Sulcata Grove on Ross sapote: The word “Sapote” just means soft, edible fruit. Ross Sapote is a Pouteria sp, like Green Sapote, Mamey Sapote, and Canistel. White Sapote is a citrus relative and Black Sapote is a species of persimmon. Sulcata Grove is a 2-acre, backyard food forest near Sarasota, FL:
Showing posts with label Fruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fruit. Show all posts
Noni - the cheese fruit is acquired taste and has purported health benefits
Noni is an unusual tropical plant with large, dark green, glossy leaves and unique white fruit. It is grown in many areas around the tropical and sub-tropical world including South Florida:
Sapodilla (nispero) video from Lara Farms in Homestead, Florida
Sapodilla (nispero) video, with Pablo Lara of Lara Farms in Homestead, Florida, in Spanish, with English translation below:
"Pablo Lara: Today we are going to be working with Nispero (sapodillas). Well, this cultivar, called Molix, has a good size when it comes to Nisperos and has a resemblance of mamey. It comes from the area of Central America. We are content with this variety and we are not sure how tall this cultivar can get. As it goes getting large, we will go trimming it, so it can stay low. We have a fruit now that is ripe and ready to eat which we are going to cut to see the coloration of the flesh. This is also a nispero which has been ordered more often, because it is large and very beautiful. This fruit has a wondeful coloration which reminds us of the mamey colorado (mamey sapote). This is the only variety that has this specific coloration. Now, I'm going to try it to see how it tastes: Very delicious "sabroso".
Now, this is a variety called Morena, which is from Central America like all Nispero. We are very content with this variety cause it bares a lot of fruit and it can be maintained at a certain height to make the task of picking the fruit easier. Now, if you abandon it and let the tree grow on its own, then it can get up to 20 feet. In that case, things can get complicated since the fruit are harder to reach. We are going to harvest a fruit to see how it looks inside. Lets go and cut it to see the quality, color, etc... Look how beautiful. Very nice color. It's a precious color. Half red, half caramel color. I'm going to try it Julian (his son). Very tasty.
Julian Lara: Better than the Nispero growing in Miami (seedling trees)?
Pablo Lara: Better than the common Nispero, which are the round ones that have 4 to 6 seeds. These are nispero with 2 seeds, some with 1.
This is another cultivar that is called Hasya, which is one of the bigger ones and one of the better ones. It has fame and like always, it has been mentioned that it is from Central America and has been introduced. We are very content with this variety of Nispero or Sapodilla which is the way you say it in English. The fruit has a nice form/shape. The elongated nispero are always much better than the round ones since it has more flesh and less seeds. A lot of people order this variety cause it is very well-liked. Now, we are going to harvest one and cut it to see how it looks inside. This one also has coloration, which is yellowish-reddish and has abundant flesh. It barely has any seeds. Lets taste it to see how it is: mmmmmmm really tastey.
Julian Lara: You like that one better than the rest?
Pablo Lara: Yes. Very tastey.
Julian Lara: Better than Morena?
Pablo Lara: Yes, its better than Morena. It has a finer texture than Morena.
This variety is called Tikal, which is named after the pyramids in the region of Central America. These came from seeds brought in from Central America and grown in an experimental agriculture field in Homenstead. They planted out lots of seeds, resulting in hundreds of trees. During this process, they went observing each variety until they found this variety, which was one of the better ones. That's when they named it Tikal after the pyramids. The fruit is elongated and has a tendency to produce lots of fruit. In fact, when it has less fruit, the fruits themselves tend to be bigger. But, since it tends to bare lots of fruit, the fruit size tends to be smaller. This tree has already given a lot of fruit and keeps being one of the better varieties, due to it's fine texture. The color of the pulp is not the prettiest, but its clean and has good quality. The tree has a tendency to grow tall. In other words, when you plant it, the tree will keep growing taller and taller until it gets too tall. So, when it reaches a certain height; lets just say 12-15 feet, you should trim it and maintain it at that height. That way, the tree will start to grow wider. Lets get a Tikal fruit. Now we are going to see the color that it has. We already talked about the characteristics of the tree, its history, and where it came from. This is the color of Tikal. I like this fruit very much, but I don't know if its the first good fruit I had over here. At least the one I recognized. But, its a beauty. The fruit is elongated and has an even color through out the flesh."
