My Edibles: South American Trees

Pawpaw - Australian Red

Comments: -

Summer 2011: I got a pot FULL of seedlings as a gift from my friend John (THANK YOU!!!) :O) The leaves seem darker than the other variety I have. Looking forward to seeing how they go!

Planted: 2011

Height 20 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 10

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Cherimoya - White (Grafted) ^6/10

Comments: -

In spring/summer she grows so quickly she can easy get too wispy. Make sure you tip prune!!! I have to make sure to cut her back at least 30% when she loses her leaves otherwise the next spring she isn't strong enough to support all the new growth.

Planted: 2008

Height 1.25 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pruned By: 30% in Autumn and Winter

Pollination: Hand Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: chicken poo, seasol, charlie carp, worm castings

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

Elephant weevils = only thing you can do is hunt them down, pick them off and squish them. Or put them in a jar and look at how freaky they are!

Black Sapote - Chocolate ^6/10

Comments: -

He flowers like a bandit prefering flowers to new leaves. If you pull the flowers off you can force leave growth. New leaves are easily damaged by the cold and the wind can easily knock older leaves off.

He responds well to tip pruning and loves to be fertilised.

2009: He was in the ground for 2 years before moved him into a pot to move house. I just watered him well the night before and seasoled him once he was in the pot. Then because it was then end of Spring (getting HOT!) I watered him every evening for a fortnight to make sure he didn't go into shock.

2010: Covered in flowers this year and I'm hoping for fruit!

Spring 2011: Having gotten a little worried that I haven't had fruit-set despite years of flowering I did a little bit of research. Looks like either I am being impatient, I have a boy, or an infertile boy/girl. Poop! If there is no fruit-set this year I will look into getting a second, grafted - between the two I would HAVE to have pollination??

Summer 2011: We have flowers. There seems to be a big one in the centre of each cluster and smaller ones around... fingers crossed!

Planted: 2007

Height 2 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: chicked poo, seasol, charlie carp, worm castings

Pest Control:

Have noticed very few pests. Occasionally gets some leaf boring insects = if a few leaves effected I usually just leave them as they don't seem to spread

Small spiders spinning webs in new branches kills growing tips = get rid of webs
&a

Feijoa

Comments: -

Spring 2011: tried some of the fruit earlier in the year. Loved it and promised myself one of these this year! This one was a little bit sad (soil had been washed out of the top of the pot exposing the roots a little bit and he was on his way to being root-bound) but I think with some new potting mix and some lvoe he will be perfect.

Summer 2011: New growth is a good sign but I am getting grew new growth at the growing tips and bright green at the base... it isn't supposed to be grafted????? :O)

Those damned tiny leaf curling caterpillars are at the new growth on this one too. Too wet, can't spray, have to resort to manual termination!

Planted: 2011

Height 60 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Guava Yellow Cherry (Seedling)

Comments: -

Spring 2011: Brand new baby seedling. Will have to wait to see what happens.

Height 25 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Black Sapote - Superb

Comments: -

1 meter tall Growing well Newcastle Area

Clay soil mulched raised with good topsoil north facing daily watering

Planted: 2011

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pawpaw - Yellow YD1B Hybrid ^10/10

Comments: -

Its only 1.5 mts but has pawpaws forming already .

Planted: 2011

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Avocado - Secondo (A)

Comments: -

Just planted. I delayed getting one, as only half the family likes avocadoes and we have clay soil. I have planted it on a mound on a built-up bed on a slope, so I hope that works. I like the idea that you can harvest at any size and they ripen off the plant. Also, you can use the leaves.

Planted: 2011

Growing: In the Ground

Pollination: Self Pollination

White Sapote - Lemon Gold

Comments: -

Fell over in heavy rain and wind and had to be staked up. Splayed growth habit. Had flowers and small fruit in first year, but fell off.

Planted: 2010

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 8 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Guava Hawaiian

Comments: -

Vigorous and absolutely covered with fruit every year. Trouble with fruit fly and something that makes them scabby (mites ?). I will prune off all unbagged fruit this year.

Fruiting Months January, February, March, December

Planted: 2008

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 1.5 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: compost

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Black Sapote - Maher

Comments: - cause i heard the fruit tastes like chocolate and i love chocolate and i love to collect tropical fruit plants. my black sapote allready has flower buds and it is loving the rain we are getting at the moment.

Planted: 2012

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Hand Pollination

When I Fertilise: Never

Organic Status:Organic

Feijoa

Comments: - My four "Bunningsd Feijoa" are happily fruiting, but the dozen or so fruit I get per plant are varied in flavour so I'd like to extend the hedge with something of an "extra special" flavour.

Pawpaw - Southern Red (Seedling)

Comments: -

i love this plant because it looks beautiful and it has yummy tasting fruit i currently have it in the pot that it came in when i bought it from daleys it is on the verandah getting a good lot of rain rain always makes things grow a bit faster.

Planted: 2012

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Hand Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: seasol

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

how tall does this plant get before it starts to fruit

Black Sapote - Seedling (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

Used to have one in Cairns - amazing fruit. Took a bit to acclimatise to Sydney but I have it in a black pot & it is doing well. Grown about 50cm since it arrived (August 2011) Flowered Dec 2011 but no fruit set

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter, Seasol

When I Fertilise: Spring

Pest Control:

None

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Avocado - Grafted (Grafted)

Comments: -

Grafted avo from Carla, could be a hass or a sheppard Grafted onto Pug seedling from Kyogle. Attempt no. 9.

Grown with protection for first two years, shade house.  Planted into a large mound.

2011 - first flowering & fruit set

Planted: 2008

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Jaboticaba - Grafted ^5/10

Planted: 2010

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Jaboticaba - Large Leaf ^9/10

Comments: - One of my favorite trees - hardy, aesthetic, compact, and delicous fruits.  The large leaf version tens to be less wind resistant than the small leaved version.

Fruiting Months February, March, April, November, December

Planted: 2007

Height 2 metres

Qty: 3

First Fruited: 3 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Compost, Worm castings, Dynamic Lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control: None

Organic Status:Organic

Pawpaw - Red RD6 Hybrid ^9/10

Comments: - Very fast growing, tropical looking.  I have most of my paw paws growing on the east side of my house to protect them from the cold westerly winds that prevail here in Wollongong - seems to help.  Fruits taste way better than anything from the supermarket!  This is what paw paw is meant to be like :)

Fruiting Months January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Planted: 2008

Height 2 metres

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Compost, Dynamic Lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control: None

Organic Status:Organic

Pawpaw - Southern Red ^9/10

Comments: - Very fast growing, tropical looking.  I have most of my paw paws growing on the east side of my house to protect them from the cold westerly winds that prevail here in Wollongong - seems to help.  Fruits taste way better than anything from the supermarket!  This is what paw paw is meant to be like :)

Fruiting Months January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Planted: 2008

Height 2 metres

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Compost, Dynamic Lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control: None

Organic Status:Organic

Avocado - Wurtz (A) (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: - Hard trees to get established - starting to do well now after a couple of years in the ground.  Literally planted by placing on top of the soil and mounding around it with a mixture of potting mix and compost.  Also, are growing temporary shade trees around it to provide partial shade for the young avocado in its first few years.  I feel this has made a big difference to the success of growing avocados after a couple of early failures.  Good Luck!

Planted: 2008

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Horse manure, worm castings and dynamic lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control: None

Organic Status:Organic

Avocado - Sharwill (B) (Grafted) ^1/10

Comments: - They are so easy to grow from seed but slow and fussy whenever I

Pollination: No

Guava - Mexican Cream (Cutting) ^7/10

Comments: - Attractive, hardy, shrubs with nice tasting fruits which need to be bagged to avoid fruit fly in my climate.  Fruits not as nice as the hawaian guava.

Fruiting Months January, February, March, December

Planted: 2008

Height 2 metres

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 2 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 2 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pruned By: 20% in After Fruiting

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Hosre manure, worm castings and dynamic lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control: Bag fruits to avoid fruit fly

Organic Status:Organic

Pawpaw - Red RD6 Hybrid ^9/10

Comments: - Very fast growing, tropical looking.  I have most of my paw paws growing on the east side of my house to protect them from the cold westerly winds that prevail here in Wollongong - seems to help.  Fruits taste way better than anything from the supermarket!  This is what paw paw is meant to be like :)

Fruiting Months January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Planted: 2008

Feijoa - Triumph

Comments: -

I finally have feijoas!!!!!!  After being very patient and waiting over 5 years for my 3 Bunnings un-named seedlings to flower and fruit.......I gave up and pulled them out, and purchased one each of the mammoth and triumph grafted varieties.  One (not sure which as I lost the labels) has fruited in it's second year and has about 5 fruit on.

Will have to bag them shortly to keep the pesky fruit fly out.

Pollination: No

Avocado - Seedling (Seedling) ^5/10

Comments: -

This is an unknown seedling variety, and it has been in for about 9 years and hasn't fruited yet, but I'm a very patient person and willing to wait to see what the fruit are like.

After loosing all it's fruit last year, it seems to have held onto a couple of fruit this year.  Time will tell if they stay on.

Planted: 2002

Height 4 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: compost, horse manure, blood and bone and mulch.

