Gardening with Tropical Fruit

July 2006

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

This month welcome rains are getting things really growing the way you would like, but we are in our hurricane season, too, so hopefully we won’t have any storms developing in the near future.

If you have young plants in containers that are waiting to be set out, don’t put it off any longer. Plant all things out now so they have a good chance to become well established while we’re having regular rainfall.

If you need to do pruning or shaping on any trees or shrubs, that can be done at this time, too. Also if you’re a person that does grafting, air layering, or other forms of propagation, this is a good time for the rest of the summer season for those activities.

Some tropical fruits did not have good crops this year because of hurricane damage last fall, but hopefully with a good growing season they will make full recoveries and be back on a regular fruiting schedule for next year.

Watch new growth on plants this time of year for sucking insects or chewing pests such as beetles and caterpillars. If these become too numerous control where appropriate.

If you have questions about gardening activities at this time of year, ask fellow members at monthly meetings or contact your county Extension office for advice.