Experimenting with not-quite-as-cold-hardy avocado varieties

May 19, 2023

For the last two decades, I’ve been propagating and planting some of the most cold hardy types of avocado, pure Mexican subspecies varieties like ‘Del Rio’, ‘Gainesville’, ‘Mexicola’, ‘Opal’/’Lila’, ‘Wilma’/’Brazos Belle’, ‘Joey’, ‘May’, and ‘Poncho’, as well as seedlings that are crosses of the above varieties. These pure Mexican subspecies (Persea americana drymifolia) cultivars can … More Experimenting with not-quite-as-cold-hardy avocado varieties

Growing Tropical Lettuce aka Indian Lettuce, Lactuca indica

October 3, 2022

I recently distributed seeds of the tropical lettuce species Lactuca indica (sometimes called Indian lettuce), to a number of people. See my previous blog post for general info on the species. Because this plant has a few quirks, here are some tips for growing it. If you are among the people who received seed, consider … More Growing Tropical Lettuce aka Indian Lettuce, Lactuca indica

A new autumn tradition – best flavored pumpkin contests

November 30, 2021

Fall is the most popular season, according to surveys. Something about the shortening days, crisp breezes, and pumpkin spice everything in the stores inspires people to get out doing some autumnal activities. I recently attended an event that deserves to become a new fall tradition, alongside the hayrides, corn maizes, and the holidays people enjoy … More A new autumn tradition – best flavored pumpkin contests

Growing the Fruit and Spice Park’s variety of ‘Himalayan’ mulberry in North Florida

June 30, 2021

Of all mulberry cultivars I’ve eaten, the one which to me has the best flavor is variety ‘Himalayan’, which came from the Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead, Florida. Its taste is so intensely fruity and sweet it can make other mulberries seem bland by comparison. I first encountered this variety in early February 2013, … More Growing the Fruit and Spice Park’s variety of ‘Himalayan’ mulberry in North Florida

Winter 2020-2021 report – The temperature finally dipped below freezing this season, but not by much

March 31, 2021

We finally had some freezes this year. After two consecutive winters that were so extraordinarily warm they didn’t cause any freeze damage to vegetation in my location (north Marion county, Florida, USA), temperatures this season finally dipped below the freezing point. Cold enough to cause something like what used to be typical winter die-back in … More Winter 2020-2021 report – The temperature finally dipped below freezing this season, but not by much

Experimenting with kadushi, Cereus repandus, as a fruit crop

September 30, 2020

I’ve started growing kadushi (aka Peruvian apple cactus), and I’m getting increasingly excited about its potential for fruit production. While another group of fruiting cactus species, dragon fruit (Hylocereus & Stenocereus spp.) has exploded in popularity in recent years, kadushi has been largely overlooked as fruit producer, despite possibly having at least as much potential, … More Experimenting with kadushi, Cereus repandus, as a fruit crop

Lasura fruit, Cordia myxa, a promising crop for the world’s hotter future

July 23, 2020

I recently got to taste homegrown fruits for the first time of Cordia myxa, known as lasura in India. This is a fruit tree that reportedly thrives and produces crops in extremely high temperatures and in poor soil, a promising set of characteristics given the forecasts for climate change. On a personal note, getting to … More Lasura fruit, Cordia myxa, a promising crop for the world’s hotter future

Some of the best mulberry cultivars need nematode-resistant rootstocks in Florida

June 11, 2020

As I’ve acquired and planted out high-quality mulberry cultivars, I’ve found a major challenge in growing this fruit that’s been very little reported: many of the top quality varieties are extremely sensitive to root-knot nematodes. Parasitic root-knot nematodes (hereafter just referred to as “nematodes”) are tiny microscopic worms which are abundant in sandy Florida soils … More Some of the best mulberry cultivars need nematode-resistant rootstocks in Florida