Dooryard Tropical Fruits by Master Gardener, Dale Galiano

Choosing the Right Plant Do your homework Right plant for right place LOOK UP & Out – Get the dimensions Varieties – do some taste testing When does it fruit - harvest Choosing a plant Planting

Mango

MANGO Bloom from Dec. to April depending on climate and variety. Can get to 30 ft. but prune to 12 – 15 ft. Can take most soil types but not wet feet. First year, fertilize monthly starting at ¼ pound increasing to 1 pound then 3 to 4 times a year there after. Water daily, weekly, 1 week for 3 yrs.

Carambola – Star Fruit

Star Fruit Grafted Tree Height up to 20 but best topped at ft. Main fruiting area 3 to 7 foot Season 2 per year fruiting Aug/Sept and Dec/Feb. Some year round Well drained soil – use compost Regular watering during bloom and fruiting Fertilize monthly then 4 to 6 times a year.

Passion Fruit

Passion Fruit Vine Excellent evergreen for trellis or fence Purple - flowers early spring and fruit matures in 60 to 80 days. Yellow - spring to late fall. Likes slight acid soil and loves to be fed but careful not to much or close to roots. 18 in. Plants from same cutting will not pollinate each other. Purple is self pollinating. Harvest when they fall. Or woody taste.

Papaya

Blooming Papaya

Papaya Stats Propagate from root, tissue or seed Well cared for plants will flower in 4 months and fruit within 7 to 11 months. Giving 60 to 80 pounds of fruit a year. Start ¼ pd. Fertilizer up to 1-2 pd. In a year Pollination......lets talk. Water regularly, no wet feet but no dry outs Harvest when 1/5 to 1/3 yellow.

Monstera Deliciosa

Swiss Cheese Plant - Vine Excellent hedge, cover on fence or up trees Leaves 3 ft. vine up to 70 ft. Slight shade but can take full eastern sun. Fertilizer not high requirement 2-3 per year Drought tolerant but regular gives bigger better fruit. Best eaten fresh

Grumichama Cherry

Tropical Cherry A large shrub to medium tree Spring bloom and fruit Max. 20 ft but top at for easy harvest Fruit has 1 to 3 seeds, thin skin. Has high root system so regular watering needed along with fertilizer during fruit development. Cold tolerant to 26F

Banana

One Banana Two Banana Sweet or cooking plantain care is the same Well drained composted soil with consistent watering for best fruit. Fertilization 6 times a year high in potash/potassium Cut bloom off after bananas have formed for faster development. Harvest when the ridges are full – plump. Cut stalk and hang to ripen.

Yes We Have More Banana's Each banana mat will produce many pseudostem's. Aka suckers. Sword sucker: 12 to 48 in narrow leaves – fruitful. Water sucker: same but broad leaf – weak less fruit......Peepers 1 to 12 in, wait. Once a tree has produced it will die, leaving pups to mature for the next harvest. Select and prune for best results.

Peaches-Plums-Nectarines-Pears- Apples Yes We Can!!!

It's All In The Chill Hours U of FL has produced low chill hour fruits. Chill hours are required for blooming and fruiting. Apple, pear and plum require another tree for pollination. Nectarine, peach do not. Check the U of FL fact sheets on your selection for soil, watering and fertilization needs. Easy to grow and very tasty.

Other Goodies

Things To Remember We are in Zone 9B-10A don't get creative. Re-think citrus How much can you eat or preserve Do your homework before buying and planting When in doubt.....call the Master Gardeners. Attend Treasure Coast Rare Fruit Club meeting.

THANK YOU AND HAPPY GARDENING !!

Master Gardener Offices 8400 Picos Road, Fort Pierce, (772) Or Morningside Library 2410 SE Morningside Blvd, Port St. Lucie, Website: