LSU Champagne Fig is a hybrid releases from the Louisiana State University (LSU) agricultural program. It is a cross between 'Celeste' (female) and C1 (male) which is a Capri fig from California.
LSU Champagne produces small fruit with yellow to green skin and golden flesh. It's a green fig, just like Ischia, Kadota, etc.
Champagne has a slightly rounded end that tapers towards the stem and a short neck. The eye is partially closed on mature fruit.
Where to buy: https://www.gurneys.com/product/fig-champagne-fig
LSU fig breeding program has been very productive over the years, since 1950's. “Figs are fun to grow and collect. You can grow them in 5-gallon or 10-gallon pots and put many different varieties in a backyard.” The LSU AgCenter revived O’Rourke’s research in 1990 and began releasing new varieties. “Since then, we’ve released LSU Purple, LSU Gold, Tiger, Champagne and O’Rourke, which we named after Ed,” Johnson said. Read more here: https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/communications/news/news_archive/2015/june/headline_news/figs-remain-popular-louisiana-fruit
References:
https://www.figdatabase.com/variety-details/660/lsu-champagne
PDF article
Wampee (Clausena lansium) fruit tree
Clausena lansium, known as wampee or wampi, from the Chinese word for yellow skinned fruit. It is a species of strongly scented evergreen trees 3–8 m tall, in the family Rutaceae, native to southeast Asia.
Its leaves are smooth and dark green. White flowers appear in late March. The fruit is oval, about 3 cm long and 2 cm in diameter, and contains two to five seeds that occupy ~40-50% of the fruit volume. The tree reaches a maximum height of 20 meters. It grows well in tropical or subtropical conditions, and is susceptible to cold. Wampee trees grow well in a wide range of soils.
The wampee is cultivated for its fruit, which is a grape sized, fragrant citrus. Its skin and seeds are often eaten along side the pulp, much like kumquat. Apparently, wampees grow quickly and produce from their first year.
Let's hope citrus greening disease does not affect wampee in South Florida.
Where to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303115536225
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clausena_lansium
https://urbantropicals.com/product-category/fruit-trees/
https://www.fairchildgarden.org/Portals/0/docs/CTPC/Javier/OCASSIONAL_PAPERS/Occasional_Paper_No_19.pdf
Its leaves are smooth and dark green. White flowers appear in late March. The fruit is oval, about 3 cm long and 2 cm in diameter, and contains two to five seeds that occupy ~40-50% of the fruit volume. The tree reaches a maximum height of 20 meters. It grows well in tropical or subtropical conditions, and is susceptible to cold. Wampee trees grow well in a wide range of soils.
The wampee is cultivated for its fruit, which is a grape sized, fragrant citrus. Its skin and seeds are often eaten along side the pulp, much like kumquat. Apparently, wampees grow quickly and produce from their first year.
Let's hope citrus greening disease does not affect wampee in South Florida.
Where to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303115536225
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clausena_lansium
https://urbantropicals.com/product-category/fruit-trees/
https://www.fairchildgarden.org/Portals/0/docs/CTPC/Javier/OCASSIONAL_PAPERS/Occasional_Paper_No_19.pdf
Red jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora x aureana) is called "Precocious" because it can fruit in 3-4 years
Red jaboticaba, Plinia cauliflora x aureana, fruit tree is a seedling hybrid, also called Precocious Jaboticaba. This makes for a very fast fruiting plant. Can fruit in 3-4 years, as opposed to 6-8 years for regular jaboticaba. Great tasting and dwarfing habit.
Where to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/302476125938
Plinia cauliflora, the Brazilian grapetree,jaboticaba, is a fruit tree in the family Myrtaceae, native to Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo states in Brazil. The tree is known for its white-pulped fruits which grow directly on the trunk.
References:
PDF
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabuticaba
https://www.pepesplants.com/jaboticaba.html
Where to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/302476125938
Plinia cauliflora, the Brazilian grapetree,jaboticaba, is a fruit tree in the family Myrtaceae, native to Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo states in Brazil. The tree is known for its white-pulped fruits which grow directly on the trunk.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabuticaba
https://www.pepesplants.com/jaboticaba.html
Dwarf Puerto Rican Plantain
Dwarf Puerto Rican Plantain is a dwarf mutant plantain. The majority of plantains grow tall, but not this one. Resistant to Panama Disease.
