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.
     

History of Pineapples

Pineapple’s, also known as Ananas, Nanas and Pina are originally from South American, mainly Brazil and Paraguay, where they still grow in the wild. The Spanish helped to spread them around the world in the 16th Century; most now come from Hawaii, Guam and thePhilippines. The best qualities come from Hawaii They are the only edible plants in the Bromeliad family. Like Bromeliad’s they produce one flower that fruits in about eighteen months. Keep your pineapple plant slightly acid, (4.5 to 6.5) adding some pine bark will work. Pineapple’s are drought tolerant, and love rainfall. They grow easily in both Tropical and sub-tropical regions. Short bouts of freezing temperatures are usually not a problem.Pineapples do just fine in Central Florida. I’ve been growing them for years on the Central East Coast of Florida.

Don’t let other people tell you that you can’t grow something where you live, it all depends on how much effort you are willing to put into it to keep it alive and growing. Its true that it is easier to grow it under ideal conditions, but if you adjust for them based on the difference you face from where they originally came from you can product acceptable results. Now regarding tropical fruit such as Pineapple’s, if your location is slightly cooler, watch the weather closely and either cover them or keep them in pot’s and bring them inside. In more northern location you may need a greenhouse  with or without a heater.  

Growing Pineapples

Starting a new pineapple is easy. Begin with a pineapple you buy at the super market, when it is ready to cut and eat, don’t cut off the top. Twist it off and set it aside for 3 days. On the third day peel off the bottom leaves until you can see the root stubs. At this point place the top into a clear jar of water, topping off the water each day until you see a strong growth of roots. At this time fill a pot with potting soil and a little fertilizer (soil with fertilizer in it is best). You have now started your first pineapple. Keep it in full sun and well watered. It will take about a year or so to flower. The flower is your pineapple, give it times to mature.

Follow the steps in the photo's below 

                                     

                                                                                                                                                                      PINEAPPLE WITH TOP TWISTED OFF                              

TOP BEFORE LEAVES REMOVED

TOP WITH BOTTOM LEAVES REMOVED








READY FOR JAR OF WATER









PLACE INTO JAR OF WATER

PLANT INTO POT