Fruit Bearing Trees in Partial Shade?

15 years ago

Hello all.

I posted this in the Tropcials forum afew days ago. It was suggested I also post it in my home state forum too, so sorry for the double post! But maybe someone here has already tried what I'm about to do.

I have a great desire for fruit bearing tropical trees but I have several things working against me. Let me list them and maybe some of you can make suggestions.

I live in a condo and I don't own the ground off my back porch, so all of my trees need to be in containers. I've been reading about caring for container trees and I'm prepared for the dedication they require. This might be an advantage because I could bring them inside for the few frosty nights we get here in Central Florida.

I only have access to land up to about 10' from my back door. My "yard" faces East and the neighboring property has trees lining the edge. As a result I get limited sun. It's filtered in the morning, about two-three hours of direct light when the sun is high (enough to bake some of my herbs), and complete shade in the afternoon when the sun is on the other side of the building.

Do I have any hope of having fruit on my trees some day? I'm especially interested in Mango, Banana, Avocado, Orange, Star Fruit, and Fig. If anyone has suggestions for what kind of fruit tree might do well in my conditions I'm totally open to suggestion! I'm just trying to get my feet wet and have fun doing it.

Thanks!

-Piri

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Comments (3)

gcmastiffs
15 years ago
Small varieties of Bananas might do well there. I'd also be tempted to try a "Condo" Mango, but most fruiting plants require plenty of sun. A dwarf Citrus may survive, since folks grow them up north in containers, but they do get to spend summers outside in sun.

A Miracle Fruit shrub would do fine in partial shade, and they grow well in containers, in an acidic soil mix.

Star Fruit trees get big, Avocados are quite difficult (at least for me) and I sure would recommend Figs-they are tough as nails!

I'm currently growing Dwarf Ambarella in a pot, and it is blooming/setting fruit at less than 16" tall. It gets afternoon sun only, and is doing great!

Lisa
naomilovesflipflops
15 years ago
Lisa- do you have any of the condo mangoes that you could recommend a variety on? I was checking them out @ Pine Island a little while back and was thinking about having Santa drop one or two off for my 5 year old mango lover for Christmas. He brought 2 pomegranate trees last year and she freaked! Her 2 favorite fruits. She's got the genes baby. What kid goes crazy for a fruit tree at Christmas? She started her Christmas list last month and there is one thing on there- the Audubon Field Guide to FL. LOL ;-)

Any recommendations on the patio tree mangoes would be appreciated. Don't have room for a full size mango.

And Piri- how about a dwarf meyer lemon tree? They have beautiful full size fruiting trees out @ Pell's in Osteen for about $75.

Naomi
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the_musicman
15 years ago
Figs could work for sure.
I've heard that both Guava and Sugar Apple will do well in containers and with partial shade.

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Fruit Bearing Trees in Partial Shade?

Comments (3)

gcmastiffs

naomilovesflipflops

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the_musicman

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