Fruit Trees, Nut Trees, Berry Plants For The South

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. 

§        Anna - requires a pollinator with another cultivar. Dorsett Golden is a good pollinator for the Anna cultivar. Chilling Hours: 200 – 300.

§        Dorsett Golden - requires a pollinator with another cultivar. The Anna cultivar is a good pollinator for Dorsett Golden. Chilling Hours: 250.

§        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.

§        Fuji – requires a pollinator and tolerates summer heat. Golden Delicious is good for pollination. Chilling Hours: 400 – 600 hours.

§        Gala – requires a pollinator and tolerates summer heat. Golden Delicious can be used a pollinator. Chilling Hours: 600.

§        Golden Delicious or Yellow Delicious – benefits from a pollinator, Red Delicious. Chilling Hours: 600 – 700.

§        Granny Smith – self-pollinating and heat resistant. Chilling Hours – 500 – 600.

§        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.

§        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.

§        FlorDa Prince – Self-pollinating. One of the best peaches for south Texas or USDA zone 9. Chill hours – 150.

§        June Gold – Self–pollinating. Chill hours – 450 – 600.

§        Red Skin – Self-pollinating. Chill hours – 750.

§        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.

§        Bruce Plum – requires a pollinator, Santa Rosa is a good pollinator. Chill hours – 500 hours.

§        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.

§         Choose an area for planting that is sunny or will receive at least 6 hours of sun a day.

§       The planting area should be well-drained, except for Bananas.

§        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.

§        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. 

§        Apply tree stakes, at least 3, to the tree for faster root establishment.

§        Apply mulch one to three inches deep, except on Citrus Trees, and apply pine straw instead.

§        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.

§        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.

       

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©Cheryl Ann Meola 2013.  Texas Certified Nursery Professional (TCNP) #1282.

September Gardening Calendar 2012

September Gardening Calendar

Check flowerbeds for pooped-out perennials such as Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, and Shasta Daisy. Trim dead flower heads and brown leaves for fall.

Fertilize Chrysanthemums and Salvia with a liquid plant food. You will be rewarded with blooms later in the fall.

Chrysanthemums, Pansy, Viola, and Snapdragons provide winter color through the spring and should be available by mid-September at garden centers. For a complete list of Fall Color Annuals. Click Here For More Information. For spring blooms plant Bluebonnet and Poppy seeds.

Now is the time to divide Monkey Grass, Iris, and Daylily while the weather is still warm. 

Are you planning to bring your Tropical Hibiscus in this winter? Place in a sunny window.

Preserve excess Basil leaves by pureeing in a blender with ¼ cup of water. Pour the mixture in ice trays and use the cubes in your wintertime Italian dishes.

Spring-flowering bulbs should be on sale. Plan to plant in mid-October or when the weather cools to the 60’s or below.

Start planning where you will place your Tropical Plants that spent the summer outdoors. Trim back, if necessary and inspect for insects. Spray with appropriate insecticide, if needed. I prefer to use horticulture oil on my houseplants. Horticulture oils are environmentally friendly and will give your Houseplants a nice shine along with killing any insects. Check out our selection of Tropical Plants.

Are you planning a fall vegetable garden? Cool weather vegetable starts such as Broccoli, Collards, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Peppers, and Snow Peas are good choices. Don’t have room to plant your fall vegetable garden, but would like to grow your own vegetables? Our handcrafted cedar planters are the answer and are an excellent choice to grow your own vegetables. Cedar Planters are 10% off. Click To Order. For more information onFall Vegetable Gardening Click Here.

The last week in September is the time to replace your mulch under your Roses and Red Tip Photinia to prevent diseases on next year’s leaves.

As the weather cools, this is a good time to plant shrubs and trees. When planting in the fall, it provides less stress on the plant and the roots start to get established in the ground. SuperThrive is the recommended concentrated solution of plant vitamins and hormones used to encourage plant and root growth and to revitalize stressed or dying plants. SuperThrive is not a fertilizer and can be mixed with your favorite liquid fertilizer. Dosage recommendation for transplanting or weekly use: ¼ of a teaspoon per gallon of water, or for larger projects 3 ounces to 100 gallons of water. To revitalize stressed or dying plants use: 1 ounce to five gallons of water and water the root zone or drip line. Then water every 3 – 5 days ¼ teaspoon to 1 gallon of water at the root zone or drip line. For bare root roses use: 1 ½ teaspoons per 5 gallons of water and soak for at least 30 minutes. Depending on your plant’s condition you may use weekly or monthly. 

During drought or stressful conditions it is wise to water established shrubs and trees. The recommended rate for trees is 15 gallons of water per each trunk diameter a week. Break up the amount of water to twice a week and use SuperThrive as recommended above.

Bermuda grass seed should be planted no later than September 15^th to insure that the seeds germinate and become established before winter frost.

Brown Patch fungus is more apparent in the fall months. Prevention is the best cure by watering your lawn early in the morning before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM.

Mid-September is the last feeding for your lawns. Use a winterizer fertilizer for best results.

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Cheryl Ann Meola

Certified Texas Nursery Professional #1282

Growing Orchids

Growing Orchids

Growing up in South Florida that is when the wonderful fascination of plants, which began and later became my exciting career as a horticulturist. As a horticulturist, you begin to notice the oddities in the plant world; you notice a plant growing roots without having the soil medium to grow in, just lying on the ground, growing roots, and flowers. Most people believe Orchids are hard to grow and afraid of even trying these beautiful beauties. Orchids are classified from easy to extremely difficult to grow even for professional Orchid growers. In this article, we will deal with some of the most common orchids to grow for future Orchid enthusiast a little confidence to take the wonderful journey of growing Orchids.

Denbrobium Orchid

Orchids are no different from other plant species in the plant kingdom because Orchids need the same  essential care as other plants: light, water, fertilizer, potting medium, and a special pot to grow in called an Orchid pot, which has aeration holes along the pot’s sides. Orchids also require an essential temperature and humidity range for success. A general rule of thumb is outside temperatures should not fall below 40° at night whether the Orchid is in a greenhouse or placed outside in the garden. If, the temperature does fall to around 40° to 50° make sure the greenhouse heat is around this temperature range. When cold weather comes to sub-tropical locations and your Orchids are growing on trees just water the Orchid and try, if you can, wrap the Orchid with a freeze blanket. During the winter months, you can increase the humidity around your potted Orchids in your home by adding a saucer under the Orchid pot filled with pebbles and water. The water should be level or even with the pebbles. This will increase the humidity around your Orchids during the winter months, during which the air is a little drier because of your home’s heating system.

As a horticulturist, I was fascinated by Orchids and wanted to learn more, so by going to Orchid shows and trying different ways to care for the Orchids I came up with this recipe to care for Orchids. Recommended Orchids for beginning Orchid enthusiast are Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium, and Phalaenopsis Orchids.

Cattleya – Bright filtered light, 35 to 50 percent shade. Water - almost dry between waterings. Fertilize twice a month. Temperature 70° - 85° days and 55° - 65° nights. Humidity 40 to 70 percent.

Dendrobium Orchid

Dendrobium – Filtered light, brighter in the winter months, 25 to 50 percent shade. Water - keep moist, drier in the winter months. Fertilize twice a month. Temperature 70° - 90° days and 45° - 65° nights. Humidity 50 to 70 percent.

Oncidium - commonly known as “Dancing Ladies” – Bright filtered light, 35 to 65 percent shade. Allow to dry out between waterings. Fertilize twice a month. Temperature 70° - 85° days and 50° - 65° nights. Humidity 40 to 75 percent.

