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 - nullzero

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 152
1
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 04, 2026, 02:46:27 PM »
Ok the bad news, looks like Vitex Doniana and Nauclea latifolia took big hits. If they live will be resprout from root zone. Some of the smaller mangoes look rough might loose a few mangoes. Same with the smaller coconuts some look like they are dying.

Good news is the larger coconuts and mangoes look like they handled it like a champ. Garcinia species like Lucs look like they took cold like champs as well.

I am definitely not at worse case scenario, just a reset on certain trees and some new future spots to replace. Will have good data now and proven survivors of 28F. I am just hoping the Nauclea latifolia cuttings I sold spread around and rooted in good homes.

2
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Your rarest or least grown Fruit.
« on: February 04, 2026, 02:26:28 AM »
Saba senegalensis, Saba comorensis, and Vitex doniana. Not sure how many of these survived 28f we will see.

3
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 04, 2026, 02:18:33 AM »
Thanks kapps, how cold was it? mid 20s F?

Your referring to my post? Low with closest stations was 27f. I believe parts of yard was closer to 28f low, microclimates could of pushed certain areas closer to 30f.

4
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 04, 2026, 12:38:34 AM »
I am actually kind of surprised how good some of the trees are looking after frost events.

One of the coconuts


Garcinia sp. From Thailand higher elevation and Psdium guineense. Some others such as Okrung Seedling mango with a Vitex cymosa next to it (looking frost burned on leaves). There is a Lemondrop garcinia I believe in background as well looks good.



So far only concerned on Nauclea latifolia and Duku. I have not seen Kwai Muk it was in less sheltered area though. I have really good microclimates in the yard which I believe helped greatly.

5
Cuttings came wrapped in grafting tape and in good condition. Thanks again Pau!

6
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 03, 2026, 01:34:58 AM »
Your in PSL west of 95? Looks like my mature coconuts will mostly survive, the younger ones may be dead. The mangoes looked good but I have not inspected yet in person.

I'm pretty far East, on the St. Lucie River and close to US-1. I thought the river/wetlands microclimate would help but it made no difference in this case. I can see the mature coconuts across the river in my neighbor's yard are turning brown as well.

I think the mature oaks, elevated lot, and groundwater flooding helped, 1/2 mi west of st lucie river. I won't know for sure yet but believe most mango and majority of the coconuts survived I have some cold tolerant genetics though. Nauclea latifolia looks fried but thicker branches near ground may survive.

I noticed lower elevation flat areas the temp stations were 1f lower. My hunch is the absolute low for large parts of yard was 28f for only about 2 hours. I should of had a digital thermometer setup. My soursop was looking rough but believe it may pull through.

7
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 02, 2026, 05:49:47 PM »
30F at 7am. Going to need an emotional support group after this.

Here's a hug from me. From what I can see out the windows, I'm afraid to go outside and see the full extent. All my coconuts turned brown, all the Mameys have dropped their leaves, and all the flowers and support plants are flattened to the ground. Even my neighbor's ornamental plants are brown and toasted. It's brutal out there.

Your in PSL west of 95? Looks like my mature coconuts will mostly survive, the younger ones may be dead. The mangoes looked good but I have not inspected yet in person.

8
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 02, 2026, 03:39:58 PM »
I have not been in yard to visually inspect. But the video call I did showed some following

Nauclea latifolia got hit hard all the leaves and none hardened growth got fried. I think may resprout from ground if it survives.

The mangoes look good I may not loose any. The coconuts look like a hit or miss.

Coconuts smaller younger ones sub 5 years look pretty bad. The older more mature ones look OK, I probably lost the weaker cold tolerance genetics.

Olosapo (Couepia polyandra) looks like the leaves got fried, not sure if it makes it unless the primary trunk is ok.

I have not seen the garcinia species or others yet. So far looks like worse case scenario is avoided. I may have upto 50% loss across collection depending on type of plant. I feel like may only lose like 1/3 of the fruit collection.

