Abiu in South FL / SWFL?

[Coach62]

Anyone successfully growing Abiu in zone 10A in Florida?  I know we're pretty much at the cold end of the acceptable zones, plus our soil isn't exactly perfect.

I've never tasted one, but based on what I've read, they're very good, any input here is also appreciated.

Assuming I can even find one, which species is best for my area, and is it best container grown for the first few years due to our crappy soil??

Any input appreciated.

Thanks!

Bruce

[ftmyersfruit]

It grows fine at my place without protection. Several fruiting trees from pine island to Naples.

[Coach62]

It grows fine at my place without protection. Several fruiting trees from pine island to Naples.

Thank you. Have you eaten any?  How do you like them?

[shot]

Very good fruit,quite fleshy.But you should bag fruit because of fruit fly so they can get full ripe.Sometimes if their is to much rain they can get washed out,not as sweet

[ftmyersfruit]

I have tried some from four trees. It's good overall. Not my favorite but worth growing.

[tropicbreeze]

Make sure the soil around the plant has a low pH. I found mine (not in Florida) was looking poorly so started watering it with naturally low pH water and the tree picked up really well. My soil is on the high side of neutral but my (ground) water (what my plants are irrigated with) has high pH and alkalinity over 240ppm.

[pineislander]

Make sure the soil around the plant has a low pH. I found mine (not in Florida) was looking poorly so started watering it with naturally high pH water and the tree picked up really well. My soil is on the high side of neutral but my (ground) water (what my plants are irrigated with) has high pH and alkalinity over 240ppm.

Some of what you said doesn't make sense. Low pH is acidic high pH is alkaline.

This document says:

Abiu trees are best adapted to fertile, acid- to slightly-alkaline-pH (5.5–7.5), well-drained soils. Trees growing in high-pH, alkaline soils may develop iron deficiency.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs300

[tropicbreeze]

Thanks for pointing that out Pineislander. A bit of a mental lapse while typing. I've edited it so the post makes sense.

Your quote "...acid- to slightly-alkaline-pH (5.5–7.5)..." corroborates a preference for acidity as that range is weighted to acidity.