The Tropical Fruit Forum

I have to agree with both of you.  However, sometimes you just have to experiment for what its worth.  From this point forward I'll take special care to let the split central leaders turn vertical and prune upward another foot when the time is right.  I don't think Id do this again with 3gal mangos (maybe as needed once they are further established.  The guava on the other hand looks very nice.

This air layered loquat skipped flowering all together and continued to bush out.  Hopefully it begins to grow upward now that it has the bushiness to it.  My objective was to bush it out to help block some of the exposure to North wind in this corner of the property.  Vigorous grower nonetheless.

Yes, this picture was taken over the summer and the fruits were oh so good!  I was under the impression that the Kohala is typically a taller cultivator where as this tree looked to be more compact stature, heavy bearing, sweet fruit.

I purchased some mosquito fabric small enough to prevent noseeums with intentions of making my own papaya bags. Does anyone know if the wasps can sting through two layers of fabric? My Red Lady (double) just produced about 15lbs of fruit that I had to destroy. This is a prized tree with cropped tops and vibrant purple stems so I don't want to go through this again. I've also heard that hanging brown bags stuffed with plastic grocery bags from the branches can deter bees/wasps from even coming into that trees space in fear of pissing off another hive. Similar to a scarecrow?
Paw Paw

Can anybody identify what type of Longan this is?  It's in Orlando and has some very tasty fruit (sweet).  Only about 15' tall.  I would want one in my yard.  Thanks.

I've purchased some mosquito fabric with intentions of making individual bags for my papaya fruit.  The fabric is small enough to block noseeums but I'm concerned that the wasp may be able to penetrate the fabric when it is resting on the actual fruit?  Has anyone had experience utilizing mosquito netting/fabric to protect fruit?  Ive also read that by hanging a brown paper bag filled with plastic grocery bags from the tree it deters wasps from coming around because they think it is an existing hive (kind of like a scarecrow tactic)?

That's good to hear!  It gets a fair amount of drainage and hopefully will not be in standing water in its present locations.  I guess I will know for certain come summer and my AC is constantly on.  Thanks.

I recently planted a small jaboticaba within 5' from my AC condensate line which drips frequently.  This particular area is exposed to 8+hrs of sun with sandy/loamy soil.  My concern is the consistent moisture will effect fruit production later on down the road?  Has anyone ever planted a Jabo close to their AC with success?  Thanks.

Carambola, Papaya, Strawberry Tree (muntingia calabura), Mulberry, Banana, Peach

I planted my Red Lady x2 right in front of a gutter downspout and it thrives.  Also mulch heavy with mini pine bark or grow ground cover around the base.  I use ornamental sweet potatoes and some pine bark and it is very happy.  Fed my papaya heavy with Sunniland Citrus during the summer (rainy season) months and backed off around Sept/Oct.  Some varieties may do better with a little less sunshine 6-8hrs.