Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Crops for the Home Landscape: Alternatives to Citrus

Fruit trees for Florida

By Michael S. Orfanedes, Jonathan H. Crane and Carlos F. Balerdi

This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.

Introduction

Bacterial citrus canker continues to ravage citrus plantings throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and much of south Florida. Infected trees may severely defoliate and management options are very limited; sanitation procedures and following quarantine regulations are very important. Because of its highly infectious nature, the state has opted for an aggressive eradication program, which seeks to eliminate infected and exposed trees in south Florida. By doing so, authorities hope to stem the northward migration of the disease, one of Florida's most serious horticultural epidemics in years, and a real threat to the states lucrative multi-billion dollar citrus industry.

As of June 2001, the state had removed over 3.7 million citrus trees (commercial and dooryard combined) and the number continues to grow. Residents who have lost citrus vary in their reaction. Some express anger and frustration over the loss of trees they have cared for and tended for a number of years. Others appear resigned to the situation and hope that their loss will mean some greater gain in the future. For some residents, that could mean the opportunity to grow some exciting tropical and subtropical fruit crop alternatives.

The south Florida climate offers the opportunity to successfully produce a surprising variety of tropical and subtropical backyard fruits. Many of them have strange names, odd shapes and exotic flavors, particularly for those of us who have come from up north. Yet many of these fruits are tempting, nutritious, and luscious old favorites enjoyed by the peoples of the tropics around the globe. Examples include, avocado, mango, guava, and papaya or perhaps the even more exotic carambola, jakfruit and jaboticaba. Although many of these species can attain the size of large trees, routine pruning can keep them to a manageable size for most backyard situations.

The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has a wealth of information on how to grow and enjoy these and many other tropical and subtropical fruits right here in south Florida. Learn which varieties are adapted to our area, recommended cultural practices, pitfalls, and preparation techniques. Free publications on tropical fruit crops and nursery location information is available from the Miami-Dade County (tel: 305-248-3311), Broward County (tel: 954-370-3725), and Palm Beach County (tel: 561-233-1712) Cooperative Extension Service. Free publications may also be viewed and downloaded for printing at the University of Florida (UF), Institute of Food and Agricultural Service, Electronic Digital Information System (edis) World Wide Web site at //edis.ifas.ufl.edu (hint: search the edis site by key words, for example, mango). For sale UF publications may be found on the World Wide Web at //ifasbooks.ufl.edu/.

Below is an overview of some of the fruits we think local residents might want to grow:

Atemoya (custard apple)

The atemoya is a hybrid between the sugar apple and cherimoya. It produces a fruit very similar to the sugar apple, also called sweetsop or anon. It is a small to medium sized, open, deciduous tree with a rounded canopy rarely exceeding 20 feet in height and width. Because of their relatively small stature, atemoya trees are suited to small yards. A relative of the atemoya, sugar apple has similar characteristics. The fruit is heart-shaped, round, ovate or conical, from 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The pulp is white or creamy white, with a custard-like consistency and a sweet, pleasant flavor. When ripe, atemoyas become light green or yellow-green in color. The pulp of atemoya is consumed principally as a dessert fruit and has an excellent flavor. It may be eaten fresh but it may also be used to make a tasty ice cream or milkshake. Season: late Aug.-Oct., sometimes Dec. -Jan.

Avocado

Perhaps one of the best known subtropical fruits, avocado trees are typically medium to large in size (40-60 feet), easy to grow and can produce large quantities of fruit. Limbs are vulnerable to wind damage and can even break under the weight of a heavy fruit load. The fruit is a very large berry consisting of a single large seed surrounded by a buttery pulp. Mature fruit are generally green, although some cultivars may be black, red or purple when soft (ripe). Avocados do not ripen until they are picked or fall to the ground. Mature fruit size varies considerably depending upon cultivar and growing conditions. Avocados are highly nutritious. Fruit are popular eaten fresh, in salads or used to make guacamole and other dishes. Planting in a well-drained site is a must, as avocados do not tolerate flooding. Productivity, season of maturity, cold tolerance, and disease tolerance vary greatly depending upon the variety under consideration. Season: late May to March.

Banana

A true tropical favorite, bananas are perhaps the best known of the tropical fruits. There are many different cultivars available with a wide variation in fruit type and quality. Bananas are not cold tolerant and some varieties are better adapted to south Florida than others. Growth is extremely rapid during the very warm, wet summer months. Because they reproduce from underground rhizomes and not seed, a single plant can quickly spread out producing multiple trunks in a matter of a few months. Fruits develop in clusters on the end of flower stalks usually within 1-2 years. Shortly after bearing, the stem dies. Bananas like full sun and moist but well drained soil. They will tolerate partial shade, but best growth and fruit production is in full sun. Bananas may be eatten fresh, fried, baked, and added as a component to deserts and drinks. Season: year round.

