What cacti produce edible fruit or are edible?
farmfreedom
17 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (18)
farmerted361
17 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
What bonsai produces edible fruits?
Comments (4)A large number of bonsai subjects can produce edible fruits, but none of them prefer to be grown indoors. I realize the pivotal word you used is ...'can' (be grown indoors), but the fact is that even the trees that 'can' produce edible fruits are unlikely to cooperate happily when relegated to the kitchen table or top of the TV. Additionally, most bonsai are not allowed to fruit heavily, or are allowed to fruit in alternate years or when the tree is at peak vitality - because fruiting weakens the tree quickly. Bonsai are generally allowed to fruit for the fruit's charm, not so we can eat them. Growing under a good light set-up and providing the other cultural conditions the plant prefers can change how a tree reacts to the indoor conditions commonly found in zone 5, but the trees still want to be outdoors when conditions allow. Al...See MoreWhat kind of fruit tree is this? Is it edible?
Comments (3)Since you can't post a photo, here is my big idea. Google loquat and kumquat, and see if yours resembles those. My other big idea is that if bird pecks are in the ripe fruit, it's probably edible. Suzi...See MoreIs the fruit of this Epiphyllum cactus edible?
Comments (15)Hi all As Dave61 rightly notes, pretty much all cactus fruit are technically edible, but most range from bland to tasteless to unpleasant. Nevertheless there are a large number of cactus fruits that range from passably good to utterly delicious. Most will be at their best when just fully ripe, and often ferment or dry out soon afterward, so strike while the iron is hot. Perhaps the most commonly grown cacti with edible fruits are some of the Mammillarias. These fruits are often quite small, though in a few they can be the size of a nice plump raisin. One of the most commonly available species with tasty fruits is Mammillaria prolifera. Like the much larger but harder to find and to grow, fruits of some species of Echinocactus, the fruits of M. prolifera have a strawberry flavor. They are ready when they turn red, and once they start to shrivel may be past their prime. One wellgrown plant may yield scores of fruits in a summer. As to pollination, the majority of cacti are what are called "obligate outcrossers", that is, a clone cannot fertilize itself but must be crossed with a genetically different clone of the same species. Of course, in a house there would be no pollinators anyhow (though one might try hand pollination); and for fruit production, it is likely that if you have more than one plant of a similar sort, even if not the same species, they may still be crossable, at least to produce fruit. So if you have a Mammillaria crinita and a Mammillaria prolifera in bloom together (or a gracilis, or whathaveyou) and you want fruit, try using a small brush or Q-tip to transfer pollen from one plant onto the stigmas of the flowers in another... choosing the stronger plant to receive the pollen. Here in Florida we have a number of large cereoid cacti that grow in yards, the most common being Cereus repandus (syn Cereus peruvianus), whose large red fruits are quite tasty (the red rind is tough but the white pulp, laced with tiny black seeds, is excellent). And many of the local prickly pears, too, have nice fruits. (The Santa Rita and some other ornamental ones, alas, have dry or leathery fruits not very good for consumption.) Bon appetit! John in St Petersburg...See MoreBest indoor edible fruits/veggies?
Comments (0)So, I just bought a 4x8 stand with a commercial grow light. We are selling our house, which means that the garden outdoors is going bye-bye, so indoor gardening is the only option right now. Anyways, this thing is huge and the only place I can keep it is in the garage. While the garage is generally a neutral temperature, in zone 9b the garage can get quite hot sometimes (sometimes 85-90+ degrees). This is perfect for tropical fruits, which I have been growing for awhile now, but what about traditional garden fruits and veggies? I only have 32 sq. ft. of space not including floor space, and would like to pick crops/varieties that: - require as little space as possible - do well in containers - can tolerate heat - can tolerate humidity - can be hand-pollinated or are self fertile - produce high yields - produce as quickly as possible, or have a very short time to harvest - enjoy full sun and could grow alongside tropical fruits - are preferably a bush type or do not require a trellis Currently growing ginger, figs, papayas, dragon fruit, citrus, carambola (star fruit), acerola, and a variety of other funky things. I'm new to indoor gardening with standard vegetables though. The stand is designed for hydroponics, but I'm using soil. The plants have a fan for air circulation, and also have a humidifier. Will strawberries do well, or will they not like the heat/humidity I need to provide for my tropicals? Can some cool-weather crops be grown like root veggies or salad greens? Mainly I'm curious about: - artichokes - arugula - beets - cantaloupe - corn - cucumbers - eggplant - garlic - lettuce - mushrooms (not psychedelic ones) - okra - potatoes - radishes - raspberries - strawberries - summer squash/zucchini - sweet potatoes - tomatoes (beefsteak) - tomatoes (cherry) - watermelon Any personal experience on growing these indoors would be very helpful. Does anyone have any knowledge on growing these crops in a "tropical" environment indoors? Varieties, container size, and chances of growing in these conditions would be great to know! Thanks, Maddie...See Morered_sea_me
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agoshubies
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agodufflebag2002
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agored_sea_me
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agojohn_p_marmaro
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agoshubies
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agochargerfree_mindspring_com
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agobriana_2010
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agonorma_2006
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agosagebrush36
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoblutarski
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agowtliftr
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMatthew Perry
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoMatthew Perry
8 years agolkldsussex
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agolkldsussex
7 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDES15 Favorites for Your Summer Edible Garden
Get your summer garden off to a good start with these popular fruits and vegetables
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES6 Ways to Grow Edibles in Small Places
No big backyard? Join in the grow-your-own fun with these small-space ideas for planting vegetables, fruits and herbs
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSA Formerly Weedy Lot Now Brims With Edibles and Honeybees
Photographers transform their barren backyard into an oasis filled with fruit, vegetables, honey, eggs and more
Full StoryURBAN GARDENSContainers Make Growing Edibles a Cinch
If life hands you a lack of land, grow lemons — with a few basics, you can proudly reap the fruits, veggies and herbs of your labor
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSHow to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden
Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESShades of Vegetable Gardens: Growing Edibles in Less Sun
See how one gardener produces a veritable feast of vegetables and herbs under a canopy of shade
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENS6 Summer Edibles That Can Really Take the Heat
When garden temperatures soar, these herbs and vegetables rise to the challenge
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDHow to Grow Vegetables in Containers
Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix
Full StoryFRONT YARD IDEASWelcome Edibles Into the Front Yard for Fresh Food and More
Give your front yard design a boost and maybe even make new friends by growing fruits and vegetables
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNRecipe for Tropical Edible Garden Style
Appeal to exotic good taste with fruit trees, palms and tropical look-alikes in your temperate-climate garden
Full Story
john_p_marmaro