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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 05, 2026, 04:41:35 PM »
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Folded, brown leaves on Caimito and Sapodilla
« on: November 02, 2025, 04:58:13 PM »
Anybody know what can be causing the leaves of my caimito and sapodilla trees to fold and turn brown (in South Florida), and how do I treat this?
I think it is a bug laying eggs, as some contain a bunch of hard, black pellets that look like chia seeds, but smaller.
Thanks
CAIMITO
SAPODILLA
I think it is a bug laying eggs, as some contain a bunch of hard, black pellets that look like chia seeds, but smaller.
Thanks
CAIMITO
SAPODILLA
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Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Any Interest in Carnivorous Plants for IPM?
« on: October 03, 2025, 05:16:00 PM »
How much to ship a small D. spatula and small D. capensis?
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: chempedak climate
« on: September 25, 2025, 05:44:57 PM »
Bobby and others have some opinions on growing Champedak in South Florida, starting at the 8:50 minute mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4CX6BSj7Vs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4CX6BSj7Vs
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Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: WTB: Juicy Pearl Star Apple
« on: September 23, 2025, 02:57:59 PM »
Can anyone reading this that have the Star Apples trees mentioned here (Juicy Pearl, Alva, etc.) or have tried the fruit, kindly give their opinions of them, especially those located in Florida?
How do they compare to the other ones commonly available in Florida? (Hipolito, Burgess, Jamaican Star and other green/purple, etc.)
I've not heard anyone describe Juicy Pearl.
I think Alva is from Australia, and not commonly available in Florida, so perhaps those that have tried Alva may not have access to Florida ones to make a comparison.
Thanks
How do they compare to the other ones commonly available in Florida? (Hipolito, Burgess, Jamaican Star and other green/purple, etc.)
I've not heard anyone describe Juicy Pearl.
I think Alva is from Australia, and not commonly available in Florida, so perhaps those that have tried Alva may not have access to Florida ones to make a comparison.
Thanks
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Salt-tolerant avocado seedling spotted in Miami
« on: September 18, 2025, 05:46:39 PM »
Maybe there is a little spring there diluting the salt, like this?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/590837305096578/posts/1737524480427849/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/590837305096578/posts/1737524480427849/
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: PBTFS Meeting at Mount's Botanical Garden August 7
« on: September 02, 2025, 04:57:16 PM »Is there a video link to the meeting?Paul of Fruitful Trees was there filming, so keep your eyes peeled for the vid to drop soon possibly. BTW, I was there for your Jaboticaba presentation last month. Good stuff.
No video on Paul's website yet.
Can anyone here that knows Paul convince him to post it?
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: I mowed the grass
« on: August 14, 2025, 03:23:13 PM »
I bought a Honda self-propelled gas push mower 13 years ago. On sale under $400.
I'm pretty lax (lazy) on oil and filter changes.
I've changed the blades once, don't remember why, and I changed the wheels because they were worn smooth.
It has not failed me for even 1 second in all that time.
I'm a bit jealous when I (don't) hear my neighbor mowing with his whisper-quiet electric, but I don't envy him when he eventually has to buy a new battery or has to wait to charge if he only has one battery.
If I run out of gas, I just fill and go.
And manufacturers are constantly changing battery chemistries and form, so who knows if a battery will be available for a new electric in a decade.
Some people will spend the $$$ on the luxuries that going electric affords, and they are happy with their decision.
The more frugal need more convincing and may benefit from estimating how often they will need a new battery, how much they cost and compare this to how much gas and ICE maintenance will cost.
Maybe my current setup is more $$$.
I haven't done the math because I don't need to spend the money right now, but I know I'm more happy when I spend a few bucks at a time on gas throughout the year than a big chunk on batteries.
I'm pretty lax (lazy) on oil and filter changes.
I've changed the blades once, don't remember why, and I changed the wheels because they were worn smooth.
It has not failed me for even 1 second in all that time.
I'm a bit jealous when I (don't) hear my neighbor mowing with his whisper-quiet electric, but I don't envy him when he eventually has to buy a new battery or has to wait to charge if he only has one battery.
If I run out of gas, I just fill and go.
And manufacturers are constantly changing battery chemistries and form, so who knows if a battery will be available for a new electric in a decade.
Some people will spend the $$$ on the luxuries that going electric affords, and they are happy with their decision.
The more frugal need more convincing and may benefit from estimating how often they will need a new battery, how much they cost and compare this to how much gas and ICE maintenance will cost.
Maybe my current setup is more $$$.
I haven't done the math because I don't need to spend the money right now, but I know I'm more happy when I spend a few bucks at a time on gas throughout the year than a big chunk on batteries.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Winter options? (beginner)
« on: August 13, 2025, 12:28:58 PM »
FYI:
This website has a Citrus forum that contains these two sections:
Citrus General Discussion
Cold Hardy Citrus
You may get more relevant advice for your questions there.
This website has a Citrus forum that contains these two sections:
Citrus General Discussion
Cold Hardy Citrus
You may get more relevant advice for your questions there.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Zill 40-26 Fruit
« on: July 31, 2025, 10:41:40 AM »
Your leaves are THAT clean in Coral Gables?
I'm about 15 miles away, not far from the ocean, and mine don't look like that.
I'm about 15 miles away, not far from the ocean, and mine don't look like that.
Coffee at sunrise - checking out leaf flush on Zill 40-26. ❤️
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Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Looking for Grafted Jackfruit Trees in South Florida.
« on: July 22, 2025, 10:11:26 AM »
I agree with the recommendations above.
Xain is a great place, but Lara Farms in the Redlands is closer to you, and he grafts several varieties.
Their website only shows 1gallon, but maybe he has some larger you can pick up.
https://larafarmsmiami.com/products/grafted-jackfruit-tree
Xain is a great place, but Lara Farms in the Redlands is closer to you, and he grafts several varieties.
Their website only shows 1gallon, but maybe he has some larger you can pick up.
https://larafarmsmiami.com/products/grafted-jackfruit-tree
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: White sapote cultivar reviews
« on: July 02, 2025, 11:07:02 AM »
Kaz,
You make some good points.
I have not given up on white sapote. I don't have much access to the fruit, and very few cultivars, so I still don't know what they are capable of, but I've had a few that made me realize they are worth growing. I planted two small trees in my front yard, and I plan to graft several cultivars to them when they get a bit bigger. They don't like it there, too windy, or something else, so they've been slow growing. I hope to have enough cultivars to explore their different tastes.
You make some good points.
I have not given up on white sapote. I don't have much access to the fruit, and very few cultivars, so I still don't know what they are capable of, but I've had a few that made me realize they are worth growing. I planted two small trees in my front yard, and I plan to graft several cultivars to them when they get a bit bigger. They don't like it there, too windy, or something else, so they've been slow growing. I hope to have enough cultivars to explore their different tastes.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: White sapote cultivar reviews
« on: July 01, 2025, 08:45:38 PM »Oh... husband is very sensitive to bitterness. This is what I was worried about for planting one. We put a surinam cherry in and it was bell pepper and pine finish. Horrible, imo. I haven't yanked it yet because I was told flavor improves with age...
Yes, I've heard some people say how much they love Surinam cherry and other tropical berries but never mention the "funk" that I taste. Yuk
So if possible, try to taste before you buy. Tastes differ. You may hate what others love, and some people will taste things in a fruit that you don't, or vice versa.
I've only had Redlands, Bonita Springs, Fruit Hunter, and a seedling White Sapote, so maybe I haven't tried the right ones, but I've never tasted anything remotely close to what others have said they taste, like banana, vanilla and caramel. They all give me the same generic White Sapote flavor with a slight, almost-lemon after taste. Maybe not ripe enough. One of the best I could remember was very, very ripe, all yellow. Much sweeter with no bitter, but it was also so mild it was hard to discern any flavor besides sweet.
Most of the bitternes is near the skin, so you can cut it off, but if you like tart, as I think you mentioned elsewhere, White Sapote has none.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Mango Fest 2025!!!
« on: July 01, 2025, 08:25:33 PM »
Something else happened to us at FMF 2025:
There was a booth near the entrance that advertised a chance to win a $250 Publix card if you entered your info into some tablets.
Just as many others were doing, my girlfriend entered her info. I was too distracted to focus on the situation.
Everyone must have been too focused on the "Win $250!" to realize it was not a Publix booth.
She got a call from a number with no caller ID asking how she liked the Mango Festival and mentioning something about Publix (not sure exactly, this is second-hand info).
They then tried to sell her a discounted rate at a resort near Disney - all she had to do was give them a credit card number so they could charge her around $120-150 for the privilege.
She declined, but then they started to pressure her, saying that she had signed up for it.
Maybe the FMF organizers would like to know this so they can vet the vendors better.
Even if it was our fault for being so gullible, there is no place for a vendor like that at a Mango Festival.
I didn't feel I had to be on constant guard at last year's FMF.
There was a booth near the entrance that advertised a chance to win a $250 Publix card if you entered your info into some tablets.
Just as many others were doing, my girlfriend entered her info. I was too distracted to focus on the situation.
Everyone must have been too focused on the "Win $250!" to realize it was not a Publix booth.
She got a call from a number with no caller ID asking how she liked the Mango Festival and mentioning something about Publix (not sure exactly, this is second-hand info).
They then tried to sell her a discounted rate at a resort near Disney - all she had to do was give them a credit card number so they could charge her around $120-150 for the privilege.
She declined, but then they started to pressure her, saying that she had signed up for it.
Maybe the FMF organizers would like to know this so they can vet the vendors better.
Even if it was our fault for being so gullible, there is no place for a vendor like that at a Mango Festival.
I didn't feel I had to be on constant guard at last year's FMF.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Mango Fest 2025!!!
« on: June 29, 2025, 08:58:58 PM »
I went, and frankly, I preferred last year's festival at Mounts.
I hope others that went give their honest opinions.
That's the only way this event can improve.
I hope others that went give their honest opinions.
That's the only way this event can improve.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: The Orlando Gardener's experiment with Lemon Zest
« on: June 19, 2025, 05:50:07 PM »I find the Orlando Gardener's youtube posts to be theraputic, plus he's nearby enough to me that I can learn from his central-florida techniques, and what does well here - even how to prepare for weather events! In a recent video he outlined plans to plant 12 LZ seeds to see if a new variety results, similar to how LZ itself came from Lemon Meringue.
Video link: https://youtu.be/U4v53lO3yY4?si=x3ZD3DyoiL_Kyu5U
My question is: how do you get new varieties? Some of the commenters to the video suggest grafting instead, but doesn't grafting ensure you get the SAME variety? And also: doesn't growing from seed risk you growing something completely different than the fruit the seed came from?
The answer I'm sure has something to do with mono vs. polyembriotic seeds, but does cross-pollination play a role also? Basically: do you agree with the methodology of the OG's experiment?
The commenters are saying to let the seedlings grow a bit and take cuttings from these seedlings and graft them onto a mature mango tree. The seedling material will grow probably grow and fruit faster due to the mature root system supporting them. And yes, he may "risk" growing something different, but that's his point, as the page says: "lemon zest is good let's see can we create something even better"
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My "Dwarf" Pickering Ain't So Dwarfy
« on: June 04, 2025, 08:57:51 PM »It happens. Some dwarf mango trees get big. Some vigorous mango varieties stay small. The rootstock, microclimate and other factors we don't know are all kind of a game of chance.
