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Messages - FloridaManDan

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26
Appreciate the info. I assumed it was too tropical, but people have been trying to establish breadfruit with some success (further south than me); I guess my question was more geared toward South FL growers.
I would imagine a 'wetland' with some tree cover/brush could create a suitable microclimate.

My understanding is that jacks/chemps can tolerate some flooding, but don't like wet feet or saturated conditions. Hopefully more info develops on A. kemando in the coming years cause I doubt anyone's attempting this experiment here right now lol.

27
Curious if anyone has experience with A. kemando in the U.S.

Was browsing Anderson Tropicals and saw seeds for sale; a little more reading and I found that they thrive in tropical lowland swamps. In the same sense that people suggest pond apple for wetlands/saturated soils for grafting Annonas, I wonder if this could be a good rootstock for similar soil conditions for grafting jackfruit or other artocarpus species.
 
Such little information online, interested in peoples thoughts and experiences.


28
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: FORUM MEMBER TFL77 PLEASE CONTACT ME
« on: January 24, 2024, 06:24:38 PM »
Nate,

If you have not already received a response from TFL77, know that he has had issues with USPS delivery due to zoning issues with Miami-Dade County, further details of which I am not aware.

A couple months ago I sent him a large package of plants and had to mail it in person at the post office; they said they will attempt delivery even if the address isn't registered in their system. My package was delivered within a couple days with no issue, though TFL77 mentioned that sometimes it doesn't always arrive. The address exists on the Miami-Dade County assessor site and Google Maps, as well as his farm on Google, so delivery should be fine.

If you don't hear back for a bit, message me and I can confirm the shipping address.

29
In my experience, RevivalR00ts has always been an absolute pleasure to work with and buy from. I can't imagine that a well-renowned seller with a massive collection is going to be hoarding scions from a giveaway to sell, especially... mulberries. The only issues I've ever experienced is accidentally killing the wonderful things I have purchased  ;)

With that, Nate, you also have a great reputation on the forum, though I don't think I have purchased from you personally. Its pretty obvious that your initial comment was retaliatory from the burkartiana post, and I think that the issue you described here could likely be addressed privately before stirring up the pot on forum posts, regardless of prior disagreements and/or differences of opinions.

This is a forum to share a wealth of knowledge and material to expand fruit growing, not a place for drama. I think all parties should treat each other with kindness and respect, whether its a species correction, disagreement, or sales post, as that will only improve the efficacy of the TFF  ;D


Onward from that, anyone interested in these mulberry varieties should definitely contact RevivalR00ts while available! Looks like some interesting Persian varieties that I'm not really familiar with.

30
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Best neglected fruit trees in south FL
« on: January 21, 2024, 10:08:27 AM »
Bananas dont seem to get too upset about things once well-established. Any pioneer species will do good on poor soils, like Ice Cream Bean's, Strawberry tree/Jamaican cherry, mulberries. Establishing a nitrogen-fixer will go a long way.
Can also consider dragonfruit, pineapples, papayas. Ive seen loquats and longans neglected by growers in S FL and they seem to do fine, though fruit quality is likely poor.

Once you establish some shade or if you already have, you could probably start some passionvines and granadilla. Any wet or overly saturated areas can probably start some pond apple to use as future rootstock.

31
Scott, if you dont find anyone to trade/buy from here, your best bet would be to browse the North American Scion Exchange on Facebook.
I took a quick look and saw Daniel Spencer offer Tropical Treat, along with a ton of other great varieties, throughout most of last year for $5 a stick. He also considers trades. That would probably be a good bet.

32
Best of luck bovine, I rarely see anyone mention melons down here.

I had some korean melons going strong but I removed the vines before fruiting cause they took up too much space. Apparently they can tolerate the heat down here but they'll die in the full FL summer sun. Might be worth a try, though they are fairly susceptible to all the same pests and diseases as cucumbers. Personally not aware of 'healthier' or more tolerant varieties that could grow well in FL, let me know how things work out!

I had a ton of Noir des Carmes muskmelon seeds and seedlings that I passed throughout FL last spring. Never heard any updates though, so I assume they weren't successful.

