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Senior Voice of Citrus County - NOVEMBER 2020 • 7
Two Hot New Florida Edibles FRANKLY SPEAKING
By BJ Jarvis, Citrus County
Extension Director Celebrate!
Citrus has long been the signature By Frank
Florida crop, but with all the disease and Jolliff
insect challenges, growers are looking
for new crops. Two plants are starting Here we are
to share the produce field: vanilla and another November
dragon fruit. - the month
we remember
Florida growers have begun growing
vanilla as a new cash crop. Vanilla salsa or smoothies, grilled or made our veterans.
is derived from a rather non-descript into wine. The fruit skin has a rather Normally, this is
orchid that produces green flowers unpleasant taste, so is generally not my busy time. I usually visits the
when mature. The bean or pod contains eaten. high schools as “the veteran in the
millions of tiny seeds. Soaked in classroom” where I explain my
alcohol, the seeds develop their Growing a dragon fruit plant requires time in the Army and the benefits
distinctive flavor. Don’t look for a full sun and well-drained soil. In south and opportunities that the military
bumper crop being grown commercially Florida plots, the climbing cactus plant provides.
here in central Florida since the orchids is supported on sturdy posts. The post I also am involved in Veterans
are tropical. However, citizens can should be able to support a plant up to Appreciation Week and do monthly
grow them here as they can be brought 100 pounds, yet low enough to harvest visits to several retirement homes
indoors on cold night, which isn’t the fruit. to chat with the senior vets. In
commercially feasible. Aside from cold Extremely showy fragrant flowers previous years, I was able to do one
weather, local orchid enthusiasts often usually appear within 9-12 months, then or two presentations of my book,
pollinate the flower by hand to reliably annually thereafter. A mature plant can “365 and a Wake-Up,” about my
coax fertile seed pods. tour of duty in Vietnam with the 9th
produce 20 pounds or more of delicious
Dragon fruit is another unique fruit per plant. Enough for a family to Infantry during the TET offensive.
plant gaining popularity in local enjoy. Google the book, read the reviews,
produce markets. This cactus is low If you are looking for a new, unusual call me at 352-513-4389 or e-mail
maintenance, drought tolerant, and has plant, or just curious about exotic plants frankj9514@yahoo.com and get a
low fertilizer needs. As this sprawling in the market, then vanilla orchids and first edition autographed copy for
cactus grows, it produces a bright pink dragon fruit are right up your alley. $15.00.
fruit on the outside with white inner I am proud of my service and love
flesh speckled with black seeds. The Contact the Extension office for the attitude and gratitude of the
flavor is sometimes described as a mix information on this or other gardening people of Citrus County. GOD
between a pear and a kiwi, and offers questions at 352-527-5700 or at BLESS AMERICA!
many healthful qualities. Rather firm MasterG1@ufl.edu.
inner flesh is eaten fresh or mixed into
isdom fr
Pearls of W
Pearls of Wisdom from Dave Barry
om Dav
e Barry
er 50 year
v
s to learn.”
Or, “Things it took me over 50 years to learn.”
Or, “Things it took me o
1. There is a very fine line between “hobby” we observe daylight savings time. to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This
and “mental illness.” 5. You should never say anything to a is very important. Pay attention. It never
2. You should not confuse your career with woman that even remotely suggests that fails.)
your life. you think she’s pregnant unless you can 7. Never be afraid to try something
3. Never lick a steak knife. see an actual baby emerging from her at new. Remember that a lone amateur
4. You will never find anybody who can give that moment. built the Ark. A large group of skilled
professionals built the Titanic.
you a clear and compelling reason why 6. A person who is nice to you, but rude
