The Tropical Fruit Forum

An Aldi stored opened in our neighborhood a few weeks ago.  Right now they're selling Hass avocados (from Mexico) for 29 cents each--just the thing to get us through the spring, if that price holds up!

Does anyone have experience with more than one variety grafted on to an avocado tree?  Is this procedure generally successful?  I was thinking it would be nice to add an additional variety to each of the three trees I currently have.

http://eatinglocalinthetropics.blogspot.com/2012/01/who-says-hass-avocados-dont-grow-in.html

I think it would be worthwhile if someone with grafting skills (Jeff, Carlos, Jason, Har, Noel, Mike?) contacted the author and tried to get some scion wood from this tree to produce additional trees.  It sounds like a great addition to the Hass collection in Florida.  Otherwise, one of these days the gardeners at the senior community are going to chop it down because senior communities don't allow fruit trees!

We purchased some avocados that had light stripes running the length of the fruit.  I believe this is a characteristic of Miguel.  Do any others have this characteristic?  Whatever variety they are, they were picked way too early, as they were totally watery without any oil content--not too appetizing!  Would a South Florida grower actually pick and sell Miguel avocados at the end of June, or could this be a different (not too good) variety?

What do Neelam mangos look like when they're ready to be picked?  The ones on my tree have turned yellow on the top (maybe 10%?), but otherwise they're still very green and rock hard.  I know they're supposed to be a late mango, but all varieties have been early this year in the South of Florida!

I've never done this before.  How do you start a tree from a cutting, such as guava?

Is it true that you absolutely should not mulch citrus trees?

I have a healthy 5-ft. Beverly mango tree that has been in the ground about 15 months.  It looks to be a vigorous grower--too vigorous for the allotted space!   It's definitely not a compact tree like the 4 other mango trees I planted.  Besides, I've been ordered  by my wife to use the space for something other than mango.

So it's yours if you'd like to come by and dig it up.  If you have a fruit tree or plant to trade, that would be nice, but it isn't necessary--as long as you let me come by to visit my tree when it's bearing and leave with a bag full of fruit!   I'm conveniently located near I-95.  PM or email me if interested.

John

So far my Triumph persimmon is still dormant, showing no spring acitivity.  In fact, the last time it showed any growth at all was the middle of last summer.  Should I be concerned?  What should I expect with this tree?

I desperately need some helpful suggestions.  We're considering purchasing a little house on a 13,000 sq. ft. lot in Boca Raton, west of I-95.  The lot is totally neglected and barren--no trees, no grass, nothin, folks!  Perfect for planting fruit trees, right?  The wife thinks we have to put down sod because "it looks terrible, like rednecks live there."  Now I'd be perfectly happy to be a redneck with a lot of fruit trees!  Eventually the trees will grow together, and it'll look okay.  But in the meantime what could I use for ground cover (compatible with and helpful to fruit trees) because she'd make my life miserable complaining if I did nothing?

Friends, I need your best ideas on this one.  I hate St. Augustine grass--it's a total waste!

My guanabana tree (about six months in the ground) was doing very well, but after a recent cold front most of the leaves turned brown and fell off.   It's on the east side of my house behind a wooden gate/fence, not affording it major protection against the cold north wind.  Should I be concerned?  

Which of these three produces the best quality, most delicious fruit?  Geffner, Lisa, or Phetpakchong? The Aussies will probably say "none of the above," but I need one that's available locally.