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Messages - demingcr

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1
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Wonderful pomegranate FL
« on: July 23, 2020, 12:37:13 AM »
for what it's worth.

My mother in law, who is very nice but also very plant ignorant, gifted me what was labeled as a wonderful pomme. It sets and holds fruit pretty easily. But... the aril flesh never really seem to 'color up' in either the summer season fruits or the off season fruits (it seems to flower and set twice a year.. once in spring and once in fall)

i've let them hang for months and the arils are always either white, or with a tinge of pink/red. Seeds are really hard. Taste is OK... i wouldnt get out of bed for it but sometimes it's the only thing holding fruit and its fun to split and eat them.

I'm not a huge fan of pome's to begin with.. this may be because i've never ha da good one, but i've never been incentivized to top work it, or get rid of it since it takes up basically no space.

i'm in SWFL.

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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Cheaper pond heater?
« on: July 02, 2020, 10:22:55 PM »
Quote from: Daintree on July 02, 2020, 09:40:30 AM
So, just got a letter from the power company that our house uses more electricity than others of our size, and do we want an energy audit.
I know it is the greenhouse, and the biggest energy sucker is the pond heater, so I am hoping someone has an idea for me.
In the winter, the pond water in my greenhouse drops to 50-60 degrees.  Too cold for my tender plants. The pond is 175 gallons, partly underground and partly concrete blocks.
I have tried the following -
1. Running copper piping to my gas furnace, circulating the pond water through it and letting the furnace heat the water.  Made a HUGE mess with condensation and rusted the front of the furnace.
2. Solar heat. Can't heat ENOUGH water to the preferred 70-80 degrees.
3. Tankless water heater. Can't keep the water clean enough and it clogged the lines and burned up the heater.
4. Stock tank heater. Shuts off at too low a temperature.
5. Regular water heater.  Never could find room for it.
6. 300 watt aquarium heater.  Yippee! Works like a charm!  But not very efficient. Just the pond heater costs $20 per month to run.

Is there anything out there that may be more efficient?  Or just call the $20 per month good?

Carolyn


can only really speak from pool experience, not pond, but...

1- easiest way to keep temps raised is to prevent evaporation. i'm assuming there's aquatic plants since you mentioned 'tender plants', but would a blanket or type of covering at night be feasible?

2 - a solution we see a lot in FL - unsure if it'd be appropriate in colder areas - is water is pumped up to the roof where there's solar concentrators, then back down into the pool... passive heating.

3
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Homestead or Bokeelia for Mango grove
« on: June 29, 2020, 01:53:16 AM »
Quote from: nepatriot on June 26, 2020, 11:52:12 AM
Hello folks, we zeroed in on the above locations for a Mango grove. Any inputs which one is better in terms of climate/soil? It's going to be a lot of young plants. Need some inputs. Also any good grove maintenance companies in these locations you can suggest.

lot of nonsense responses with advice based on theoretical or 20+++ year future 'possible' climates. Let's focus on facts instead of feelings about the new world order in 20 years shall we folks of the forum?

here's facts i know of location near me - bokeelia.

Climate is ideal for mango raising. Very little disease pressure, ideal temps, and reasonable soil. Lots of land available to start new and likely also established groves available to purchase. Be forewarned that groves to purchase likely (though not guaranteed) focus on commercial production with lots of tommy atkins and/or haden mango. Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely a factor.

some detractors of Pine island to consider: not the easiest place to get to, salt water intrusion on wells -- there's not really city water available, sugar-sand or similar soil (not bad for mango, but worth considering building up for better early growth and yield)

4
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Pitangatuba vs Pitomb
« on: June 05, 2020, 03:58:20 PM »
Quote from: Central Floridave on June 05, 2020, 03:41:34 PM
idk, i've had fruiting pitangatuba for about 5 years.  I do understand there is improved variety. Hey, same with suriname cherry...However, not searching for those.  I don't see how it can be improved.  It's an ornamental and conversation piece in my garden so it stays.  But, hopefully my point of view of someone who is NOT trying to sell you a plant weighs heavy.  Everyone who has tasted it spits it out immediately.  But, I have other friends who are growing it and they concur with my assessment. 

