Author Topic: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?  (Read 2669 times)

BonsaiBeast

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What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« on: February 04, 2019, 06:06:14 PM »
What are some smaller, fruiting trees that would enjoy being in an understory situation?

I was thinking of dragonfruit, monstera deliciosa, and vanilla orchid as good options, but would also be interested in real understory trees like coffee or garcinia.


pineislander

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2019, 08:08:37 PM »
Pitomba, Cambuca, and Jaboticaba might work if the overstory isn't too dense or low. My neighbor has a Lemon Drop mangosteen under a large mango, it grows and produces well but fruits of this variety are very sour.

OCchris1

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2019, 01:28:11 AM »
Out of the plants you mentioned, the only one I would cross off is dragonfruit. The rest are good to go.
-Chris

FMfruitforest

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2019, 06:06:05 AM »
Miracle Fruit, Surinam cherry, Acerola, Pineapples

pineislander

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2019, 07:40:02 AM »
Out of the plants you mentioned, the only one I would cross off is dragonfruit. The rest are good to go.
In the case of dragonfruit it could occupy the vine layer up above. For example, on a taller non-fruiting tree it could climb. My neighbor has a 20+ year old white fleshed DF which probably weighs 1000 lbs and makes 100 fruit/season. It is difficult to harvest, they use a cherry picker/man basket, and it has to compete with tree roots, cannot be hand pollinated, but does make a substantial amount of fruit. The tree is Royal Poinciana which is a tropical legume and deciduous during the dry season. I have several similarly planted DF, not my main crop but I just consider them freeebies. I made $30 this year just selling cuttings so even outside the fruiting season I got something out of it. So, marginal usage but maybe worthwhile.

shaneatwell

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2019, 11:15:00 AM »
luc's garcinia. i've also heard talk that avocados are happier as understory trees.
Shane

sunny

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2019, 09:29:50 PM »
Out of the plants you mentioned, the only one I would cross off is dragonfruit. The rest are good to go.

Why?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=BMMfM3maMkE

Coach62

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2019, 12:25:37 AM »
Out of the plants you mentioned, the only one I would cross off is dragonfruit. The rest are good to go.
In the case of dragonfruit it could occupy the vine layer up above. For example, on a taller non-fruiting tree it could climb. My neighbor has a 20+ year old white fleshed DF which probably weighs 1000 lbs and makes 100 fruit/season. It is difficult to harvest, they use a cherry picker/man basket, and it has to compete with tree roots, cannot be hand pollinated, but does make a substantial amount of fruit. The tree is Royal Poinciana which is a tropical legume and deciduous during the dry season. I have several similarly planted DF, not my main crop but I just consider them freeebies. I made $30 this year just selling cuttings so even outside the fruiting season I got something out of it. So, marginal usage but maybe worthwhile.
Would love to see a pic of that DF.
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Coach62

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2019, 12:30:12 AM »
I’m fairly sure you know this, you said “tree” twice, monstera is a vine, not a tree.

Cacao is one you left off

I’ve considered vanilla also, but look into what’s involved more to harvest, etc.  Appears to be VERY laborious.
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OCchris1

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2019, 01:42:51 AM »
I left DF off the list primarily because they get "leggy" in the shade. Like Pineislandlander, I have DF growing up a magnolia tree 15-20 ft. Harvesting is a pain...mainly ornamental for me. To each their own I guess.
-Chris

Finca La Isla

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2019, 09:21:00 AM »
Herrania, salak.

DurianLover

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2019, 11:39:34 AM »

AnnonaMangoLord45

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2019, 12:04:06 PM »
My advice, vanilla for climbers, most garcinias will do fine here, pitangatuba, and generally the entire Eugenia family, all jaboticabas, soursop, just to name a few

gnappi

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2019, 03:37:10 PM »
Coffee, Lemon Guava, and I even have a lemon drop mangosteen in a shady spot.
Regards,

   Gary

pineislander

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2019, 07:06:50 PM »

Would love to see a pic of that DF.
Here is the big one, it may be 30 years old and is likely one of the first in our area, a large fruited red skin with white flesh, not especially flavorful. Tree is Delonix regia, Royal Poinciana/Flambouyant

This is a lot younger one maybe 5 years old on my place up an ornamental Tabebuia tree. Without any care, water or fertilizer it gives 4-5 fruits/year but I think if it had more care would do better.


Coach62

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Re: What are ideas for cool understory trees/plants?
« Reply #15 on: February 08, 2019, 06:03:45 AM »
That is huge!
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