308 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1954 ADAPTABILITY OF FLORIDA TO LANDSCAPE USE

JasperN. Joiner used as landscape features. When fruiting trees and are used effectively they Florida Agricultural Extension Service provide an additional attraction and talking point for retired personnel. Gainesville I certainly do not mean to imply that fruit The wide selection of that are so well ing alone should be used in the land adapted for landscape use in Florida simplifies scape picture for this could create a monoto the problem of living more completely on a nous situation. The ideal situation is a mix small plot of land. This approach to the ture of plants used for their ornamental value landscape problem is particularly important to along with plants used for their ornamental many of our retired home owners who are in and fruiting values. terested in the recreation of maintaining the Where can fruiting plants be used in the home grounds as well as having as wide a landscape plan? There are sufficient varieties variety of home grown fruits as possible. to fit into every phase of any landscape plan- First let's have a look to see what the land as base plants, border and screening plants, as scape plan is supposed to do. A good land accent plants and as shade and scaling fea scape job must (1) improve the looks of the tures. home and home grounds, (2) increase the In Florida, with its wide climatic variations, utility of the grounds, (3) increase the value our choices range from deciduous fruits, com of the property and (4) add to the enjoyment mon to northern states, to the most tropical of and recreational activities of the home. plants rarein all other areas of the United It is rather unfortunate that more emphasis States. Certainly our choices are restricted is not placed on fruit-producing plants in our by the area of the state in which we live. But landscape designs. Is there anyone who can regardless of area we should be able to have deny that many of the trees and shrubs grown fruiting plants for any landscape feature and in Florida which produce edible fruits are variety enough to provide fruit for the family some of the most ornamental plants available? table all seasons of the year. When used and maintained properly in a Obviously in only 15 minutes we cannot landscape plan they certainly fulfill the first cover all of the fruits available and list their requirement of landscaping—improve the landscape adaptability, but let's cover typical beauty of the home and the property. examples for all areas of the State. For pur In addition to providing beauty—an intangi poses of discussion let's divide Florida into ble and relative item-fruiting trees can pro three areas-North and Northwest Florida, vide shade and food for the family. This food Central Florida and South Florida. Included item is important to most families. Fruits, as in North and Northwest Florida is that area a basic part of the diet, are items many fami north of the northernboundaries of Citrus, lies cannot afford, some will notbother to Marion and Volusia Counties. From this buy, but all need them for a balanced, health point south to the southern boundaries of ful diet. Although strictly ornamental trees Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola and Brevard will increase the utility of the home grounds Counties will be considered Central Florida by providing shade and scaling effects for the and the remainder of the State will be consid home itself, fruiting trees do this, PLUS pro ered South Florida. viding food-healthful food-for the family* One of the outstanding shade trees and one How about increasing the value of the well adapted to scaling large properties is the property? Do not fruiting trees and shrubs— pecan. It is ideal as a background or fore- when used properly to blend in the landscape ground and for an area where shade is de picture—do double duty in increasing real es sired in the summer and sun in the winter. tate values? Contractors have told me that It is a large tree with varieties that produce the average landscape plan will increase the upright growth habits and others that produce value of property by 15%—quite an increase. rounded tops. The pecan sheds its This is considering only ornamental plants rapidly which makes the cleanup job easier JOINER: LANDSCAPING 309 than when oaks or other slow-shedders are also adaptable for pattern effects and screen used. The major disadvantage to this fruit is ing on wire fences. scab which often completely destroys the crop The myrtle family gives an excellent land of nuts. Home owners should only scab scape fruit for this area—Feijoa sellowiana, resistant varieties such as Stuart, Curtis, El commonly known as pineapple guava. If left liot, Russel, Waukeenah and Farley, for it unpruned this is a small tree, but can be used would be too expensive to spray for the con in the base planting or in the enclosing trol of this disease pest. bery border. It makes a beautiful contrast In lieu of redbud, Cercis canadensis, or tree in an ornamental planting since the flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, why not leaves are glossy bluish green on the upper use the crab , Pyrus augustifolia, with its surface and silver grey on the lower. showy and edible fruit and satsumas, Central Florida homeowners have a wealth Cftrus reticulata, kumquats, Fortunella spp. or of semi-tropical fruiting material to choose citrangedins, a cold hardy trispecific hybrid, from in making up their landscape plan. This with their dark green, fine-textured foliage, area is too warm for most of the deciduous willowy growth habits, beautiful white, fra fruiting crops and they should be left for the grant flowers and colorful yellow-orange fruit. more northern areas. The kumquats, F. japonica, round kum When thinking of fruit production in this quats, and F. margarita, oval kumquats are area of the State one can't help thinking first small, bushy