Welcome to our Tropical Fruit page at Garden Florida, your ultimate guide to growing and harvesting delicious tropical fruits in your backyard!
Tropical fruits are some of the most exotic and flavorful, but many gardeners find them intimidating to grow. That’s where we come in. Our expert team has compiled a wealth of information on tropical fruits, from selecting the best varieties to planting and caring for them.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, our Tropical Fruit page has something for everyone. We cover various topics, from soil preparation and fertilization to pest and disease management. We even offer tips on harvesting and using tropical fruits in delicious recipes.
We aim to help you grow a thriving tropical fruit garden that will provide you with a bountiful harvest for years. With our expert guidance and advice, you can cultivate healthy trees that produce delicious fruits that impress your family and friends.
So come on in and explore our Tropical Fruit page today. We can’t wait to help you on your journey toward growing and enjoying the best tropical fruits around!
For all sugar apple lovers, deciding whether to plant your sugar apple in a pot or ground is something we all have to face. Maybe you don’t have the land and have to grow it in a pot, or maybe you want to plant it in the ground but also want it in your favorite pot. This article will help you decide what you should do with your favorite sugar apple tree.
Sugar apple or Annona squamosa is a tropical tree widely grown in Florida. It is loved for its sugary custard taste and sweet aroma.
The grand question is it better to grow sugar apple in a pot or in the ground – here are the factors that matter and the pros and cons of doing so.
Sugar apple trees can grow 15-20 feet and spread out. Sugar apple roots are shallow – so if you are considering potting it think of a planter consider one that is both wide and deep to accommodate the roots. Sugar apples are not very tolerant of excessively wet or flooded soil conditions, flooding as little as 7 – 10 days may result in root rot and death of the tree.
The leaves of a sugar apple are a green color with a smooth texture and round-shaped appearance.
Don’t have the yard or space to plant the sugar apple
Have no fertile land available
Are located in a flood zone that floods often
Are located in a colder climate and need to move your sugar apple
Want to maintain the size while in a pot
Want to move the sugar apple around for decoration
Growing Sugar Apple in the ground
Grow your sugar apple in the ground if you
Want to establish a long term fruiting sugar apple tree
Want to leave in one spot and manage from where its planted
Establish a stronger tree overtime
Which planter should I use to plant my sugar apple?
Sugar apple tree roots are shallow so a pot that can hold at least 5 gallons of dirt is recommended. Here are a few planters that would be great with a sugar apple tree (Annona squamosa).
How to plant sugar apple in a Pot
Pick your planter and add your desired soil mix. Sugar apples like and are well adapted to soils that well-drained – this includes sandy soils and limestone-based soils found all around Florida. You may add fertilizer tom your sugar apple tree. If planting with sandy soil it is recommended a fertilizer formulations such as 2-8-8, 4-8-8, 6-6-6-3, or 8-6-9-5 or similar materials.
Take sugar apple and gently scratch the base of the root system all around to allow the roots to untangle and be able to loosen up to its new planter.
Add a mulching material around the base of your planter. It is recommended to mulch your sugar apples grown in planters due to the plant not being tolerant of colder weather conditions. Mulching also prevents fertilizer from splashing back or out of the planter as well as maintain soil moisture – so it’s recommended to add mulch your sugar apple.
Growing sugar apple in a pot will ensure your maximum mobility with your sugar apple tree. During the colder months in Florida, it is highly recommended to move the tree into a greenhouse or provide a degree of warmth. (Check out this article here on the most affordable greenhouses for your Florida garden.)
Why You Need a Coconut Tree in Your Florida Home Yard
Savor the tropical essence of Florida by adding a coconut tree to your home garden. Not only do they provide refreshing coconut water, but they also enhance your landscape with a touch of paradise.
Key Takeaways
Ideal Climate: Florida’s climate is perfect for coconut trees.
Health Benefits: Coconuts are rich in nutrients and antioxidants.
Economic Value: Grow your own coconuts and save money.
The coconut fruit is not just a symbol of tropical bliss but a powerhouse of health. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, it’s a must-have in your Florida garden.
