Rwan1's Edible Backyard

Joined: 00/00/00 Updated: 23/02/20 Frost:
Location: GOLDEN SQUARE

Dwarf Coconut Malay Bronze ^10/10

Comments: -

Wonderful palm. Cocos nucifera is a must-have in my collection and this Malay bronze is stunning. Started out keeping it in dappled sunlight, but these days it recieves full sun. Has grown two new fronds since I've had it. 

Planted: 2019

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Giant Lau Lau ^10/10

Comments: -

Been keeping this Syzigium in the glass house at work. Such a lush, beautiful specimen. The glossy, large foliage makes it an attractive ornamental, but I'm really looking forward to hopefully trying the fruit. I'm keen on growing anything from the Pacific islands, so this plant is a must.

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Cacao (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

Such a beautiful tree. A Perfect addition to a tropical garden. Very hard to grow in VIC; but that's the point! A good challenge with wonderful rewards. This is mainly advice for any Victorian growers; not really for you lucky people in FNQ!

Of course the Cacao has a strict climate zone in which it can grow freely. However, I have seen them growing quite well on Magnetic Island. Further north, there is a plantation at Mission Beach; which is still just outside of the required climate zone. Given the right care, they can be grown just outside this climate zone (I think it's 15 degrees North & South of the Equator). That's in the ground though; in VIC, they must be kept in pots!

LOVES RAIN!!! Whenever it rains, make sure it gets as much as possible. Hates wind: the leaves will break at the the stem.

Water them pretty regularly, especially in summer. A big drink each time might be getting carried away, but definitely small drinks. I do this to try and replicate a short sudden down pour that it would normally receive in the amazon/tropics. Plus, this also keeps the soil moist.

Remember: Cacao plantations utilise Banana trees as a canopy, so you should try and replicate this in some way. Therefore, Cacao does not like hot direct sunlight: this will kill them. In FNQ, they can tolerate the sun to a degree. But in Vic, do not put out in the full sun. You can slowly adjust them to the sun as they mature in NQ - but even still, a 'sunscreen' coating is usually sprayed onto the leaves to protect the plant from the sun at the beginning. But really not not a good idea in VIC as the UVs are too intense - particularly in the central and north west. Well-filtered sunlight through a thick canopy such as Bananas (very unlikely in VIC, I know! - Yes! We have no Bananas!) or the canvas from a green house will do the trick. Thick shade cloth will also do the trick. They do well in a greenhouse that is nice and humid, but beware of letting the 'sauna' turn into an oven! Make sure you spray plenty of water in the greenhouse to let the heat creat humidity. Use a hot house that does not have a clear plastic cover: get one with a green/shaded cover to stop the brightness and extreme heat. A lack of water and humidty will cause stress upon the cacao.


As for Cold weather, don't even bother keeping them outside in a greenhouse. Bring them indoors where it will be warm from your heater. Especially ay night. But do not place them anywhere near hot wind from the heater. Just somewhere where it's not going to be below 10 degrees. If the day is warm enough and there is some nice sun - sure; put them outside in the greenhouse for the day. But a very cold drizzly day with no sunlight won't do any justice. Just make sure that they will at least get some natural light whenever possible. :)

FOR WINTER: Keep them in a warm room. Try to avoid heaters blowing hot air. I use one of those oil filter things. Here's the thing: The room will eventually become too dry and the Cacao plants will not like it. So make sure you mist the base of the pot or the room in which they are growing. This will keep up some huimidity around the plant and it seems to do the job pretty well!

hope this helps.

BTW people, its 'Cacao' not 'Cocoa!

Planted: 2016

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 5

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control: Eco oil

Organic Status:Organic

Vanilla Vine ^10/10

Comments: -

Only started to grow this again. Have tried a few times with Vanilla planifolia, but I like to persist. Growing it in the temperate zones means monitoring the watering schedule before the weather drops and starts to get cold. Similarly with cacao, in the warm months, plenty of protection, humnidity and shade.

Growing: In a Pot

Pollination: Self Pollination

Achiote - Bixa ^10/10

Comments: -

A nice, different plant with interesting foliage. Purely a decorative exotic. 

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Santol ^10/10

Comments: -

Grew this from seed. Fruit was nice! Got it to germinate in the campus greenhouse while I was studying. Have given it lots of care to get it through our winter; with success.

Planted: 2019

Growing: In a Pot

Pollination: Self Pollination

Dwarf Coffee - Catuai ^10/10

Comments: - Have had this tree for almost 3 years. It's doing fantastically well for Victoria.Gets kept inside every winter and outsider in shade every summer. Goes dormant through the winter and pretty much stops growing until the summer arrives; then takes off!

Planted: 2016

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Pollination: Self Pollination

Ice Cream Bean ^10/10

Comments: -

This tree has been growing succesfully for three years. It's been in the same pot and has grown into a nice, large tree. It was neglected somewhat for one winter and lost all of its foliage. After this, I pruned it to shape and nursed it through the remaining cold months. It returned with vigorous new growth and is taking off like a champ. The following summer, it flowered and still currently is. Hoping for fruit. Almost getting too big to bring inside through winter. 

Planted: 2015

Height 2 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Organic Status:Organic

Black Sapote - Superb (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: - Arrived looking stunning; complete with flowers. Looking forward to seing if it fruits.

Fruiting Months November and December

Planted: 2018

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Avocado - Bacon (B) (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

After growing in a pot for a year, I moved it into the ground. It's doing well. It fruited the first year, but the fruits fell off before they could grow to maturity. That's expected though. I keep a shade cloth to protect it from harsh sun and winter dew. This is the best variety of Avo for beginners in temperate regions. 

Planted: 2016

Height 1.8 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Garden Gold

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring