Trees

Corner tree garden

Kinkan (Kamquat) 

(3-years old)

Mikan (Tangerine like) 

(3-years old)

 Canistel

From bottom to top (Strawberry Guava, Strawberry Guava, Orange, Orange, Canistel, Canistel) 
(5-months old)

Left (Valentine Sweet Orange), Right Shikuwasa) 

(5-months old)

Grapefruit

(3-months old)

Acerola Cherry tree (Barbados Cherry tree) in full bloom 

(4-years old)

Avocado tree

(5-years old) 

Avocado tree

(2-years old) 

Peach tree

(2-years old) 

Guava tree

(3-years old) 

Papaya tree

(8-months old) 

Surinam Cherry tree (Brazilian Cherry Tree) 

(1-year old)

Mango tree

(3-years old) 

Banana, Avocado and Papaya 

Papaya tree

(3-years old) 

Shikuwasa tree

(5-months old) 

Mikan tree (Tangerine like)

(1-year old)

Biwa (Loquat) Tree

(6-months old)

Canistel Tree (Egg Fruit)

Canistel (Egg Fruit) is originally from Mexico and some South American countries. Canistel is sweet and creamy with a texture a little more firmer than pudding, but a little less firm than a boil egg yoke, hence the nickname "egg fruit". Canistel is related to Abiu, which is described similarly.

Canistel seeds are quite large and have a short shelf life, so needs be planted within a few days from the day they are removed from the fruit. The seeds can take 2-3 months to germinate and the tree can start bearing fruit within 3-6 years. 

Canistel trees can grow quite large, but grow well in containers of adequate size and free draining. The container should be 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) diameter or larger and 20 inches (50 cm) deep or more.

(6/1) I planted these Canistel seeds a few months ago and they have yet to sprout. I dug up the seeds to check, but they are still intact so will just have to wait a while longer.

(7/4) After many months of waiting I can finally see a Canistel tree sprout.

(7/11) Both my Canistel seeds sprouted. I hope I they survive. 

Bitter Melon (Goya, Nigauri)

This Bitter Melon (Goya, Nigauri) plant self seeded in the front of my house, but doing well. There is one Goya visible towards the center-top, but others handing off the side you cannot see.

Myoga (Japanese Ginger)

I planted Myoga (Japanese Ginger) rhizomes (roots) a few days ago and starting to see a sprout.

The roots I brought were already starting to sprout, so no surprise they started to pop-up so quickly. Myoga is a perennial and propagates by creating new rhizomes near or at the base of the parent plant, like Garlic Chives and Ginger. Myoga does not like direct sunlight and grows best in a shaded area.

Myoga flower buds appear at the bottom of the plant.

Myoga flowers buds should be picked before they begin to sprout for optimum tenderness and aroma.

(4/19)

(4/21)

(4/27)

(5/6)

(6/1)

(6/22) Finally starting to see Myoga flower buds.

(7/11) Today I got my first Myoga.

(7/18) Got another Myoga.

Soybean (Edamame)

Today I planted Soybeans (Edamame). The Package contained 38 seeds. The seeds should be spaced about 12 inches (30 cm) apart. This container is not that large, so I made six holes and placed two seeds in each hole. Once the seeds sprout, I will select the strongest sprout from each hole and remove the other. 

 

An image what a Soybean plant looks like. Soybeans are one of the most versatile beans in the world, but my favorite way to eat them is to boil the pod, lightly salt them and eat them right out of the pod. This is how you are most likely to eat them when visiting Japan. They are super delicious and high in protein.  

This is the package I have started from, but of course I will save some of the beans for my seed stock to grow more.

I live in a sub-tropical climate, which is identified in red, so I can plant Soybeans from April through mid-July. I will plant some more in May and the rest in June. The seeds generally sprout in about a week and take three to five months to mature. 

(4/18) It has only been three days and some of the Soybean seeds have sprouted.

(4/21) I planted twelve Soybean seeds in six holes and they all sprouted. Normally I would have sniped off the weakest plant, but did not want to waste the sprouts so I decided to dug them all up gentle and replanted them. Surprisingly the roots were already 5-6 inches (10-12 cm) long, but the soil was still loose and I could successfully remove and replant all the seeds, so I now have twelve plants. Even if I lose one or two it would have been worth the risk. I'll keep you posted.

(5/8) Growing so fast

(6/7) Growing well, but no flowers yet.

Shikuwasa Tree

(11/24) 

(4/15) Almost five months old and growing quickly.

Chili Peppers (Togarashi)

Chili Peppers starting to turn red.

Passion Fruit Cuttings 2

I prepared a second planter for Passion Fruit cuttings and they are doing well. This time I used a rooting hormone (Ruuton) to promote root growth, which I think has made a significant difference.

Peach Fruit

My Peaches are starting to fill-out and tarting to look like actual Peaches.

(5/1) Starting to look like peaches

Japanese Sweet Potato (Satsumaimo)

I got this Sweet Potato cutting from a farmer I met while walking my puppy a few days ago. The leaves looked similar to the Sweet Potatoes I grow, but pointer and purplish. I asked the farmer what it was and he said, white Satsumaimo. I grow purple Satsumaimo and white and purple Beni-imo of which their leaves are identical, but they are different from this type. I asked for a cutting and he sniped off a piece. I'm excited to see how this potato looks and tastes. The pot is small, but enough to get a few vines started and I can take more cuttings from them. You only need one cutting to grow a ton a year later. 

(4/21) Today I noticed one of my newly planted Sweet Potato (left) plants has a cute purple flower. As many folks already know, Sweet Potatoes are not a potato, but rather a sweet tuber (root) from a plant that is part of the Morning Glory flower family (right), which is why the flowers looks so similar.

Sweet Potatoes are easy to grow and the vines grow quickly, which are also eatable. Unfortunately, you need to wait 4-6 months to enjoy the tubers (Sweet Potatoes). But planting a new container every two months ensures you always have a crop ready to harvest. 

(5/12) The cuttings I got from my neighbor are growing well. In a few weeks I'll be able to take cuttings from this planter for transplant into a larger container.

Nasturtium Flower

Nasturtium flowers are so beautiful.

Tomato

The Tomato plants I moved down to my driveway are doing well. I have tons scattered all over the place.

The rear container has four plants, plus I have a few smaller containers with Tomatoes. I planted them a few weeks apart so I could harvest Tomatoes over a longer period to avoid them fruiting all at the same time.

(5/6)

Rosemary Cutting

I started this Rosemary cutting a few months ago in water and transplanted it to soil about two months ago. It is really starting to grow and branch out. I need to transplant it soon to allow it to grow larger. 

Grapefruit Tree

 

I planted a few Grapefruit seeds from a white-fleshed Grapefruit a few weeks ago and have two sprouts. Grapefruit trees generally take 4-5 years to flower when grown from seed, but under some conditions can take as long as 15 years. I will transplant one of the sprouts when they get a little taller.