Pest Control:

Anthracnose has been a problem with this one too, but I haven't sprayed yet as it hasn't flowered.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Pawpaw - Southern Red ^7/10

Comments: - very good looking plant small flower buds growing in large terracotta pot

Planted: 2011

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: seASOL Dynamic lifter

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Pest Control: none

Organic Status:Organic

Question: how to prevent fruit drop

Feijoa

Comments: -

Rescued from a throw-out these plants were very root-bound and dehydrated for about 4 years before being released into the ground in 2009. They have responded well to freedom and as of October 2010 are covered in flowers. In 2010 I was surprised to discover that these Bunnings seedlings do set the occasional fruit (albeit a bit bland). I'm hoping that the fruit improves a bit this year. Irrespective they purpose of these plants is to provide a hedge so the occasional edible fruit is just a bonus!

That said, a named variety might be nice - especially if more fruit were provided (and tastier fruit). I could also practice grafting by taking cuttings to the original plants. I might remove / relocate strawberry guava and put in named feijoa.

Jan 2012 - no fruit this year - but I intend to add some more feijoa to complete the hedge come autumn. They are a tough plant with interesting folige and stunning (tasty) flowers.

Planted: 2009

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 4

First Fruited: 5 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Never

Pest Control:

Not require

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Guava - Strawberry (Seedling) ^3/10

Comments: -

Four little plants from Bunnings, planted quite close together (just over 1m apart as I'm hoping to create a dense hedge) in 2010. I've loaded them with compost and some blood & bone. Hopefully the soil improvements will be enough - but the soil is very poor and likely to stunt their growth (hence planting them so close)! They really don't appear to enjoy large amounts of WA sun (they will be blasted in summer) so I'm hoping they can make it. I've recently tasted a few strawberry guavas in my grandfather's yard in Melbourne. Delicious ... I hope that in time mine are as tasty!

They are quite fast growers, doubling in size in less than 6 months. They appear to be quite bushy - they tips are already touching (which is good from my perspective - a dense hedge is exactly what I want). I've tip pruned to encourage strength rather than straggly. Flowers and baby fruit have already appeared (October 2010)

I'm actually not thrilled with these guys. They all have the yellow guava instead of the pink, and they are getting hit by disease quite hard. They might end up being relocated (and replaced with a known feijoa) or 'donated'. Not a bad looking plant ... but just not the flavour I wanted.

Jan 2012 - tough as old boots, fruit well ... but boring.

Planted: 2010

Height 0.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 4

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

None so far

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Avocado - Wurtz (A) (Grafted)

Comments: -

Initially purchased with the intent of spending its life in a pot I've decided to pull up some pavers and set it free in the ground! It is going in a slender bed with improved soil (most of it is compost, soil improver and cow poo), and is protected from the worst of the WA summer suns. Fingers crossed that it will make loads of babies with the Fuerte friend I purchased! It is planted about 1.5m from the Fuerte. I'm hoping the Wurtz will grow to be about 2m x 2m

Its leaves have lost a lot of their green so I have added some trace elements (iron and zinc) and new growth appears to be greener. Within weeks new leaves are emerging with the standard red/copper colour which I hope indicates that whatever was missing is back! Now a few months later it has grown about 50cm and is a solid little shrub. The outside leaves get scorched on hot days and the plant will drop older leaves if it has water stress (must remember to water a bit more often) but nutrients and water are resulting in a tough little avocado.

In August 2011 it is flowering like crazy (the leaves are going brown again and being replaced by new leaves - it doesn't look the best but the plant seems happy). By October 2011 the tree has lost all its old leaves and is covered in rich lush new growth.

This tree still struggles with hot summer days - but extra mulch, and water help. I don't think any fruit set - but it continues to put on volumn and looks healthy.

Planted: 2010

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

None require at this time

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Avocado - Fuerte (B) (Grafted)

Comments: -

I know I don't need it in Perth ... but having an A and a B avocado could increase my fruit set ... plus having two avocados is always better than one (more avocados - what is there not to like!). It is planted near my back fence to create a hedge with my wurtz. The garden is quite skinny (about 50cm wide); but I've dug out all the soil down to 60cm and put in compost, soil improver and cow poo (and a bit of the original sand). I plan to keep the avocado hedge to about 3m high. Its current location exposes it to morning sun, but allows it to miss the worst of the WA summer afternoon sun (it only gets about 5 hrs per day on the soil - and even that causes the poor avocado to wilt - so it needs to be watered every day to help with recovery).

The two avocados are planted about 1.5m apart. I'm aiming for the Fuerte to be about 3m x 3m. Its first summer is proving to be a challenge for it as it does need a lot of water (about 5 litres most days), but it is putting on growth. Hopefully in a few years the roots will be better established and as a hedge against a east-facing fence it will not need too much more water despite its increased size.

The plant has a growth spurt in July and August ... perhaps the additional water of winter is necessary!

Around August 2011 most of the leaves started looking dull and there were a few flowers and new leaves coming through. By mid October 2011 the plant was covered in fresh new leaves. Then ... suddenly in November all the leaves fell off ... the tree was covered in lush new growth by mid-December - but no fruit.

Planted: 2010

Height 1.2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Question: