Zone 9a Fruit List

[_Keith]

When it comes to fruit, it seems like Zone 9a is a cursed zone. Not enough chill hours for most temperate fruit, but we have that handfull of cold wet winter days that kill tropical fruits like Papaya and Mango. Has anyone ever run across a list or have ideas on some more unique things to try. I have most all of the locally known to survive things, but would love to try some new ones.

[WonderKeeper]

I grow dragon fruit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hkaKiWuXPA&list=TLfYAi7KQNx6pyuDjs9LR-kNNhuog7Mf2m.

also asian guava trees http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLlzI4SfzNE&list=UUAwVxOFnXVUf3IZmFslfB7g

[redant]

Loquat?

[Kostas]

Exactly, loquat are awesome! Some others are mandarin, Pouteria lucuma(supposedly), Feijoa, bananas(not reliable producers in 9a), Figs(obviously,the best fruit this zone grows in my opinion but a deciduous tree unfortunately), maybe one of the tropical cherry species as well. Many other species can be grown(for example Jujube) but are mostly deciduous and thus for me,not worth it.

[dalmatiansoap]

I grow dragon fruit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hkaKiWuXPA&list=TLfYAi7KQNx6pyuDjs9LR-kNNhuog7Mf2m.

also asian guava trees http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLlzI4SfzNE&list=UUAwVxOFnXVUf3IZmFslfB7g

Nice helpful videos! Got the idea what went wrong with my DF. Will try again next Spring.

[mnorell]

Keith--

I think you must know that what people call Loquat is what you know as "Japanese Plum" in Louisiana. There are many excellent bananas you can cultivate, and I can recommend two very successful and prolific cultivars I get regular fruit from (except of course after 2010 & 2014-style winters) up in the Natchez garden: 'Belle' and 'Dwarf Namwah,' plus, of course, the old standby, 'Orinoco.' You might go over to Stokes and ask them what they've had success with in the river parishes. Also if you go up to Laura Plantation you might be able to get them to give you a pup of that '1781' (I think that's the year/name) cultivar, which is the oldest known banana in Louisiana with known provenance going back to the 1700s. As I remember Stokes also used to sell that one...not sure how the fruit tastes.

Try to find high-quality cultivars of the Pawpaw, which is native to the U.S. and is the only freeze-tolerant annona-family member. they are beautiful tropical-looking trees and look very similar to cacao plants and they like slightly shady forest situations. The only problem is that the squirrels may beat you to the fruit. When I go up to Natchez in spring I see the flowers and the fruit starting and then by late summer they have been taken by the squirrels. So have not yet tasted mine! I got them from Banting's in Bridge City. There is a research group (I think at University of Kentucky?) selecting improved cultivars but they sell out quickly and I think have a two-year waiting list. Otherwise you can just ask around for better-tasting forms, as they are extremely variable in quality, from terrible to delicious, by most accounts.

Pineapple is easy, just plant on a mound in iron-rich soil in full sun. Before a frost/freeze, dump a pile of pine-straw (or some other insulator) on top of the crown and then uncover when it warms. You can definitely do Feijoa (not just fruit but the fleshy flower-petals are deliciously sweet)...and you will need at least two to tango, BTW. You might be able to get Dragon Fruit to survive and fruit for you with a little protection. I'm sure you can do passion fruit and maybe also true guava (hardiest forms) with dieback each year, though you might lose these outright in low 20s or below. Strawberry guava would most likely be easy for you in a protected spot. Those are beautiful small trees.

Also try the hardiest Mexicola-type avocados (Clegg's in BR sometimes has some, probably also at Banting's) that are proven into the upper teens. White sapote will take low 20s when mature so that might be a worthwhile thing to try. Banting's has carried this in the past. I'm sure you have lots of figs, and also no doubt have plenty of citrus already, as virtually all of the citrus will do fine where you are as long as you mound earth above the graft-line going into a freak deep freeze that might come along. Also red mulberry (at least those I've tried here in south Florida) are absolutely delicious fruit. These are also native so if you have the room it would I think be worth planting.

I think you can also get the dwarf papaya (it was available a few years ago at garden centers in the south) to fruit in a season, perhaps even the large forms...but I'm not positive on that one. I've certainly seen big papaya hanging off large dooryard trees in Kenner.

I think that gives you lots of possibilities!

[_Keith]

I do have Loquat, which do well until stressed, such as after a big freeze. They come through the freeze just fine, but then fall victim to Fire Blight in late spring.

I tried and failed with PawPaws once, but do need to try them again. Non available locally, but next time I head to the New Orleans area I will take the back way and stop by Bantings. I don't make it there but every 1 to 2 years, but I love the place.

After speaking with Axel, and tasting them, I will try White Sapote.

Grew a huge Dragon Fruit, but never got fruit and then winter of 2010 took it out. In a string of mild winters, maybe.

Tried and failed multiple times with Papaya including Mountain varieties.

I did get two types of bananas to fruit year before last. They always come back, but it takes a mild previous winter to get fruit. I want to expand my varieties. Unfortunately my wife is not a huge fan of bananas.

Keep the ideas coming, please. I want a food forest.

[NorthFlpalmguy]

Pomegranates. Not the Pomwonderful cultivar in Cali but the Russian giants and other cultivars that do better in our humid climate.

[Alicehunter2000]

8b/9a........list here....below Tallahassee in Crawfordville, Florida.....

http://www.justfruitsandexotics.com/

[Xenon]

Persimmons grow well here ...Diospyros virgiana (firm fleshed) and Diospyros kaki (soft fleshed)

Jaboticaba is supposed to be hardy to the low 20s

Natal plum is common on TX coast...probably hardy to low 20s

Olives? Muscadine grape? Myrica rubra?

Edited September 11, 2014 by Xenon

[Silas_Sancona]

Keith,

Good suggestions from everyone. Agree with Xenon on the Jaboticaba, and Natal Plum. The one thing to consider if you try Natals is standard forms can be wickedly spiny. " Boxwood beauty" is one of the few cultivars which lacks spines. It also stays short and can be tucked into a warm corner that can be easily protected if need be. Might not fruit as prolifically as thornier types though.

Not sure if it is seen there in Louisiana but Surinam cherry should be hardy enough to trial, and also will produce at a small/ managed size. Mine are all in pots and I get lots of fruit. Black varieties are supposedly sweeter than red but I really can't tell much difference. Only drawback is seed is prolific. Considered somewhat of an invasive here in FL.

Another Eugenia family member worth looking into, Cherry of the Rio Grande.. Large red-black fruits taste great, slower growing and can also live out it's life in a container if need be.. and the bark/ trunk has a lot of visual appeal. Looks alot like Jaboticaba as it sheds but much more colorful. Looks like Camo gear, imo.

-Nathan-

[WonderKeeper]

Pick the right dragon fruit plant to grow (self pollination).. It will take about 3 to 4 years for it to set fruits in zone 9. With right fertilizer and care it will set fruit for you other while it just give out green. It does need winter protection. No luck with it then, the next fruit I would think off is pomegranate too. I have 4 young trees of Russian Pomegranate the Parfianka. Just grow what you like to eat. Too many uneaten fruit trees you will have problem with unwanted animals come to your yard.

[NorthFlpalmguy]

Audrey at just fruits and exotics is a great person to deal with as well.

Edited September 12, 2014 by bbrantley

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

I live in the San Joaquin valley which is usda zone 9a, 9b and a small amount of 10a.

I think we grow about 80-90 percent the the us fruit and nut crops.

Our winter averages don't really change much from year to year. We have just enough chill for stone fruit and apple and cherries and warm enough for citrus , pomegrande and hardier avocado.

I was gonna list all the fruit grown within 150 miles of my ....commercially ....

But just head to your local supermarkets produce section , there's a good chance the whole produce section was grown here in our zone 9b farms.

Lol

As far as exotics, figs, loquats and kiwis do well.

I have lychee and Longans, macadamia ,starfruit, tr Hovey papaya and babaco.

Jeff

[SailorBold]

Cherimoya maybe? I just did a search.. never tasted one- but form what I just read I would like to.

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

I had a large Cherimoya, doesn't take temps below 25f very well.