========================================== Rare Fruit News Online - All Year for 1999 ========================================== Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. To see back issues of the newsletter, visit the online group, "OldRFN" OldRFN is at http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX Please keep me advised of trouble with the OldRFN webpage. ------------------Index: What's in this issue?------------------- --Leo's Notes #1,2, and 3 --New Subscribers From: Steve Fleischaker Subject: New Subscriber (Renew) St. Petersburg, FL From: Christina Stufflefield Subject: New Subscriber TN Needs Help Growing Citrus Indoors From: Kirt Nieft Subject: New Subscriber, Hawaii, Looking For Cash Crops In Rare Fruit --Readers Write From: Bruce Livingston Subject: Website improvements (Impressive! Leo) From: Leo To: santol Subject: Re: Website improvements From: Bruce Livingston Subject: Re: Website improvements AND Nurseries In Florida From: Leo To: Bruce Livingstone Subject: Re: Website improvements AND Nurseries In Florida From: "Helga and Bert Dunn" Subject: Will Papaya Fruit In Pot?? From: Eunice Messner To: Bert Dunn Subject: Re: Will Papaya Fruit In Pot?? From: Eunice Messner To: tgreaves@primeco.com Subject: Gwen avocado source From: Eunice Messner To: Permacltur@aol.com Subject: Paw paws (Asimina)& mycorrhizae From: "Les Warren" Subject: Source for Marula From: "zambesi" Subject: Re: Tropical Fruit Nursery - Source of Marula! From: "Holzinger, Bob" Subject: Newsletter Format and Seeds From: "Monroe, William" Subject: Newsletter Format, and Visit http://www.brevardrarefruit.org From: Geoffrey Dunn To: "Raymond N. Gerlach" Subject: Buddhas' Hand Citron From: moshe nadler Subject: Re: ANA (Anna) Apple From: Leo To: moshe nadler Subject: Re: ANA (Anna) Apple From: Kevin Hickey Subject: Some Australian Fruit and Nut Trees From: Eunice Messner To: Sven Merten Subject: Receipt of tissue culture procedures Subject: RE: Did I Lose Your Email? If So, Please Send It Again From: Dick Smith: RASmith49@aol.com From: Eunice Messner To: RASmith49@aol.com Subject: Subject: Ice cream banana - Continued From: Eunice Messner Subject: Tropical landscape in a temperate zone From: Les Warren Subject: Source for Marula From: Alan Smith Subject: Re: Tropical Fruit Nursery - Have Web Page? From: Eunice Messner To: Dan Subject: Paw paws (Asimina) & mycorrhizae From: Eunice Messner To: tgreaves@primeco.com Subject: Gwen avocado source From: Ben Poirier Subject: Germinating Illama Seeds - My Way From: Ben Poirier Subject: Germinating Illama Seeds - My Way - Continuing From: Eunice Messner Subject: Tropical Fruit University in Costa Rica From: "Helga and Bert Dunn" Subject: Gold In Them Thar RNFOs From: Eunice Messner To: Tina: Subject: Indoor citrus care Subject: Re: Cornucopia II Order Form From: Gail Newcomb From: "Holzinger, Bob" Subject: Cold Snap and Minimum Damage, Fortunately From: Geoffrey Dunn To: web@brevardrarefruit.org Subject: Membership for Brevard(Rarefruit) From: "Richard K. Gross" Subject: Grafting Clamps - Information Sought From: Leo Manuel Subject: Readers We Have Lost - Unless You Can Help From: scoutdog@pacbell.net Subject: Re: Have You Used Gibberillic Acid For Seeds? From: Sven Merten Subject: Where should I buy land to grow rare fruit? From: Sven Subject: Rare Fruit Reference book recommendations? From: Leo Manuel To: Sven Subject: Re: Rare Fruit Reference book recommendations? Subject: Raccoon In My Fruit Garden Date: Leo From: Leo Subject: Chemical Stimulants in Propagating Seeds (Including GA) From: Leo Subject: Triple Crown Blackberry - New - Information Sought --Readers Write About Newsletter Format From: "Matt Heffron" Subject: Newsletter Format: To Doc or Not to Doc From: Jody Haynes Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt From: Bill Thomas: Thomasx4@aol.com Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt From: Geoffrey Dunn Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt From: Geoffrey Dunn Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt - Continued From: RRRummler@aol.com Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt From: Darryl Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt From: "Staples, Ian" Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt From: "Allen, Robert" Subject: Newsletter Format: Maybe attach both *.txt and *.doc versions --Web Pages To Consider From: Darryl Subject: Sugar Palm: Basis of Integrated Farming Systems in Cambodia www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/agricult/aga/agap/frg/conf96.htm/khieu.htm --NAFEX List Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 20:10:11 -0700 Subject: Commercial Sources--Ginkgo nuts From: mblossom@juno.com (Mark B Blossom) >>>Subject: Newly Released! Cornucopia II Order Form<<< ------------------------------------------------------------------- --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None --From NEWCROPS List None -----------------Leo's Notes--------------------- Leo's Note #1 As I indicated in a confusing message to you, something happened to some of my email messages. I wrote you a few days ago to say that this loss had occured, and to give you a chance to scan the headers that I had on hand for the newsletter, so you could re-submit any that were missing. The offer still holds. If your letter didn't get in, please send it again. --Leo's Note #2: Can anyone help me locate a variety of Star Fruit named "Sri Ket?" I heard that it's significantly more tasty than most others. Of course, that's a matter - of taste. --Leo's Note #3: Order your copy of Cornucopia II. A copy of an order form is at the bottom of this email. Tell Stephen to save one for me! -----------------New Subscribers--------------------- From: Steve Fleischaker Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 10:22:43 EST Subject: New Subscriber (Renew) St. Petersburg, FL My name is Steve Fleischaker living near St. Petersburg, Florida. I grow Carambola, Lychee, Citrus, and my passion, Loquat. Steve Fleischaker Central Fl ----------------------------- From: Christina Stufflefield Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 21:04:57 EST Subject: New Subscriber TN Needs Help Growing Citrus Indoors Hello! And what a great web page you have. My name is Christina Stubblefield and I live in Clarksville, TN (1 hr North of Nashville). About 2 years ago I inherited a citrus tree from a friend who moved out of the country. The first year I had it it bloomed nicely in December, indoors. Since then, nothing. In fact, it's looking quite horrid lately. How do I care for it? Inside, outside? Fertilizers? I'm at a loss. I would love to be part of your group. I'm eager to expand my garden and gardening knowledge. Thanks for any input/advice you can give. Sincerely, Christina -------------------------------- Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 13:38:26 -1000 From: Kirt Nieft Subject: New Subscriber, Hawaii, Looking For Cash Crops In Rare Fruit Please sign me up for your tropical fruit mailing list. My name is Kirt Nieft. I live on the big island of Hawaii, in Opihikao (Puna) at 400 ft elevation. It never get below 60F or above 90F with about 100 inches of rainfall/year. We have six acres which is planted in our home orchard of great variety. We are researching what to plant as a cash orchard in the coming years (sheep weeders are established) and have a special place in our hearts for mangosteen and durian since we lived in Thailand for four years (and Peru for two and New Zealand for one). Plese send us your sample issues and backissues. Cheers, Kirt ------------------Readers Write-------------------- From: Bruce Livingston Subject: Website improvements Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 11:03:30 -0500 Hello Leo, I'd like to announce that I have totally revamped and improved my "Santol's Tropical Fruit Homepage." I would be very grateful if you will take the time to look at it, and make an announcement about it to your subscribers. The URL is: http://www.gate.net/~santol/index.html Thank you, Leo. See you soon, Bruce Livingston (a.k.a. Santol) -------------------------- Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 21:21:58 +0000 From: Leo To: Bruce Subject: Re: Website improvements Bruce, I've more than impressed by your comprehensive web page - I'm bowled over! And envious of your talent in designing and executing it. What did you use to create it? However, it took me longer than it will anyone else to figure out that clicking on the rotating "New" was not the way to access the information described there. Do you know of nurseries that ship into California? I couldn't be more enthusiastic in recommending your page for RFNOers and will be back to soak up more information often. I'm glad you let us know. Sincerely, Leo -------------------------------- From: Bruce Livingston Subject: Re: Website improvements Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 13:07:01 -0500 Hello Leo, Well, I certainly thank you a million times over for your quick response and for your kind words. Maybe I'll link those "new" buttons to the proper page and make it easier. I hadn't thought of that. I did everything with Microsoft Front Page 98. Last trip to Thailand I picked it up for ten bucks. Perhaps it's counterfeit because it costs quite a bit here, but I bought it at a legitimate retail outlet, in proper packaging, so who knows? It took some playing around to figure out how to program a webpage with it, but with a little practicing it works beautifully. My original page was designed with Microsoft Publisher 97. Don't bother with that one . . . it caused all kinds of bizarre graphic screw-ups all over the web page. So, if you're going to use anything, I suggest Microsoft Front Page 98. You don't have to know anything at all about HTML to work with it. Once you get used to it, it's quite easy. The best nursery here is Hopkins Rare Fruit Nursery (954) 434-5558. Tell Bill Hopkins I told you to call. I know he ships to the Bahamas, so I would assume he can ship to California. Second best is called Garden of Delights, run by Murray Corman. His nursery is designed especially for mail order. On the links section of my web page all the information is there. So, next Saturday I'm off to Thailand for 3 weeks. We'll see what I can find this trip. Again, thanks a million, Leo. I very sincerely appreciate your E-mail and your help spreading the word about my website. Bruce Livingston ------------------------------- Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 01:35:29 +0000 From: Leo To: Bruce Livingstone Subject: Re: Website improvements Hi, Bruce Thanks for your nursery information. Have you brought any seedless guavas from Thailand? Do any of them taste sufficiently similar to seeded ones, to warrant seeking them out? I'd settle for really small seed cavity in a sweet-when-ripe one, either white flesh or not. Good luck on your trip. That's one I'd like to make sometime. Sincerely, Leo ------------------------------- From: "Helga and Bert Dunn" Subject: Will Papaya Fruit In Pot?? Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 16:38:42 -0500 Hello Leo We have a Papaya seedling is about 36" tall (and is in pot), and producing beautiful star-shaped flowers Has anyone fruited a papaya in a pot? Must be brought inside in fall due to our frigid winters Any tips will be appreciated Bert Dunn Zone 4b Ontario Canada ------------------------------- Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 18:22:36 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Bert Dunn Subject: Re: Will Papaya Fruit In Pot?? Dear Bert: Yes, papayas do very well in a pot. What ever size pot your plant is in now - just keep moving up to a larger pot as it grows. Even here in our subtropical area our papaya specialist grows some in 15 gal containers where he does not have excellent drainage. Papayas do not like the cold winter winds and rain. Their roots rot easily in the winter so try to hold them in a semi-dormant state, just enough water to sustain them. Heat, humidity and light exposure would dictate indoor winter care, which is something I am very unfamiliar with. Oh, one more thing. If your flower is close to the trunk, it is female and may produce a seedless fruit or may need pollen from a male tree whose flowers are borne on long, pendant stalks. If you have a Hawaiian papaya, chances are it will have a perfect female flower with both ovary and stamens. In that case, only one plant is needed to set fruit and the fruit will have seeds. Aloha! Eunice Messner ------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 11:25:15 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: tgreaves@primeco.com Subject: Gwen avocado source Dear Thomas Greaves, Look on the California Rare Fruit Growers home page (where you found Leo's fruit group). The section CRFG Member Nurseries and Fruit Sources lists which of the nurseries will mail order. Most of the info there is still valid, but an update with 32 nurseries should be appearing soon. Eunice Messner ----------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 10:55:19 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Permacltur@aol.com Subject: Paw paws (Asimina)& mycorrhizae Don Chapman of Bio-Organics, e-mail address: rob@bio-organics.com sells mycorrhizae that has a blend of 5 different kinds that should work on your paw paws. I put mycorrhizae on the roots of all the vegetables I plant (except cabbage family) and when planting new fruit trees. Bananas, avocado, citrus, mangos, neem and grapes respond exceptionally well to these fungi. They thrive best in soil containing organic matter as I'm sure you already know. Eunice Messner --------------------------------- Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 15:28:49 -0700 From: "Les Warren" Subject: Source for Marula Dear Leo and Eunice -- Thanks so much for the information on the African marula, Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra (Fruit Gardener v.29, no.5, p.18, 1997). I contacted Alan Smith of Tropical Fruit Nursery in Florida (e-mail: zambesi@gte.net) who provided me with seeds and seedlings at very reasonable prices (via US mail to California). He was also very helpful regarding propagation, culture, and so forth. The marula is currently under intense scrutiny as a commercial crop in Israel, where it appears to grow well in their desert areas. This rather large tree is, sadly, dioecious, so one must wait until the plants flower to determine which is which sex. I think I'll plant a number of seedlings in close proximity and (hopefully) keep one male and the best female. Thanks again, Les Warren of Camarillo ------------------------------- From: "zambesi" Subject: Re: Tropical Fruit Nursery - Source of Marula! Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 10:08:39 -0800 Season's Greetings Leo, I believe I wrote to you 2 years ago. SASE Alan Smith 7341 121st Terrace Nth., Largo FL.33773, I have a few Maruls seeds @ $2.50ea and a few small Marula seedlings @ $15.00 ea,plus P&P. Regards Alan. -----Original Message----- >Alan, does Tropical Fruit Nursery have a web page? I heard from Les >Warren here in California that he ordered Marula seeds/seedlings from >you, and I'd like to learn more about what you have available. > >Thanks! >Leo ------------------------------- From: "Holzinger, Bob" Subject: Newsletter Format and Seeds Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 07:18:30 -0800 Hi Leo, I had no problem with the last newsletter, once I realized it came as a Word document. I tried opening it the usual way and it wouldn't open, then I finally looked at the icon and it was simple after that. I got some A. diversifolia seeds from Mario last night, so now the question is when to plant them. Patrick likes to wait until the days start getting longer, i.e. the end of this month. He also plants by the lunar cycle in the Old Farmers Almanac. Since what I have read seems to indicate that the seeds are okay for several months stored dry, I will wait to plant the bulk of the seeds later in the spring. I want to do an experiment and try different concentrations of gibberellic acid to see what is the minimum concentration needed. I got so many seeds that I can do this and give some seeds to other people. Then again, since not everyone has gibberellic acid, maybe I should just sprout the seeds and give out the seedlings. Whatever, it's great to have the seeds! Talk to you later, Bob ------------------------------- From: "Monroe, William" Subject: Newsletter Format, and, See http://www.brevardrarefruit.org Date: 15 Dec 1998 Leo, I prefer it in a .doc format rather than an html format. In addition, please tell the folks on your list about our web site. http://www.brevardrarefruit.org Lots of cool fruit pictures! Regards, Bill Monroe President Brevard Rare Fruit Council ------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 18:04:55 -0800 From: Geoffrey Dunn To: "Raymond N. Gerlach" Subject: Buddhas' Hand Citron Dear Ray, How is winter treating you and Your Buddha's Hand? I do hope the Fruit did not fall off in the move indoors. I finally got my trees (4 off) They are about 3' high with no branching. Do I let them branch naturally, or do I have to pinch back? Here I rely on your 2 years previous experience! They are grafted rather strangely, first the rootstock, then what seems to be rough lemon, then the Buddha's Hand. So, at long last the Quest comes to fruition. Regards Geoff ------------------------------- Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 00:34:45 -0800 (PST) From: moshe nadler Subject: Re: ANA (Anna) Apple ---Leo Manuel wrote: Thanks, Moshe! Did you enjoy your trip to China? It's surprising to read 'black leaf' as the name of a cultivar. It sounds more like a disease, doesn't it? Were there other cultivars of apple developed at the same time? I talked to a man maybe 20 years ago who said he had about a dozen apples from the same crosses that produced Ana (which is spelled Anna in the US). One of them was Maayan, which I also have. Do you know where I can find out more about the crosses he made? When do you begin your Ph.D. program? I'm so glad you are back in contact. Sincerely, Leo Hi leo! I enjoyed my trip to China very much. The cultivar 'black leaf' called also 'haak-yip'. Fay-zee-siu for example means - the emperor concubine's smile. 'No-mai-chee' means glutinous rice cake, etc. I hope to start my ph.D. Reaserch on january. As for the apple cultivars - I know that in Florida Ana is grown and also the cultivar - 'Ein Shemer' both have relatively low chilling requirements. Aba Stein did some more crossings with those two cultivars (Ein Shemer and Ana) and from those he got 1400 seeds, from them 960 types, most of them were not good enough and only 16 were left and grafted, from them 4 were interesting - 'Noam', 'Amir', 'Or', and ' Amihai'. Aba Stein developed also pears and plums. Sincerely, Moshe ------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 21:21:41 -0800 To: moshe nadler Subject: Re: ANA (Anna) Apple Moshe, I'd like to know more about the plants developed by Aba Stein. Does he have email? Or is there a website with Israeli fruit emphasis? You know that in the U.S. ANA is called ANNA, for some reason. Ein Shemer is not a high quality dessert apple, to my taste. I'd like to learn more about those others: 'Noam', 'Amir', 'Or', and ' Amihai'. Thanks! Leo ---------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 10:33:03 +1100 From: Kevin Hickey Subject: Some Australian Fruit and Nut Trees Thanks for your letter Leo. You are correct that my Brazilian Cherry, and Pitanga are one and the same. Red Sapote is also known as Mamey Sapote (Pouteria sapota); Plum Pine (Podocarpus elatus) is an Australian native (I believe) which produces a rounded seed sitting on an edible plum-like fruit. I have also heard it called 'Illawarra Plum' (native to the Illawarra region ???) Peanut tree (Sterculia quadrifida) is a rainforest tree producing orangey to red pods which split to reveal large seeds. They are satiny, blueish/blackish in colour and edible, raw or roasted (they taste like peanuts, hence the common name). I believe this tree is also an Australian native but I'm not sure, perhaps someone can enlighten me. The climate zone here is ALMOST frost free, and the fact that I am on the coast means that frost is even less of a problem. Kevin Hickey 40 plus, and still growing. ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 09:37:04 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Sven Merten Subject: Receipt of tissue culture procedures Dear Sven, Thank you so much for giving me all the technical info on mango tissue culture. The Twyford tissue culture labs in Calif. gave me a lead to Dr. Litz at the Univ. of Florida Tropical Research and Educ. Center at Homestead Florida. He is overseas until January, but I talked with his assistant and they will get back to me. In the meantime all the research you gave me copied from Hort Science on 'In Vitro Somatic Embryogenesis of Mango' Dr. Litz co-author) will give me a clue into the difficulties of reproducing mango by tissue culture. One lab I talked with said "start-up fees on this difficult-to-tissue-culture fruit would be in the 10's of thousands of dollars. I think I will call CSU, Riverside to see if Dr. Murashige is still there. I perused his library in the early 80's and found pineapple guava was the only fruit being tissue cultured at that time. He was a pioneer in the field. I don't have any background for all of this technical stuff - just an interest in propagation. At one time we were able to get wholesale shipments of tropical fruit from Florida. Due to the difficulties encountered with pest control regulations, Florida will no longer ship to California. This will have severe repercussion on our nursery offerings here. So now is an opportune time to offer wholesale mangos. Numerous nurseries want to buy this new seedling I am seeking to tissue culture. I call the mango 'Carnival' because of its many colors. It has every sought after attribute; size, color, taste, no fiber and early ripening. The only flaw is the tree appears to have a virus and although grafts take they die in a short time, so tissue culture is the best means of mass production. Again, thank you for being so helpful. I really appreciate your generosity of information Hope you find the new acreage you are looking for. Eunice Messner ------------------------------- Subject: RE: Did I Lose Your Email? If So, Please Send It Again From: Dick Smith: RASmith49@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 18:36:37 EST Hi, The only thing I sent was a copy to you of this E-mail to Eunice Messner. Thanks for your information on Cornucopia II. It sounds like a MUST HAVE. Dick Smith Subj: Re: Ice Cream banana Date: 12/17/98 To: eunicemessner@yahoo.com Eunice, Thanks very much for your good information. You have convinced me that I should get rid of my Ice Cream banana. You are right,it often has a hard center and it puts out so many pups that I can't keep to a reasonable number of stems and now I have been having this falling over problem. I got the Ice Cream at a plant sale some time ago and didn't really know much about it. I also have what is supposedly a dwarf Cavendish. It has put up a number of pups also, but so far no fruit. Is there any way to tell if this is really a Dwarf Cavendish? Can you tell me anything about this variety since I noted you are growing it too? Thanks, Dick Smith -------------------------------- Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 07:40:20 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: RASmith49@aol.com Subject: Ice cream banana - Continued Dear Dick Smith: Dwarf Cavendish is my most productive variety. I get at least four very large stalks of bananas each year. It is also the most dwarf. I do, selectively, remove some pups, but the entire clump is about 7'. The trunk and leaves often have splotches of red on them.It is a sweet banana, or I should say, was, as it has changed in the past year to having some acidity, which I like.Also the fruit has gotten a little larger. Unexplainable, as I'm doing nothing different. When I plant a banana, I put some Sul-Po-Mag in the bottom of the hole, add a layer of soil and plant. Occasionally I give it some chicken compost (E-Z Green) but most of its nutrients come from the stumps I cut up after they have fruited. A serrated knife or coarse saw will cut them up easily (3-4" pieces). I only remove the top 2/3rd's of the stump to let the nutrients drain back into the soil and then remove the rest after it rots. This mulch doesn't look too attractive, but in this case, I give productivity priority. I try to stay away from the tall varieties. I did make an exception with the Apple banana, only because the late John Townsend (who introduced the Golden Aromatic from China), said it was his favorite. So, I wanted to give it a try. The first fruiting stalk blew off in a wind - its got one more chance and then OUT. If you like a little acidity in your bananas, then give Enano gigante a try. It is a commercial variety. Very nice. Happy growing! Eunice Messner --------------------------------- Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 18:27:43 -0800 (PST) To: Tess: TGray15648@aol.com From: Eunice Messner Subject: Tropical landscape in a temperate zone Tess... I hope you don't mind my sharing with the 3000+ members of the Calif. Rare Fruit Growers, how you created a tropical effect with 200 banana plants in a temperate zone. I write a column for the "Fruit Gardener" magazine called "Ask the Experts" and quoted your e-mail entry. And, even though I didn't respond to your questions of what to try next, I did comment that you deserve a standing ovation for your effort. So, take a bow! Aloha, Eunice Messner ----------------------------------- Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 15:28:49 -0700 From: Les Warren Subject: Source for Marula Dear Leo and Eunice -- Thanks so much for the information on the African marula, Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra (Fruit Gardener v.29, no.5, p.18, 1997). I contacted Alan Smith of Tropical Fruit Nursery in Florida (e-mail: zambesi@gte.net) who provided me with seeds and seedlings at very reasonable prices (via US mail to California). He was also very helpful regarding propagation, culture, and so forth. The marula is currently under intense scrutiny as a commercial crop in Israel, where it appears to grow well in their desert areas. This rather large tree is, sadly, dioecious, so one must wait until the plants flower to determine which is which sex. I think I'll plant a number of seedlings in close proximity and (hopefully) keep one male and the best female. Thanks again, Les Warren of Camarillo ------------------------------- From: Alan Smith Subject: Re: Tropical Fruit Nursery - Have Web Page? Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 10:08:39 -0800 Season's Greetings Leo, I believe I wrote to you 2 years ago.SASE Alan Smith 7341 121st Terrace Nth., Largo FL.33773,I have a few Maruls seeds @ $2.50 ea and a few small Marula seedlings @ $15.00 ea,plus P&P. Regards Alan You said: Alan, does Tropical Fruit Nursery have a web page? I heard from Les Warren here in California that he ordered Marula seeds/seedlings from you, and I'd like to learn more about what you have available. Thanks! Leo ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 10:55:19 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Dan Subject: Paw paws (Asimina) & mycorrhizae Dan, Don Chapman of Bio-Organics, e-mail address: rob@bio-organics.com sells mycorrhizae that has a blend of 5 different kinds that should work on your paw paws. I put mycorrhizae on the roots of all the vegetables I plant (except cabbage family) and when planting new fruit trees. Bananas, avocado, citrus, mangos, neem and grapes respond exceptionally well to these fungi. They thrive best in soil containing organic matter as I'm sure you already know. Eunice Messner ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 11:25:15 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: tgreaves@primeco.com Subject: Gwen avocado source Dear Thomas Greaves: Look on the California Rare Fruit Growers home page http://www.crfg.org (where you found Leo's fruit group). The section CRFG Member Nurseries and Fruit Sources lists which of the nurseries will mail order. Most of the info there is still valid, but an update with 32 nurseries should be appearing soon. Eunice Messner ------------------------------- From: Ben Poirier Subject: Germinating Illama Seeds - My Way Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 09:34:02 -0800 Hi Leo, I was finally able to retrieve my email messages !! I don't know what format I had before for email - I think it was the one that came with the win 95 . Any ideas what that might have been ? It had many features i liked - like showing when it was sending or downloading messages. This is supposed to have all kinds of good features, I guess I'll have to play with it for a while. As to the Illama seeds, I used my standard practice : If seeds look dried, they are soaked in warm water for a couple hours, then are placed in a baggie with damp peat moss and placed in a paperbag in the oven. The oven pilot lite keeps it nice and warm. Baggies are checked every couple days for sprouting seeds which are then potted up. This saves a lot of pot space for seeds which may not sprout. I did not use Gibberilic acid on them. Let me know what luck you have with the seeds. Where did they come from - probably CRFG seed bank - do you know how old they are ? This also may be a factor. Had great success with Roselle this year! I'll be sending some seeds to the seed bank later. Ben Poirier --------------------------------------- From: Ben Poirier Subject: Germinating Illama Seeds - My Way - Continuing Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 17:45:39 -0800 Hi Leo I think seeds sprout more readily using my method - it is one I figured out with years of trying different things. The major benefit if uniform , very warm temperatures that you wouldn't get unless you planted the seeds over bottom heat in an enclosed area (I also have a setup like this, but room is limited for pots). The other advantage is you are not taking up space for seeds that take a long time (one Annona sp took one year) or that just don't sprout. Many seeds I receive from overseas take a while to get here and there is no telling how fresh they are and consequently don't ever germinate. Just guessing back I think I got somewhere around 50 percent germination - just a guess it was a few years ago. I also think the seeds were fairly fresh, probably under a month old.I usually plant two to three germinated seeds in a pot and replant when they are more established. The only time I used Gibberilic acid was when John Riley had that Solanaceae group going and I tried the stuff on some of the seeds he recommended it for because they were difficult to germinate. That was so long ago, I really don't remember if it worked. I know for a fact that I didn't run a control to see how well it worked - just an all or none thing. As to the strength, I followed his recommendations. Perhaps the people handling the stuff for CRFG have this info. Since he was the one who started this Gibberilic acid stuff (as I recall - at least he was the one promoting it) they may have kept his recommendations. Perhaps they can be found in the old back issues of the Solanaceae newsletters. Keep me informed Ben --------------------------------- Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 15:43:58 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Tropical Fruit University in Costa Rica Dear Readers: Several years ago I toured the Tropical Fruit University in Costa Rica. I did not have a computer at the time but the librarian there assured me anyone could access their files. Anyone more adept at searching than I am? It should be a wonderful source of information regarding tropical fruit. Eunice Messner ------------------------------ From: "Helga and Bert Dunn" To: "Leo Manuel" Subject: Gold In Them Thar RNFOs Hello leo: We print all rfno newsletters. Past month I have been rereading the newsletters since first one of Jan 01.98. So much "new info" I missed reading first or second time. I recommend all subscribers reread these newsletters. Thanks for your work Leo, it assists all of us. A Cold Canadian Bert Zone 4b Ontario Canada ------------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 18:11:08 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Tina: Subject: Indoor citrus care Tina.. For indoor container gardening of citrus, the book "Citrus" by Lance Walheim would be most helpful. There is more info there than I am able to include via e-mail. Publisher: Ironwood Press, 2968 W. Ina Rd. #285, Tucson, AZ 85741. The California Rare Fruit Growers' have two contributing editors. I suggest you write to the one who lives in a temperate zone, which is: William Ross, RFD #1 Box 150-C, Danby, VT 05739 I just haven't had any experience with container growing in temperate zones, but I know it can be rewarding. Happy growing! Eunice Messner ------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Cornucopia II Order Form Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:58:06 +1300 From: Gail Newcomb Leo I would love to have Stephen's book. Can I pay by Visa? I am not sure how else to get US money unless my daughter can treat me to it. I do enjoy the newsletters and hope the weather we saw on TV hasn't affected you too much. Down under we have been having some really humid weather like I used to have to endure in the USA - and while pregant. This time it's easier but still too hot to do much work outdoors in the sun. Big hole in the Ozone layer over us so we are very wary these days. I am now Technical Editor for NZTCA so having fun researching crops and find bits and pieces in your column very helpful - especially the subtropicals I am trying. Wish I'd realised Cherimoya germinated so easily as have had to pot on already. Pomegranates and Loquats up too. Thrilled with the sight of my Californisn Green Mango that I germinated from seed from the supermarket and now another variety is trying to pop up too. We have decided to remove the remainder of our Kiwifruit - it is VERY hard to destroy and could be one of our worst weeds in this area as it gets out of control so quickly. We will keep one row for our personal use - Hayward and 1 Bruno. The crop we harvested last year went mostly to feed ducks, chooks and wandering turkeys so I think I have better things to do with my time rather than all that pruning etc. But what to plant next!!!!! Regards Gail Newcomb Secretary and Newsletter Editor Bay of Plenty Branch, New Zealand Tree Crops Assn. Inc. http://www.nzero.co.nz/treecrop/ -------------------------------- From: "Holzinger, Bob" Subject: Cold Snap and Minimum Damage, Fortunately Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 15:19:37 -0800 Leo, Just a note about the recent cold front. It was 33 four mornings in a row, but the only thing I could find was some burnt banana leaves and some unhappy papaya plants. I guess I dodged that bullet! Bob ---------- Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 14:30:36 -0800 From: Geoffrey Dunn To: web@brevardrarefruit.org Subject: Membership for Brevard(Rarefruit) Greetings from South Africa. My name is Geoff Dunn, and I received an invite to visit your page via Leo Manuel of Rare Fruit News Online. I am a keen grower of rare fruits, and now, having seen a picture of a Red Carambola (Starfruit), on your webpage, I have resolved to get one growing somehow. I am not sure of how to go about achieving membership for Brevard, or if is even possible for someone outside of the USA to do so, but asking can do no harm. Some of the rare fruits I am growing are: Carambola (yellow from seed) Banana (goldfinger) Buddha's Hand Citron (Obtained some days ago, after a 2 year quest) Passion Fruit Guava Marula (from seed) None have yet fruited, but I am getting there! Hope to Hear from You soon. Regards Geoff Dunn P.S. I loved the Images (Are they scanned or from a Digital Camera?) ------------------------------------ From: "Richard K. Gross" Subject: Grafting Clamps - Information Sought Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 21:00:15 -0700 Hi, Leo. I have no lost email but if I may impose upon the opportunity, I am still interested in specific information about the "grafting clamps" one of your correspondents reported using with almost perfect success several months ago. I have searched every craft, hardware, hobby, home depot and woodshop type store and dozens of catalogues and can find no contraption vaguely matching the description of the "clamp." Clothespins don't quite cut it. If that gentleman is on board, I would like to talk to him . Best regards, Dick Gross. ------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 07:29:05 -0800 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Readers We Have Lost (Probably Changed Addresses) Mail bounces, when addressed to these: David Rack rack12@germany-c.it.earthlink.net Veronica&George Stork vstork@earthlink.net Terry Nelson maxtaxi1@worldnet.att.net Bill DeFelice billd@cyberia.com Ed Gribble edgrib@ix.netcom.com Fayaz Mawani fayaz@unixg.ubc.ca Abilio Garcia nop25644@mail.telepac.pt Jeff Carmello Beetrooter@aol.com ---------------------------------- From: Sven Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 07:11:26 -0800 Subject: Re: Have You Used Gibberillic Acid For Seeds? Hi Leo, I have not tried GA treatment yet. If you need some I have plenty. My friend bought 32 grams ($55) to use on his grapes. He recently moved and gave me what he had left. On page 12 of the Sep/Oct 1998 Fruit Gardener is an article on the Ilama. It says "Most accounts state that the seeds must be stored in a cool, dry place for a year, then put in full sun for a week before planting. Other reports claim that they need to be scarified by physical means or treated with 350 ppm of gibberellic acid." The one seed I have has not sprouted in the three months that it has been planted. It was scarified and planted immediately. Do you have a lot of seeds, because you could try several techniques and see which works best. I know some seeds need exposure to light before germination, but I've never heard of it in such a large seed. Usually it is small seeds, like lettuce, which need to ensure that they are close to the surface before sprouting. I've got some Manilkara kaukii (I'm not sure exactly what this is) seeds which I've had trouble sprouting, so I think I will try to treating these with GA and see what happens. The only recommendation I can make is to use distilled water to dissolve the gibberellic acid. Tap water has lots of minerals that can form insoluble compounds with many chemicals. Thank you for the guavas, they are very good. You are right they do have large seed cavities. But this is the tastiest part of the fruit, so in a way it is good. I know some of mine have much smaller seeds. I'll bring you some fruit next year, or if you want a seedling I can bring you some. I can't wait to have a fruiting macadamia so that I can make those chocolate covered clusters. They were excellent. Everybody liked them. Have you ever tried them with dark chocolate? I finished cleaning up the side yard yesterday. It looks much better. I also planted 50 seedlings, including some of the sweet tamarind. Be careful of the cold with these. I've had some regular tamarind seedlings that died during the winter. I don't think it was a frost, I think they just don't like the cold weather. Even the larger trees go partially deciduous which I'm sure they don't do in the tropics. Well, good luck with the trees. Thanks again for the fruit and I'll talk to you soon. Cheers, Sven Leo Manuel wrote: Hi, Sven John Riley once recommended 2000 ppm concentration of GA for treating seeds that are difficult to break dormancy. I'm going to try to get ILLAMA seeds to sprout and have heard they are difficult. Bob Holzinger had one seed and treated it with 350 ppm and it sprouted. If you know anything about it, I'd appreciate your information, or if you know where I could look, that would help. Thanks again for your vital part in getting the 'Gitit' pitanga to me. And, thanks for the Tamarind seedling. Sincerely, Leo --------------------------------- From: Sven Merten Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 08:13:43 -0800 Subject: Where should I buy land to grow rare fruit? Leo, We are looking for a few acres to grow our rare fruit on in a relatively frost free area. I was wondering if you or anyone on the list can recommend good areas to buy land. I live in Fountain Valley (near Huntington Beach) so I think we will have a fairly long drive wherever we end up buying land. North county San Diego looks like the best area. It was suggested that I look anywhere that Haas avocados are grown. Does anyone know where this is? Also to stay near the coast. Does anyone know what the different water districts in that area charge for water? Another possibility is the San Dimas area, but I don't know this area very well and I'd prefer not to have to drive through LA. Thanks in advance for any information. Sven ---------------------------------- From: Sven Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 08:13:37 -0800 Subject: Rare Fruit Reference book recommendations? Hi Leo, Could you or anyone on the list recommend some good books on rare fruit. I am looking for books with descriptions as well as growing information. Thank you. Sven -------------------------------- Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 12:17:06 -0800 From: Leo Manuel To: Sven Subject: Re: Rare Fruit Reference book recommendations? Hi, Sven Here are a few of the ones I own, with a comment about each of a few of them: Fruits of Warm Climates Julia F. Morton My favorite, also most expensive Cornucopia II Stephen Facciola You probably know about this one. Passion Flowers and Passion Fruit John Vanderplank Very thorough Methods in Fruit Breeding James N Moore, et al I've never opened it, don't remember where I got it, and can't make any recommendations about it. Uncommon Fruits & Vegetables Elizabeth Schneider Includes recipes A Commonsense Guide Growing Unusual Fruit Alan E. Simmons Superficial view of several Plant Propagation, Hudson T. Hartmann et al Propagation in general Principles and Practice When you come down, I'll show them to you. The Julia Morton is the single one you want, I believe, but let's see what the other readers say. Yours, Leo ------------------------------- From: Leo Subject: Raccoon In My Fruit Garden Date: December 30, 1998 This morning at day break, I took my dog out and he took off after something in the far corner of my back yard. I went down and saw a very large raccoon on top of the chain link fence, swatting back at the dog, but not seeming to be very concerned. I didn't want the dog to be jumped on from above, so I poked him with a large bamboo pole. He jumped across into a bamboo patch that was adjacent to the fence, but stayed right there, still not willing to run away. I poked him again, and to my surprise, another large one jumped down from the overhanging bamboo and somehow raked by back on his way past, leaving three superficial scratches. At the same time that it jumped, I saw several adolescent ones scampering off, so there had been a family of them. I haven't seen them in the yard before, but neighbors have seen them in their yards. What damage are they likely to inflect, if any, on fruit trees, and on which ones are they likely to be especially destructive? A friend has Japanese persimmons that attract them. If I had known there was a family of them together, I would have been far more cautious. I had another set of scratches several years ago, when a parent rushed past me, to distract me, so the young could excape. Again, it was to get my dog's attention away from the younger ones. Another day, perhaps, I'll tell you about foxes climbing in my peach, apricot, and loquat trees, and how one ran with a peach to a chain-link fence and climbed up and over it, with the grace of a cat! ------------------------- Subject: Chemical Stimulants in Propagating Seeds From: Leo Plant Propagation, Principles and Practices, 3d Ed., Hartmann & Kester Techniques of Propagation by Seeds, Chemical Stimulants Gibberellins This group of plant hormones has significant activity in seed physiology. Gibberellic acid (GA3) will promote germination in some kinds of dormant seeds, increase the germination rate, stimulate seedling growth, and overcome dwarfing of dormant epicotyls. The latter effect may be transitory and produce abnormal seedling growth. The response to this treatment may vary, depending upon the kind of seed. Seeds are treated with GA by soaking 24 hrs. in water solution at cocentrations from 100 to 10,000 ppm. Removal of restrictive seed coverings may be necessary to allow penetration. Large-scale use should be preceded by preliminary trials. Gibberellic acid is produced commercially by fungus cultures and is available as the potassium salt. Cytokinins These natural growth hormones appear to be active in stimulating germination of some kinds of seed. A commercial preparation, kinetin (6-furfurylamino purine) is available. Dissolve first in a small amount of HCI, then dilute with water. Other available synthetic cytokinins are BA (6-benzylamino purine) and PBA (6-benzylamino)-9-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)-9H-purine): these are more active for higher plants than is kinetin. These materials may stimulate germination and overcome high temperature dormancy of certain seeds, such as lettuce. Seeds are generally soaked in 100 ppm kinetin solutions for three minutes. Large-scale treatments should be preceded by trials at varying concentrations. Cytokinins are sometimes effective in promoting germination when in combination with gibberellic acid and with ethyleneproducing compounds. Ethylene Ethylene occurs naturally in plants and is known to have growth-regulating properties. Ethylene applied to seeds has stimulated germination of some seeds experimentally. With the availability of ethylene-generating chemicals, such as ethephon, the practical commercial use of ethylene to stimulate seed germination is possible. Potassium nitrate Many freshly harvested dormant seeds germinate better after soaking in a potassium nitrate solution. The technique is used largely in seed-testing laboratories. Seeds are placed in germination trays or Petri dishes and the substratum moistened with 0.2 percent potassium nitrate. For Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) or Canada bluegrass (P. compressa) a 0.1 percent solution should be used. If they are rewatered, tap or distilled water is used rather than additional nitrate solution. Thiourea This chemical CS(NH2)2 has been used to stimulate germination of some dormant seeds, particularly those that do not germinate in darkness or at high temperatures, or that require a moist-chilling treatment. Water solutions at 0.5 to 3 percent are used. Since thiourea is somewhat inhibitory to growth, it is desirable to soak the seeds no longer than 24 hours and then rinse in water. Sodium hypochlorite This material is used to stimulate germination of rice seed, apparently overcoming a water-soluble inhibitor in the hull. A proportion of 1 gal. of commercial concentrate to 100 gal. of water is used. ----------------------------------- Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 06:48:52 -0800 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Triple Crown Blackberry - New - Information Sought Jim Neitzel asked that I look for information on a new blackberry cultivar, 'Triumph.' Supposedly it's name suggests three outstanding characteristics of the variety. Do you know who is likely to sell this one, and do you know anything about it? Leo ----------------Readers Write About Newsletter Format-------------- From: "Matt Heffron" Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 10:22:06 -0800 Subject: Newsletter Format: To Doc or Not to Doc Leo, I *CAN* read the attached .DOC file, however, the embeded http: links don't work because I now must read the document with Word, instead of with the email program. Have you considered HTML formatting instead? That way the links would work. Although you'd have to do a bit more work formatting... :-( Matt Heffron --------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 22:26:57 -0500 From: Jody Haynes Subject: Newsletter Format: Try *.txt Leo, try the *.txt suffix. This will suggest to our PCs that it is a general text file without any proprietary format commands. Any text editor can read these. Jody Haynes Palm & Cycad Societies of FL, Virtual Palm Encyclopedia, Virtual Cycad Encyclopedia (http://www.plantapalm.com) ------------------------------------ From: Bill Thomas: Thomasx4@aol.com Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 10:13:30 EST Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt If you make it a .txt file most people will be able to access it. That will usually make it an ASCII format which is what I think your email are in anyway. Bill Thomas ------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 05:32:54 -0800 From: Geoffrey Dunn Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt Dear Leo, Maybe the extension(*.txt) will be more suitable as it can be opened in notepad which is bundled with "windows". Personally, I quite liked RFNO as a *.doc. This makes printing it a lot easier. May I also take this opportunity for thanking you for RFNO, I appreciate the time that you invest in this publication. Regards from Sunny South Africa Geoff Dunn Yep, and happy holidays to you and yours as well ------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 16:53:28 -0800 From: Geoffrey Dunn Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt - Continued Leo Manuel wrote: Geoff, can you simply rename the file as *.doc and make it into a Word file? There's this huge chasm between the two camps of Macintosh and Windows users.... Leo, I think I missed the question. Previously RFNO simply opened in my browser (Netscape Mail in NN 3.01) The Latest RFNO came as a "Word" attachment(*.doc). To open this, one needs the MS Word application. Not everyone has MS Word, but everyone who uses Windows should Have Notepad which is bundled with the Windows operating system. What I'm trying to say, is that with a *.txt extension, the attachment should be openable by any Windows user. I do say this under correction, maybe one of your more PC literate subscribers will have a more elgant solution. Regards Geoff ------------------------------- From: RRRummler@aol.com Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 06:39:37 EST Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt Dear Leo, I'm rather uninformed about computerese, but I think that a ".txt" extension is fairly universally acceptable. Rosemary Rummler ------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 00:13:09 -0800 From: Darryl Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt Hello Leo: Maybe ".txt" will work for everyone. I personally prefer the newsletter "inline" with the email. Just my $.02 Thanks Darryl ------------------------------- From: "Staples, Ian" Subject: Newsletter Format: Use *.txt Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 18:01:04 +1000 G'day Leo, There is no point in sending your newsletter as a Word .DOC file when it is still basically a text file. In fact, there could be disadvantages in that Word files are usually quite a bit larger than the equivalent plain text files. Anyone using Word (like I do) has no problems importing a text file into it for printing or "prettying up" (if that's your inclination and you have the time :-) so I don't see the point of changing what you have been doing all along. [If you were producing a formatted, highlighted, multi-font version of the newsletter, there would be some value in distributing it in a way that preserved the detail; but you don't, so there isn't.] Cheers, Ian S. P.S. Incidentally, various incarnations of WordPerfect also use .DOC as a standard file extension. (As I found to my chagrin when attempting to exchange files with a colleague in another organisation some time ago!) ------------------------------ From: "Allen, Robert" Subject: Newsletter Format Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 09:23:11 -0800 Leo, I had no problem with the attachment in format *.doc, receiving it on a PC. My suggestion is that you attach both *.txt and *.doc versions and let each recipient choose which one to open. Hope your Holly Daze are Happy too! Don't forget to try the persimmon sorbet. Bob --------------Web Pages To Consider---------------- Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 03:06:12 -0800 From: Darryl Subject: Sugar Palm: Basis of Integrated Farming Systems in Cambodia Dear Leo: I hope all is going well with you. I stumbled across this article, and thought you might find it interesting. http://www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/agricult/aga/agap/frg/conf96.htm/khieu.htm Take Care, Darryl Clark --- Here's an extract of a very small part: ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sugar Palm Tree As Basis of Integrated Farming Systems in Cambodia ------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract The sugar palm tree (Borassus flabellifer) plays an important role in the small integrated farming systems in Cambodia. The sugar palm is considered to be a multi-purpose tree and provides different products such as juice, sugar, leaves, timber, fruits, underground seedlings and roots. The juice from the sugar palm is rich in highly digestible carbohydrate (sugars) which is an alternative energy source for animal feeding in the rural areas. The impact of the sugar palm on the farming system is increased when the excreta from the animals is recycled through biodigesters to provide gas for household cooking and effluent to fertilize the pond which can produce fish or water plants, the former for the household and the latter for the livestock. KEY WORDS: Borassus flabellifer, palm juice, palm sugar, fuel, environment, biodigester, sustainable production ---------------"NAFEX List" ---------------- Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 20:10:11 -0700 Subject: Commercial Sources--Ginkgo nuts From: mblossom@juno.com (Mark B Blossom) Dear Nafexers, We have over 100 pounds of new crop Ginkgo Biloba seed for sale. The seed was hand gathered, cleaned and graded. Seed from the same source, prepared in this way, has in previous years yielded essentially 100% germination in our nursery. This seed is of suitable quality for use as food, (see below). We are offering the seed for sale in one pound packages for $12.00, postpaid. Larger quantities at $6.00 per pound plus postage. There are about 300 seed per pound. We also have Ginkgo trees for sale, in containers and bareroot. Prices are from $3.00 to $20.00, depending on size and quantity. Please inquire. Blossom Nursery Mark and Kathleen Blossom 216 CR 326 Eureka Springs AR 72632 USA 501-253-7895 ---------------------------------------------------- Subject: Newly Released! Cornucopia II Order Form Cornucopia II - A Source Book of Edible Plants - Order Form By Stephen Facciola $40 plus shipping and handling Date___________________________________________.....No. of Copies_______ Name___________________________________________.....Subtotal....$_______ Address________________________________________....*Shipping....$_______ ____________________________Zip___________.