Jenes Tropicals

Welcome to the only show where paradise found meets paradise pruned! Whether you’re nurturing palms, pampering plumerias, or just trying to keep your poinsettias from “leaf-ing” you for dead, Jene’s Tropicals is here to help your garden flourish instead of flounder.

Join your host, Jene—Florida’s unofficial Queen of Green—as she sprinkles sunshine, plant wisdom, and holiday cheer like glitter on a Polar Bear poinsettia. (Yes, she’ll teach you how to do that too.) From mystery bagged bugs (bring ‘em in!) to fungus among us, no plant problem is too weird, wilted, or worrisome.

This festive episode is bursting with:
🎄 Poinsettia know-how you didn’t know you needed
🌵 Christmas cactus secrets that won’t leave you prickly
🦩 Seven-foot pink flamingos so fabulous they “flew” off the lot
🎨 Talavera pottery that brings the art to “garden party”
☀️ Florida winter gratitude, Christmas-in-the-sand vibes, and a whole lot of love for listeners

Janae’s guiding philosophy? Don’t put your poinsettias in a salad, don’t drown them in water, and for heaven’s sake don’t let them sit in an A/C draft unless you want a red-and-green leaf blizzard in your living room.

So tune in, laugh along, learn a ton, and maybe even tear up when Jene reminds us what Christmas is really about. (Spoiler: she can’t finish the sentence without crying. Bring tissues.)

Find Jene at tropicalfruit.com, or wander into Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL where the plants are happy, the music is jolly, and the flamingos are tall enough to see from space.

Jene’s Tropicals — Growing joy, one leaf at a time.

📬 Got a burning question—or just a plant that looks like it’s burning?
Email us at [email protected] with your questions or show topic ideas. We’d love to hear from you!

🌴 It’s December in Florida, which means the rest of the country is defrosting cars while we’re defrosting piña coladas. Join Jene from Jene’s Tropicals as she digs into your landscaping dreams and helps turn those “maybes” into “mallow wow!” 🌺

In this episode, Jene gets bougain-filled with joy as she spotlights the vibrant, vining, color-splashing superstar of the tropics: Bougainvillea! From dwarf varieties that stay cute and compact to towering trellis-tamers that paint your house in every shade of the rainbow, Jene spills the soil on choosing the right type for your yard.

She also shares her top tips for Bougainvillea brilliance—because whether you’re a plant whisperer or a serial over-waterer (don’t worry, we see you), everyone deserves blooms that pop louder than holiday fireworks.

🌺Stop by Jene’s Tropicals, 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or browse the botanical wonderland online at tropicalfruit.com for all your spring plant needs.

🌿Got a question or topic you want Jene to dig into? Email [email protected]—your ideas help this podcast grow! 🎧

 #JenesTropicals #BougainvilleaBliss #FloridaGardening #PlantPuns #TropicTalk #GardenGlowUp #SunshineStateSprouts #RootingForYou #PlantParenting #BloominInDecember

🍇🌴Grab your sunscreen and your snack bowl, because this week on Jene’s Tropicals, we’re getting blue… in the best way possible! It’s the first week of December in Florida—where the cold never bothered us anyway—and Jene is taking us on a juicy journey into the world of blueberries.

These tiny morsels of happiness are packed with vitamins C & K1, manganese, and plant compounds that basically make them Mother Nature’s multivitamin… but tastier. So why buy blueberries when you can grow your own and have berry-good snacks year-round?

Jene’s here with tips, tricks, and tropi-cool wisdom to help you get your blueberry bushes thriving—because in Florida, even December is ripe for growing!

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals, located at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or visit tropicalfruit.com to make your garden dreams come true.

Got a burning question or a juicy topic you want us to dig into? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you!

🍇🌴 #JenesTropicals #BerryMerryFlorida #BlueRida #BlueberryBoost #GrowYourOwn #FloridaGardeners #TropicalTips #PlantPowered #GardenGoals #FruitNerds #BerryFunny #PunAndDone #StPetersburgFL #TropicalFruit

It’s November in Florida—which means while the rest of the country is defrosting turkeys, we’re defrosting… nothing. But we are heating things up with a riot of holiday color! In this pun-packed, palm-slappingly funny episode, we dig (literally) into why annuals are the real MVPs of your festive landscape.

Join us as we unwrap the gift that keeps on giving—vibrant blooms that make your yard so dazzling your neighbors might need sunglasses at night. Whether you’re decking the halls, trimming the tree, or just avoiding that one relative who always brings the weird casserole, annuals are here to keep your holiday spirit growing strong. 🌱✨

We’ll talk color pops, plant flops, and how to make your yard the tropical talk of every holiday gathering. Consider this episode the mistletoe above your garden gate—an invitation to plant, play, and pun your way into the season!

Swing by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com for all your seasonal and spring plant needs.

Got a burning question, a plant mystery, or a topic you want us to dig into?
Email us at [email protected]—we’d soil ourselves with excitement to hear from you! 🌴😄

It’s the third weekend in November, and things are heating back up here in sunny Florida (because of course they are 🌞). While the rest of the country’s raking leaves, we’re raking in the blooms! This week, Jene is orchid-strating a love letter to one of her fall favorites — the Hong Kong Orchid Tree. With varieties that bloom from fall through spring, they’re fast-growing, easygoing, and sure to make your yard look tree-mendous!

But wait — there’s plumeria more where that came from! 🌸 We’re also talking about the fragrant, fabulous, and flower-powerful Plumeria (aka Frangipani) — they’re colorful, low-maintenance, and basically the floral version of “good vibes only.”

And don’t forget — it’s avocado planting time! 🥑 So dig in and guac your world with the creamiest, dreamiest addition to your tropical garden.

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or swing by tropicalfruit.com for all your spring plant needs — because paradise doesn’t plant itself! 🌺

Got a burning question or a topic you’d like us to leaf no stone unturned on? Email us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

It’s November, but things are still looking green and serene here in sunny Florida! This week, Jene digs into the root of all good décor — interior plants. Did you know the interior plant capital of the world is right here in Florida? That’s right — Apopka! Talk about growing local pride!

Jene shares how to pick the leaf of your life — the perfect plant to suit your space, style, and (ahem) watering habits. Whether you’re a budding botanist or a serial plant killer, this episode will help you grow your confidence indoors.

🌿 Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL or visit tropicalfruit.com for all your fall (and every-season) plant needs.

Got a thorny question or a seed of an idea for the show?
Email us at [email protected] — we’d love to dig into it!

Sunshine, soil, and a little sass — welcome to Jene's Tropicals, the tropical talk show that proves Florida paradise can fit right in your backyard. Host Jene, owner of Jene’s Tropicals in sunny St. Pete, dishes out plant wisdom with a side of humor and a sprinkle of fertilizer (the good kind, promise).

From “ugly” mandarins that are secretly delicious to the mysterious Buddha’s Hand citrus that’ll leave you reaching for more, Jene’s got your garden gossip covered. Expect quirky plant facts, pest-fighting pep talks, and the occasional confession — like yelling “Dinner’s burning!” instead of “Dinner’s ready.”

Whether you’re a pro at pruning or can’t keep a cactus alive, this show will make you laugh, learn, and leaf a little happier. 🌴

Because in Florida, even the whiteflies are living their best life.

🌺 Visit the jungle in person:
Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or swing by online at tropicalfruit.com for all your plant and garden needs.

💌 Got a question or a topic you’d love to hear on the show?
Email us at [email protected] — we’d be-leaf to hear from you!

🍂 It’s the end of October in Florida — the air’s kinda crisp, the leaves are kinda turning, and your garden’s definitely judging you. Have you finished your fall pruning yet? Better leaf no branch untrimmed, because time is running out faster than a squirrel in a pecan grove!

This week, Jene digs deep (pun absolutely intended) into all things shrub-tacular — from planting and pruning to the fertilizer fiascos you’ll want to avoid. Learn the root of good landscape care and avoid the mulch-itude of mistakes that can trip up even seasoned gardeners.

🌴 Need a little extra “plantspiration”? Stop by Jene’s Tropicals, 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or visit tropicalfruit.com — your one-stop spot for blooming success all year long.

Got a question or topic that’s bugging you? Email [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you and might even make your query the pick of the crop next episode! 🌺

It’s that magical time of year when Florida stops sweating (just a little) and starts shedding—humidity, pests, and overgrown chaos. 🍂 In this episode of Dryer Days & Dirtier Deeds, Jene from Jene’s Tropicals digs deep into how to prep your garden for the cooler, dryer October weather. From battling spidermites (the original web developers 🕷️) to fertilizing smarter, not harder, we’re covering all the mulch-necessary info.

Learn how to keep your tropicals happy, your soil sassy, and your plants unbothered as the seasons shift. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just here for the punshine, this episode will leave you rooted in knowledge.

🌿 Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Pete, or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com for everything you need to leaf summer behind.

Got a burning plant question or a topic you’d fernly love us to cover? Email us at [email protected]. Let’s grow through it together!

At some point in your botanical journey, you're gonna get bugged—literally. In this spook-tacular October episode, Jene dives antenna-first into the frightful world of the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, Florida’s fluffiest little plant vampire. These cotton candy-colored creepers may look sweet, but don’t be fooled—they’re on a sticky mission to sap the life out of your tropical treasures.

Jene’s got the dirt on how to stop these sap-suckers dead in their tiny tracks, without losing your hibiscus (or your sanity). Learn how to spot the signs, fight the fuzz, and prevent a full-on mealybug invasion before your garden turns into a ghost town.

🌺 Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or sprout your browser over to tropicalfruit.com for all your spring plant needs—because nothing says "new growth" like a mealybug-free mango tree!

Got a pest-y question or a plant topic that’s bugging you? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to chew the leaf with you and may your hibiscus stay mealybug-free! 🌿

🌸 Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow? No, we're not talking time travel—we're talking Brunfelsia americana! This week, Jene’s going full bloom as we dig into this fragrant favorite that keeps the flowers coming, even when the temps drop. It’s cold-hardy, low-maintenance, and blooming with personality—just like Jene!

🍑 Plus, we loquat some pollinators you need in your life. Jene spills the nectar on this sweet, bee-attracting fruit tree that’ll have your backyard buzzing (literally). If you're looking for tough plants with a soft spot for cooler weather, this episode is your ground cover.

🎙️ So grab your gardening gloves and your best soil puns, and join us as we root around in the world of cold-tolerant tropicals.

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com for all your cooler weather plant needs.

Got a burning plant question or a topic you want us to dig into? Email [email protected]—we’re all ears (of corn).

One of the most rootine questions Jene hears all year is:
“When’s the best time to plant a tree in Florida?”
And the answer is simple: Yesterday. Today. Or Tree-morrow.

In this tree-mendous episode, Jene branches out into all things arboreal—covering the best tree varieties for Florida, which ones smell the best, which grow with tree-mendous ease, and how to keep them pining for nothing all year long.

You’ll learn things you didn’t know, didn’t know you needed to know, and maybe even start speaking fluent tree-nese. 🌴🌳

So if you’ve been stumped about tree planting, leaf your doubts behind. We’ve planted all the tips, tricks, and tree wisdom you’ll need to get growing.

🌿 Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com for your spring plant needs.

🌱 Got a question or topic you'd be-leaf we should cover?
Email us at [email protected]—we wood love to hear from you!

From 300 BC to your morning smoothie, bananas have been the top banana for birds, monkeys, and humans alike. In this a-peeling episode, Jene climbs the banana tree of history to uncover how over 500 species of this fruity superstar have swung their way across continents, cultures, and compost piles.

Whether you're a backyard grower in Florida or just really into potassium, you’ll go bananas for the juicy details—like why bananas aren't trees (surprise!), how they grow like weeds (but tastier), and which varieties are worth planting when spring swings around.

Slip on in and visit Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com to start your own banana empire.

Got a fruity question or a tropical topic you’d love to hear more about? Drop us a line at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you!

They say beauty is pain—but in the case of bougainvillea, it's mostly just beauty (with a tiny prickly side). In this blooming episode, we're getting thorny... but in the most fabulous, floral way. 🌸🌵

Discover why the bougainvillea is vine and dandy for your landscape, how it thrives on tough love, and why it might just be the budding star of your spring garden. From ground cover to wall-crawlers, this plant does it all—and looks bougain-brilliant doing it.

Don't let those thorns throw shade—bougainvilleas are the low-maintenance, high-impact drama queens your garden deserves.

🌴 Want to grow your own slice of paradise? Visit us at Jene’s Tropicals, 6831 Central Ave., St. Pete, FL—or click your way to the tropics at tropicalfruit.com.

Got a thorny garden question? A topic idea? A pun that just has to be shared? Email us at [email protected]—we're all ears (and leaves).

Do you leaf a little extra room in your plant collection for some serious root awakening? 🪴 Well, it's time to branch out and grow your knowledge about the wonderful world of aroids! From the show-stopping Alocasia (aka elephant ears 🐘) to the ever-charming Chinese Evergreen 🌿, Jene’s got all the dirt on these leafy legends.

Join us on this leafy adventure as Jene unravels the quirks, the beauty, and the secret lives of these exotic specimens that’ll leaf you with a newfound appreciation for your tropical friends. Spoiler alert: puns may leaf you rolling your eyes... but they’ll also make you smile. 😏

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals in St. Petersburg, FL (6831 Central Ave) for all your plant needs or shop online at tropicalfruit.com—because it’s always the season for plants! 🌸

Got a burning question or an idea for a show topic? Plant your thoughts in an email to [email protected]—Jene would love to hear from you!

It's gonna be roots of fun!

Are you ready to squamosa-ly fall in love with one of nature’s sweetest treats? In this episode, we’re dishing out the inside scoop on the Annona squamosa—better known as the sugar apple. From its cousin, the atemoya, to a whole bunch of fruitful facts, you’ll learn why this tropical delight is the apple of everyone’s eye (and taste buds). 🍎💚

Whether you’re looking to branch out into new fruits, grow your own sugar rush, or just want to leaf with more knowledge than you came with, this podcast is ripe for you.

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com for all your spring plant needs.

Got a question or topic you’d like covered on the show? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear fruit from you! 🍏😂

🌱 We’re talking soil structure: the underground hero that holds your garden together. Sure, it might look like “just dirt,” but when it comes to growing happy, healthy plants, soil is the root of all success. We’ll dig into the gritty challenges (compaction, drainage, nutrients—oh my!) and unearth some simple ways to make working with your soil a whole lot easier. From turning rock-hard ground into soft garden gold, to giving your plants the bed they truly deserve, this episode will have you feeling grounded in garden knowledge.

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com for all your fall plant needs. 🌴

Got a question or topic you’d like covered on the show? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear what’s on your mind (or in your soil)!

Lettuce turnip the beet, Florida—fall gardening season is almost here, and it’s kind of a big dill. For the next 9 months, you can squash your gardening doubts and kale it in the veggie patch. Whether you’re corny for corn, pumped for pumpkins, or just want to pepper your garden with flavor, Jene’s got the root of all veggie wisdom. She’ll spill the beans on warm-season showstoppers and cool-season cuties, plus share all the thyme-tested tips you need to avoid garden mis-steaks.

From tomatoes that make you say “Oh my gourd!” to watermelons worth their weight in seed, this episode will have you grinning from ear (of corn) to ear. So romaine calm, carrot on, and beet your way over to listen.

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL or visit tropicalfruit.com for all your planting needs. Got a question or topic for the show? Email [email protected]—we’re all ears… and sometimes artichokes. 🌽🍆🥗

It’s August in Florida—which means it’s hot enough to melt your flip-flops and steam your glasses just by stepping outside. But guess what? That’s prime time to level up your landscape and grow some seriously sassy tropical plants! 🌴🔥

In this episode of Jene’s Tropicals, we’re spilling the (potting) soil on how to turn your yard from “meh” to “WOWZA” with flowers, bushes, and trees that thrive in this sauna we call summer. Yes, you’ll sweat. Yes, your hair will frizz. But your landscape will look fabulous, darling.

So grab a shovel, a gallon of water (for you, not the plants), and let’s get planting!

🌺 Visit Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or online at tropicalfruit.com — where the plants are hot and the advice is hotter.

💌 Got a burning garden question? Email us at [email protected] — we’ll happily dig into it!

When you think of Florida gardening, you probably picture palms, oranges, and maybe that one neighbor who tries to grow pineapples in a kiddie pool. But surprise! Florida is also a hotspot for growing some of the world’s tastiest culinary spices. On today’s zesty episode of Jene’s Tropicals, Jene spills the (bay) leaves on flavor-packed plants like allspice (spoiler: it’s not literally all the spices—sorry, overachievers), bay laurel, bay rum, curry leaf, coffee, tea plants, and more.

So if your garden is feeling a little bland, it’s time to add some sizzle, sass, and savory goodness. Spice up your life (and your backyard) with some tropical flavor!

Stop by Jene’s Tropicals at 6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL, or visit us online at tropicalfruit.com for all your spring plant needs.
Got a question or topic you'd like covered on the show? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you!