Petes1's Edible Backyard

Joined: 15/11/13 Updated: 14/01/14 Frost:
Location: Dayboro

About My Edible Backyard

I seem to love a challenge to grow fruit. Tried establishing a home orchard (temperate) in the wettest town in New Zealand for many years. Now trying to establish a large sub-tropical/low chill home orchard just inland of Northern Brisbane.

Orchard site:Gently sloping ex dairy pasture near the base of Mt Mee - all day sun but often strong northerly winds. Soil type clay, derived from Samford granodiorite - depleted in nitrogen and trace metals requiring fertiliser. Annual rainfall around 1400mm, temperature variation (low of 3 degrees once or twice a winter to long summers of 38 degrees). Last few years area has experienced a tropical climate - protracted dry season July to Nov/Jan followed by high rainfall events then months of regular rainfall.

Comments

Apricot - Glengarry (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: - handling the heat well

Planted: 2013

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: fruit tree mix

When I Fertilise: Spring

Pest Control: none

Custard Apple - African Pride (Grafted)

Comments: - growing well

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Spring

Jakfruit - Seedling (Seedling)

Comments: - Growing well

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Spring

Dwarf Avocado - Shepard (B) (Grafted)

Comments: - suffered leaf damage after 42 degree temperatures

Planted: 2013

Height 0.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Spring

Loquat - Nagasakiwase

Height 0.4 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Quince - Champion (Grafted) ^7/10

Planted: 2013

Height 0.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Kiwifruit Gold Seedling (Seedling) ^5/10

Comments: - Not sure if root rot or drying winds killed it, abruptly died after quick growth (had been pottted up to 20cm pot some months prior and regularly watered every couple of days)

Purple Sugar Cane ^1/10

Comments: - Drought

Panama Berry (Seedling) ^2/10

Comments: - Seemed very susceptible to dry conditions - even in spring when it wasnt extremely hot. 

Comments

Sapodilla - Seedling (Seedling) ^2/10

Comments: - Arrived as a sad litle plant, with few growing tips. Not hardy enough to withstand drought.

Wax Jambu - Red (Seedling) ^2/10

Comments: - Seemed to suffer wind burn very easily and leaves shrivelled up, managed to ressurect once before finally dying. Was one of a few small plants that carked it in Brisbanes second driest October on record (2013)