RFCIhttp://www.rarefruit.org Tampa.Bay.RFCI@gmail.com

April 2012TAMPA BAY CHAPTER of the

RARE FRUIT COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Meetings are held the second Sunday, 2:00 P.M.

at the Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd.

Upcoming Programs and Events

Upcoming Events/Speakers:

April 14-15: USF Botanical Garden Spring Plant Festival May 13: ‘Plant Doctor’ by Gene Joyner of Unbelievable Acres Botanic Gardens (one of Florida’s largest private collections of tropical fruit plants). Gene will answer your questions about growing fruiting plants and problems you have with your plants. You may bring in plant specimens for Gene to diagnose. If you suspect Canker bring the specimen in a sealed, clear, plastic bag. June 10: Dr. Matthew Snow, Pres. Miami RFCI, Topic: Dragon Fruit (Pataya) July 8: Chris Rollins, Director of the Fruit & Spice Park, Homestead, FL August 12: Adam Shafran: Presentation on the many Species of Jaboticaba

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Board Members:

Paul Branesky - President Jimmy Lee, Charles Novak, Jerry Amyot - V. Presidents Carolyn Haack - Secretary Susan McAveety – Treasurer Bob Heath Andrew Hendrickson Sally Lee Fred Engelbrecht Verna Dickey Thom Scott Bill Vega Bob Gerstein Linda Novak Judy Cimafranca – Alternate _____________________________________________________________________________

New Members

President: Paul Branesky; Editor: Denise Provencher;Support: Bob & Paula Heath; Production/Distribution: Charles & Linda Novak

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Trudy Erwin Riverview

Calling All Volunteers!USF Botanical Garden Spring

Plant FestivalApril 14 and 15, 2012

It's time for the USF Botanical Garden Spring Plant Festival. We need your help. This event is an important fundraiser for the club. You can participate by bringing plants to donate or sell, you can help set up or you can volunteer to help with the sale. Please plan to join us and please wear your RFCI shirt.

We need volunteers to help on Friday, Saturday and on Sunday.Setup - Friday, April 13th: Our participation will begin around 2:00 PM Friday afternoon. We need volunteers to help raise tents, set up tables, and to unload and arrange plants.Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15: The gates will open to the public starting at 10:00 AM on both days. The Festival will close at 4:00 PM on Saturday and 3:00 PM on Sunday.

We would like members to follow these guidelines to avoid misunderstanding, confusion and errors.

Guidelines for Participation in the USF Plant Sale

Each member selling plants must submit a manifest listing their plants and prices. The member receives 70%, the Botanical Garden receives 10% and the club receives 20%. Be sure to price your plants accordingly.

Each plant must have a label with the name of the plant, the price and the seller’s initials. Please note that members cannot sell citrus plants, non-fruiting plants or herbs. Sellers are responsible for their plants. If you are unable to be there both days of the Sale, you

should ask a member to handle your plants for you. Sellers should not Change the prices of their plants without first making the changes on their

manifest. Members selling plants should be willing to help unload and load Ray’s truck and help with the setup

and breakdown of the sales area (if physically able). When the sale is over on Sunday afternoon, sellers will inventory their unsold plants, enter on their

manifests the number of plants that remain unsold and then submit their manifests to the designated member. Members should then remove their unsold plants.

If you have questions or need more information please contact Charles Novak (813) 754-1399, charles.novak@gmail.com, or Sally and Jimmy Lee (813) 982-9359.

USF Botanical Garden website: http://gardens.usf.edu/

Directions: The Garden is located near the southwest corner of the USF Tampa campus, at the intersection of Pine and AlumniDrive. From Fowler Ave. turn north on Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

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Go north one block to Pine and turn right. Look for ‘Parking’ signs.

_______________________________________________________________________________________ Planting and Caring for Blueberries

By Patsy and Ken Frier

Patsy and Ken Frier of Berry Blue Farms and Nursery in Plant City, Florida spoke at March’s meeting about raising blueberries. Their family run business, begun in 2008, specializes in propagating blueberry plants. They sell primarily to farmers, but also have retail sales. Contact information is at the end of this article.

When one thinks of blueberries, northern climes might come to mind, but newer varieties of these wonderful tasting and nutritious plants, like Jewel and Emerald, are allowing Floridians to grow them too. At the Frier’s farm, cuttings are taken and tended daily, misted, and watched over until they are ready to transplant into nursery one gallon containers. Propagating blueberries isn’t always easy. There are many cuttings that do not survive the 8-9 week period it takes for them to take root. But those that thrive will remain in the one gallon container for one year. During this time, the young plants will become well-rooted and strong, ready to be sold and planted in their new home. The second year of growth there will be more fruit, and the 3rd year is considered the first full production year. After that blueberries will provide years of fruitful production.

When selecting blueberry plants, keep in mind that at least 2 varieties are needed for cross pollination to aid in better fruit production. There are Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye varieties, as well as early, mid, and late season selections. Southern Highbush varieties ripen earlier than Rabbiteye varieties. Rabbiteyes grow best in colder parts of Florida, such as Ocala and north. Southern Highbush varieties can be grown from Sebring on up into Georgia.

How to plant and care for your Blueberry Plants

If planting in the ground, select a site that drains well and has full to ¾ sun exposure each day. Blueberry plants do well in full sun. Blueberry plants do not grow well when the roots are planted directly into Florida soil, the PH is too high. Planting in crushed pine bark or a mixture of pine bark and peat, mounding about 10” above the ground is recommended. This will keep the PH lower and promote good drainage. A mix of 60% pine bark and 40% peat is a good balance.

Blueberry plants also do well when planted in 15- 25 gallon pots, especially the shallower “squat” pots. Use the same potting mixture of crushed pine bark and peat. One advantage of planting in large pots is

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that the plant location can be changed without disturbing the plant. Some customers have reported very good results with “earth boxes” as well.

Water plants every day when new, and during hot summer months. Watering early in the day is recommended. When watering DO NOT saturate the soil everyday to the point that it never dries out. Blueberry roots grow more outward, only reaching down about 7” into the soil. Pine needles are helpful on the surface of the soil to help retain moisture in the soil. A granular fertilizer (time release for blueberries) 2 TBSP every 3 months. Place around the plant about 6” away from the base of the plant. Miracle grow for Azaleas, applied as directed, every 7-10 days is a good schedule. After fruit production has stopped, it is okay to drench the plant with the mixture. Plants go dormant beginning in late October or early November and will lose all or most of their leaves. Cutting back on fertilizer is recommended. However, continue to water as needed. In most cases watering can be cut back to a shorter duration of watering every 2 – 3 days.

Pruning young blueberry plants is extremely important. A general rule is to prune 1/3 – ½ of the plant when first transplanting to the field. Failure to prune at this stage can result in reduced canopy growth, delayed establishment, and increased mortality. Pruning has lots of benefits such as promoting growth of fruiting wood, preventing overfruiting, improving light penetration, and creating a plant of desirable size and shape.

Blueberries are durable, and not often affected by diseases and problems in the home landscape. Fungal diseases can occur if the plants are overwatered. Leaf veining may occur, but mineral deficiencies are rare as the pine bark and peat mixture should supply what the plants need. The problem is usually a PH imbalance. Blueberry plants can absorb too much iron, but maintaining a proper PH of 4 -5 should prevent or rectify that problem. Remember the 4 terms associated with blueberry growing to increase your chances of success: peat/pine, prune, PH, and drainage.

Berry Blue Farms and Nursery2903 Hwy 60 West, Plant City, FloridaKen: 813-323-7987Patsy:813-508-1104Our email address is: bbfarms212@aol.com www.berrybluefarms.com

Websites with interesting articles and information about blueberries.

http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs215History of growing blueberries, list of varieties

http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs223Important guidelines to pruning your blueberries for best health of the plants, and the best fruit yield.

http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ac008Discusses commercial growing in Florida. The first blueberries to ripen in North America are from Florida, in April and May, fetching $5 per pound. Florida’s blueberry crop has grown so much that we now rank 3rd or 4th in the nation in production

www.blueberrycouncil.org

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Loads of information on nutritional aspects of blueberries, recipes, health, facts, and lots of stuff for kids to do.

Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

2 c. sifted unleavened cake flour 4 tsp. baking powder 4 lg. eggs, separated 1/2 tsp. salt2 c. buttermilk 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled Butter for skillet2 full c. frozen blueberries

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, beat egg yolks and buttermilk to blend slightly. In another bowl, beat egg whites until foamy, add cream of tartar and beat until stiff peaks forms. Set aside. Add yolk mixture to flour mixture and mix lightly with a fork until flour is moistened then stir in the butter. The batter should be lumpy; over mixing makes tough pancakes. Gently fold in the egg whites.Preheat griddle and lightly butter before each batch. Pour out batter to make 4 inch rounds and quickly drop 6-8 frozen berries onto each pancake. When underside is golden, flip pancake and cook 30 seconds more. Yield 18 - 4 inch pancakes. From www.blueberry-recipe.com

Freefoto.com

March Tasting Table

Thank you to the following folks for their tasty offerings and to all those who did not sign the sheet. Members who donate food may

now receive a ticket for the raffle.

