The Tropical Fruit Forum

I'm looking for black haw (sideroxylon lanuginosum) seeds or seedlings. Anyone have a specimen with good tasting fruit? I'd like to get some trees started even if I never get fruit.
Thanks, D

I've been growing true yams in my yard for a few years to get a bunch for propagation at our land South of here. Our yard is mostly bright shade or a few hours of sun. They grow really well in part sun conditions, but I see them struggling in more sun down South. Is this normal? Thanks!

Anyone growing Gymnema sylvestre? I like to get seeds. Thanks! Dan

Hi All, Looking for this bush. Saltbush, Sea Orach etc. I can't find it for sale on line. Anyone?  Regards, Dan

These bad cold fronts that seem to be coming more regularly now have me thinking I need to plant fruit and nut trees that actually are for my zone, or a bit colder. My wife and I spent the better part of 2 days protecting our sub and tropicals before each of those events. If we hadn't had sufficient notice we would have lost most of them. Our land is technically zone 9a, but we got down to 10°F 2 years ago and just had 12°F last week. Of course we are on a ridge, so the wind tends to howl as well. Our humidity is about like central Florida and our Summer sun is brutal.
 I already have the usual plums, peaches, poms, jujubes, persimmons etc. I'm wondering about less common trees/plants that can take some cold. Some stone fruit crosses maybe? I think we get too hot for hazelnuts? What have y'all had success with under similar conditions? Thanks! D

looking for Tahitian taro. I have a variety for corms, but hear that the greens from Brasiliensis are better. Anyone have corms or plants for sale or trade? Thanks! D

Thanks to several kind forum members, I have some very happy dioscorias growing and making bulbils that I need to think about over Wintering. How do you folks store them? Thanks, Dan

Hi All, I want to start some sumac. Smooth, staghorn  any variety I can use for spice, drink flavoring etc. Anybody have seed or small plants I can buy or trade for? Thanks, Dan

Hi Folks, Before the whole covid thing started some of us were talking about getting together to swap plants, stories and maybe lies about plants... I think it's time we move on. I suggest we set a time early this Summer and proceed. I'm as done with masks as Brad, but if a mask makes someone more comfortable wear away! Anyway, it might be best to take this to p.m.s so we don't waste everyone else's bandwidth. Let me know! D

I picked up a good sized chunk of malanga at the market and would like to grow it. I searched it and the procedures seem to conflict from site to site. Some say to cold stratify, others say just plant it. Plant it deep, plant it shallow. Is it like taro...just stick it in some soil and it will grow? It's got a bunch of eyes and is large enough that I think I can start 2 or 3 plants with it. How do y'all do it? Thanks, Dan

Hi All, I think I want to get some staghorn or smooth sumac started. What is the preferred method? I know they make a ton of seeds, but will cuttings root? Thanks, Dan

Does anyone have experience with either of these Autocarpus?Gongshanensis was listed as being grown in NW Yunnan and Nanchuanensis in Chongquing provinces in China. From a quick search it looks like both areas are similar to a zone 8/9 with some annual light freezes.

I have hall's hardy, mission and non pariel almonds in my orchard that have been growing nicely for me. They are about 4 years old now and a few put on blooms last spring. When it got really hot this summer (+/-100F) they dropped most of their leaves and just survived. I increased their water and that seemed to help some, but not all. The leaves were green, no chlorosis. The weather is cooling now, so I'm hoping they will recover.
I know some of you are in Cali and probably close to the surviving orchards there. Do they hold up to high heat for months there if they get enough water?
Thanks, D