Emma1's Edible Backyard

Joined: 28/08/10 Updated: 02/09/10 Frost:
Location: Bardon

About My Edible Backyard

I have a love of both tropical-style gardening and eating fruit so when I finally bought a house I now could combine the two! The site is definitely a challange- a Queenslander on a small, steep block, a couple of trees but mainly a bare, weedy dry surface. Soil was non-existing with shale under a cm or two. As a result I have tried something I think is rather novel: creating an entire no-dig tropical fruit garden, using hundreds of sugar cane bales and small amounts of potting mix around each plant. The results speak for themselves- everything is thriving. And as a lazy gardener it beats lugging soil up the hill and digging in rock!

Comments

Hi Emma, I can't comment on your WISHLIST but I wanted to let you know that i just bought some Achacha fruit from Coles this week. I'm in Newcastle but they might have them where you are too?? If not I could buy some and send you the seeds if you think they'd make it through the post? I am planning on going back to get more for myself to eat and then try and germinate - I really liked them. :O) Kathy

Hi Kathy! A year ago I tried some achachas and kept the seeds in zip-tie sandwich bags with permite, vermiculite and water. A year later they have germinated, so I have about 20 seedlings with two leaves. Whether or not they will fruit in the colder subtropics is the next challenge. Thanks for the offer and good luck growing!

Oh lucky! Cause when I went back today they were all gone. :O( Let me know how they go. My partner loved them!! :O)

Hello Emma, I have just completed my description and our objectives look very similar. I showed my partner the number of plants you have and now he can't give me as much grief as i try to sneak more plants in :) I am just getting the hang of my edibles. And am looking forward to adding photos. Thanks for the inspiration amantha from Ahimsa Cottage

Emma1's WISH LIST

Mangosteen Purple ^5/10

Why Emma1 wants it: -

I love the taste of these fruit! But I am not sure if they will grow as far south as Brisbane.

Achacha

Why Emma1 wants it: -

Garcinia humilis: One of the most tastiest fruit I have tried with the convenience of packaging like the banana. I collected the seeds and forgot to grow them. I can\'t find anywhere that sells the plant- they only seem to have a north Queensland plantation. A close relative to the yellow mangosteen.

Lemon Drop Mangosteen ^7/10

Comments: -

However I am not sure how I can grow this fruit as the label says male and female required to pollinate, but then tend to be sold as yound plants without labling whether they are male or female. I don't think I can afford to by a whole bunch and hope I get a winning combo, but then again, I want it so bad....

Arenga engleri - Dwarf sugar palm ^10/10

Comments: -

A short palm attractive palm with a silvery underside to leaves. Only grows 3m and has very fragrant flowers. Edible sap and fruit.

Planted: 2010

Height 40 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Acronychia imperforata - Fraser Island apple (Cutting) ^10/10

Comments: -

Saved these plant from a $2 reject bin at a nursery. They were very pot bound and very tall for their pots, but are doing great in the ground. Unsure if the fruit will be as appley as their name but native fruit trees are always interesting.

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Bolwarra ^10/10

Comments: -

Another cool bush tucker tree. This one has primitive flowers and fruit like a guava.

Planted: 2010

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Screw Pine Pandanus - Pandanus tectorius ^8/10

Comments: -

Very spikey especially when at hand height! Very beach/ tropical look, and has an interesting corkscrew pattern to the trunk as the fronds die off. Best planted away from paths.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Native Gardenia

Comments: -

Tough little plant has been growing in the same pot as a bought it a year ago. Has almost died many a time due to lack of water but has always bounced back with a good soaking. Now I have run out of room where I was orginally going to plant it so I will have to save this one until my next move.

Planted: 2009

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Yucca baccata- Yucca

Comments: -

Very tough, drought tolerant bush with spikey/strapey leaves. I grow for a screen in very dry areas but apparently fruit and flowers edible.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Rose Apple ^3/10

Comments: -

Has been nibbled to the max by possums. They love this one, but it still surviving. Just. Mass of twigs, no leaves.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Cheilocostus variegatus - Crepe Ginger ^8/10

Comments: -

Another spiral ginger with edible flowers.

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Costus productus ^10/10

Comments: -

Spiral- leafed plant, member of the ginger family. Has edible orange flowers.

Planted: 2010

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Papaya - Richter Gold ^10/10

Comments: -

These are an easy care, very tropical looking tree. They have an unsual trunk and nice big leaves. I have planted a few and others have come up by themselves after boing spread by fruit bats from neighbouring yards.

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Lemon Myrtle ^5/10

Comments: -

I absolutely love the smell of the leaves when crushed. This plant demands more water than I give it, and always looks slightly wilted, but I did plant it on thery poor soil and is competing with another tree.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

When I Fertilise: Never

Tea Plant ^6/10

Comments: -

Tea! Yay!

Planted: 2010

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Pollination: No

Dioon ^5/10

Comments: -

Slow growing cycad with edible seeds.

Planted: 2008

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Chocolate Vine ^5/10

Comments: -

Has died back a bit due to lack of water, but still kick'n.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Golden Champaca ^8/10

Comments: -

Beautiful fragrent tree. Rapid growth, no flowers yet.

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Grumichama - Black ^9/10

Comments: -

Growing well. Small bush.

Planted: 2010

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Miracle Fruit (Seedling) ^5/10

Comments: -

A very novel fruit, but slow growing.

Planted: 2009

Height 20 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: No

Araca boi ^6/10

Comments: -

Slow growing, but look forward to yellow lemony fruit.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Goji Berry - Shrub ^5/10

Comments: -

Good source of antioxidants. No fruit yet and bush/vine is growing very sparcely.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: No

Comments

I killed this one, or the possum got it...

Mushroom Plant (Seedling) ^8/10

Comments: -

Interesting herb. I like mushrooms mmm.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Natal Plum ^7/10

Comments: -

Spikey bush with hopefully yummy fruit.

Planted: 2010

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Saba Nut ^9/10

Comments: -

Tough little tree. Trunk is bulbous like a bottle tree with broader leaves. Leaves and nuts are edible. Makes a good bonsai too.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Ceylon Hill Gooseberry ^5/10

Comments: -

Has been nibbled heavily by possum, but still hanging on.

Planted: 2010

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 2

Pollination: No

Rubus parvifolius - Wild Raspberry ^7/10

Comments: -

Another bush tucker fruiting vine.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Peanut Butter Tree ^9/10

Comments: -

Native bush tucker tree. Purchased from the Nambour Garden Show.

Planted: 2010

Height 40 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer and Winter

Pollination: No

Ylang Ylang ^8/10

Comments: -

Look forward to fragrent flowers. So far just rapid growth.

Height 2 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Cycad - Sago Palm ^4/10

Comments: -

Big old looking plant-thing. Leaves are tatty, being attacked by cycad moth. I have one large and very two small plants.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: No

Bull Bay Magnolia ^9/10

Comments: -

Attactive flowering tree and frangrant too.

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Soursop (Cutting) ^8/10

Comments: -

This fruit tastes great, like lemon sherbet. I have two trees and both a doing well despite a fair amount of neglect. One is in the ground in full shade, the other in a pot with moderate sun.

Height 1.2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Dwarf Orange - Blood ^10/10

Comments: -

This citrus is coming into flower very nicely. And has survived multiple transplants and a bit of neglect.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: manure

Dwarf Manderine - Pixie ^10/10

Comments: -

Staple fruit, the maderine. Everyone needs one, and with the amounts of plants I have, I need a small one. Flowering now, look forward to seedless fruit.

Planted: 2010

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: blood n bone

Amorphophallus konjac - Konjac

Comments: -

Ornamentally this plant has an interesting snake-like trunk to each broad leaf. The flower smells like rotting flesh but the bulb is used to make jelly.

