Fruits, Nuts, and Berries For
The South
Most fruit trees
require pollination and chilling temperatures from November to mid-February to
break dormancy in the spring. Pollination is the process of pollen from one
flower being transferred to another flower, required by certain plants and
trees. The process of pollination can be by insects, animals, wind, or humans. Most fruit trees need pollination for good
fruit set, which occurs when a recommended fruit tree, (pollinator) is planted
nearby. A plant or tree starts to go dormant when exposed to chilling temperatures.
Chilling temperatures for a plant or tree are when night time temperatures drop
to 45°F or below. Chill hours can be described as the number of hours the plant
or tree receives temperatures at or below 45°F. Listed below are a few
cultivars and pollinators for southern fruit trees, nuts trees, and berry plants.
Apples – All apples require chilling hours and a pollinator
depending on the variety. Recommended fertilizers for apple trees is a
10-10-10, or a 10-6-4 that is applied in the spring, summer, and fall. Keep the
planted area free from grass 2-5-feet away from the trunk. Listed below are a
few cultivars and pollinators for apple trees.
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Anna - requires a pollinator with another cultivar. Dorsett Golden is a good pollinator for
the Anna cultivar. Chilling Hours: 200 – 300.
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Dorsett Golden - requires a pollinator with another
cultivar. The Anna cultivar is a
good pollinator for Dorsett Golden. Chilling Hours: 250.
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Ein Shemer – self-pollinating and very productive, but
fruit production increases with another apple tree planted nearby. One can use Anna or Dorsett as a pollinator. Chilling Hours: 200.
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Fuji – requires a pollinator and tolerates summer heat. Golden Delicious is good for
pollination. Chilling Hours: 400 – 600 hours.
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Gala – requires a pollinator and tolerates summer heat. Golden Delicious can be used a
pollinator. Chilling Hours: 600.
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Golden Delicious or Yellow Delicious – benefits from a pollinator, Red Delicious. Chilling Hours: 600 –
700.
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Granny Smith – self-pollinating and heat resistant.
Chilling Hours – 500 – 600.
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Red Delicious – benefits from a pollinator, Golden Delicious. Chilling Hours: 900.
Avocado – Avocados are self-pollinating, but fruit production
increases with another Avocado tree planted nearby. Avocado trees should be
planted in a well-drained area. Keep the planted area free from grass 2 – 5
feet away from the trunk. Fertilize newly planted trees every 2 months for the
first year starting when new growth appears after planting. The second year after
planting fertilize 3 to 4 times a year ending in October. Use a fertilizer
recommended for Citrus, Avocado, and Mango or a 10-6-4 or a 6-4-4. The Haas
cultivar is cold hardy and the fruit is an excellent choice for salads and
guacamole. The fruit matures on the tree.
Bananas – are heavy feeders and require sufficient amounts of water. Keep the planted area free from grass
2 – 5 feet away from the trunk. Fertilize every month with a fertilizer
recommended for Citrus, Avocado, and Mango, or a 10-6-4, or a 6-4-4. Bananas
are clumping by nature and keep at least 5 to 6 mature banana stalks. Any new
growth or suckers should be removed by cutting down to the soil line. When a
banana blooms, it is the flower that forms the fruit. Once the banana produces
a flower and fruits that stalk will die. When harvesting bananas, cut the
banana bunch off the tree, and then cut the entire banana stalk to the ground. Then,
let a new sucker replace the one that was just cut down. One can tell when the
bananas are ready to be harvested when the fruits start to turn yellow in
color. If, the bananas start to split before harvesting has occurred increase
the water times or the amount of water received by the plant.
Blackberry – All blackberries are self-pollinating, will
tolerate poor soil, and will produce fruit after the second year of planting.
Apply 10-10-10 or 16-16-8 fertilizer blend in early spring and after fruit production
is done. The canes produce only once and should be removed and cut down to the
ground after harvesting the fruit.
Blueberry – All blueberries are self-pollinating, but will produce more
blueberries if pollinated by another variety. Blueberries need an acid soil and
one can use Miracle-Gro’s Selection of soil mixes (MG). MG Azalea Soil, or MG Rose Soil or the Humus
and Cow Manure Mix. Also, add mulch or pine straw to help with the acidity of
the soil. Apply a slow-release Azalea type fertilizer in early spring and
summer. The cultivars Tifblue, Climax,
Misty, and Legacy are
recommended for the south and make excellent choices for the home gardener.
