Fruit trees need warmth and water to bloom and fruit.
Fruit trees are a pleasure and an asset to gardeners who grow them in the right conditions. Deciduous fruit trees like figs, plums and peaches are green year-round, and hardier than citrus and apple trees. Like any fruit tree, deciduous fruit trees need sun, warmth and water for successful growth. The warm, dry summer seasons of Hawaii provide ideal conditions for fruit growing, regardless of the type of tree. Also, the mild winters mean that you won't have to protect the tree for the cold season. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose a site for your deciduous fruit trees. As Hawaii is temperate-with zones 10 and 11 and lows getting to only 30 degrees Fahrenheit-it's safe to plant any fruit trees outdoors. Choose a site that offers full sun and good drainage, with approximately 10 feet of space for any tree. Although some fruit trees can self-pollinate, others cannot. Plan to plant two of each tree to ensure good, broad-based pollination and fruiting.
2. Amend soil for any deciduous fruit tree, to ensure good drainage and nutrition. Use a mixture of half organic compost and half quick-draining potting soil.
Turn your mixture into the top 2 feet of your planting sites, then plant deciduous fruit trees at their preferred planting depths (examples: peach trees prefer deep planting, whereas fig trees prefer shallow).
3. Hawaii summers can be dry, so hand water your fruit trees 3 to 4 inches a week. In winter, use hand waterings to supplement natural rainfall.
4. Fertilize deciduous fruit trees in spring, according to their unique needs. Fertilize with a phosphorous-heavy fertilizer to encourage blooming and fruiting. Since fruits are made up of mostly water, increase your waterings when the trees start to bloom, to increase fruit growth.
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