Lawn and Garden: Tropical and Subtropical Fruit

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Provides homeowners with a basic reference for growing canistel in the home landscape. Tables include varieties in Florida, cultural practices by month, fertilizer program and nutritional values.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Camellia sinensis var. sinensis has been cultivated since ancient times in China and Japan and was first exported to Russia. Europeans first encountered tea when traders first reached China, and eventually tea became popular in Europe. The C. sinensis var. assamica tea was being used by indigenous people in India, and during the 1800s was grown along with imported C. sinensis var. sinensis. The hybrids from these are commonly used in tea-growing areas outside China and Japan. Today, tea production and drinking has spread throughout the world. Camellia sinensis var. sinensis is commonly called China type tea and C. sinensis var. assamica is commonly called Assam type tea.

Jonathan H. Crane

Key lime, West Indian lime, Mexican lime (Limón Mexicano), dayap (Filipino), manao (Thai), chanh (Vietnamese), limão galego (Portuguese), tilleul clé (French).

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Carlos F. Balerdi, Steven Sargent, Ian Maguire, andIan Maguire

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Provides homeowners with a basic reference for growing abiu in the home landscape. Tables include suggested cultural practices by month, fertilizer program, and nutritional values.

Carlos F. Balerdi, Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andEugene A. Joyner

Coffee Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Carlos F. Balerdi, Ian Maguire, andIan Maguire

This document provides a comprehensive guide to growing avocados in Florida. It covers the scientific classification, origin, and distribution of avocados, along with detailed descriptions of the tree, leaves, flowers, and fruit. The article discusses pollination, varieties, climate adaptation, propagation methods, and crop yields. It also includes practical advice on planting, spacing, pruning, fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease control, and harvesting. Additionally, it highlights the nutritional value and culinary uses of avocados, emphasizing their importance in the home landscape. First published March 1983.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Provides homeowners with a basic reference for growing monstera in the home landscape. Includes a table of suggested cultural practices by month.

Jeff Wasielewski, Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

In order to maintain fruit production in a tree's lower canopy, it must be exposed to sufficient light. When fruit trees are allowed to grow too tall or to become shaded by adjacent trees, the lower canopy will be lost and only the middle or top of the tree will flower and set fruit. To prevent this, fruit trees should be pruned annually or biannually.

Carlos F. Balerdi, Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andMichael S. Orfanedes

This article discusses the numerous varieties of tropical and subtropical fruits that can be grown in the home landscape as alternatives to citrus. This version reflects the current situation with respect to citrus disease threats and alters the recommendation for two fruit crops that are considered invasive in South Florida.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Carlos F. Balerdi, andEugene A. Joyner

Cacao, or cocoa, is an ancient crop having been harvested and used by the indigenous people of Central and South America for thousands of years. Cocoa was introduced to Europe during the 16th century. In 1825–1828 technology to separate the cocoa butter from the dried beans was developed, which lead to the manufacture of solid chocolate. The invention of milk-chocolate by the Swiss in 1876 lead to the world-wide multi-billion-dollar chocolate processing industry.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Carlos F. Balerdi, Ian Maguire, andIan Maguire

Provides homeowners with an expanded and reorganized basic reference for growing atemoya in the home landscape. Tables include information on cultural practices by month, fertilizer program, and flowering behavior.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Carlos F. Balerdi, Ian Maguire, andIan Maguire

Jackfruit is important in India and other Asian countries like Sri Lanka, southern China, Malaysia, and Myanmar. There is limited production in Australia, Mauritius, Brazil, Surinam, Jamaica, Mexico, Hawaii, and south Florida.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Pitaya (Dragonfruit) Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Carlos F. Balerdi, Ian Maguire, Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andIan Maguire

Lychee Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Jonathan H. Crane

Pejibaye (Peach Palm) Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Carlos F. Balerdi, Jonathan H. Crane, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Bananas are vigorously growing, monocotyledonous herbaceous plants. There are two species of banana, Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana, and most banana cultivars are hybrids of these species. Banana cultivars vary greatly in plant and fruit size, plant morphology, fruit quality, and disease and insect resistance. Most bananas have a sweet flavor when ripe; exceptions to this are cooking bananas and plantains.

Jonathan H. Crane and M. Lilia Caldeira

Jonathan H. Crane

This document provides comprehensive information on growing papaya in Florida's home landscapes. It covers the scientific name, common names, origin, and distribution of papaya. Detailed descriptions of tree types, leaves, flowers, and fruit are included. The article also discusses climate requirements, propagation methods, crop yields, spacing, pruning, soil types, planting techniques, care practices, pest and disease management, and the nutritional value of papaya fruit. Practical advice on site selection, irrigation, mulching, and harvesting is provided to ensure successful papaya cultivation. Publication date: 1986.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Small, single or multi-trunked trees to 20 ft (6.1 m) in height with a broad, spreading or upright canopy. Trees may be single or multi-trunked. The bark of the trunk is attractive with a mottled greenish-brown to light brown color.

