Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - W.

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 27
1
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Best "Groundcovers" for Pots-
« on: July 23, 2024, 02:30:09 AM »
No love for the humble strawberry, I see. :(

I think Midyim Berry will get too tall for your purpose. Nearly every photo I've seen shows it as a small bush, not a groundcover.

If you don't mind something inedible, I would recommend cinquefoil, specifically a native species such as common cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex). I have it in my yard. Like our native violet species, it can be classified as a native "invasive" as it holds its own against bermudagrass, ground ivy, and most other ground plants that shouldn't be here. Various cinquefoil species are also used in alternative and Chinese medicine for different ailments, so you can cheat and call it a "useful" plant in that regard.

2
Key lime is one of the quickest citrus to fruit from seed. Three years is the often cited, but that varies wildly based on climate and other conditions. I did not fruit Key lime in three years from seed, though I did get a couple of flowers after four years, which I considered a triumph considering it was grown in a container. The tree was too small to hold fruit, and I did not want it expending the energy flowering.

Key lime is true to seed and can be kept small when grown from seed, both of which are qualities not shared by all citrus. So, if you are willing to wait for it to mature or cannot source a quality grafted or cutting-grown tree, Key lime is a citrus you can grow from seed successfully.

3
I can help you out with that. I have a couple of larger, more established plants that I can sell. I'll get back to you with measurements and a price.

4
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Bananas.org dead?
« on: July 15, 2024, 06:18:58 PM »
That is the worst site ever. Between the slow load speeds, site crashing for days at a time and ads, ads,ads. It is horrible. This site needs a banana section so bananas.org can die.

Bill

Is there enough Banana interest to make a Banana section? We made a Citrus Section after one of the Citrus forums had issues.

We've never monetized this site because we hate ads as much as everyone else.

Glad that this site has never been inundated with ads.

I'm not sure whether a banana section would be a good addition. The one many people seem to clamor for is a mango section.

5
I think with proper management they could be fine long-term.

I think that is the key with everything. Water, energy, land, everything. We are pretty wasteful in the U.S., based on our history of being a large country that is a land of plenty. Private citizens and corporations generally fail at managing the environment for long-term (or often even true short-term) benefits. Then the federal government steps in and almost always makes things even worse with poorly thought-out regulations. If we had proper management, we would not be in the mess we are. But, we don't and probably won't, sorry to say.

6
I wonder how long before this thread is locked. ::)

Until it is, take a look at Oregon's controversial enforcement of its farming and water regulations and the predictable conflict that arose from their actions this Spring:
"As Oregon enforces its water use requirements, small farmers face the consequences" by Nathan Wilk, March 13, 2024, Oregon Public Broadcasting: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/13/oregon-enforces-water-rights-small-farmers-feel-consequences/
"Small Farms in Oregon Suffer as New CAFO Definitions Threaten Livelihoods" by Tyler James, March 25, 2024, That Oregon Life: https://thatoregonlife.com/2024/03/small-farms-in-oregon-suffer-as-new-cafo-definitions-threaten-livelihoods/
"Oregon’s agriculture department reverses ‘burdensome’ requirement on small dairy farms" by  Alejandro Figueroa, March 25, 2024, Oregon Public Broadcasting: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/25/oregon-department-of-agriculture-withdraws-requirements/

As Galatians522 said, quoting President Ronald Reagan, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.'" They have been in a particularly helpful mood lately, so watch out.

7
I too read about this earlier today. The species is the Key Largo tree cactus (Pilosocereus millspaughii) for those interested. It appears, based on the article, that the plant readily reproduces in cultivation, which is a positive. However, development, storms, and climate change have combined to destroy any suitable habitat in the Florida Keys. There wasn't much to begin with, and those things have wiped it out. Of note is that the Key Largo tree cactus is only one of eight cacti species found in the Keys, three of which are endemic to the islands. Those other species will likely follow this fate of this one; though at least it still survives in the wild in the Caribbean.

Here is the link to the original Florida Museum article: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/first-local-extinction-in-the-u-s-due-to-sea-level-rise/ and the PDF of the Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas article: https://journals.brit.org/jbrit/article/view/1350/1361.

8
Price drop on these plants.

9
Bump. Anyone who orders these plants tonight or tomorrow can have them shipped on Monday.

10
Subscriber number 159.

11
A bump ahead of the weekend. Still some great plants for sale.

12
Glad to hear that people are having success growing the Psidium striatulum seeds they bought from me.

13
Congratulations!

14
I thought all the known tropical fruit trees of the world were mentioned on Bellamy Trees website.

I’m not even close...

