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.
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:
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.
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 practices1, 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).
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.