The Tropical Fruit Forum

I have mamoncillo, chenna, sri gudang, nam cem in the ground that took 40 without leaf damage or set back. They are growing in the best soil, get irrigation, routine manure applications, etc... Meanwhile bilimbi froze to the ground, but wasn't getting irrigated. It eventually came back.

Species in pots did generally worse. Severe leaf damage but had some % survival rate: Theobromo bicolor 50%, cacao, coloc 80%, marang 50%,  cambuca, malay apple. I had no issues with any of the 15-20 abiu seedlings in pots. Species that had 100% death rate: Theobromo grandiflorum, artocarpus sericarpus

There is something to be said about cultural practices. One of the big reasons I decided to grow in a way that maximizes soil fungal populations are the studies documenting mycorrhizal fungi associations and cold tolerance benefits.

I have a similar mix of hardwood hammock upland, swampier wetlands, and in between but it's all sandy soils. I think this was hinted at, but you need organic carbon in the soil, especially to maintain trees in sandy soil without irrigation. Sandy soil is naturally nutrient poor, and it's not going to support much on it's own especially if it's been degraded with mowing and chemicals. You can apply all the chemicals you want, but it's no where near as good for long term low maintenance soil/plant health as an organic approach that prioritizes increasing soil organic carbon. Pioneer species, fruiting or not, that will start putting roots/root exudates and soil organic carbon in the soil is the easiest way. I increased my soil organic carbon by 25%, as verified by soil test, in 18 months, just letting the weeds grow and not mowing. Trees do just fine growing in weeds, it's how they evolved. The whole "competing vegetation" is a myth in my opinion. Soil only being able to handle low volume of species is a symptom of poor soil health. Just like higher quality veg garden soil supports closer spacings.

I've started using organically chelated micros to manage some nutrient deficiencies, but increasing soil organic carbon to hold water/nutrients and get biology started is the first step. Planting out your acreage is a massive undertaking, not sure if you want to do things commercially, but if this is just for you, I would look at concentrating all your inputs into a smaller area. Planting trees/plants near each other food forest style is going to be a quicker way to establish trees and provide a microclimate for marginal species you are pushing the zone with. I wouldn't give up on mangos. Seed grown, planted in multispecies protected setting, that you later topwork will give you the best chance. Best of luck

Hi there, I've had some trouble growing this species, any tips on growing this. I'm thinking I overwater, but any insights into it's native conditions may help.

That Syzygium is beautiful, have you tried the fruit?

Yea it's stunning, I haven't tried the fruit yet. You can eat the young purple leaves raw but haven't tried that either.

I followed all yalll!

@fruitjunglefarm

About to plant these, please let me know if interested

What do the fruits taste like? Thanks in advance...

These were imported, so I haven't tried fruit.

Most people are allergic to the sap, and its genetic. I'm mildly allergic to skin and sap, so i just have to be careful when I eat them. For my girl, i just rubbed a small amount of mango puree on the sensitive underside of her arm, waited for a while, didn't see anything so fed her a small amount of puree. She handled it fine and now Im perfectly comfortable giving he any amount of puree.

If you want to go ham, there is this...
https://www.backpacker.com/skills/universal-edibility-test/

Hi Joe,

I have three. I got the seeds from Huertas. Let me know if you want.

https://postimg.cc/YhHxsg1j

I've been growing a couple seedlings for about 2 years now. They seem to not like higher pH, both get chelated iron treatments from time to time. I have them in shade. There is a fruiting specimen down in the Florida keys (Grimal Grove), and even after Adolf passed away in 1995, the tree survived 15 years of neglect and is still fruiting and looking healthy, so can survive annual dry period once established.

Between sunday night and monday, we got dumped on out here in Loxahatchee. The forecast says plenty more on the way so I took the day off work to plant trees.

MameyDisco, Are you getting my PM's I sent cash, but no response...?

My A. spinescens is holding up on par with my A. montana and A. cherimola.

I second this on A. spinescens, also my illamas and atemoyas are ok. I only got to 39F this year so far..