Caimito (star apple)

Native to Central America and the West Indies, this evergreen tree is highly ornamental and produces a sweet purple or green fruit. Trees may reach 25 to 100 ft in height and have a dense, broad crown. The attractive leaves are glossy and green on the upper surface and golden brown on the under surface. Trees produce either light green or purplish colored fruit. The fruit is round, 2-4 inches in diameter, and may have a dark-purple or white flesh. The flesh is milky, sweet, and gelatinous and surrounds up to 10 seeds. Plant trees in a well-drained soil and sunny location. Season: Jan.-June.

Carambola (star fruit)

Originally from southeast Asia, star fruit is becoming increasingly popular and available in the U.S. Locally, commercial production occurs in the southern half of south Florida. Trees are generally small to medium in height (35 feet max.) and spreading with the majority of fruit borne on branches in the mid-canopy region. The fruit is a large fleshy berry, 2-6 inches in length, yellow skinned with a waxy surface and star-shaped cross section. Flesh is light to dark yellow, translucent, crisp and very juicy. Better cultivars have a nice, slightly sweet to subacid flavor. Eat fresh, cut up in fruit salads, or as an iced juice drink. The fruit may also be canned, preserved, and dried.

Carambola trees also have ornamental value with their dark green foliage and attractive flowers and fruit. Plant in a well-drained soil and sunny location, which has protection from wind. On alkaline soils (those with high pH) watch for signs of minor element deficiencies, particularly zinc, iron, and manganese and treat accordingly. Season: July-September, Nov.-Feb.

Canistel (egg fruit)

Native to southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador, this evergreen tree is ornamental and produces a sweet yellowish-orange top-shaped fruit. Trees may reach 25 ft or so in height with leaves mostly grouped at the ends of branches. The attractive lanceolate-shaped leaves are glossy and green. Trees produce 3-5 inch long by 2-3 inch diameter, conical-shaped fruit. The maturing fruit changes from green to light green to golden-yellow or pale orange-yellow at maturity. After picking allow fruit to become soft before eating. Soft fruit will have a yellow-orange flesh, which is smooth with a sweet to musky flavor. Eggfruit is eaten fresh and used in making milk shakes. Plant trees in a well-drained soil and sunny location. Season: Dec.-May.

Guava

Native to southern Mexico and Central America, guava trees are small, seldom exceeding 20 feet and quite easy to grow. Fruit are produced throughout the year, but the bulk of production in Florida occurs during the summer months. Up to a 25 lbs of fruit per tree can be expected three years after planting, increasing to 100-250 lbs per year when trees attain maturity. Fruit are ripe when flesh softens slightly and turns a light yellow. Depending upon the variety, interior flesh can be white, yellow, pink or red. Cover fruit with a paper bag while small and green to prevent fruit fly damage. Maturing guava must be harvested quickly as birds and insects will readily attack ripe fruit. Guava is tolerant to pruning, which can hasten flower and fruit development. Popular with Hispanic and Asian Americans, guava may be consumed fresh but more often is made into purees, juices and jellies. The fruit has an exotic flavor and aroma. It is an outstanding source of vitamin C, with some varieties having as much as five times the vitamin C content of fresh orange juice. Season: Aug.-Oct., Feb.-March.

Jaboticaba

Native to Brazil, jaboticaba is an unusual tree that produces a purple, grape-like berry directly upon the trunk and larger branches either singly or in clusters. Under the skin is a whitish pulp with 1 to 4 seeds. The fruit has a pleasant flavor and taste a bit like grape. They can be eaten fresh or made into jam, jellies or wine. Flowering and fruiting occur periodically throughout the year so multiple crops are produced. Other than its fruit, jaboticaba is known for its beautiful multicolored bark, which gives it value in the landscape. The tree is small, slow growing, and bushy, and seldom exceeds 20 feet in Florida. Flowers are small and white, interesting but rather inconspicuous and borne right on the trunk and larger branches. Jaboticaba is relatively hardy but will not tolerate drought. Plant in full sun in a moist but fairly well drained soil. The tree prefers a slightly acid soil, so some special attention will be required to provide the proper nutrition on our alkaline soils. If provided with an ideal growing environment, jaboticaba can be a relatively low maintenance tree requiring little pruning or spraying for pests. Season: variable.

Jackfruit (jakfruit)

Native to India and Malaysia, this attractive large tree has glossy, dark green leaves and produces a very large, oval shaped, rather unusual looking segmented (spiked) fruit. Typically, fruit are produced in clusters of 2 or more at various height intervals along the trunk. The skin of the fruit must be peeled to reveal the succulent, yellow to orange colored pulp. Because of sticky latex in the peel, coat your hands with vegetable oil prior to peeling a jackfruit. This will make clean up a lot easier. The flavor is sweet, not unlike that of banana or pineapple, but with a strong, fruity aroma and taste. Fruit may be used fresh, fried green, pickled or roasted (seeds). Jackfruit must be planted in flood free, well-drained soils. In south Florida, jakfruit trees have few serious pest or disease problems. Season: spring-fall (some all year round).

Longan

Indigenous to Mayanmar (Burma), southern China, southwest India, Sri Lanka, and the Indochinese peninsula, longan is large tree (30-40 ft). Longan is an excellent fresh fruit with a pleasant, unique, sweet flavor. Fruit are relative small (about the size of a typical strawberry), round to oval, and borne in loose clusters. When fruit are ripe, the leathery skin develops an attractive golden brown color. Longan trees are attractive having a dense, round to upright, symmetrical canopy of dark green foliage. They may grow as high as 40 feet. Plant in sunny, well-drained sites. Trees may begin to bear within 3-5 years of transplanting. However, unreliable bearing is a major constraint. Season: July-Aug.

Lychee (litchi)

Lychee trees are native to southern China and southeast Asia and may grow to 40 or more feet in height. Lychee is an excellent fresh fruit with a pleasant, sweet flavor. Fruit are a relatively small (about the size of a typical strawberry), round to oval, and borne in loose clusters. When fruit are ripe, the leathery skin develops an attractive pinkish red color. Lychee trees are attractive having a dense, rounded, symmetrical canopy of dark green foliage. They may grow as high as 40 feet. Plant in sunny, well drained sites, preferably where there is some protection from wind. Trees may begin to bear within 3-5 years of transplanting. However, unreliable bearing is a major constraint. Season: June, early July.

Mamey sapote

Native to Mexico and the Central American lowlands, mamey sapote trees are large and erect reaching a height of about 40 feet in Florida. Mamey sapote makes an excellent specimen tree in the home landscape with handsome glossy foliage. The fruit has a brown, scurfy peel and the flesh of mature fruit is salmon pink to reddish brown in color and has a unique, sweet flavor. The tree grows well in a variety of soils, but requires good drainage. Mamey sapote can be eaten fresh, and is also excellent for use in ice cream, sherbets, jellies, and preserves. Milkshakes may also be prepared from the flesh. It requires little care and yields a useful, good tasting fruit. Occasionally, an insect known as the Cuban May beetle may cause some defoliation. Season: Jan.-Sept. (some all year).

Mango

Mango trees are native to southeast Asia and India. Hardly a new comer to Florida, mango trees have been planted and enjoyed for over 100 years in Florida. Mango trees are medium to large trees (up to 100 ft) and there is a wide variety of cultivars available with varying shapes, colors and maturities. Most mangoes are ripe when the fruit softens slightly and takes on a yellow to orange or red color and carries a subtle sweet fragrance. Mangoes are a good source of vitamins A and C. They can be eaten fresh or pureed. Perhaps more than any other tropical fruit, mangoes are readily available at many local nurseries and garden centers. Trees are tough and relatively easy to grow. Most varieties of grafted trees will bear in as little as 3-5 years after transplanting. Season: May-Oct.

Papaya

Indigenous to southern Mexico, Central and South America, papaya plants are relatively short lived (1-3 years) and are easily propagated from seed. Papayas are relatively easy to grow so long as they are sited in full sun and have excellent drainage. Common throughout the tropics, papayas are small to large fruits born on the stem of upright semi-herbaceous trunks. Fruit are sweet, have orange to reddish-salmon colored flesh and contain numerous small black seeds in the interior cavity. Papaya fruit is typically peeled, sliced and consumed fresh. Papaya ringspot virus can be a problem causing stunting and fruit loss; at present there is no control for this disease. Papaya fruit fly is another problem but can be overcome by placing a 3-5 pound paper bag over developing fruit. Amend the soil with plenty of organic matter and fertilize often. Season: year round.

Passion Fruit

Native to South America, passion fruit is a vigorous vine that produces purple, yellow, or reddish colored fruit containing seeds surrounded by an orange, sweet, watery pulp. The juice is very aromatic and is commonly used to make juice or punch. Plant vines next to a fence or along a trellis in a well drained soil area with full sun. Vines begin to bear within 3-6 months of planting. Season June-Dec.