I wonder if a quick-fruiting, early grower like Sweet Granite could be grown late-Winter through Spring before the heat picks up too much? May have to try it, seeing as I likely have trellis space clearing up... (keep fighting, table grapes!).

33
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Yangmei Ice Cream
« on: January 13, 2024, 11:37:49 AM »
Made some yangmei ice cream with some frozen fruit this past weekend and had it with the wife-

I really really liked it-

Hope to be getting some crops in texas in a few years, these were unnamed fruit


How was the consistency of the ice cream? Curious what the water content is of the fruit, haven't tried yangmei yet.
Glad y'all had to opportunity to do so, looks really good!

I feel like a nicely ripe canistel would mix perfectly with vanilla ice cream.

34
Lance (palologrower) has had multiple Theobroma species this year, including gileri. Fairly priced and quick shipping.

35
Starting from seed is the best whether it be pushing ultra tropical or low chill stuff in a hotter climate.
It’s been tried and true.

Sorry the pawpaw didn’t work out for you Dan.
I gotta send you a message one of these days regarding a trade :) hope you are doing well.

lol No worries boss, no blame on you! I shouldve sent that tree back to IL.
I agree that starting from seed is definitely the best in hot climates.

@Brian - It was very interesting to me, having grown up in IL where pawpaw are native, that I too never met a soul that knew they existed. When I got older and looked into it online, I was suprised that there are tons of random pawpaw festivals and orchards throughout the more rural areas of the midwest.
Looks like you just missed the York County Annual Pawpaw Fest...

36
I think chill is more complicated than most "chilling unit" or "chill hours" calculations can capture. It seems that west coast growers have much better results with things that are "high-chill," as compared to similar USDA zones in the southeast.

I strongly suspect that's because what some plants (like pawpaw) really need in order to fruit well is a winter season without hot weather, rather than needing true chill hours. The "mediterranean" climate of the west coast usually results in fewer warm days than the same growing zones in the southeast, even if the cold may not be low enough to qualify as "chill hours."

I know, for example, that many people in southern CA have had luck with apples and peaches that simply do not produce in the southeast, even in lower hardiness zones in the southeast.

Which is all to say that your question probably should really be limited to the west coast if you want to get answers applicable to your own situation, and that growers in the southeast should take with a grain of salt any successes they hear about from southern CA.

Phenomenal summary by drymifolia.

Really is just too hot and wet down here for the most part.

37
My experience has been poor, though I do wish I had more space (and time) to work with things.
I bought a beautiful Susquehanna off Jabo45. Though I adjusted it slowly (fenced + partially shaded yard, conditions are good), peak summer was too intense and the graft died after awhile, but the rootstock continued to grow. I planted a bunch of seeds from fruit I ordered too and had great germination after a few weeks in the fridge, but I sold them all.
I suppose starting from seed may be the play, though who knows how long that'll take to actually find one to produce fruit with low-chill (and tasty fruit, at that).

I think JCorte has been growing pawpaw in CA, Laguna Beach with some success? (or somewhere in Orange County). Im no South Cali expert, but I think the more temperate weather (relative to FL) offers way better growing conditions for most potential zone-pushers.

I tried Honeyberry as well, the strawberry sensation are being trialed for Zone 9-10 so I thought I'd hop on the bandwagon. Unfortunately, my 3-gals suffered the same mid-Summer fate as my pawpaws. They were thriving for months with dappled shade.

There are some stone fruits i'd like to try but the few people I know bothering with tropical peaches here have never gotten fruit set.

Overall, I'd say my poor experience is more from lack of proper care in more intense + direct sun; but if a healthy, mature plant can't tolerate it, especially compared to plenty of thriving plants here suited to these conditions, I dont think its ready to stretch this far south - yet.
I think any potential zone pushers would fare much better in South Cali, given you can provide it adequate water. And honeyberries are dope, I recommend honeyberryusa.

38
I have a few scions I can trim off my Pollock. Found it to be more vigorous, pest-resistant (with proper care), and more full-sun tolerant than my choquette. PM if interested.

39
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: WTB: Gros Michel banana
« on: December 22, 2023, 05:48:21 PM »
Going Bananas in Homestead usually carries them, I would reach out. They wont ship but maybe you can find someone in Homestead who'll help out.

40
$20 sent
cheers to another great year of this forum

41
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Grow bags?
« on: December 08, 2023, 01:45:25 PM »
https://www.amazon.com/iPower-Plant-Grow-Gallon-6-Pack/dp/B0B2P71753/ref=sr_1_8?crid=29LSEEMNAZ2AQ&keywords=15%2Bgallon%2Bgrow%2Bbags&qid=1702060884&sprefix=15%2Bgallon%2Bgrow%2Bbag%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-8&th=1

I believe I purchased this brand, iPower. Nothing crazy, but these 15-gals have outlasted most fabric 3-gal pots around here. Handles still hold the weight of the mango after almost 2 yrs, so good enough for me. Theyre roughly all the same quality tbh.

As far as soil mix, I agree with Avofan. They can dry out quickly, especially during the summer. I end up watering daily for most things during peak summer down here anyways.
I dont recall the ratio I used for soil, but something similar to a generic seed starting mix that can hold a decent amount of moisture, usually a good amount of peat moss or coco coir. A thin layer of mulch helped too.

42
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Grow bags?
« on: December 08, 2023, 11:48:22 AM »
Tropheus,

I had success with my 15-gal grow bags. My C. peltata exploded with growth, gave it away to a friend, and my juicy peach mango is doing very well too. Purchased as a 3-gal about 1.5 years ago, barely paid any attention to it except for a recent thin layer of mulch.



I have three 15-gal grow bags left. If youre interested, Ill be up in Orlando near the parks this weekend (until sunday morning) and I can bring em, feel free to grab them. Just shoot me a PM.

43
active mods... good question.

I'd probably reach out to JakeFruit or pj1881

44
drymifolia, did you contact admins directly for a password reset? Not sure how frequently they browse the forum topics themselves. Best of luck!

45
From the USDA APHIS website (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/traveler/intl-travel/plants-seeds/plants-seeds):

Travelers may bring seeds of admissible herbaceous plants for planting if they meet the following conditions:

- The seeds are not otherwise prohibited, protected under the Endangered Species Act or Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or subject to any special restrictions, such as post-entry quarantine or treatment*

- You have a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organization of the country you are leaving indicating the seeds are free of pests and diseases

- U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspects the seeds at the first port of entry and determines they are free of pests and diseases and meet all entry requirements

*Please call APHIS’ Plant Import Information Line at 877-770-5990 (toll-free) or by email at plantproducts.permits@aphis.usda.gov.


Some information on USDA websites indicates that tree and shrub seeds can be brought back to the US per requirements listed above, yet some sources say none can be brought back with passenger luggage. Best course of action would be to shoot an email inquiry to that listed email.

46
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: What Eats Papaya Leafs?
« on: December 01, 2023, 10:49:43 AM »
Fairly certain it's iguanas Rob.
I had the EXACT same damage on my smaller papayas and mulberries at opposite ends of my yard. Finally caught them one morning -- 2 baby lizardrats hanging out on a pencil-thin strawberry tree (they figured out what could support their weight) and casually eating the adjacent plant leaves. Sent them to a farm up north for unlimited leaf buffet...

Aside from that ^ the only thing that worked for me was elevating the plants on a stand that they can't climb or jump onto. That papaya is definitely sturdy enough to support their weight, at least the smaller ones.



47
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Seedless papaya
« on: November 29, 2023, 09:44:47 AM »
Female papaya's that dont get pollinated will produce seedless fruit, i believe they are considered parthenocarpic.
I prefer the taste of seedless papaya, much milder. Lucky find!

48
Seeds arrived looking great, thanks Miguel!

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50
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Free Yangmei Giveaway
« on: November 06, 2023, 07:04:12 PM »
Id say either 12 or 15 varities

Enjoy soil sciences, always been interesting to me. Comes in handy for most field work.

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