Where to buy:
https://wellspringgardens.com/collections/bananas/products/dwarf-puerto-rican-plantain-musa
References:
http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_Dwarf_Puerto_Rican
Where to buy:
https://wellspringgardens.com/collections/bananas/products/dwarf-puerto-rican-plantain-musa
References:
http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_Dwarf_Puerto_Rican
Musa FHIA-3 Sweetheart Banana
The FHIA is a federal organization of the Honduras Government that has been breeding bananas for decades, hence the name of this cultivar: Musa FHIA-3 Sweetheart banana.
The first widely available cultivar by FHIA was Musa hybrid FHIA-1 'Goldfinger'. Musa hybrid FHIA-3 'Sweetheart' was bred and selected for increased disease resistance and yield vs FHIA-1.
It has an excellent flavor and good size which make it attractive to the home gardener. It has also been described as similar as 'Goldfinger' or 'Orinoco'.
It is very tolerant of sub-standard growing conditions, especially poor quality soils. The fruit ripen very quickly after picking so they should be left on the stalk until almost needed. Just harvest one hand at a time. It has a reputation for drought and wind resistance.
Where to buy:
https://wellspringgardens.com/products/sweetheart-banana
References:
http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_FHIA-3_Sweetheart
Kadota (Florentine) Fig
This is a very old variety, described in later 1880's, how about that?
It's a green fig, just like Ischia, LSU Champagne, etc.
Kadota (Florentine) cultivar produces a medium-large, yellow fruit with an open ostiole that is partially sealed with a honey-like substance.
Fruit quality declines with extremely wet weather.
Although Kadota figs can be eaten fresh, they are better suited for canning and preserves. Fruit ripen in July, same as Celeste fig.
Where to buy:
https://wellspringgardens.com/collections/figs/products/kadota-fig
References:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg214
https://www.tytyga.com/Kadota-Fig-p/frufig-kadota.htm
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=25443
https://www.figdatabase.com/variety-details/212/kadota
It's a green fig, just like Ischia, LSU Champagne, etc.
Kadota (Florentine) cultivar produces a medium-large, yellow fruit with an open ostiole that is partially sealed with a honey-like substance.
Fruit quality declines with extremely wet weather.
Although Kadota figs can be eaten fresh, they are better suited for canning and preserves. Fruit ripen in July, same as Celeste fig.
Where to buy:
https://wellspringgardens.com/collections/figs/products/kadota-fig
References:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg214
https://www.tytyga.com/Kadota-Fig-p/frufig-kadota.htm
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=25443
https://www.figdatabase.com/variety-details/212/kadota
Celeste Fig, also called Blue Celeste, Celestial, and Little Brown Sugar
Celeste (Blue Celeste, Celestial, and Little Brown Sugar) cultivar is probably the second most common fig in the southeastern United States, after Brown Turkey (Brunswick, Eastern Brown Turkey, Harrison, Lees Perpetual, Ramsey, Texas Everbearing).
It's a small fig.
Celeste is almost as widely grown as Brown Turkey. Of the old standards, it is considered to be the best tasting and very good to excellent. Celeste has a tightly closed "eye," making it resistant to dried fruit beetle and rain entry, which can cause fruit to sour. Will drop unripe fruit in hot weather, but it is so outstanding in overall quality that it is worth some loss. Fortunately, Celeste ripens well before most other figs, allowing harvest before the worst heat.
This is the most popular cultivar in southern Louisiana and grows well in Florida. It is a very dependable producer of high quality, small to medium sized figs even in unfavorable/wet weather due to its small, tightly closed eye. The very sweet flesh has a rich, honey like flavor and is reddish amber in color. The eye remains green until the fig is almost ripe (unlike Brown Turkey)
The fruit is small to medium in size and purplish bronze to light brown in color. The flesh is bright pink, very sweet. Celeste is referred to as “sugar fig” on account of its sweetness. The outside skin is purplish-bronze to light brown and the flesh is rose-colored.
Celeste is known in the South as the "Sugar Fig". A Southern tradition, long-lived and hardy, Celeste's reputation comes from many generations of people that have grown this fig. The "eye" at the bottom of the fruit is small, keeping insects out.
Celeste figs have a compact growth pattern, usually reaching a mature height and spread of 7 to 10 feet (2-3 m). Excellent for container growing. They should not be pruned heavily, as this can reduce fruit production. They produce their main crop of fruit earlier than most other fig varieties, usually in early summer.
Scott Head grows more than 20 fig varieties, here is his video about Celeste:
Where to buy:
https://wellspringgardens.com/collections/figs/products/celeste-fig
References:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg214
https://www.pepesplants.com/fig-trees.html
What Is A Celeste Fig: Learn About Celeste Fig Tree Care https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/celeste-fig-tree-care.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-carica-celeste/
https://www.gurneys.com/product/fig-celeste
https://ediblelandscaping.com/products/shrubs/Figs/CelesteFig.php
https://www.figdatabase.com/variety-details/89/celeste
It's a small fig.
Celeste is almost as widely grown as Brown Turkey. Of the old standards, it is considered to be the best tasting and very good to excellent. Celeste has a tightly closed "eye," making it resistant to dried fruit beetle and rain entry, which can cause fruit to sour. Will drop unripe fruit in hot weather, but it is so outstanding in overall quality that it is worth some loss. Fortunately, Celeste ripens well before most other figs, allowing harvest before the worst heat.
This is the most popular cultivar in southern Louisiana and grows well in Florida. It is a very dependable producer of high quality, small to medium sized figs even in unfavorable/wet weather due to its small, tightly closed eye. The very sweet flesh has a rich, honey like flavor and is reddish amber in color. The eye remains green until the fig is almost ripe (unlike Brown Turkey)
The fruit is small to medium in size and purplish bronze to light brown in color. The flesh is bright pink, very sweet. Celeste is referred to as “sugar fig” on account of its sweetness. The outside skin is purplish-bronze to light brown and the flesh is rose-colored.
Celeste is known in the South as the "Sugar Fig". A Southern tradition, long-lived and hardy, Celeste's reputation comes from many generations of people that have grown this fig. The "eye" at the bottom of the fruit is small, keeping insects out.
Celeste figs have a compact growth pattern, usually reaching a mature height and spread of 7 to 10 feet (2-3 m). Excellent for container growing. They should not be pruned heavily, as this can reduce fruit production. They produce their main crop of fruit earlier than most other fig varieties, usually in early summer.
Scott Head grows more than 20 fig varieties, here is his video about Celeste:
Where to buy:
https://wellspringgardens.com/collections/figs/products/celeste-fig
References:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg214
https://www.pepesplants.com/fig-trees.html
What Is A Celeste Fig: Learn About Celeste Fig Tree Care https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/celeste-fig-tree-care.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-carica-celeste/
https://www.gurneys.com/product/fig-celeste
https://ediblelandscaping.com/products/shrubs/Figs/CelesteFig.php
https://www.figdatabase.com/variety-details/89/celeste
Nitrogen-fixing trees for tropics/subtropics
Nitrogen-fixing trees for tropics/subtropics:
- Moringa
- Leucaena
- Gliricidia
- Albizia
- Acacia
- Casuarina
Leucaena
Leucaena leucocephala (River tamarind) is a small fast-growing mimosoid tree native to southern Mexico and northern Central America (Belize and Guatemala) and is now naturalized throughout the tropics. It is classified as invasive weed in Florida (https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/leucaena-leucocephala/). It is also called lead tree.
L. leucocephala is used for a variety of purposes, such as firewood, fiber, and livestock fodder. During the 1970s and 1980s, it was promoted as a "miracle tree" for its multiple uses. It has also been described as a "conflict tree" because it is used for forage production but spreads like a weed in some places. It grows quickly and forms dense thickets that crowd out all native vegetation.
It also efficient in nitrogen fixation, at more than 500 kg/ha/year. It has a very fast growth rate: young trees reach a height of more than 20 ft in two to three years.
The young pods are edible.
Gliricidia
Gliricidia sepium (common names: quickstick, madre xacao or madre de cacao in the Philippines and Guatemala) is a medium size leguminous tree belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is considered to be the second most important multi-purpose legume tree, surpassed only by Leucaena leucocephala.
The generic name Gliricidia means "mouse killer" in reference to the traditional use of its toxic seeds and bark as rodenticides.
