Avocado trees start flowering from late Winter to Spring, depending on variety. During this time, avocado trees produce small, yellow-green flowers in clusters, and the pollination process is crucial for fruit set. Avocados have both male and female flower parts, but they open at different times, requiring cross-pollination between flowers for successful fruit production. During flowering, avocado trees need warm temperatures and plenty of sunlight to encourage pollination.
  • 🥑 There are numerous hybrids in cultivation, and once you plant your first tree and taste the REAL fruit (not from the grocery store), you'll be eager to explore other varieties. It's a guarantee! While it's true that avocado fruit can vary in "butter" content, most superior varieties are equally delicious.


📚 For more information on Avocado varieties, including fruit color and size, tree habit, season, and much more - check out our interactive Avocado Variety Guide. It will helps to choose the right variety for you. With its interactive tool, you can sort cultivars by fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, crop season, flower type A or B, tree habit and more.

🎥
This tiny avocado tree is covered with hundreds of flowers soon to become lots of fruit

🛍 Shop Avocado Varieties

#Avocado #Food_forest

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What Fertilizer to Use Now and How?
Five important keys to healthy plants

Sunshine Boosters Selection

Q: It's early Spring this year. Should I start fertilizing my plants sooner than usual?

A: Most fertilizer instructions recommend fertilizing tropical plants from March to November. This is because plants don't need as much food during the cooler months when many go dormant, and excess nutrients can burn the roots if not absorbed. However, for the most effective fertilizer program and healthy plants, consider these points:

1. Sunshine Boosters Year-Round

Liquid amino-acid-based fertilizers like Sunshine Boosters are safe to use year-round. Since watering is reduced in cooler weather, the intake of water-soluble fertilizer is also lower, providing plants with just the essential nutrients for their minimal needs.

2. Dry Fertilizer Schedule

Be cautious with dry fertilizers. Apply them only during active growth in the hot season.

3. Temperature Is Key

If March is still cold, delay dry fertilizer use. However, if nighttime temperatures in February stay above 65F, you can start a dry fertilizer program using slow-release, granulated plant food.

4. What Fertilizers to Use and How

Check out our Sunshine Boosters selection for different types of plants and choose the right type for your needs. These can be applied as often as with every watering:

For Rapid Growth
Sunshine Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster: general fertilizer for both foliage plants and small starters that need an extra boost.

For Flowers
Sunshine Megaflor - Bloom Booster: boosts flowers on established plants; and Sunshine Pikake - Fragrant Plant Booster: best for fragrant flowers.

For Fruit Trees
Sunshine C-Cibus - Crop Booster: contains all necessary elements for fruit trees and their production. Sunshine Mango Tango - specifically formulated for Mango and Avocado trees, and Sunshine Citron - ideal for citrus trees.

For Tender Perennials
Sunshine Orchidasm - Orchid Total Feed and Sunshine Ananas - Pineapple and Bromeliad Booster: mild formulas for these tender perennials.

5. Microelement Supplements Are a Must

Besides macronutrients, plants need additional microelements, just like humans need vitamins. Be sure to apply these supplements along with your regular plant food:

For Green Leaves and Health
Sunshine SuperFood - Complex Microelement Supplement: a must for healthy plants. Apply once a month.

For Stress Relief
Sunshine-Epi - Brassinosteroid Plant Hormone: essential for plants recovering from stress (shipping, transplanting, drought, insect damage, cold stress, etc.). Apply as needed.

For Sweeter, Bigger Fruit
Sunshine Honey - Fruit Sugar Booster: application on fruit trees will make fruit bigger and sweeter by directing sugars to the fruit from other plant parts, and helps to prevent bud drop. Apply 4 times a year: at bud setting, flowering, fruit setting, and after harvesting.

For Better Resistance
Sunshine Power Si - Silicon Protector - enhances resistance to insects, diseases, drought, and frost, while boosting growth. Apply once a month, along with Sunshine SuperFood.

Need Help? Our Plant Experts Are Ready to Assist!

Microelements and supplements for 
plants

Date:

When does Sapodilla start fruiting and what is the best variety

Sapodilla or Brown Sugar fruit, fruiting trees

🔥 When does Sapodilla start fruiting and what is the best variety
  • 🥨 Sapodilla or Brown Sugar fruit, is one of the most favorite tropical fruit trees. It produces juicy, brown-sugar-sweet fruit. The tree is compact, easy in cultivation and starts producing in small size.

  • Grafted and air-layered trees start fruiting right away.
  • 🥨 Hasya - extra large, football-shaped fruit native to Mexico where it is the number one commercial cultivar grown. The fruit has a reddish hue throughout the pulp. The tree is a large upright grower, and it is a prolific producer.

  • Ripens from November to June.
  • 🥨 Makok - the best producer, the fruit is long, pointed, and one of the best tasting in the world. It is native to Thailand. The tree is a small compact grower, perfect for limited spaces.

  • Ripens from May to November.
  • 🥨 Molix is a football shaped large fruit native to Mexico. Similar to Hasya, darker brown, the tree has curly leaves. The pulp is exceptionally sweet with a fine pear texture.

  • Ripens from February to May.
  • 🥨 Oxkutzcab (or Ox) - "gigantic sapodilla" - is originally from Oxkutzcab (Yucatan). Extremely large (up to 28 oz), roundish fruit with speckled, light-colored skin. Heavily productive tree.

  • Ripens from May to September.
  • 🥨 Silas Woods is an outstanding variety with dwarf growth habit and adapts well to a container. Highly productive, producing year round, providing bright light and warmth. The branches often require support as they get very heavy loaded with fruits. The best variety for small yards and container culture.
  • 🥨 Thai Browny that we mentioned in earlier post, was brought by TopTropicals from Thailand in 2005. Fruit is oval, medium size, and very sweet. The tree is a heavy producer.


🛍 Shop Sapodilla varieties

#Food_Forest

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A small tree of a pure gold

Tabebuia chrysotricha - Dwarf Golden Tabebuia

⭐️ A small tree of a pure gold
  • 😊 Earlier we showed the video of Pink Tabebuia Tree 💗

  • Here is her golden sister in full bloom: Tabebuia chrysotricha - Dwarf Golden Tabebuia.
  • 😊 These trees are flowering now in Florida. It's a breathtaking view!
  • 😊 The Dwarf Golden Tabebuia is a small, striking tree ideal for container culture or small gardens. With its sparse crown and compact size, this tree is perfect for patios or yards where space is limited.
  • 😊 In late winter to spring, when the tree is leafless, it bursts into a stunning display of bright yellow flowers that can bloom over several weeks.
  • 😊 It's also impressively cold-hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as 26F for a few hours.
  • 😊 Whether as a focal point or accent plant, the Dwarf Golden Tabebuia adds a touch of vibrant color to any Southern landscape.
  • 😊 Perfect candidate for container culture.


📚 More from previous posts:
2 most favorite flowering trees for small yards
It's not a cherry blossom! Video of spectacular Pink Tabebuia

🛍 Shop Tabebuia trees

#Trees #Container_Garden

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When Angel Trumpet is in bloom

🌛 When Angel Trumpet is in bloom

🌈 Brugmansia suaveolens - Angel Trumpet - one of the most popular favorites for Southern gardens. Small tree or bush with trumpet-like fragrant flowers that change color from white (bud) through yellow to pink (mature). Fast growing and easy to grow.

🛒 Shop Angel Trumpets

#Hedges_with_benefits #Trees #Perfume_Plants

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When Angel Trumpet is in bloom

Brugmansia suaveolens - Angel Trumpet

🌛 When Angel Trumpet is in bloom

🌈 Brugmansia suaveolens - Angel Trumpet - one of the most popular favorites for Southern gardens. Small tree or bush with trumpet-like fragrant flowers that change color from white (bud) through yellow to pink (mature). Fast growing and easy to grow.

🛒 Shop Angel Trumpets

#Hedges_with_benefits #Trees #Perfume_Plants

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

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Avocado variety everyone should have: how big does a dwarf Condo Avocado grows?

Avocado tree Fuerte with fruit

🥑 Avocado variety everyone should have: how big does a dwarf Condo Avocado grows?
  • 🌳 Several dwarf avocado varieties, also known as Condo Avocados, are ideal for container gardening and small spaces.
  • 🌳 One popular variety is Fuerte, which begins to fruit when it's just 3-4 feet tall and remains under 15 feet, even after 10 years of growth.
  • 🌳 The fruit is of high quality, medium-sized, and rich in buttery content.


📚Learn more from previous posts:
What is the best Avocado variety? Five most popular Avocado cultivars.
Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes. # 2: Avocado Tree
More posts on #Avocado

✔️ Check out Avocado Variety Guide interactive char. Sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

🛒 Shop Avocado varieties

#Food_Forest #Avocado

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

How to grow a Guava Tree: Practical Guide to Growing Guava

Guava (Psidium sp.)