"Pablo Lara: Today we are going to be working with Nispero (sapodillas). Well, this cultivar, called Molix, has a good size when it comes to Nisperos and has a resemblance of mamey. It comes from the area of Central America. We are content with this variety and we are not sure how tall this cultivar can get. As it goes getting large, we will go trimming it, so it can stay low. We have a fruit now that is ripe and ready to eat which we are going to cut to see the coloration of the flesh. This is also a nispero which has been ordered more often, because it is large and very beautiful. This fruit has a wondeful coloration which reminds us of the mamey colorado (mamey sapote). This is the only variety that has this specific coloration. Now, I'm going to try it to see how it tastes: Very delicious "sabroso".
Now, this is a variety called Morena, which is from Central America like all Nispero. We are very content with this variety cause it bares a lot of fruit and it can be maintained at a certain height to make the task of picking the fruit easier. Now, if you abandon it and let the tree grow on its own, then it can get up to 20 feet. In that case, things can get complicated since the fruit are harder to reach. We are going to harvest a fruit to see how it looks inside. Lets go and cut it to see the quality, color, etc... Look how beautiful. Very nice color. It's a precious color. Half red, half caramel color. I'm going to try it Julian (his son). Very tasty.
Julian Lara: Better than the Nispero growing in Miami (seedling trees)?
Pablo Lara: Better than the common Nispero, which are the round ones that have 4 to 6 seeds. These are nispero with 2 seeds, some with 1.
This is another cultivar that is called Hasya, which is one of the bigger ones and one of the better ones. It has fame and like always, it has been mentioned that it is from Central America and has been introduced. We are very content with this variety of Nispero or Sapodilla which is the way you say it in English. The fruit has a nice form/shape. The elongated nispero are always much better than the round ones since it has more flesh and less seeds. A lot of people order this variety cause it is very well-liked. Now, we are going to harvest one and cut it to see how it looks inside. This one also has coloration, which is yellowish-reddish and has abundant flesh. It barely has any seeds. Lets taste it to see how it is: mmmmmmm really tastey.
Julian Lara: You like that one better than the rest?
Pablo Lara: Yes. Very tastey.
Julian Lara: Better than Morena?
Pablo Lara: Yes, its better than Morena. It has a finer texture than Morena.
This variety is called Tikal, which is named after the pyramids in the region of Central America. These came from seeds brought in from Central America and grown in an experimental agriculture field in Homenstead. They planted out lots of seeds, resulting in hundreds of trees. During this process, they went observing each variety until they found this variety, which was one of the better ones. That's when they named it Tikal after the pyramids. The fruit is elongated and has a tendency to produce lots of fruit. In fact, when it has less fruit, the fruits themselves tend to be bigger. But, since it tends to bare lots of fruit, the fruit size tends to be smaller. This tree has already given a lot of fruit and keeps being one of the better varieties, due to it's fine texture. The color of the pulp is not the prettiest, but its clean and has good quality. The tree has a tendency to grow tall. In other words, when you plant it, the tree will keep growing taller and taller until it gets too tall. So, when it reaches a certain height; lets just say 12-15 feet, you should trim it and maintain it at that height. That way, the tree will start to grow wider. Lets get a Tikal fruit. Now we are going to see the color that it has. We already talked about the characteristics of the tree, its history, and where it came from. This is the color of Tikal. I like this fruit very much, but I don't know if its the first good fruit I had over here. At least the one I recognized. But, its a beauty. The fruit is elongated and has an even color through out the flesh."
Santol, cotton fruit tree (Sandoricum koetjape)
Sandoricum koetjape (santol or cottonfruit) is a tropical fruit that originated in Southeast Asia (the former Indochina). It is sometimes called wild mangosteen. Santol grows wild in the tropical regions of India.
Santol is fast-growing tree that may reach 150 feet in height in its original habitat. It makes a good shade tree. The santol is a very productive tree.
Red and yellow santol
There are two varieties of santol fruit, previously considered two different species, the yellow variety (sweet) and the red (sour). The difference is in the color that the older leaves turn before falling. The red appears to be more common and the reddish leaves mixed with the green ones add to the distinction and attractiveness of the tree.
