Spanish Lime Tree

Q: Do I need two plants of the Spanish lime to have fruits? Do you have a grafted tree that I would only need one plant?

A: From our experience with Spanish Lime trees - Melicoccus bijugatus, fruiting habit really depends on variety. There are self-pollinating varieties that only require one tree. Seedling usually require cross-pollination between two trees for better production. It doesn't mean that one tree won't bloom or fruit - it will, but production may be lower than if they were cross-pollinated.
The Spanish Lime trees we currently have in stock are seedlings from a good, self-pollinating variety Key West, however, only grafted trees are precisely true to variety since they are technically clones. Seedlings normally take a few years (3-4) until they start fruiting. Spanish Limes don't have to be grafted to produce quality fruit, however, grafted trees may take less time till they fruit.
This species is really hard to obtain and we do not have any grafted trees now, and probably not for another year. So if you really want this fruit tree, you may want to try at least with a seedling. We only have a few left in stock and many people want them. Otherwise, you may sign up for the wish list and wait until we (hopefully) have grafted specimens (enter Melicoccus bijugatus in wish list).

Zephyranthes pulchella - sunny face of incredible Magic Lily

by Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc

...These wonderful little lilies came as a gift from a botanist studying the native plant life of Southern Texas nearly 30 years ago. Originally grown from seeds collected for a doctoral thesis, near the town of Refugio (along the Southern Texas Gulf Coast, just north of Corpus Christi), this brilliant, fetching tiny lily really deserves to be more well known. The thin, grass-like leaves grow from small onion-like bulbs that produce an abundance of shockingly bright cadmium-yellow flowers which greatly resemble those of certain yellow Crocus, except on longer stems.
There is one caveat which goes along with this incredible species... it can be wonderful, depending upon a growers situation... which is that this species is "apomictic". This means that they produce seeds which do not require cross pollination, and technically are clones of each mother plant!..

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Musa ensete Maurelli - Red Abyssinian Banana

by Onika Amell, tropical plant expert

Q: I am looking for a colorful, tropical plant with in particular, coarser texture, to add to planting beds next to my decks and around my swimming pool. Any suggestions? I am located in St. Petersburg, FL.

A: Consider incorporating some fast growing Red Abyssinian Banana, also known as wild banana or Ethiopian banana. This is a fantastic ornamental from East Africa and an excellent choice to create a tropical feel and to add coarse-textured foliage. This plant is not a true banana and therefore does not produce any edible fruit. American gardeners were rather slow to discover this enormous perennial, but finally woke up to them over the last decade to a point where they now are considered to be one the most beautiful ornamental banana plants for the landscape and for good reason...

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The Best Pineapples

Q: What varieties of the Pineapple are the best for planting in Florida? When do they fruit? I have a small yard, with a room for one or two, but can I keep more in pots? I am excited to grow my own pineapples!

A: Pineapple is truly the King of fruits! One of the most delicious fruits in the world. They start flowering from January to March in Florida and yes, they happily grow in the ground as well as in pots. Heaviest fruiting is in Summer (May to September), and some staggered throughout the year.
Be careful with watering, keep in mind that like any bromeliad, Pineapple needs very little water and needs the soil to get dry between waterings. Use only acidic soil and acidic plant food.
Make sure to feed these plants on regular basis, especially if grown in pots. Pineapples are heavy feeders but are also very sensitive like all bromeliads, so be careful with traditional fertilizers, do not exceed recommended dosage. It is safe to use liquid amino-acod-based Sunshine Boosters Ananas fertilizer year round.

The mot popular pineapple varieties for home growers are:
Elite Gold
Royal Hawaiian - Royale
Sugar Loaf

The best Loquat varieties with big, sweet fruit

Q: I'm interested in loquat and read through the varieties you offer but wanted your recommendation. I'm looking for a variety that is big, sweet (not tart) with 1 seed. Of the varieties you offer... Which variety would you recommend?

A: From our experience, the most popular Loquat variety is Christmas. It is an early ripening type hence the name Christmas. Fruits are very large for a loquat, they are bright yellow with a tangy apricot flavor.
Another good variety we recommend is Yehuda - it has a large fruit and very small seed Also, variety Oliver for many years has been considered the best loquat for South Florida. The fruiting season is March to May. It has medium to large fruit. The fruit is very sweet with only one-two seeds.
Loquats are very cold hardy tropical fruit trees, easy to grow, drought tolerant, fast growing. Fruit is great for eating fresh or making jam.

Check them out while they are on sale!