It should be labelled as super tart and barely edible to only those with taste buds that can tolerate it.  Like I said, even tried it with miracle fruit.   So many other good berry fruit to grow, unless you really want one, Pitangatuba is a fun word to say but do not recommend it for eating.   

For growing culture, it is very easy to grow.  Does better with moisture, but mine has survived droughts and a few hurricanes have shredded it but it recovers.  Its pretty when it is flowering and holding fruit. Its amazing how quick the fruit plumps up.  its hidden then all of sudden you walk by it and there is big and plump fruit.  Falls to the ground very easy, perishes quickly.  Maybe used as a jelly if you got time to make jelly.

Share the sentiment.. Insipid, sour, an unpleasant mushy texture, and very latex-y with a very unpleasant film on lips and teeth, and an extremely short harvest window before they seem to drop and rot. It's easy to grow, pretty, and interesting looking with fruits. But I and anyone i've had try it spit it out upon tasting it.

5
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Acerola in So. Flo.
« on: April 06, 2020, 10:00:27 PM »
Quote from: gnappi on April 06, 2020, 11:34:33 AM
A friend wants a shrub line of acerola and I have no idea where he can get them, does anyone have a source in the southeast?

They seem to be carried readily in any nursery that sells fruiting trees and shrubs - is that not the case in your neck of the woods?

6
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2020 Mango Season (Florida)
« on: April 06, 2020, 09:57:46 PM »
Quote from: shot on April 06, 2020, 04:18:58 PM
That poor mango is struggling under allelopathic competitiveness of cogongrass.

no, no... it's the only properly grown mango in the entire universe full of good feelings and moon phases.

In all seriousness, it looks undernourished and undersized for something in ground that long as a 3g planted out over a year ago.  This is why the lengthy posts lecturing everyone else aren't being taken well, because the evidence via picture you're presenting about growing mechanics isn't going to convert anyone. a 3g 1+ year in ground should easily be 2 to 4 times as large in trunk girth, canopy size.

7
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Distilled alcohol from fruits
« on: April 01, 2020, 12:59:29 AM »
Quote from: pineislander on March 31, 2020, 09:46:16 PM
Quote from: demingcr on March 31, 2020, 09:30:05 PM
I've made infusions -- mango vodka -- putting mangos in with vodka for ~2-3 months and a barbados cherry liqour with sugar and combining/straining the boiled fruit mixed with alcohol so its around 40 proof

I was thinking of trying to do some Wine with Starfruit and potentially other things but not really at that production level yet as i have wind mitigation issues on the lot i have my starfruit on.

Distilling it would be cool, i bet banana brandy would be really interesting!
hey here was my latest infusion, a Jaboticaba Rum liqueur bottled this week. It turned out very nice a little stronger than wine and with a great color and slight tannin from the skin.
 


recipe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dWMUUXeszE&t

that looks great!

if you find yourself with spare barbados cherries, try covering a nice batch with water and a decent amount of sugar, simmer until the fruits drain of color and texture and then sieve into vodka once cooled. It's really unique and a great little after dinner liqour.

8
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Distilled alcohol from fruits
« on: March 31, 2020, 09:30:05 PM »
I've made infusions -- mango vodka -- putting mangos in with vodka for ~2-3 months and a barbados cherry liqour with sugar and combining/straining the boiled fruit mixed with alcohol so its around 40 proof

I was thinking of trying to do some Wine with Starfruit and potentially other things but not really at that production level yet as i have wind mitigation issues on the lot i have my starfruit on.

Distilling it would be cool, i bet banana brandy would be really interesting!

9
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: New to Mango Trees: Is this normal?
« on: March 31, 2020, 09:23:21 PM »
Could easily be transplant shock from the roots being disturbed.

It's a little hard to tell from the angle, but:

1) it looks like the crown of the root ball is a bit exposed and planted a little high relative to the pot, leaving some feeder roots exposed
2) make sure you don't over-compact the soil when you plant in a pot. For newbies the tendancy can be to 'pack' the pot with soil but its actually counter productive. A loose blend is good.
3) Pure peat will be hard to water when it dries out as its hydrophobic. A high quality store bought mix will be fine, or better yet (if you're able) just plant it in the ground.

Mango tend to be very hardy plants. just make sure to water when dry, don't let it sit in water, and maybe take a look at the above bullets. It can be stressful on plants to ship and then be repotted particularly if the roots are disturbed, but it can recover rapidly afterwards.

10
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Top Tropicals Inconsistencies
« on: March 31, 2020, 09:50:20 AM »
I've had a high incidence of mislabels even when shopping in person when they had a retail nursery in the fort myers area (since moved).

Given the prices they charge and the wide variety they claim to carry i'd say it's probably a marketing strategy to maximize sales more than it is to be accurate and buyer beware.

11
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Redox potential
« on: March 31, 2020, 09:41:47 AM »
Everyone is doing it wrong but you and good soil makes things grow good. Got it. Fascinating thread.  ::)

12
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Fastest growing tropical/subtropical shrub/bush?
« on: January 01, 2020, 10:36:09 PM »
For Katuk, the leaves taste somewhat like raw peanuts. they are not bitter at all. The fruit pods (when young) taste somewhat like snow peas.

It's interesting they fruit for you in pine island. I seem to lack the pollinator here in cape coral and they do not set fruit. My mom has plants in Tampa (that i gifted her from the same stock i have) that regularly set fruit though.

13
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: NEW Private currency from FFF! Jabo Stix - based on Plinia/Myrciaria germplasm
« on: August 27, 2019, 01:50:00 AM »
not entirely sure I understand the purpose of giving your customers and yourself more hoops to jump through when there's a literal storefront that you are actively using that provides the exact same benefits... but to each their own I suppose.

14
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: I think I found the old school Florida Peach Mango
« on: July 13, 2019, 08:27:01 PM »
Looks like a haden to me. They can taste peachy.

15
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Red Jabo
« on: June 11, 2019, 11:50:35 PM »
Quote from: FV Fruit Freak on June 09, 2019, 11:32:49 PM
How’s the skin on the red jabo? Tasty? Thin? How tall is your tree?

I don't find it tasty. Tannic, bitter, relatively thick.

16
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: ...on sapodillas
« on: June 11, 2019, 11:47:31 PM »
Quote from: JoeP450 on June 11, 2019, 09:52:58 PM



Friend gave me this fruit from Nelson’s in ft pierce, first one I’ve enjoyed as it wasn’t sweet overload more balanced, but the grit was persistent...questions for the forum what’s the grit? Are their cultivars with non existent sandlike grit? TIA

-Joep450

The "Grit" is called stone cells. Similar to what is in Pears.

As mentioned in the post above, some are bred to lessen this effect.

17
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Size of red jabo tree?
« on: June 11, 2019, 11:46:34 PM »
Nursery near by has Sabara (More vigorous than Red) that are easily 20+ years old. Well fed. Mulched. And under a constant AC line drip for water.

They're probably 12-15 feet tall. maybe 12+inch girth.

In general, i don't think they're vigorous or aggressive trees.

18
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Fruit thieves
« on: June 11, 2019, 11:43:49 PM »
why does this threat keep getting randomly Necroed? Lock it and move on.

People steal. It sucks. It's human nature.

19
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: I Finally Found A Good Use For Pitangatuba Fruit - What's Yours?
« on: June 26, 2018, 11:52:16 AM »
have one growing as a seedling from Adam as well.

in its 3rd or 4th year.

Insipid, sour, lots of latex. If left to "orange up" the very core can be very unique tasing - sweet, apricot-y, tangy, but also with lots of latex, very watery, and a kinda gross texture.