trees that can be used in any of citrus since this fruit is so well known for shrubbery border or as corner subjects in the its commercial value. In addition to the regu base plantings from this area south. lar round oranges, tangerines and grapefruit Citrus varieties in this area should be bud- which are beautiful trees in any landscape ed on rootstocks which will give them the plan, homeowners should be on the lookout greatest degree of cold hardiness such as for the new citrus hybrids that are being re Poncirus trifoliata and Severinia buxifolia. leased. The tangelos, crosses between tan The S. buxifolia also produces a dwarfing ef gerines, Citrus reticulata and grapefruit, C. fect which is especially desirable where the paradisi, tangors, crosses between tangerines, tree is to be used on small properties. C. reticulata and sweet oranges, C. sinensis, The fig, Ficus carica, with its low branch are especially desirable from a landscape point ing habits can be used effectively in the en of view. Other hybrids such as limequats, closing border, or around unsightly objects citrangequats, and tangequats, citrumelos, cit- such as woodpiles, to hide them from view. randarins have tree growth habits to fit al Its coarse textured leaves and branches and most any spot and fruits for any occasion. general grey-green color adds interest and Of the more common citrus varieties the lends it to use as a scaling subject. Fig roots mandarins or kid glove group of citrus are are among the most susceptible to the root- generally good for enclosing borders and cor knot nematode and thus heavy mulching ner plantings. Many varieties in this group should be practiced. Apparently no nema- such as the King are upright in habit with tode-resistant variety of fig has been found. large, broad leaves and deep orange colored As a shrub in this area what could be fruit. Other varieties such as the Dancy tan prettier than the blueberry? It is a close gerine and Ponkan have willowy habits of relative of and combines well with the azalea growth that offer excellent contrast in devel and likes the same acid soil conditions. Blue oping interesting texture groupings in the berries provide yellow, gold and red fall colors landscape plan. The Ponkan can be trained plus the excellent combination of pink flowers as a dwarf. and blue fruit. For home use the rabbit-eye Bright yellow-fruited lemons and limes type, Vaccinium ashei, is recommended. Ever with their intense green fruits have low, bushy green varieties, Vaccinium ovatum, are now growth characteristics and almost year round available which are prized as ornamental bearing habits that make them desirable in plants. Such varieties can be used in base any border planting where privacy is desired. plantings or in bordering hedges. Grapes, For a specimen tree that will draw attention blackberries, raspberries, and dewberries can at any time of year you can't beat a calamon- be used, when trimmed properly, as low shrub din, C. mitis, with its acid fruit. This stately bery borders or along fence rows. They are tree with its columnar habit of growth and 310 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1954 small, yellow, tangerine-like fruit is outstand dainty small, creamy flowers that are especial ing. In addition it is a good corner plant for ly attractive if coppery-colored young leaves large buildings. are present, and downy myrtle or hill goose Before leaving the Rutaceae family let's dis , Rhodcmyrtus tomentosa, with its light cuss a citrus relative that more homeowners green smooth leaves and rose-pink to light should know about and use. It is the white- purple flowers. sapote, Casimiroa edulis. It can be used with South Florida with its tropical climate can safety in the lower half of the Central section be the showiest, and most unusual-looking and and throughout the Southern area. The thin- exotic of the three areas with such an unlimit skinned fruit of this tree has a rich golden ed number of rare fruiting plants to choose yellow color, tinged with green. It is rich in from in planning home landscapes. Of course vitamin C and A and nearly as rich in carbo many of the plants mentioned for the other hydrates and proteins as the banana. The sections of the State can be grown as well foliage varies from light to dark green but is here. always bright and attractive. In the large-tree class to provide shade, The avocado, Persea americana, a member scaling and special interest are several of the of the Lauraceae or laurel family is one of the tropical fruiting trees. Ace among these is most pleasant of dooryard trees and has, for the mango, Mangifera indica, with its orna many years, been important because of the mental leaves that are at first a rich, coppery- food supply it offered early settlers. It gives red or purple then light green, slowly develop excellent shade and because of its stately pro ing into the characteristic dark green. The portions is unexcelled as a specimen tree. fruit is one of the finest in the tropics and For sheer beauty as a specimen subject or, while hanging on the tree is a definite attrac because of its low branching habits, as a link tion. in the enclosing shrubbery border you can't The finely pinnate foliage of the tamarind, beat the Lychee, Litchi chinensis. Nothing Tamatindus indica, makes it a prized orna can be more ornamental than this semi-tropical mental. Its relatively open foliage makes this tree when it is loaded with its clusters of small tree an excellent specimen in any location light red fruit. The flowers are also attractive where it's important to have shrubs, flowers and the leaves in young growth flushes tend to or grass growing under a tree. The attrac have an orange coppery red color. The trees tive flowers have yellow petals with red veins. are evergreen, round topped with beautifully Incidentally, the fruit of this legume is delici drooping pinnate leaves. ous eaten fresh or prepared into drinks, pre