Planted: 2009

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 5

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Comments

This plant is amazing. It doesn't smell that bad really, only for a day or so and you would have to be walking right past it. I now have dozens of plants popping up from the one mother plant. You can buy 'SlimPasta' at woolies now made out of this plant. Diet noodles yeah!

Coffee arabica

Comments: -

Was already on the property. Regular gets crops of fruit but I don't know how to prepare for roasting. Maybe one day...

Planted: 2003

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Fruit Harvest: 0.5 kilograms per Year

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Never

Banana - Ladyfinger

Comments: -

Ba-na-na-na-na-na, nah- nah- nah. This is a very tropical looking tree, nice just for looks alone.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: No

Ice Cream Bean Mountain (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

Unusual Tree. Look forward to tasting beans.

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Tree Fern ^8/10

Comments: -

Nice tropical look. Messy leaves and hard to keep up enough water for them to establish/ survive.

Planted: 2010

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 5

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Christmas Bush - NSW ^6/10

Comments: -

Beautiful when in flower- a mass of red, but pretty average for the rest of the year.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Comments

yes

Blueberry - Biloxi ^7/10

Comments: -

Love blueberries. At the moment these plants are forgiven for looking scraggley because they have flowers- yay!

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 2

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Pomegranate - Elcite

Comments: -

Another of my favourite fruits. Love the juicy seeds, dispite the messiness. At first my plant dropped all its flowers due to lack of water. I have planted it a bigger pot and thankfully there are new blossums on the way. I then bought 2 more plants.

Planted: 2010

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: blood n bone

Vanilla Vine (Cutting) ^3/10

Comments: -

I love vanilla and my Aunt has had success growing this orchid. I would like to know how this plant is doing... but I can't remember where I planted it!

Planted: 2009

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Pollination: No

Areca catechu - Betel Nut Palm ^10/10

Comments: -

Beautiful clumping green palm including trunk. In SE Asia the seed is chewed for its intoxicating properties.

Planted: 2010

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Passionfruit - Hawaiian ^4/10

Comments: -

Another passionfruit variety.

Height 40 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Never

Passionfruit - Panama Sweet Gold (G) ^6/10

Comments: -

Another fruity favourite for taste. My vines are looking a bit poorly. I have neglected them and the tree I am climbing them against may be too dense to let light though and causing root competition.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Pollination: No

Canistel - Lyndall ^10/10

Comments: -

This should called boiled-egg plant! Still growing slowly in a pot.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Garlic Chives ^10/10

Comments: -

These are a nice tough herb. Cut and come again. And good repellant of pests and possums too.

Height 20 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Strawberry - Rubygem (Seedling) ^5/10

Comments: -

I love strawberries- who doesn't? I have these grwoing in a semi-hydroponic system. For some reason the fruit a very, very small. It is in a semi-shade position so it may be due to lack of sun, or maybe because the plants are small. Maybe I need more fertilzer...

Planted: 2010

Height 15 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 5

Fruit Harvest: 5 Fruit Per Year

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: dynamic lifter

Ginkgo ^8/10

Comments: -

I love the delicate leaves of this dinosaur tree. Don't like the looks of its bare branches in winter though.

Planted: 2008

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Palm - Dwarf Acai ^8/10

Comments: -

I like palms and one that fruits is a bonus. Apparently this one is praised by health food critics for its antioxidant content. The palms looks a bit scraggley- it is similar to a Alexander but seems to keep dead leaves rather than shedding. It seems to want more water than I am giving it too.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Palm - Jelly or Wine Palm

Comments: -

I love palms. I love jelly. This seems like a match made in heaven. It took my a while to source this plant after I read about it. It is quite small and recently I have moved it back to a pot aftre being in the ground a couple of months as it was being smothered. One of my special plants.

Planted: 2010

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Rosella ^6/10

Comments: -

I bought 3 plants that all had fruit about a month ago, but I wasn't sure when to pick them so they went bad. The the tips got covered in aphids. Then after one very cold night all three plants suddenly died (frost in Brisbane?). I can see a few shots from closer to the ground so I haven't given up yet. I love the bright red stems which contract well against the green leaves- as an ornamental alone these are nice.

Fruiting Months June and July

Height 1.2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Fruit Harvest: 2 Fruit Per Year

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cassia Java shower

Comments: -

I love the flowery display of this tree. However I have run out of room so this one is staying in a large pot until the day I buy a larger bit of land to house the rest of my fruit trees ;)

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Kauri Pine Qld ^10/10

Comments: -

This was our Christmas tree from last year. Now it is in ground as a major shade tree. Don't know if it is edible but I like its foliage.

Height 2.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Dwarf Persimmon ^6/10

Comments: -

I like persimmons. A lot. Now I have a mini tree. Once again it has been bare so long it is hard to tell if it is alive.

Planted: 2009

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Dwarf Persimmon - Fuyu (NA) ^8/10

Comments: -

One of my favourite everyday fruits. Love crunching on the non-astrigent varienties. All year this tree has been a long twig so I look forward to spring growth. Otherswise it may be dead and I don't know it. Maybe because I didn't water it.

Planted: 2010

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Comments

I have the same problem with my persimmon, it is alive but looks like a stick with a few small leaves. It took longer than everything else to wake up in spring. It isn't lack of water! Maybe it is Brisbane conditions?

Olive - St Helena ^8/10

Comments: -

This tough little plant has survived in a tube stock pot all year and remains that way as I haven't found a home fro it yet. Hmm... feeling a little guilty now.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Loquat - Nagasakiwase ^10/10

Comments: -

This plant has taken off like a rocket! Nice big leaves and look forward to fruit. I remeber wild parrots at my parent place also enjoyed the fruit, but I wouldn't mind sharing if they attract birds here.

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Comments

Hi can I have a cutting for grafting you can email on boomdat@hotmail.com I can trade for something you like

Naranjilla

Comments: -

Another new plant bought Aug 2010. I love this one for the purple foliage, although somewhat prickly. Though I have no idea what it tastes like at least the possum won't be getting stuck into this bush!

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: blood n bone

Comments

That's very funny! They like my elderly friend's Fejoas. The tree has many so they leave some for her. They share them together.

Dwarf Mulberry - Black (Cutting) ^10/10

Comments: -

Recent purchase straight from Daley's nursery at Kyogle. Didn't have this one yet, and loved berries and silworms as a kid. Good jam fruit too. Dwarf for extra space.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Dwarf Mango - Bowen ^7/10

Comments: -

Love mangoes but don't want a large tree. Unfortunately it is affected by fungus and all the new growth is crinkley. I don't like using sprays but I think I will be forced to to get any fruit out of this one.

Planted: 2010

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Question:

Any suggestions for a "less toxic" (I don't believe in organic!) fungicide before I spray on Mancozeb?

Monstera - Fruit Salad Tree ^10/10

Comments: -

I love the fruit salad fruit except for the occasional prickle in the flesh. Delicious! Also a lovely tropical floiage bush with broad cheese-hole leaves. A must for that jungle look.

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Dwarf Lychee ^7/10

Comments: -

I don't like the taste of lychee but my I know a lot of people who do so this tree is for others enjoyment. Dwarf from so I can fit more trees in! It's looking a bit scraggly and may be due to lack of water.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Dwarf Lemonade (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: -

The description of this fruit sounded intriguing. I love the sour/sweet taste of kumquats so this could be yummy. I bought the dwarf from so it can stay in a pot beside my Meyer Lemon. It already has flowers.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cross Pollinator Variety: Meyer

Fertiliser or Organics Used: blood n bone, manure

Comments

1/9/10 Nooo! The possum ate all the tips and buds!

Lemon - Eureka ^10/10

Comments: -

Don Burkes said that every garden needs a lemon (or was it manderine?). I heard this was similar to the 'Lotsa Lemon' and that is a productive little bush. It looks very healthy and has lots of blossums right now.

