CARAMBOLA / STARFRUIT

We are picking Carambola's now, our trees are loaded and the local supermarket is selling imported Carambola's for an outrageous price. We believe in being earth friendly (pesticide free).  If you are interested and live in Tampa bay for these sweet untainted fruit, you can reach us at tropicalfuittrees@gmail.com

Mango From Seed

On June 6, 2012 I showed you how to start a plant from seed, the seed I used was from a mango. This photo is of that seed, about 2 months. As soon as it produced roots and started it's trunk I planted it into a pot.        

MACADAMIA NUT TREES

SEED STARTING KIT

Most people start their plants from seedling, but you can easily start from seeds and save some money. The following method works equally well with trees, herbs and vegetables. How many times have you sow your seeds by hand, just tossing them into your planting bed, covered them with soil, watered any crossed your fingers. Then when something brakes the surface you start to wonder if this is your seedling or a weed.  You start with your seeds, paper towel and a plastic (zip-lock) bag.

THESE ARE ALL THE ITEMS YOU NEED TO START

Step 1

Mark Ziploc with name of seeds & date started.

Step 2

Wet paper towel squeezing out excess water leaving paper towel damp.

Step 3

Wrap seed or seeds in wet paper towel, folding it once or twice.

Step 4

Place wrapped seed or seeds into the Ziploc and store in indirect light until they show root and stems

Step 5

Remove seed from Ziploc and plant in a small pot until it is large enough to plant in your garden

INTRODUCTION to TROPICAL FRUIT

 

      Much of the fruit that you eat every day are really tropical imports. What I mean is that they did not originate here, the trees and seeds were brought in from countries all around the world. Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, Loquats originated in Asia. Cherimoya and dragon fruit from Mexico, Mango’s from Burma and eastern India. Many of these fruits have been breed or adapted to our southern climate and a few to our northern climate. What I hope to do is to familiarize you with the fruit that will (with some help) grow in your location.

CARAMBOLA (STAR FRUIT )

LOQUAT (JAPANESE PLUM)

PONDEROSA LEMONS

  

       Any time you  grow any kind of  food you will need a pest detente. Some people use traps or poisons,  since I grow all my fruit without pesticide's, I use these as my fruit security enforcer's. They chase birds, insects and other pests.

FRUIT SECURITY ENFORCER TIGGER

FRUIT SECURITY ENFORCER SAM

   

                                               BIRDS & PESTS ENTER at   YOUR  OWN RISK                                        

POTTING OR PLANTING YOUR PINEAPPLE

When your Pineapple has filled the glass bottle with roots you have 2 options, pot it or plant it in your garden.
     Planting it your garden requires a bit of space about 12 feet across in full sun, though I have grown them under my Macadamia tree. Water them twice a week and wait. When the plant leaves reach a length of 6 feet take 1 teaspoon of Calcium Carbide mixed in 2 cups of water and pour into the center of the leaves; this will force it to flower.

Ready to add Calcium Carbide

 This can be obtained at the locale farm store; they know it as chicken manure.   It will take 12 to 16 months to start a flower (the flower is your Pineapple). Once the flower appears it just a little while longer, but at least you are able to watch it grow in size. I always wait until I can smell the sweetness before I pick it.

 

The flower begins

Just a matter of time before you can pick and eat it.

    Potting it you will need a fairly large pot, actually you may be better off getting a new clean paint bucket at your local hardware store. Drill drain holes around the sides about ½ a foot above the bottom and 1 or 2 holes in the bottom. Fill with potting soil.
     If you plan in growing it inside you will need a fancier pot designed for inside plants. Don’t forget to allow for the full growing size of your Pineapple.
   

When your Pineapple has filled the glass bottle with roots you have 2 options, pot it or plant it in your garden.
     Planting it your garden requires a bit of space about 12 feet across in full sun, though I have grown them under my Macadamia tree. Water them twice a week and wait. When the plant leaves reach a length of 6 feet take 1 teaspoon of Calcium Carbide mixed in 2 cups of water and pour into the center of the leaves; this will force it to flower. This can be obtained at the locale farm store; they know it as chicken manure.   It will take 12 to 16 months to start a flower (the flower is your Pineapple). Once the flower appears it just a little while longer, but at least you are able to watch it grow in size. I always wait until I can smell the sweetness before I pick it.
     Potting it you will need a fairly large pot, actually you may be better off getting a new clean paint bucket at your local hardware store. Drill drain holes around the sides about ½ a foot above the bottom and 1 or 2 holes in the bottom. Fill with potting soil.
     If you plan in growing it inside you will need a fancier pot designed for inside plants. Don’t forget to allow for the full growing size of your Pineapple.