Not a fruit i would consider worth the time and will likely pull mine eventually.

20
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Moved to Florida now I can grow everything... wait no.
« on: April 20, 2018, 01:54:35 PM »
Quote from: Jenniferokay on April 19, 2018, 06:19:13 PM
Quote from: achetadomestica on April 19, 2018, 04:09:41 PM
Cherry of the rio grande and GUABIJU should be ok, When I was at Adam's at FFF
he had Barbados cherries planted out side? Also Uvaia should work. 

Check out what huertasurbanas is selling, He is from Argentina and has stuff that
will work. Very nice seller and he will inform you on low temps that his plants can
take. Miguel pt from Portugal has a 9b greenhouse and his property is 9a. He has
a wealth of info and experience.

There are some real zone pushers on this forum and can give pointers on how to
stretch the limits. I am in 9b on the edge of 10a and also find myself pushing. I have allot
of mulch and organics around my trees and on cold nights I water heavy and this year I got
30F one night and got through it ok. I have a cotton candy tree and it got burned a bit
but not seriously.

I find myself checking the records temps for my area and it can get really cold here
throughout history. There were record nights in the teens here in the past. Scary!

Welcome to Florida!

I've never heard of any of those except Barbados cherries (Astoundingly similar taste to paint thinner >>) thanks a ton for the advice!

Barbados/Acerola don't have any resinous flavor, were you perhaps thinking of Surinam cherry?

21
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Fast growth rate megathread
« on: January 07, 2018, 07:54:25 PM »
Mulberry, any grafted superior variety. Grow/fruit very quickly and tend to grow vertical very quickly. Did not see them on the list, so perhaps worth adding.

Wax jambu can be fairly quick to fruit. i planted a fairly small 3g this growing season and it's flowered. Around 4-5 feet tall now.  They are fairly attractive plants as well. Grow in a nice shape with little training, big long deep green leaves.

I have not found Acerola to be as quick as stated, it usually takes 1-2 seasons to establish before beginning to fruit heavily for me. This is planting it from a 3g.

smaller mango tend to fruit, establish and grow significantly faster than larger specimen, i.e 3,7,15 gallon vs a 25. A well cared for 15 gallon mango will likely fruit fairly significantly the next growing season after it is planted.



22
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Should I dig up June Plum/Ambarella and toss into the garbage?
« on: December 20, 2017, 10:34:22 AM »
I share the opinion on ambarella whether eaten ripe or green. I would not have one taking up space, even the ultra-dwarf varieties that take up very little space.

I know the fondness of the plant is also dependent a lot on nationality - i think those that grew up with the plant in the tropics are really fond of it.

23
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Kari star fruit question
« on: December 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM »
Quote from: green thumps up on December 12, 2017, 09:31:05 AM
Do you know if the star fruit trees are strong meaning the tree is still alive even if the leaves are dried up? I'm planning to wait until spring and then put it in the ground.

Mine have recovered a few times, but they do seem to get progressively weaker each time they re-flush, particularly as the new growth is extra sensitive to wind.

Mine also seem particularly sensitive to PH in the soil and show deficiencies regularly prior to correction.

24
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Sweet tart mango fruiting already
« on: December 02, 2017, 01:50:30 AM »
blooming now is pretty common. The fruit don't size up very quickly in the colder months and pick up speed during the spring and into early june/july for the "mid" varieties.

Would make sense to spray sulfur to combat powdery mildew to ensure optimal fruit set once the flowers are near opening.

25
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« on: September 14, 2017, 01:36:21 AM »
I am in ne cape Coral.

I purchase the lot next to me and planted it out over the last 1.5 years. Overall extremely lucky for 90+ winds +gusts .

1 absolute casualty in a snapped sugar apple. 1 probable casualty in a star fruit.  Plenty of tree that needed straightening stomping and staking and one large mango that needs heavy staking to correct a lean. But all in all super lucky and grateful for 50 trees  and such light correction needed

No power 3 days now is the worst part

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