Sapodilla (nispero)

Sapodilla also called chicozapote, is a medium to large tree with small, dark green, glossy leaves. The fruit is round to oval in shape with a brown peel; inside is a light to dark brown, sweet flesh. There are a number of good cultivars available from local nurseries. Trees are well adapted to south Florida and they are very ornamental. Plant trees in well drained areas away from other trees and structures. Trees usually begin bearing after 2-4 years from planting. Season: Feb.-June.

Sugar Apple (annon, sweetsop)

Native to tropical America, the sugar apple, is also called sweetsop or anon, has been widely planted in home gardens of south Florida because of its high quality fruit. It is a small, open, deciduous tree with a rounded canopy, rarely exceeding 20 feet in height and width. Because of their small stature, sugar apple trees are suited to small yards. The fruit is heart-shaped, round, ovate or conical, from 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The pulp is white or creamy white, with a custard-like consistency and a sweet, pleasant flavor. When ripe, sugar apples become light green or yellow-green in color. The sugar apple is consumed principally as a dessert fruit. A relative of the sugar apple called atemoya has similar characteristics to sugar apple. The pulp of sugar apple has an excellent flavor and is usually eaten fresh but it may also be used to make tasty ice cream or milkshakes. Season: July-Sept., Nov. -Jan.

Tamarind

Indigenous to tropical Africa, tamarind is a sturdy, slow growing but large (up to 80 ft) leguminous tree with rough bark, twisting spreading branches and finely pinnate, evergreen foliage. Flowers are pale yellow with red veins and born in small racemes in early summer. The fruit are brown pods measuring 3-8 inches in length containing large seeds embedded in a sticky brown pulp, which is edible. The pulp may have a sweet to sour molasses-like flavor, can be extracted and used to flavor cooking sauces. It is a primary ingredient in certain brands of steak sauce. Because of the many fissures found on its rough textured bark, tamarind trees provide an excellent substrate for growing orchids. Season: April-June.

Summary of Cultural Information

There are numerous tropical and subtropical fruit crops adapted to south Florida's climate. Many tropical and subtropical fruit trees make beautiful specimen trees in the home landscape and provide shade and tasty fruits (Table 1 and Table 2). Some of these fruits are familiar like avocado and mango; others are less well known like carambola and sugar apple.

Tables

Table 1. Common and scientific name, ultimate tree size, recommended planting distance, cold tolerance, water requirement, and harvest season of selected tropical fruit crops.

Common name - English/ Spanish

Scientific name

Ultimate size¹

Rec. distance²

Cold tol. (^oF)³

Water

requirement⁴

Harvest season⁵

Atemoya/ annon
Annona cherimola X A. squamosa
M, 20-30
20+
<=32

Low-moderate
Aug.-Oct., Dec.-Jan.
Avocado/

aguacate

Persea americana

L, 40-50
23-30+

26-30

Low-moderate
Late June-March
Banana (eating)
Musa spp.

S, 5-20
12-15+
<=28

High
All year
Star apple/ caimito
Chrysophyllum cainito

L, 30-40
23-30+

29-31
Low-moderate
Feb.-June
Carambola
Averrhoa carambola

M, 30-35
15-20+
27-32
High
July-Oct.+ Nov.-Feb.
Canistel/

egg fruit

Pouteria campechiana

L, 30-40

23-30+
26-32
Low-moderate
Nov.-March (irregular)
Guava/

guayaba

Psidium guajava

M, ~30
15-20+
27-28
Moderate
Aug.-Oct.+ Feb.-Mar.
Jaboticaba
Myrciaria cauliflora

M, ~30

15-20
<=29

Low
Variable, all year
Jackfruit/

jakfruit

Artocarpus heterophyllus

L, 40-50
23-30+
<=32

Moderate
Spring-fall (some all year)
Longan/

momocillo chino

Nephelium longana

L, 40-50
23-30+
28-30
Moderate-high
July, early Aug.
Lychee/

momocillo chino

Litchi chinensis

L, ~40
23-30+
28-32
Moderate
June, early July
Mamey sapote/ mamey colorado
Pouteria sapota

