The Tropical Fruit Forum

I have two seedling jaks from a delicious Whitman fruit growing in 25 gal pots. They do flower, the fruits rot when small.  But, they are in the shade and I’m sure that impacts fruiting.

By now, they have grown out of the pots and into the ground. I’ve no idea what to do with them at this point.

K-Rimes, are you using commercial chicken manure, or do you have a source for fresh/composted chicken manure.

If commercial, are the microbes still present after commercial processing?

Thanks, Paul,

I will look into Top Tropicals as a pomegranate source. I have not had good luck with them, but it has been a long time since I bought plants from them.

I wonder why Excalibur carries only Indian Red, if it does not do well in SFLa

It sounds like you have soil similar to mine. Very sandy and low nutrients. Its a struggle to grow anything until it gets established.

Erica

Is anyone in the southern half of Florida state growing Pomegranates?

I have found only two nurseries offering it. Excalibur has Indian Red only. Florida Hill Nursery sells a dwarf Red Lady they say is self-fertile.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Erica

I'll try to make it up there. My last appointment in Port Charlotte is at 5 pm, shouldn't last more than an hour and then a half hour to get up there. Always nice to hear a good mango talk and meet people from the forum.
Erica

In my experience, spider mites do not create such a major web. It looks more like tent caterpillars from your photo. If so, you should find little caterpillars inside, in the process of growing bigger. A brief google search shows that tent caterpillars do grow on sweet potatoes.
Erica

I have 20 acres of downed trees, many of them oaks; it occurred to me that perhaps I could get some benefit out of Irma by cultivating edible mushrooms. I have done some googling. According to various sources, shiitake (Lentinula edodes.)  is actually from southeast Asia and there are warm weather strains. Also there is a warm species of Pleurotis pulmonarius that will grow on sweet bay, which is the other downed tree in abundance on my property.

I am wondering if anyone on this forum has been growing mushrooms in a tropical or subtropical environment?

Erica

I remember the prop trick now that you mention it, from my experience in Naples when some really big mango trees went down. Can't remember if it was Wilma or Charley or what. That was when I lived in town and had professionals come and put them back up.

Just a safety reminder: We were using a 4x4 four wheeler and come along to pull up the biggest tree today. Had secured it with a 1" thick rope. Rope broke and the recoil whacked my right hand pretty good. Luckily nothing was broken. Just a swollen hand/fingers.

The ones I have heeled in and the ones I have pulled up and staked are looking pretty good. The ones that broke off are already pushing new growth. Nature is amazing in its capacity for rebirth.

Erica

I'm no expert, but have been through a number of hurricanes and/or close calls. Here is what I do: I lay them on their sides in a protected area which will not flood. Now that I am out in the country, I put them in the thick stands of palmettos. When I lived in town, I put them in areas that by educated guesstimate will be subject to less wind. Do not put them where they could be blown into your pool. I can tell you those trees drowned. :-(

Erica

A google search shows these trees are dioecious and grow very large. Lots of nutritional value in the fruits and the nuts and other medicinal uses of the bark, etc. I don't find anything that indicates cold hardiness. If one had room, it would be great to grow these trees.
Erica

I have lots of curry leaf fruits ripe on the tree right now. If anyone wants some, please PM me.
Erica
Venus, FL 9b

Any information on the germination rate and how long the seed is viable. I have bought them in the past from Thailand and not a one germinated.
I would be interested in trying them again if there is a reasonable chance of success. I live in Florida, USA.

Erica

I had a lot of trouble getting ginger to grow at first. Finally, I started them in pots in the house where I could keep a close eye on them. I also planted them right at the top of the soil, again so I could eye-ball them. When I buried them in soil, they just rotted away. I finally got a good bunch and put them outside, but they do have to be in the shade and kept moist, but not wet. I have very sandy soil and the Florida sun will parch even sun-loving plants. I am having more success using permaculture practices and planting out with "nurse" plants to maintain shade and moisture in an area. Gaia's Garden has been my inspiration. The title sounds new agey, but the information and writing are excellent especially for desert areas.