Author Topic: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?  (Read 6418 times)

MarkoS

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When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« on: April 24, 2014, 02:36:18 PM »
I have a five year old macadamia tree purchased from cutting that has only produced five nuts in the last year.  It was already over 15 feet tall so I cut it back to a "manageable" height.  Another tree that I planted five feet away two years ago already had flowers in late March.  I'm still waiting for the older larger tree to flower.  Did I miss the "flowering" window?  I monitor the tree regularly and have yet to see the small white flowers I'm expecting.

bsbullie

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2014, 02:50:31 PM »
Should have already flowered.  Do you know the variety?   It could have pink or white flowers,  depending on the variety.   Also, trying to keep the tree small will be a losing battle.  Macadamia are large trees.
- Rob

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2014, 05:51:12 PM »
my dana white already has quarter size fruit on it. Also, bushy tail rats are already stripping the tree.

bsbullie

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2014, 05:55:24 PM »
my dana white already has quarter size fruit on it. Also, bushy tail rats are already stripping the tree.
Mine too and mine too...my tree is in my front yard and I basically treat it as an ornamental tree.  Wife loves it...
- Rob

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2014, 12:50:53 PM »
It is a pretty tree.   I checked last night and all under the tree are empty macadamia shells from bushy-tail rat.   It sucks. I just about give up ever getting nuts from the tree.  It is prolific, but the squirrels take them before ready to pick. 

gunnar429

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2014, 12:53:54 PM »
Have you tried using a net? 
~Jeff

"Say you just can't live that negative way, if you know what I mean. Make way for the positive day." - Positive Vibration

bsbullie

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2014, 12:56:02 PM »
Have you tried using a net?
Squirrels would have no problem chewing right through the net.  Those nuts are their livelihood.
- Rob

gunnar429

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2014, 01:11:00 PM »
very well, then.  an electrified net  ;)
~Jeff

"Say you just can't live that negative way, if you know what I mean. Make way for the positive day." - Positive Vibration

bsbullie

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2014, 01:13:04 PM »
very well, then.  an electrified net  ;)

Or the same .22 that is used to knock off the mockingbird.
- Rob

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2014, 01:31:12 PM »
My macadamia came out of flowering about a month ago. Flowering time can be variable and I have had multiple bloomings in some years.
Harry
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Central Floridave

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2014, 02:20:16 PM »
I've tried everything with the bushy-tail rats.  I have stood right under the tree with my pellet gun shooting them and they do not care. Macadamia is like a drug to them. I get them, but can't guard the tree all day.   During mango season I go a little more ballistic and go after them.  But, the macadamia, eh...too hard to crack open anyway.  I'm thinking of getting rid of the tree as I never get any nuts. 

MarkoS

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2014, 08:59:37 AM »
I've actually got all three.  Dana White, Beaumont, and Arkin Papershell.  I planted the Papershell last year and the Dana Whilte to years ago.  The Beaumont's been in the ground for five years without a significant nutting.  I found one nut in the middle of the tree but within a few days it was gone.  Probably one of the many squirrels. 

I've never noticed any flowers except on the Dana White.  But as I only saw four flower stalks I cut them to focus on tree growth rather than the one or two nuts.

crazyforcherimoya

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #12 on: August 02, 2014, 12:18:38 AM »
Have space for 1 only. Which one of the 3 varieties available at excalibur (arkin papershell, dana white and beaumont) would you recommend? Thanksk

bsbullie

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #13 on: August 02, 2014, 12:26:51 AM »
Have space for 1 only. Which one of the 3 varieties available at excalibur (arkin papershell, dana white and beaumont) would you recommend? Thanksk

Honestly they are pretty much equal.   I would just go with the specimen that you like the looks of better. The Beaumont haspink flowers but the nuts are said to not be as sweet.
- Rob

crazyforcherimoya

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #14 on: August 02, 2014, 07:16:11 AM »
Thanks Rob - I just read that macademia trees are not salt tolerant and I live in Miami Beach....

Do you happen to have one? And how does it perform for you? You appear to be also close to the ocean. Cheers

Das Bhut

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #15 on: April 04, 2015, 08:24:46 AM »
Instead of making a new thread for just this question I'll ask it here: do you think that our alkaline soil is why macadamia don't fruit that well here?

From the sea

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #16 on: April 04, 2015, 09:18:19 AM »
Ether that or the colder winters, There are two trees at Grimal grove that are flowering heavy and covered with nuts, but they are in deep, rich soil,  and about 1/2 mile from the bay.

strkpr00

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #17 on: April 04, 2015, 09:25:59 AM »
Mine is having multiple blooms, some ripe enough for the squirrels to enjoy this week, it is also flowering. This tree is pretty much a squirrel feeder as I get about 2-3 cups of processed nuts when it is all said and done.

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #18 on: April 04, 2015, 09:27:59 AM »
Glad I dont have them evil fuzzballs here 

strkpr00

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #19 on: April 04, 2015, 09:42:23 AM »

I do not think I ever had this range of flower to nut.
Anybody want to guess the variety? It is unknown to me.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2015, 09:47:43 AM by strkpr00 »

Das Bhut

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Re: When do South Florida Macadamia Flower?
« Reply #20 on: April 04, 2015, 11:12:00 AM »

I do not think I ever had this range of flower to nut.
Anybody want to guess the variety? It is unknown to me.

beaumont has pink flowers like that