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cross Pollinator Variety: Lemondade

Fertiliser or Organics Used: blood n bone

Small Leaf Tamarind ^10/10

Comments: -

I bought two of these in big 75L pots. They have survived my mean establishment maltreatment of no dig, build-up the soil but needed a bit of water to settle in without wilting. Now I don't water at all. Nice and bushy like a giant topiary.

Planted: 2010

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Lilly Pilly - Cherry Puff ^4/10

Comments: -

I like lilly pillies in general as a screening, bird-attracting tree. This tree however is no screen with all leaves stripped by the possum. It is an ugly mass of twigs right now, and dosn't get any rest to grow back.

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Cordyline - Red fruited Palm Lily (Cutting) ^10/10

Comments: -

I have a few of these as a low-medium tropical folliage filler. I am not sure if they are edible...

Planted: 2009

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 20

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Never

Palm - Walking Stick ^10/10

Comments: -

A great filler tree for the understorey. Palms bring a lovely tropical look but this one also has the added benefit of having edible seeds.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 5

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Pollination: No

Giant Lau Lau ^7/10

Comments: -

Didn't have it yet...I like collecting trees and this one seemed rare?

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Sapodilla - Sawo Manila ^10/10

Comments: -

I have never tried the fruit but it sounds a little like abui so I thought I would give it a go. Growing well in both sun and shade.

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Kumquat - Meiwa (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: -

I love eating these sweet-sour lemonly citrus straight- especially for their sweet rind. Out of the fruit trees I have planted these were the first to have fruit, and from family I know they are a very productive plant. Unfortunately the possum wanted to try too and climbed up the stalk of one yound bush, causing it to snap in half. It seems to be still surving by a sliver of bark, and I think it has a new bud coming from above the graft mark so that is good news. 

Planted: 2010

Height 1 metres

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cross Pollinator Variety: nagami

Fertiliser or Organics Used: mucl, blood n bone, gypsum

abui (Cutting) ^8/10

Comments: -

One of the most fantastic tasting fruit around- not for everyday eating but definitely a very sweet desserty treat! I can best describe it as tasting like the sugar toffees in paddycakes you can find at fetes. It also has a sappy aftertaste around the skin, very sticky. I hope it will grow here as it prefers tropical climates.

Planted: 2010

Height 1 metres

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Jaboticaba

Comments: -

Like the yellow, but more common black fruit from the trunk of tree. Mine is not looking good after a neighbouring tree fell over, pulling this half out of the ground and drying it out. I have since put it in a pot with a bucket of water but I am unsure it will make it. Half its leaves are dead.

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Jaboticaba - Yellow ^5/10

Comments: -

I like cauliferous trees. I like fruit. The end.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Wax Jambu - White ^5/10

Comments: -

This plant is barely hanging on but looks awful thanks to the possum nibbling of any new growth. Although it is growing rapidly as the possum's new favourite I don't think it will last.

Height 1.5 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Jakfruit - Seedling ^7/10

Comments: -

Massive fruit, interesting tree, and yummy!

Planted: 2010

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

White Sapote - Hawaiian Supreme ^9/10

Comments: -

Has survived a lot of neglect and wind and now has lots of buds along the trunk. Fast growing tree.

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: mulch, blood 'n bone

Organic Status:Organic

Star Apple - Haitian ^8/10

Comments: -

Big tree with potentially yummy fruit (though I haven't tried one yet). A little more expensive than other variety but I hope the grafting makes it more productive.

Planted: 2010

Height 70 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Cape Gooseberry ^7/10

Comments: -

One of my favourite fruits as a kid, it would grow wild in the park near us. I have several plants- one had two fruit but were eaten by the possum before I could enjoy them. The others seem to suffer die back on the tips somehow...

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 5

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Sea Grape (Cutting)

Comments: -

This tree has attractive large round leaves. I didn't realise that it requires cross pollination so I am not sure if I will get fruit off this one.

Planted: 2009

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Brazilian Cherry (Seedling)

Comments: -

2 Moderate bushes already on the property. I loves eating these as a kid but often they were quite sour or stung.

Planted: 2003

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Guava Hawaiian - Pink Supreme ^7/10

Comments: -

Was on the property already, but has never flowered. I have improved the ground around it since, but I think it has too much shade on it to produce fruit.

Planted: 2003

Height 1 metres

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: sugarcane mulch

Grape - Carolina Black Rose (Cutting) ^7/10

Comments: -

Just bought this one and repotted it. Looks like a twig with a few buds.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Blue Quandong (Seedling) ^9/10

Comments: -

This is a tough little tree, surviving with very poor soil, windy conditions and little water. I love the shape of this grand tree when mature.

Height 30 Centimetres

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Dwarf Apple - Tropic Sweet (Grafted) ^7/10

Comments: -

Only one of my apples is alive, and only because the possum could not reach the very top leaves. Didn't stop it from trying as the pot was knocked over 3 times. Barely alive I now have a possum-trimmed topiary tree, but I don't know how well it will fruit without a friend tree.

Planted: 2010

Height 1 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Organic Status:Organic

Pepino - Kendall Gold ^9/10

Comments: -

mini melons!

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 2

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Native Frangipani ^7/10

Comments: -

A fragrent flower tree I have planted as a border/screen.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Water Given in: Summer

Dwarf Coconut Green

Comments: -

I love coconuts- as a beautiful shaped palm and for the fruit. This one is still pretty tall for a dwarf, but I'm willing to give it a try. I am not sure if I have the right climate for it to fruit in Brisbane.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Water Given in: Winter

Fertiliser or Organics Used: mulch

Comments

Is the coconut palm alive?

can you shipped this to SA?

Davidson Plum NSW ^10/10

Comments: -

Beatiful rough-edged foliage, a native rainforest tree with fruiting potential. Not many fruiting trees will suit shady spots but this is a natural understory plant. Needs a bit of water. Some in pots and two in the ground.

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 5

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Winter

Fertiliser or Organics Used: mulch

Dwarf Nectarine - Sunset Backyard Beauty (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: -

Its small, its cute, and one day will have fruit!

Planted: 2010

Height 75 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Fertiliser or Organics Used: manure, mushroom compost

Cordyline - Narrow-leaved palm lily ^8/10

Comments: -

These are very tough, lush tropical foliage plants. I have them growing in pots to hide a fence and have never been watered. Though not as colourful as their Hawaiin cousins, I like growing natives when possible.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Cedar Bay Cherry ^8/10

Comments: -

Love the idea of bush tucker fruit. Slow growth so far.

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Richmond Birdwing Vine ^7/10

Comments: -

Bought this vine to grow up a tree to give it a more tropical look and do my bit for the local rare butterfly. Needs water occasionally. Growth has been slow.

Height 30 Centimetres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: mulch

Macadamia - Bush Nut ^3/10

Comments: -

Apart from being a shade tree and beuautiful and old, this tree is a pain! It must be about 100yrs old, on the property already. It drops masses of nuts but many are rotten or poor in flavour and we have rats everywhere that enjoy them. It is too close to the house so all during the fruiting season you will here 'bang' on the tin roof. Its leaves are spiky and nothing can grow under it well due to its dense leave falls smothering everything and its mass of feeder roots. I gathered up all the leaves, added a layer of new soil under it ready to plant out and within a month I could not did into the new soil due to the dense root growth. Only drought tolerant broms and cordylines can grow and thats when I put up a shade sail to catch the leaves.

Fruiting Months September, October, November, December

Height 7 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 5 kilograms per Year

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Never

Cunjevoi Lily (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

There aren't too many large-leaf plants that both don't mind sun and are drought tolerant, but this local ticks all the boxes! And it looks soooo tropical! One of my favourites.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: coir mulch

Organic Status:Organic

Flame Tree ^8/10

Comments: -

Looks great as a big tree in others gardens, with spectacular bird-attacting flowers. Didn't expect it to be deciduious- planted as a screening tree on property border. Drought hardy.

