Shikuwasa Tree

The Shikuwasa tree in the back of the house is getting quite large, and it still thrives even after getting attacked by bark Beetles.  

I tried my best to fight them, but I know there is still some larva in the ground, because I can occasionally see saw dust. However, the tree survives and flowered like crazy. 

The tree is about three meters tall. I guess there were hundreds, if not thousands, of flowers. It smelled so good. 

There were so many bees and other types of pollinators visiting the tree constantly. I know the flowers would get pollinated.

I'm starting to see small fruit appear. I am curious how many will mature. Shikuwasa is an extremely fragrant fruit used in cooking, as garnishes and for juice. My favorite is Shikuwasa juice, but it takes a lot of fruit since the fruit is small and only the size of a cumquat, strawberry guava or large grape.   

Biwa (Loquat) Tree

Recently I found flower buds on my Biwa (Loquat) tree. I planted these seeds in the summer of 2020, so surprised to see them flowering. I planted another sapling in the back of the house and it is huge, but no buds. I'm surprised to see this tree fruiting so soon.

If you like apricots, plums or peaches, you will enjoy loquats. They taste like a plum, apricot and cherry with a floral aroma.

Banana Tree

These Bananas are developing well. but slowly. I cut the flower bell off early since this tree was so small and close to the ground, so I will not get as many Bananas as normal; however, it looks like there it probably 70-80 on the stock. There are two pups behind this tree that are growing well, so should get more Bananas next year. 

Apple Mango Tree

 

I clipped the tip of the Mango tree a couple weeks ago and it is doing great. I want to keep this tree small. The trunk should be about a foot tall and let the branches grow from there. Once it is ready to flower, I will pull the branches down using a rope to make them horizonal with the ground. If a fruit is produced it will hang from the flower stem until ready to pick. Keeping the branch down will prevent damage to the fruit. 

Apple Mango Tree

 

This Apple Mango tree I started from seed is doing well. I wish I had a place to plant it. Need to think about that, since it is time to transplant it.

Peaches

Peaches are ripening and will be ready to pick soon.

 

Guava (Red)

Some Guava are starting to ripen. They ripen quickly and just fall off of tree, which is another reason I wrap them. 

The aroma is wonderful.

 

Mango Tree (Kitsu or Keitt)

This Mango tree is starting to flower. I cut off all the flowers two years ago to allow the tree to grow and last year the tree did not flower, so I expect a good season this year and hope I get many delicious Mangos.

Papaya

Both Papaya trees have lots of fruit. The tree on the left is older, but the tree on the right has less fruit so the fruit are larger.

Peach

Spring Peaches developing well.

Mango Tree (Apple Mango)

 

I was thinking this tree was done growing for the season, but just noticed a new branch. I plan to trim this tree once it creates a new node. 

Guava (Red Guava)

The red Guava tree in the back of my house continues to bloom and there are tons of fruit on the tree. Some of the Guava are getting large, so I need to start wrapping them to protect them from the birds.

Guava Fruit.

Mango Tree (Apple Mango)

 

I planted this Apple Mango seed on 5 July and during the summer it grew well. It has since seemed to have stopped. I want to cut the tip off once it gets to about a foot tall or has three or four nodes. At the moment it has three nodes, but less than a foot; therefore, I will wait for a forth node the develop and cut it above that.

Lemon Tree

I planted four (4) Lemon seeds on 1 October and one sprouted in late October. It's doing well and hope to have some Lemons in 3-5 years. 

Guava (Red)

My red Guava tree is starting to produce spring fruit. There are some actual fruit on the tree, while the tree continues to produce new buds and blossoms.

Buds

Blossoms

Persimmon Tree (Kaki)

I trimmed my Persimmon (Kaki) tree a few weeks ago and it is filling out beautifully. I do not recall when I started this tree, but believe it was over five years ago. I cut it down once, but new branches kept growing, so decided to keep one and keep it short.

Peach Tree

My Peach tree blossomed in March for a summer harvest and now blossoming again for the spring harvest. I lost most of the summer Peaches due to heavy rain and hope I get a better spring harvest.

Acerola Cherry

This Acerola tree bloomed four times this year (April, May, June, July) and produced over 6kg (13lbs), and it's flowering again (August) for the fifth time.   

 

Canistel Tree (Egg Fruit)

I have two Canistel (Egg Fruit) trees on my property that I grew from seed. I planted them in March-April of 2020 and they sprouted in July 2020, which makes them a little over a year old. Both are growing well, but slowly. Canistel can start to produce fruit in 3-6 years when grown from seed. These trees can get quite large, so I will need to keep on top of them and keep them trimmed. There is not a lot of space for them to spread out. 

 

Persimmon (Kaki) Tree

This Persimmon (Kaki) tree has a long story, but in short I started growing it from seed in a pot and had to cut the taproot in order to remove it. I was sure it was going to die, but after transplanting it it has done well and thriving. I did not track when I planted the seed, but estimate it was roughly four years old. Persimmon trees usually take 3-5 years before they start producing fruit when grown from seed, but this little guy has gone through a lot, so expect it to take a little longer.