First time I had an opportunity to taste a perfectly ripe cushman mango, EXELLENT! Got the fruit from a tree at pine island, Erik said try this, wow, way underrated, definitely a must have for any collection. Can't understand why this tree is not heavily promoted.

Have a very good customer who has bought several fruit trees from me come by today. He has had an ongoing issue with his lawn service weed whacking the heck out of his fruit trees, after several attempts by the customer to get them to be more careful, he finally decided to pull the plug on the lawn service and fired them. Within one week all his fruit trees were either dead or dying, he begged me to come over and see what was going on, it was very obvious that his lawn guy decided to get even by pouring diesel fuel, on his trees and there is no doubt from the smell of the soil what was done. The customer flipped out said he would call the police and pursue this guy. I hated to tell him that the police would not lift a finger without a witness or proof positive and to be cautious of what accusations he makes cause that could create a legal issue for him. I guess cameras are worth the investment when you try to protect your trees and property. Really sad that 5years of work went out the window because of a dispute like this.

Anyone else experiencing these second and third stages of bloom not setting much fruit? Or is mother nature just messing with me??? Hmmmmmmmm, curious mind needs to know.

Recently I picked up a Mamey sapote cultivar from Lara nursery called Papa, anyone growing it or can tell me a little about it? Just liked the name so I said, what the heck.

Beginning March 1st, Bender's tropical Grove will be open to the public and forum members Wednesday,Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
It is with great pleasure to announce that I have taken a position with Pine Island Nursery in Miami to help run their retail sales. I am excited to be part
of a great team and will be working there every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8am to 4pm. I look at this as a way to expand my knowledge
in the field of tropical fruit trees and learn all aspects of the nursery business while helping Pine Island expand their retail operation and customer service.
I truly am excited for this opportunity and can't wait to get started. I will always be available 7 days a week should anyone have any needs or questions.
Look forward to seeing many of you either here at Bender's Grove, or at Pine Island Nursery! Thank you all for all the support you have given me here
At Bender's Tropical Grove! Mike  P.S. Patrick this is not spam!! haha!

I just came back from my neighbors 30th anniversary party,he planted a seed from his Carrie mango 3 1/2 years ago and the tree is about 8-9 ft tall and full of blooms and small mangoes,I never saw a seedling like this, I remember when he planted the seed we were at another party at his house and eating Carrie mangoes that were on his tree,and let's just say we had a couple of cold ones! What is the earliest anyone has ever had a seedling bloom? I am going back tomorrow and get some pics. I still can't believe it. pretty good party too!

We are having an abysmal mango crop,when many trees bloomed early we thought we were headed for a banner year,anything but,we still have trees trying to push new blooms but we are not very hopeful. We have many trees with just a few mangoes on the top part of the tree and none anywhere else,many trees have already dropped fruit and we haven't even had a single storm of any kind yet. Looking around town I see a vast majority of trees are doing the same. Looks to me like mangoes will be worth their weight in gold this summer.

I have a very good customer interested in purchasing a couple of Maha Chanok mango trees, I would be willing to purchase either size 2-3 or 2-7 gallon trees, please advise if anyone can help, not interested in paying stupid money but if fairly priced or any interest in a trade of some sort let me know. Thanks Mike

Just finished reading Noel's article in tropical fruit news by RFCI, great article,would love to go myself on one of those adventures,seems like everyone had a blast,great pics to!

A face book friend Chris Hind was gracious enough to let us post on our website, his collection of the pictures he took while touring the late Bill Whitman's Bal Harbour home. Chris took hundreds of pictures,of virtually everything at his home,especially the mangosteens.It is an honor to share these with everyone,Bill Whitman's legacy in the hobby of growing rare tropical fruits here in South Florida is unprecedented. To view the pictures click on to our website and it is titled on our web page,enjoy!
 http://www.bendersgrove.com

Ok ladies and gentlemen, I came across this seedling yesterday in my fruit tree hunting travels,who can tell me anything about this sapote?? And is it even worth growing? I have a whole $10 invested in this specimen and would like to know if I should have bought lottery tickets instead!

can someone give me an idea of the germination time for lemondrop mangosteen seeds,Thanks Mike