re: Louisiana Tropical Fruit Gardening - Experiences and Updates

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citrus mangos

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They are a thing; and as it works out Peach Cobbler is one of them. The one I had earlier this month tasted like a typical mango crossed with an orange Starburst candy. Delish.

Unfortunately; there’s an invasive insect spreading a disease in the citrus trees in Florida. It’s wiping out the citrus trees and making the fruit barely edible. Some varieties have been identified which tolerate it; but, it’s probably too little too late at this point. I’ve got trees that are 4-5 years old which still haven’t produced fruit. It may be time for them to go,

I would try Hidden Acres.

Avocado season has officially begun. Picked my first few Brogdon today. Planted as a 15g tree in late 23’. Last year it produced one fruit; which was consumed by a local squirrel instead of me. Bastard. Anyhow, I should end up with 6-7 this year.

Detweilers is a local grocery/market chain in Sarasota. One week a year they bring in Florida mangoes. In years past they’ve partnered with Zill for fruit and even trees. This year they partnered with some different growers in Homestead and Tampa. The options aren’t necessarily amazing, mostly a selection of Florida classics. But; I’m always happy to nab Valencia Pride, Kent, Palmer and Angie for $3lb.

Last 2 passionfruit came off the vine. Ripening well.



Finally had a sweet tart that was properly picked and ripened. Of course it came from Alex at Tropic Acres. This completely changes my opinion of sweet tart. One of the best mangos I've ever had and the best indochinese mango I've ever had.



This really, really makes me feel good about growing the very similar Cecilove. Speaking of which...



My third Cecilove is growing just fine. No issues with this one again, Wiltz. I think you must have had a dud tree.

Nice. My plumeria is starting to bloom too. My flamethrower is also off to the races. Thing is looking good with morning sun and filtered light the rest of the day.


New fronds on the lipstick are also darkening up since moving to the shade. I think the full sun here is just too much for a young one.


But my Chamaedorea radicalis is quietly becoming my favorite palm...


Had a Spirit of 76 mango last night. Excellent classic flavor with maybe a little citrus or peach.


First lemon cattley guava ripened today. Not good. The first ones never are.


In an effort to understand why my Pickering mangos won't ripen correctly, I picked the next one as soon as I saw color break. I'll let this one ripen on the counter and see if I can avoid the internal breakdown.

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My plumeria is starting to bloom too.

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. No blooms yet. No buds either. I just got them so I figure it may take a while. I fertilized them with Plumeria fertilizer when I planted them last week. I am going to keep an eye on them to see when they are going to bud out.


I am also starting to get some flowers on my orange bird of paradise now. You may remember that early in the year I said I had only gotten one in two years. Ive had three or four this year but only one at a time. Right now, I have one flower and I can see 5 more flowers that are growing. I have learned how to tell what a flower looks like growing vs a new leaf. Its doing much better and I hope to have 5 or 6 flowers at the same time in a week or so. I think its age and that fertilizer you recommended is helping.


Your flame thrower looks nice. I have moved mine out in the sun. Not all day but half the day then filtered sun the rest of the day. Its just getting too big to be under my lanai so I had to get it out there. Mine is about 7 feet tall now.

We are getting some great rain from that system out in the gulf finally. We have been dry as hell here for two years and looks like about 5 days of this. I am fine missing charters for this rain because we need it and it has been substantial. My pool it filled up to the top and our pond in the back yard it inching up as well. Everything in the neighborhood is getting green again

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But my Chamaedorea radicalis is quietly becoming my favorite palm...

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Thats a great looking tree. Similar to my majestic but not as thick. I am not sure I have seen one anywhere down here? What is the common name and did you find it at a nursery or order it



ETA, man that massive allocasia behind your flame thrower looks awesome. I have loved the elephant ear plants since I was a kid. LOL. I finally have one and its doing pretty good. Staying green and growing. I have repotted it already twice this year. I bought it in a 3, moved it to a 7 and now its in a 10. I am not familiar with the different versions so I dont know if mine will get those huge leaves on it. It also looks like yours in planted.

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Thanks man. I made a post about them in this thread. I will link it:

LINK

EXTREMELY interesting palm with unlimited potential. No common name as far as I know. They are nonexistent in the nursery trade.

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Let me see if I can find one online somewhere. Thanks.

Ordered. Chatted with that guy. Seems pretty legit.

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Need to decide how to make the best use of it. In ground? It will never even take freeze damage in 10a. In the shade? It will tolerate it gladly. In a pot? Looks like a Christmas palm that you never have to bring inside for freezes.

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I think I will start it off in a pot around my pool. I have a couple that needs something in them. I may eventually put it in the ground but man, my yard is crazy full of palms and plants right now. I mean it is tight out there.


We will see but for now, I will pot it and keep an eye on it in the pool cage

Picture is not loading. Repost so we can try to identify it.