Tropicdude's Edible Fruits

Joined: 03/10/09 Updated: 03/10/09 Frost: None
Location: , Santo Domingo, National District, DO

About My Edibles

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I am a US Citizen that resides in this Caribbean country, I do not have a farm, I live in the City, so almost everything is in containers. Annual rainfall varies greatly but its mostly wet hot and humid all year round.  my bggest challange is not having space to plant everything I would like. my long term goal is to someday have a exotic tropical fruit farm, to live off of, and to give tours to those interested in learning about other fruit trees. although the weather here does permit a wide variey of tropical and subtropical plants, people generally only are familiar with a fraction of whats available to them. also many fruit trees that were popular in the past, are losing ground, imports and lackk of knowledge on cultivation is making some fruits very hard to find,  Yacon for example, I believe is extinct here now, and I wish to re-introduce it, although the challenge is getting plant material into the country, seeds are no problem, but the problem is that Yacon cannot be propagated by seed.

Comments

Hey great web page, very informative. Good to have a non-aussie in the forum for another perspective. Will do what I can with the yacon plant, mine was only planted from a tuber an Italian neighbour gave me a few months ago, so hopefully will bulk up with daughter tubers so I can send you some. Cheers, Phil.

Tropicdude's WISH LIST

Yacon - Apple of the Earth ^10/10

Why Tropicdude wants it: -

I want to re introduce this plant into this country ( Dom. Rep.) it was first introduced into Europe by an Italian that discovered it being used here back in the 1930s. As far as I know its completly gone now. no one has it, no one has heard of, even specialist in botanicals have not heard of it being used. this plant does not self propagate well, and it almost became extinct worldwide a couple decades ago. Yacón has a high potential to be a future crop here, because of its low calorie, low glycemic index, high FoS content. the problem is that this plant does not propagate by seeds, I need the little bulbs that grow above the main root. or a live plant.  Importing live plants is difficult because of regulations i would need a special permit, and I am not a commercial interprise, so I cannot afford a permit for just a few root seeds. my only hope is that a friend of mine that will visit Peru soon can get some bulbs, or is someone sent them to me marked as seeds.

Goji Berry (Seedling) ^5/10

Planted: 2008

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 6

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

Have not had any problem with bugs eating these, but birds seem to like the taste of the leaves, or they like the twiggy looks of them to make nests.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

I introduced Goji here in the D.R.,  I have had mixed results with them. the seeds sprout right within days, but are slow growers, and easily damp off, to much sun and they dry up, to much shade and they become stringy, I found that a couple hours of fdirect iltered sunlight is ok.  I had about 40 plants originally and they were doing ok until the summer peak heat got to them. now I only have about 6 left. some that I gave away before the summer heat, are doing very well, in slightly cooler regions. I guess with the experience i have gained, I could do better next time. i high summer, I should keep them out of direct sunlight, and keep them watered,

also, they do not like wind, the leaves fall off very easily, even if you touch them.  they grow almost like a vine, but if you cut them back they sprout up thicker shoots, they really are a weird plant. my recommendation is to, keep them in filtered sunlight for about 2-3 years then increase the sunlight until they take medium/full sun. they do seem to enjoy some fertilzation.

Plumeria - Frangipani assorted colours ^10/10

Height 0.2 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 50

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

Nothing touches these things

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

All over the world, Plumerias are found in a rainbow of colors, varied shapes, and fragrances, in this country  there only seems to be 2 types, the white Brides bouquet with spoon shaped leaves that grows like a bush, and a solid pink plumeria that grows tree like. very little if any fragrance.  So I decided to order a packet of 100 seeds of plumeria, that supposedly will be anything but white. resulta will be a grab bag surprise because it will take years before they flower. So I am just growing them to sell as ornamental plants at a local plant festival, and keep a few on hand. wish I had a farm to keep a few dozen  until they bloomed, so that I can keep the ones with features I like best to later use as cuttings. anyway, this seeds have over 90% germination rate, sprout very fast, and grow really fast, its amazing how something that uses so little water can grow that fast. the stem becomes thick, and many leaves on plants just a few months old now.  I have them in Medium Sun, but they can take full sun.

do not water them too much I have not seen the leaves droop even with the soil bone dry.

Lemon - Eureka (Grafted) ^8/10

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

Just recently obtained plants, I will be monotoring, if I do require pesticides Ill go for natural Neem oil.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

Recently purchased grafted.   way to big for the small poly bag its in, will be getting transplanted into 8 gallon pots in a couple days. Lemons are actually very rare here, most people only know about limes here, which they call "Limones" thinking that Limes and Lemons are the same thing. in spanish they should use "Lima" for limes, and "Limones" for Lemons, but since they are not familiar with good ol yellow Lemons, I intend to show em by growin em :) .  the plants are healthy and had a lemon or two already on them ( being grafted and all no surprise ) but these plants really need a bigger container and soon.

Bay Rum (Seedling) ^9/10

Planted: 2008

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

No need.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

Small plant I picked up, growing ok, no pests.  used for making "Bay rum"

and other medicinal uses. moderate growth.

Black Sapote (Seedling) ^9/10

Planted: 2007

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Hand Pollination

Pest Control:

pest free, do not use any pesticides.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

Black Sapote, not sure what Cultivar.  growing ok, although some older leaves are starting to yellow, this could be because it needs a bigger pot, or may need Magnesium,  I will try magnesium first then transplant.  this plant is small, and do not expect fruit for at least 2 years.

Miracle Fruit (Seedling) ^8/10

Height 0.2 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

havent had bug problems yet.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

Very slow growing plants,  doesnt like too much sun, I prune off dead leaves. still in 1 gallon pots after 1 year.

Acai Palm (Seedling) ^10/10

Height 0.5 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 60

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Never

Pest Control:

Nothing eats these plants so far.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

I introduced this plant into this country, I ordered 100 seeds of the Açai Para variety. about 80% sprouted, I have recently been transplanting into 1 gallon pots from my seed bed. the extremly hot weather has been tough on some of the transplants, but they should recuperate, some leave buning on some plants. I will be selling these plants locally at a "plant festival" .. they prefer low sun to shade,  do not care for Fertilizer yet, I tried and some leaf browning occured on afew plants.

Yellow Mangosteen (Seedling) ^10/10

Height 0.8 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: water soluble

Pest Control:

Bugs dont mess with this plant, if I do use any pest control, Ill use a natural pestacide like Neem oil

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

I water if it hasnt rained in a couple days.  Attractive tree, I dont expect it to fruit for at least 2-3 more years.

Grumichama - Black (Seedling) ^10/10

Planted: 2008

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pest Control:

Bugs dont mess with this plant at all

Organic Status:Organic

Tropicdude's Tips -

One of the most ornamental fruit trees, little maintenance , I just water it once in a while if it hasent rained for a few days..  not fruiting yet, but maybe next year, fingers are crossed.