The Tropical Fruit Forum

I can take some cuttings for you if you still need them. PM me.
Erica

I am in Costa Rica now. When I ask in Spanish if guayaba is the same as guava, everyone tells me they are different fruits. But when I look them up, they seem to be the same.

Can any of our Latin American members help me out?

Thanks

Erica

Here in FL, the folks who are truly interested in fruit trees for the purpose of actually eating the fruit tend to be immigrants -- and the majority tend to be WOMEN. They're far less concerned about whether they have planted the latest cutting edge mango cultivar or whether or not the trees they have accumulated meet the criteria for being considered "rare." They simply want to enjoy eating fresh fruit!

Exactly.

Not G. livingstonei. I don't have the breadth of knowledge that many forum members do, but I do know imbe and that is not a picture of imbe.
Erica

This is the second fruiting on that tree this year. Both times, it was covered with fruit. It is right on a property line in a residential area. I know the people on one side and they have no idea; it is not there. It is planted right on the street, easily accessible to anyone.

I do understand about care to be taken with some excellent edibles. I am a former mycologist and when I lived in the northeast US, I regularly ate wild mushrooms. In fact, I went wandering around in the woods looking for them to eat. As Rob and Peter describe, if you know what you are doing, it is really quite simple and not dangerous. But if you don't know what you are doing, it can be tragic.

Erica

Thank you, Gunnar and by extension Harry. I had read Harry's report, but did not connect that with where I plan to go now.

Peter, now that I see who you are, I have googled Finca la Isla and will look over that material before PM. I might as well get what information I can before I start asking questions. 

It looks like a beautiful place. Hope to see you soon.

Erica

It has always puzzled me why there are so many men in the tropical fruit groups, at least at the events I have attended around south Florida. Historically and culturally, I think women have done the most cultivating of all types.
Erica

I am going to Costa Rica from the last week in February through the first week of March. I will be staying south of San Jose in the Tres Rios area. I have read of some tropical fruit gardens in that area, but now when I look for them on google, I can't find what I once saw.

I am thinking of taking a day or two to go to visit the Stibrawpa project on the Caribbean coast where the indigenous BriBri people have, among other things, a working cacao grove and make chocolate on site. Has anyone been there?

Does anyone have any suggestions of gardens or tropical fruit orchards in the Tres Rios area?

Thank you,
Erica

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Musa-Tigua-Banana-Plant-Live-Tree-Very-Rare-Short-Cycle-Banana-/252096933345?nma=true&si=dmKZZU3sgYoWO2Yb38V3knvtre4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

So, is this a "real" tigua banana?

Erica
zone 9b

I am making a trip through southeast Florida on Thursday, Friday, Saturday this weekend roughly: Clewiston, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale. On the way back, I could go as far north as West Palm Beach.

Does anyone know if there are any mango fruit available now for sale?

Thanks,
Erica
Venus, zone 9b

Hi achetadomestica...

I am in Venus, just a few miles north of you. I agree with you that the Florida ripened peaches are the best I have ever had. Almost as good a a mango and that is saying a lot for me.

Where are you growing your peaches and what kind of care are you providing?

Unfortunately, all the  trees I have tried have died in their second/third year. The leaves turn yellow, drop off and the stems die back. The first set of three trees, I think got killed by the rain we had - standing water in the field where they were planted. So the next two I planted on mounds. They are failing as well. They did set fruit last year.

There is a small farm grower on Rt 70 and Old State Road 8 headed up toward Lake Placid. He is growing peaches and they are doing very well and also taste marvelous. He has a buyer who buys his entire crop each year. I bought two trees from him, but they are also now in the process of dying.

Erica
Venus, FL
Zone 9b

I really don't want to sell these, but it is really too cold here for Garcinias and I have to focus on fruits that will actually produce something.

One 15 year old charichuela in a 25 gallon pot. It is taller than me by several feet and has been cut down annually to fit into the greenhouse.  It flowers profusely. It has fruited only once. It is from a seed from Bill Whitman's tree in Bal Harbor. I think this is G. madruno, but I am not sure.

Four Garcinia gardneriana, also from seeds from Whitman's. These are the same age as the charichuela, but are slower growing and smaller. According to Whitman, this is dioecious which is why I have four.

I posted pics of these trees several years ago on this forum with a subject something like: Three garcinias and a jak, but I can't seem to locate it. If someone with better search skills can find it and post a link that would be great. I think there was also a discussion about which garcinias they actually are.

I live in a remote area of Venus, Florida and you would have to pick these up. They are too large to ship. I don't want to price them out of range, but these are 15 year old trees and in good condition. I just saw a mango in a 25 gallon pot for $450. If you have any interest, PM me.

If Oscar or Rob or anyone has an idea on price, please feel free to post.

Erica
Venus, FL
zone 9b

Thanks, Adam.
Erica