Containers

Many subtropical fruits can be grown in containers in areas where freezes occur each year. The size and mobility of the containers allows the plants to be moved indoors during winter months. Thus, the plants are treated pretty much as houseplants with regard to water, fertilizer, humidity, light, and pest control.

As with houseplants, water container plants infrequently but thoroughly. Take care to acclimate the plants to the different conditions when they are moved outdoors in spring or indoors in fall. Plants going outdoors should be moved to a shady spot for a couple of weeks before being exposed to full sunlight. Reverse this process when moving them indoors in fall.

When plants are indoors, put them in areas receiving the most natural light possible. Keep them away from heaters, doors and heating ducts. Because of lower humidity indoors, you need to increase the humidity around the plants, by misting or other means.

Growing plants in containers or patio tubs will reduce plant size due to the reduced volume of soil in which they're growing. Even so, the plant may soon grow too large to bring indoors. When this happens, prune back the plant severely.

Following is information about some fruits that can be grown in many parts of the Southern and Southwestern States. The letters Wt (Warm-temperate), St (Subtropical) and T (Tropical) are intended to give an approximation of temperature requirements of each species. However, other factors, such as amount of rainfall and the time of year that rain comes, will also determine whether a particular fruit can be grown in your area.

Avocado (Persea americano). St. T. Shade tree with rough dark bark suitable for growing bromeliads and orchids. More than one variety should be planted together for cross-pollination. Plant locally adapted varieties. Will not tolerate heavy, poorly drained soils.

Banana (Musa acuminate, Musa hybrids). T. Rootstock may survive light freezes. Giant, treelike herb, planted for ornament where cold precludes fruiting. Many varieties have been introduced but the most widely grown are Cavendish (a commercial crop), Apple (sometimes called Ladyfinger), and Orinoco (also called Horse banana and good for cooking). The starchy cooking banana called Plantain is very tender to cold.

Carambola (Averrhoo carombola). T. Tree varying from small to large. Characteristic 5-angled fruit of yellow or deep orange color varies from sour to sweet and is pleasantly aromatic. Plant grafted varieties (Golden Star, Mih Tao). Cross-pollination aids fruit set.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua). Wt. Small tree with attractive dark green leaves that prefers a Mediterranean climate, very dry in summer with rains during winter. Trees may be male or female, so more than one should be planted to ensure fruiting. The brown, leathery pods are rich in sugar and furnish a chocolate substitute.

Cattley guava (Psidium cattleianum). St. Shrub or small tree with beautiful mottled trunk and glossy dark green leaves. The small, round fruit, bright red or yellow-colored, is subacid in flavor and may be eaten fresh or made into jellies or jams. Plants grow readily from seed and are normally so propagated.

Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana). Wt. Shrub. Compact, cold-resistant and most attractive, selected varieties such as Coolidge fruit well without cross-pollination, but seedlings may not do so. Flowers are edible. Fruit can be eaten fresh, and makes a firm jelly.

Fig (Ficus carica). Wt. Small tree. Adapted to a wide range of climates, fig will not tolerate nematodes. Where these are a problem, heavy mulching and occasional application of an approved nematicide, according to prescribed rules, will help. Lemon, Brown Turkey, and Celeste varieties are recommended.

Guava (Psidium quajova). T. Small tree. Somewhat weedy unless pruned to shape it, the guava can be attractive, particularly when in bloom. Fruit of some seedlings and selected varieties is excellent for jelly, while that of varieties such as Ruby x Supreme and Indian Red is good to eat out-of-hand. Fruit flies are a problem where abundant.

laboticaba (Myrciaria couliflora). St. Shrubbery tree. Grows slowly but where well established produces abundant crops of black, grapelike fruit excellent to eat fresh or use in jellies or wines.

Kiwi, Yangtao (Actinidia chinensis). Wt. Vine. Not successful in warmer parts of Florida, this deciduous species is sensitive to nematode damage. Flowers of named varieties (females, for example Hayward) must be pollinated in order to fruit, so a pollinator should grow nearby. Because of its excellent quality this fruit should be planted wherever it can be grown well.

Longan (Dimocarpus Tongan) is a lychee relative that bears clusters of at- tractive, smooth, golden brown, sweet- flavored fruit that is less tart than lychee fruit. The tree is less demanding as to soil and Moisture than lychee, and makes a shade tree of stately proportions. Kohala, from Hawaii, bears large fruit of good quality.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica). Wt. Small tree. The dark green, deeply ribbed leaves of this tree combined with its tendency to produce fragrant creamy-white flowers over a period of months make the loquat a universally valued ornamental. The excellent fruit quality of grafted varieties such as Wolfe, Gold Nugget (Tholes), and Champagne make these worth the effort needed to find them. Fruit is excellent eaten fresh, but may also be made into pie, jam, and jelly.

Lychee (Litchi chinensis). T. Tree. Somewhat finicky, demanding slightly acid, well-drained soil, with abundant moisture and no salts in soil or water, this tree covered with its bright red fruit is a sight to remember where it grows well. Long popular in Southeast Asia, the fruit has many American devotees. It may be eaten fresh or dried like raisins. The most dependably productive varieties are Sweetcliff and Mauritius.

Mango (Mangifera indica). T. Tree. Of the many existing varieties, take the time to select one that appeals to you: Carrie, Irwin, Glenn, Keitt, and Tommy Atkins are outstanding. Blooming trees can cause allergic reactions; do not plant near bedroom windows or air conditioner intake. The mango is one of the world's most popular fruits.

Passion fruits (Passiflora edulis, purple, and P. edulis f. flavicarpa, yellow). St. T. Vines are ornamental. The purple-fruited form is sensitive to nematodes and soil-borne fungus disease, but withstands more cold than the yellow-fruited form, which is disease-resistant. Self-pollinating types should be planed where Possible, otherwise fruit production may be sparse.

Pineapple (Anonas comosus). T. Perennial herb This bromeliad makes an attractive house Plant where outdoor temperatures are too low for it. The plant can be moved to a porch or patio during warm weather. Given enough light it will eventually flower, then produce a fruit of fine quality provided conditions are warm enough.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum). Wt. Small tree that tolerates extremes of heat and alkaline soils, but thrives under a wide range of conditions. Needs full sun for best performance. Wonderful and Sweet are the varieties best known for their fruit quality. Other varieties are grown primarily as ornamentals.

Tamarind (Tomarindus indica). T. Large tree related to the carob, with very acid fruit in pods. Pulp of the tamarind, an essential ingredient of many chutney recipes, also is used to make a refreshing ode-like drink. Where the climate is warm enough for it, this tree is easy to grow.