Height 1 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: mulch

Acerola - Florida Sweet ^7/10

Comments: -

Tropcial cherry. Needed a lot of watering when first planted, always wilting, but I think that is way it is meant to look. It is also attacked by possum.

Height 1 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: mulch

Peach - Angel Subtropical PBR

Comments: -

Cute flat fruit and extra short height makes this a good pot specimin. The new blossums at the moment are lovely. I chose this tree for its low chill also.

Height 80 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: blood n' bone, compost

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Organic Status:Organic

Feijoa - Apollo (Cutting) ^10/10

Comments: -

I bought 4 plants because I needed a low bush with nice folliage and fruit and flowers are a bonus. The decription of a pineapple-strawberry flavour sounded fantastic, but when I finally tasted some from the shops it tasted like sweetish mouldy cardboard. Lets hope if I eventually get fruit they will taste better! At least the plants a very hardy and have tolerated some very dry conditions where they are.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 4

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Organic Status:Organic

Arrowroot (Seedling) ^9/10

Comments: -

Looks like a canna lilly but apparently the root is the source of that cooking powder and flavour. I look forward to seeing what sort of flowers it has.

Height 20 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Organic Status:Organic

Tuckeroo (Cutting) ^5/10

Comments: -

I bought this as a quick shade tree in a huge 100L pot. It has survived my mistreatment of not even digging a hole, but building up a thin layer of soil and hay bales around it and is doing well with a bit of water to settle in. I look forward to the orange seed pods and bird-attacting flowers.

Planted: 2010

Height 2.5 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Organic Status:Organic

Black bean (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: -

One of the few trees already on the property. The seed pods are unusual and make good boats for the kids. Attractive orange flowers.

Planted: 2003

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Organic Status:Organic

Palm - Bangalow ^4/10

Comments: -

Traditional tropical folliage tree, and local to the area is a plus too. Beautiful glossy, strappy green leaves.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 10

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Winter

Wampee (Cutting) ^8/10

Comments: -

Never tried fruit but review of the fruit in Subtropical Gardening Magazine sounded promising. Since planting in the ground in March 2010 growth has been rapid and dense, the folliage alone is quite attractive. By ground I mean sugarcane mulch and a handfull of coir peat as my whole garden is no-dig, no soil.

Planted: 2010

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: sugarcane mulch

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

none

Organic Status:Organic

Sugar Cane ^3/10

Comments: -

Let it dry out in pot, then over watered it to death.

Pollination: No

Christmas Bush - NSW (Seedling)

Comments: -

Lack of water when transplanted.

Pollination: No

Tomato - Cherry (Seedling)

Comments: -

Possum Attack!

Parsley Curly leaf (Seedling) ^2/10

Comments: -

...possum.

Pollination: No

Passionfruit - Banana (Seedling) ^3/10

Comments: -

No water and neglect.

Chilli - Red Cayenne ^3/10

Comments: -

Would you believe it?....POSSUM.

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Rhubarb - Silvan Giant (Seedling) ^3/10

Comments: -

I left it in the seedling tray too long and it dried out. Then I soaked it in water and in went gooey. Another I planted in the ground got eaten by grasshopers. I do like the taste when I can get hold of this vege-fruit thing.

Pollination: No

Water Gum (Seedling)

Comments: -

Mature tree in 100L pot, put into the ground without digging a hole, building soil around it. So it had a tough start. Then I didn't water it.

Pollination: No

Kumquat - Variegated (Grafted) ^4/10

Comments: -

It bore no fruit whereever I put it, it then dried out and looked terrible. I then planted it in the ground to hide my shame and it then died/was smothered by other plants.

Pollination: No

Dwarf Apple - Tropical Anna (Grafted) ^5/10

Comments: -

I had two tropical apples next to each other in large pots for cross pollination. Bloody possum ate the smaller of the two to the ground.

Avocado - Reed Seedling (Cutting) ^4/10

Comments: -

A possom ate all its leaves while still in its bag and it died. Wah.

Planted: 2010

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer