The Tropical Fruit Forum

I'm based in the Canary Islands, zone 11b.

So far, I have several subtropical and temperate trees, but I have an available spot in my backyard which I'm going to use to grow vegetables and other fruits (in pots).

I have some strawberries pots already, some peppers, and I'm considering adding tomatoes and zucchini. What I don't know is, do these plants die after a season? Or can I plant them in larger pots to let them grow like a "tree"?

My backyard is starting to get a little crowded with so many fruit trees and plants, but I have a full-sun wall which is demanding something on it

I have three avocados along the wall, about 4-5ft from it. At some point these avocados would grow and probably let this wall in a partial-shade situation, but that's still many years away.

So, I'm thinking on cover this wall with kiwis. As I have three avocados, maybe plant a male between the Hass and the Fuerte, and female between the Fuerte and the Reed, but near the wall.

But, I have a question. As I won't have a trellis, the vines should be attached directly on the wall. Is that a crazy idea? I see everyone using a trellis.

EDIT: edited the title as the discussion has led to trellis anyways.

My papaya trees have been bearing fruit since summer, yet all of them are still very green.





Normally, how long does it take from flower to harvest?

Bad focus, but it's something appearing at different branches of the tree, and even around the trunk on the soil.

It's not solid, rather like a "spider sac", although it's not really so. It's kind of sticky, but easily cleanable.

What might be wrong with the mango (Lippens) on the left? All new growth from summer has not transitioned into dark green.



It uses the same mix that all my other trees (including those in the ground), so I hardly doubt it's about poor drainage or lack of nutrients.

This corner in my lawn is looking for a small fruit bush:



Details:
- Area: 4 by 5 feet.
- Max height: 3-4 feet.
- Sunlight: full day. In some years, when the lychee on the right side grows, this corner will be shaded by the last few hours of the day, but still plenty of direct sunlight.
- It has to be evergreen.

I'd be looking for something similar to the size of a kumquat, in fact, this would be ideal, but it's pretty hard to get here. By contrast, limequat is available at most nurseries, but I don't really like it.
Another choice might be a blueberry, but I think this spot has too much direct sunlight for it.
I had even thought about some potted strawberries, but I don't really like this idea.

What else comes to your mind?

this is a lychee from an air layer. Can you see how there are like "roots" coming out of the soil? Should I trim them?

About 5 weeks ago, there were very hot days where I live, about 35C (95F).

From all of my trees, the avocados were the one hit harder, which was expected as they are in the most sunny area of my backyard. Most of their leaves were sunburned.

I have a Hass, Fuerte and Reed. The Fuerte and Reed have recovered very well, however, it looks like the Hass is not keeping up with them. It looks rather sad with curly leaves.



These two are Fuerte and Reed:





The thing is that I think the problem is not really related with those hot days over a month ago. This Hass also has a thousand of ants living under the mulching, like many of my other trees, but particularly this one and an orange tree have the most.

Could it be that these ants are damaging the roots?

What's going on with this yellow sapote?



It's the only tree in my backyard with such a bad looking leaves.

I haven't seen any insect on them.

These are my two lychees:





I got the first one about two weeks ago and put it in the ground right away. In theory, it was a Sweetheart.

Then, I tasted a lychee for the first time (it's not a fruit you can find in a market here), and that damn thing is pretty delicious! So, I bought the second one about a week ago, a Suey Tong, just to have a different variety. However, it turns out the nursery only sells Suey Tong, so the first one is also a Suey Tong...

And here's my dilemma...

I have two spots for them. The main one, where it's possible to grow with a good rounded shape, is where the tree is planted already. The second spot would better support an "elliptic shape", as it's close to the wall but wide.

Now, if you look at those two trees, it looks like the one already in the ground is perfect for the other spot, and the one that is in the pot is perfect for the main one, as it has a more upright shape. Also, it looks more healthier than the one in the ground, with more established leaves and not so many young ones.

Would it be wise to make the swap? As it was recently planted, I hardly doubt it has established a root system outside of the rootball yet. Would this tree with low bifurcation eventually form a rounded shape?

The new growth of my young sunwright nectarine tree is growing in a direction that eventually will cross with existing branches.

As nectarines bear fruit on last years' growth, what should I do? Should I prune them now? Or should I wait until next year?

In the following picture there is an example:

My backyard is somewhat windy as there are no buildings neither at the right nor at the left side, so it's a perfect corridor for the wind to pass freely. Let's say on normal windy days, maybe averages are about 30Km/h, with gusts which can double that speed.

I have read lychees are too weak to wind, but I have seen videos of trees in the wild, or even planted in front-yards, so they're really exposed... and they are thriving. So, that makes me wonder, are Lychees really that weak to wind?

I'd like to plant one in my backyard, but I don't want to cover it with some strong shielding. I want to see my tree! xD