What is this spiny Hedgehog fruit and how does it taste?

👀 This is one of the coolest looking tropical fruit!

Annona montana - Mountain Soursop or Hedgehog Annona. It is also called Wild Custard Apple, Guanabana de Monte, or Wild Soursop.

• 📍 This fruit is prized for its deliciously sweet and tangy fruit, reminiscent of a blend between pineapple and strawberry. It tastes similar to regular Soursop (or Guanabana), with slightly milder flavor. The pulp is highly scented.
• 📍 The fruit, up to a pound, has the most unusual looks! Just look at these curious Hedgehog spines!
• 📍 The tree is medium sized, with beautiful, large, leathery dark green leaves that emit a strong aroma when crushed.
• 📍 Mountain Soursop is much more cold hardy than the Soursop, established trees can take some frost, down to 24F when full grown.
• 📍 Trees produce within just 2-3 years from seed, like many Annonas, and can happily grow and produce in a large container.

👨�‍👧 We guarantee that everyone who sees this fruit in your garden will ask for seeds even before they taste the fruit! And you will have lots of seeds to share because Mountain Soursop is very reliable producer with many seeds in each fruit.

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🌶 Hot-hot-hot HEART! Yet so tasty and flavorful! How hot is it, really?

🔥 Capsicum annuum x chinense - Biquinho Pepper ❤️-shaped!

• ❤️ An exceptionally distinct pepper, an ancient hybrid of Capsicum annuum (bird pepper) and Capsicum chinense (habanero group).
• ❤️ While of small size (1"), these heart-shaped red fruits are prolifically produced along the branches of compact plants.
• ❤️ Extremely showy, ornamental peppers with culinary benefits. Great for container garden.
• ❤️ What separates this variety from others is its unique intense fruity habanero flavor which packs quite a bang! 💥
• ❤️ For abundant crops, fertilizer with Sunshine C-Cibus plant booster.

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🍒 How to get Barbados Cherry Mini Version. Still equal to 65 oranges in Vitamin C!

Malpighia Nana - Dwarf Barbados Cherry, is a cute dense shrub that some garden enthusiasts grow as a bonsai, but not everyone knows that its fruit are not only edible, but much sweeter than regular Barbados Cherry we showed you earlier.

Dwarf Barbados Cherry is perfect exotic fruit that you can grow even on a windowsill!

📚 Growing Barbados Cherry in container

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🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 2: Avocado Tree.

• Avocado (Persea americana) is a must-have in any tropical or subtropical garden, along with the mango. It’s a favorite fruit known for its health benefits and superfood status.
• Cold Hardy: Some varieties can survive temperatures below 25F, making it more cold-tolerant than mango trees.
• Beautiful and Productive: Aside from the fruit, it's a lovely ornamental tree.
• Grafted Varieties for Quality Fruit: Many plant enthusiasts enjoy growing Avocado from seed. Keep in mind that only grafted trees guarantee quality fruit and production right away, while seedlings take 7-8 years.
• Growing Secrets: The avocado tree can be a bit tricky to establish. The two main secrets to successful growth are:
a) Good drainage
b) Regular watering
Avocados don’t like to dry out, but they also can’t tolerate wet feet. To ensure proper drainage, plant the tree on a raised mound (4-6 inches) and keep the soil consistently moist.
• Compact Varieties Available: There are several compact varieties ideal for container culture, small spaces, and patios. Dwarf "Condo" varieties like Wurtz and Fuerte are perfect for containers, while semi-dwarf options such as Russell, Lila, Mexicola, Poncho, and Yamagata also perform well in smaller gardens.

📚 Learn more from previous posts:

• 🟡About #Avocado trees
• 🟡Avocado Varieties Guide
• 🟡10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

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🌺 How to grow Mandevilla: Practical Guide to Growing Mandevilla Vine

• 🌺 Mandevilla is a tropical vine known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom throughout the warm months. This fast-growing climber thrives in warm climates and adds a stunning display of color to gardens and patios.

🌺 Difference Between Mandevilla and Dipladenia


The names Mandevilla and Dipladenia are often used interchangeably, creating confusion. While they are closely related, there are key differences. Mandevilla is a vigorous woody vine with large, stiff leaves, ideal for trellises and fences. Dipladenia, on the other hand, has a more compact growth habit with smaller, smooth leaves. Dipladenia can be also trained on a trellis but also thrives in hanging baskets or as a compact specimen plant. As a bushier type of Mandevilla, its smaller, more compact varieties are excellent for mixed containers.

🌺 Growing in the Ground

💋Soil. Mandevilla prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix of garden soil, compost, and sand ensures good drainage and fertility. Both Mandevilla and Dipladenia require acidic soil. If your native soil contains limestone, consider growing them in containers with a peat-based potting mix to maintain a lower pH.

• 💋Light. Plant in a location with full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of direct sunlight promotes the best blooms.
Water Mandevilla regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. During hot months, water deeply a few times a week. Reduce watering in cooler seasons.
• 💋Feeding and Encouraging More Blooms: Feed Mandevilla with Sunshine Boosters Megaflor with every watering to encourage more blooms. Prune lightly after flowering to promote new growth and continuous flowering.

• 🌺 Most Interesting Varieties
Mandevilla flowers come in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, mauve, pink, white, and even yellow. For vibrant color and impact, consider these varieties:

💋Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’– A classic pink variety with large flowers and vigorous growth.

• 💋Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol’ Series – Offers compact plants in deep red, pink, or white, great for containers or small spaces.
• 💋Mandevilla ‘Crimson Red’– Deep red blooms stand out against glossy green foliage.
• 💋Dipladenia ‘Stars and Stripes’ - features striking red-and-white striped blooms.
In Florida, Sun Parasol and Alice du Pont perform exceptionally well, thriving in the heat and humidity while providing season-long blooms.

• 🌺 Pests and Problems

Mandevilla is relatively pest-resistant but can attract aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. To manage pests:

• 💋Spray with a neem oil solution weekly if pests are present.
• 💋Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to control aphids naturally.
• 💋Remove affected leaves and rinse plants with a strong stream of water.
• 💋Watch for fungal diseases in humid climates; ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

🌺 Growing Mandevilla in Pots and Winter Care

Mandevilla grows beautifully in containers, making it a great option for cooler climates where it can be brought indoors for winter.

• 💋Pot Growing Tips:

· Use a well-draining potting mix with added perlite for aeration.

• · Choose a pot at least 12-16 inches in diameter, with several drainage holes, for vigorous growth.
• · Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, avoiding waterlogged conditions.

💋Winter Care:

• · In regions with frost, move potted Mandevilla indoors to a bright, cool location (50-60°F).
• · Reduce watering and stop fertilizing during cooler season.
• · Prune lightly before bringing indoors to maintain shape and size.
• · Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in early spring before active growth begins, refreshing the soil and upgrading to a slightly larger container if needed.

With the right care, Mandevilla provides stunning, long-lasting blooms and thrives in gardens or pots, making it a versatile and rewarding addition to any space.

📚 Learn more from previous post:

How to overwinter Mandevilla indoors

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