For those of us
living in cool, northern climates, the idea of growing tropical fruit
at home for consumption has been a dream that few have dared pursue...
until now.
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Laurelynn and
Byron Martin, third-generation greenhouse growers
in Connecticut, have recently started supplying tropical
plants to home gardeners who are growing them on decks, patios
and in containers indoors all across North
America.
"Growing
Tasty Tropical Plants in
any home, anywhere" documents
their conviction that almost everyone can enjoy the taste of the
tropics without leaving home, provided they have the proper cultivars.
"One
of the keys to success with tropical container fruits is providing the
right environment for the plants as they grow and mature," they
explain. |
"Some
types need a winter cool period, while others do best in warm
conditions year-round. Some tropicals do well in partial sun, but many
of them will produce fruit only when the grow in very bright
conditions, such as a sunny windowsill, sunroom, or conservatory during
the winter. If you don't have a sunroom or some large south-facing
windows, then you'll need to explore using supplemental lighting for
these plants."
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The
Martins profile 47 fruiting tropical plants in their text, from
the well-known citrus fruits to the exotics like acerola, dwarf
pomegranate and papaya and even chocolate, coffee, cinnamon,
vanilla and sugarcane plants. An artist’s sketch and close up
photograph of foliage, fruit and flower is included with each featured
plant along with detailed instructions on cultivation, care and harvest.
"If you're brand new to container
gardening, it's a good idea to start with plants that grow quickly and
can tolerate a range ot temperatures," the Martins advise. These
include coffee, fig, ‘Meyer’ lemon, naranjilla, orangeberry, tree
tomato, and yerba mate plants.
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This book invites readers to a gardening adventure rich with sunny
flavors and exotic fragrances, growing fruits once forbidden beyond the
tropics.
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Acerola,
also called Barbados cherry, has long been loved for its sweet tasting
berries and high vitamin C content. In South Amrican it is well known
for its health properties and is regularly added to fuirt drinks,
smoothies and shakes.
Care of Banana Plants
Arabica Coffee Bean Plant
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