Canistel and sapodilla

IMG_7340, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

The canistel is flowering now. The canistel flowers (above) seem very close in appearance to the flowers of the sapodilla (below)

IMG_7341, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

Vanilla Orchid update

IMG_7336, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

The Vanilla Orchid Flower I hand pollinated seems to have been fertilized, and perhaps we are seeing the first signs of a developing bean

Vanilla Orchid in bloom

IMG_7288, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

I am going to try and hand pollinate this one right now. I've read there is a very short window in which to do it, and if it is not done withing those few hours, the flower falls off the next morning.

I'm gonna follow the very wonderful instructions here: http://www.sdahldtp.com/pollinate.htm

Annona Squamosa developing

IMG_7261, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

taken a few days ago (on 5/17/08), one of my favorite times to look at the sugar apple tree - besides harvest time :-)
There are a dozen or so blossoms turned baby fruit.

one more photo of the "imposter"

IMG_7161, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

Is this a true dragonfruit?
the flowers are beautiful, but never set fruit

Closeup of dragonfruit flower

IMG_7159, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

posted for my friends at PitayaFruit Yahoo groups can help identify this "imposter"

dragonfruit?

IMG_7246, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

05/12/2008 - I believe this to be a dragon fruit variety. It always flowers but never fruits. Is it possible it is some close relative? the blossoms ALWAYS wind up on the ground like this.

custard apples - update

IMG_7172, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

looks like no custard apples this year!
Some animal (most likely armadillo or raccoon) chump ate my only fruit.

Next year, I'll have to pick them earlier, or find a way to "encourage" the animals to leave my fruit alone!

developing litchi fruit

IMG_7169, originally uploaded by z_kevino.

This year, the litchi crop is not good at all. very few fruits. These fruit are about 1.5 inches or so in length.

Fuyu Persimmon blossom

IMG_7168
Originally uploaded by z_kevino

The Fuyu persimmon tree has already blossomed this month. However, a few late bloomers can be found, as I captured in this image today.

Imbe (Garcinia livingstonei)

IMG_7135
Originally uploaded by z_kevino

the Imbe tree is loaded with flowers, even though i rarely see more than a few fruit each year. i'll keep you updated on when and if i see them setting

inga

IMG_7127
Originally uploaded by z_kevino

Almost exactly the same week as last year, my Inga trees began to bloom. My favorite time to look at these are when they are illuminated by the low angle sun, around 5:45 pm when this photo was taken.

Annona reticulata - custard apple

IMG_7128
Originally uploaded by z_kevino

I am not too crazy about the taste of this cousin to the sugar apple. However, it has nice size fruit, which stay on the tree all winter (a pleasant view for this deciduous tree.

Also, the color is not too bad.

Atemoya flower in female stage

IMG_7131
Originally uploaded by z_kevino

According to http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/atemoya.html

The flower, in its female stage, opens between 2 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Between 3 and 5 o'clock on the following afternoon, the flower converts to its male stage.

Here, it is clearly in its female stage.

Jaboticaba

IMG_7133
Originally uploaded by z_kevino

Throughout April, my small Jaboticaba tree has been fruiting. Here you can see the spectrum of color the fruit go through - from a pale green to a rich, deep purple. The purple ones were still a week away from harvesting

pineapple

IMG_7129
Originally uploaded by z_kevino

This pineapple plant had been in nice soil, with proper irrigation for several years. I never got a bloom. So I threw in in a pot with little soil, even less water, and what do you know: instant bloom and fruit!

Now, i am not sure if it was all the care I gave it for years, or the lack of care which caused the flowering.

My theory is that it thought it was gonna die, so it flushed out a flower to reproduce.... or it could be an April Fool's joke it played on me