G. sepium was spread from its native range throughout the tropics to shade plantation crops such as coffee. Today it is used for many other purposes including live fencing, fodder, firewood, green manure, intercropping, and rat poison. Its use expanded following the widespread defoliation of Leucaena by psyllid in the 1980s.
G. sepium is used as cut and carry forage for cattle, sheep, and goats. Its high protein content allows it to complement low-quality tropical forages. G. sepium can tolerate repeated cutting, every 2 to 4 months depending on the climate. Cutting G. sepium causes it to retain its leaves during the dry season when many forage crops have lost their leaves. In some cases it is the only source of forage feed during the dry season.
G. sepium trees are used for intercropping in part because they fix nitrogen in the soil and tolerate low soil fertility, so when they are interplanted with crops they can boost crop yields significantly, without the need of chemical fertilizers. The common name madre de cacao (literally "mother of cacao" in Spanish) used in Central America and the Philippines is in reference to its traditional use as shade trees for cocoa tree plantations.
G. Sepium tolerates being cut back to crop height, and can even be coppiced, year after year. When the trees are cut back, they enter a temporary dormant state during which their root systems do not compete for nutrients needed by the crops, so the crops can establish themselves.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucaena_leucocephala
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliricidia_sepium
- Moringa
- Leucaena
- Gliricidia
- Albizia
- Acacia
- Casuarina
Leucaena
Leucaena leucocephala (River tamarind) is a small fast-growing mimosoid tree native to southern Mexico and northern Central America (Belize and Guatemala) and is now naturalized throughout the tropics. It is classified as invasive weed in Florida (https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/leucaena-leucocephala/). It is also called lead tree.
L. leucocephala is used for a variety of purposes, such as firewood, fiber, and livestock fodder. During the 1970s and 1980s, it was promoted as a "miracle tree" for its multiple uses. It has also been described as a "conflict tree" because it is used for forage production but spreads like a weed in some places. It grows quickly and forms dense thickets that crowd out all native vegetation.
It also efficient in nitrogen fixation, at more than 500 kg/ha/year. It has a very fast growth rate: young trees reach a height of more than 20 ft in two to three years.
The young pods are edible.
Gliricidia
Gliricidia sepium (common names: quickstick, madre xacao or madre de cacao in the Philippines and Guatemala) is a medium size leguminous tree belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is considered to be the second most important multi-purpose legume tree, surpassed only by Leucaena leucocephala.
The generic name Gliricidia means "mouse killer" in reference to the traditional use of its toxic seeds and bark as rodenticides.
G. sepium was spread from its native range throughout the tropics to shade plantation crops such as coffee. Today it is used for many other purposes including live fencing, fodder, firewood, green manure, intercropping, and rat poison. Its use expanded following the widespread defoliation of Leucaena by psyllid in the 1980s.
G. sepium is used as cut and carry forage for cattle, sheep, and goats. Its high protein content allows it to complement low-quality tropical forages. G. sepium can tolerate repeated cutting, every 2 to 4 months depending on the climate. Cutting G. sepium causes it to retain its leaves during the dry season when many forage crops have lost their leaves. In some cases it is the only source of forage feed during the dry season.
G. sepium trees are used for intercropping in part because they fix nitrogen in the soil and tolerate low soil fertility, so when they are interplanted with crops they can boost crop yields significantly, without the need of chemical fertilizers. The common name madre de cacao (literally "mother of cacao" in Spanish) used in Central America and the Philippines is in reference to its traditional use as shade trees for cocoa tree plantations.
G. Sepium tolerates being cut back to crop height, and can even be coppiced, year after year. When the trees are cut back, they enter a temporary dormant state during which their root systems do not compete for nutrients needed by the crops, so the crops can establish themselves.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucaena_leucocephala
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliricidia_sepium
Plants for South Florida garden conditions by Three Amigos Growers in Davie, FL
The Three Amigos Growers is a nursery in Davie, FL which offers plants adapted to the South Florida garden conditions. Here is a list:
https://www.treeamigosgrowers.com/plants/
Among them:
Vegetable Plants
- Collards. These can be perennial in South Florida, I have Georgia collards growing strong for 3 years now.