L, 40-50
23-30+
28-32
High
Jan.-Sept (some all year)
Mango
Mangifera indica

L, 40-60
23-30+

28-30
Low-moderate
May-Oct.
Papaya
Carica papaya

S, ~20
6-15+
<=30

High
All year
Passion fruit/ maracuya
Passiflora edulis & f. flavicarpa

vine
12-20+
<=32

High
June-Dec.
Sapodilla/ chicozapote, nispero
Manilkara zapota

L, 40-50
23-30+
26-30
Low
Feb.-June
Sugar apple/anon
Annona squamosa

S, ~20
15-20+
28-30
Low-moderate
July-Sept.+ Nov.-Jan.
Tamarind/ tamarindo
Tamarindus indica

L, 60-80
25-30+

28-32
Low
April-June
1, Ultimate size (ft), height of mature tree if not pruned, S=small, M=medium, L=large; 2, Planting distance, planting distance to nearest structure or tree. This will vary depending upon purpose of tree, i.e., fruit production or primarily shade; 3, Temperatures at or below which cold damage may occur; 4, Water requirement during the warm period of the year. The water needs of most trees decreases during the winter months. Exceptions are banana, plantain, and papaya, which require sufficient water throughout the year; 5, Harvest season may vary with climate and/or variety.

Table 2. Recommended fertilizer practices for selected young (Y) and mature (M) tropical fruit crops.

Fruit crop
Recommended fertilizer practices^{1, 2, 3}

Atemoya
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. M: 1-3 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 15-18 lbs.
Avocado
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. M: 4-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 20-25 lbs.
Banana
Y: 1/4-1 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. Use a 6-2-12 or similar fertilizer. M: (after plants are 10-15 months old) 5-6 lbs. per tree bimonthly; maximum per year, 10-12 lbs.
Caimito
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. M: 4-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 20-25 lbs.
Carambola
Y: 1/4-1 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. M: 4-5 lb. per tree, 4-6 applications per year; maximum per year, 20-25 lbs.
Canistel
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. M: 4-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 15-20 lbs.
Guava
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase to 1 lb. per tree bimonthly the second year. M: 1-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 20-25 lbs.
Jaboticaba
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree per month the first year, every 2nd month the second year, and every 3rd month the third year. M: 1-2 lbs. per tree, 3-4 applications per year; maximum per year, 3-8 lbs.
Jackfruit
Y: 1/4-1/2 lb. per tree every 6-8 weeks the first year - increase amount with tree size. M: 1-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 20-25 lbs.
Longan
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. M: 3-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 15 lbs.
Lychee
Y: 1/2-1 lb. per tree every 6-8 weeks - increase amount with tree size. M: 3-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 15 lbs.
Mamey sapote
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree bimonthly - increase amount with tree size. M: 3-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 20-25 lbs.
Mango
Y: 1/4-1/2 lb. per tree every 6-8 weeks the first year - increase with tree size. M: 3-5 lbs. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 15-20 lbs.
Papaya
Y: 1/2 lb. per tree every 2-3 weeks. Increase the amount to 1 1/2 lb. per tree until plants are 7-8 months old. M: 1 1/2 lb. per tree per month; maximum per year, 18-24 lbs.
Passion fruit
Y: 4-6 oz. per vine, 4-6 applications per year. M: 1-2 lbs. per vine, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 6-12 lbs.
Sapodilla
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree every 2-3 months - increase with tree size. M: 3-5 lb. per tree, 2-3 applications per year; maximum per year, 15-20 lbs.
Sugar apple
Y: 1/4 lb. per mo. per tree - increase with tree size. M: 1-4 lb. per tree, 3-5 applications per year; maximum per year, 15-20 lbs.
Tamarind
Y: 1/4 lb. per tree every 2-3 months - increase with tree size. M: 3-5 lb. per tree, 2-3 applications per year; maximum per year, 15-20 lbs.
1, Common fertilizer ratios may be used such as 6-6-6, 8-3-9, 8-2-8, 10-10-10, or similar materials.

2, Y, young trees; M, mature trees.

3, Apply minor elements (manganese, zinc) in a foliar spray 3-4 times during the growing season (April-Sept.). Apply iron in a soil drench (water plus iron) 3-4 times during the growing season (June-Sept.best).

Footnotes

1. A compilation of information from numerous other fact sheets and bulletins on tropical fruit crops. This document is part of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date, August 2001.

2. Michael S. Orfanedes, Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent, Broward County Division of Agriculture and Extension Education, Davie; Jonathan H. Crane, Tropical Fruit Crop Specialist, University of Florida, Tropical REC, Homestead, and Carlos F. Balerdi, Multi-County Tropical Fruit Crops Extension Agent, Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service, Homestead. Acknowledgement: Contributions from William Hopkins Jr., Hopkins Rare Fruit Nursery, Ft. Lauderdale.

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