🍉 How to grow a Guava Tree: Practical Guide to Growing Guava
  • 🍑 Guava Trees (Psidium sp.) are beloved for their flavorful fruit and easy-growing nature. These fast-growing trees are reliable producers and can thrive in a variety of climates, making them a favorite among home gardeners. Guavas are compact and can be grown in containers, making them suitable for small spaces and urban gardens.
  • 🍑 Light and Soil

  • Guava trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best fruit. They prefer well-draining soils rich in organic matter but are adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils. Slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal. While guavas tolerate poor soils, enriching the soil with compost or manure will improve growth and yield.
  • 🍑 Pruning tips

  • Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape, size, and productivity of guava trees.

· Frequency: Prune guavas annually, ideally after the fruiting season, to encourage new growth and improve airflow.
  • · Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain tree health.
  • · Shape the tree to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy, which enhances fruit production.
  • · For container-grown guavas, keep the tree compact by trimming back vigorous shoots regularly.

  • 🍑 Guava in containers

  • Guavas are well-suited to container growing. Compact varieties like the "Nana" guava are ideal for pots. Use a large container (at least 15-20 gallons) with good drainage. Fill it with a high-quality potting mix enriched with organic matter. Place the container in a sunny location and water consistently. Regular pruning helps maintain a manageable size and promotes fruiting in container-grown guavas.
  • 🍑 Watering

· Guava trees require consistent watering, especially during dry periods and the fruiting season. While they can tolerate short periods of flooding, ensure the soil is not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on your climate.
  • · Fertilize guavas 3-4 times a year during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus to promote flowering and fruiting. Adding organic matter like compost or manure annually boosts soil fertility and improves yields.

  • 🍑 Harvesting

· Guava trees are quick to fruit, often producing their first harvest within a year of planting. For container-grown trees, fruiting can start in even smaller pots, such as 1-gallon containers.
  • · Signs of ripe guava fruit include:

  • - A change in color from green to yellow (depending on the variety).
    - A sweet, fruity aroma.
    - Slight softness when gently pressed.
  • · Harvest ripe guavas by hand or with pruning shears. Consume fresh or use them to make juices, jams, or desserts.

  • 🍑 Health Benefits of Guava

· Guava is a nutrient powerhouse, offering numerous health benefits:
  • · Vitamin C: Boosts the immune system and helps protect against colds and infections.
  • · Potassium: Supports healthy blood pressure levels.
  • · Antioxidants: Contribute to glowing skin and may reduce the risk of cancer.
  • · Fiber: Aids digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

  • 🍑 Popular Varieties of Guava

· Tropical Guava (Psidium guajava): Sweet and aromatic, suitable for warmer climates.
  • · Cattley Guava (Psidium littorale): Cold-hardy with a slightly tart flavor.
  • · Cas Guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum): Known for its sour taste, perfect for juices like Costa Rica’s traditional "Agua de Cas." Cold hardy, disease resistant and vigorous, productive variety.
  • · Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana): Fruity and floral, thriving in cooler climates.


🍑 Additional Tips
  • · Guava trees are relatively pest-resistant but may require monitoring in humid climates for mealybugs. Use neem oil if needed.
  • · Planting multiple guava varieties ensures a continuous supply of fruit.
  • · With their fast growth, compact size, and delicious fruit, guava trees are a fantastic addition to tropical garden, greenhouse or patio.


📚 More from previous posts about #Guava

🛒 Shop Guava Trees

#Food_Forest #Guava

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Date:

Calliandra Tree everyone should have: how big and fast does it grow?

🎈 Calliandra Tree everyone should have: how big and fast does it grow?

Calliandra houstoniana - Tree Calliandra - is the only tree form of Powderpuff. It quickly grows into a bushy beautiful tree under 20 ft - in just one season, and fluffy pink flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies year around 🦋

📚 More prom previous post:
What Tree Calliandra brings into your garden

🛒 Order

#Trees #Hedges_with_benefits #Butterfly_Plants #Trees

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

When Peach trees are in full bloom

Flowering Peach Tree in Florida

🤟 When Peach trees are in full bloom
  • 🍑 Our Peach trees are in full bloom now. Early Spring started in January this year in Florida!
  • 🍑 You can grow peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums in Florida, provided you choose low-chill varieties. These have been developed specifically for subtropical regions like Central and South Florida, where traditional temperate varieties struggle due to insufficient chill hours.


📚 Learn more from previous post:
The most rewarding hardy fruit tree suitable for hot climate: peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums

🛒 Shop Low Chill Peaches

#Food_Forest

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