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Messages - JCorte

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1
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Cocktail Trees
« on: March 18, 2024, 10:50:02 PM »
Kevin, your trees look great.  That'll be exciting when they all start to fruit.

Not sure if you've grown Spice Zee in the past, but it's known to get scarred and deformed fruit from thrip damage.  If you remove the blossoms right after fruit set while you're thinning that helps to keep the fruits looking good.

Janet

2
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Florida Natural Farming?
« on: March 18, 2024, 10:42:44 PM »
Agroventuresperu,

There are several good lectures by Dr. Christine Jones and Dr. Elaine Ingham online if you search their names and soil health. 

I agree John Kempf's Regenerative Agriculture Podcast is my favorite.  Some of my favorites from his podcasts and webinars:

Redox: The driver of soil microbial interactions with Olivier Husson
How healthy plants create healthy soil
How to diagnose hidden hunger and mineral imbalances
Plant Health Pyramid
Managing Nutrition at Critical Points of Influence

The more I read and learn, the more I realize that what I think is best isn't necessarily right for everyone and I try not to make too many judgements about what other people are doing.  I experiment a lot and do what works best for me but what's best is continuously evolving.  What I think is most helpful is for as many of us to share our experiences so that we may learn from each other.

I think in general most people are doing the best they can under their circumstances and with the information they have.  My livelihood doesn't depend on crops not being destroyed by pests or diseases, so it's an easy choice for me to not use pesticides. 

Janet

3
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Oak Leaf Papaya-Carica Quercifolia
« on: March 18, 2024, 12:39:34 PM »
Marta wrote a blog on the oak leaf papaya.  I have seedlings from a supposed superior selection, but just sprouted them this winter.

https://fruitsandgardening.blogspot.com/search?q=oak+leaf

Janet

4
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Florida Natural Farming?
« on: March 18, 2024, 12:18:33 PM »
Epiphyte, thank you for the info on germination and the offer of seeds, maybe I'll take you up on it one day.

Satya, watched your video.  Thank you for sharing, I've been off the forum for awhile, but will be updating posts on my projects soon.  My favorite posts on the forum are when people share how and what they are growing and especially when I get to see photos of all the different growing spaces and plants.  So want to contribute to the forum in that way as well.

I consider wood chip or chop and drop mulch and living mulch both important in how I grow. 

Mulch is beneficial for a number of reasons that we are all familiar with like protecting the soil and holding in moisture. 

Living plants used as a living mulch may even be more beneficial if you have the right plants for your growing conditions.  Not only does it provide ground cover and protection holding moisture, it's the root exudates on growing plants that feed the soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere buffering pH and turning minerals into a usable form by plant roots.  Plants capture carbon and contribute to the hydrologic cycle.  It seems counterintuitive but I've found that plants in groups hold moisture longer and grow better together.  There are exceptions of course, finding the right plants that don't dominate. 

The science of soil microbiology is evolving rapidly.  What seemed like settled science just a few years ago are being challenged.  There's a lot of fascinating stuff happening beneath our feet.  Many are aware now how important mycorrhizal fungi are.  There are also studies finding that roots exude light underground, why are they sending out light waves in the darkness of the earth?   The more people that start growing in a way that protects and supports our soil, the closer we get to growing to our potential.

Janet

5
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Florida Natural Farming?
« on: March 17, 2024, 12:45:09 PM »
Satya,

Look forward to checking out your new videos.

I saw a technique for sprouting epiphyte seeds by a commercial grower.  They had built wooden frames around window screens.  They would collect the seeds with the fluffy downy material surrounding the seeds and spread them on the screen.  These frames were kept on a shelf in the shade of other plants in a greenhouse that were regularly misted.  She said sprouting could take several months and another year before they were separated and grown on their own. 

Maybe this technique could work for you.  I have tried spreading seeds in branches of trees and other plants but haven't found any success with that, but I have found little seedling sprouts on a bromeliad that was self sown.  I'm not sure how the seeds were able to cling to the leaf until it sprouted.

Janet

6
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: S> Annona scions 2024
« on: March 16, 2024, 12:40:42 PM »
Thank you for the excellent quality cuttings and sharing the genetics.

Janet

7
Kaz,

Do you think the pearl guava and Florida red were at peak ripeness?  The skin on both pearl and Florida red look green in the photos.  I've heard good reviews on the Pearl so wondering if maybe the ones you tried weren't representative of its true potential.  Also, the tropic pink in your photo is white flesh, is that mislabeled?

Anyways, your Sylvia guava looks good, will be interested to see how it compares to JF's guava varieties.

Janet

8
Kaz,
Not sure why you're not responding to my messages or question on this thread, but that's fine it's your right to refuse to sell to me. 

It's just confusing to me since I've shared stuff with you for free.

Janet

9
Kaz,
Are you getting my messages?  I've sent a couple with no replies.

Janet

10
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 21, 2023, 11:20:15 PM »
Yard and greenhouse plants are looking great! 

What's your assessment of the the black eugenia repanda?  Does it need a second plant for pollination?

What opuntia variety are you growing in the third pic from the bottom?

Janet


11
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Starting a farm in Southern California
« on: November 21, 2023, 11:12:53 PM »
Thank you all so much for the encouragement and positive comments!  I'll answer questions and put together a post this weekend.

Janet

12
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Starting a farm in Southern California
« on: November 17, 2023, 05:54:41 PM »
There's more I can post about and share if there's interest, but it takes time to go through photos, etc, so don't want to write just for myself.  I've got lot's of plants to take care of. ;D

Janet

13
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Starting a farm in Southern California
« on: November 17, 2023, 05:30:56 PM »
This picture is taken from the bottom of the swales giving a view of the contour lines.


First summer after planting 2021


October 2021


March 2023


Bananas and some plants got beaten up and we lost a lot of mangoes this past long, cold, wet winter.  Looking back from the beginning though we've come a long way.

14
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Starting a farm in Southern California
« on: November 17, 2023, 05:16:05 PM »
After the swales were formed that first summer, we sowed over a couple hundred pounds of cover crop seeds before the rainy season started in fall.  This ended up being a huge waste, the birds and rabbits ate it all.  We’ve learned to rely on the natives and weeds for groundcover and chop and drop.

The first winter we drove out to the farm almost every time it rained to observe how the rainwater flowed on the property and if the swales would capture and hold the runoff.   

The main access trails that we cleared on the native parts of the property were also formed into mini swales on contour.

These 2 pics are of the swales at the top.




These are trails through the property, mini swales




We were pretty excited and surprised by how much rain the swales were collecting.  We still try to drive out to the properties whenever it rains to observe and figure out how we can improve. 

15
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Starting a farm in Southern California
« on: November 17, 2023, 04:42:35 PM »
This is the flat area of the farm when you first enter the property, pic was taken June of 2020.


On this flat section, we laid out 8 swales on contour using a Bunyip water level.  So basically, each row is at the same elevation to capture water and prevent runoff.  Scott rented an excavator and with the help of our son, Eric, they formed the swales for planting.  This was done during the middle of summer in over 100F. 







16
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Starting a farm in Southern California
« on: November 17, 2023, 04:09:51 PM »
One of the first things I’d like to share is an example of the difference you can make by harvesting rainwater.

This is a picture of an area we thought would be a good spot for a pond taken June 2020.  Scott used an excavator to dig out the space.





These pics were taken this past winter.  Scott is in the upper right so it gives an idea of the size of the pond.  In the second picture you can see where we are channeling rainwater into the pond.




This third picture is on the other side of the pond, Scott’s in the same spot as previous pictures.


17
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Starting a farm in Southern California
« on: November 17, 2023, 04:08:17 PM »
I’ve posted previously about an old avocado orchard we are restoring in Fallbrook.
https://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=49059.0

This post is about the first property we bought a couple of miles away.  We refer to this property as the Farm and the second as the Orchard.

In May of 2020, we found a 16 acre property in San Diego County to start our family farm.  We had been looking at farm properties on and off since 2006.  There are really nice farms for sale, but anything with a decent house and mature trees come at a premium.  We were looking for a diamond in the rough where we could build value over time through sweat equity.

The previous owner had cleared the flat area at the top of the property which I think is about 4 acres.  They put a tiny house trailer on it and put up solar panels and a little shed.  The structures are not built well.  Scott put some temporary supports in areas that were falling apart.  We will rebuild, but for now we’re focusing on the land. 

We are hooked up to city water for irrigation, but one of the first things we invested in was a well.  They had to drill twice because the first hole collapsed.  The well is 490 feet deep and we get about 35 gallons per minute. 

Most of the property has been left undisturbed and is covered with natives.  It’s completely overgrown and there’s lots of dead underbrush and old trees that need pruning and lots of love.  We have to clear trails to access the property and there’s a lot of poison oak. 
There is a seasonal creek that flows for half the year and when the rainy season starts in the fall, the property comes to life.  When we first visited the property in early May, we could hear the creek flowing from the top of the hill.  There wasn’t any access to see it, but it was one of the main reasons we decided to buy it that day.

For those not familiar with the climate in Southern California, we usually don’t get any rain from late spring until the fall around November.  That’s the biggest challenge to farming here.  The natives have adapted and go dormant during the summer months, so the property seems so dry especially after the creek dries up around the beginning of July.

Our goal is to develop our farm using concepts of agroecology and utilize rainwater harvesting techniques to try and be as efficient with water as possible.  We are working to restore the native ecosystem, grow a diversity of food, and co-create a beautiful farm with nature.

Janet

18
Looks like you can't be added to waitlist for some items.  I would check his site in March or Sept when he posts inventory for sale.

Janet

19
I remember learning that it takes a few months for calcium applied to the soil to become available and it's one of the nutrients that is best applied to the soil instead of foliar applications.  So gypsum should be applied in the fall/ winter.  I apply a fall micronutrient foliar application, no nitrogen, in my home garden in the fall, in my climate flower buds for spring growth start swelling fall/winter.   I also spread compost from my worm bins before the winter rains.

At the farm, I just spread llama manure from a neighbor last month, this takes a while to break down so I wanted to get them under the plants before the winter rains. 

I think one of the main concerns about fertilizing in fall/winter is you don't want tender new growth that hasn't hardened off to prevent cold damage, so don't apply nitrogen to push growth if you get cold temps in winter. 

Janet

20
Cultivariable is working on increasing their foundation stock this year so not much inventory available now.  He expects to have many new varieties for release next year around September.  Because he is not offering pre-orders any more, you just have to add yourself to his waitlist for any item out of stock and you'll get an email when they're available.

Peace Seedlings offers some Andean root crops, this is Dr Alan Kapuler's daughter's seed company.  They update their inventory in January.
https://peaceseedlingsseeds.blogspot.com/

As far as I know, Cultivariable is the best source, but he's a one man show doing this as a hobby, so it takes time to get his genetics.  I have always received my orders from him even if it was a year wait.

Janet

21

I had limited success with okra, too. I think the biggest problem is nematodes. I think I have stumbled on a game changer, though. Okra is rediculously easy to graft. Below is a picture of an okra grafted to cranberry hibiscus (H. acetosella). Easiest thing I ever grafted and healed in only 3 days. I wish I would have grafted it at the beginning of summer instead of the end.



Thanks for this tip!  White velvet okra was one of my favorites when I trialed a few varieties, but nematodes have been a challenge for me.  https://trueloveseeds.com/products/white-velvet-okra

Do fava beans grow in Florida?  I plant these in fall/ winter during our rainy season and they're harvested late spring.  Aprovecho select is an excellent variety.
https://www.adaptiveseeds.com/product/vegetables/beans/fava-bean-aprovecho-select-organic/

Janet

22
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Free Yangmei Giveaway
« on: November 06, 2023, 07:17:54 PM »
72, 77

23
"Thank you! I’ll take a free pack. Sorry for the comment I was feeling feisty this morning, but when people try taking advantage of others, comments could and should be expected...but ya the trade with you was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had on the forum...super stressful, and the packaging wasn’t even the worst part...and for the record the two leafed, not ready to be shipped yet seedling you sent died, quickly. How’s that nice, healthy Inga Laurina I sent you? Hope all is well!"

Was that an apology?

Elouicious, thanks for sharing these.  Look forward to growing them.

Janet

24
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Fuyu Persimmon Tree- Broke In Half
« on: November 04, 2023, 12:30:02 PM »
Brad, how hot does it normally get in Poway?  My mom has an old Fuyu tree in Sacramento and it produces a bumper crop every year.  She regularly gets temps in the 100's during summer.

SHV, did your replant your persimmon in the same spot as your old tree?  I've heard fruit trees suffer from replant syndrome because of the dying roots of the old trees, so it's advised to not plant related trees in the same spot.  Old vineyards and orchards will replace the soil when they replant new trees.  I planted a small bareroot coffee cake persimmon in Fallbrook and it set over 20 fruits in its second year.

Janet

25
I'll take a pack please!

Janet

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