Citrus – All citrus are self-pollinating and requires well-drained
soil. Fertilize with a citrus fertilizer such as 12-10-10 and the fertilizer
selected should have micro nutrients included. Start fertilizing new planted
trees when new growth starts. For older citrus trees, fertilized 4 times a
year, but no later than October for the last application. Keep the planted area
free from grass 2 – 5 feet away from the trunk and do not use mulch because the
mulch will cause fungus problems, but use pine straw instead. Fruit ripens on
the tree.
Fig – All figs are self-pollinating. Easy to low maintenance and
produce heavy amounts of fruit. Fertilize with an 8-8-8 or a 10-10-10.
Grapes – All grapes are self-pollinating. Fertilize in the spring
and early summer the first two years after planting with a 10-10-10 or a
12-12-12. Grapes are not heavy feeders.
Mango – All mangos are self-pollinating and are very sensitive to
temperatures that drop below 40° F for extended periods of time. When
temperatures drop below 40° F there will be damaged to the flower and
temperatures that drop to 30° F or below will damage the trunk of young trees.
Wrap the tree with a blanket or frost cloth to prevent trunk damage. Mango trees should be planted in an area that
has good drainage. For newly planted trees fertilize every month with a citrus
fertilizer plus minors, or 6-6-6, or 8-8-8, or 10-10-10 plus minors ending in
October. Thereafter, fertilize 3 to 4 times a year. The fruit matures in 3 to 6
months and ripens on the tree.
Peaches – All peaches are self-pollinating, but benefit from another
variety to be more productive. Recommended fertilizer for peaches is a balanced
fertilizer such as 8-8-8, or 10-10-10, or 13-13-13.
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FlorDa King - Self-pollinating, fruit production
increases with another peach planted nearby. Chill hours – 300 to 400. A highly
recommended cultivar for south Texas or USDA zone 9.
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FlorDa Prince – Self-pollinating. One of the best
peaches for south Texas or USDA zone 9. Chill hours – 150.
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June Gold – Self–pollinating. Chill hours – 450 – 600.
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Red Skin – Self-pollinating. Chill hours – 750.
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Sam Houston – Self-pollinating, fruit production
increases with another peach planted nearby. Chill hours – 500.
Pecans – All pecans require a pollinator of a different variety for
better nut yield. Fertilize with a 12-10-10 three to four times a year.
Plums – Most plums require a pollinator. For pollinators use a
different variety or plant another plum tree nearby. Plum trees require 400 to
500 chill hours. Recommended fertilizers for plum trees are a 10-10-10, or a
10-6-4 in the spring, summer, and fall.
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Bruce Plum – requires a pollinator, Santa Rosa is a
good pollinator. Chill hours – 500 hours.
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Santa Rosa Plum – is self-pollinating, but fruit
production increases with another plum tree planted nearby. Chill hours – 400
hours.
Pomegranate – All pomegranates are self-pollinating.
Wonderful variety very productive. Apply a balanced fertilizer such as 8-8-8 in
March and October.
General Care Instructions: For Fruits, Nuts and Berries Plants please
recommend the following ingredients.
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Choose
an area for planting that is sunny or will receive at least 6 hours of sun a
day.
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The
planting area should be well-drained, except for Bananas.
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The
planting hole should have a 50/50 mix of 50 percent original soil from the
planting hole to 50 percent soil amendments. The reason for a 50/50 mix is that
when the planting hole does not contain some of the original soil mixed with
the soil amendments the roots do not grow outside the original planting hole.
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After
planting water the original root ball of the plant and the planting hole, thoroughly.
After watering apply a root stimulator to reduce planting stress, and apply
once a week for the first month, thereafter, once a month for the first six
months.
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Apply
tree stakes, at least 3, to the tree for faster root establishment.
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Apply
mulch one to three inches deep, except on Citrus Trees, and apply pine straw
instead.
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Newly
planted trees should be watered two to three times a week for the first month,
after the first month water once a week until established.
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Keep newly
planted Fruit Trees, Nut Trees, and Berry plant should be free from grass at
least two to five feet away from the original root ball.
©Cheryl
Ann Meola 2013. Texas Certified Nursery
Professional (TCNP) #1282.
