How to grow tropical fruits? What are the different varieties that could be grown most easily at home? What are the conditions required for harvesting tropical fruits? If all these questions are there in your mind, then read this story and get all the answers.
The climate prevailing in tropical countries is conducive for the growth of numerous varieties of tropical fruits. The weather is mainly warm and moist, with abundant sunshine. It rains most of the time and thus, trees receive adequate water for rapid growth.
Tropical fruit trees are not really capable of growing under cold and frosty climatic conditions. If you consider the climate at your place to be almost similar to that of the tropics, then you can try harvesting some of the most common types of tropical fruits.
Tropical fruits can be harvested either indoors or outdoors. The most important factors governing the productivity of tropical trees are, the soil, climate, sunlight and moisture. You should always purchase a healthy breed from a nursery for carrying out the propagation.
Make sure that the seeds or the grafted plants are free from disease and pests. You can discuss these factors with the dealer and then purchase the fertilizers and pesticides accordingly.
The choice of fruits depends on the weather and soil conditions existing in your area. Select a location that would support maximum growth of the trees. Productivity of tropical fruits increase when they are sowed in early summers and they receive adequate rain during the growth phase. We have provided you some examples of tropical fruits that could be grown easily at home.
Types of Fruits:- Growth Conditions
Banana:- Cultivating a banana tree at home is not something very difficult. The fruits develop from the flowers, which grow in clusters. The soil should be well drained and moist, nevertheless, it should not get water logged. You can spray nitrogenous fertilizer in the soil and mulch it deeply. The plant grows best when raised from sucker cuttings.
The temperature of that area should be within the range of 25 - 30 ºC. You can pluck the bananas after they have ripened. Make sure that you trim the dried leaves and foliage regularly during the growth phase.
Pineapple:- A pineapple tree is generally cultivated from the pineapple top, commonly known as the crown. Separate the top from the fruit and make sure that no traces of pulp have been left. The root buds will be clearly visible after you cut the bottom of the crown. The plant thrives well under drought and you can water the plant once a week.
You should keep the plant indoors during winter and frost. Place it near your window so that it receives adequate light. Fruits appear after four months of flowering and you can reap the pineapples once the color of the skin has turned light brown.
Avocados:-Avocados are grown from seeds. First sprout the seeds in a water filled container and allow them to germinate under sunlight and heat. Once you see that the shoots have grown at least six inches, you can transfer the seeds in the soil bed enriched with humus and fertilizer (nitrogen, potassium and phosphate).
While watering the soil, check that the roots have submerged completely. Avoid over watering as the roots and leaves tend to rot easily. The fruits grow better when the tree is pruned periodically.
Guava:- Guavas can tolerate a temperature as high as 45 ºC. However, you should maintain the temperature within the range of 23 to 28 °C. Plant the seeds in any type of soil and mulch it as deep as 800 mm. Plant the seeds once the soil bed is ready. You can water it everyday only when the drainage system has been well established.
The flowers start blooming after 28 weeks of planting and then small green fruits appear.
Mango:- Mango trees are also grown from seeds, that produces dense foliage. The other option is to buy grafted samples from a nursery and then plant them directly into the soil. Although the first method ensures better quality, the second is a more convenient option.
Harvest the seeds in the beginning of summer season so that the tree gets all the favorable conditions required for producing good quality fruits. You can either germinate the seeds in a separate container or plant them directly into the soil.
Expose the trees to maximum sunlight and mulch the soil heavily. The trees start flowering during early summer and the fruits grow quickly when the tree is uniformly pruned.
Apart from these fruits, custard apples, paw paw, cherries, lychee, pomegranate, papayas and dragon fruits can also be cultivated at home. Now that you know how to grow tropical fruits, you can pick your favorite fruit and harvest it at your home.
The flavor and quality is enriched when you provide all the conditions and take care of the plants adequately. So enjoy the juicy and pulpy delight of the tropical fruits.