Name Item Name ItemVega Chicken pasta Shigemura Tatertot casseroleCoronel Bibingka Orr Tomatoes, bread & butterGolden Marshmallow salad Davies Meatballs and pastaSawada Strawberry cheesecake, butter mocha Lohn Chocolate cakeNovak Fruit salad, pasta salad Johnston Watergate salad

Branesky Banana egg rolls, papaya Lavalelle Rum cake

Clarke Pasta salad & meatballs Lavesque Cherry pie

Whitfield Tossed salad Dexter Banana breadRubenstein Pecan crescents Dickey Oatmeal mulberry jam barsMaroon Orange glazed chicken wings Lee Strawberries Premraj Chick peas with curry Newcombe Carambola & strawberry compoteFerst No fat brownies Gernstein Chocolate pieRoss Blueberry crumb cake McAveety Citrus saladTavella Fresh tangerines Aguire Vegetable stew

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Sweet Strawberry pie Baker Oatmeal chocolate chip cookiesBranesky Koolaid pie Novak Juices Novak Lemon nut bread Orr Papaya cake

March Plant Exchange Members who donate plant(s) may now receive a raffle ticket.

Please remember to sign the sheet when picking up your plants.

Plant Donor WinnerChaya spinach Bob Heath RossChaya spinach Bob Heath HaackAbaca pineapple Bob Heath Davies Yellow jaboticaba Bob HeathSurinam cherry Bob Heath ShigemuraKei apple Novak Kroslak Kei apple Novak OliverKei apple Novak DexterKei apple Novak GamboniKei apple NovakTomato Vega HaackTomato Vega Haack Tomato Vega SchaveyTomato Vega DavidTomato Vega BannTomato Vega Aloe Vega PonticosAloe Vega EngelbrechtAloe Vega Oregano Musgrave LohnOregano MusgraveMalabar spinach - red Musgrave LeeMalabar spinach –green Musgrave PonticosMalabar spinach –green MusgraveDragon Fruit GersteinDragon Fruit GersteinDill Orr Fairbrother

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Plant Donor WinnerYellow dragonfruit Brandt Sweet False roselle Premraj Papaya Lavalelle Edible hibiscus LavalelleFern Dexter Fern Clarke Shenai Pencil tree Ross

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What’s Happening by Paul Zmoda

This installment of “What’s Happening” happens to be my 240th article covering our last 20 years!! Wow! How time flies by. I continue to enjoy growing our fruiting plants as well as studying them, conducting experiments, sharing knowledge and, of course, tasting the goodies that nature has provided.

I would sincerely like to thank all of my comrades in the RFCI for their friendship and help. I am grateful for all of our past and able presidents, and want to personally give a great big “thank you” to all who have helped me make “What’s Happening” possible, especially Bob and Paula Heath, our editors, and to two of our hardest working members: Linda and Charles Novak. Everyone involved in our wonderful club is just super. I’m so amazed at how our membership is constantly growing.

I recently donated a grape planting to the USF Botanical Gardens in Tampa. There, I installed two posts and a single wire trellis. Between the posts I put in a hybrid bunch grape called “Blanc du Bois”. This white grape was originally bred by Dr. John Mortensen at the University of Florida in 1968. This selection has gone on to become one of the best bunch grape cultivars for winemaking throughout the southeast and especially in Texas, winning many medals for wine.

New plantings: Chicksaw blackberry, Nova elderberry, lettuce, dill, pole beans, cucumbers, okra, hot peppers, and tomatoes. ___________________________________________________________________________________

Great books discount priced through Florida Gardening Magazine

Florida’s Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines by Charles S. Boning. Covers 80 species and the entire state. $21.15

Guide to Florida Fruit and Vegetable Gardening by Robert Bowden of Leu Gardens in Orlando. Covers 60+ edibles, common and unusual fruits, citrus and berries. $21.15

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Citrus: How to Grow and Use Citrus Fruits, Flowers, and Foliage by Monica Moran Brandies. A wonderful, informative, readable and colorful book about these iconic Florida fruits. $18.00

Bananas You Can Grow by James W. Waddick and Glenn M. Stokes. First book on bananas addresses all aspects for the home gardener, covers 30 varieties. $21.15

Notes

For contributions to the newsletter, notes on what you are growing, successes, failures, pictures, etc. we would love to hear what’s going on with fruit growers all through the Tampa Bay area, send to bdprovencher@tampabay.rr.com

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