Date: 18 Aug 2022
Grow your own food:
How hardy is a Loquat tree?
Q: I am looking for a fruit tree for my backyard that is low maintenance, fast fruiting, and can take some cold (I live in Orlando FL and we do get occasional frost in winter). I like the taste of Loquat fruit, it reminds me of apricots. How cold hardy is this tree?
A: Loquat tree is a very good choice for Florida gardens. It can
take both cold and heat and produces lots of tasty fruit right away. Last
winter when we had a record freeze in our area with a couple of nights around
25F, the only trees that didn't get any damage at all were Loquats and
Macadamias, and those were still young, newly planted 4 ft trees.
To learn more about Loquat trees, check out this
and article: Golden Loquat - the symbol of Prosperity.
Date: 14 Aug 2022
Grow your own food:
Avocado Q & A
from Ed Jones, the Avocado Guy
Q: Do I need to have more than one avocado tree in order to produce fruit?
A: While a single avocado tree will normally produce enough fruit for most people, it never hurts to have more than one tree and even more than one variety to increase the chances for good pollination. Be sure to look at our catalog for the many different varieties available from our store.
Date: 11 Aug 2022
New Video:
Dwarf Guava Hawaiian Rainbow
Psidium guajava "Nana"
Put a little Aloha in your garden... A guava that will bring a taste of the Islands!
This is a very small version of the favorite aromatic Guava - Nana. It grows only up to 5-6 ft tall with a short trunk and a branching, bushy habit. It is perfect for those who have limited space. It can be grown in a pot and fruits heavily. Provided with warm conditions, the tree can bear fruit almost year around. The fruit is round, about 2", pretty good size for a dwarf tree. The flesh is sweet, aromatic, and
varies from white to yellow to pink.
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Date: 5 Aug 2022
Planting in August
Top Tropicals Garden Calendar
August is the hottest month in most places, and tropical/subtropical areas are not the exception. In Florida we have some hot August days in upper 90's. Is it still OK to plant during hot weather? Yes, and here are some guidelines for you:
1. Hot metabolism.
Many tropical plants grow faster at high temperatures. Select heat-resistant species for August planting (below are just
a few suggestions).
2. Water adequately.
Water thoroughly your newly planted tree. Water daily (lightly) with a hose for at least a week, don't
rely on sprinklers. Then reduce watering to every other day and gradually switch to sprinkler system if you have it. Do not overwater: non-established plants don't like combination of heat+wet.
3. Mulch well.
Keep mulch 1"away from the trunk to avoid rot.
4. Shading.
Protect the young tree from hot sun with a shade cloth or a sheet if leaves get wilted, for 1-3 days, then remove it, let the plant adjust to bright light.
Photo above: Trachelospermum jasminoides
Date: 3 Aug 2022
Grow your own food:
Tropical Asparagus (Katuk)
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...One of the most popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and Southeast
Asia, the Tropical Asparagus (Katuk) - Sauropus androgynus, is notable for its high yields and palatability. Cooked Tropical Asparagus is great with crab meat, minced pork, dried shrimp, or in a soup...
Katuk is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in Southeast Asia. It is
among only a few flora containing vitamin K. Leaves and stemmed can be cooked as vegetable; the plant has many medicinal
properties.
Katuk is fast growing and keeps growing as you trim it for your kitchen needs. Multiple upright stems can reach 6-7 ft high. It has
great ornamental value, has pretty red flowers and ornamental fruit showing
shiny black seeds when they crack open. Varieties with green leaves and
variegated leaves have slightly different flavor but are equally good for your
healthy, fiber-rich diet... CONTINUE READING >>