9
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: February 01, 2026, 10:14:20 AM »
Temps really nose dived after 3am. Looks like the nearest temperature station listed 26.8F. I am fairly confident the yard is coming in .5f or so 27f to 28f low. I am not worried to much about mature mangoes. I am more worried about soursop, coconut, duku, garcinia species, African peach, among others. Looks like will be devastating to a degree.

If most my mangoes and coconuts survive won't be a total wipe out. Crossing fingers the measures I did will protect the trees enough to recover.

10
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: January 31, 2026, 10:42:17 PM »
Most of Florida will go below 29F tonight & tomorrow night my prediction.

Next time i'll have gardenhose adapted to a lawn zone valve.
Sprinkler system i haven't used in yrs.  Got tired of caring for lawn that landscaper (a friend) always mows too short & kills anyway.

I would have it come on at 32f & run 2hrs.  Instead of mine running now since 5pm till i get my butt out there tomorrow & stop it.  Damn i'm not looking forward to that lol.

3f warmer already then predicted for area. Looks like models slightly overestimated the lows. If its above 36f by midnight should avoid worse case scenario being under 32f for hours.

11
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: January 31, 2026, 04:39:36 PM »
I have a raised mound area with a 3ft wall of soil depression around the Duku tree. The first 3 feet of the trunk will be protected from direct wind interaction.

Microclimate is still going to be true maybe not as effective. I have massive live oaks that block direct wind downstream. A house and masonry walls can block wind and retain heat. Canal on north side of home will help even with wind.

12
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: January 31, 2026, 02:25:43 PM »
We shall see said the blind man🙂

...as he picked up his hammer and saw.

Don't know why, but appears our little microclimate here is 1-2F lower than local posted temps, at least when its cold. Moved a sensor off the porch and into a couple of the mango tree branches. 5-6 feet off the ground read the same as the rooftop sensor.

Same is true in the other direction. On hot days, we typically read 1-2F higher than local posted temps.
[/quote]

I think im in the clear now, they revised the lows upto 29f now. Yard should definitely be above 32f. I have a pond now on the second lot with 4 inches of water temp of water 60s.

13
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 Cold Weather [Megathread]
« on: January 31, 2026, 10:54:13 AM »
Well this cold event looks pretty bad.
On optimistic side inground mango and coconut survived the 2010 freeze event as 5 year or so old trees.

I expect most trees will sail through this including the Duku. About 1/2 mile from river and 4ft to 5ft above average neighborhood grade. Have large mature oak trees with full canopies covering large sections of yard. Also flooding yard sections with 2 inches of water.

Microclimate wise should be 3f above surrounding areas in most parts of yard. 27f low expected should put yard about 30f low for maybe 2 hours. Ground level will be warmer than that.

14
Going to flood the second lot with groundwater. Will have it run for +4 hours. Start on Saturday.

15
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Land recommendations for south Florida
« on: January 27, 2026, 09:30:12 AM »
If you looking at PSL focus on areas near the river and east of the 95 and turnpike. Your more likely to find a better deal on a double lot at .5 acre.

16
I may have rooted cuttings soon from my fruiting plant. Message me back in 2 weeks.

17
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 tropical fruit & fruit goals
« on: January 03, 2026, 07:41:54 PM »
johnb51, what happened?! Got sick of the HOA?! I'm guessing your new place doesn't have an HOA?
It's a long story. (Try finding an affordable house in South Florida!  I would have gone a few counties north, where mango trees still grow.  I was outvoted.)  But the new place does have an HOA.  However, they're not the equivalent of the "Red Guards" of the last community, much more easy-going, and I do own my entire lot and can fence in the backyard.

St. Lucie county has good sales when the real estate market is soft. Lots of none HOA options in PSL and Ft. Pierce.