The leaves of the yellow variety turn yellow when old and the fruits are often sweet. In the red variety, the underside of the leaves turn red when old, the fruit has a thicker rind, less pulp, and is often sour.
Fruit looks like a peach
The fruits are often the size, shape and slightly fuzzy texture of peaches, with a reddish tinge. Both types have a skin that may be a thin peel to a thicker rind, according to the variety. It is often edible and in some cultivars may contain a milky juice.
How to eat the fruit?
The fruit is usually consumed raw without peeling. It is the size of an apple/peach.
Inside the santol fruit there is a white juicy tissue approximately 3 to 5 brown seeds. You have to discard the seeds (spit out or other method). Swallowing the seeds has been implicated in cases of intestinal obstruction.
The central pulp near the seeds may be sweet or sour and contains inedible brown seeds.
Santol’s other name - cotton fruit — comes from its fluffy white edible portion surrounding the seed. Its texture is spongy and, like a mangosteen.
The outer flesh is unexpectedly savory, earthy and astringent with some likening the flavor to basil or oregano. Few deny that the outer, grassy tasting flesh is not nearly as succulent as the cottony portion of a santol. The rind is quite sour, compelling some to dry it, grind, or pickle it for use as a souring agent.
In some varieties the outer rind is thicker and is the main edible portion, with a mild peachy taste combined with some taste and the pulpy texture of apples. In others the outer rind is thinner and harder and the inner whitish pulp around the seeds is eaten. This may be rather sour in many cultivars, which has reduced the general acceptance of the tree. Most improved varieties have increased thickness of the edible outer rind, which can be eaten with a spoon leaving just the outer skin, and should increase the acceptance of the santol worldwide.
Season
The fruit ripens in Florida in August and September. The Caribbean fruit fly (Anastrepha suspensa) causes freckle-like blemishes on the surface of the fruit but cannot penetrate the rind.
Where to buy the tree?
The fruit tree is available in 3-gallon sizes at Pine Island Nursery, south of Miami: http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/fruitproducts_sw.htm
References:
Sandoricum koetjape - Wikipedia http://buff.ly/2lacGnM
Santol. Morton, J. 1987. Santol. p. 199–201. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. http://buff.ly/2kB3NGk
All About Santol - The Earth of India http://buff.ly/2k8Y3A0
Santol is fast-growing tree that may reach 150 feet in height in its original habitat. It makes a good shade tree. The santol is a very productive tree.
Red and yellow santol
There are two varieties of santol fruit, previously considered two different species, the yellow variety (sweet) and the red (sour). The difference is in the color that the older leaves turn before falling. The red appears to be more common and the reddish leaves mixed with the green ones add to the distinction and attractiveness of the tree.
The leaves of the yellow variety turn yellow when old and the fruits are often sweet. In the red variety, the underside of the leaves turn red when old, the fruit has a thicker rind, less pulp, and is often sour.
Fruit looks like a peach
The fruits are often the size, shape and slightly fuzzy texture of peaches, with a reddish tinge. Both types have a skin that may be a thin peel to a thicker rind, according to the variety. It is often edible and in some cultivars may contain a milky juice.
How to eat the fruit?
The fruit is usually consumed raw without peeling. It is the size of an apple/peach.
Inside the santol fruit there is a white juicy tissue approximately 3 to 5 brown seeds. You have to discard the seeds (spit out or other method). Swallowing the seeds has been implicated in cases of intestinal obstruction.
The central pulp near the seeds may be sweet or sour and contains inedible brown seeds.
Santol’s other name - cotton fruit — comes from its fluffy white edible portion surrounding the seed. Its texture is spongy and, like a mangosteen.
The outer flesh is unexpectedly savory, earthy and astringent with some likening the flavor to basil or oregano. Few deny that the outer, grassy tasting flesh is not nearly as succulent as the cottony portion of a santol. The rind is quite sour, compelling some to dry it, grind, or pickle it for use as a souring agent.