- Eggplant Dancer, Ping Tung, Millionaire. Will have to check them out. Have in mind that eggplants hate the nematodes in Florida soil. Containers may be a better option.
- Kale Garlic. Not sure about this one.
- Mustard Greens, Mustard Red. Easy to grow but you have to cook them, raw, they have a bite.
- Peppers Crimson King, Mini Chocolate, Padron. Not sure about these.
- Lettuce, Salanova. Not sure about this one.
- Longevity Spinach.
- Sorrel, French. Tried to grow it but it did not do well for me. May try again.
- Tomato, Everglades, Super Sweet 100. Everglades tomato grows excellent in South Florida, it self-seeds and becomes perennial. Highly recommended. Have in mind it's a small tomato though - the size of a large blueberry.
Culinary Herb Plants
- Dill, Fennel. Not sure how well these will do in summer.
- Garlic Chives, Leeks. Excellent choice! Great for edible edging plant.
- Mint, Mojito. Not sure about this one.
- Parsley. It does not grow well during the summer heat.
- Scallions. Perennial in South Florida.
- Thyme Lemon. Vietnamese Coriander. Not sure about this one.
Medicinal Herb Plants
- Calendula. Not sure about this one.
- Chamomile. It has trouble during the summer.
- Marshmallow, Mother Wort. Not sure about this one.
- Plantain, Plantain Turkish. Tried it but did not grow well for me.
- Skullcap Barbara. Spilanthes – Lemon Drops. Not sure about this one.
- Stinging Nettle. Tried it but did not grow well for me from seed.
- Tulsi, Kapoor. Krishna. Not sure about this one.
- Valerian Root. Not sure about this one.
Fruit Trees and Plants
- Achote (Annatto). Not sure about this one.
- Guava. Excellent choice for South Florida.
- Lulo/Naranjilla. Can be very thorny, I hear.
- Mulberry, Ever-bearing. Fruit is too small on most varieties.
- Passionfruit, Sweet cup yellow. Not sure about this one.
- Passionfruit, Purple. Excellent choice.
Map:
https://www.treeamigosgrowers.com/plants/
Among them:
Vegetable Plants
- Collards. These can be perennial in South Florida, I have Georgia collards growing strong for 3 years now.
- Eggplant Dancer, Ping Tung, Millionaire. Will have to check them out. Have in mind that eggplants hate the nematodes in Florida soil. Containers may be a better option.
- Kale Garlic. Not sure about this one.
- Mustard Greens, Mustard Red. Easy to grow but you have to cook them, raw, they have a bite.
- Peppers Crimson King, Mini Chocolate, Padron. Not sure about these.
- Lettuce, Salanova. Not sure about this one.
- Longevity Spinach.
- Sorrel, French. Tried to grow it but it did not do well for me. May try again.
- Tomato, Everglades, Super Sweet 100. Everglades tomato grows excellent in South Florida, it self-seeds and becomes perennial. Highly recommended. Have in mind it's a small tomato though - the size of a large blueberry.
Culinary Herb Plants
- Dill, Fennel. Not sure how well these will do in summer.
- Garlic Chives, Leeks. Excellent choice! Great for edible edging plant.
- Mint, Mojito. Not sure about this one.
- Parsley. It does not grow well during the summer heat.
- Scallions. Perennial in South Florida.
- Thyme Lemon. Vietnamese Coriander. Not sure about this one.
Medicinal Herb Plants
- Calendula. Not sure about this one.
- Chamomile. It has trouble during the summer.
- Marshmallow, Mother Wort. Not sure about this one.
- Plantain, Plantain Turkish. Tried it but did not grow well for me.
- Skullcap Barbara. Spilanthes – Lemon Drops. Not sure about this one.
- Stinging Nettle. Tried it but did not grow well for me from seed.
- Tulsi, Kapoor. Krishna. Not sure about this one.
- Valerian Root. Not sure about this one.
Fruit Trees and Plants
- Achote (Annatto). Not sure about this one.
- Guava. Excellent choice for South Florida.
- Lulo/Naranjilla. Can be very thorny, I hear.
- Mulberry, Ever-bearing. Fruit is too small on most varieties.
- Passionfruit, Sweet cup yellow. Not sure about this one.
- Passionfruit, Purple. Excellent choice.
Map:
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