Hi,

My name is Max Parker. I'm 14 years old, and I love gardening, hydroponics, etc. I've posted here before, but never introduced myself.

I live in Ventura, CA. It's pretty tropical here, and I'm damn glad that it is. The possibilities stretch very far.

I discovered Gardenweb some time ago, but then, I was very happy to discover the tropical fruit forum. I'm prone to taking on many different projects, endeavors, etc. but Tropical plants are one of the best, most challenging, and most interesting.

I own a couple tropicals, not many. I'm really interested in growing more, but money and location are two hurtles that are hard to overcome. I'm doing just mediocre in the tropical section, but most are non-producing ornamentals. A fatsia, some elephant ears, etc.

For now, all I can do to feed my habit is start seeds from grocery-store fruit. I already have about 50 strawberry papaya seedlings, my lychee seeds have germinated, my mango seed has a tiny, centimeter long sprout, and I'm always looking for more seeds to grow :) If you're feeling generous, I wouldn't be against anybody sending me a few tropical seeds ;)

I know it doesn't come true from store bought seeds, and I know it would be a long time before I get fruit, but I just like growing it. It's most of the fun of it.

I've been looking at nursery tropical fruit, etc. and I'll be living in Costa Rica by this time next year, but I'm really interested in tropical fruit now and this site will help tide me over before I can afford seeds or trees :D

I hope I'll make some friends on this forum, and I hope to get growing soon. If you have any questions, feel free. Thanks.

P.S. Since I know you guys like pictures, here are some of mine for you! For best effect, get "Text-To-Image"

My two best papayas, I've really pampered them.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010009-2.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010011-2.jpg

My mango seed is sprouting, finally. It looked dead but it has a nice root and tiny sprout.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010010-2.jpg

An Avo seedling, sprouted from a seed from our tree.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010012-2.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010013-2.jpg

Lychee seed germinating!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010014-2.jpg

My pepino melons are doing great. Is it a bad idea to transplant it to a bigger pot while it has fruit on it?

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010015-2.jpg

My Stevia Rebaudiana plant. I have two, and they're just fantastic.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/stoatmax/P1010016-2.jpg