*(Outside US $7, Inside US $5) Phone ( ) _____________________________..Sales Tax CA Residents $ 3.10 Make checks or money orders out to Kampong Publications....Total $_______ Canadian and overseas customers remit in U.S. Dollars. Send your order and remittance to: Kampong Publications 1870 Sunrise Drive Vista, CA 92084 Phone (760) 726-0990 Stephen's Comment: Sorry, we are not set up to accept credit card orders. We will accept checks made out in U.S. dollars or International Money Orders. Regards, Steve Facciola >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - January 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online January 15, 1999, aka RFN9901B.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily a collection of letters from you, the readers. I edit all submissions, sometimes in a very minor way. It helps if your email has a relevant SUBJECT. Also, if you want to make sure your letters are read, try to have the subject as descriptive as possible. You took the time to write the letter, so compose it so that it gets read. If you want your letter to be published, please use your *real* name someplace in the letter. It takes time to look up your name, so please sign your email. Also, when you direct a letter to a reader, please include that person's name someplace in the correspondence. That helps the rest of us know to whom you are writing. I also like to see appropriate capital letters in writing, although it's not a major concern. It's a far greater 'offense' to write in all caps, but all small letters seem to be lacking something. Maybe it's just eye appeal? I try to edit mail to 'remedy' most deviations, but it takes more time.... I really appreciate it when you send me a CC or BCC when writing to other readers of RFNO. Much of the best information that has been past along has been due to the thoughtfulness of such correspondents. If you find errors of spelling, grammar, or facts, please let me know. These newsletters go out later to new subscribers and you will be doing both me and them a favor. And, here's another chance to order your copy of Cornucopia II (at the bottom of this newsletter), and I'm relieved to know that I finally got my own order in. Thanks again! Leo ------------------Index: What will you find in this issue?-------------- --Leo's Note Subject: Mangoes In Bloom And Mangoes Almost Ripe --New Subscribers From: David Ulmer Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1999 14:26:18 -0500 Subject: New Subscriber, Reno, Nevada From: Kirt Nieft Subject: New Subscriber, HI, Wants Durian and Mangosteen Information From: Glenda & Tom Ponder Subject: New Subscribers, La Mirada, CA, Interested In All Fruit From: coolbus@webtv.net (woodrow cooke) Subject: New Subscriber, WV; Grows Rare Fruit Indoors & In Greenhouse From: Brian Parent Subject: New Subscriber, AZ, Interested in Citrus and Tropicals From: Neal Young Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants Viable Durian Seeds --Readers Write From: gmeka@tns.org Subject: Re: Need: Source for seeds of Durio zibethinus ( Durian ) From: Bob Batson Subject: Re: Need: Source for seeds of Durio zibethinus ( Durian ) From: Dan Hemenway Subject: Re: Need: Source for seeds of Durio zibethinus ( Durian ) From: "Doron Kletter" Subject: Re: Ilama from seed From: Samar Gupta Subject: seedless guavas from Thailand From: Marsha Jackson Subject: Where To Find Information On Rare Vegetables? From: Nan Sterman To: eunicemessner@yahoo.com Subject: Mycorrhizae on everything???? From: Nan Sterman To: Sven Merten Subject: Where should I buy land to grow rare fruit? From: Joel Moskowitz Subject: Re: Re: If you want your letter to be published From: Eunice Messner To: nsterman@mindsovermatter.com Subject: Mycoorhizae on everything??? From: Bert Dunn To: Bert Dunn Subject: Re: Where To Find The Fruit Gardener Magazine? From: "Richard K. Gross" Subject: Arizona CRFG - Jan '99 Newsletter From: "Holzinger, Bob" Subject: Anyone get M. Americana Seeds To Sprout? Or Grow This Tree? From: moshe nadler Subject: I Recommend This Web Site (Israeli Fruit Researcher) Subject: Cacti as Crops (Recommended by Moshe) http://www.bgu.ac.il/life/mizrahi/article1.html From: "Ronald Lyn" Subject: Lychee Stress From: Eunice Messner To: Martin Berghuis Subject: Feinte cohol banana (see photo at http://www.plantapalm.com/_private/veinte_cohol.htm From: Eunice Messner To: Nan Sterman Subject: Correction to 1/3/99 e-mail re mycorrhizae Subject: Mangoes in California From: Eunice Messner To: Sven Merten From: Randall Wilks Subject: How To Grow Rare Fruit In Colder Climates From: Leo Manuel Subject: Re: How To Grow Rare Fruit In Colder Climates --Zingiber List (Includes Bananas) From: Jody Haynes Subject: Photo of Veinte cohol Banana Subject: Re: Photo of Veinte cohol From: HESTERC@mail01.adm.duke.edu To: Jody From: Keith Benson DVM Subject: Want To Clone Your Bananas? --New Crops List From: "Carol A. Miles" Subject: Re: What Alternative Crops For My Exotic Palm Greenhouse? --NAFEX List From: Travis Callahan Subject: Chill Hours - What Exactly Is It? --Web Pages To Consider Need Rare Seeds? See: http://b-and-t-world-seeds.com/homepage.htm --Cornucopia II Order Form -----------------------Leo's Note----------------------- Subject: Mangoes In Bloom And Mangoes Almost Ripe I haven't grown mangoes in a climate as ideal as where I now live, so I don't know what's 'normal' but this is the first year I've had mangoes hanging at the same time that other trees are breaking into bloom. Valencia Pride and Keitt mango each had only a few fruit, quite large, and still hanging, although they could be picked anytime. But Kent, Winters (#20222), Glenn, and a few others are in bloom. Also guavas and cherimoyas are ripening nicely. Leo ---------------------New Subscribers--------------------- From: David Ulmer Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1999 11:12:51 EST Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Dear Leo, I'm finally getting around to writing you. Bob Chambers has told me of your newsletter on several occasions. I am David Ulmer, in Sebastopol, CA My fruit interest is with Plum, Persimmons, Figs, Mayhaws and the usual temperate sorts. I've recently moved to a new home and have Mexican avocados and loquats in pots along with a few seedlings grown from CRFG sources. We have had a "test winter" so far. Three straight mornings of 20 degrees and numerous mornings in the mid twenties. Not very conducive to growing the sub-tropicals. David ------------------------------- Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1999 14:26:18 -0500 From: "Robert L. Thomasson" <102073.3346@compuserve.com> Subject: New Subscriber, Reno, Nevada Hello Leo, I enjoyed your web page, and I'm very interested in what variety of Mangoes you are growing. The ones I was familiar with in the Philippines were a banana yellow, with an excellent flavor. The ones I've seen here in the supermarkets have a reddish, almost a papaya like color, but that may be due to storage or ripening after being picked. I haven't yet found out the botanical variety name of the Philippine mangoes, but I'm working on it. I have an uphill battle if I want to grow mangoes here in Reno, but it would be a lot of fun trying. I can probably get by with a makeshift greenhouse for several years, before they get big enough to require a larger one. Can you also send me some more information on your newsletter? Thanks, and Happy New Year Bob Thomasson ------------------------------- You Said: >>Robert, there are nurseries in California that sell mango trees. If you ever drive over near the Southern California coast, you will find several nurseries handling them. Let me know if you want more information. << Leo, Mangoes are occasionally in the supermarkets here, but they don't compare to the ones in the Philippines. It could be due to storage, or as I believe, they are a much different variety. But maybe the trees you mention in California nurseries are good ones! Do you happen to know the nursery names or towns the California nurseries are in? It wouldn't take much of an excuse for a weekend trip. I'll find out the botanical names of the Philippine mango varieties. Thanks, Bob ------------------------------- Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1999 15:14:27 -1000 From: Kirt Nieft Subject: New Subscriber, HI, Wants Durian and Mangosteen Information Leo, I am Kirt Nieft, living 6 miles southeast of Pahoa in the Puna district of Opihikao on the big island of Hawaii. With rare fruit, I have had more experience eating than growing. ;) We lived for a time overseas (Peru, Thailand, New Zealnd) and have finally settled in Hawaii after southern CA didn't do it for us. Actually growing is new to me and I talk to everyone I can find. I'm trying to find out if anyone has success with durian (varieties?) and mangosteen in Hawaii. They both seem ultra-tropical to me and I'm wary of planting five acres up and watching them fail. Cheers, Kirt ------------------------------- Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1999 21:33:13 -0800 From: Glenda & Tom Ponder Subject: New Subscribers, La Mirada, CA, Interested In All Fruit We are Tom & Glenda Ponder, living in La Mirada CA. We are interested in pretty much all fruiting plants: deciduous, tropical, sub-tropical, etc. Glenda and Tom ------------------------------- From: coolbus@webtv.net (woodrow cooke) Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 07:14:05 -0500 (EST) Subject: New Subscriber, WV; Grows Rare Fruit Indoors & In Greenhouse Dear Leo, I am Woodie Cooke and I live near Charleston, WV. I lived in Belize Central America for several years and commercially grew cacao (reclaimed about 1000 acres from the bush that had been abondoned and was only 12 yrs old). I fell in love with rare fruits while there. I have been growing several varieties of bananas, citrus, coffee, pineapples etc. in my home and small homemade greenhouse. I have found that because of short daylight in the winter in West Virginia, my plants do much better if supplemented with a few extra hours of agricultural lighting, even a mercury vapor like yard light will help tremendously. Please include me in your mail list, I hope I have included all the info you need. Thanks, Woodie Cooke In West Va. Mountains. ---------------------------------- From: Brian Parent Subject: New Subscriber, AZ, Interested in Citrus and Tropicals Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 19:26:12 -0700 Hi I am Brian Parent, living in Phoenix, Az, 85032 I like to grow citrus and am interested in learning about tropicals. Thanks Brian ------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 14 Jan 1999 15:39:41 -0600 From: Neal Young Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants Viable Durian Seeds Dear Sir, My name is Neal Young and I'm an under grad student at the University of West Florida. I'm trying to locate some seeds of Durio zibethinus (Durian) for a research program which I'm trying to get started. I realize the difficulty in transporting the seeds, but the school will pay all expenses if a seed source is found. I presently am at school in Pensacola, Florida, but my home and plants are all in Key Largo, Florida. Thank you for your help, and I would be interested in receiving your publication. Neal Young -------------------Readers Write----------------------------- From: gmeka@tns.org Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 15:35:57 -0500 Subject: Re: Need: Source for seeds of Durio zibethinus ( Durian ) Neal, You will find sources for durian seeds on this website www.gain.com or www.fintrac.com ------------ Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 11:15:04 -0600 (CST) From: Bob Batson Subject: Re: Need: Source for seeds of Durio zibethinus ( Durian ) I've located a source for Durian (Durio zibethinus) at B&T World Seeds. B & T World Seeds Route des Marchandes, Paguignan, 34210 Olonzac, France fax ++ 33 04 68 91 30 39 phone ++ 33 04 68 91 29 63 eMail: B_and_T_World_Seeds@compuserve.com Technical: R@thesys.demon.co.uk http://b-and-t-world-seeds.com/homepage.htm Bob Batson ------------ From: Dan Hemenway Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 15:38:51 EST Subject: Re: Need: Source for seeds of Durio zibethinus ( Durian ) Neal, I'd check to see if it is listed in the ICRAF seed source book. Dan Hemenway ------------------------------- From: "Doron Kletter" Subject: Re: Ilama from seed Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1999 08:18:10 -0800 Hi Leo, I also got one Ilama seed (from the same source I believe). I gave it no special treatment other than soaking in water for two days and planting over bottom heat . It has sprouted fine and is now about 12" tall with few sets of leaves. I used no gibberellic acid. Doron ------------------------------- Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 23:33:02 +0530 From: Samar Gupta Subject: seedless guavas from Thailand Dear Leo, I've grown the seedless guavas from Thailand and the disadvantage is that they are not cosmetically as beautiful as the common guava cultivars. They tend to be misshapen and rather ugly, and while I know that should not matter, they do look less appetizing. The guavas sold in Thailand retail markets and by the handcart vendors selling cut-fruit are huge, perfectly round and blemishless. Seems they take a lot of trouble wrapping each fruit while it is on the tree so that the colour, gloss and surface are bright and smooth. The taste of some seeded cultivars is sweeter though. In Thailand they eat guavas very raw and crunchy. It has a harder texture than even apples. Here in India only the fully ripe, almost melting and overripe fruits are popular. Its almost like eating a different fruit altogether. They find the smell of ripe guavas offensive. They also cut up their guavas differently. They cut only halfway to the core and leave the seeded centre to be discarded. Again, here in India, we eat the full fruit. Regards, Samar Gupta Bombay ---------- You said: Have you brought any seedless guavas from Thailand? Do any of them taste sufficiently similar to seeded ones, to warrant seeking them out? I'd settle for really small seed cavity in a sweet-when-ripe one, either white flesh or not. Leo ------------------------------- From: Marsha Jackson Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1999 08:38:41 EST Subject: Where To Find Information On Rare Vegetables? Hi, Leo. My husband and I have been enjoying your newsletter for over a year. We mainly live in Maryland but also have a place in the mountains of Puerto Rico. So here's a question - can you direct us to any resources similar to this that deal with rare (especially tropical) vegetables? Thanks, Marsha Jackson ------------------------------- Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 22:58:28 -0800 From: NanStermanTo:eunicemessner@yahoo.com Subject: Mycorrhizae on everything???? Hello Eunice! In response to your posting on Leo Manuel's Rare Fruit Grower's newsletter, I am wondering why you use mycorrhizae on everything.... I am familiar with mycorrhizae and what they do, but I never heard of anyone using them on any plants other than California natives. What kinds of mycorrhizae do you use and how do you know they make a difference? How long have you been using them? What differences do you see? Nan San Diego Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11 ------------------------------- Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 22:55:57 -0800 From: Nan Sterman To: Sven Merten Subject: Where should I buy land to grow rare fruit? Sven -- Saw your quesiton on Leo's Rare Fruit News Online. I suggest you contact Roger Meyer who also lives in fountain Valley and farms in Valley Center which is North San Diego County, but inland. I doubt very much you could find much affordable land that is coastal, but you might try the Vista area, which is only slightly inland, but is supposed to be frost free. Roger has grown kiwi, jujube, etc for many years in this area and he could probably give you quite an education on where to look for land. Roger can be reached at 714.839.0796 and I've lost his email though I bet Leo has it. Good luck Nan ------------------------------- From: Joel Moskowitz Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1999 21:33:53 EST Subject: Re: .Re: If you want your letter to be published Wonder if anyone can direct me to obtaining a Stevia plant/bush/tree in the San Diego area preferably. Also has anyone any idea of what the actual 'sweetener' is chemically and has it been studied as to safety. Thanks Joel Moskowitz ------------------------------- Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1999 19:36:48 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice To: nsterman@mindsovermatter.com Subject: Mycoorhizae on everything??? Nan... I have been using mycorrhizae only a year, but I have grown organically for 20 years so probably I already have mycorrhizae (MYC) present. But there are many kinds of MYC and my commercial source has a total of seven in his preparation. Hopefully, I'm introducing new ones more to one plants liking. Tilling the soil during daylight destroys most soil organisms--and I love to till the soil so I may never be a no-till gardener. I have sandy soil with rootknot nematodes. Multitudes of th MYC hyphae attached to the roots have been known to actually evelop and 'eat' the nematodes and are antagonistic to other pathogens. Mycorrhizae areate and aggregate soils and thereby allow more oxygen to reach the root zone. I use the endo type of MYC. Forest trees use ectomycorrhizae, i.e. firs, pines, etc. I expect to use less fertilizer and water as the mycorrhizae establish themselves. They can reach out 100 times further than the roots can access and bring to the plant phosphorous (which is very difficult to extract from the soil), nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulphur, copper and zinc. If one's soil has been subject to erosion, pesticides, fumigation or chemical fertilizatiion, then inoculation with mycorrhizae and an application of organic material is especially advisable. I have attended conferences and heard several of the world's leading authorities on mycorrhizae and their tests are believable. It will take time to see a difference in the garden, but this has been my most successful year in propagating mangos from seed - using mycorrhizae for the first time. Maybe it is something like taking vitamins - just to be sure we keep healthy. Eunice Messner ------------------------------ From: Bert Dunn To:Bert Dunn Subject: Re: Where To Find The Fruit Gardener Magazine? Dear The "Fruit Gardener" magazine is available only to members of CRFG. You may apply for membership on the webpage: http://www.crfg.org Choose: "Join CRFG (membership application)" One could spend an entire day just brousing all the information included in this award winning web site. I think any questions you have regrding the magazine and its contents will be answered there. If not, write again. We are really having a strange winter. It is 80degrees and trees are blooming that usually bloom in March or April. Colder weather is sure to come and I hope some rain. Don't know how the trees will respond after that. But I don't think I'd prefer Canada. At least you get a winters rest, whereas I garden all year long. Eunice Messner, Anaheim Hills, California ------------------------------- From: "Richard K. Gross" To: "Leo Manuel" Subject: Arizona CRFG - Jan '99 Newsletter CALIFORNIA RARE FRUIT GROWERS, INC. THE ARIZONA BRANCH Meeting the second Thursday of every month except December. JANUARY MEETING: WHEN: THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1999 TIME: 7:00 PM WHERE: Cooperative Extension Palo Verde Room 4341 E. Broadway Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85040 Write for more information to: Richard K. Gross -------------------------------------- Date: Thu Jan 7 17:17:47 1999 From: "Holzinger, Bob" Subject: Anyone Get Seeds To Sprout Or Grow This Tree: M. Americana ? Hi Leo, You can ask on the next newsletter if anyone else who got M. americana seeds from the seed bank had luck sprouting them or if anyone has experience growing this fruit tree. Maybe someone in Florida has some info to provide, who knows? Take care, Bob --------------------------- Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:30:58 -0800 (PST) From: moshe nadler Subject: I Recommend This Web Site (Israeli Fruit Researcher) Hi Leo! You asked me for some interesting information from israel. try this site: http://www.bgu.ac.il/life/mizrahi/article1.html This is the site of Prof. Mizrahi, an interesting person. For years he has been trying to introduce new fruits to Israel. He has had a lot of experience with rare fruits from America and Africa. hope you will enjoy it. moshe ------- Recommended by Moshe Subject: Cacti as Crops http://www.bgu.ac.il/life/mizrahi/article1.html Below is a very brief outline of this interesting web page, together with the literature referenced: I. Introduction II. Biological Characteristics of Cacti A. Shoots, Crassulacean Acid Metabolism B. Roots, Salinity Tolerance III. Cacti as Animal Feed IV. Cacti as Vegetables V. Cacti as Fruit Crops A. Cactus Pears B. Columnar Cacti C. Climbing Cacti VI. Cacti as Industrial Crops A. Cochineal B. Processed Foods C. Mucilage and Medicinal Products VII. Future Prospects A. Low-Input Systems B. High-Input Systems Literature Cited LITERATURE CITED Arad (Malis), S., and E. Cohen. 1991. Outdoor cultivation of micro algae in a closed System for production of valuable biochemicals, p. 301-316. In: D. Kamely, A. M. Chakrabarty, and S. E. Kornguth (eds.) Biotechnology: bridging research and applications. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Arcadio, L. B. 1986. Cultivo de la pitaya. Federacion do Cafeteros, Bogota, Colombia. Backeberg, C. 1984. Die Cactaceae. Gustav Fisher, Stuttgart, Germany. Barbeau, G. 1990. La pitaya rouge, un nouveau fruit exotique. Fruits 45:141-147. Barbera, G., and P. Inglese. 1993. La coltura del ficodindia. Edagricole, Bologna,Italy. Barbera, G., F. Carimi, and P. Inglese. 1991. The reflowering of prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller: influence of removal time and cladode load on yield and fruit ripening, Adv. Hort. Sci. 5:77-80. Barbera, G., P. Inglese, and E. Pimienta-Barrios (eds.). 1995. Agroecology, cultivation and uses of cactus pear. Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations, Rome, Italy. Berry, W. L., and P. S. Nobel. 1985. Influence of soil and mineral stresses on cacti. J. Plant Nutr. 8:697-696. Borrego-Escalante, F. 1992. Growing prickly pear for cochineal (grana) dye production. p. 45-48. In: Proc. Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Brutsch, M. 0., and M. B. Scott. 1991. Extending the fruiting season of spineless prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica. J. South. Afr. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1:73-76. Brutsch, M. 0., and H. G. Zimmermann. 1993. The prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica [Cactaceae]) in South Africa: Utilization of the naturalized weed, and of the cultivated plants. Econ. Bot. 47:154-162. Cacioppo, 0. G. 1990. Pitaya: una de las mejores frutas productivas per Colombia. Informative Agro Economico de Colombia. February, p. 15-19. Cantwell, M. 1991. Quality and postharvest physiology of "nopalitos" and "tunas." p. 50-67. Proceedings of the Second Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville, Texas. Cantwell, M., A. Rodriguez-Felix, and F. Robles-Contreras. 1992. Postharvest physiology of prickly pear cactus stem. Sci. Hort. 50:1-9. Crosswhite, F. S. 1980. The annual saguaro harvest and crop cycle of the Papago with reference to ecology and symbolism, Desert Plants 2:2-61 Felger, R. S., and M. B. Moser. 1974. Columnar cacti in Seri Indian culture. Kiva 39: 25 7-2 75. Felger, R. S., and M. B. Moser. 1976. Seri Indian food plants: desert subsistence without agriculture, J. Ecol. Food. Nutr. 5:13-27. Fernandez, M. L., A. Trejo, and D. J. McNamara. 1990. Pectin isolated from prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) modifies low density lipoprotein metabolism in cholesterolfed guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 120:1283-1290. Fernandez, M. L., E. C. K. Lin, A. Trejo, and D. J. McNamara. 1992. Prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) pectin reverses low density lipoprotein receptor suppression induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 122:2330-2339. Flores, V. C. 1991. The present and potential market conditions of both cactus leaves and cactus pear in Mexico, and the exportation possibilities to the United States and other countries. p. 94-101. In: Proc. Second Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Flores, V. C. 1992. Growing, commercializing, and marketing cactus leaves in Mexico. p. 56-65. In: Proc. Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Frati, A. C. 1992. Medicinal implications of prickly pear cactus. p. 29-30. Proceedings of the Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ.,Kingsville. Frati, A. C., J. A. Fernandez-Harp, H. De La Riva, R. Ariza-Andraca, and M. Del Carmen-Torres. 1983. Effect of nopal (Opuntia spp.) on serum lipids, glycemia and body weight. Arch. Invest. Mad. Mexico 14:117-1125. Frati, A. C., B. E. Gordillo, P. A. Altamirano, and C. R. Ariza. 1988. Hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Diabetes Care 11:63-66. Frati, A. C., M. D. Valle-Martinez, C. R. Ariza, S. Islas, and A. Chavez-Negrete. 1989. Hypoglycemic effect of different doses of nopal (Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire) in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Arch. Invest. Mad. Mexico 20:197-201. Frati, A. C., B. E. Gordillo, P. A. Altamirano, C. R. Ariza, R. Cortes-Franco, and A. Chavez-Negret. 1990. Acute hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Diabetes Care 13:455-456. Fucikovsky, L. A. 1992. Review of the diseases of nopalitos and tunas and their control. p. 42-44. In: Proc. Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Fucikovsky, L. A. 1993. Some bacterial, insect and bird problems of cactus in Mexico. p. 41-43. In: Proc. Fourth Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Fuentes-Rodriguez, J. 1991. A survey of the feeding practices, costs and production of dairy and beef cattle in Northern Mexico. p. 118-123. In: Proe. Second Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Fuentes-Rodriguez, J. 1992 Feeding prickly pear to dairy cattle in Northern Mexico. p. 31-34. In: Proc. Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Gibson, A. C., and P. S. Nobel. 1986. The cactus primer. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA. Gil, G. F., and A. R. Espinosa. 1980. Fruit development in the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) with preanthesis application of gibberellin and auxin. Ciencia Investigacion Agraria 7:141-147. Gil, G. F., M. Morales, and A. Momberg. 1977. Fruit set and development in the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) in relation to pollination and gibberellic and chlorethylphosphonic acids. Ciencia Investigacion Agraria 4:163-169. Haggerton, R. 1992. Cookin with cactus: a collection of favorite recipes from the Texas Prickly Pear Council, Kingsville. Hamilton, J. R. 1992. Planting and cultivating native cactus for cattle feed and wildlife utilization in South Texas. p. 35-41. In: Proc. Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Huang, B., and P. S. Nobel. 1994. Root hydraulic conductance and its components, with emphasis on desert succulents. Agron. J. 86:767-774. Ibanez-Camacho, R., and R. Roman-Ramos. 1979. Hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia cactus. Arch. Invest. Med. Mexico 10:223-230. Inglese, P., G. Barbera, and T. La Mantia. 1993. Research strategies and improvement of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit quality and production. p. 2440. In: Proc. Fourth Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville, Loik, M. E., and P. S. Nobel. 1993. Freezing tolerance and water relations of Opuntia fragilis from Canada and the United States. Ecology 74:1722-1732. Maltsberger, W. A. 1991. Feeding and supplementing prickly pear cactus to beef cattle. p. 104-117. In: Proc. Second Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Mann, J. 1992. Murder, magic, and medicine. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, UK. Mass, E. V. 1986. Salt tolerance of plants. Appl. Agr. Res. 1:12-26. Master, R. W. P. 1959. Organic acid and carbohydrate metabolism in Nopalea cochenillifera. Experientia 15:30-31. Meckes-Lozoya, M., and R. Roman-Ramos. 1986. Opuntia streptacantha: a coadjutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am. J. Chinese Med. 14:116-118. Mick, R. J. 1991. Growing variety 1308 for year around production. p. 32-35. In: Proc. Second Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Mick, R. J. 1992. Growing and marketing the nopalito variety 1308 in Texas. p. 7- 9. In: Proe. Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Morton, J. F. 1987. Cactaceae, strawberry pear. p. 347-348. In: J. F. Morton (ed.), Fruits of warm climates. Morton, Miami, FL. Nerd A., and Y. Mizrahi. 1992. Effect of fertilization on prickly pear production in Israel. p. 1-6. In: Proc. Third Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I ljniv., Kingsville. Nerd, A., and Y. Mizrahi. 1993. Cultural practices for cactus pear in Israel for yeararound production. p. 77-80. In: Proc. Fourth Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Nerd, A., and Y. Mizrahi. 1994. Effect of fertilization and organ removal on rebudding in Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller. Sci. Hort. 59:115-122. Nerd, A., and Y. Mizrahi. 1996. Reproductive biology of cactus fruit crops. Hort. Rev. 18:321-346. Nerd, A., A. Karadi, and Y. Mizrahi. 1989. Irrigation, fertilization and polyethylene covers influence bud development in prickly pear. HortScience 24:773-775. Nerd, A., J. A. Aronson, and Y. Mizrahi. 1990. Introduction and domestication of rare and wild fruit and nut trees for desert areas. p. 353-363. In: J. Janick, and J. E. Simon (eds.), Advances in new crops. Timber, Portland, OR. Nerd, A., A. Karadi, and Y. Mizrahi. 1991a. Salt tolerance of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica). Plant and Soil 137:201-207. Nerd, A., A. Karadi, and Y. Mizrahi. 1991b. Out-of-season prickly pear: fruit characteristics and effect of fertilization and short drought periods on productivity. HortScience 26:527-529. Nerd, A., R. Mesika, and Y. Mizrahi. 1993a. Effect of N fertilization on autumn flowering and N metabolism in prickly pear. J. Hort. Sci. 68:337-342. Nerd, A., E. Raveh, and Y. Mizrahi. 1993b. Adaptation of five columnar cactus species to various conditions in the Negev Desert of Israel. Econ. Bot. 47:304-311. Nobel, P. S. 1988. Environmental biology of agaves and cacti. Cambridge Univ. Press, New York. Nobel, P. S. 1991. Achievable productivities of certain CAM plants: basis for high values compared with C and C. plants. New Phytol. 119:183-205. Nobel, P. S. 1994. Remarkable agaves and cacti. Oxford univ. Press. New York. Nobel, P. S. 1996. Responses of some North American CAM plants to freezing temperatures and doubled CO concentration: implications of global change for extending cultivation. J. Arid Environ., Nobel, R S., and M. Cui. 1992. Hydraulic conductances of the soil. the root-soil air gap, and the root: changes for desert succulents in drying soil. J. Expt. Bot. 43:319-326. Nobel, P. S., and M. E. Loik. 1990. Thermal analysis, cell viability, and CO uptake of a widely distributed North American cactus, Opuntia humifusa, at subzero temperatures. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 28:429-436. Nobel, P. S., U. Luttge, S. Heuer, and E. Ball. 1984. Influence of applied NaCl on Crassulacean acid metabolism and ionic levels in a cactus, Cereus validus. Plant Physiol. 75:799-803. Nobel, P. S., N. Wang, R. A. Balsamo, M. E. Loik, and M. A. Hawke. 1995. Low temperature tolerance and acclimation of Opuntia spp. after injecting glucose or methylglucose. Int. J. Plant Sci. 156:496-504. North, G. B., and P. S. Nobel. 1992. Drought-induced changes in hydraulic conductivity and structure in roots of Ferocactus acanthodes and Opuntia ficus-indica. New Phytol. 120:9-19. Perez-Reyes, C., and E. Pimienta-Barrios. 1995. Viabilidad de semillas y poliembrionia en morfoespecies cultivadas y silvestres de Opuntia. Agrociencia, Pimienta-Barrios, E. 1990. El nopal tunero. Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco. Pimienta-Barrios, E. 1991. An overview of prickly pear production in the central part of Mexico. p. 1-15. In: Proc. Second Annual Texas Prickly Pear Council Meeting. Texas A & I Univ., Kingsville. Pimienta-Barrios, E. 1993. Vegetable cactus (Opuntia). p. 177-192. In: J. T. Williams (ed.), Pulses and vegetables. Chapman & Hall, London. Pimienta-Barrios, E. 1994. Prickly pear (Opuntia spp.): a valuable fruit crop for semi-arid lands of Mexico. J. Arid Environ. 28:1-11. Pimienta-Barrios, E., and E. M. Engelman. 1985. Desarrollo de la pulpa y proporcion en volumen, do los componentes del loculo maduro an tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller). Agrociencia 62:51-56. Pimienta-Barrios, E., and R S. Nobel. 1994. Pitaya (Stenocereus spp., Cactaceae): An ancient and modern fruit crop of Mexico. Econ. Bot. 48:76-83. Pimienta-Barrios, E., G. Barbera, and P. Inglese. 1993. Cactus pear (Opuntia spp., Cactaceae) International Network: an effort for productivity and environmental conservation for arid and semi-arid lands. Cactus Succulent J. 65:225-229. Raveh, E., J. Weiss, A. Nerd, and Y. Mizrahi. 1993. Pitayas (genus Hylocereus): A new fruit crop for the Negev Desert of Israel. p. 491-495. In: J. Janick and J. E. Simon (eds.), New crops. Wiley, New York. Rengel, Z. 1992. The role of calcium in salt toxicity. Plant Cell Environ. 15:625-632. Rodriguez-Felix, A., and M. Cantwell. 1988. Developmental changes in composition and quality of prickly pear cactus cladodes (nopalitos). Plant Food Human Nutr. 38:83-93. Russell, C. E., and P. Felker. 1987a. The prickly pears (Opuntia spp., Cactaceae): a source of human and animal food in semiarid regions. Econ. Bot. 41:433-445. Russell, C. E., and P. Felker. 1987b. Comparative cold hardiness of Opuntia spp. and cvs. grown or fruit, vegetable and fodder production. J. Hort. Sci. 62:545-550. Scheinvar, L. 1985. Flora ilustrada Catarinese Cactaceae. Itajai. Santa Catarina, Brasil. Silverman, F. P., D . R. Young, and P. S. Nobel. 1988. Effect of applied NaCl on Opuntia humifusa. Physiol. Plant. 42:343-348. Vietmeyer, N. 1990. The new crops era. p. xviii-xxii. In: J. Janick and J. E. Simon (eds.), Advances in new crops. Timber, Portland, OR. Wang, N., and P. S. Nobel. 1995. Phloem exudate collected via scale insect stylets for the CAM species Opuntia ficus-indica under current and doubled CO concentrations. Ann. Bot. 75:525-532. Weiss, J., A. Nerd, and Y. Mizrahi. 1993a. Development of the cactus apple (Cereus peruvianus) as a new crop to the Negev Desert of Israel. p. 486-491. In: J. Janick and J. E. Simon (eds.), New crops. Wiley, New York. Weiss, J., A. Nerd, and Y. Mizrahi. 1993b. Vegetative parthenocarpy in the cactus pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Ann. Bot. 72:521-526. Weiss, J., A. Nerd, and Y. Mizrahi. 1994a. Flowering and pollination requirements in Cereus peruvianus cultivated in Israel. Israel J. Plant Sci. 42:149-158. Weiss, J., A. Nerd, and Y. Mizrahi. 1994b. Flowering behaviour and pollination requirements in climbing cacti with fruit crop potential. HortScience 29:1487-1492. Weiss, J., L. Scheinvar, and Y. Mizrahi. 1995. Selenicereus megalanthus (the yellow pitaya): a climbing cactus from Colombia. Cactus Succulent J. 67:280-283. Wessels, A. B. 1988. Spineless prickly pear. First Perskor, Johannesburg, South Africa. ----------------------- From: "Ronald Lyn" Subject: lychee stress Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 06:28:30 -0500 Hi Leo. Happy New year. I was wondering about the stressing of lychees to improve flowering. Now I think I understand the concept, but was wondering about places like us in Jamaica that sometimes have rain at inopportune times when the plants should be dormant. The question is, if consistent watering is done throughout the year ( weather having some rain or not) will the trees react the same way when water is withheld in the dormant period? Oh and if you could tell me at what time of the year do longans usually flower? Thanks. Ronald --------------------------- Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 16:47:21 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Martin Berghuis Subject: Feinte cohol banana (see photo at http://www.plantapalm.com/_private/veinte_cohol.htm What a strange name. Do you know what it means? Beautiful picture. I would like to send it to a friend but I don't know if there is something special I have to do to include the picture. I'm enjoying Lakatan bananas right now and have three huge bunches on my Dwf. Cavendish. Hope your plants recover from the freeze - very discouraging. We have had a lot of loss from wind and now it is too warm for this time of the year. My mangos are blooming and the peach buds are starting to color up. Which means I have to get out there and spray for peach leaf curl and spread chicken compost - then cover that with a mulch . Also the time of the year I fertilize citrus. The work is piling up. A lot of carrying up and down on my forty five degree slope. But all that fresh organically grown fruit enjoyed in abundance each day is surely worth it. The upper part of my slope is landscaped with South African aloes which are in bloom right now. The hummingbirds love it. Thanks for sharing... Eunice Messner ---------------------------------- Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 19:59:53 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Nan Sterman Subject: Correction to 1/3/99 e-mail re mycorrhizae Nan... In my e-mail to you I erred in saying "tilling the soil during daylight destroys most soil organisms." I should have said "tilling the soil destroys most fungal matter and makes the soil more bacteria oriented." And in the word evelop I left out the n. It should be envelop & 'eat'. Tilling the soil during daylight hours (even for 1 minute) stimulates weed growth. Our Permaculture member could tell us more about that. Anyway, I am sending you some materials from the 9/97 Sustainable Tree Conference I attended and bio's on two of the world's noted authorities. I would highly recommend writing for a copy of an interview with Dr. Elaine Ingham in the 1/97 ACRES USA magazine. Address: ACRES USA, P.O.Box 8800, Metairie, LA 70011 Dr. Ingham has recently established a soil microrganism analysis company. Soil Foodweb, Inc. 980 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330. All of this is not new. It just got shelved when chemicals were exploited. Hope you find this a most enlightening subject to pursue. Eunice Messner ------------------------------- Subject: Mangoes in California Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 14:17:23 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Sven Merten Sven... The mango you won at the CRFG meeting was a "Thomson". Very productive and good near the coast as well. It must be thinned to get nice sized fruit. I have three trees of "Thomson". Mother tree is 15 years old; seedling 10 years old; inarched grafted one 6 years old and loaded with flower buds. Thomson is one of the few mangos that come true from seed (polyembronic). Florida has a better climaate for mangos then we do and has done a lot of research and importation of new varieties over the years. We could get the wholesalers to ship them here cheaply. But, the trouble of phytotoxic inspection for importation into California has made it not worth their trouble. Some mangos are being grown here, but growers do not have the large variety of mature trees to use for scion wood. My new mango "Carnival" would sell out as fast as it could be grown. That is another reason I am looking for the quantity available by tissue culture If this heat wave in January doesn't cook all my young seedlings I have in a shade house set up for cold weather, then I will have at least 100 "Thomson" seedlings for sale at our annual "Green Scene' and maybe some "Pinas" which are also polyembryonic. Hope you received the instructions I sent for an easy propagating box by mail. Re your search for acreage: San Dimas is off the #57 freeway. An even better subtropical location is La Habra Heights, but it could be expensive. Nice place to live though. Call CRFG members David Maislen or Gigi and Andrea Foster, they live there. It was a community zoned for five acre lots but many have been subdivided. Eunice -------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 20:10:51 -0800 From: Randall Wilks Subject: How To Protect Rare Fruit In Colder Climates Hi! My name is Randall Wilks, and I live in Hollister, California. (about 45 miles south of San Jose. We have a micro climate here that is cooled in the summer by breezes off Monterey Bay, but do sometimes reach 100 degrees in summer. Winter temperatures are likewise moderated, most years never making the freezing mark. I have about 18 fruit trees on 1/2 acre, including fig, apples, various stone fruit including pluots, and citrus (lemon, Naval Orange, Pumelo, Mandarin). Although the freeze ruined the lemon crop, old growth was not too badly damaged. The Pumelo, on the other hand got severe leaf damage, but about half the fruit was protected as they were carried well inside the tree. The orange and Mandarin had new growth damaged, but almost no fruit loss. These trees are about 6 years old and never before sustained damage. I will be better prepared in the future. I am sinking 18" sections of 2" PVC pipe at 4 corners around each tree. In cold weather, I will quickly erect a 2x2 framework which will support plastic covers. I have heard with great interest about a Black Sapote, which I find is closer related to the Persimmon. I am hoping this might be adaptable to my climate especially with the precautions I am to use with the citrus. What can you tell me of this tree? I will also be planting a frost tolerant Avocado (Mexicola or Stewart), and would like to graft other varieties to lower branches where they would get some frost protection and provide a longer harvest. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Best Regards, Randall Wilks ------------- Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 20:10:51 -0800 From: Leo To: Randall Wilks Subject: Re: How To Protect Rare Fruit In Colder Climates Hi, Randall I used to live in an area subject to cold into the 20's sometimes, and I would prepare something, using galvanized woven stucco wire (I've forgotten the width it comes, but almost any woven wire, maybe 5-6' wide, would do.) I'd prepare it to become the circumference of the enclosure, by cutting it to whatever length, attaching heavy plastic sheeting that's 2-3 feet wider than the wire width to the wire by stapling it to wood lath that's nailed to each end of the wire. Then I would put 'large' bottles (colored are better) of water close to the trunk of the trees, and encircle each tree with the temporary greenhouse. Before trying to encircle each tree, you need to decide how to connect the ends of the enclosure together. And the extra width of plastic is at the top. During the evening, the plastic is pulled up and over the top of the tree, but it gets too hot to leave it up in the sunlight. The bottles of water have stored heat during the day, and help to protect the plants. If you have something like burlap, tablecloths, old drapes, etc., they will do a better job of keeping the heat in at night, over the top of each enclosure. Then, in warmer weather, they can be dismantled and stored until the next year. It worked pretty well. Another trick is to plant sensitive trees on the south or west wall of your home, or of some other structure. Sometimes the roof overhang will help to protect trees planted close. That pretty much exhausts my store of knowledge. You might inquire at the Ag office of a nursery for avocado information. The black sapote is sufficiently related to the Japanese persimmon that you can graft black sapote (sometimes called black persimmon) onto the Japanese persimmon. I've done it, but don't know how long it will persist. It's been about 9 months, now. Horticordially, Leo -----zingiber@onelist.com; contact zingiber-owner@onelist.com------- Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 17:28:32 -0500 From: Jody Haynes Subject: Photo of Veinte cohol Banana I put a photo of a fruit bunch of Veinte cohol on the web at http://www.plantapalm.com/_private/veinte_cohol.htm. I don't know much about it yet, but I will try to find out some more information from my supervisor next week. It is a very nice-looking plant with nice-looking (and tasting) fruit. Jody Haynes, Webmaster Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida, Virtual Palm Encyclopedia, Virtual Cycad Encyclopedia (http://www.plantapalm.com) ----------- Date: Sat, 09 Jan 1999 12:35 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: Photo of Veinte cohol From: HESTERC@mail01.adm.duke.edu To: Jody Jody, I just viewed the picture and it is great. Thanks. It looks just like the one I saw at Fruit and Spice Park, except none of those were in bloom. Based on the picture, I take it that this plant indeed remains fairly short, or dwarf, for a banana. Is that true in general? What would you say is the mature heighth? Has anyone tasted the fruit? Thanks, Clarence Hester -------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 20:43:28 -0800 From: Keith Benson DVM Subject: Want Me To Clone Your Bananas? Listers, I have had some very good success with micropropagating banana and wanted to make the following offer to folks on the list. I would like to expand my collection of Musa (I could not take my plants with me when I moved out to CA - so I am starting over - Things could get interesting!) To that end I would like to know if anyone on the list is interested in trading corms for plantlets. Sort of a no risk TC service. The game plan would be that if folks are interested, you would send in a corm(s) and I would return a set number of plantlets in return when the corm has multiplied (usually severl months). I can also provide the recipient with sterile propagating shoot clusters for their own multiplication work. I am constructing a webpage (http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2011/MicropropBAN.html) with instructions on banana tissue culture for those who will want to try their hand at micropropagation Eventually I hope to have a number of varieties to trade with folks. For now it would be a corm for plantlets deal. If anyone is interested in having their plants "cloned" please drop me an email for details. Thanks, Keith Benson DVM ------Discussion list for New Crops ---------- Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 18:44:02 -0800 From: "Carol A. Miles" Subject: Re: What Alternative Crops In Exotic Palm Greenhouse? If you would like to learn more about greenhouse vegetable production, I suggest you contact Rick Snyder at Mississippi State University. Rick is a specialist dealing with greenhouse tomato production and could also provide you with information about production of other vegetables in the greenhouse. Rick also has a web site which is an excellent resourse, http://www2.msstate.edu/~ricks/. Joshua Golovaty wrote: Hi 1. My friend asks me for help to find information about alternative crop for his greenhouses which was used until now for growing exotic palms. It is total 1.5 hectare high structure greenhouses with floor, so only soiless culture are possible. I thought about rare fruits in 45 Litres container, but it is only a primary guess. He is looking for crop to export to Europe (he is from Israel) so it must have some organised market for this crop. Any idea? I'll be very happy for any advice where to look for information to make good agronomic and commercial decision. 2. I want to start new mailing list for professional greenhouse growers to discuss problems related to greenhouse new technologies, management and crop production. If you interested the address to subscribe is: http://pages.hotbot.com/edu/horticulture/hortmailist.html Thanks in advance for any help Joshua Golovaty, Agronomist M.Sc Agr. golovaty@my-dejanews.com http://netopia.geocities.com/golovaty -----------------NAFEX List ------------------- Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 06:23:42 -0800 From: Travis Callahan Subject: Chill Hours - What Exactly Is It? Hello friends, Someone give me a good definition of chill hours. I have always understood that chill hours were those hours of winter that were between 32 degrees and 45 degrees temperature. Thanks Travis Callahan >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - January 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - February 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9902A.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily a collection of letters from you, the readers. I edit all submissions, sometimes in a very minor way. It helps if your mail has a relevant SUBJECT. Also, If you want to ma sure your letters are read by everyone, try to have the subject as descriptive as possible. You took the time to write the letter, so compose it so that it gets read. If you want your letter to be published, please use your *real* name someplace in the letter. It takes time to look up your name, so please sign your email. Also, when you direct a letter to a reader, please include that person's name someplace in the correspondence. That helps the rest of us know whom you are writing. I also like to see appropriate capital letters in writing, although it's not a major concern. It's a far greater 'offense' to write in all caps, but all small letters seem to be lacking something. Maybe it's just eye appeal? I try to edit mail to 'remedy' most deviations, but it takes more time.... I really appreciate it when you send me a CC or BCC when writing to other readers of RFNO. Much of the best information that has been past along has been due to the thoughtfulness of such correspondents. If you find errors of spelling, grammar, or facts, please let me know. These newsletters go out later to new subscribers and you will be doing both me and them a favor. Change of policy for publishing CC/BCC - Proposal: I need to cut back on the amount of time spent on editing this newsletter, and I believe that the following is reasonable, but I will 'listen' to your feedback. Therefore, beginning with this issue, I will only promise to publish letters from readers that are answering letters that have appeared in this newsletter, with one exception: If readerQ of RFNO has a question to ask of another readerA of RFNO, and readerQ sends to me a CC or BCC of the ORIGINAL letter to readerA, then I'll publish both of the letters. ReaderQ with a question and ReaderA with a response (provided ReaderA has also sent me a CC or BCC.) Let me explain. If ReaderA sends to me a CC/BCC from some person, reader or not, who hasn't sent me a CC/BCC of the ORIGINAL letter, then, the letter requires an enormous amount of time trying to figure out the thread of the correspondence. And even if the letter from ReaderA includes a copy of the original letter with " > " on every line, or, worse, with html language, it is quite hard to impossible to edit sufficiently to get the ideas accurately presented. I just can't take the time to do it. If ReaderA decides that an answer given to ReaderQ is in error, needing modification, I need the whole new response, again, with no " > " lines, rather than a note from ReaderA telling me which erroneous lines should be replaced with what lines. At best, I spend quite a bit of time editing the letters, so I need your help in making it easier for me. I want to keep this newsletter approximately as it has been. You write to me and I collect, edit, and publish the results. Eventually, perhaps I will go to some other format. If you run across webpages of interest, I encourage you to let all of us know. I hope this meets with your approval. Sincerely, Leo ----Categories of information found in this issue; Letters follow---- --Leo's Notes #1, 2 #1 Annona Diversifolia Seeds - Difficulty In Sprouting #2 Changing ISP Again, Hope Mail Gets Through --New Subscribers - Usually with questions. Help, if you can, please. From: Doug Jones Subject: New Subscriber, Mesa, Az, Having Blackened Tips On Branches From: Ranjit Singh Subject: New Subscriber, Canada, Grows Rare Fruit Under HID Lights From: joan@specialtyproduce.com (Joan Sonntag) Subject: New Subscriber, Arizona, Manages Specialty Produce Web Page From: Nabih S ABDELHAMID Subject: New Subscriber, Egypt, Has Leaf Miner Problem From: Alejandro Wellmann Subject: New Subscriber, Peru, & Info Date Palms from Ica, Peru From: Barry Edholm Subject: New Subscriber, Arizona, Wants To Grow Pepino & Cherimoya From: Mark Reed Subject: New Subscriber, Oregon, Wants To Expand His Plant List From: Ranjit Singh Subject: New Subscriber, Canada, Grows Rare Fruit Under HID Lights --Readers Write From: Eunice To: Joel Subject: Source for Stevia plants From: "Amy" Subject: Locating stevia From: Rob To: Bob Subject: americana seeds - Pessimism abounds! From: Geoff To: Eunice Subject: Lakatan Banana Description From: Eunice Messner To: Buckner, Geoff Subject: Re: Lakatan Banana Description From: Geoff To: Eunice Subject: RE: Lakatan Banana Description From: Eunice Messner Subject: CRFG Fruit Specialists Information Subject: Seedless guava To: Samar Gupta From: Bob To: Kirt Subject: Mangosteen and durian From: Eunice To: Travis Subject: Chilling Hours Subject: Webpage Snippets: Grafting using Rooting Hormones http://www.rooting-hormones.com/cummins.htm From: Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Hello from Thailand From: Kimberlee Subject: Lost Subscriber From: ron@cassfos03.UCSD.EDU (Ron Lyons) Subject: Giant Whitefly Project - Web Page Recommendation From: Dick Smith Subject: St. Julian (Prunus) Rootstock; Where Can I Find It? To: Dick Smith Subject: Re: St. Julian Rootstock; Where Can I Find It? From: Onder Tuzcu Subject: New? Subscriber, Turkey, Announcing Trop/SubTrop Meeting From: Holzinger To: Bob Thompson<102073.3346@compuserve.com> Subject: Mangos From: Eunice Messner Subject: About Phillipine Mangos From: "Margaret J. Basile" Subject: Pollination - Web Sites To Consider From: "Cheryl Wilen - Area IPM Advisor, Ornamentals" Subject: Re: Predatory Insects For Giant Whitefly: Available? From: Mary Subject: Re: Giant Whitefly Predators ----Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) From: Gene Paull Subject: Texas Cold - Banana Survivors and Not Survivors From: "Argento, Julie" Subject: RE: Texas Cold - Banana Survivors and Not Survivors --Announcements To Consider From: "Gordon C. Nofs" Subject: Pawpaws seed for sale, from Michigan From: FruitLovers@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Subject: FRUIT LOVERS NURSERY, HI, Tropical Fruit seeds for sale From: Dan Hemenway Subject: Permaculture Design Intensive in Northern California --NAFEX List (Using hormones for grafting, above, came from NAFEX list) --From NEWCROPS List From: Steve Fleischaker Subject: Need Tissue Culture Information? Try These ------------------Leo's Notes------------------- #1 Annona Diversifolia Seeds - Difficulty In Sprouting I split a batch of Annona diversifolia seeds into two equal groups. Since I didn't have gibberelic acid yet, I put the first group in moist peat moss enclosed in a quart-size 'ziploc' bag in a darkened environment, and put them in a hot bed, with temperature about 80 deg F. I did this on December 23, 1998. Then, around January 15, I obtained the gibberelic acid, removed the seeds, soaked them overnight (2000 ppm I believe it was), and returned them to the same environment. In ten days I found four (about 13% of them) beginning to sprout, and I repotted them in separate containers. Also, on January 15, I took the second group, soaked them in G.A. overnight, and put them in an identical environment in the hot bed. In ten days, there were two beginning to sprout, so I put them in separate pots, and now (15 days) there are two more of them sprouting, and another looking promising. I don't know how long I should wait before giving up, but I will wait at least another month, for the first group (which doesn't contain any additional promising candidates yet.) So, they are sometimes hard to sprout, and I don't know what works best. It's possible the G.A. strength was not ideal, and I should have tried it in different strengths. ------ #2 Changing ISP Again, Hope Mail Gets Through I've just gone through another ISP change, with the usual mail-gets-lost problems. There may even be another change soon. Return addresses for me will sometimes look different, but I believe that the leom@rarefruit.com will always get through. That explains the one-day-earlier-than-scheduled mailing date for this newsletter, in case it takes longer than usual to get delivered. Yours, Leo ------------------New Subscribers (Eight!)