Fruit Trees
It is every gardener’s dream to pick a fruit from a tree in their garden. Because of our limestone soil and limited rainfall, growing fruit trees here in the Turks and Caicos can be a significant challenge. We offer a wide range of tropical fruit trees as well as the fertilizers and soil amendments to keep them happy. For the most part, our trees are grafted to preserve genetics and provide much earlier than fruit trees grown from seed.
Ackee Fruit
Picked and prepared correctly the fruit has a very unique creamy, buttery taste. It is almost exclusively prepared cooked, as though it were a vegetable.
Soil
Well-drained soil mix. 40% top spoil, 30% manure, 30% native
sunlight
Semi Shade to Full Sun
Avocado ‘Hass’
Dark green bumpy skin texture with a creamy avocado taste. Best if grown from graft as genetics tend to vary significantly. Mother strain derives from California although a Florida ‘Hass’ has been developed since.
Soil
Acidic soil mix. 30% top spoil, 50% manure, 20% native
sunlight
Semi Shade to Full Sun
Avocado ‘Lula’
The Lula is a Florida cultivar renowned for its great taste. It is a medium-sized, slightly elongated fruit that, once established, bears large amounts of pear-shaped fruit.
Soil
Acidic soil mix. 30% top spoil, 50% manure, 20% native.
sunlight
Semi Shade to Full Sun
Avocado ‘Oro Negro’
Persea americana 'Oro Negro'
Oro Negro is a rare hybird variety that has the taste similar to that of a Hass but more equipped for warmer growing conditions. The name translates to ‘Black Gold’ and it is almost exclusively grown from a graft.
Soil
Acidic soil mix. 30% top spoil, 50% compost and/or manure, 20% native
sunlight
Semi Shade to Full Sun
Banana ‘Goldfinger’
Musa acuminata ‘Goldfinger’
A hybrid developed in Honduras for its exceptional sweet taste and resistance to pests and fungus. The Goldfinger is a medium to large variety of banana.
Soil
Acidic soil mix with good drainage. 40% top-soil, 50% compost and/or manure, 10% native
sunlight
Semi Shade to Full Sun with wind protection
Cherry ‘Barbados’
The Barbados Cherry is a tropical shrub that grows exceptionally well in areas of intense heat. The fruit is famous for its extremely high % of Vitamin C. Unlike most fruit trees, the Barbados Cherry does well in drought-prone area.
Soil
Does well in most soils. Needs good drainage. 60% top-soil, 20% compost and/or manure, 20% native
Cherry ‘Suriname’
The Suriname cherry, is a hardy shrub that produces sweet, red, cherry-like fruits several times a year. Very sought after for it’s immune boosting nutritional benefits. The Suriname Cherry can withstand full sun and is relatively drought-tolerant. Can be planted and maintained as a hedge, tree or bush.
Soil
Does well in most soils. Needs good drainage. 60% top-soil, 20% compost and/or manure, 20% native.
sunlight
Semi Shade to Full Sun
Fig ‘Brown Turkey’
Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey”
The Brown Turkey Fig tree is an adaptable tree that can be grown in a multitude of climates. The fruits are brown/purple when ripe, sweet and can be eaten raw off the tree or in a preserve. They like moist soil, sun, and some wind protection.
Soil
Moist soils. 40% top-soil, 40% compost and/or manure, 20% native. Mulching helps
sunlight
Some Shade - Full Sun
Grapefruit ‘Ruby Red’
The Ruby Red grapefruit is a hybrid variety from the classic pink grapefruit. It’s coveted for its bright red pigment and its sweeter taste.
Soil
20% top-soil, 30% compost and/or manure, 40% peat moss 10% native.
sunlight
Full Sun. Some shade if in container
Guava ‘Asian’
The Asian Guava or ‘Apple Guava’ is the variety of guava that is yellow on the exterior and white on the inside when ripe. It is slightly more crunchy and has smaller seeds than other guava varieties.
Soil
30% top-soil, 30% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 20% native
sunlight
Full Sun. Some shade if in container
Guava ‘Barbie Pink’
The Barbie Pink variety of Guava produces a large green or yellow fruit when ripe that is bright pink on the inside. A fast-ripening fruit with a strong guava fragrance.
Soil
30% top-soil, 30% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 20% native
sunlight
Full Sun. Some shade if in container
Guava ‘Ruby Supreme’
The Ruby Supreme variety of Guava is almost identical to the Pink Barbie variety. The fruits are generally a bit darker and the tree shorter and bushier.
Soil
30% top-soil, 30% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 20% native
sunlight
Full Sun. Some shade if in container
Jackfruit
A tree in the fig, mulberry and breadfruit family. Known for its size (largest fruit in the world) and it’s distinct sweet taste. Can be eaten ripe and also unripened where it is being used increasingly as a substitute for meat in a variety of cuisines.
Soil
Well-drained alluvial soil. 30% top-soil, 30% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 20% native.
June Plum
The June Plum is a fast-growing tree that grows bushels of ovuler fruit that are sweet and yellow when ripe. They can also be picked and prepared unripened as a chutney or preserve. Native to polynesia, this fruit is now well established throughout the Caribbean.
Soil
Well-drained soil. 30% top-soil, 40% compost and/or manure, 10% peat moss 20% native
sunlight
Full Sun or Slight Shade
Lemon ‘Meyer’
Is a variety of citrus originating from China that is a cross between a citron and a pomelo. It grows well as a container plant, enjoys the full sun and - when well fed - produces large amounts of fruit.
Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic soil. 30% top-soil, 40% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 10% native.
sunlight
Full Sun or Slight Shade if in Container.
Lime ‘Key Lime’
The Key Lime is a small round citrus with a stronger aroma and thinner peel then a regular lime. It is juicy, and often used in mixed drinks, deserts and marinades. Slightly hardier than other varieties of lime.
Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic soil. 30% top-soil, 40% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 10% native.
sunlight
Full Sun or Slight Shade if in Container.
Lime ‘Persian’
The Persian Lime is actually a cross between the Key Lime and a lemon. The fruits tend to be roughly 6cm in diameter and are very juicy. If you buy a lime at the supermarket, it is very likely to be a Persian Lime.
Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic soil. 30% top-soil, 40% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 10% native.
sunlight
Full Sun or Slight Shade if in Container.
Lychee
A tropical tree native to southeastern China. The fruit is red when ripe and has a super sweet fleshy, white meat that surrounds a dark seed in the middle. The red rind is not edible but very easily removed.
Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic soil. 35% top-soil, 40% compost and/or manure, 25% peat moss 10% native.
Mango
Our varieties include: ‘Haden’ ‘Glenn’ ‘Julie’ ‘East-Indian’ Pickering’ ‘Mallika’.
Mangoes love the heat and certain varieties of Mango are quite drought resistant. The major impediment to their growth here in the TCI however is the high PH of our soils. Which is why we recommend burying them in a large container with an acidic soil mix.
Soil
Well-drained, rich, acidic soil. 20% top-soil, 50% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 10% native.
sunlight
Slight shade - Full sun
Orange ‘Calamansi’
Citrofortunella microcarpa
A citrus hybrid native to the islands of the Phillippines where it is used in a variety of drinks and dishes. The calamondin can be grown as a short bush and produces large amounts of ping pong sized fruit which are easy to peel. Grows well in a container plant.
Soil
Well-drained potting mix. 30% top-soil, 30% compost and/or manure, 30% peat moss 10% native.
sunlight
Slight Shade - Full Sun
Otaheite Apple
A fast-growing tropical fruit tree native to southeast Asia and Australia that has been introduced to the Caribbean for several centuries now. It is bright red, with a white flesh that has the texture of a pear on the inside.
Soil
Well-drained, PH 6.5 - 7. 30% top-soil, 40% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 10% native.
sunlight
Slight shade - Full sun
Pigeon Plum
Native to the coastal areas of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas. A close relative of the native Sea Grape, with significantly larger fruit. Has many medicinal properties. Is used to make jellies, teas and wines.
Soil
Well-drained, sandy, rich soil. 50% top-soil, 20% peat, 10% compost, 20% native.
Pineapple
A tropical plant in the Bromeliad family. Easy to grow and propagate. Tastes sweeter when allowed to ripen in the sun. The pineapple fruit is actually a multitude of flowers that join together to make up a single fruit. It generally takes a year to bare its first fruit but continues to bare more frequently in following years.
Soil
Well drained potting mix.
Soursop
A large, sweet, grenade-shaped fruit native to South America and the Caribbean. Known as Guanabana in Spanish and Corossol in French, this large, coveted fruit is eaten raw or juiced when ripe. The leaves of the tree are used to make a soothing herbal tea, consumed to relieve stomach cramps and promote digestion.
Soil
Well drained, slightly acidic. 40% top-soil, 50% compost and/or manure, 10% native.
sunlight
Semi-shade - Full sun
Sugar Apple
A very sweet tropical fruit native to the tropical Americas & Caribbean. Sugar apple is high in energy and is a very good source of Vitamin C and Manganese. The tree tends to grow to between 10 and 20 feet. They flower in spring & fruit 2-3 months after.
Soil
Well drained. 30% top-soil, 30% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 20% native.
sunlight
Semi shade - Full sun
Starfruit / Carambola
A smaller fruiting tree native to Southeast Asia that produces beautiful pink flowers that develop into a sweet star-shaped fruit that is generally consumed raw or juiced. Although the tree doesn’t get very tall, when well maintained it produces a large yield.
Soil
Well drained, slightly acidic. 40% top-soil, 50% compost and/or manure, 10% native.
Tamarind (Round)
A leguminous tree native to tropical Africa. The pulp from the fruit is used in cuisines around the world, notably in central Africa, India and Mexico. It is a tart fruit, although the round variety tends to be sweeter in taste. It is high in vitamins B1, B2 & B3.
Soil
Deep, loamy soil. 40% top-soil, 20% compost and/or manure, 20% peat moss 20% native.