In Florida, the price of coconuts varies between $1 to $3. To get the best deal, check out local flea markets. You might find some of the finest coconuts there at a bargain. Learn more about the benefits of growing your own fruits at Florida’s Fruit Guide.
The Plant: Dwarf Coconut Palms
Choosing the Right Variety
In Florida, Dwarf Malayan palms are a popular choice. They start bearing fruit much earlier than their taller counterparts, making them ideal for home gardens.
Caring for Your Palm
These palms require minimal maintenance. They thrive even in drought and high saline conditions, making them a resilient choice for Florida’s climate. Regular salt-spray and watering are key to their health. For more on palm care, visit Palm Tree Care.
The Water: A Heavenly Drink
Coconut water, especially from young green coconuts, is incredibly sweet and refreshing. In Thailand, it’s called ‘Heaven’s Water’, a testament to its delightful taste.
The Shell: Eco-Friendly and Versatile
Don’t discard those shells! They make excellent pots for other plants, adding a creative and sustainable touch to your garden.
Order Your Own Coconut Palm Tree
Bring the Tropics to Your Backyard
Were you dreaming of your tropical paradise in your Florida home garden? It’s easier than you might think! You can start by ordering a coconut palm tree, a tropical beauty and relaxation symbol.
Where to Order
For high-quality coconut palm trees, look no further than Fast Growing Trees Nursery. They offer a variety of coconut palms that are perfect for Florida’s climate. Their trees are known for their health, vigor, and fast growth.
Transform your garden into a tropical retreat with your coconut palm tree. Order today and take the first step towards creating your personal Florida paradise!
FAQs
How long until my coconut tree bears fruit?
It takes about 4-6 years for a dwarf coconut tree to start fruiting.
Do I need special soil for my coconut tree?
Coconut trees prefer well-drained, sandy soil. They’re quite adaptable to different soil types found in Florida.
Can I grow a coconut tree anywhere in Florida?
Yes, but they thrive best in coastal, frost-free areas. Typically, coconut palm trees won’t grow north of Tampa, Florida – But there have been reports of coconut palm trees growing as north and central as Orlando, Florida.
What are the benefits of coconut water?
It’s hydrating, rich in electrolytes, and great for heart health.
Conclusion
Growing a coconut tree in Florida is more than just cultivating a plant; it’s about embracing a tropical lifestyle. With minimal maintenance and vast benefits, coconut trees are a splendid addition to any Florida homeyard.
The most profitable fruit trees to grow in Florida
Have you ever thought about profiting from your garden or farm? You should try growing some of Florida’s most expensive and delicious tropical fruit in your backyard for extra revenue.
While many tropical fruits can be found locally at your supermarket – many are rare to find.
They can only be obtained by growing your own or visiting your local flea market, where most fruit vendors bring their expensive exotic fruit.
Your probably wondering which fruit trees are the ones that generate the most income in Florida – read below to learn about them all.
#1 Sugar apple (Annona squamosa)
Growing sugar apple in Florida
How much does sugar apple cost per pound in Florida
Sugar apples in Florida can cost 20-22$ a pound and more for the premium, jumbo sugar apples in pristine condition. (Average price for the 2022 sugar apple season)
Sugar apples that are small to medium in size and weight can range anywhere from 8-15$ a pound.
A mature sugar apple tree can produce anywhere from 30-50 fruits per tree in a healthy sugar apple plantation.
Sugar apples are recommended to be planted out 10 x 15 to produce optimally and have reduced pest control.
One acre of sugar apples planted at 10 x 15 can grow roughly 300 + sugar apple trees.
Why are sugar apples so expensive?
Sugar apples are expensive due to the fruit’s health benefits, demand, and overall labor that goes into growing the fruit.
To grow a sugar apple from flower to fruit, costs like water, labor, fertilizer, and mulch all add to the price of a sugar apple.
Does sugar apple have a shelf life?
Sugar apple does not have a good shelf life.
Once the sugar apple fruit is harvested, it must be sold or consumed within the first couple of days before it goes too soft, mushy, and inedible. All these factors make sugar apple prices high.
Why did the sugar apple price rise in 2022?
After the pandemic in 2021, the demand for growing organic superfoods like sugar apples became in demand, and the prices in Florida rose from 8-12$ a pound for the biggest and best sugar apples to 20-25$ a pound from many farmers.