You could take the tree out and replace it with something like CeciLove that stays tiny.
Yes, I was counting on my CeciLove staying "tiny", but it has not cooperated.
In May 2022, I bought a small 1-gallon CeciLove and planted it September 2022.
Three years later, it's 7ft by 7ft.
It may be small, but not "tiny".
To Compare:
In June 2022, I bought a 7-gallon Pickering (it was small for a 7-gallon but big for a 3-gallon) and planted it December 2022.
Three years later, it's mostly 5ft tall and under 7ft wide.
I hardly fertilize, but if I do, they get equal amounts.
These two are planted just 14 feet away from each other.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Heading to Florida. Any great mango places to check out or experience?
« on: May 23, 2025, 03:39:30 PM »19
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Mango scions available:Bombay, Florigon $4 each Lemon Meringue, Lemon Zest $4.50
« on: April 22, 2025, 08:27:16 AM »
Got 4 scions from Vincent.
He sent me a tracking number almost immediately after sending payment, and I got my order fast.
Healthy scions nicely wrapped and well protected.
He sent me a tracking number almost immediately after sending payment, and I got my order fast.
Healthy scions nicely wrapped and well protected.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Palm Beach Tropical Fruit Society FIRST Meeting - March 6th, 2025
« on: March 07, 2025, 05:05:01 PM »Wish I lived closer. 😪
They have something like this in miami
There are Rare Fruit Councils designated to most counties in Florida...this is of no relation. First official meeting of a new group!
I understand it's of no relation but aren't you doing similar activities? Just curious
From my understanding the intention is to facilitate an improved, more inclusive, modern venue.
Maybe Julie was thinking of this, which is near Miami and also not a Rare Fruit Council:
Tropical Fruit & Vegetable Society of Redland
https://www.facebook.com/TFVSR/
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Garden Friendly Fungicide by Southern Ag
« on: February 23, 2025, 10:50:20 PM »
Seed Ranch will ship to Florida, 16oz for $18.34 (free shipping), cheaper than Amazon.
https://www.seedranch.com/Garden-Friendly-Fungicide-1-Pint-p/garden-friendly-fungicide-16.htm
https://www.seedranch.com/Garden-Friendly-Fungicide-1-Pint-p/garden-friendly-fungicide-16.htm
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: M4 mango - what could be going on with it?
« on: February 23, 2025, 07:49:35 PM »
deleted
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Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Venmo, zelle Paypal?
« on: January 28, 2025, 01:03:40 PM »
What kind of messed app would allow people to send money to people without an account? That's scummy. So the sender's money is held hostage? Maybe it's by design, forcing you to sign up for an account you don't want, hoping you will keep using it. The are owned by PayPal, which have also done scummy things. I don't like PayPal, but they are a necessary evil. They also own Honey, which are being sued for stealing commissions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc4yL3YTwWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc4yL3YTwWk
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Rat proofing fruit trees
« on: January 21, 2025, 03:13:41 PM »
I've read about corn gluten based rat poison (like Rat X) that is safer for predators.
I've never had to use, so don't know if it works.
I've never had to use, so don't know if it works.
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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My squirrel solution??
« on: January 06, 2025, 02:23:29 PM »It would have to be in the 30's for that to happen, and I think those days (nights) are gone forever. We'll have nights in the 40's next week in northeastern coastal Broward where I live. Nevertheless, I'll stay alert for falling iguanas with a machete in hand!I'm focusing on the squirrels after getting the iguanas under control. I've caught 3 in three days, using peanuts and hazelnuts as bait. Since my mango trees should have their first crop this summer, I want to get their numbers down substantially before summer. 50% of the mangos on my neighbor's large tree get ruined by them.
John,
There's a cold snap coming to Florida. So, won't a lot of the iguanas fall out of the trees in torpor diring that time?
Paul M.
==
John,
Did you get your iguanas under control using DIY methods? If so, care to share what worked for you?
Thanks