From Kiwifruit to Jackfruit: A Tropical Paradise Blooms at French’s Farm

French’s Farm: A Slice of Tropical Paradise Flourishing in Te Puke

Just a stone’s throw from Waitangi, on the verdant fringes of Te Puke, you’ll discover a true local treasure: French’s Farm. While the Bay of Plenty is globally celebrated for its vibrant green kiwifruit, a visit to Michael French and his daughter Kat offers a delightful, unexpected journey into the world of homegrown abundance. Here, you’ll find not only the freshest fruit, vegetables, and eggs, but also a simple, honest service that harks back to a simpler time. Yet, the real revelation at French’s Farm is Michael’s remarkable dedication to cultivating an astonishing array of tropical fruits, right here in the heart of New Zealand.

Stepping into Michael’s meticulously managed greenhouse is like crossing a threshold into a vibrant, humid ecosystem. The air is noticeably warmer, a stark yet welcome contrast to the typical New Zealand climate outside, and the lush greenery hums with a palpable energy. It’s immediately evident that this is far more than a casual hobby; it’s a precisely controlled environment where exotic flora doesn’t just survive, but truly thrives.

Michael, with an infectious enthusiasm, proudly showcases his burgeoning collection of tropical wonders. Imagine the awe of standing before a fruiting jackfruit, its impressive size hinting at a future harvest of this incredible, versatile fruit. But the jackfruit, while a star, is just one player in this tropical symphony. Michael’s deep interest in mangoes is particularly captivating, with a unique story accompanying each precious variety. He has successfully germinated an impressive thirty ‘Quesa’ mango seedlings and, remarkably, boasts five healthy plants derived from a single ‘R2E2’ mango seed – a testament to the polyembryonic nature of this variety, originally from Vietnam. His collection also includes South American mango varieties such as ‘Kent’ and another unnamed type, alongside an exquisite Indian peach mango, instantly recognizable by its beautiful red bloom, which is earmarked for future grafting endeavors.

Pineapples, too, are flourishing under Michael’s expert care. He and his family have perfected their propagation techniques, not only salvaging pineapple tops but also cleverly dividing roots to produce new “pups.” It’s a remarkable feat to grow commercial varieties like ‘canyennes’ alongside other smooth-leafed, less prickly types, right here in Te Puke’s unique microclimate.

But the tropical wonders at French’s Farm extend even further. Michael points out thriving cocoa plants, a testament to his innovative heating solutions, even when faced with the challenge of tunnel warmth. He’s also diligently cultivating star apples, a visually stunning purple fruit with delicate white flesh, and eagerly anticipates the first flowering of his impressive jackfruit, which remarkably weathered the previous winter under a protective tunnel. Even the more common papayas, often susceptible to New Zealand’s winter chills, are finding ways to flourish, with some surviving outdoors in ingenious hydroponic bins designed for superior drainage.

Beyond the sheer diversity of the collection, it’s the ingenious cultivation methods that truly impress. Michael meticulously regulates the greenhouse environment, employing low-powered fan heaters that automatically activate if the internal temperature dips below a crucial 8°C. This precise temperature management, while contributing to the farm’s power consumption, is absolutely non-negotiable for safeguarding these sensitive and incredibly valuable plants. Steve from Troppo generously shares fascinating insights into advanced propagation techniques like air layering, observing how this method can remarkably stimulate early flowering in both mangoes and jaboticaba, the latter having astonishingly fruited four times this year since being air-layered!

Beyond the captivating tropical fruits, French’s Farm offers a seasonal bounty of fresh, high-quality produce. You’ll discover beautiful red tropical guava seedlings, and even a rare white guava variety from Vanuatu. In addition, there are vibrant winter raspberries and a diverse range of other vegetables, all cultivated with the same unwavering dedication to quality and freshness.

A visit to French’s Farm is far more than a simple trip to purchase produce; it’s an immersive experience, an opportunity to witness agricultural innovation and a profound passion for growing. Michael, his family alongside his daughter Kat provide a refreshingly straightforward service, where the singular focus remains on the unparalleled quality and freshness of their homegrown treasures. For anyone with even a fleeting interest in tropical plants, a conversation with Michael about his flourishing jackfruit, mangoes, pineapples, and so much more, is an absolute privilege. It serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication, ingenuity, and an adventurous spirit, even in a region renowned for its kiwifruit, a thriving tropical paradise can indeed blossom.

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