18
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 tropical fruit & fruit goals
« on: January 02, 2026, 01:56:46 AM »
I need to finish some grafting/air layering projects for my Dad. Specifically, I need to clean up and finish some of the projects I started last year like top working his big male mulberry. It's got 4 varieties now: Bryce's World's Best Himalayan FSP, DMOR 9, and Australian Green. I'll probably add Black Pakistan and Thai Dwarf. Maybe I'll add Skinner if I make time to get bud wood. He also has some stone fruit that he wants me to graft. I may try a Capulin to Cherry Laurel just for the fun of it. He also has a bunch of annonas that he wants on Pond Apple rootstock (via a Cherilata interstem) so that he can plant them on the bank of his pond.

DMOR9 is really good, my friend said skip Bryce was unimpressed. Chiang Mai 60, Tice, and Skinner are all excellent. Thai everbearing ok flavor but amazing production.

Thanks for the recommendations! I was trying to focus on top tier varieties that produce well in Florida (oddly enough I don't know if DMOR 9 will fruit here 🤔). Bryce's and TD were trees that I had been given that needed a home but I did not want to dedicate a whole tree. 😆 I was hoping that they might give some fruit off season of the really good ones or at least distract the birds.😂 I did not realize that Tice was that good. I should add it to my list.

My friend is in Florida and swears that Tice has larger fruits and the best flavor. Also Austurkey is really good as well.

19
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 tropical fruit & fruit goals
« on: January 01, 2026, 03:55:51 PM »
I need to finish some grafting/air layering projects for my Dad. Specifically, I need to clean up and finish some of the projects I started last year like top working his big male mulberry. It's got 4 varieties now: Bryce's World's Best Himalayan FSP, DMOR 9, and Australian Green. I'll probably add Black Pakistan and Thai Dwarf. Maybe I'll add Skinner if I make time to get bud wood. He also has some stone fruit that he wants me to graft. I may try a Capulin to Cherry Laurel just for the fun of it. He also has a bunch of annonas that he wants on Pond Apple rootstock (via a Cherilata interstem) so that he can plant them on the bank of his pond.

DMOR9 is really good, my friend said skip Bryce was unimpressed. Chiang Mai 60, Tice, and Skinner are all excellent. Thai everbearing ok flavor but amazing production.

20
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 tropical fruit & fruit goals
« on: January 01, 2026, 02:05:03 PM »
2026 goals:

More seeds, more trees, more land, and more fruiting. Grow less grafted and more seedlings. Cull weak and inferior fruiting plants.

21
nullzero, thanks for the link, I bought 5 seeds. How good is the germination on these?

I need to come visit you and get a few scions so I can graft it to my other guava trees. Text me and let me know what day is good. I have a special Honey pomelo fruit for you.

It's been a while since I germinated it. I believe greater than 50%.

22
Does the fruit taste any good? If not, then why would you want to grow it.

Yeah it's reported to be tastier then a lot of Psidium species. Was selected by a farmer in Brazil who grows it locally for fruit.
https://www.bellamytrees.com/seeds/p/psidium-ssp-folha-larga-e-crassa

23
Yes I am growing it as well, mine is a lot larger I have it in a 20 gal clay pot.

24
Hello,
How does it taste?
Thanks

Bellamy listed it as "fruits are exceptionally sweet, with a flavor remarkably similar to condensed milk. They're juicy, free of latex, and have no astringency—offering a pure, rich sweetness that stands out even among cultivated varieties."

Sounds like a good fruit to me.

25
Thanks for the extra 2 cuttings

No problem good luck.

I have probably the only 3 of these plants in containers in the entire state of Arkansas. I am pretty sure they went briefly below 32 F with leaf damage. I didn't take notes but I recall I decided I wasn't going to let this one get below freezing or close to it again.

I also tried growing Nauclea xanthoxylon, but my larger container tree died when the temps got into the low 30s. It appeared that Nauclea xanthoxylon has less cold tolerance than at least the Nauclea latifolia strain I grow.

I noticed there was a newer video posted about the fruit from weirdfruitexplorer. https://youtu.be/Q1S5AiV6IQo?t=423&si=4bXeJ8n1RMktq626

The taste, color, and texture of the fruit from my trees is closer to what they describe in the video from the fruit they tried at Heltons. I am not sure of original source for Helton's strain.

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 152