Wow, what a read, Jay!! Thanks for sharing-on the contrary, it's not boring at all. I too enjoy growing obscure tropical fruit trees in containers (I live in Chicago) so I'm no stranger to this passion. I've heard about Whitman's garden tours for a while now and have always wanted to go. How does one book such a trip, and do you know if there is another one slated for this summer? A friend said he just calls him up although I'm reluctant to do that. Thanks!

Marcelo

I had made contact with a guy from Rare Fruit Growers of Broward Country Florida on another topic. We got to talking about this and that and he mentioned the tour. I expressed interest and he invited me. They try to do this only once a year for members only. You've got to remember that this guy is 94 years old. He's a very popular figure as you can imagine but the family tries to limit his exposure to the public...hence the tours only once a year. As far as making contact with him personally? That's a tough one. Even after meeting him, I would be reluctant to call due to the fact that he probably receives many such calls. You can find a contact at the following site: http://www.rfvcbroward.org

I don't believe the website is always kept up to date but it at least has some contact info. They have a great little nursery themselves down there as well and I was given a tour. The next Whitman tour probably won't be till next year. If you get a chance to go to Florida for a few days, definitely check out Fairchild Gardens showcasing Whitman's pavillion, & Fairchild's Kampong, which is where Fairchild resided when he as alive. 7 acres of nothing but fruit trees! While down there, I visited Bill Mee's lychee orchard from Lycheesonline. Fantastic! If you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer if I can. J

You didn't bore me at all! I read his book, the man is truly an inspiration! It's amazing what all he has grown and introduced to Florida and the US.

Ohiojay, that is so awesome that you appreciated this and flew down to see this farm. What's stopping you from moving down here and growing tropical fruit outdoors, because you already know so much about tropical fruit cultivation.

Believe me...I know very little about this subject. I'm getting by with lots of trial and error. I've made lots of contacts in this hobby and obtained lots of good info. I will tell you this. 99% of all the folks involved in this hobby are wonderful, extremely helpful, and willing to share in their experiences. As for moving down there? Well, with the job market the way it is...you stick with what you have and still hope for the best! Real estate is out of control down there as well. There is an obscene amount of people moving into Florida and especially the Miami area every single day. You can watch the price of land and/or housing go up like watching your water meter when watering the lawn! It would be great but for now I'm stuck in the weather armpit of the country...Ohio.

LOL funny statement about the weather in Ohio. Well I hope you get the opportunity to move down here soon because we could use more people like you down here!

Bore?? Are you crazy? Sounds like an incredible vacation and time you had. And this was in the continental U.S. I gotta meet Mr. Whitman some day. And How often can you find a large old fruiting mangosteen?
>You can watch the price of land and/or housing go up like watching your water meter
Sounds amazingly like California. =)
Without the humidity though.

It's funny thinking about the weather here in Ohio and Florida. I've been to Florida many many times in the past. It wasn't until the last couple of years that I've gained an appreciation for the weather in south Florida. Until I got into growing tropical fruit trees, the only thing concerning me about the weather was the affect it would have on the number of bikini-clad young ladies on the beaches! No appreciation whatsoever of the humidity laden atmosphere our fruit trees so love. Now the forecast has so much more significance. I used to complain about the humidity up here. Now I complain when the weather folks get all giddy and giggly when "we're going to get a break from this muggy weather". Bring it on! I have air conditioning that I can retreat to.

awesome post- you are really lucky to have gone on that tour- I'd like to try and go next year myself.

Amazing that breadfruit got him into all that. The breadfruit is my favorite fruit tree as well- not only is the fruit great and have such a history behind it (Captain Bligh, the Bounty, etc) but its leaves are beautiful, making it such a great looking tree.

I'm curious- exactly what part of Florida was he able to grow breadfruit? I've been wanting to try it, but it gets cold in my area.

here is a picture of some breadfruit I saw while visiting Tahtiti-

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.tiki-shirts.com/gallery/frenchpolynesia/aen

I have seen another tree wich looks exactly like breadfruit but the fruit itself, this one looks like a very tiny jackfruit, not sure about the name, and believe is more tolerant of low temps. Does any body know what I am writing about? Perhaps you can try this other tree with more chances of getting it trough the winter.

Leonel

Hi Leonel,

I think it might be the breadnut, Artocarpus camansi. Is it like the nonseeded breadfruit (A. altilis)in appearance, except the fruit is a bit smaller and is covered with small soft 'spines'? That might be the one you saw, although I'm not sure, as this species is just as cold sensitive as the nonseeded form.

Marcelo

Marcelo: This one is seeded. I took some fruits from a tree at a Pacific Sea beach. Will tell how my seedlings do in winter (last year low = 5°C in the country, 10°C in town), they are very fast growing, about 16" in 50 days.

Here is a picture of it: {{gwi:1310032}}

Leonel

He's in southern Miami area across the causeway. So he really isn't on the mainland per se. He said the open water helps warm the air more and keep temps a little higher. Not to say that they haven't experienced really cold times. I purchased his book and it is pretty interesting how they got things started...kind of where Dr. Fairchild left off in a way.

My mistake in the first post. I believe Mr Whitman will turn 91 this year. Not 94. My apologies to all.