I'm probably no closer to knowing all the fruiting species out there than you are. There are over a thousand species in the genus Eugenia, and Pouteria has a couple hundred more. Imagine having 500 species of Eugenia in your collection and knowing that you are less than halfway to owning all of them!

Kameron has offered some, probably all of these. Several sellers (Bellamy, Anderson, Hapa Joe, etc.) offered an incredible amount of new species last year, as Brazil made seed exports possible for the first time in years. As long as that remains the case, we will see dozens of new species being introduced to the US annually, at least for several more years.

You should check out the Useful Tropical Plants website: https://tropical.theferns.info/. As of this post, their database currently lists 12727 species of edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful species.

15
hgfmh iigu oiiihoiuglig gigg jjgu fugtfuk.k jhjg,jugvj,gg

Good to know. I will keep that in mind. ;D

16
When I started up-potting my plants last month, I realized that I would need to deaccession a few more plants from the collection, so I am selling off these extra plants. Most of these plants are relatively recent introductions to the US and are sometimes hard to find. These plants have been grown entirely organically (no Osmocote, unlike some of my other plants). These plants stayed healthy through the winter like champs (admittedly in a warm room with a grow light) and are now starting to put on some new growth. Most of these plants are likely root-bound and need to be up-potted, which you should probably do once they become acclimated to your growing area.

These plants have all been grown indoors under a plant light (they were taken outside into the sun only for the purpose of photographing them). They should be introduced to full sun conditions very gradually to prevent any leaf burn or other damage, particularly to their new growth.

These plants will be shipped using USPS Priority Mail with the shipping costs based on the size, weight, number of plants ordered, and buyer location. I will do what I can to save you money on shipping costs by making these plants as compact as possible for shipping without damaging them. They will not be shipped bare root; they will be shipped in their container with potting soil, as pictured (unless otherwise stated). I do not ship internationally. Buyers in California, Arizona, and Hawaii purchase plants at your own risk; I am not responsible if they are confiscated. I prefer shipping plants on Mondays to prevent them sitting in USPS facilities over the weekend.

I accurately describe and securely pack all my plants, as can be attested to by the various Forum members who have bought from me in the past.

Payment through PayPal.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Scientific Name (Common Name) – Number of Seedlings Available – Seedling Size (Pot Height Not Included) – Seedling Age – Price Per Plant
Also included is where I purchased the seeds.


Diospyros inconstans (Marmelinho) – 1 – 4” tall – about 1 year – $30
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.


Eugenia caipora (Spicy Loquat) – 1 – 4” tall – about 1 year – $30
Purchased from Hapa Joe.


Eugenia monosperma (Cambucá-preto) – 1 – 6” tall – about 1 year – $35
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.
 

Myrciaria floribunda (Rumberry/Guavaberry) Group Pot – 5 plants in 1 pot – 3"-8" tall – varying in age, averaging 2 years – Sold as a Group – $50
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.
Note that these photographs were taken last Fall, the plants have grown a couple of inches but otherwise look the same.


Pouteria laevigata – 1 – 8” tall – about 1 year – $30 SOLD
Purchased from Bellamy Trees.
The pot is labeled Peritassa laevigata while the label and listing was for Pouteria laevigata. When I contacted Kameron Bellamy about this discrepancy, he assured me that the plant is Pouteria laevigata.


Pouteria pachycalyx (Bapeba) – 1 – 5” tall – about 1 year – $30
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.
Critically endangered species which should be grown more widely to guard against its limited habitat being destroyed.


Pouteria procera (Macarandiba) – 1 – 11” tall – about 1 year – $35
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.


Sarcaulus brasiliensis – 1 – 6” tall – about 1 year – $35
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.


Tapura amazonica – 1 – 8” tall – about 1 year – $40 SOLD
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.


Vitex cymosa (Taruma-do-Igapo/Taruma-do-alagado/Jaramantaia/Azeitona do mato/Tarumã do Brejo) – 1 – 16” tall – about 1 year – $30
Purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.

17
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Tree Labeling
« on: April 30, 2024, 04:14:16 PM »
There is a long thread about this on the Forum (titled "tree labeling", link here: https://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=2337.0) where most of this has already been discussed.