---------------------- From: Doug Jones Subject: New Subscriber, Mesa, Az, Having Blackened Tips On Branches Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 15:34:16 -0700 I would like to get onto your fruit info service. You may remember me stopping by your house a few years ago. Well, my computer crashed soon after and I lost your info. Mrs Snow just gave it to me again. Hope to get with you on fruit info. I have been trying to grow mangos in Phoenix Arizona for a number of years. All the trees end up getting blackened tips on the branches, and just sort of sit there with out any growth. Once in a while I get a good flush of growth, but normally very little. Does anybody know what causes the blackened tips? Doug Jones, From Mesa, Arizona. ------------------------------- Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 23:37:49 -0500 From: Ranjit Singh Subject: New Subscriber, Canada, Grows Rare Fruit Under HID Lights Hi, I am Ranjit Singh, living in Toronto, Canada I grow (a few rare fruit trees) in my basement under HID lights during the winter and would be interested in your newsletter. Please let me know how much I have to send you and I will by a US $ check. Thanks, Ranjit in Toronto, Canada ------------------------------- From: joan@specialtyproduce.com (Joan Sonntag) Subject: New Subscriber, Arizona, Manages Specialty Produce Web Page Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 07:36:43 -0700 Good morning, Leo and Betty! This is Joan Sonntag, Managing Editor of our web site: www.specialtyproduce.com I research and write on all types of produce we list under our Shopping List. I would enjoy information shared by your Rare Fruit News Online very much! Your newsletter and contributor of information are credited to you in our bibliography if any information is used from your publication! Looking forward to my subscription!! Sincerely, Joan Sonntag, Editor ------------------------------- Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 07:38:49 +0200 From: Nabih S ABDELHAMID Subject: New Subscriber, Egypt, Has Leaf Miner Problem Dear Friend, I would be pleased to subscribe to your list. I am Eng. Nabih S ABDELHAMID, of Lower Egypt. I cultivate mainly citrus: Navel & Valencia oranges and Mediterranean Mandarins. I also have a heteroclytic collection of Mangoes. My interests are commercial. My actual concern is about the leaf miners. I thank you for your interest to accept me in the list. Since 3 years have been subjected, all over Egypt, to an onslaught of citrus leaf miner. In Lower Egypt we have 3 main flush growth: 1- in spring when the weather is still cold. 2- End May in warm weather. 3- End September. In Spring, as the weather is still cold there is no harm but in May-June the whole flush growth is decimated as well as that of Autumn if the weather has not cooled. As we have, countrywise, no IPM or biological control we rely on sacrificing the Summer flush, and, if important, spray Vertemec in Autumn. Some years, if we have to treat for Citrus rust mites we spray Vertemec in May. But Vertemec is expensive and the citrus crop is rather cheap. Oil sprays, sensitive in Summer, has not proven efficient. So I kindly enquire about any new trend in combating this terrible pest. Thank you Best Regards. Nabih -------------------------------- From: Alejandro Wellmann Subject: New Subscriber, Peru, & Info Date Palms from Ica, Peru Date: Fri, 22 Jan1999 20:07:24 -0500 Hello: Thanks for your e-mail. I'm a geographer, consultor of environmental facts. Please include me (and the date palms and rare fruits of Ica) in your list. Can you read me in Spanish? ---- Greetings from Ica, Peru, in the other side of the world. I send you some information from the date palms of Peru and geographical informations, because Ica is the only place in the Southern Hemisphere in where these palms can grow. The date palms in Peru are located in the Department of Ica, 300 kilometers south of Lima, the capital of Peru, at 14BA Latitude south. The climate in the region is hot and dry with sunny days all year round. There is no rain, and the average temperature in the summer is between 32 and 38B0 C during the day and 18 to 22B0C during the night. In winter the average of temperature is about 28-31BAC in the day, and 10-14BAC in the night. No frost is given here. Moisture is for example 75% in the coastal region, and 50-60% in the desert, during the day. Date palms were introduced from Morocco and Algeria in Ica by the Spaniards in the 17th. century.Today the date palms grow wild here (a lower percent corresponds to a cultivars). We estimate that in the Paracas and Villacuri areas there are also 12.000 hectars with palms and a 500.000 of these palms, in an 80-90% offshoots, but the local farmers donB4t know his management, cultural practices and utility. In Paracas bay and Villacuri desert, date palms can grow in a high density, in order of 200 and more palm / hectar, An ancient palm tree has 5 to 20 offshoots aroud them. Each productive palm tree can produce 20 or more bunches and 150 to 250 kilograms of dates. Almost any mediterranean and native subtropical produce can be grown in this region, even pecans, guavas, lucumas, pacay, figs, pomegranates, papayas and chirimoyas.20 I would be very grateful if you can tell me more about date palms and the possibility of participating in this mailing list. I wish you the best, too. sincerely, Alejandro Wellmann --------------------------- From: Barry Edholm Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 10:18:56 EST Subject: New Subscriber, Arizona, Wants To Grow Pepino & Cherimoya Growing up in Michigan, my dad, for subsistence as well as teaching his seven children how to work, maintained a full 1/2 acre garden. I believe I have inherited his green thumb, and have had envious gardens wherever I have lived. Then four years ago, I moved to the Phoenix area and have been served an extra-large serving of humble pie. However, a few months back I saw two fruits in a market that I haven't seen since I lived in Santiago, Chile. These fruits were the Cherimoya, and my favorite, the Pepino Dulce. Then I began noticing that many of the plants that I was amazed at in Chile (having grown up in the Midwest) grow right here in the Valley of the Sun. I couldn't sleep a couple weeks ago, so I started a search for someone who could provide me a source for Pepino Dulce seeds. This effort led me the CRFG homepage and I found a member nursery guide. After a call to Roger Meyer I found out that there are others right here in my area who are interested in the same. I even found a man who has attempted the Pepino Dulce, unfortunately without luck. The sum of all this is that I now have a fire burning within me to figure out how to not only grow Pepino Dulce and Cherimoya in by own backyard and have successful flowering and setting, but be successful at other rare fruits and nuts that have been shown to be successful outdoors here in the valley. So any information that I might have, any time that might be saved by learning from other's mistakes and success would be greatly appreciated. And when I finally figure out how to be successful with the Pepino Dulce, I will be glad to share what I have learned. Thank you, Barry Edholm Mesa, AZ 85201 ------------------------------- Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 18:06:58 -0800 From: Mark Reed Subject: New Subscriber, Oregon, Wants To Expand His Plant List Hi! Please sign me up! I am Mark Reed, in Albany Oregon Interested in trying most any fruit that will grow here - typical minimum temperature is about 10 degrees F. Kiwis, paw-paws, hardy kiwis, blueberries and persimmons are on my list already. I'd love suggestions for other things to try, plus hints and sources. Thanks! I grow (not particularly skillfully yet) apples, pears, cherries, mulberries asian pears, bosc pears, raspberries, blackberries (not by choice - they're a problem weed here!) , plums, quince, prunes, and am failing at almonds, peaches, apricots, and most plums. I'd like to try a lot more. And if I ever get my greenhouse, watch out! Regards, Mark -------------------------- Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 23:37:49 -0500 From: Ranjit Singh Subject: New Subscriber, Canada, Grows Rare Fruit Under HID Lights Hi, I am Ranjit Singh, living in Toronto, Canada I grow (a few rare fruit trees) in my basement under HID lights during the winter and would be interested in your newsletter. Please let me know how much I have to send you and I will by a US $ check. Thanks, Ranjit in Toronto, Canada ---------------Readers Write----------------- Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 16:37:45 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice To: Joel Subject: Source for Stevia plants Joel... You may find 'Stevia' plants at Roger Meyer's nursery and farm: exoticfruit@95net.com Also: Calif. Tropical Fruit Tree Nursery, www.tropicalfruittrees.com Mine flowered and died and that has been an experience of other friends. Maybe coincidence, but why not take cuttings and root them - then test to see if the mother plant dies after it flowers. Success, Eunice Messner ------------------------------ Date: Mon Jan 18 07:12:28 1999 From: "Amy" Subject: Locating stevia Joel Moskowitz, I've seen stevia in the herb sections of some of the nurseries here in Orange County, and more specifically sometimes at Mother's Market & Kitchens, the closest to you would be in Irvine, I think. You'd just have to call around the see when they're in. Amy of Marvelous Gardens ------------------------------- From: Rob To: Bob Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 20:21:10 EST Subject: americana seeds - Pessimism abounds! Bob, I brought americana seeds back from Peru and Florida different times. Both times the plants got between 12 and 24 inches . But would not overwinter outside. Hope someone else has better luck. Or maybe a greenhouse until they are bigger. Rob Thompson ------------------------------- From:GeoffTo: Eunice Subject: Lakatan Banana Description Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 10:46:25-0800 Eunice, You made an off-hand reference to the Lakatan banana in a recent RFNO letter. I would appreciate it if you could briefly share your experience with this variety. I am particularly interested in the plant size, fruit characteristics (such as texture and flavor), and wind resistance. I am currently researching some of the more obscure banana varieties and I am not familiar with the lakatan variety, other than it is from the Philippines. Thank you very much. Geoff Buckner Point Loma area of San Diego ------------ From: Eunice Messner To: Buckner, Geoff Date: Monday, January 18, 1999 4:31 PM Subject: Re: Lakatan Banana Description Geoff.. There are two bananas with the same name. 'Lacatan' is from Jamaica and 'Lakatan' is from the Philippines. I purchased mine from someone who got it from a former Phillipine resident. BUT, it is not tall like the supposedly 18' 'Lakatan'. It is only about 7' to the emerging bunch. (Lacatan' is 15') Bananas do mutate or sport readily and dwarfing is common. So, I am at a loss to know what I really have. The banana is of average size and is very delicious. Has a nice balance of sweet and acid. It produces a medium sized bunch. I have never kept records of how long they took to ripen. (Supposedly, they both take 11 months.) Do you know about W.O. Lessard's book "The Complete Book of Bananas"? It is available from the Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 S.W. 187th Ave. Homestead, FL 3303l For sometime I was the only one stll growing 'Lakatan', (it is not frost tolerant) but I have recently seen it listed at J.D. Andersens e-mail address jdapalms@earthlink.net ----------------------------------- From: Geoff To: Eunice Subject: RE: Lakatan Banana Description Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 08:33:19-0800 Eunice, Thank you for the information regarding the Lakatan banana. Since you have started posting letters in the RFNO newsletter I, and I am sure many others, have appreciated your obvious experience and insight with growing "rare" fruit in southern California. Geoff ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 15:49:53 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: CRFG Fruit Specialists - Contact Information Fruit Name of Specialist Email Fax# Avocado Gerald Carne ggcarne@nctimes.net Banana Jerry D. Andersen jdpalms@earthlink.net 949 492-2198 Black Sapote George Emerich gemerich@tfb.com Budding/Grafting Gary Meltzer kathann1@tsoft.com Date Palms Richard Smith RichardPIV@aol.com 650 462-1592 Figs Richard Watts edew@vcnet.com 805 482-2405 Guava Randy Permpoon rpermpoon@aol.com 760-758-5074 Hardy Rare Fruit/Climate Data Jeff Earl earlj@mail.yosemite.cc.ca.us Jaboticaba/Myrtaceae Brent Thompson brent@hplbct.hpl.hp.com Jujube/Olives Joseph Cono Fax 408 395-1528 Kiwi Roger Meyer exoticfruit@95net.com Loquats/Lucuma/Sapodilla David Silber Fax 818 363-3680 Pepino dulce John F. Swift subtropicals@thegrid.net Pineapple Guava John Moore Fax 707 459--939 Pineapples Jan Davis jandavis@AS400JOBS.com Fax 707 942-0839 Eunice ------------------------------- Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 10:23:50 -0800 (PST) Subject: Seedless guava From Eunice To: Samar Gupta Samar You may wish to contact a Thailand nurseryman living in California who will export, but his English may be a handicap in corresponding. He has over 100 varieties of guava. Randy Permpoon, 916 Osborne St. Vista, CA 92084 (760) 758-2494: Fax 760 758-5074 Eunice Messner ------------------------------- From: Bob To: Kirt Subject: Mangosteen and durian Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 08:37:30 -0800 Hi Kirt, Saw your note on RFNO. One person you could contact is Brian Lievens. His phone number when he lived in Capt. Cook was (808) 323-9002. He may have moved since I last contacted him. I don't know exactly where the Puna district is, but Brian contended that mangosteens would need the rainfall and humidity of the Hilo area, or north of Hilo. He didn't say anything about durian, but I'm sure they would like the same climate. The mangosteens growing around Capt. Cook were not growing well with the ambient humidity and rainfall. Good luck! Bob Holzinger ------------------------------- Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 17:14:10 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice To: Travis Subject: Chilling Hours According To Eunice Travis... The simple formula we've always used for measuring the chilling requirement for deciduous trees is to count the hours of chill measured between 34 and 45 degrees F. and subracting the number of hours above 60 deg F. that occur the next day. However, there is newer literature (i.e. "Physiology of Temperate Zone Fruit Trees" by Miklos Faust) that recommends the use of chill units (hours multiplied by weighting factors) as given below. But, before going into that, let me say I had help translating centigrade into farenheit and I'm not that smart that I could come up with a term like weighting factor. Temperature F Chill Unit* Below 34 deg. 0.0 34-36.5 0.5 36.5-50 1.0 50-54 0.5 54-61 0.0 The next day: 61-65 deg. -0.5 65-70 -1.0 70-74 -2.0 *A chill unit is an hour multiplied by the appropiate weighting factor; thus, for example, an hour between 34 deg and 36.5F counts as only half a chill unit. The hours between 54 deg and 61 do not count toward chilling and as before, hours the next day above 61 deg. are subtracted. Hours of chilling below 34 deg do not count. The hours are weighted, added or subtracted as appropriate, and reported as total chill hours. Eunice Messner ------------------------------- Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 20:03:56 +0000 (Info from NAFEX List) Subject: Webpage Snippets: Grafting using Rooting Hormones See http://www.rooting-hormones.com/cummins.htm [Note: To fully understand this information, you should see it all at the web page. Leo] --- The following article is reprinted from the Pomona, Spring 1997, Volume 2, number34 XXX. Pomona is the publication of The North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX, RR3 Box 167, Blomington IL 61704) Success of a graft union depends on the establishment of a callus bridge between the cut surfaces of scion and stock, and the subsequent establishment of a functioning vascular cylinder connecting scion and stock. Initial callus formation appears to develop about equally on the cut surfaces of both partners, arising not from the cambial layers but from parenchyma cells, mostly in the wood just inside the camblum. Soon after scion and stock calluses have merged, callus cells just below the cambial cells of the scion begin to divide in the same plane as the camblum. Waves of cell division proceed from the top down, suggesting that a regulatory stimulus moves to the cut surface from the growing-shoot tip. Callus parenchyma cells inside the new cambium cylinder re-differentiate into functioning xylem cells. Last of all, the new cambium begins producing phloem cells. We sought to enhance that regulatory stimulus by applying a solution of a synthetic growth regulator. In the dormant season, we prepared whip-and tongue bench grafts of seven hardy varieties with potential as winter-tolerant frame builders. On half of the grafts of each variety, we applied a 2000 ppm solution of IBA (3-indole butyric acid) to the cut surface of the scion before joining stock and scion. After four weeks of callusing in a storage cellar at about 45 to 50F, we planted the grafts in the nursery; during the summer, we provided normal tillage but no irrigation. Trees were harvested in November. We evaluated each set for survival and for tree quality. With all seven varieties, survival was greater for the IBA-treated grafts than for those not treated; with five of the varieties, all treated grafts survived. Tree quality of the surviving grafts was as striking as the survival rate, based on grading into salable and non-salable trees: We have not made microscopic examination of the progress of union establishment and vascularization after IBA treatment, but it seems probable that the IBA is increasing both the formation of callus and the rate at which the new cambium cylinder is differentiated through the callus parenchyma cells. Using one of the common rooting compounds, such as the 2000 ppm IBA solution reported here, may improve both grafting success and tree quality of bench-grafted trees. Powdered proprietary mixtures could offer advantages over the liquid mixtures and should be tried. The technique is sufficiently promising to merit small-scale trial. Moderators note: Other studies have found similar success. The suggestions for the use of Rhizopon AA are based on the outcome of tests and experiments carried out by international testing stations, research centers, scientific publications and Rhizopon's own research. Testing is essential. Suitable test rates should be used on a small portion of the crop before doing extensive treatment. Select the rate which provides the desired effect. The actual conditions at your facility may not be the same as the place were the data was obtained. You might find highly successful results if you vary the concentrations somewhat from the listed amount. [Anyone of you readers who have used synthetic hormones in grafting should report to the rest of us, please. Leo] ------------------------------- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 14:55:51 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Hello from Thailand I have been away for some time and shall be away again tomorrow. In Laos, they do not have the Internet. I shall write when things get back to normal for me, Sainarong ------------------------------ From: Kimberlee Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 22:40:16 -0800 Subject: Lost Subscriber Hi Leo, I was receiving your newsletter until about two months ago. At the same time I joined the CRFG. I really miss your newsletter! This is the second time I have sent an e-mail requesting to be put back on. Please, Please, Please, Please add me back to your newsletter. It was very informative and I learned a lot just the few months I received it. Please Let me know you received this e-mail. Thanks, Kimberlee from San Diego ------------------------------- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 99 10:47:59 PST From: ron@cassfos03.UCSD.EDU (Ron Lyons) Subject: Giant Whitefly Project - Web Page Recommendation Hi Leo, I updated my giant whitefly page replacing the bad link. The giant whitefly project now has its own web site. There is more information on the insect including history, pest control methods and a list with pictures of host plants. You might want to check it out http://www.rad.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/cntydepts/landuse/farm/whitefly/ Good luck Ron Lyons ------------------------------- From: Dick Smith Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 13:04:26 EST Subject: St. Julian (Prunus) Rootstock; Where Can I Find It? Hi Leo, I'm wondering if you or some of your news letter readers have an answer to the following question? I would like to buy a peach tree that is grafted onto a St. Julian rootstock. I understand that this rootstock is very resistant to Oak Root fungus (Armilaria). Most of the nurseries either don't know what rootstock is used on their trees or do not have the St. Julian rootstock. I would prefer a low chill variety, but any variety will do as I can graft on what I want later. It's the St. Julian rootstock that is important. Thanks for any help you or your readers can provide. Dick Smith --------- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 13:58:20 +0000 To: Dick Smith Subject: Re: St. Julian Rootstock; Where Can I Find It? Hi, Dick There is not just one St. Julian rootstock. There's St. Julian A, which I have used often, on which peach, nectarine, and plums are at least sometimes quite compatible. St. Julian A also has an advantage of not suckering all around the tree. (Of course suckers give you additional rootstocks, but at a far faster rate than needed.) The other one, St. Julian X, is compatible with more varieties of prunus, but suckers so heavily that you won't be happy with it in the long run. You can propagate St. Julian A with cuttings. Most, by simply putting cuttings into the ground, without hormones, will root and grow. Chill doesn't seem to be an issue with most rootstocks. I don't now recall where I got my rootstocks, but it might have been Arneson Nsy, 25571 S. Barlow Rd, Canby OR 97013 Yours, Leo ----------------------------- From: Onder Tuzcu Subject: New? Subscriber, Turkey, Announcing Trop/SubTrop Meeting Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 11:03:18+0200 Dear Sir, I am Onder Tuzcu in Turkey I am very happy to know that you are started again Rarefruit action that I followed it with a great interest. I would like to joint it with pleasure and receive your publications regularly as well in the past. As information I would like to say some thing new for you : We established a Mediterranean Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Species Network (MESFIN) under FAO edgide. I am presently its president and I will organize its General Meeting in Adana (Turkey) in University of Cukurova from 9 to 13 June 1999. On the other hand, we established also, a Mediterranean Citrus Network (MECINET) under FAO egide that also I am its president. Parallely, I will organize also its General Meeting in Adana from 31 August to 5 September 1999. I will be happy if you dispatch this news to your members and perhaps some of them will have intention to attend it. They welcome with pleasure in the condition to contact with me in advance. Sincerely, Prof. Dr. Onder Tuzcu ------ [I wrote Professor Tuzcu, explaining this publication was not in existence from 1981 until 1990, so I had no record of his being on a mailing list. His response follows: Leo] ------- Thank you very much for your kind reply to my yesterday e-mail. I am full professor in the University of Cukurova where the most important and dense researchs are done on citrus and subtropical fruit species in Turkey. I am working and I am teaching on these matters more than 30 years. As you know Turkey is situated on the northern part of the subtropical climate belt of the world where severe freezees are very frequent. For this reason, I am very interesting with your publications. In our Department, I have 30 hectars of citrus and subtropical fruits species modern research orchards covering more than 950 taxa in collection. My collections is one of the richest in the Mediterranean. I received your pubications regularly since 1981 No.1 till to 1990 N0. 32 free of charge. Unfortunately, after this date sending of it was collapsed. I followed them with graet interest and I used them for several pourpose like education or specific informations. I am very surprized to know from you that you hav'nt any records on my address. Perhaps during the transition period all datas were lost. But, in any case, I will be very happy to receive again regularly your publications and also, if they are available and possible for you, to have the back issues since 1996 till to last number. I hope you will renew and add my name and address in to your permanent sending list that I give below : Prof. Dr. Onder Tuzcu University of Cukurova Faculty of Agriculture Department of Horticulture 01330 Adana - Turkey I am thanking you in advance and I hope to create again constructive collaborations with you. Sincerely yours, Prof. dr. Onder Tuzcu --------------------------------- From: "Holzinger, Bob" To: Bob Thompson <102073.3346@compuserve.com> Subject: Mangos Hi Bob, Saw your note on mangos from the Philippines. All mangos are of the same genus and species, Mangifera indica, but there are lots of varieties. One of the good yellow varieties is Manila, from the Philippines. Maybe this is the one you are refering to in your note. From Reno you would have quite a drive to get to a nursery that sells mangos. Two sources I know of in Ventura county are Green Thumb Nursery in Ventura and Tim Thompson in Camarillo. Green Thumb gets their trees in from La Verne Nursery and Tim propagates his own. You could easily grow trees from seed, but the grafted trees would fruit sooner and stay smaller. Tim would probably have trees for sale this spring. Good luck, Bob Holzinger -------------------------------- Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 20:20:29 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: About Phillipine Mangos Robert Thomasson According to an article in the 1976 CRFG Yearbook by John McIntyre, Jr. on 'Remembered Fruits of the Phillipine Islands', 'Carabao' represented 60% of the mango crop, 'Pico' 20%. His description of 'Pico' sounded very much like what we call 'Manila'. A third mango 'Pahutan' he remembered as being so small that you just peeled it and popped the whole thing in your mouth, then ptooey, you spit out the seed. Paul Thomson, CRFG's co-founder, had a 'Carabao' for several years but it did not perform well so he cut it down. 