Where is the sugar apple from?
The sugar apple is a delicious tropical fruit that originates from the South American tropics. Where can I buy sugar apples in Florida?
The sugar apple is an tropical fruit that is often only found in local flea markets and fruit stands in Florida. The Pinellas flea market in Clearwater, Florida, sells fresh sugar apples from May through December.
Because of its difficulty to find in Florida and its delicacy, these fruits often range from 12$ – 20$ the pound making them very profitable to sell.
When is sugar apple season in Florida?
Sugar apple harvesting season is from May through December.
#2 Longan (Dimocarpus longan)
Growing longan in Florida
How much does longan cost per pound in Florida?
Longan in Florida costs anywhere from 4-10$ a pound depending on the longan’s variety, size, and freshness.
Jumbo fresh longan of a cultivar like ‘Kohala’ or ‘Biew Kiew’ typically will fetch a higher price, such as 8$ – 10$ per pound.
Which types of longan can you buy in Florida?
The standard commercial longan cultivars propagated by nurseries that you can purchase in Florida are ‘Kohala’ and ‘Biew Kiew.’
What is ‘Kohala’ Longan?
‘Kohala’ Longan is a longan variety adapted to growing and fruiting in more tropical environments. The ‘Kohala’ cultivar originated in Hawaii.
‘Koala’ longan is known for its large-sized fruit with a sweet, floral, and crisp flavor that is said to be superior to ‘Biew kiew’.
What is ‘Biew Kiew’ Longan?
‘Biew Kiew’ Longan is a longan cultivar that originated in Thailand. It is a frequent and high-producing variety of longan adapted to Florida’s soils exceptionally.
The ‘Biew Kiew’ longan fruit also has a floral and sweet taste that is superior to many longan cultivars.
Longan is a soft- chewy, sweet fruit initially from Southern China. This fruit grows in clusters from the longan (Dimocarpus longan) tree.
This fruit tree can be grown in Florida’s subtropical climates and yield a cash crop. Like the sugar apple, you won’t find this fruit at your local Walmart – instead, we recommend trying your local flea market.
#3 Lychee (Chinensis litchi)
Growing lychee tree in Florida
How much does Lychee cost in Florida?
Depending on the cultivar and quality, lychee costs anywhere from 8$ – 15$ lb.
When is lychee season in Florida?
Lychee season in Florida only lasts about a total of two months, from June through July.
What is Lychee?
Lychee is sweet, soft, gummy fruit originating from China. Lychee is a fruit also sought after in Florida for its taste and nutrition.
Although Lychee is a common tree found in Central and South Florida, it is still a costly fruit due to the demand and quantity available per season.
Lychee (Litchi chinensis) fruits harvested in Florida.
Are lychee trees consistent producers?
Some lychee tree cultivars, such as ‘Sweet heart’ and ‘Brewster,’ are known to be more productive than other varieties, such as ‘Emperor,’ which bear fruit more every other year.
Lychee trees, in general, are known to take an off year or two once fruited.
Where can I find a Lychee tree for sale in Florida?
You can find air-layered lychee trees for sale here. The air-layered lychee trees come from producing lychee trees that are already making litchi fruits.
How are lychee trees propagated in Florida?
Lychees in Florida have propagated mainly air layering for marcotting. What is air layering or marcottings? Air-layering is the act of creating roots around a branch of a tree to separate the branch then and create a clone of the tree within its own root system.
Which varieties of Lychee are available in Florida?
The varieties of Lychee (Litchi chinensis) available in Florida are ‘Brewster,’ ‘Hak-ip,’ ‘Emperor,’ and ‘Sweetheart.’
How do I make my lychee tree produce fruits every year?
Enable to make your lychee tree produce every year, an organic micro-mineral supplement called ‘Azomite’ is recommended to add every year to your lychee trees.
Every time a lychee tree ( or any tropical fruit tree ) produces fruits, its nutrients are taken from the soil and go into the fruit.
If you want your litchi tree to produce fruits consistently, it is vital to provide a good source of micronutrients such as Azomite.
#4 Dragon Fruit Pitaya (Selenecerius udatus)
Growing dragon fruit in Florida
Where does dragon fruit originate from?