In some varieties the outer rind is thicker and is the main edible portion, with a mild peachy taste combined with some taste and the pulpy texture of apples. In others the outer rind is thinner and harder and the inner whitish pulp around the seeds is eaten. This may be rather sour in many cultivars, which has reduced the general acceptance of the tree. Most improved varieties have increased thickness of the edible outer rind, which can be eaten with a spoon leaving just the outer skin, and should increase the acceptance of the santol worldwide.
Season
The fruit ripens in Florida in August and September. The Caribbean fruit fly (Anastrepha suspensa) causes freckle-like blemishes on the surface of the fruit but cannot penetrate the rind.
Where to buy the tree?
The fruit tree is available in 3-gallon sizes at Pine Island Nursery, south of Miami: http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/fruitproducts_sw.htm
References:
Sandoricum koetjape - Wikipedia http://buff.ly/2lacGnM
Santol. Morton, J. 1987. Santol. p. 199–201. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. http://buff.ly/2kB3NGk
All About Santol - The Earth of India http://buff.ly/2k8Y3A0
"The blackberry tree": Mulberry and mini fruit tree forest in South Florida
From David the Good: Take care of the trees, and the trees will take care of you.
Related reading:
Mulberry: A Plant With Exceptional Potential - HEART Village - Sustainability Training in Central Florida http://buff.ly/1QXWNaP
Mo' Mulberry - The Essential Guide to All You Need to Know About Mulberry - The Permaculture Research Institute http://bit.ly/2iS6VLk
Is fig tree the easiest fruit tree to grow in the South?
From Jeff Bernhard:
From the comments:
"A fig tree is the EASIEST fruit tree to grow. Once established, you don't even need to water them. And they don't need fertilizers either."
How to propagate fig trees from cuttings - from Peppe's fruit tree nursery in Davie, Florida:
From Amazon:
From the comments:
"A fig tree is the EASIEST fruit tree to grow. Once established, you don't even need to water them. And they don't need fertilizers either."
How to propagate fig trees from cuttings - from Peppe's fruit tree nursery in Davie, Florida:
From Amazon:
12 Twelve Fruits project - free PDF textbook by University of Hawaii
Twelve Fruits project - a free PDF textbook by University of Hawaii: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/12fruits.pdf
This is a free 56-page color book. The leader of the project liked the fig tree the best among the 12 fruits selected for the project.
Related:
http://www.hawaiifruit.net/12trees.html
Overview of crop improvement projects in Hawaii (PDF, 1982) http://buff.ly/1ZyEH7r
This is a free 56-page color book. The leader of the project liked the fig tree the best among the 12 fruits selected for the project.
Related:
http://www.hawaiifruit.net/12trees.html
Overview of crop improvement projects in Hawaii (PDF, 1982) http://buff.ly/1ZyEH7r
Fruit picker basket attached to a pool pole
For tall trees such as mango, etc., you can use a fruit picker basket attached to a regular pool pole. The basket is about $10 on Amazon:
Where to buy fruit trees and shrubs locally?
Reliable sources:
- local nurseries - check Google Maps and Yelp
- Home Depot and Lowe's - check the selection for each online:
Shop Fruit Plants at Lowes.com http://low.es/1IefQPi
Fruit Trees & Plants - Garden Plants & Flowers - The Home Depot http://thd.co/1IefRTd
- Walmart
- Coscto - this is seasonal
Online sources:
Tropical Fruit -Trade Winds Fruit http://bit.ly/1Ief1Gf
- local nurseries - check Google Maps and Yelp
- Home Depot and Lowe's - check the selection for each online:
Shop Fruit Plants at Lowes.com http://low.es/1IefQPi
Fruit Trees & Plants - Garden Plants & Flowers - The Home Depot http://thd.co/1IefRTd
- Walmart
- Coscto - this is seasonal
Online sources:
Tropical Fruit -Trade Winds Fruit http://bit.ly/1Ief1Gf
Surinam Cherry
Surinam Cherry Tree/Bush is a hardy sub tropical cherry bush that is very easy to grow. It also produces a big quantity of fruit.
Another video from Eat Your Backyard YouTube channel: Chinese Lantern Fruit:
The plants are available at Home Depot and Lowe's in South Florida for $10 as of year 2016.
Another video from Eat Your Backyard YouTube channel: Chinese Lantern Fruit:
The plants are available at Home Depot and Lowe's in South Florida for $10 as of year 2016.
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