Author: Anthony
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Jackfruit Wonders: Cultivate Your Own in NZ!
A newcomer is rising in popularity among garden enthusiasts—jackfruit. This majestic tree, adorned with the largest fruits borne on Earth, is an exotic marvel that Kiwis are learning to cultivate. In this guide, we’ll explore the wonders of home-growing jackfruit, from planting to plucking these tropical treasures.
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Join Our Quest to Cultivate Cassava in NZ
Update 27 December: after years of searching, we found cassava/yuca (manihot esculenta) available at Flying Dragon Nursery, a mere 2km from our land! We now have three very healthy cassava plants 🙂 Exploring New Frontiers in Tropical Agriculture At Tropical NZ, we’re embarking on an exciting new venture and we need your help! We’re setting…
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Soursop Seedlings: From Fiji and Brazil to Your Garden
Embarking on a Tropical Fruit Adventure with Soursop Our journey at Tropical NZ began with a vision: to bring the exotic and very popular Soursop (annona muricata) into our local gardens. Recognizing the untapped potential of this tropical delight, we set out to introduce its unique flavor and potential health benefits to our community. Importing…
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Unveiling the Sour Passionfruit (Maracujá Azedo) – A Rare Delight in New Zealand!
Are you ready to dive into the world of a rare, tart treat? We’ve just brought in something truly special from Brazil – the Sour Passionfruit, known there as “Maracujá Azedo”, and it’s about to shake up your fruit palette! A Brazilian Gem in Kiwi Land Sour Passionfruit is a unique variety that’s not commonly…
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Germination instructions for Red Lady F1 Papaya
Red Lady is an impressive tropical dwarf papaya. Our commercial F1 seeds have a very high germination rate (near 100% in our tests). Simply soak in warm water for 24 hours, then plant in a soaked jiffy pellet or peat-based pot, and leave them in a warm place. Germination usually happens, given the right conditions,…
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Germination Instructions for Soursop Seeds (Annona muricata)
Soak Seeds in 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Solution (optional) Soaking seeds in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution before scarification can offer several advantages for germination and seed cleanliness: Disinfection: Hydrogen peroxide acts as a disinfectant, helping to eliminate seed-borne pathogens, fungi, and bacteria. By using this solution, you can lower the chances of infections that may…
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Soursop seeds (Annona Muricata)
Update: We have sold the batch of Fijian soursop seeds. However, we now have a larger supply from a commercial source in Brazil that we imported in late October 2023. Please see our Trade Me listings, 20 SOURSOP SEEDS (Annona Muricata) – Fresh from Brazil! During my trip to Fiji in early October 2023, I…
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Growing Tropical Fruit Trees in Containers
Discover how to grow tropical fruit trees in containers in NZ! Our top picks include guava, citrus, dwarf papaya and starfruit. Learn about their care and benefits.
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7 Reasons Why You Should Grow Exotic Fruiting Plants in New Zealand
Did you know that you can grow exotic fruiting plants like mangoes and lychee in New Zealand? Here are 7 reasons why you should consider growing these plants in your garden, from reducing food miles to supporting local businesses. With the changing climate, gardeners in NZ have the opportunity to increase food resilience and challenge…
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Are any areas of NZ actually subtropical?
The subtropics are the regions of the Earth located between the tropics and the temperate zones, known for their warm, humid climates, mild winters, warm/hot summers, and high levels of precipitation. The subtropics are typically defined as the regions of the Earth between the tropics (23.5 degrees north of the equator and 23.5 degrees south…
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Red Lady Papaya in a Pot – Sweet & Juicy Fruit in 1 Year!
Update November 2023: we have commercial Red Lady F1 papaya seeds available to buy on TradeMe. Are you looking for a delicious and exotic fruit that’s easy to grow in a small space? Look no further than the Red Lady papaya! This variety is perfect for growing in a container and produces an abundant amount…
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Grow Soursop in NZ: Tips & Tricks for Planting and Caring for Annona Muricata
Ready to plant a soursop tree and enjoy the delicious, tropical fruit? Learn everything you need to know about growing and caring for this rare-in-NZ soursop in subtropical New Zealand with this guide! #Soursop #GrowYourOwn #subtropicalNZ
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Planting Tender Tropical Treats – Go Slow for a Sweet Success!
Are you looking to add a splash of sunshine to your garden? Planting tender tropical treats may be the way to go! With a bit of patience and care, you can be sure to enjoy a sweet success with these exotic fruits from warm climates. In this article, we explore how to create a paradise…
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Create an Environment for Exotic Tropical Plants with a Food Forest
The dense canopy of trees and shrubs provides shade and shelter for the plants, protecting them from the worst of the elements. Create an edible oasis for your tropical plants with a food forest!
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Comfrey is your (plant’s) best friend
Comfrey is perhaps the most useful companion plant in permaculture for good reasons. Comfrey has deep tap roots that don’t compete with tree roots, and can mine nutrients from deep within the soil and bring them up to the surface where your exotics can access them. This makes comfrey a great nutrient accumulator, which is…
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Planting Exotics in New Zealand: Step-by-Step Guide for plants like Mango, Soursop, Banana & Papaya
Planting subtropical/tropical trees in the ground requires some planning and preparation to ensure the tree has the best chance of thriving. Here is a step-by-step guide for planting exotics such as Mango, Soursop, Banana, and Papaya in New Zealand, including tips for fertilising and mulching: Choose the planting site Choose a site that has good…