Dragon Fruit or Pitaya originates from Southern Mexico and Central America. This tropical cactus crop grows excellently in Florida and can also bear many tasty expensive fruits.
How much does dragon fruit sell for in Florida?
Typically dragon fruit will cost anywhere from 5$ – 6$ per lb.
How much fruit does dragon fruit produce per year?
Dragon Fruit will produce fruit every 12-18 months, providing 20-60 Pounds of fruit per plant.
Dragon Fruit Season in Florida
Dragon fruit season in Florida is primarily in the summer, from the months of June through December.
Which dragon fruit varieties can I grow in Florida?
You can grow three types of dragon fruits in Florida
Pink Dragon Fruit with a White Inside (Selenecerius undatus)
Red Dragon Fruit with a Red Inside (Selenecerius costaricensis)
Yellow Dragon Fruit with a White Inside (Selenecerius megalanthus)
Why is dragon fruit so expensive?
Dragon fruit is expensive due to the time and supplementation it takes to grow it. The cost of dragon fruit is influenced by the amount of fertilizer, water, and overall care the farmers have to input.
Where can I order dragon fruit tree online in Florida?
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllous) in Florida costs about 1-3$ the pound depending on the cultivar and grower.
One Jackfruit grown in Florida can easily weigh 20 pounds and could cost anywhere from 20-60$ per fruit.
How long does Jackfruit take to grow fruit?
Jackfruit trees from seed can start producing flowers and fruits as early as three years from seed.
Jackfruit takes roughly 6-8 months from flower to fruit harvest. The speed at which Jackfruit ripens can be influenced by the age, health, and nutrients that a tree has.
Which Jackfruit variety is the best?
In my opinion, the ‘Cempejack’ or ‘Cheena’ is the best variety of Jackfruit. This variety ‘Cheena’ is a hybrid of two Artocarpus genus, the common Jackfruit (A. heterophyllous) crossed with Cempedak (Artocarpus integer)
Jackfruit tree growing in Homestead, Florida at the Fruit n Spice Park.
When is jackfruit season in Florida?
Jackfruit season in Florida is from June through November.
Which jackfruit varieties can I grow in Florida?
The jackfruit cultivars that can be grown in Florida are ‘Black Gold,’ ‘Cheena,’ ‘Orange crush,’ ‘Conchin’, and more.
Where can I find a jackfruit tree for sale in Florida?
How long before the jackfruit tree produces fruit?
It may take up to 3 – 4 years for a jackfruit tree from the seed to start producing fruit, and it can keep growing and producing for up to 100 years – providing you with a cash crop all your life.
#6 Atemoya (Annona atemoya)
Growing Atemoya in Florida
How much does atemoya cost in Florida?
Atemoya in Florida can cost anywhere from 10-15$ depending on the specific cultivar, size, shape, and ripeness of the atemoya fruit.
Which variety of atemoya costs the most?
In Florida, some of the higher-priced atemoya varieties are ‘Phet Pak Chong,’ ‘Lisa,’ ‘Geffner,’ ‘Dream,’ and ‘Priestly.’
Phet Pak Chong – 10 – 15$ the pound
Lisa – 12 – 15$ the pound
Geffner – 10 – 15$ the pound
Dream – 12 – 15$ the pound
Priestly – 10 – 15$ the pound
Phet Pak Chong Atemoya fruits grown in Florida
Are atemoyas hard to grow in Florida?
Atemoyas (Annona atemoya) have adapted to Floridan soils and can grow very well in our climate.
The atemoya tree thrives in sandy to loamy soils and is easy to beginner cash crop in Florida.
How much do atemoya trees cost in Florida?
Atemoya trees can cost anywhere from 35-100$ + a tree depending on the size, health, cultivar, rootstock, etc.
Conclusion
Wether your thinking about growing fruit trees to grow in Florida for yourself or to make some money you have come to the right place.
By planting sugar apple, longan, Lychee, dragonfruit, Jackfruit, and atemoya trees, you are growing the most profitable fruit trees in Florida.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert fruit gardener, these fruits are some of the easiest and most profitable to grow in Florida.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and make a profit from your Florida garden!