Don't forget the relatively insect-and dis serves and chutneys. ease-free loquat, Eriobotrya japonica. It is The star apple, Chrysophyllum cainito, has generally a rounded, spreading tree with dark dark green, waxy leaves with bronze, pubes green leaves which often grow to a foot in cent undercoats and is one of the most beauti length on succulent shoots. It is an interest ful of tropical trees. It is slightly larger than ing study in texture and can be used to offer the sapodilla, Anchras zapota, another out contrast and a big-leaved tropical atmosphere. standing dooryard tree. Branches of the sapo In any area where a tropical effect is de dilla meet the trunk at nearly right angles and sired—whether in the base planting or out on are strongly attached. It also provides chicle the property line the papaya, Carica papaya, used in the manufacture of chewing gum. serves well due to its coarse textured leaves, For smaller trees and those with low stems and fruits. This is hardly a tree, but is branching habit that can be used in enclosing more herb-like due to its succulence. It's big shrubbery borders there are the jaboticaba, leaves give a decided tropical effect and its Myrciaria cauliflora, with its interesting and fruit is one of the choicest of all tropical unusual flowering and fruiting habits, and dishes. mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana, with its For hedge and base plants or small trees, fruit that is acclaimed by travelers as having Central Floridians can use feijoa, as mentioned the best flavor of any fruit in the tropics. The for the northern section, cattley guava, Psid- tree has deep green, leathery leaves 6 to 10 ium cattleianum, with its glossy foliage and inches long. coppery red or yellow fruit, pitanga or Suri Also in the small tree class is the common nam cherry, Eugenia uniflora, which has guava, Psidium guajava, with its attractive BROWN: HYDROPONICS 311

foliage and bright, smooth bark. There are ew nut, but time and space does not permit seedling selections now available that are listing even all of the most important practically seedless. of plants adaptable for landscape uses that Fruiting plants adaptable as shrubs include serve also to provide delicious and nourishing Governor's plum, indica, kei-apple, fruits for family meals. caffra, Ceylon gooseberry, Dovyalis The important point to stress, in my opinion, hebecarpa and the Barbados cherry, Malph- is that Floridians should never complete a ghia glabra, which is one of the best sources of landscape plan without using at least one vitamin C known. fruiting plant in the design and certainly no There are so many others that could be used home-owning family in the State should be and named such as the banana, coconut, cash without a home-grown supply of fruits.

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF CROPS IN HYDROPONICS

Raleigh J. Brown, Jr., Horticulturist wire netting, hardware cloth, or some other material. The solution must be aerated in or Florida Christian College der to supply sufficient oxygen to the roots. Temple Terrace, Tampa This can be done by mixing air with the solu tion as it is circulated or by bubbling air into Hydroponic is one of the several terms ap the solution. This need for aerating the solu plied to a method of growing plants without tion and the difficulty of supporting the plants the use of soil. A more descriptive term is are disadvantages of this method. Also the "Nutriculture," which may be defined as any control of the composition of the nutrient solu method of growing plants without using a tion is more exacting than in the other methods natural soil complex, with the essential min of soilless culture. eral elements added in a synthetically pre In the subirrigation method of culture, wat pared nutrient, solution or ion exchange com-, ertight beds or benches are filled with gravel plex. or other suitable inert material which is irri There are three general methods used in gated from the bottom of the bed. This the production of crops with nutrient solutions. method overcomes many of the limitations of These are (1) sand culture; (2) water culture; the sand-culture and water culture systems. (3) subirrigation culture, also called gravel The New Jersey and Indiana Agricultural Ex culture. periment Stations did most of the original work In the sand culture method the beds or con on this system. This is the system that has tainers are filled with sand and the nutrient been adopted in Florida. Some modifications solution is applied to the surface of the sand. have been developed through the years and This method is simple and is capable of pro undoubtedly other changes will occur. It is ducing good crops, but its main usefulness is known here in Florida as the gravel culture, found in experimental studies. It is not very open flume system. well suited for large-scale production of crops With this system all of the solution is car because it is wasteful of water and nutrient ried to and from the beds by means of a solution. Also, if not covered, the sand be flume so that no piping or valves are neces comes waterlogged during rainy periods and sary except at the sump tank when the solu the roots are damaged from lack of air. tion is stored in an overhead tank, or at the The water-culture method received much pump when a below-ground cistern is used. attention during the 1930's. Workers in Cali The beds are built of suitably reinforced fornia used this method for production of concrete, although some of the latest gardens crops, the Agricultural Experiment Station here in Florida have decreased their construc there contributing much toward its develop tion cost by pouring the concrete bottom of ment. Plants are grown with their roots sus the bed separately and making the sides of pended in shallow tanks of nutrient solution. concrete blocks. The bottoms of the beds The plants are supported over the tanks by slope slightly from sides to middle, with a