Avocado Can Be Grown in Northeast Florida
|
The varieties that can tolerate the coldest temperatures are from Mexico such as 'Brogdon', 'Ettinger', 'Gainesville', 'Mexicola', and 'Winter Mexican' which are able to survive infrequent temperatures in the low 20s. 'Tonnage', 'Taylor', 'Lula', 'Kampong', 'Meya', and 'Brookslate' may be planted in areas with temperature ranges of 24°F-28°F. Moderately cold-tolerant types (25°F-30°F) include 'Beta', 'Choquette', 'Loretta', 'Booth 8', 'Hall', 'Monroe', and 'Reed'.
It might work best if you plant two different tree varieties to assist with pollination (see the publication listed below for specific directions). Trees should be planted in full sun in well drained soil, these plants do not like wet feet. Fertilize using 6-6-6-4 once every 1-2 months. Young trees should be irrigated twice a week if no rainfall occurs. It is important to irrigate on a consistent basis when trees are fruiting and certainly more water is needed on newly planted trees.
Check out the UF/IFAS publication on avocados for the homeowner for additional information: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG213
QUESTION: A friend gave me this plant and I was hoping you might know the name of it. TD
Butterfly Bush, Demonstration Garden
|
Clerodendrum plants can be propagated by seed or cuttings. They are incredibly easy to grow; some have become weedy and problematic because of this characteristic. We have a Clerodendrum in the demonstration garden called Butterfly bush, Clerodendrum myricoides 'Ugandense'. The one in the demonstration garden produces beautiful blue flowers which the butterflies and bees adore.
QUESTION: My son is intrigued with the fast running lizards with the blue tails. They run too fast for us to get a real good look at them. They appear to be striped. What can you tell me about them? BH
JORDI: Congratulations for having a child interested in nature. Cultivating that early curiosity will hopefully keep your child interested in learning about nature and how to protect it for years.
Florida Skink With Blue Tail
|
I am not an expert herpetologist so it could be any of the three and they are difficult to distinguish from each other without looking at specific scale formations under the tail. It is unlikely that you or I would be handling them closely enough to determine scale formations.
The Southeastern five-lined skink is the most common skink found in Florida with the five-lined being the least common. Both five-lined skinks grow 6-8 inches in length whereas the broad-headed skink is the largest of the three reaching lengths of over 12 inches. Five-lined skinks may be found in almost any habitat, but are most common in wooded areas with an abundance of fallen trees and stumps to hide in. Broad-headed skinks are more common along coastal regions but inhabit wooded areas as well.
As you stated, they move incredibly fast. In fact, I had some difficulty getting a photograph of one in my yard. The body of the lizard is neutral gray, brown or black. The five stripes, from which its common name is derived, are white to cream colored. Young skinks have the distinctive bright blue tail, which caught your son's eye. Once the skink reaches adulthood, the bright colored tail and stripes will fade. It will have a dull orange or red head but loses very little of its fast movement. They eat insects, spiders and small invertebrates; therefore we consider them beneficial animals to have around the landscape. Like many other lizards, they can lose their tail as a defensive mechanism.
____________
Rebecca L. Jordi
Environmental Horticulture Agent III
543350 U. S. Highway #1
Callahan, FL 32011
904 548-1116 or 904 879-1019
http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu
____________