Phalaenopsis - commonly known as “Moth Orchid” – Moderate light, 70 to 80 percent shade, no direct sun. Water - keep evenly moist; avoid water on the leaves and the crown (center of the Orchid). Fertilize twice a month. Temperature 65° - 90° days and 55° - 70° nights. Humidity 50 to 75 percent.

Candy Stripe Phalaenopsis - Moth Orchid

Orchid Fertilizer – The American Orchid Society (AOS) recommends and endorses Better-Gro®Orchid Plus®Fertilizer and Better Gro®Orchid Bloom Booster® Fertilizer. AOS also recommends alternating Better-Gro®Orchid Plus®Fertilizer and Better Gro®Orchid Bloom Booster®Fertilizer. Being a horticulturist, I do not recommend any product until after trying the product myself and after using both Better-Gro®Orchid Fertilizers convinced me that their Orchid Fertilizers were the better choice than what I had previously used in the past. Better-Gro®Orchid Fertilizers have two different dilution rates depending on how frequently you water your Orchids just follow the directions on the package and you will have blooming and healthier Orchids in no time. For more information on the American Orchid Society click here.

Orchid Pots and Potting Medium – There are several Orchid pots and Potting medium available on the market today, and as a horticulturist, I will recommend the tried and true. An Orchid pot will usually have 4 to 5 vertical slits going around the pot or an intricate design of holes instead of the traditional vertical slits, in addition to the vertical slits or holes, there will be a center drainage hole. The purpose for the vertical slits and/or holes running down the sides of the Orchid pot are for aeration and drainage required by most Orchids. The most popular Orchid pots are the Terra cotta and the ceramic pots. Orchid potting medium usually comprises of different materials of chunky bark, charcoal, perlite, and lava rock. All these materials assist in the drainage and aeration that is imperative to healthy Orchid growth. 

You now have a simple recipe for Orchid success and most Orchids enjoy the same temperature and humidity that humans do. The Orchids mentioned in the article are not hard to grow and a wide selection should be available at your local garden center. Start now and enjoy a little bit of the tropics in your home.

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Photography and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola Photography 2012. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this article are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated. ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2012. Texas Certified Nursery Professional #1282.

March Gardening Calendar

March Gardening Calendar

Fertilize winter flowering annuals with a blooming type fertilizer. Water in all granular type fertilizers.

Tattered Liriope leaves can be cut either with a weed eater or your lawn mower set on its highest setting.

Lawns should have lime at least yearly. Have you limed your lawn lately? Use 40 pounds per 1000 square feet.

Start spring flowers and tomatoes from seeds indoors. It takes about 6 weeks to get strong seedlings.

Spring is a good time to prune your boxwood shrubs.

Peach and Apple trees need to be sprayed with a fungicide recommended for fruit trees, and spray the trees while the blossoms are on the tree.

Prune back Holly shrubs that have gotten too large. If needed, you can prune back to 18 inches.

Need to divide your Hostas? When the leaves start to show you can divide and plant elsewhere in a shady part of the garden. Use a solution of SuperThrive as a root stimulator for best results after planting.

Fertilize Pecan Trees with a fruit tree fertilizer and water in well after.

Check for scale insects on Camellias and Euonymus. Spray with a horticultural oil, if you detect the insects.

March is the last month recommended to prune Roses to half their original size. Fertilize with Bayer Advanced Rose Fertilizer after pruning and apply once a month. Click Here For More Information on Roses.

There is still time to plant winter veggies. Click Here For More Information. All vegetables can be grown in large containers. I prefer to grow my vegetables in containers. Click Here For Cedar Planters.

Fertilize shrubs with a shrub and tree fertilizer and water in well.

Flowering shrubs such as Winter Honeysuckle, Quince, and Forsythia can be pruned after flowering.

One of the best time to plant fruit and nut trees is in early spring. Nurseries have a good selection of these trees in spring, but hurry the selection usually goes fast.

©Cheryl Ann Meola Texas Certified Nursery Professional #1282