One thing I will point out again is that the labels and wire should be made of the same material to prevent galvanic corrosion. Unlike many growers, Steph has the right idea with his labels, as both are stainless steel. I like the coiled wire idea, as well; it will be interesting to see if it does expand properly with the tree's growth.

18
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: What are you doing in 2024?
« on: April 28, 2024, 12:40:07 PM »
Up-potting my existing plants while trying to resist the siren's song of buying more plants (that I don't have room for).

19
Nice to see a tour of your place, Brian. Hopefully, your Uvaria holds its fruit. I'm looking forward to updates about that.

20
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Lujan Jaboticaba - 7b in Ground Test
« on: April 22, 2024, 02:39:13 PM »
RIP Luján Jaboticaba. That's what will be written after one winter of your experiment. As a fellow zone 7b grower, I can say that it is the acme of foolishness to grow a jaboticaba, even what is considered to be a hardy one, outdoors in our climate. Our last two winters would have killed it. At my location, in December 2022, the temperature stayed below freezing for 90 consecutive hours, dropping down to a low of 4 °F. This past winter, in January 2024, the temperature stayed below freezing for about 130 consecutive hours, popping above freezing for one afternoon, then spending the next 3 days below freezing. The low during that cold snap was 0 °F, at my location; at other nearby locations it dropped below zero. Both these deep freezes were accompanied by snow, ice, and mind-numbingly cold winds.

No jaboticaba can withstand such conditions, as much as I would wish it to be otherwise. In fact, these past two winters are why I have cancelled my plans to try zone pushing Psidium longipetiolatum, one of the hardier Psidiums. If I had planted them outside either of the last two years, they would have frozen dead in the winter, even with a relatively good microclimate at the southeastern corner of my house.

Now, if you are hell for leather on growing a Luján Jaboticaba outdoors, regardless of advice to the contrary, here is what I would advise you to do. It must be planted in the most opportune microclimate you can possibly create. That involves completely protecting it from both north and west winds, our prevailing winter winds. Six- to eight-foot tall masonry walls would do the trick, with the jaboticaba planted close to those walls, allowing it to absorb as much heat as possible being reflected off the masonry. The walls should be painted white or similar light color to reflect as much heat as possible. The plant should also be placed on a south facing slope, neither at the bottom of the slope, nor at the top. This prevents it from being exposed to as much wind as it would be at the top and as much pooled cold air as it would be at the bottom. A hardy, evergreen companion plant should be planted adjacent to it, something that will cover it with a protecting canopy in the winter without shading it out in the summer. Or, if that is not an option, create a system that will allow you to mimic that canopy by easily covering it during deep freezes with frost cloth, greenhouse plastic, or whatever will protect it from the worst of the cold. If you do all of those things, you might be able to successfully grow a Luján Jaboticaba outdoors.

Or not.

21
I also have two plants that I bought from BellamyTrees at about the same time. Mine are smaller and have yet to show any signs of flowering, though I know now to keep an eye on them.

22
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Whitewashing trees
« on: January 09, 2024, 07:08:59 PM »
I paint my Asimina triloba.
Thinned latex paint. There are a couple of “natural” tree paint products out there but I haven’t used those.

Good to see you back here on the Forum!

23
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Whitewashing trees
« on: January 09, 2024, 12:56:28 AM »
Whitewash is traditionally made of either hydrated lime or chalk. Milk paint is similar, but it can be made of lime or borax. I would never put latex paint on trees. You're just spraying plastic on your trees, though you're far from the only person doing so. Still, not what I want on my fruit trees; I can buy plenty of chemical-infused produce at the grocery.

24
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Exotica Nursery Closing Down?!
« on: January 08, 2024, 10:13:48 PM »
That's too bad. Considering how long the nursery has been in business, you would have thought at some point he would have bought that land. I understand that land in California is very expensive, but still, if you don't own something, it's not yours. And if it's not yours, that means someone else can take it from you.

25
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: figs!!!! an underated fruit
« on: January 07, 2024, 08:12:11 PM »
I'm not sure I would call figs underrated, but there isn't an inordinate amount of fig posts on this forum because there are dedicated fig forums such as Ourfigs. I would say that mangos and jaboticabas dominate this forum; there aren't dedicated forums to those fruits, so Tropical Fruit Forum is the place for those growers to congregate. That being said, there is no reason not to post more about figs here.

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 27
SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk