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Surinam Cherry Planting and Care

The Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora), also known as Pitanga, is a small tropical fruit tree that can be grown in a food forest in central Florida. It is known for its small, red, and juicy fruit that are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Surinam cherry is a nutritious and flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh, used in jams, jellies and baking, or dried and used as a sweetener. It is a hardy and easy to care for plant that can tolerate a wide range of soil types and moisture levels. However, it’s important to note that Surinam cherry is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures, so it’s best to grow them in a protected location or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter months.

Surinam cherry prefers well-drained soil, full sun, and regular watering. When planting Surinam cherry, make sure to space the trees about 8-10 feet apart and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Surinam cherry typically take about 2-3 years from planting to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the fruit is bright red and slightly soft to the touch. To harvest, simply pick the fruit off the tree with your fingers.

Cold Hardiness

Surinam cherry is a tropical plant that prefers warm and humid conditions, but there are some cold hardy varieties that can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F.

Self-Pollinating

Surinam cherry is a self-fertile plant, which means that it doesn’t require cross-pollination from other plants to produce fruit. However, planting multiple trees will increase fruit production.

Planting and Care

Surinam cherry prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, but can also grow in full sun. It is important to water the tree regularly during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer in early spring and late summer can help promote healthy growth and fruit production.

Harvesting

Surinam cherry fruits are ripe when they turn bright red or purple and have a slightly soft texture. The fruits can be harvested by hand or using a fruit picker. It is important to handle the fruits carefully as they are delicate and can bruise easily.

Propagation

Surinam cherry can be propagated by seed or cuttings. To propagate by seed, collect the ripe fruits, remove the pulp and wash the seeds. Plant the seeds in well-drained soil and keep the soil moist. Germination can take 2-4 weeks. To propagate by cuttings, take a 6-8 inch cutting from a healthy plant and remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem. Dip the stem in rooting hormone and plant it in well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist and the cutting in a shaded area until roots develop.

Diseases and Pests

Surinam cherry is generally pest and disease resistant, but it can be affected by aphids, mites, and whiteflies. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Surinam cherry can also be affected by root rot, which can be caused by overwatering or poorly-drained soil. To prevent root rot, ensure the soil is well-drained and avoid overwatering.

Surinam cherry is a delicious and low-maintenance fruit tree that can be a great addition to a central Florida food forest. By following the planting and care tips outlined above, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of Surinam cherry fruits.

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Barbados Cherry Planting and Care

The Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra) is a small tropical fruit tree that can be grown in a food forest in central Florida. It is also known as Acerola and for its small, red, and juicy fruit that are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Once specifically grown for vitamin C production.  However, it’s important to note that Barbados cherry is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures, so it’s best to grow them in a protected location or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter months as they get established.

Barbados cherry prefers well-drained soil, full sun, and regular watering. When planting Barbados cherry, make sure to space the trees about 8-10 feet apart and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Barbados cherry require regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as they do not tolerate soggy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer.

Barbados cherry is one of my top three picks for fruit shrubs or trees as it typically takes about 1-2 years from planting to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. Generally, it can fruit the first year.  The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the fruit is bright red and slightly soft to the touch. To harvest, simply pick the fruit off the tree with your fingers.

Barbados cherry is a nutritious and flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh, used in jams, jellies and baking, or dried and used as a sweetener.

Barbados cherry is generally a hardy and disease-resistant tree. However, there are a few pests and diseases that can affect it:

  1. Fruit fly: This is one of the most common pests that affect Barbados cherry. To control fruit flies, you can use insecticides or cover the fruits with bags or nets.
  2. Anthracnose: This is a fungal disease that affects the leaves and fruits of Barbados cherry. It can be controlled by pruning the affected parts of the tree, ensuring proper drainage, and avoiding over-fertilization.
  3. Root rot: This is a fungal disease that affects the roots of the tree, leading to poor growth and eventual death. It can be controlled by ensuring proper drainage and avoiding over-watering.

Propagation of Barbados cherry can be done through seeds or cuttings. Seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours before planting. Cuttings should be taken from mature, healthy branches and planted in well-draining soil and placed in a warm humid place to fully root.

Barbados cherry can be grown in a food forest in central Florida, but it’s important to choose cold hardy varieties and to take extra precautions to protect the trees from frost and cold temperatures. With proper care and attention, a Barbados cherry tree can produce a bountiful harvest of nutritious and delicious fruit. 

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Fig Planting and Care

Fig trees (Ficus carica) are a popular fruit crop that can be grown in a food forest in central Florida. They are known for their sweet and flavorful fruit, as well as their hardiness and ease of care. However, it’s important to note that fig trees are sensitive to frost and cold temperatures, so it’s best to grow them in a protected location or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter months.

When choosing varieties of fig trees to grow in your food forest, consider selecting a cultivar that is well-suited to the specific growing conditions in your area. Some cold hardy edible varieties for central Florida include:

‘Celeste’: This variety is known for its small, sweet fruit and its ability to tolerate cold temperatures. It can survive temperatures down to 10°F (-12°C). I like the Celeste because it is cold hardy and “closed eye” on the bottom end to avoid the beetle pest that sometimes enters other open eye fig varieties.

‘Brown Turkey’: This variety is known for its large, sweet fruit and its tolerance to cold temperatures. It can survive temperatures down to 20°F (-6°C).

‘Chicago Hardy’: This variety is known for its hardiness and ability to tolerate cold temperatures. It can survive temperatures down to -10°F (-23°C).

Fig trees prefer well-drained soil, full sun, and regular watering. When planting fig trees, make sure to space the trees about 10-15 feet apart and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Fig trees also benefit from being mulched with leaves or straw.

Fig trees require regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as they do not tolerate soggy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer.

Fig trees typically take about 2-3 years from planting to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the fruit is soft and the skin is slightly wrinkled. To harvest, simply pick the fruit off the tree with your fingers.

Fig trees are a nutritious and flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh, used in jams, jellies and baking, or dried and used as a sweetener.

Fig trees can be grown in a food forest in central Florida, but it’s important to choose cold hardy varieties and to take extra precautions to protect the trees from frost and cold temperatures. With proper care and attention, a fig tree can produce a bountiful harvest of nutritious and delicious fruit for many years. Keep in mind that fig trees are sensitive to cold temperatures, so it’s best to grow them in a protected location or in a container.

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Banana Planting and Care

Bananas (Musa spp.) are a tropical fruit crop that can be grown in a food forest in central Florida. They are known for their large, flavorful fruit and their easy-care nature. However, it’s important to note that bananas are sensitive to frost and cold temperatures, so it’s best to grow them in a protected location or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter months.

When choosing varieties of bananas to grow in your food forest, consider selecting a cultivar that is well-suited to the specific growing conditions in your area. Some cold hardy edible varieties for central Florida include:

Dwarf Cavendish is a popular variety that is considered to be cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F (-2°C)

Rajapuri is a variety known for its hardiness and can tolerate temperatures down to 30°F (-1°C)

Grand Nain (Musa ‘Grand Nain’) and Blue Java (Musa ‘Ice Cream’) are two varieties of banana that are known for their cold hardiness and their large, flavorful fruit.

The Grand Nain variety is also known as the “Chiquita Banana” and it’s considered to be one of the most cold hardy varieties of banana, it can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F (-2°C) and is a heavy yielder. It is known for its large, elongated fruit that has a sweet and creamy flavor.

The Blue Java, also known as “Ice Cream Banana” is a cold hardy variety that is known for its tolerance to cold temperatures, it can tolerate temperatures down to 25°F (-4°C) and it’s also a heavy yielder. It is known for its unique blue-gray skin and creamy, vanilla-flavored fruit.

There is a very cold hardy banana called a “hardy banana” or Musa Basjoo or fiber banana. This is generally considered an inedible fibrous fruit.

Both varieties are considered to be cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures lower than other banana varieties, but it’s important to note that they still require some protection from frost and cold temperatures. They will require protection during the winter and some growers recommend covering them with frost blankets or moving them indoors during the coldest months if they are still in containers. Even if they get knocked back, even to the ground, in sub freezing temps, they will probably come right back up as temps rise consistently.  Creating microclimates by placing them in a banana circle or close to the southern side foundation of your house can keep them warmer during the coldest periods.  Additionally, a windbreak that will stop strong cold winds from lashing them will also help.

Plaintains are another option from the same family as bananas. Plaintains are more often cooked green as a starchy addition to a meal rather than eating like a sweet desert banana. Cooked plaintains go very well with beans like black beans in Cuban or other island types of cooking and cuisine.

Bananas prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and warm weather. They can be grown in a container or in the ground, but they do require a lot of space. When planting bananas, make sure to space the plants about 8-10 feet apart, and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Bananas require regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as they do not tolerate soggy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Planting them a top swales in a permaculture setting is a good design placement.  Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer or feed with scraps to make compost into the middle of a banana circle.

Bananas typically take about 9-12 months from planting to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the skin turns from green to yellow. To harvest, simply cut the fruit off the stem with a sharp knife.

Bananas are a nutritious and flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh, used in cooking and baking, or dried, or used as a sweetener.

Bananas can be grown in a food forest in central Florida, but it’s important to choose cold hardy varieties and to take extra precautions to protect the plants from frost and cold temperatures. With proper care and attention, a banana tree crop can produce a bountiful harvest of nutritious and delicious fruit for many years.

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Blueberries Planting and Care

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are a native fruit crop to Florida and can be grown in a food forest in central Florida. They are known for their sweet and juicy fruit, high nutritional value, and the fact that they are very easy to grow.

When choosing varieties of blueberries to grow in your food forest, consider selecting a cultivar that is well-suited to the specific growing conditions in your area. Some native Florida blueberry varieties include:

Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) and Southern Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum x V. darrowii) are two types of blueberries that are well-suited to growing in different parts of Florida.

Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the southeastern United States and are well-suited to growing in zones 7-9. They are known for their tolerance to heat and humidity, and they require a longer chilling period (500-800 hours) than other blueberry varieties. They are also more tolerant to soil pH, and can tolerate soil pH between 5.0 to 6.5. These varieties are also known for their high yield, and good fruit size and quality.

Southern Highbush blueberries, on the other hand, are a hybrid of the Northern Highbush blueberry and the Rabbiteye blueberry, developed to be more cold hardy and adaptable to milder climates. They are well-suited to growing in zones 7-9 and require less chilling hours (150-300 hours) than other blueberry varieties. They are also more tolerant of various soil pH and can tolerate soil pH between 4.5 to 6.5.

In central Florida, both varieties of blueberries could be grown, but Southern Highbush blueberries may have a slight advantage as they require less chilling hours in the more southern parts. It is best to check with local extension service or a local nursery to get information on which varieties would be the best fit for your specific area.

Blueberries prefer more acidic, well-drained soil, full sun, and regular watering. When planting blueberries, it’s important to space the plants about 4-5 feet apart, and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Blueberries also benefit from being mulched with pine straw or leaves.

Blueberries require regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as they do not tolerate soggy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer, or an acid-specific fertilizer. Blueberries are also heavy feeders and will benefit from regular fertilizing.

Blueberries are ready to harvest about 2-3 months after planting. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the berries turn from green to blue. To harvest, simply pick the berries off the bush with your fingers.

Blueberries are a nutritious and delicious fruit that can be eaten fresh, used in jams, jellies and baking, or frozen for later use. They are also great for making a refreshing blueberry juice.

Native Florida blueberries are a great addition to a food forest in central Florida. They are easy to grow, nutritious, and delicious. A blueberry bush can produce a bountiful harvest of fruit for many years. Keep in mind that blueberries require acidic soil and regular fertilization, but with the right care, they can thrive in central Florida. 

Blueberries require cross-pollination to produce fruit, so it’s best to plant at least two of the same variety (rabbiteye with rabbiteye, highbush with highbush) of blueberries in order to ensure good fruit production. It is also recommended to prune blueberries annually, removing old canes and any canes that are no longer productive. This will help to maintain the health of the bush and encourage new growth for future harvests.