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Messages - pineislander

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1601
Tropical Vegetables and Other Edibles / Re: Potatoes: My experiences with Plectranthus rotundifolius and Dioscorea bulbifera
« on: May 29, 2018, 08:22:55 PM »
Good for you, Caesar! I was able to find D. trifida yams at a local Hispanic grocery (from Costa Rica) and planted them immediately, hope they sprout. I did meet someone with the D. bulbifera here in Florida. The main advantage he explained to me was that you can grow them as a perennial, leaving the root portion permanently in the ground, and just harvest the bulbils. Sfter the first season the in-ground tubers become very vigorous and produce large numbers and large size bulbils. It seems that other yams including alata do the same as far as bulbils are concerned. Last year I got no pruple Ube alata yam bbulbls and di harvest all but this year I may save 1/2 my crop in-ground to attempt looking for the 2nd year bulbil crop. My ordinary alata bulbils did grow out very well last year so what I am seeing is that it makes sense to keep a "mother" yam going which might make multiple bulbils each year to use as planting material.

here is an example of a central Florida purple alata yam in it's second year and resulting bulbil crop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGIByH-lpzU&t=5s

1602
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 80% of avocado dropped, so far..... help!
« on: May 29, 2018, 06:45:29 PM »
You could do your tree some good if you remove the grass around it and mulch well at least outside the outer branches. The tree is competing with grass in the yard. The natural environment of avocado is within a forest. In the forest it is an emergent or under story tree among other trees. That is the type of ecosystem avocado evolved in. It didn't evolve in a field of grass. In that under story, it was among other trees which gives it protection from wind and moderates it's sun exposure to about 75% sun. It evolved to have a typical tropical ground cover of leaves and decaying vegetation. That ground cover allows it to have a dense network of fine feeder roots to absorb what it needs. The closer you can duplicate the conditions the avocado tree evolved in the happier it will be.

1603
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Wax Jambu anyone?
« on: May 27, 2018, 08:05:20 PM »
This California nursery seems to have several of the above named varieties.
Not sure of their reputation.
http://tropicalbonsainursery.net/on%20sale%20item/wax-apple/wax-apple.html

1604
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: lychee online.com
« on: May 27, 2018, 06:55:15 PM »
John, they may have not optimized their website for mobile viewing. On my PC I can see a link to their E-commerce site and took it through the shopping cart. $150/10 lb box plus shipping.

https://tropicalgardenmarket.com/?action=home.product&productid=2

8591 Pioneer Rd, West Palm Bch, Fl 33411
 +1-844-592-4337

1605
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Critters Eating Mangoes
« on: May 27, 2018, 06:43:17 PM »
What is eating that green mango on the tree is almost certainly a squirrel.

1606
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Good fruiting indoor plants
« on: May 26, 2018, 10:50:52 PM »
I don't know anything about growing fruits in an apartment but do understand the urge to plant and create. How about finding an elderly person who might enjoy someone helping in their yard? You get more room to grow and they get their property tended by someone who cares. Some of them are lonely and would appreciate the company.

1607
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Anyone use composted manure for fertilizer?
« on: May 26, 2018, 10:38:58 PM »
It is a very good idea to HOT compost horse stable manure. Their simpler digestive tract compared to polygastric ruminants tend to have lots of weed seeds. It is good stuff usually with lots of urine on the bedding. I have a row of avocado trees which got it by someone else and am seeing weeds for years even with mulch.

1608
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Rooting Hormone (IBA) Safe for Propagating Edible Plants like Fruit Trees?
« on: May 26, 2018, 07:51:16 AM »
I would expect months won't make a difference. Years would be no problem.
here is a detailed fact sheet:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Indole%203%20Butyric%20Acid%20TR.pdf

1609
Tropical Vegetables and Other Edibles / Re: googootz in So. Flo
« on: May 25, 2018, 06:52:26 PM »
Yes, it is Bottle Gourd,  Lagenaria siceraria. Grew great for me during winter/early spring. Lpves water, fertile sun, and something to climb up on. Grew well for me in the Caribbean, well known to asian people. Had a bit of trouble with powdery mildew but it kept going. Pick young and small for tender fruit, remove oversized fruit or the plant will try to ripen them with a decrease in production. When vine declines the gourds harden to a shell which can be used for bottles, cups, etc, crafts, musical instruments, birdhouses. There are many shapes of lagenaria siceraria, from round to very long and everything in between. Search bottle gourd youtube and google.

1610
Tropical Vegetables and Other Edibles / Re: Anyone grow Dioscorea alata (purple yam/ube)?
« on: May 25, 2018, 06:41:50 PM »
The dioscorea is adapted to growing up. It is tropical so northern growers can't expect as much. If well grown in tropical conditions they can make some aerial bulbils which greatly enhances the rate of multiplication. To get bulbils you might try leaving some tubers in-ground for the best earliest start. I was able to buy tubers to start at the larger Asian/Caribbean food markets for very reasnable prices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGIByH-lpzU

1611
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Pitayas de Zacatecas, finally got to taste fresh fruit!
« on: May 24, 2018, 06:42:18 PM »
I hope this link leads you to several videos of a local harvest:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsDWAWU4a7nt9xO9De7aUAQ/search?query=pitayas

1612
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Planting papaya seeds
« on: May 21, 2018, 06:50:41 PM »
Quote from: gnappi on May 21, 2018, 09:41:52 AM
My GF asked me for her friend what is the best way to plant papaya seeds to get the best germination rate. I've planted them dried, cleaned and fresh, fresh not cleaned, after the fruit was refrigerated and I even have had some sprout at a location 2 years after I removed a tree. So it seems as if the seeds can stay viable even after many moons and exposure to other variables.

But... The question was what is the BEST method but I do not know that. Anyone here have experience on this?
Best way is to buy good seed from the professionals. This seed is professional quality, packed in sealed foil packs, great germination.
Best of all a very high percentage are female or hermaphrodite. I don't know exactly how they do it, but out of 50 trees planted not a single male tree. This makes growing & transplanting very easy as you can be close to certain what you plant will bear fruit.
Very reasonable prices considering the quality you get. 
http://www.alohaseed.com/

1613
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Tripod Ladder
« on: May 20, 2018, 10:27:14 AM »
Haven't tried but I used a real orchard ladder for 2 weeks. It isn't in the same class at all because the range of the third leg is limited, but would be better than a 4 legged stepladder. The maker mentions it is only for level ground.

1614
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Phyllanthus acidus
« on: May 19, 2018, 10:04:49 PM »
Quote from: KarenRei on May 19, 2018, 06:17:11 AM
I've now eaten it a few more times, and... I'm thinking about throwing the rest away. The one thing I can't get past is the texture. You can sweeten up and dilute the sourness, but even after all this cooking it still has this fibrous texture in the gel, and I don't think I could realistically strain it out. It's not horribly unpleasant, but I do find it unpleasant.  Others might be indifferent to it.
I recognize what you mention and even from memory recall it, but not unpleasantly.
Maybe that's why they usually stew the whole fruit with seed intact. Saves a lot of work. The stewed version is usually sold at fairs and so on, in small cups with a spoon. Not really something people eat a lot of or very frequently, just a treat.

1615
Citrus General Discussion / Re: fully soaking containers when watering
« on: May 18, 2018, 06:59:35 PM »
Quote from: z_willus_d on May 12, 2018, 03:23:23 PM
I need a "scientific" or analytical way to assess the situation. 
If you want a real idea about soil moisture they make instruments to measure that.

1616
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Dwarf durian tree
« on: May 17, 2018, 11:00:30 PM »
Quote from: HIfarm on May 16, 2018, 10:15:10 PM
Hopefully Mike T will chime in again on this one.  I recall Mike's buddy Peter Saleras in Aus showed durian fruiting on his special trellis system and as I recall they were relatively small trees.  I don't know if they were 10' in the pics but probably not much bigger -- Mike would be the one for more details.  But as Peter (from Costa Rica)  & others have pointed out, most want to be big trees so it will take some work to maintain them that small.

John

Been looking at the Tatura trellis too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OPYuqyzt7E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26UALF5lAHU

1617
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Experience with predatory beneficial insects??
« on: May 17, 2018, 10:50:23 PM »
Quote from: Coach62 on May 17, 2018, 10:39:48 AM
Good info Greenman. Thanks. I’ll contact UF to see what I can do to encourage them to reproduce.
Easiest FL predator forage is African Blue basil. Perennial, propagates easily, never stops flowering, good for bees too, and spaghetti.
Secondary forage might be coriander dill and fennel, but those are annuals.
I can give you all the basil you need, seed for the others you can get easy.

1618
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Yellow Dragon Fruit, pain in the rear to grow! And more questions.
« on: May 17, 2018, 06:42:20 PM »
Quote from: kc_moses on May 16, 2018, 11:10:11 AM
Of all three variety, I'm having rust/fungus problem with Yellow dragon the most. I spray copper fungicide and it doesn't seem to help much. Do I have something more serious?

I'm loosing the battle:


What should I do? Cut off the soft/black spot?


Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Maybe the burlap wrap is holding more moisture than needed?

1619
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Tripod Ladder
« on: May 16, 2018, 06:41:20 AM »
Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 15, 2018, 10:25:32 PM
I had a 16 foot tall tripod ladder. But when I nearly fell from it, my wife forced me to sell it. They are a bit unstable. Now I have a 24 foot extension ladder, which is considerably more stable (and cheaper to boot!). Simply prop the ladder against the trunk or a thick branch.
There are many good reasons why orchards only use these ladders, they are very stable when used within their limits, but stay conservative and don't push the limits. Suggest don't get more than 12 ft model., get angle correct, make sure post is centered and digs in, don't pass the safe step, don't reach sideways too far or pull hard. This is an excellent safety video to know the limits of the tool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmBsN5fWq8Y

1620
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Phyllanthus acidus
« on: May 15, 2018, 09:39:35 PM »
Most commonly the ones I had in the Caribbean were cooked a long time to get thick and dark red, probably also they used brown sugar (Turbinado). I tried propagating some cuttings a few weeks ago. Here in Florida it was just coming out of dormancy where it had no leaves and just a few buds breaking growth. The cuttings are growing.

1621
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Tripod Ladder
« on: May 15, 2018, 06:50:27 PM »
your local Grainger can order it. They aren't cheap.

1622
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Building a raised bed/tree: How big?
« on: May 12, 2018, 05:27:05 PM »
 Longboat Key offshore from Sarasota. My first thought would be to search your neighborhood for a successful avocado tree. Avocado doesn't like flooding at all and salty water might be a deal breaker in which case you are stuck with a containerized tree disconnected from the salt. Best avocado growth will be with a lower water table than you have. The main soil available in SW Florida is sand which can be amended with compost. No matter what you should get that tree up at least 1 ft. or more from saturated soil, keep it well drained, fertilized, and well mulched to build the essential fine feeder root system it requires. Last year I lost a few Avocado trees from flooding even though they were on mounds nearly 2 feet high. Higher mounds means greater water loss during dry spells so mulch and water control is essential.

1623
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Jabo and dragon fruit
« on: May 11, 2018, 10:17:46 PM »
Yes, I believe they will flower on new growth which has matured recently. The most vertical stem in your picture is pointed at the end is an example of one which is in active growth. When they slow down these stems will become blunt rather than pointed and should be able to bloom. here is SW Florida DF are getting close to flowering, maybe within the next few months.

1624
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Question on cashews
« on: May 09, 2018, 07:30:40 AM »
This one isn't dwarf.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3g9cbvGRd4

1625
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Mango cv "Miel"
« on: May 08, 2018, 06:25:14 PM »
Ask for a photo of the fruit. Ataulfo mango has been re-branded to "Honey' mango for English speakers, but 'Honey' translates to "Miel' in Spanish.
 https://www.marthastewart.com/1513786/honey-mango-newest-fruit-really

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