Brevard Tropical Fruit Club

Brevard Tropical Fruit Club Brevard Tropical Fruit Club
Central Florida fruit growers network
Hands on education and one of the area’s largest tree sales 🌴 History of BTFC….

The club was originally formed as the Brevard Rare Fruit Council in 1982 by a group of local fruit lovers who wanted to share their experiences of growing sub tropical and tropical fruit trees here in Brevard County. Since our county is just above the sub-tropic zone growing these fruits can present some challenges but as we have shown for many, many years you CAN enjoy the fruits of your labor!!

The name of the organization was changed in 2012 to better reflect what we do. We also offer scholarships each year to students who are pursuing a higher education in agriculture/horticulture. Who we are...

The Brevard Tropical Fruit Club is a 501c non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the introduction, propagation and distribution of new species, improved varieties and mutations of fruit plants. Through our monthly meetings, seminars and field trips, we collect and share information regarding propagation techniques, growth characteristics, cold and salt tolerances, and other environmental requirements. Brevard Tropical Fruit Club is part of an alliance of Tropical & Rare Fruit Councils from Florida to California and Hawaii. What we do...

Club members exchange seeds, cuttings, grafts and young trees at club meetings or among themselves. You could say that there's a bit of "Johnny Appleseed" in all of us, since our goal is to make fruit trees readily available and to encourage everyone to grow edible landscaping plants. Many of the members are specialists in specific varieties of fruit trees, and are eager to share this knowledge with others. How strong we are...

The Brevard Tropical Fruit Club over 300 active members from across the United States. Currently we have members from as far away as California, Indiana, New York, and New Jersey. Membership has increased steadily over the past years. Typical increases of 10 to 15 percent per year have been realized. Don't miss out - join today!

09/03/2026

BREVARDEOC Rabies Alert

Join us Wednesday, August 26th at 6:30 PM at the Front Street Civic Center for Bats, Gardens & Fruit Trees! This month’s...
08/17/2026

Join us Wednesday, August 26th at 6:30 PM at the Front Street Civic Center for Bats, Gardens & Fruit Trees! This month’s speaker is Ariel Horner, MSc, President of the Florida Bat Conservancy, who will share how bats support pollination, seed dispersal, and natural pest control, all things that matter for backyard fruit growers. She’ll be bringing two live bat ambassadors, so come meet them in person! See you there. 🦇

Peanut Butter Fruit (Bunchosia argentea, sometimes sold as Bunchosia glabrifolia)Peanut butter fruit is native to South ...
08/11/2026

Peanut Butter Fruit (Bunchosia argentea, sometimes sold as Bunchosia glabrifolia)

Peanut butter fruit is native to South America, mostly Venezuela and Colombia, and it’s a relative of the Barbados cherry family (Malpighiaceae). It got its name because the ripe fruit has a mild, almost nutty, peanut butter like flavor and texture once you get past the skin. It’s been grown in South Florida dooryard gardens for decades because it’s tough, cold tolerant for a tropical, and produces reliably even for backyard growers who aren’t chasing perfect conditions.

The tree itself is attractive too. Small yellow flowers give way to bright red fruit that ripens from green to orange to deep red. I really like this one, it’s an easy grower and a fun one to introduce to people who haven’t tried it before. If anyone in the club is growing this one too, I’d love to hear how yours is doing.

A few highlights from our BTFC Zip Trip to Four Lions Tropical Orchard in Merritt Island! 🌴🥭Our members had the opportun...
08/11/2026

A few highlights from our BTFC Zip Trip to Four Lions Tropical Orchard in Merritt Island! 🌴🥭

Our members had the opportunity to walk the property, see the tropical fruit trees Roger Jubert is growing, ask questions, and share knowledge along the way.

Zip Trips are a great opportunity for our members to get out into the community, visit local growers, and see firsthand what others are successfully growing here in Brevard County.

Thank you again to Roger for opening Four Lions Tropical Orchard to our members and making this visit possible.

Enjoy a few photos from the day! 📸🌱🥭

08/11/2026

A special thank you to Roger Jubert of Four Lions Tropical Orchard in Merritt Island for opening his property to the Brevard Tropical Fruit Club for our recent Zip Trip.

Roger is a longtime BTFC member and generously shared his time, knowledge, and experience with our members as he guided us through his tropical fruit orchard.

In this video, Roger gives us an introduction to the property and what we would be seeing during our tour.

