The Tropical Fruit Forum

So research I did last year led me to the sugar belle that I wanted to plant this March but I have started to second guess and wonder if another variety would be best for me. I want a tree that is low maintenance that will produce a good tasting fruit reliably and preferably for as long of a season as possible.  Of course something that is greening resistant is essential. Also I can’t even seem to find a sugar belle anywhere so anything i can buy now preferably locally or online if need be would be helpful as well. I would like something that is a good eating fruit and not a lemon or lime something with some sweetness. Thanks everyone!

So I have bananas, figs, mangos, avocado, guava, even Atemoya but no citrus.  I have a great spot for a citrus but what to grow?  I want prolific, preferably a long season and a fruit that stays on the tree well so I can pick at my leasure. A healthy grower, tolerant of disease and drought if need be. Basically the Toyota of citrus with a long season and a delicious fruit. Brown's select satsuma has been recommended as well as owari.  I'm open to ideas and I appreciate all your help! What do I grow and just as important as that is where do I get it? I'm in brevard county FL.

Tony thanks. Craigslist is an excellent idea and I've already been looking into that option.

The title says it. I'm looking for one of each and I'm in Merritt Island FL. I made a trip down to Excalibur a couple weeks ago and they didn't have either one in stock. I have called a couple local places but no luck. If anyone has any leads on where I can get these that would be helpful. I looked at going bananas online but they don't take credit cards which to me is a disqualifier and also I can't always be home to wait for a delivery so I would like to buy local if possible. Thanks everyone!

Looks like the dwarf namwah seems to be a clear winner here.

Well there's nothing sweeter and juicier than a tangelolo (but that's more of a tangelo flavor than grapefruit).

You are right to be concerned that your citrus is a standard blah variety and question whether there's something better out there. However, in the case of grapefruit the standard ones are pretty much the best. Have you considered an Oroblanco grapefruit though?

My personal take on Oroblanco, it seems to have just a little less flavor and aroma than regular grapefruit, frustratingly, but the flavor it does have is excellent. They tend to have a bit less bitterness than other grapefruit (although I still think environmental factors make as much difference as variety here).

I might also add that some citrus enthusiasts are huge fans of Tahitian pummelo, if you like lime flavor. It's sweeter and juicier than other pummelos (probably because it's more like a grapefruit than a true pummelo).

I don't know much of anything about pummelo or tangelo. I will need to research that. I would love to sample an oroblanco somewhere but they don't seem to be commercially available.

I am looking for a sweet and juicy grapefruit variety. I am looking for this because I have been eating ruby red grapefruit lately I have bought from the grocery store and they are excellent. I am fine planting this exact variety in my yard but I feel like it is a Home Depot tree and can't help but wonder if there is a better variety out there. I plan to keep the tree relatively small as in under 12 feet tall through pruning. I like a tree that is a reliable grower and isn't high maintenance. Also a long season for the fruit and hopefully fruit that stays on the tree a long time. If you think that something other than a grapefruit is a must have citrus I am open to those ideas also. Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I ended up with just the mangos and a guava. Maybe next time. I have a lot of work to do to get these planted.

Ok tropicdude thanks. Maybe I'm back to waiting until I can taste them both. It seems either way I go I won't be disappointed I guess. I was trying to avoid too many trips to Excalibur or any other place I find more local but to get the right stuff planted in my yard it may be worth it.

Gotcha. Well I don't mind spending a little extra for the right variety but I have yet to see anyone with an overwhelming success story for any one type. I will just keep,looking and maybe do Guava some other time unless something jumps out at me between now and my next trip down to Excalibur.

Tropic dude thanks!  Are nam doc mai or Carrie substitutes for either if the above or do their ripeness times not line up? I'm leaning toward this threesome of mango season heaven just want to be sure of all my options. Especially the late mangos. Seems like small trees in late season are rare.

Ok so that might be the perfect three then. Are there other late options or is that the only small tree that is good for late season?  I may just trust your initial assessment and go with those three. I have room for 2 and a half trees and from what I hear the Pickering stays under 6' so that would work out perfect.  That many months of fresh mango sounds exciting.