Jonathan H. Crane

This document provides a comprehensive overview of carambola, also known as star fruit, detailing its cultivation, varieties, and environmental requirements. It highlights the tree's growth patterns, optimal conditions for fruit production, and the importance of proper planting and care. The article also addresses potential challenges such as pests, diseases, and environmental stressors, offering solutions for effective management. Additionally, it emphasizes the nutritional value and various uses of carambola, making it a valuable addition to home landscapes in suitable climates. Original publication date April 1994.

Ali Sarkhosh and Jeff Williamson

Carlos F. Balerdi, Ian Maguire, Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andIan Maguire

Sapodilla Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Jonathan H. Crane

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Black Sapote Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

This article provides homeowners with a basic reference for growing caimito (star apple) in the home landscape. Tables include suggested cultural practices by month, fertilizer program and nutritional values.

Jonathan H. Crane

Growing 'Tahiti' Limes in the Home Landscape

Kevin M. Folta, Dustin Huff, and Ali Sarkhosh

Despite being cultivated in China for millennia, the Chinese jujube is mostly unknown to Western consumers. The fruits are borne from vigorous trees that are tolerant to drought and other stresses, as well as disease. A number of cultivars have been demonstrated to produce in Florida. This publication is a review of jujube genetics and management as this crop gains favor among growers on small farms and home growers.

Jonathan H. Crane, Bruce Schaffer, Young Gu Her, Haimanote K. Bayabil, Jeff Wasielewski, andClyde Fraisse

Commercial tropical fruit crop acreage is expanding in Florida outside the traditional extreme south Florida and coastal counties. This largely results from the significantly warmer climate, less frequent freezing events, and less severity and duration of freezing events throughout the state, especially south-central counties. In addition, as the loss of citrus acreage continues, citrus growers and entrepreneurs are seeking alternative crops to remain in business. The successful establishment and maintenance of tropical and subtropical fruit crops in Florida depend on the crop’s tolerance to critical abiotic factors, including tolerance to flooded or waterlogged soil conditions, its ability to withstand high soil and irrigation water salinity, and its high and low temperature ranges for growth, flowering, and production. This publication aims to provide an understanding of the impacts of environmental factors on subtropical and tropical fruit crops grown in Florida.

Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Carlos F. Balerdi, Carlos F. Balerdi, Ian Maguire, andIan Maguire

Provides homeowners with an expanded and reorganized basic reference for growing mango in the home landscape. Tables include information on characteristics of Florida mango varieties, cultural practices by month, fertilizer program, and nutritional values.

Ajay Das andJianjun Chen

Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) is a slow-growing, ornamental fruit tree suited to Florida’s climate (Zones 9a–11). It thrives in acidic, consistently moist soils under partial shade, producing fruit with nutritional and medicinal value. Its unique cauliflory and flaking bark make it a distinctive addition to home landscapes. Moreover, once established, the tree is relatively low maintenance. For home gardeners, the publication provides an overview of growing jaboticaba in Florida and a brief review of the fruit's nutraceutical value. Florida gardeners can enjoy increased pollination and biodiversity in the yard, as well as fruit with health benefits.

Carlos F. Balerdi, Ian Maguire, John McLaughlin, Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andIan Maguire

This UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s) describes this tropical fruit, suitable climate for optimum growth, propagation, production and spacing for the home landscape, soils, planting, care, and pruning, harvest, ripening, storage, and use and nutritional value of the cashew apple. Includes references.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s).

Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

HS-1066 discusses pre-hurricane planning and prevention, post-hurricane practices, and hurricane tolerances of selected tropical fruit trees. Includes references and tables showing recommended plant heights, flooding tolerance, minimum temperatures, and mean ranges and ambient temperatures for the Homestead, Florida area.

Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, andBruce Schaffer

Rollinia (Annona mucosa Jacq.) (sometimes called biribá) is a fast-growing tropical fruit tree cultivated for its large, aromatic fruits. It is well adapted to the warm, humid conditions of south Florida, where it produces an extended warm-season crop, is generally unaffected by major pest and disease pressure, and shows potential for niche fresh and processing markets. Constraints include sensitivity to flooding and salinity, fruit fragility, and short postharvest life. This publication is intended for commercial growers, Extension personnel, and homeowners and students interested in growing this species. Drawing on published literature and field observations from south Florida, the publication addresses botany, phenology, fruit characteristics, pollination biology, environmental requirements, horticultural practices, propagation, orchard management, yields, and postharvest behavior.