Roger also grows and sells mangoes right here on Merritt Island.

Thank you, Roger, for your continued support of BTFC and for welcoming our members to Four Lions Tropical Orchard. We truly appreciate your hospitality and willingness to share your knowledge with the club. 🌴🥭

🌱 Did you know?One of the traditions at our monthly BTFC meetings is our Sharing Table.Members often bring seeds, cuttin...
07/23/2026

🌱 Did you know?

One of the traditions at our monthly BTFC meetings is our Sharing Table.

Members often bring seeds, cuttings, scions, fruit, pineapple slips, small plants, and other tropical treasures to share with fellow members. If there’s something you’d like, you’re welcome to take it home and give it a try in your own garden.

Last night’s Sharing Table included Everglade tomatoes, melon seeds, pineapple slips, and more. It’s always fun to see what members bring each month.

A few reminders:
🍃 Sharing only—no selling.
🍃 No citrus or citrus propagation material.
🍃 Please bring only healthy, pest-free material.
🍃 Please label items whenever possible.

It’s just one more way BTFC members help each other learn, grow, and enjoy tropical fruit gardening.

See you at next month’s Sharing Table! 🌿

❄️ Has one of your tropical fruit trees been damaged by a freeze?Proper pruning is essential for helping trees recover, ...
07/20/2026

❄️ Has one of your tropical fruit trees been damaged by a freeze?

Proper pruning is essential for helping trees recover, reducing disease, and encouraging healthy new growth. Knowing how, when, and what to prune can make all the difference.

Join the Brevard Tropical Fruit Club for an informative presentation by Johnnie Stevenson on:

🌿 Pruning After a Freeze
How, When, and What to Prune

📅 Wednesday, July 22
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Front Street Civic Center

Whether you grow mangoes, avocados, lychees, jackfruit, or other tropical fruit trees, you’ll leave with practical pruning techniques you can use in your own landscape.

Guests are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Nancy, beloved wife of our longtime member and past board member, ...
07/11/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Nancy, beloved wife of our longtime member and past board member, Ron.

Ron has been a valued member of our organization for more than 20 years, and during this difficult time, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with him and his family. Please keep Ron and all who knew and loved Nancy in your thoughts and prayers.

From all of us at BTFC, we extend our deepest sympathies.

Fresh Goji Berries from my garden! ❤️Another little harvest today. Every day there are a few more ripe berries to pick. ...
06/26/2026

Fresh Goji Berries from my garden! ❤️

Another little harvest today. Every day there are a few more ripe berries to pick. This goji berry has been growing in a container for several years after I bought it at one of our Brevard Tropical Fruit Club tree sales.

Many people only know goji berries in their dried form, but I actually enjoy eating them fresh right off the plant. They have a unique flavor that’s hard to describe. Mild, slightly sweet, and a little earthy or herbal. Definitely different from the dried berries sold in stores.

Goji berries are a nutritious fruit and are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. They’re especially rich in zeaxanthin, a natural carotenoid that helps support healthy eyes.

One thing I like about this plant is that it grows well in a container here in Central Florida. Since goji berries are deciduous, they naturally lose their leaves during the winter and then flush back out in the spring before producing another crop.

Has anyone else tried growing fresh goji berries in Florida?

🎙️ June Guest Speaker: Sally ScaleraWe are pleased to welcome Sally Scalera from the UF/IFAS Extension office in Cocoa. ...
06/18/2026

🎙️ June Guest Speaker: Sally Scalera

We are pleased to welcome Sally Scalera from the UF/IFAS Extension office in Cocoa. A highly respected urban horticulture agent with more than 30 years of experience, Sally will present an informative program on fruit tree pollinators—an essential topic for anyone growing fruit trees in our area.

Understanding pollination can make the difference between a healthy harvest and disappointing fruit production. Sally will discuss which pollinators are most important, how to attract and support them in your landscape, and what local gardeners can do to improve fruit set and yields.

Following last month’s presentation on pest & diseases on fruit trees, this month’s topic continues our focus on helping gardeners grow healthier, more productive plants through practical, science-based techniques.

Join us for what promises to be an engaging and educational program. Whether you are an experienced fruit grower or just getting started, you’ll come away with valuable information you can put to use right away. 🌱🐝🍊

Address

2205 Front Street
Melbourne, FL
32901

Opening Hours

6:30pm - 9pm

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