Date: 5 Sep 2019
Bahamas Dorsett Golden Low Chill Apple
Q: We recently moved to Florida and we miss our Apple trees we had back up North and the Golden Delicious apples. I was told they won't grow in Florida, it is true?
A: There is a solution for apple lovers even in Tropics! Low
chill apples bear as far south as South Florida, and may be a unique addition to
your tropical garden.
Variety Dorsett Golden looks like Golden Delicious with golden skin and
sometimes a red blush. This cultivar was discovered in the Bahamas and is
crisp and juicy with excellent flavor.
Attractive and fragrant pinkish-white apple blossoms will appear during
Feb-March and give way to fruit (smaller than standard apples) in June. They
remain a small tree, growing to about 15 feet.
For best results of cross-pollination and heavy production, we
recommend a pair of low chill apples - the perfect couple Dorsett Golden and Anna.
Date: 24 Aug 2019
How to keep iguanas away?
Q: Really enjoy all the plants that I have got from you, but having a hard time keeping iguanas eating everything! We are not on the water, any solution to keep them out?
A: Iguanas may become quite a problem in the garden. Our first suggestion would be - get a Duck as we have (Duck Dobi), she is so dominant and keeps any wild animals away from the property, including gators... and cats! They are scared of her! Dobi thinks she owns the place.
Here are a few other ways to control iguana problem in your backyard:
1. Rid your lawn of dropped fruits. Iguanas love fruit. And they love
low-hanging fruit or fruit that's easy to get to. If you have fruit trees, take
the time to pick up your yard and dispose of any dropped fruit.
2. Keep a lid on a garbage can. Put your garbage cans in a place they
can't get to, or put a cinder block on your can lid.
3. Do not leave pet food out. If you're putting a bowl of dog food or a
plate of cat food out for your pets, you're inviting iguanas into your yard.
4. Fill iguana holes. Iguanas like to dig. Wherever you see a hole,
fill it. Stuff rocks into the hole first, then fill it with dirt and top it with
sod. The iguana may return to dig again, but he won't dig through large
rocks.
5 Do NOT feed the iguanas. Don't be friendly with them, so they won't
come back.
6. Wire netting around plants. You can use wire netting or screens to
prevent iguanas from entering plants and shrubs.
7. Spray them with a hose. When you see an iguana in the yard, spray
them with the hose. They also hate loud noises. Constant harassment can keep
them from returning.
8. Keep your yard clean. Excessive overgrowth or yard storage are great
places for iguanas to hide.
9. Do not leave food out, unattended. Iguanas are mainly herbivores but
that doesn't mean they won't smell something good and want to eat it. They
will TRY anything.
Hopefully these tips help keep your iguana problems to a minimum.
Date: 25 Jun 2019
How soon will Guava tree fruit?
Q: Can you tell me how your Guava trees are propagated? Grown from seed vs. air grafted, etc.? I'm interested especially in the Barbie variety. In particular, I'd like to know how long it takes them to bear fruit - I live in Southern California zone 10b, with good sunlight.
A: Guavas can be propagated by seed, air layers, or grafting.
Propagation method depends on the species.
Cattley guavas - Psidium littorale - are usually grown from seeds and start flowering
and producing as early as in 2-3 years from seed. Tropical guavas, Psidium guajava - especially named varieties, are propagated usually by
air layers, and the rarest varieties like Variegated Honey Moon are often grafted, although they will come true
from seed (it's just takes them longer to fruit). Both air-layered and grafted
plants start producing right away, usually on the same year of planting or
next year, depending on growing conditions.
Barbie Pink is a superior variety, very popular among fruit lovers. It
produces large aromatic fruit with a bright pink pulp and very few seeds. This
variety is air-layered; in our nursery, these plants start flowering and
setting fruit in 3 gal containers.
Plant this tree in full sun and provide regular watering, guavas don't
like to dry out. Use fertile soil, with at least 50% of compost, and add some
soil conditioning components for better drainage: bark, sand, perlite, etc.
Mulch well, just make sure to keep mulch 2-3"away from the trunk. Follow our
detailed planting instructions that come with every plant, and you are good
to go!
Recommended fertilizers:
Fruit Festival Plant Food - Super Crop Booster
Mango-Food - Smart Release Fruit Tree Booster
Date: 21 Jun 2019
Growing Jackfruit in a pot
Q: I have a young jackfruit tree, and I wanted to know, is a 25 pot enough for an adult tree?
A: 25 to 50 gal should be eventually a good size pot for growing
a Jackfruit tree. Keep in mind the following:
1. Start with a smaller container, only slightly bigger than the root
system. Do not plant directly into a large container, this may create a risk
for root rot.
2. Step up the tree in a bigger container every year as it grows
bigger. With every repotting, trim both branches and roots to compact the plant and
to encourage branching out.
3. Jackfruit trees should be kept pruned under 6-7 ft in pots and 10-12
ft in the ground. This makes healthy fruit production more efficient and
keeps fruit at the base of the tree.