JohnI's Edible Backyard
Joined:
02/11/09 Updated:
03/02/12 Frost: About My Edible BackyardWhy JohnI Love's Edible Plants Comments* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Fruit Tree Forum ContributionsJohnI Forum ContributionsTrees suitable to mullum - Thanks MaryT...4253 days 1hrs Trees suitable to mullum - How are olives an environmental problem?..4253 days 18hrs Plant full size or dwarfs in retaining - The trees tend to go through cycles. Some years there is so much fruit that I have to remove some to prevent the branches from snapping. Other years there is much less fruit. When there is too much fruit the fruit tends to be quite small, otherwise it is ..4276 days 23hrs Plant full size or dwarfs in retaining - Don't write dwarfs off completely. I have a dwarf peach and dwarf nectarine. Both produce an abundance of fruit and both are over 2 meters tall. I also have apples from flemmings. They are around 3.5 meters but are compact (short horizontal branches). ..4278 days 1hrs Plant full size or dwarfs in retaining - Dannsss, Look for fruit trees suitable for planting in containers. Citrus and fig trees are good. You could also try some of the dwarf fruit trees from flemmings (peaches, nectarines, and apples). Olive trees are another. You may also want to google..4279 days 16hrs |
Lady Finger BananaJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4644 days 11hrs Comments: - Cool Banana cool climate fruiting bananas.New growth go off to a slow start after winter last year (2009) so this year I have started watering once a week with warm water.Planted Dec 2007. Flower began to emerge Dec 7 2010, first hand of fruit appeared Dec 30 2010. There were about 140 bananas on the bunch (14 to 16 per hand). I trimmed the bunch down to about 100 bananas in the hope that they would increase in size and ripen faster.I read that you can't overwater (but you can drown), or over feed so I have been mulching heavily with pea straw or lucern and in warm weather keeping the mulch moist by watering morning and afternoon (and in between when I can). I also feed heavily with blood and bone and also high nitrate fertiliser every couple weeks during the growing season (where temps get in the mid 20's or more). Careful not to feed too heavily with fruit on, I have read that it can Burn the fruit.July 2011 - I have been cutting a hand of every few weeks and ripening them in a plastic bag with a couple ripe apples. The flavour is mild with a pleasant tang. They aren't as sweet as the shop bought lady finger bananas but still nice to eat. The rain has caused a couple bananas to split but I've managed to remove them.August 2011 - The last remaining hand has rippened on the plant after 7 months.Next stem has began to fruit. Flower emerged end of November. First hand appeared 18th December after a cold start to summer. Second picture of fruit taken 3rd Feb 2012. Height 2 metres Sun/Shade: Full Sun Pollination: No Pest Control: Frost is the main problem. Organic Status:Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 9 of 9 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dwarf Mandarin - Imperial (Grafted)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4644 days 11hrs Comments: - Planted May 2011 as part of a citrus hedge along the fence line. Picture taken 3rd Feb 2012. Imperial is plant second from the left. Planted: 2011 Growing: In the Ground Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 3 of 11 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dwarf Mandarin - EmperorJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4644 days 11hrs Comments: - Planted May 2011 as part of citrus hedge along fence line. Picture taken 3rd Feb 2012. Emporer is plant second from the right. Growing: In the Ground Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 8 of 20 people found this review useful Commentsfrenchie says... [3438 days 23hrs ago]Hi John, would love to see your citrus hedge now. Any chance of a photo and some tips from what you have learnt? I am thinking of doing the same here in NNSW. Thank you!JohnI says... [3437 days 20hrs ago] Hi Frenchie, I've let the yard slip a bit so don't have a pic to post. I think if I could redo my hedge I would change two things. (1) I planted dwarf trees which are just too small for a hedge. (2) I spaced the trees at about 1.5 metres and should have had them closer together. The other issue I have is that the mandarines are larger and fuller than the oranges and lemonade tree.frenchie says... [3436 days 19hrs ago] Thanks so much for the feedback, it has really helped me because I was considering dwarf trees. I would have also done the spacing at 1.5 m so here your tips are going to be very handy! I hope that despite its shortcoming in shaping a hedge, your trees are rewarding you with tasty fruits! Thanks again for taking the time to answer!* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dwarf Lemonade (Grafted)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4644 days 11hrs Comments: - Planted May 2011 as part of a citrus hedge along the fence line. I didn't follow the instructions and cut the top 3rd off the plant when planting. Seems to have resulted in the plant dropping must of its leaves. It has since sprung back with regular watering and feeding. Picture taken Feb 3rd 2012. Lemonade is the plant on the far left. Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 11 of 17 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dwarf Orange - NavelinaJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4644 days 11hrs Comments: - Planted May 2011 as part of citrus hedge along fence line.Producing lots of flowers which I have been removing until the plant is better established. Picture taken Feb 3rd 2012. Navilina is palnt on far right. Growing: In the Ground Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 4 of 12 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dwarf Orange - Washington Navel (Grafted)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4644 days 11hrs Comments: - Planted May 2011 as part of citrus hedge along fence line. Picture taken Feb 3 2012. Washington Navel is the middle tree. Planted: 2011 Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 2 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dwarf Cavendish Banana (Cutting)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4644 days 11hrs Comments: - Planted in the ground Jan 2008. This plant was labeled "Dwarf Red Dacca", but is possibly a Dwarf Cavendish. The first winter I built a frame around the plant and covered it with frost cloth. This did not protect the plant from frost so I leave it alone now. The leaves burn in winter but the plat continues to produce new leaves in spring. See my notes on my Lady finger banana for care instructions. Have decided this is a Red Dacca after all. I was told that the fruit doesn't turn red until it is almost ripe. Flag leaf emerged mid to late June 2011. Bananas appeared while I was away sometime in Sept. I didn't take my own advice and over fertilised in October. All the bananas (about 6 hands) have burnt to a crisp and dried up completly. I have a second stem that should flower next year. Second stem produced a flag lead at the end of Dec 2011. Given the timing and the cool summer we are having down here I don't think the bananas will ripen before winter. Picture of fruit a couple weeks after the first hand appeared. Planted: 2008 Height 1.5 metres Growing: In the Ground Sun/Shade: Full Sun Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 11 of 14 people found this review useful CommentsCam says... [5058 days 20hrs ago]* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Kiwifruit (Seedling)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4673 days 22hrs Comments: - Plants almost died in full sun position. Moved to a more sheltered position with free draining soil, and they have picked up considerably. Requires male and female plant. Only the female produces fruit. Jan 2012 - No fruit or flowers as yet. Planted: 1998 Growing: In the Ground Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: Self Pollination Organic Status:Partially Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 5 of 9 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Trixzie \'Pixzee\' PeachJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4673 days 22hrs Comments: - Unfortunately I planted this tree in a sheltered position which seems to prevent the fruit from becoming nice and sweet. Fruit size and color is good though. Tree is now above the fence line and the fruit is much sweeter. The two bigest problems I have is leaf curl (which can be controlled by spraying at the right time), and earwigs which chew the skin of the developing fruit. Fruiting Months January and February Planted: 2001 Height 2 metres Growing: In the Ground Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: Self Pollination Organic Status:Partially Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 2 of 2 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Blue Java Banana (Cutting)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4673 days 22hrs Comments: - Potted from tube stock Feb 4th 2010. Planted in ground Oct 2010 0.75 meters. Very fast grower, is now about 6 feet (from base to tip of stem) as of start Feb 2011. Photo 30th Mar 2011 - 2.5 meters. Flag leaf emerged end of November 2011. First hand emerged 13th Dec. Even though it has been cold this summer the Blue Java has continued to grow while my Lady Finger has virtually stoped. The bunch produced is a bit scraggly with only about 40 bananas. Could be because the plant is still so young or maybe its too close to my Red Dacca (about 1.5 meters apart). Planted: 2010 Height 30 Centimetres Growing: In a Pot Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: Self Pollination Organic Status:Partially Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 3 of 3 people found this review useful CommentsNSWBananas1 says... [4694 days 8hrs ago]NSWBananas1 says... [4694 days 8hrs ago] Hi john when your blue java next fruits I would be interested in purchasing some of its bananas to try the taste. Also wouuld you be preparedd to sell me some blue java succers please?* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
BabacoJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4691 days 23hrs Comments: - Doing well in a large pot. Is suffering burnt leaves from over fertilising. Planted in August (at about 30 cm hight), first fruit formed December 2009. Fruit ripened Nov 2010. There were about 14 fruit. I didn't like the taste much but it is starting to grow on me. People I gave it to loved the taste. Fruit is not very sweet but aromatic. Fruited again this year. Stem began to bend so had to tie it upright to prevent it from breaking. Side branches have started to grow so I will cut off the main trunk when fruit has finished. This fruit has started to grow on me. I like it in a smoothie with milk, honey and sugar. Can replace sugar with an overripe banana. The Babaco needs to be really really really ripe before eating. Planted: 2009 Height 1.5 metres Growing: In a Pot First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: No Organic Status:Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 3 of 3 people found this review useful CommentsTimmyDoulos says... [5203 days 8hrs ago]TimmyDoulos says... [5203 days 8hrs ago] I'd like to give this a go. I was at Heronswood garden in Dromana today and saw one of these and a mountain pawpaw. There was a small mountain paw paw that was yellow and appeared to be ripe. The flesh was quite rubbery and slightly acidic. I think I go some sap on my hand which I must have rubbed on my eye as it has become very ichy! How like the taste of a normal paw paw is the babaco?* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Blueberry - Blue RoseJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 4954 days 19hrs Comments: - Planted Dec 2008. Died but sprang back to life Dec 2009. Wasn't doing well in wine barrel so I repotted it in a self watering pot. It has since taken off. Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 3 of 7 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Yacon (Seedling)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5213 days 19hrs Comments: - Harvested in early may. While I don't hate the taste, I am not fond of it either so I don't think I will grow it again. Fruiting Months May Planted: 2009 Height 2 metres Growing: In a Pot Sun/Shade: Full Sun Organic Status:Partially Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report * You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Fig Brown TurkyJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5213 days 19hrs Comments: - I had to remove this plant due to its invasive roots. Have taken cuttings and hope to grow in a pot. Planted: 2004 Height 2.5 metres Growing: In the Ground Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: No Organic Status:Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 2 of 2 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Raspberry - HeritageJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 22hrs Comments: - Easier to maintain than other raspberries, however the flavour is not great, and they taste a little dry. Fruiting Months March and April Sun/Shade: Full Sun Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 7 of 14 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Raspberry - ChilcotinJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 22hrs Comments: - Excellent flavour. Plant suckers vigorously. I should have kept it in a large pot. Fruiting Months January and December Planted: 2009 Growing: In the Ground Sun/Shade: Full Sun Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 4 of 8 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Trixzie \'Nectazee\' NectarineJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 22hrs Fruiting Months January and December Planted: 2002 Height 2 metres Growing: In the Ground Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Water Given in: Autumn Pollination: Self Pollination Pest Control: Leaf Curl: Spray spring before bud burst with copper base spray. Remove infected leaves from spring to autumn. Earwig: Remove debris and other areas where earwigs like to breed. Organic Status:Partially Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 1 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Apple Ballerina WaltzJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 22hrs Comments: - I am yet to taste fruit. Every year codling moth get to the fruit before me. Planted: 2001 Height 2.5 metres Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: Cross Pollination Cross Pollinator Variety: Ballerina Polka Pest Control: Codling Moth: Bunnings sells a codling moth trap that needs to be setup early spring. Organic Status:Partially Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 1 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Blackberry (Thornless)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 22hrs Sun/Shade: Full Sun Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 4 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dragon Fruit - Red (Cutting)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 22hrs Growing: In a Pot Sun/Shade: Full Sun Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 2 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Fig White AdriaticJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 23hrs Planted: 2009 Height 0.25 metres Growing: In a Pot Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: No Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report * You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
White SapoteJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 23hrs Comments: - Planted August 2009. Fast growing, going to try repotting into a 35L bonsai bag this winter (2010). Planted: 2009 Height 1 metres Growing: In a Pot Sun/Shade: Full Sun Pollination: Self Pollination Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 3 people found this review useful CommentsTimmyDoulos says... [5203 days 8hrs ago]This sounds like an interesting fruit, and I would like to try it once I know if I like the fruit.* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Apple Ballerina PolkaJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5310 days 23hrs Planted: 2001 Height 2.5 metres Sun/Shade: Medium Sun Pollination: Cross Pollination Cross Pollinator Variety: Ballerina Waltz Pest Control: Codling Moth: bunnings sells codling moth trap that needs to be setup in early spring. Organic Status:Partially Organic Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 1 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
BLUEBERRY - REVEILLE (Seedling)JohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5346 days 21hrs Comments: - Purchased August 2009 Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 3 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
Dwarf Meyer LemonJohnI's Edible FruitsUpdate: 5467 days 16hrs Height 1.5 metres Growing: In a Pot Sun/Shade: Full Sun Pollination: No Pest Control: Scale: Spray with white oil. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report 1 of 3 people found this review useful* You need your own My Edibles Page to contribute Quick & Easy |
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