Author Topic: Caimito  (Read 5788 times)

luc

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Caimito
« on: November 13, 2012, 09:50:21 AM »
What's the problem with my caimitos , still no fruit or flowering after close to 8 years ( at 300 meters above sea level , 20 degrees north ) trees that were planted at sea level have been fruiting for 4 - 5 years now.
Luc Vleeracker
Puerto Vallarta
Mexico , Pacific coast.
20 degrees north

tabbydan

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2012, 10:54:06 AM »
Put a chainsaw next to the tree... and see if that helps motivate it ;)

or on a more serious note you could try grafting some budwood (from a tree that has fruited) on.... if that doesn't work it sounds like your elevation is the problem (probably it is cooler at 300m up).

Good luck
What's that got to do with Jose Andres $10 brussel sprouts?

bsbullie

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2012, 11:55:40 AM »
You should be finebat that elevation as they have been known to produce at higher elevations in the Caribbean.

The chainsaw threat is not a bad idea.

In all seriousness, I have seen others have a similar issue with mature trees not fruiting in areas where they should be.
- Rob

nullzero

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2012, 12:41:49 PM »
I was thinking maybe you could stress the tree into flowering. Prune it back (a good amount) and give it some Potassium fertilizer. Might try girdling the tree as well.
Grow mainly fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

luc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2012, 02:05:30 PM »
I was thinking maybe you could stress the tree into flowering. Prune it back (a good amount) and give it some Potassium fertilizer. Might try girdling the tree as well.

I pruned it drastically a few months ago , will try the potassium .
Luc Vleeracker
Puerto Vallarta
Mexico , Pacific coast.
20 degrees north

bsbullie

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2012, 02:47:52 PM »
How big is the tree?  If you pruned it drastically, how would it be able to fruit?  Unless i am missing something, wouldn't it have to flush back out to fruit?
- Rob

Mike T

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2012, 04:29:13 PM »
At 15 to 18 latitude here they produce just as well at 700m and higher as on the coast.They do however need a dry climate (less than 1800mm/yr) when high up.

nullzero

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2012, 05:01:27 PM »
How big is the tree?  If you pruned it drastically, how would it be able to fruit?  Unless i am missing something, wouldn't it have to flush back out to fruit?

After the flush hardens off, it could push the tree into fruiting next season.
Grow mainly fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

BMc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2012, 05:06:16 PM »
8yrs for a seedling purple/green is not that unusual. Heck, some grafteds can take 4-5. If it was a pink I'd be worried!
The other option is to prune back super hard, fertilise with glyphosate and plant a new tree grafted from the other fruiting ones you have, or stump the big one and graft the shoots.
A friend has one that he keeps well pruned, but still stands about 6m tall and at least that wide, which often gives heavy crops of small seedless fruit in addition to the regular ones.

siafu

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2012, 05:42:05 PM »
What's the problem with my caimitos , still no fruit or flowering after close to 8 years ( at 300 meters above sea level , 20 degrees north ) trees that were planted at sea level have been fruiting for 4 - 5 years now.

Luc, it is a well know fact that coastal Caimit@s are easy, whereas those from the highlands
require the assurance of long term commitment before giving away the goodies...
Sérgio Duarte
Algarve, Portugal

--Vale sempre a pena, quando a alma não é pequena!

luc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2012, 06:20:59 PM »
How big is the tree?  If you pruned it drastically, how would it be able to fruit?  Unless i am missing something, wouldn't it have to flush back out to fruit?

One of them was 5 plus meter tall and wide , i took of about 2 meters and removed some branches , to give more light to other trees .....
Luc Vleeracker
Puerto Vallarta
Mexico , Pacific coast.
20 degrees north

luc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2012, 06:34:11 PM »
I'll know in a few more months , usually at sea level they have fruit in March
Luc Vleeracker
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Mexico , Pacific coast.
20 degrees north

Mike T

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2012, 10:06:32 PM »
BMc if you have been fertilizing heavily with glyphosate I would be very surprized if the trees have a healthy glow about them.I suggest a brew with a bit of superphosphate, high potassium sulphate and a few micronutrients and it will be bustin loose in no time.A bit of water with-holding could also help the motivation of the tree.Opening the canopy to sunshine can help also and when they start they really become good fruiters.

BMc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2012, 11:30:10 PM »
Yes, glypho fertiliser is code for killing the ass dragger and replacing with something grafted. Of course, this COA is only for trees that grow 40ft tall before fruiting, providing for bats, but not humans.

Mike T

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2012, 02:45:02 AM »
Sorry BMc I can't believe I missed that.

luc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #15 on: November 14, 2012, 01:32:51 PM »
BMc if you have been fertilizing heavily with glyphosate I would be very surprized if the trees have a healthy glow about them.I suggest a brew with a bit of superphosphate, high potassium sulphate and a few micronutrients and it will be bustin loose in no time.A bit of water with-holding could also help the motivation of the tree.Opening the canopy to sunshine can help also and when they start they really become good fruiters.


Mike , I live in a place where no such things are available , we only fertilize with natural stuff , cow , horse , goat , bat sh..., triple 16 is the only common fertilizer .
Luc Vleeracker
Puerto Vallarta
Mexico , Pacific coast.
20 degrees north

Mike T

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2012, 02:52:31 PM »
luc that does make it hard as potash and micronutrient powder are potent fruiting stimulants just as magnesium and sulphur can improve fruit taste.Often there is a micronutrient or two deficient in the soil that with a little additive correction can lead to fruiting.

BMc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #17 on: November 14, 2012, 05:30:50 PM »
Wood ash?

luc

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #18 on: November 14, 2012, 06:24:25 PM »
Luc Vleeracker
Puerto Vallarta
Mexico , Pacific coast.
20 degrees north

Guanabanus

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Re: Caimito
« Reply #19 on: November 14, 2012, 09:44:19 PM »
Faeces tends to be low in Potassium, since most of that is wasted through urine.
Har