'Manila' is quite common, but I prefer Paul Thomson's 'Manila' seedling that bears his name. It has a much better balance of flavor and it sets quantities of fruit that hang in clusters on the tree. As a consequence, they are not a real large mango. Do not be tempted to plant a seedling as the trees will get much too large for a greenhouse. Any mango planted with limited head space should be a grafted one or one of the smaller growing varities, such as, 'Carrie' or 'Julie'. There are probably others that don't come to mind. I like the early 'Glenn' as it doesn't seem to grow too tall. I have also found that some Florida varities are only bushes here in California, i.e., 'Kent' and 'Tommy Atkins'. That may be the way to go. According to my "Guide to Mangos in Florida", Edward Simmons, the horticulturist in charge of plant introduction in the 1920's, made some crosses of the 'Carabao' and 'Haden' which yielded progeny of very good quality, including 'Edwards' and 'Simmonds'. These cultivars have retained much of the excellent taste that set 'Carabao apart. So I would advise trying those. Pacific Tree Farms (619) 422-2400 has 'Edwards' listed. Eunice Messner ---------------------------- Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 06:53:34 -0500 From: "Margaret J. Basile" Subject: Pollination - Web Sites To Consider Source of pollination information: http://www.airoot.com/beeculture/book/index.html Good paper on pollination to read online: http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~mts/apishtm/papers/ALTPOL.HTM#2 ------------------------------- Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 11:53:54 -0800 From: Cheryl Wilen Subject: Re: Predatory Insects For Giant Whitefly: Available? Dear Leo, Currently reseachers at the Univesity of California, Riverside, the San Diego Agricultural Commissioners Dept., and the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture are studying various beetles and wasps for control of the giant whitefly. Some work better than others but the there is good indication that one needs a variety of the parasites and predators for best control. I believe the Weidner's Gardens in Encinitas is selling some predators. So far, no insecticide has provided longer than 2 weeks worth of control. Spraying a hard (60 psi) stream of water to wash off the "beards" and immatures will provide 4-7 days control. The giant whitely prefers to lay eggs on older leaves, therefore removal of older leaves as they become infested is helpful. I don't beleive neem oil is very effective because it must contact the pest. However, once the tressa are sprayed and then neem oil applied might do better. That may be why there are conflicting results. Also, light horticultural oil will work but again, it must be applied after the waxy threads are cleaned off. I wish I had some more complete information for you. We should have better information in about 6 months when data from the beneficial releases is available. Sincerely, Cheryl Wilen IPM Advisor ------------------------------- From: Mary Date: Wed, 27 Jan 199913:09:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Giant Whitefly Predators Dear Leo, Check out our [Weidners Gardening Nursery] web page www.weidners-gardens.com. We have a page devoted to giant whiteflies. (Look under learning pages I think). But as to your more immediate problem, we do carry predators, but only during our open season which starts April 1. There is no true predator for the giant whitefly yet. The best we know of is the delphastus beetle. It looks about the size of a poppy seed and is black. They eat alot of regular whiteflies, but aren't as happy to eat the giants. Strangely, on avocados they do eat the giant wf's. No one knows why. I might be able to get you some delphastus, but they come w/ a 100 beetle minimum. I don't remember the cost. Let me know if you want some beetles and I will check and see if I can get some. I will also find out specific to your plants what has given the best results. Good luck Mary Weidners Gardens ----list zingiber@onelist.com; contact zingiber-owner@onelist.com--- Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 20:39:16 -0600 From: Gene Paull Subject: Texas Cold - Banana Survivors and Not Survivors It's been awhile since I've posted to the list. Here's what happened in Brownsville during cold weather outbreaks in January. At no time did it freeze here - the lowest temp. was 34o F. This is when temps. in other parts of the Gulf Coast were in the upper twenties. What we did have here was lots of biting dry northwest wind with temps. in the upper thirties and lower forties. That was enough to do the damage to the dwarf Cavnedish bananas. Here at the Univer. of Texas at Brownsville, a grove that had produced fruit this summer, the leaves and trunks were all brown. I'm afraid the stalks are lost. At my home, all the Cavendish that were exposed to the north wind were completely defoliated - Dwarf Cavendis, Double, and Zan Moreno. All of these are planted in the ground with no special protection. The Raja Puri lost a few leaves but I think the central growing stem is okay. I feared for the worst for the really delicate ones - Puerto Rican Dwarf Plantain and Grand Nain - the north wind was blocked by trees and a wood fence from hitting them - they lost a few leaves, but are fine. Since they didn't get the wind, they may have actually experienced cooler temps. (radiation). With temps. in the thirties, my experience, the wind does more damage than cold and calm. Gene Paull Brownsville, Tx., z. 9b ------------- Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 12:15:09 -0800 From: "Argento, Julie" Subject: RE: Texas Cold - Banana Survivors and Not Survivors Hey Gene- Thanks for the update, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who suffered damage from cold. Here in Southern California (zone 9) temps. got down to the high twenties for several hours during the early morning hours for about 3 days. I lost the pseudostem on my Kru, and I'm hoping that new growth will appear soon! I also lost all the leaves on my Dwarf Cuban Red and Green Macaboo, however new growth is already apparent! Over and out, Julie --------------Announcements To Consider---------------- From: "Gordon C. Nofs" Subject: Pawpaws seed from Michigan Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 16:04:32 PST Pawpaw seeds are 10 cents apiece, plus shipping. 100 seeds would be about $11.00 I'll need an address. Gordon C Nofs Flint, MI. --------------------------------------- From: Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Date: Mon, 25 Jan 199918:30:04 -1000 (HST) Subject: FRUIT LOVERS NURSERY, HI, Tropical Fruit seeds for sale Here are some of the seeds I have for sale (prices are for 50 seeds unless noted, larger amounts available upon request, discounts to nurseries, please inquire): Abiu $35, Brazilian Cherry $25, Sapodilla $25, Chocolate Sapote $50, Cacao $50, Coffee "Kona" type $15, Curry Leaf Tree $25, Durian $75 limited supply, Eggfruit $25, Gamboge-Garcinia xanthochymus $25, Jaboticaba $20, Jackfruit $25, Langsat $75 limited supply, Rheedia edulis $30, Longan $25, Lychee $20, Malabar Chestnut $20, Mammey $60, Mangosteen $70 limited supply, Miracle Fruit $30, Monstera $20, Malay Apple $20, Noni $20, Papaya "Thai Dwarf" $10, Passiflora quadrangularis $15, Passiflora laurifolia $15, Rambutan $30, Mysore Raspberry $10, Rollinia $35, Santol $35, Soursop $20, Starapple $25, Starfruit $20, Surinam Cherry $15, Tamarind $15, Tree Tomato $10, [Contact Oscar if you want additional information, Leo] If you would like us to mail you a copy of our plant list, send a SASE to the address below, or we can fax it to you. FRUIT LOVERS NURSERY, Oscar Jaitt, PO Box 1597, Pahoa, HI 96778. Telephone: (808)965-9785, E-mail: FruitLovers@webtv.net ------------------------------- From: Dan Hemenway Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 12:58:51 EST Subject: Permaculture Design Intensive in Northern California PERMACULTURE DESIGN WORKSHOP TO BE HELD IN CALIFORNIA Dan and Cynthia Hemenway, editors of The International Permaculture Solutions Journal, will lead an intensive 10-day permaculture design workshop Aug. 6-15, 1999, near Forest City, in Northern California. The initial weekend is a stand-alone workshop where participants produce a rough draft permacualture design. Starting monday, particpants flesh out and refine the design, delivering a report to the residents the following Saturday. Instruction during the week is confined to topics needed to produce this specific design. The design will integrate human activity with the contour, soil, solar energy, and water flows of the site to provide water, food, shelter, energy, and other patterns supportive of the residents. Creating a joyous and enjoyable setting is central to the design goals. Sunday afternoon, Dan will conclude the workshop with a clinic to discuss permaculture-related problems that participants bring from their own situations. Participants can register for the full workshop or just the initial weekend. There is a limit on enrollment. The workshop is designed to meet the needs of a variety of participants including: people wishing to learn to design their own homes; people seeking strong preparation for the certificate Permaculture Design Course; certified permaclturists seeking advanced training; and present or future students of the Online Permaculture Design Course who will use the workshop to meet their design project requirement. Child care can be arranged with advance notice. Send SASE for a complete flyer. Inquire also if you wish to host permaculture or forest workshops in your area. Limited scholarships for Native Americans, women, minorities, and others are available. For details about the workshop fee, scholarships, housing, meals and similar matters, contact Birdsong Sundstrom, Forest City, via Alleghany CA 95910. Dan ------Discussion list for New Crops ------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 19:01:45 EST From: Steve Fleischaker Subject: Need Tissue Culture Information? Try These Designing a Plant Micropropagation Laboratory http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tisscult/microprop/facilities/microlab.html Plant Tissue Culture for Home Gardeners http://www.une.edu.au/~agronomy/AgSSrHortTCinfo.html Carnivorous Plant Tissue Culture (This is a good one) http://www.flytrap.demon.co.uk/tc.htm Steve Fleischaker Central Florida, USA >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - February 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - February 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9902B.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily a collection of letters from you, the readers. I edit all submissions, sometimes in a very minor way. If you find errors of spelling, grammar, or facts, please let me know. These newsletters go out later to new subscribers and you will be doing them a favor. Please do feel free to write with questions you want to pose to the 300 other reader/growers around the world. Several of them will very likely be able to help. Also, feel free to write directly to individual readers, but I would appreciate a CC or BCC, so I can publish both your question and the answers that follow. Also, write to tell the rest of us about plant nurseries, or horticulture web pages that you think we will want to know about. Also, please write to respond questions that have been raised in earlier issues of this Newsletter. (However, I probably will NOT publish an answer to a question wasn't raised in the newsletter. If you want your letter to be published, try to follow the following guidelines, subject to change: Use your *real* name someplace in the letter. Give your mail a relevant SUBJECT. Most of us will select which letters to read by the subject, and if it doesn't match the contents of the mail, it may not be read! When your letter is a response to a question posted by a reader in an earlier issue, please include that person's name someplace in the correspondence. Please use appropriate capital letters in writing, although it's not a major concern. Don't write in all caps (definitely worse), but all small letters seem to be lacking something. Thanks for your help, Leo ------------------- Here's An Overview Of Information In This Issue --Leo's Notes #1, 2 #1 Air Layering Mangoes - Unusual Rooting Characteristics #2 Annona Diversifolia (ILAMA) Seed Sprouting; Disappointing 7% --New Subscribers - Usually with questions. Help, if you can, please. Subject: New Subscriber, Estero, FL, Seeks Info Raspberry & Mulberry From: Arlene Mobley Subject: New Subscriber, Canada, Interested In Growing Organic Papayas From: "John Kornuc" Subject: New Subscriber, MO, With Indoor-Fruit Questions From: Tom White Subject: New Subscriber, TX, Interested In Citrus Subject: New Subscriber, GA, Interested In Hardy Rare Fruit From: Max M. Lund --Readers Write From: Sven [Thanks, Sven! For This Posting: Leo] Subject: Fruit List By Cold Hardiness From: Sven Merten Subject: Who wants to split an order of seed from Oscar at Fruit Lovers Nursey From: Glenda & Tom Ponder Subject: Stevia Availability From: Dan Hemenway Subject: Need Loquat Scion Wood -- Also American plum From: "Monroe, William" To: Russ , Subject: RE: Info Sought: Tampa/Petersberg FL Area From: "L. Warren" To: Leo Subject: Re: Annona diversifolia seeds - Sprouting Difficulties From: Leo Manuel To: Roger Meyer Subject: Use 'Proper' Oil Spray For Leaf Miner Problem From: Eunice To:Nabih From: Eunice Subject: Pepino dulce From: Eunice Messner To: Fausto Subject: Re: Dealing With Mealybugs, Using Chemical Or Biological Means --Discussion list for New Crops From: Michael Forsyth Subject: Plant Cell Tissue Culture Information.... --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None in this issue --NAFEX List None in this issue ------------------Leo's Notes------------------- #1 Air Layering Mangoes - Unusual Rooting Characteristics I've tried to air layer mangoes in the past, and wonder if I had been successful in the past, without knowing it! Last summer I tried again, with an 'Oro' seedling. Periodically, I unwrapped the paper and aluminum foil that I used to shade the peat ball, looking in vain for the 'typical' white roots reaching out to the surface of the plastic wrap. Finally, I decided to take off the plastic wrap, and found brown roots, short and relatively thick. Not many, but definitely appeared to be adequate. Time will tell if it will survive, but I wonder if previous layers had possibly been throwing roots, and that I discarded them in ignorance! #2 Annona Diversifolia (ILAMA) Seed Sprouting; Disappointing 7% I haven't abandoned the Annona Diversifolia (ILAMA) seeds in the hotbed, but I have serious doubts that any others will sprout. I opened a few of the quite-a-few remaining, and found brown interiors that were definitely not viable anymore. There have been only 7% that have sprouted, even with Giberrilic Acid treatment. If any of you have had greater success, I'd like to know more about how you did it. ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Estero, FL, Seeks Info Raspberry & Mulberry Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 14:02:53 EST From: Arlene Mobley Subject: New Subscriber, Canada, Interested In Growing Organic Papayas I am Ronald Wollersheim, in Warner Alberta Canada At the present time I am not growing any fruit trees but am looking for information about growing papayas organically. Can you help me? Thanks in advance. Ronald Wollersehim ------------------- From: "John Kornuc" Subject: New Subscriber, MO, With Indoor-Fruit Questions Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 09:46:22 -0600 Hi! I'm interested in fruit growing and have heard good things about your newsletter. I'd like to subscribe. Thanks! I am Bob Cantor, from near Kansas City, MO, USA I believe I have the largest citrus farm in Missouri - 12 plants, all in large pots under a 1000 W HID lamp and a western exposure indoors in the winter. In the summer they do much better because I put them outdoors. All winter long I have to spray for mealybugs. I also have 4 fig bushes, a coffee tree and a bay tree. I'd be interested in anything else that would grow in large pots like these (18" round, about 12-15 gal). I have a variety of other fruits that grow outdoors in my climate that are not on topic according to your definition. I will be happy to not mention them. :) Here are questions I'd like readers of RFNO to answer for me: What tropical fruits and spices have you had success in growing indoors in large pots? Mangoes? Papaya? Cinnamon? Anything? Do Bonsai'd medjools still bear fruit? :) Bob C. --------------------------- Date: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 13:00:47 -0600 From: Tom White Subject: New Subscriber, TX, Interested In Citrus Leo, My name is Tom White. I live in the northwest area of Houston, Texas. My main interest in rare fruit is citrus, especially cold hardy citrus suitable for growing in my location (USDA climate zone 8 B) with little or no protection from our winters which may get to 20*F. I have had the good fortune to work part time in the past at Treesearch Farms, a local nursery which at the time had an active citrus propigation program, and learned citrus grafting from Mr. Bonnie Childers, one of the best at citrus grafting in South Texas. I enjoyed the January 15, 1998 issue of RFNO which you sent in reply to my request for information. I have already missed the February 1, 1998 issue and would appreciate it if you would start my regular subscription to RFNO with that issue. The posting by Keith Benson with its links to tissue culture at home sites renewed an old interest in this process and the links provided promise to allow me to follow up on this fascinating area of plant propagation. I would like to see if it could lead to application with citrus plants. Best wishes, Tom in Texas ------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, GA, Interested In Hardy Rare Fruit Date: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 21:36:08 EST From: Max M. Lund Hi, I am Max M. Lund, living near Conyers, GA Trees I'm growing now: orange x hardy orange, paw paw, gingko, autumn olive, apples, persimmons, etc. I have lived in St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and enjoy tropical fruit. Max -----------------Readers Write------------------ From: Sven Merten Date: Mon, 01 Feb 1999 07:07:24 -0800 Subject: Re: Annona diversifolia seeds - Sprouting Difficulties Leo, Congratulations on getting at least some of them to sprout. Unless you need the space I would suggest leaving the seed for several months. I don't have experience with A. diversifolia seed, but I have had many tropical seed that didn't sprout for 6 months. I even had one canistel sapote that didn't sprout for over a year. Good luck. Sven PS I un-earthed my one seed and soaked it is GA as per your suggestion, but so far nothing has happened. Leo Manuel wrote: Hi Sven, I don't need the space that badly, but some of them look as if they might have a mold developing. I wonder if treating them with something (what?) would prevent them from rotting but not interfere with sprouting. I think it may be helpful to have seed just removed from the fruit? Yours, Leo Leo, You could clean them with a brush every couple of weeks if it isn't too much work. The other thing I usually do before planting is soak the seeds in 10% bleach for 2 minutes. As long as the seeds haven't germinated this does not hurt them. Just be sure to rinse them well. Regards, Sven ------------------ From: Sven [Thanks, Sven! For This Posting: Leo] Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 08:38:43 -0800 Subject: Fruit List By Cold Hardiness Hi Mark, In the Sep/Oct 1996 issue of "fruit gardener" published by california rare fruit growers, they give a list of trees by cold hardiness. The first group is for cold winter areas (24 degrees F minimum). Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba) Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) Asian pear (Pyrus serotina) Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Sweet pomegranate (Punica granatum) Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Jelly palm (Butia capitata) Unusual figs (Ficus carica) Apples Persian mulberry (Morus sp) Capulin cherry (Prunus salicifolia) Cherry of rio grande (Eugenia aggregata) Raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis) Kei apple (Dovyalis caffra) Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana) Che/Chinese Mulberry (Cudrania tricuspidata) Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) Meiwa kumquat (Fortunella margarita) Southern blueberries (Vaccinium sp) Caper bush (Capparis spinosa) Pistachio nut (Pistacia vera) Mandarin Orange (Citrus reticulata) I hope this helps. The california rare fruit growers site is www.CRFG.org. Good luck. Sven ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 01 Feb 1999 07:03:26 -0800 Reply-To: Sven Merten Subject: Who wants to split an order of seed from Oscar at Fruit Lovers Nursery? Readers of RFNO, I am interested in ordering the following, but I cannot order all of them on my own. Does anyone want to split an order with me? Langsat $75 limited supply Mangosteen $70 limited supply Rambutan $30 Santol $35 Abiu $35 Starapple $25 Rollinia $35 Miracle Fruit $30 Mammey $60 Eggfruit $25, Passiflora quadrangularis $15 Jaboticaba $20 Malay Apple $20 Chocolate Sapote $50 Soursop $20, Sapodilla $25 Passiflora laurifolia $15 Gamboge-Garcinia xanthochymus $25, Monstera $20 Thank you Sven --------------- Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 17:58:15 -0800 From: Glenda & Tom Ponder Subject: Stevia Availability In Orange County Stevia will be available for sale on April 24 & 25 at The Green Scene at the Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton CA. You will find it at the California Rare Fruit Growers, Orange County Chapter booth. A note on growing stevia; don't let it flower! If you do, it's demise is sure to follow. This has been my experience. Glenda Ponder ------------------------------------ From: Dan Hemenway Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 11:23:01 EST Subject: Need Loquat Scion Wood -- Also American plum I have a few loquat seedlings of the right stage to graft, and I am looking for scion wood of superior cultivars. I am also interested to know of any experience in starting Loquat from cuttings. We also have quite a few wild American plum (P americana) that i would like to topwork with superior selections. Of course I will pay a fair price plus shipping. Dan Hemenway ----------------------------- From: "Monroe, William" To: Russ , Subject: RE: Info Sought: Tampa/Petersberg FL Area Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 08:01:49 -0500 Russ, Leo forwarded your email to me and I can offer a few suggestions. Pine Island over by Fort Meyers has quite a few nurseries. I would suggest Tree House (Bob and Vivian Murray). They live in Bokeelia which is adjacent to Pine Island. Bokeelia has numerous tropical fruit tree plantations. In addition, try the "Tropical Fruit News" web site for additional info and POCs. Regards, Bill Monroe President Brevard Rare Fruit Council You said: Can you put me in touch with rare fruit gardeners in the Tampa/St. Petersberg (FL) area? RUSS KAPLAN ------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 13:12:16 -0700 From: "L. Warren" Subject: Fruiting Medlar in Zone 23 - Possible? Dear Leo Do you or anyone know if the medlar (Mespilus germanica) will grow and fruit in California's Sunset Western Garden Guide zone 23? I appreciate any response. Thanks. Les Warren Camarillo, California ------- Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 16:06:32 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Subject: Passion Vines For Photographing This Summer? Leo and friends: A garden writer from the LA area called looking for a yard where there are one or more beautiful passion vines that could be photographed this coming summer for an article she is writing. Anyone in the Santa Barbara/LA/Orange County/San Diego Area who would volunteer or who anyone could recommend? Thanks Nan Sterman San Diego ----------- Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 15:34:38 -0800 From: Darryl Subject: Hardy Citrus For Borderline Climates - What I'm Finding.... Hello Leo: I hope this is of interest to someone: I am growing several varieties of citrus, some of which are supposed to be extremely hardy. We have had a fairly mild winter so far but there was a sudden cold snap in early January that allowed me to test some cold hardiness claims. The reported low for the evening in question was 15 deg. F. I allowed changsha mandarin, trifoliate orange, and calamondin to stay outside and fend for themselves. these are all above ground in 5 gallon pots. The results were interesting: * No damage whatsoever to the trifoliate orange. * Minor tip burn to tender the smallest leaves of the changsha. * Major leaf damage, and minor stem damage to the calamondin. Calamondin is putting out new leaves and pot inspections show no visible root damage to any plants. I have ordered some more hardy varieties and hope to verify their claims next winter. Take care. Darryl ------------------------- From: Buckner, Geoff Date: Thursday, February 04, 1999 2:14 PM Subject: C. Papaya, Java - Resistant to powdery mildew? Leo/RFNO'ers, While recently looking at the San Diego Zoo's papaya collection, it appeared that all of the papaya varieties were either severely affected or wiped out completely by powdery mildew. The one exception, was the variety named Java. It had some mildew but it did not appear to have lost any leaves to the disease. I do not recall ever seeing any literature on this variety. Does anybody have any experience with the Java Papaya and it's resistance to mildew? If so, can you also share the plant growth habit (height) and fruit characteristics. Because I live near the coast where the microclimate is cooler and moister than inland, fighting the mildew problem is a constant battle with some plants. Thank you. For those of you that do not know. Besides the world class collection of non-fruiting plant specimens, there is also a nice collection of exotic fruit at the San Diego Zoo. The collection includes: lychee, pineapple, starfruit, various eugenia, coffee, papaya, passiflora, guava, many different banana's, and sugarcane. Most of the collection is still rather young, therefore, it will look even nicer in a couple of years. The fruit grove is located on the perimeter road north of the marsupials and camels in the northern part of the Zoo. Roosevelt Junior High school is located just outside of the fence near the grove. Geoff Buckner Point Loma, San Diego -------------------------- Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 09:04:42 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Subject: St. Julian Rootstock Dick I saw your request for St. Julian rootstock and if I recall correctly, the trees I got from Pacific Groves are on St. Julian. Pacific Groves is a wholesaler but you can find out where to purchase their trees by contacting Dan Smith, 925 256-4435. Nan Sterman San Diego --------------- Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 10:17:31 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Subject: Hardy Kiwi Information In National Gardening Magazine Leo and everyone else, If you are interested in growing hardy kiwi -- and nearly everyone should be(!!), take a look at my article on hardy kiwi in the Feb issue of National Gardening magazine. Hardy kiwi have many advantages over fuzzy kiwi -- first of all, they have no fuzz, so you can simply pop them in your mouth instead of peeling them! They are even sweeter and more delicious than fuzzy kiwi, and they are hardy, so they can survive temperatures down as low as -25 degrees f and even to -40. Best of all, there's a great photo of my son in the article! Nan Sterman San Diego Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11 ---------------------- Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 05:56:50 +0000 From: Leo Manuel To: Roger Meyer Subject: Letter From Professor Mao Yongmin Hi Roger, Below is the letter as I received it. Would you be willing to correspond directly with the professor in regards to his search, please? Thanks! Horticordially, Leo Manuel ----------------- Dear Leo: I am very interested in your WebPages of Rare Fruit News Online. Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Mao Yongmin. I am a associate professor, I have been working at Research Center of Chinese Jujube in Agric. Univ. of Hebei for over ten years. I have rich experience in growing of deciduous fruit trees,such as apple, peach, pear, and so on,especially in Chinese jujube(Zyziphus jujuba Mill).I have undertaken many projects related to fruit culture techniques,fruit physiology,disease control,nutrient diagnosis,et al. Now I have been granted the financial support(10000$) from the China Scholarship Council to pursue research and studies in America as a visiting scholar for a period of one year. So I want to look for a supervisor who is interested in jujube research. could you recommend me a suitable person in America? I want to contact the jujube specialists in the America and in other countries.If you know some of them, would you please tell me their name, mailing and email address. I am very familiar with the current status of jujube culture in China. I like to exchange jujube information with the jujube specialists and hobbyists. Best wishes with you and your family. Thanking you in advance for your early reply. Yours very sincerely Mao Yongmin ----------- Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 10:31:22 -0800 From: Roger Meyer Subject: Re: Letter From Professor Mao Yongmin Leo, I will respond to him. George Emerich also sent me his note last night. I tried to respond then but the compute would not let the message go through. Will try again now. Let's hope the e mail address he wrote on the note is correct. Thanks for thinking of me on this. Roger -------------- Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 22:46:42 -0800 From: Roger Meyer Subject: Re: Who is the leading Jujube authority in the US? Leo, Really I know of no one who is currently active in jujube research at a university. A Dr Caula Beale at a University of Alabama A &M in Normal, Alabama was doing some research a few years ago. Also, Dr Lyrene at the University of Florida, Gainsville was also involved. However, I understand he has lost intertest in jujube. I am the only one really interested in them at this time, as far as I know. But I do not have any university to do the work with. If I can be of further help, let me know. A few people around the world do have some interest in the fruit but no programs going on with it. Dr Cossio in Verona, Italy expressed some interest in it when I visited him several years ago. A Chinese friend, Yan (I can't remember his last name at the moment) published a paper on jujube several years ago in New Zealand with Dr Ross Ferguson. Yan had gone to Perth, WA for a position but I understand that he is now back in New Zealand. Best, Roger Meyer ------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 14:48:49 +0800 From: David Noel Subject: Leo Asked: Who Are Leading Jujube Authorities? Leo, The leading jujube specialist in the US is Roger Meyer , joint author of the recently-issued 'Jujube Primer & Source Book'. Roger is also in touch with jujube specialists elsewhere, including Australia (Phillip Ciminata) and New Zealand. David Noel Tree Crops Centre --------------------- Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 17:50:11 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Subject: Hale Peaches - Want To Try Growing Them In Southern California Leo and eveyone else A neighbor is looking for Hale peaches, evidently, he ate them as a child in Anaheim. [Note: My recollection is that they have relatively high chill requirements. Anyone know for sure? Leo] Anyone know where to buy them or get cuttings? Nan Sterman San Diego, CA Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11 --------------------------- Subject: What Should I Grow: Guava, Persimmon, or ?? Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 02:00:44 EST From: Sherry Murillo Hello! My name is Sherry Murillo and my e-mail is smdeafinterpt@hotmail.com, I saw your page and was hoping you could give us a little advice. Well we live in Riverside, Woodcrest area and we have about 1 1/2 acres of land that we are not using so we thought about many things we could do with it but we have been very interested in raising fruit trees. We have been told several different things one said we should do avocado trees, then we was told they would freeze here where we are so we then was told persimmons were the way to go and there was a good market for it, then we heard that you really don't make much because they sell for only about 30 to 40 cents a lb so we were told that the way to go would be Guava because they sell for a lot more and there is really a good market for that in L.A. area and it would be a good money maker and would not freeze in woodcrest. well we are fully confused now and don't know what would really be good to go with. Can you please give me information on what is really a good marketable fruit and what would really grow here well. I appreciate any help I can get, Thanks so much for your help. Sherry Murillo ------------------------------ Subject: Use 'Proper' Oil Spray For Leaf Miner Problem Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 17:31:15 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice To:Nabih Nabih.... Are the oil sprays you are using the new light weight, low distillation temperature oils that are safe to use in summer? Soybean or other vegetable oils are reputedly even safer to use than petroleum based ones. A University of Tennessee research report said spraying with an emulsified soybean oil solution "delays bloom, thins fruit, controls scale, aphids and mites without harming beneficial insects." The commercial "Natur'l Spray Oil" also lists control of leaf miner. This product is available from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply at or from Harmony Farm Supply at Products using azadirachtin, an insecticidal extract from the Neem tree, is worth trying, but it is more expensive. I am growing my own tree from seed. The leaves are not as potent as the seed but can be used until the tree sets seed. I am only a backyard grower with more than a casual interest in agriculture. I hope you find some help in one of these suggestions. Eunice Messner --------------------------- Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 14:27:03 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Subject: Pepino dulce Barry Edholm: Happy to meet another 'Pepino dulce' aficionado. We are VERY fond of using them in salads and on sandwiches. Some people who try them expect them to taste exactly like a melon and are disappointed. They do have a melon-like flavor if allowed to mature on the bush. If used green they are more reminiscent of 'sweet cucumber' which is the Spanish or Portuguese? meaning of pepino dulce. At the end of the summer I take cuttings of my plants and just put them in place in the garden with a plastic half-gallon milk bottle over them and keep them moist. One gets a much better crop when plants are started in the winter time. Their one nemesis is heat and the resulting spider mites. In Arizona you will need to plant them in a shady location.I have combatted spider mites with Epsom Salts (2 tblsp to gal of water) and I've purchased Lacewings as predators. It is inevitable that spider mites will occur next summer, so I plan to try a summer oil or soy bean oil (1% solution) next time. My first attempt at growing them was with the 'Golden Splendor' variety. They set not a single fruit. Evidently this variety needs a pollinizer. Last year I had three varieties, 'Temptation', 'Rio Grande' and 'Toma', the commercial one. 'Temptation' produced the best. I also have an unnamed one from Chile that has not fruited yet. I grow them in cages or on a trellis to keep the fruit off the ground. They make a 3ft. high bush. They are a fruit diabetics can safely eat. If we paid $10.98 a lb. (what the local grocer was charging)we probably ate several hundred dollars worth last season. I believe it is the spider mite problem that makes them so costly. I have one this year I am growing from seed, but the leaves look like the unimproved native ones. I would suggest buying named varieties. You will find nurseries that sell them on CRFG's Fruit Source list Happy growing! Eunice Messner ----------------- Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 19:46:58 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner To: Fausto Subject: Re: Dealing With Mealybugs, Using Chemical Or Biological Means Fausto Piaggio Ferraro wrote: I would like to know how to deal with planoccocus citri (mealy bugs) using chemical or biological means. Dear Fausto: The mealybug, Planoccocus citrii is quite common on citrus and cherimoyas, especially if there is succulent growth from too much water or nitrogen. The first method of control is to get rid of the ants that protect mealybugs from their natural enemies so they can have access to the mealy bugs honeydew excretion. Secondly, spray the trees regularly with a strong jet of water to get rid of the majority of the pests. That can be followed up with an insecticidal soap spray. There are numerous predators for control available from insectories. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, known as 'crypts' or the'mealy bug destroyer'; lady beetles, and certain species of wasps. A 2% solution of horticultural oil can also be used. The book "Common-sense Pest Control by Sheila Daar and William and Helga Olkowski goes into much greater detail. Eunice Messner ------Discussion list for New Crops ------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:20:12 -0700 From: Michael Forsyth Subject: Plant Cell Tissue Culture Information.... Connie, I presume you mean plant cell tissue culture. I started looking into it about a year ago and found http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tisscult/tcintro.html to be a good web site. There were several books I liked out of the many listed at this site: In vitro Culture of Higher Plants RLM Pierik, Kluwer 1997 Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture - Fundamental methods, OL Gamborg and GC Phillips, Springer-Verlag 1997 To get them try inter-library loan. My local Agriculture Canada office and the Alberta Agriculture office are quite helpful. I am not new to the technology - having done some animal tissue culture and a lot of microbiology. If I can answer some fundamental questions please just ask. Michael Forsyth. ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None in this issue ------------------Announcements To Consider------------------ None in this issue ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None in this issue >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - February 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - March 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9903A.txt Isn't spring wonderful? Trouble is, there's so much to do.... You might be interested in Chris Rollins' suggestions for Jakfruit in California, in response to my question to him: Leo - nice to hear from you. Jaks like full sun, high moisture, good drainage and aeration and protection from the wind. The warmer the better. They do well in S. FL. "NS-1" is a good grafted cultivar. Seedlings may also produce good fruit. I think in your Jakfruit challenging environment a seedling with its extra vigor is a wise idea.... You may be interested in the seeds for sale at the Fruit-Lovers Nursery, near the end of this issue. --Notes In Passing #1 Three mangoes still hanging on #2 Rarefruit webpage modified; Comments? http://www.rarefruit.com #3 Air-Layered Mango Blooms (Even if the Mother tree hasn't yet!) --New Subscribers Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Looking For LA Rare Fruit Nurseries Chuck Hillman3 Subject: New Subscriber, Canberra AU, Seeks Hardy Rare Fruit Ideas Lorinda Millar Subject: New Subscriber, CA, With Cold-Thwarting Ideas Gary Siegel Subject: New Subscriber, NZ, Seeks Advice And Help Denise Mark --Readers Write Subject: citrus "Fausto Piaggio Ferraro" Subject: Hardy Citrus For Borderline Climates - Kelp Help? Darryl Subject: Preventing mold on seeds Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Subject: Loquat cuttings success - sometimes Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) To: Permacltur@aol.com Subject: Annona diversifolia - As good as it's going to get? Ben Poirier Subject: Re: What Should I Grow: Guava, Persimmon, or ?? Matt Heffron Subject: Atis and mangos Holzinger, Bob Subject: Re: Use 'Proper' Oil Spray For Leaf Miner Problem Matthew Shugart Subject: Re: Hale Peaches - Want To Try Growing Them In Southern California Matthew Shugart Subject: Canistel - Anyone With Success In S. California? Edgar Valdivia Subject: Stevia - Why Would Anyone Grow It? Ed Subject: Lychee: Neighbor's tree won't bear. Places my crop at risk! Lorraine Nelson Brunner Subject: Hung Yen - The Ancient City Of Longans - Part 1 Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Looking for Selma Cherimoya Sven Merten Subject: Re: Looking for Selma cherimoya George F. Emerich Subject: Pistachio trees - Source Wanted Linda Richmond Subject: RE: Fruiting Medlar Zone 23 Eunice Messner Subject: RE: Rare citrus in Texas Eunice Messner Subject: RE: Growing organic papayas in Canada Eunice Messner --Announcements and Web Sites To Consider Subject: Website http://www.farmwide.com.au/farmersguide/ Joel Subject: Rare Fruit Seeds Available At Fruit-Lovers Nursery In Hawaii Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Subject: Cocao Seeds Available (Probably NOT still available) coolbus@webtv.net (woodrow cooke) --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List None, this time ------------------Leo's Notes------------------- #1 Three mangoes still hanging on in March! Between two trees there are still three mangoes. A seedling has two (fruited for the first time,) but the other is Keitt. I've not had fruit this late in the season before. How about you? #2 Rarefruit webpage modified; Comments? http://www.rarefruit.com The page is still simple, so more people can access it. Look it over to see if there are other changes that should be made. Especially let me know if you are not able to view it on your browser. #3 Air-Layered Mango Blooms (Even if the Mother tree hasn't yet!) It must be that cinturing or girdling that is done in the air-layering process is what made it flower? I won't let it set fruit, of course. Does anyone know if girdling is practiced to increase fruiting in mangoes? ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Looking For LA Rare Fruit Nurseries Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 23:30:15 -0800 From: Chuck Hillman3 I would love to receive your newsletter. My name is Chuck Hillman III, I live in Ventura, CA Currently, I am growing Fuyu Persimmon, Peach, Nectarine, Fuji Apple, etc. I would like to grow more, but am young and unsettled. I do not want to plant much on property that does not belong to me. I have worked on a couple of organic farms and have a growing interest in farming. Fruit is my #1 Favorite food and I love variety. My question is this: Does anyone know of any businesses in the Los Angeles or Ventura county areas that sells tropical/rare fruit? Or a mail order company? Trying a new fruit is a large pleasure for me and I know there must be a source out there if I could only find it. Thanks for your help. Chuck ----------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, Canberra AU, Seeks Hardy Rare Fruit Ideas Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 10:54:44 +1100 From: Lorinda Millar Hi! My name is Lorinda Millar and I live in Canberra, Australia's capital. I'm very interested in fruit growing and so far, in my smallish backyard, I have planted apple, pear, apricot, peach, plum, nectarine and feijoa trees. I have just planted a 'pleach' tree (a plum/peach cross) and a 'lemonade' lemon and I also have put in raspberries, thornless blackberries and youngberries, boysenberries, strawberries and blueberries. I'm keen to try more unusual trees (if I don't run out of room!!!) Most of the trees were only planted about 18 months ago, and we have already had the most gorgeous peaches! Our climate in Canberra is equivalent to about zone 8 in the US. Summers are hot and dry and we get frost most nights in the winter. I'd love to hear about some possibilities... Lorinda [Note to Lorinda: You first need to know what is the coldest temperature in your garden. David and Tina Silber have prepared an excellent guide to selecting rare fruits based on their tolerance to lowest overnight temperatures that are likely to occur in the winter months. Look at http://crfg.org/fg/1996/chooserft.html Leo] ---------------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, CA, With Cold-Thwarting Ideas Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 16:31:21 -0800 From: Gary Siegel My name is Gary Siegel. I live in Trabuco Canyon, which is located in south Orange County in CA. My E-mail address is Siegel2@home .com . I am currently growing mango, star fruit, lychee, papaya, banana, rose apple, and pineapple. This spring I plan on planting atemoya, chermoya, sugar apple, Ilama, Mt. apple, water apple, soursop, jakfruit, miracle fruit, wax jumbu and salak. The above trees will be planted in a raised bed filled with premium top soil and come winter will be under a temporary wooden frame covered with plastic to keep out the cold. Shade cloth will surround the frame as a wind break as we get Santa Ana winds here up to 80 mph. I`ve had good success growing papayas with this method and hope to continue this success with my new trees. The humidity gets pretty high inside, but the papayas didn`t seem to mind. I also put an electric heater inside for really cold nights. The temperture never drops below 50 degrees, even though we get occasional frost. Gary ------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, NZ, Seeks Advice And Help Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 21:51:38 +1300 From: "Denise Mark" I am Denise Mark, near Kerikeri, New Zealand and have 5 Acres. Trees planted: mainly citrus - Haward lates and navel oranges, tamarillos and feijoas, macadamia nuts. I have a spare acre which I am stocking with a variety of unusual trees - usually two of each and so far have: Cherimoya, carambola (starfruit) mango, inga bean, coffee, lime, yellow guava, davidson's plum, (australian native) pouteria lucuma, surinam cherry, also have one thirty foot high ginko but do not know its sex!, Avocados. One 30 foot high casamiroa sapote - one of the oldest in NZ - does not fruit and needs a pollinator. Also have banana passionfruit (a weed here) and choko - ditto Other details: I am new to this game having spent the last ten years as an auditor but with two kids under three my husband and I felt like a complete change in lifestyle. Our property has deep phase volcanic soil and is very fertile. I am convinced that the climate in New Zealand is changing and will be more receptive to sub-tropicals. I am trying desperately to find a couple of lychee trees but to no avail. I can't even find a fruit importer who has lychee fruits from which I can grow the trees from seed. We have 67 feijoa trees and 60 red tamarillos. I would be interested in receiving any information about the marketability of both raw and processed fruits and what is needed from the grower. In particular the feijoa industry here needs a kick start. Are there any processors of feijoas in the states? Denise Mark -----------------Readers Write------------------ From: "Fausto Piaggio Ferraro" Subject: citrus Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 09:28:44 -0500 Hi Leo My name is Fausto Piaggio Ferraro I live in Lima Peru, my farm is 2 hours north of Lima I grow 45,000 citrus trees . I have crops all year around Best regards fausto ---------------------------------- Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 15:34:38 -0800 From: Darryl Subject: Hardy Citrus For Borderline Climates - Kelp Help? Hello Leo: I hope this is of interest to someone: I am growing several varieties of citrus, some of which are supposed to be extremely hardy. Howdy All There are documented studies going back decades that demonstrate that kelp foliars/admendment does wonders for a plants ability to withstand cold. Also a great germination enhancer. Also does wonders for keeping fruit around longer on the tree w/o going bad... Get some - Maxicrop is one name brand that comes to mind - there are many others. On a cellular level the lipid structure of the cell membranes is made more flexible when exposed to the nutrients, in the kelp, for a period of time. That being the case, the cell flexes, instead of bursting when freezing occurs. It's also thought that the "salts" have a lower freezing temp, so, if sprayed at night before a frost, can mitigate damage as well.. Bill Evans -------------------- Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 08:55:49 -0800 From: Glenda & Tom Ponder Subject: Re: St Julian Rootstock St Julian A x EMLA is available for $2.25 each or 10 for $18.00 through Bear Creek Nursery, Northport WA. Email bearcreek@plix.com. WEB site (under construction)? BearCreekNursery.com Glenda Ponder ----------------------- From: Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 11:47:25 -1000 (HST) Subject: Preventing mold on seeds A method I have used here where we have constant rainfall, and so a lot of mildewing, is to lay a quarter (one half m.m.) inch of peat moss on top of the potting soil, the seed goes on to of that, then another quarer inch of peat moss on top of the seed, The acidity in the peat moss keeps the mildew from growing it seems (I think I picked this trick up a couple of years ago in an Organic Gardening magazine.) Let me know if this helps, Oscar Jaitt ------------------------- From: Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) To: Permacltur@aol.com Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 11:35:49 -1000 (HST) Subject: Loquat cuttings success - sometimes I have air-layered loquat cultivars. I had about 50% take, so I would conclude that they could perhaps be started from cuttings under periodic misting, but that the success rate would not be very good. Here is what Julia Morton in "Fruits of Warm Climates" (p. 106) says, "Cuttings are not easy to root. Air layering may only be 20% succesful, though 80 to 100% of the layers root in 6 weeks if treated with 3% NAA (2-naphthoxyacetic acid)." Hope this is helpful, Oscar Jaitt, Fruit Lover's Nursery --------------------- From: Ben Poirier Subject: Annona diversifolia - As good as it's going to get? Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 17:35:55 -0800 Hi Leo, From what you have said about the Ilama seeds, my guess is that they are past the point of sprouting. I think these seeds do best when seeds are fresh. Bob Holzinger sent me 10 seeds from 2 varieties of Ilama from El Salvador. Using the "plastic bag" germination method I described earlier, 8 of the seeds had germinated in under two weeks. They were then planted in pots over bottom heat. Six are now sprouted above the ground. It is true that some species of Annona do take a long time to germinate (I've had A. crassifolia take one year - but this information was known and sent along with the seeds). If it were me, I probably wouldn't give up on them quite yet if you have the space, but in the meantime, I would look for a source that can supply fresh seeds. do you know how long ago the seeds were gathered ??? good growing ! Ben Poirier ---------------- From: "Matt Heffron" To: Sherry Murillo Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 12:10:47 -0800 Subject: Re: What Should I Grow: Guava, Persimmon, or ?? Sherry, I suggest that you contact the Inland Empire Chapter of California Rare Fruit Growers at inland_empire@crfg.org The chapter contact grows both commercially, and just for fun, on a LARGE piece of land in the Lake Matthews area. The chapter chairperson info is on the CRFG web site at: http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html Also, you should join us at the chapter meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Rubidoux Senior Center at 7pm. (I'm just down the hill from you near the Citrus Historical Park.) Matt Heffron CRFG ---------------------------- From: "Holzinger, Bob" To: Cindy Subject: Atis and mangos Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:34:40 -0800 Hi Cindy, I noticed that you said in Rare Fruit News Online that you are growing Atis, Annona squamosa, in Simi Valley. Is this a grafted tree or a seedling tree? If grafted, what was the rootstock used? I am interested in trying this species in Ventura and haven't had much luck with seedlings so far. I am also starting to grow more mangos and I think you should look up Tim Thompson in Camarillo for some advice on cultivars to try and just general growing tips. As for the other fruit trees you grow or want to grow, you could try contacting the LA chapter or the Ventura/Santa Barbara chapter of CRFG for information. I could get some contact info if you don't have it available. Take care, Bob Holzinger -------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 13:32:14 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart Subject: Re: Use 'Proper' Oil Spray For Leaf Miner Problem Hi again. Eunice asks about lighter oil sprays. Although I have no idea what it means, Ultra Fine's label says it is "parafinnic" oil, while Volck oil is from pretoleum distillates. Ultra Fine is listed for summer use on many plants. Garden's Alive sells an oil that is based on some kind of vegetable oil, but I have never tried it. Matthew Shugart ------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 13:28:48 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart Subject: Re: Hale Peaches - Want To Try Growing Them In Southern California Greetings. I "inherited" a J.H.Hale peach tree from the previous owner of my property in Carlsbad. The tree, along with an Elberta, showed all the symptoms of inadequate chilling: no or sporadic bloom, much delayed foliation, dieback, and, of course, no fruit. I removed both after a couple of years. I believe both require 800 or so chill hours, according to most sources. Maybe someone will correct me, but as far as I know Hale is not a variety that is worth attempting in most of southern California. The story from Nan's neighbor about eating them as a child in Anaheim is intriguing, but should be taken with a grain of salt. There was quite a string of very cold winters in the late 1940s and early 1950s, so, if the real chilling requirement is, say 600 rather than 800, it might have been possible to get fruit on the variety at that time, I suppose. (Nan's message does not indicate what years the neighbor might have this recollection from.) Matthew Shugart Carlsbad, California ------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 20:41:25 -0800 From: Patricia Valdivia Subject: Canistel - Anyone With Success In S. California? Was nice to meet you on the phone. I'm glad we had a chance to exchange email, now I can communicate with you. I am looking for people who grow canistel here in California and have had success. I want to be sure I can grow it here in Simi Valley. Please let me know if you know anyone and also I really appreciate the information you're going to e-mail me. I am a CRFG member with the Los Angeles Chapter and the Santa Barbara chapter. Thanks again. Edgar Valdivia ------------------------------------- From: "Ed" Subject: Stevia - Why Would Anyone Grow It? Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 07:59:16 -0500 OK, so I have stevia overtaking my garden.... Now what? I brew it like tea, cold-extract it, throw leaves in my coffee, shred it, powder it, and the result is an evil green, grass-tasting substance that is bitter, not sweet. What am I doing so very, very wrong? (It IS stevia!) Ed Griffin USDA Zone 10b (FL) ------------------------- Subject: Lychee: Neighbor's tree won't bear. Places my crop at risk! Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 14:28:08 -0500 From: Lorraine Nelson Brunner Hi Leo, Lory Brunner here from Miami, Florida. I am in need of some info. My neighbor has a lychee tree approx. 7 years old. An air-layered tree. It has had 6 nuts on it in its entire life. I have found out it blooms but they all fall off. I need to know what to tell the lady to do for this problem. Otherwise she'll snatch my lychees. Hope someone recognizes the the problem. Thanks for the great newsletters. Lorraine ---------------------------------- Date: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 11:50:03 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Hung Yen - The Ancient City Of Longans - Part 1 The information comes from Pairote Pholprasit, an FAO specialist in fruits, who has visited the town in May 1998. Hung Yen, whose ancient name is Fo Hien, is 40 miles due east of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Hung Yen, the second oldest city in North Vietnam, is 600 years old. As it is situated on the mighty Red River, the soil is very fertile. There are embankments, in the form of very long continuous earth mounds, are on both banks of the Red River. These embankments, which are almost a thousand years old, are over a thousand miles long. The rice plain spreads out for miles on both sides of the main roads. Dotted among the rice fields are numerous villages. Every road in the town of Hung Yen is lined on both sides with longan trees, just longan trees only! Currently, the total land area of the district is 556,000 rais, of which 380,000 rais is agricultural land. The entire orchard area is 45,000 rais, of which 25,000 rais are longan orchards. The official projection for 2000 is 59,400 rais of orchards, of which 37,500 rais will be longans. The plan is to plant 100,000 to 200,000 longan trees per year. The plan appears very ambitious. Pairote notes that central planning is often practised in North Vietnam, a reminder of the socialist regime. However, this is not the case in South Vietnam,which is used to the capitalistic economy. Longans were introduced to Hung Yen over 500 years ago. All were grown from seeds. The technique of air-layering was introduced just over a decade ago. The technique of approach grafting and similar techniques were introduced by the Chinese only a few years ago. The best cultivars are Tuong Chi or Huong Chi and Duong Phen. Huong Chi is large-fruited. There are 60 fruits per kilogrammes, with an average diameter of 3 cms. There has not been any real effort in selecting good or promising cultivars. Part 2 will follow. It should be noted that Pairote visited the town in May, so he did not see any mature longan fruits. ------------------------- From: Sven Merten Date: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 07:15:33 -0800 Subject: Looking for Selma Cherimoya Hi Leo, I was wondering if you know of anyone with a Selma Cherimoya that I might be able to get some scion wood from, or a nursery that sells them. Thanks. Sven ------------------- Date: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 09:13:49 -0800 From: "George F. Emerich" Subject: Re: Looking for Selma cherimoya Leo: Selma is a fairly old Cherimoya which has been rediscovered recently. Its principal claim to fame is that it has a slightly pink coloration to its flesh. Some think that it has outstanding taste appeal, an opinion not universally shared. There is no telling people's tastes in anything but in Cherimoyas it is said : "Cherimoyas are like sex, they are all good, some are better" Paul Thomson discovered Selma in a Vista yard about 30 years ago and named it after the owner's wife. Paul propagated it at Edgehill and experimented with it and its progeny for several years, but after that it was neglected for many years. George --------------------- Subject: Pistachio trees - Source Wanted Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 15:00:05 -0700 From: Linda Richmond I am looking for a place to buy some pistachio trees; none of my catalogs list them. Do you know of a source? [Note: Linda is not a subscriber, so you may send information directly to her. -Leo] Linda Richmond ----------------------- From: Eunice Messner Subject: RE: Fruiting Medlar Zone 23 Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:03:01 -0800 (PST) To: Les Warren Les Warren... The new California Rare Fruit Growers Specialist for Medlars is Al Bauman. He lives NE of Los Angeles at 524 Oakdale Drive, Sierra Madre, CA 91024-1429. He would enjoy chatting with you about medlars about the medlars he grows. Eunice Messner --------------------------------- From: Eunice Messner Subject: RE: Rare citrus in Texas Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:07:36 -0800 (PST) To: Tom White Tom White, There is a chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers in Houston. The chair of the chapter, Dr. Alfred Loeblich III is very interested in citrus. So, if you are not a member yet, I'm sure you would enjoy this common interest. For information call him at (409) 744-2161 Eunice Messner ----------------------------- From: Eunice Messner Subject: RE: Growing organic papayas in Canada To: Ronald Wollersheim Ronald Wollersheim Papayas can be grown in a container in a greenhouse in your area. Some are very tall growing so ascertain eventual height and try to find a dwarf variety. They have a fleshy root with no root hairs. Your planting medium should be a commercial planting mix with perlite or pumice added for drainage. The addition of worm castings or compost and mycoorhizae to the mix would assure the best of growing conditions. Slow release organic pellets can be used for fertilizer. In the winter time papayas, even out-of-doors in our subtropical areas, are often lost to poor drainage, wind and cold. See web site for source materials and information. Eunice Messner ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ From: Joel Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 19:34:22 EST Subject: Website of possible interest Wonder if this site might be interesting (http://www.farmwide.com.au/farmersguide/ Joel -------------------------- From: Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 22:27:31 -1000 (HST) Subject: Rare Fruit Seeds Available At Fruit-Lovers Nursery In Hawaii Dear Rare Fruit enthusiasts, here are some of the seeds we have for sale (prices are for 50 seeds unless noted, larger amounts available upon request, discounts to nurserys, please inquire): Abiu (Pouteria caimito) $35, Brazilian Cherry (Eugenia dombeyi) $25, Chico Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) $25, Chocoate Sapote (Diospyros digyna), Cacao Chocolate (Theobroma cacao) $50, Coffee "Kona" type (Coffea arabica) $15, Curry Leaf Tree (Coffea arabica) $25, Durian (Durio zybethinus) $75 limited supply, Eggfruit (Pouteria caimito) $25, Gamboge (Garcinia xanthochymus) $25, Jaboticaba (Myrciaria caulifloura) $20, Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) $25, Langsat- Lansones (Lansium domesticum) $75 limited supply, Longan (Euphoria longana) $25, Lychee (Litchi chinensis) $20, Malabar Chestnut (Pachira aquatica) $20, Mameyito (Rheedia edulis) $25, Mammey Sapote (Pouteria sapota) $60, Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) $70 limited supply, Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) $30, Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) $20, Malay Apple (Syzigium malaccense) $20, Noni (Morinda citrifolia) $20, Papaya "Thai Dwarf" $10, Papaya 'Sunrise" $5, Papaya 'Sunset' $5, Papaya 'Waimanalo (dwarf) $5, Passionfruits: Giant passionfruit (P quadrangularis) $15, Golden Apple (Passiflora laurifolia) $15, Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) $30, Mysore Raspberry (Rubus niveus) $10, Rollinia (Rollinia deliciosa) $35, Santol (Sandoricum koetjape) $35, Soursop (Annona muricatum) $20, Starapple (Chrysophyllum cainito) $25, Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) $20, Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora) $15, Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) $15, Tree Tomato (Cyphomandra betacea) $10, Others available upon request. For additional information regarding VIABILITY OF SEEDS, TERMS OF SALE, mailing address, telephone number or Fax number, contact Oscar Jaitt FruitLovers@webtv.net ---------------------- From: coolbus@webtv.net (woodrow cooke) Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 11:20:57 -0500 (EST) Subject: Cocao Seeds Available (Probably NOT still available) I reclaimed 1000 acres of cocao in Belize over10 years ago from the wild bush and they were very successful. It was a very interesting and hard task. I now only grow for a hobby and have many unusual rare fruit plants in my home and small greenhouse. I have looked everywhere to purchase cocao (chocolate trees) and been told its next to impossible, so I have found a personal source in Central Am. - old friend and former employee-- who can send me limited amounts of viable seed. I can get more than I need so if anyone else wants some too then let me know and I will get back with the particulars. As soon as I know who want some I will make preps to have them sent to me and on to you. They have very limited viability so email if you want some--I am anxious to get mine started and can help anyone with info if they also want some. Probably will be a one time thing, so let me know asap! Woodie Cooke In West Va. Mountains. ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time ------------------From NEWCROPS List------------------ None this time >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - March 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - March 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9903B.txt Leo Sez: Between March 27 and March 30, if anyone chooses to write to me, I will have two additional e-mail addresses at which I can be reached most quickly. They are: leowes@netscape.net and leowes@excite.com Of course, mail addressed to the usual leom@rarefruit.com will reach me on March 31. Those two addresses are always (supposedly) good addresses, in the event that the usual address doesn't work. I have heard that sometimes mail bounces when addressed to leom@rarefruit.com. That may explain why mail volume has been considerably reduced lately. Of course, it's also possible that everyone is busy. It's time to revisit the webpage of Bruce Livingston, a longtime reader of RFNO. It's at http://www.gate.net/~santol/index.html You will probably find more information than you will be able to digest with only one visit. I suggest that you bookmark it. If you haven't seen it for a while, check it again, and let me know if you don't agree. It must have taken years to gather all of the information you find on the many pages linked together. Please remind me if you have a webpage that contains information likely to be of interest to this newsgroup. I need to build a file of them so I don't have to rely on my fractured memory. Quang Ong's Rare Fruit Nursery - Unofficial Web Page I have put a web page together for Quang Ong, a young Vietnamese man living in San Diego. Check it out and let him and me know if works. It's one of those free webpages with so many constraints you can't put on it what you really want to. He hasn't seen it yet. It has a retail list of plants - fruiting and flowering, but doesn't include prices. His site is at: http://www.homestead.com/rarefruit/QuangOng.html ---------Table Of Contents - Headers --New Subscribers From: Chuck Woodward Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Wants To Grow Jackfruit, Breadfruit,.... --Readers Write From: Eunice Messner Subject: Recommendation For New Zealander From: Eunice Messner Subject: Source of rare fruit to eat From: Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Hung Yen - The Ancient City of Longans - Part 2 From: Nan Sterman Subject: Hardy Kiwi Jam Recipe Wanted From: Darryl Clark Subject: Why bitter stevia? From: Gary Subject: Re: Planting atemoya, cherimoya, sugar apple, Ilama,.... From: Leo Manuel To: Readers of RFNO Subject: Mamey - linked to Florida typhoid - is full of e coli From: Mario Subject: Re: Mamey - linked to Florida typhoid - is full of e coli From: Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Re: Thai Mango: Pim Sang Mon or ... From: Adam Subject: What mango variety for the desert? From: "Richard K. Gross" Subject: Frost protection From: Leo Manuel Subject: Recommended Page - http://www.gate.net/~santol/index.html From: ucmaster gardeners Subject: Giant whitefly predatory insects - None available From: tina siegel Subject: Cocao Seeds and Plants Available at Frankie's Nursery From: Doug Jones Subject: Still Needing Advice For Black-Tipped Leaves-Mangoes ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ JACKFRUIT http://www.jnlk.com/mikeb/jackfruit_facts.htm -----list zingiber@onelist.com; contact zingiber-owner@onelist.com------- From: "Raymond Gerlach" Subject: Re: Recommendation For Indoor Banana From: "Nicho Stamatis" Subject: Re: ginger from the supermarked From: "JeffreyP" Subject: Hardy Bananas - Webpage --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List From: David Noel Subject: Bird Damage to Nut/Fruit Crops ----------------New Subscribers------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Wants To Grow Jackfruit, Breadfruit,.... Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 01:02:38 +0000 From: Chuck Woodward I am Chuck Woodward, living in Riverside, California, and a member of the Inland Empire chapter of CRFG Fruit trees I am now growing: Mango, Banana, Cherimoya, Guava, Rose Apple, Passion Fruit, Kiwi, White Sapote, Green Sapote, Papaya, Star Fruit, Citrus, Jujube, Japanese Persimmon, black Persimmon, Kai Apple, Fig, and a few others. Fruit trees I want to be growing: Jack Fruit, Bread fruit, edible landscaping, anything not commonly found locally. Any other comments? Any questions to be answered by newsletter readers? I would like to receive the back issues and supplements Thank You Chuck -----------------Readers Write------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 15:05:37 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: New Zealander seeking advice To: Denise Mark Denise Mark Someone you might look up in Auckland, NZ is Dick Endt. He is a world traveler and well known for his knowledge of rare fruit. He also introduced the babacao and tamarillo to the trade. Maybe he can advise you regarding the lychee tree you desire. Also write to Avocadoland Tropical Fruit World, P.O. Box 43, Kingscliff, NSW 2484, Australia for their catalog. You might take a close look at the flowers of your white sapote tree. It is rare, but I, too, had a nonproducing tree because it was strictly a male tree. You could stump the tree and graft on a monoecious variety. I got my start of feijoas from a fruit I bought at the market for 69 cents (expensive) imported from New Zealand. It was probably an off season fruit because they grow abundantly here. From the seeds I planted I had 14 trees - all nice sized fruit bigger than a hen's egg. Eunice Messner Anaheim Hills, California ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 14:25:11 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Source of rare fruit to eat To: Chuck Hillman Chuck Hillman Farmer's markets often have rare fruit. I've seen a good selection at Von's markets and upscale grocers. Why not try container gardening? You can take that with you when you move. Eunice Messner ------------------------------- Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 14:28:58 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Hung Yen - The Ancient City of Longans - Part 2 Pairote reports on what he saw at Hung Yen. There is one 400-year-old longan tree still standing! Actually, the main trunk has broken off, and what is left is a new trunk, grown from the original stump. The '400-years-old' claim appears believable. A 5-km stretch of the embankments of the Red River is interspersed with 200-year-old longan trees. They certainly look 200 years old - the trunks were truely ancient. Pairote does not know how many 200-year-old longan trees there are, but he says that they seem to be quite numerous. In the district, there are 280 acres of over 10,000 70-and-over-year-old longan trees. These are all grown from seeds. The Vietnamese say that about half of these trees produces good-quality longans. Pairote says he has to take their words for it. The average yield of these trees is 200 kg/tree/year. Pairote visited one modern longan orchard there. The owner is proud of the quality of the fruit and the good yield. Pairote was not impressed by the orchard. Pairote commented that, in this district, there is certainly a vast collection of very old longan trees, all grown from seeds, perhaps the largest collection in Indochina. He says that opportunity should be taken to develop or discover good-quality cultivars as well as regular-yielding cultivars. Sainarong ----------------------------------- Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 13:43:34 -0800 To: exoticfruit@95net.com, Jgilbert@hq.tcfarm.com, leom@rarefruit.com From: Nan Sterman Subject: Hardy Kiwi Jam Recipe Wanted Hi y'all! I've had a request from National Gardening Mag for a recipe for Hardy Kiwi Jam. Seems that a reader asked for a recipe in response to the article I wrote for their last issue. Do you have one? Know anyone who does? Thanks! Nan ------------------------------- Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 01:51:23 -0800 From: Darryl Clark To: Ed Subject: Why bitter stevia? Hello Ed: I have been growing Stevia in pots for Two years now. I actually like the taste. It works well for me as part of tea blends. I have read that the sweetness is due to a protein, not a carbohydrate, and thus some people may be much more sensitive to the active components than others. These persons will experience bitterness at much lower concentrations of stevia than others. On the other hand, extremely intense sweetness is normally perceived as bitterness and it is easy to use too much of this herb. What kind of growing conditions do you have? It sounds like your plants are really happy. I live in zone 7 and keep them inside in the winter. The plants seem most happy when neglected, I have to intentionally refraim from watering them too much, though I suspect a little higher humidity would help. Take care, Darryl Clark ------------------------------- Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 19:05:31 -0800 From: Gary To: leom@rarefruit.com Subject: Re: Planting atemoya, cherimoya, sugar apple, Ilama,.... Leo, I'm getting the Ilama from Garden of Delights, www.GardenOfDelights.com. I'm also getting some of the plants from Frankie's Nursery in Hawaii, (808) 259-8737 and lastly CA Tropical Fruit Trees has some unusual fruit trees that I'll be getting. They are on the internet. The trees will be in 2 groups, so I'll have 2 frames. Gary Leo Manuel wrote: Gary, where will you get your plants? Especially, the Ilama? It would be great to plant a tree instead of waiting for a seed to produce a tree. Are you going to plant all of those trees in the same general area, so the wooden frame and plastic will service all of them? Regards, Leo ------------------------------- Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 20:54:50 +0000 From: Leo Manuel To: Readers of RFNO Subject: Mamey - linked to Florida typhoid - is full of e coli By Jane Sutton MIAMI (Reuters) - Samples of the tropical mamey fruit suspected of causing a typhoid fever outbreak in Florida are so full of another disease-causing bacteria, E coli, that scientists are having trouble testing for the one that causes typhoid, a state official said Wednesday. Both bacteria are spread by eating food contaminated with feces, health officials said. "This definitely means this product should not be eaten," Dr. Mary Jo Trepka of the Miami-Dade County Public Health Department said. Mamey is a tropical fruit with a pink or red pulp and is sometimes called zapote. It is popular among Hispanics and the frozen processed pulp is often used to make milk shakes. Eating products made with frozen mamey pulp was the only common link among 15 Miami-area residents hospitalized with typhoid fever from mid-December to early February. The link was so overwhelming that Florida banned the sale of all imported frozen mamey 10 days ago. The Department of Agriculture also warned consumers on Feb. 23 against eating El Sembrador brand of frozen mamey from Guatemala because it was suspected in the Florida outbreak. State scientists were still testing dozens of mamey pulp samples for Salmonella typhi, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. But the samples were so full of E coli that they have so far been unable to determine whether Salmonella typhi is present, Terry McElroy, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Agriculture, said. He offered an analogy: "If you walked into a conference room and are looking for Mr. Jones and there are two or three people in there, you probably won't have a great deal of difficulty. But if there are 1,000 Mr. Smiths in the room and one Jones, you may have difficulty finding that one guy." Typhoid fever is marked by prolonged fever, abdominal cramps, and sometimes diarrhea and usually can be treated successfully with antibiotics. E coli infection is also marked by severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps and is the leading cause of kidney failure among children. Epidemiologists are certain of the typhoid diagnosis because Salmonella typhi was found in the victims, Trepka said. The added presence of E coli simply confirms that the processed fruit was contaminated with human or animal feces, she said. The ongoing Florida tests involve several brands of frozen mamey pulp from Guatemala and Honduras in addition to the El Sembrador brand, McElroy said. The sale of fresh mamey grown in Florida was not affected by the ban. The sale of fresh mamey fruit from Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic is already banned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture because of sanitation concerns. ------ From: Mario Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999 20:59:53 EST Subject: Re: Mamey - linked to Florida typhoid - is full of e coli Leo: I'm not surprised with this find. Processing fruit in other countries is not monitored as it is in the US. Unfortunately the local Florida Mamey growers will suffer from this. Because some people will only read the headlines or the first couple of paragraphs. Only if you read the last paragraph of the article will you know that the fresh Florida fruit is not affected, in fact Florida Mameys are generally of much higher quality. There is no comparison between the frozen pulp, which can only be used for milk shakes and ice cream, and the fresh fruit. Mario ------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 05 Mar 1999 13:09:07 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda Subject: Re: Thai Mango: Pim Sang Mon or ... Leo I believe you are talking about 'Pim Sen Mun'. We Thais eat mangoes in 3 different ways, namely, ripe as you do, unripe but not sour, and unripe and sour in the form of salad. For different methods of eating, we generally use different cultivars. Pimsen is generally eaten unripe (and not sour), hence the suffix, 'Mun', which which refers to the particular taste of these unripe mangoes. Although I do not know a great deal about mangoes, it will not be hard for me to find information on the subject. BTW Thailand is hosting an Internationa Mango Symposium at Pattaya in this April. Many people are attending this. Sainarong ------------------------------- From: Adam Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 15:02:36 EST Subject: What mango variety for the desert? Leo, Which would be the most sucessful variety of mango for the desert ( Coachella Valley zone 13) I understand some one is growing them commercially here. And do you know a source for the purchase of a small tree? I have the Manilla variety now, and its ok, fruits a little small. Can I expect better? Thank you for your help, or anyone in the news letter who could comment. Adam ------------------------------- From: "Richard K. Gross" To: Lorinda Millar Subject: Frost protection Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999 23:15:40 -0700 Lorinda Commercial Citrus growers around the world have protected their crops with air circulated with propellers positioned over the tree tops. It works quite well in mild, short duration freezes above about 27 Fahrenheit. You don't have to put them that high. Try industrial type shop fans, the kind on a stick. Plant your most sensitive varieties so that you can strategically direct the air in the most concentrated area using the least amount of electricity to do the job. Have someone with electrical knowledge install sensors to turn the fans on when the temperature reaches a critical point. Misting and flooding alone or in conjunction with air are reasonably effective but never flood species that are sensitive to cold wet feet; they will Succumb from root rot before the ground dries out. Flood lights, infrared lamps, Christmas tree lights all help in specific places. Sometimes there ain't nuthin you can do but cuss the elements.. Regards, Dick Gross, Phoenix, Arizona. ------------------------------- Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999 20:57:28 -0800 (PST) From: ucmaster gardeners Subject: Giant whitefly predatory insects - None available Leo, There are no predatory insects for sale or otherwise available. The University of California is working on the problem and has released some predatory insects on an experimental basis. We do not recommend spraying with any insecticides, incl. neem oil, as this would probably hurt the predatory insects. In the mean time we suggest hosing off the whiteflies or destroying them manually. Thanks for calling us. Herb for UC Master Gardeners ------------------------------- Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 21:49:23 -0500 Reply-to: zingiber@onelist.com Subject: Hardy Bananas - Webpage From: "JeffreyP" Anyone interested in growing Hardy Bananas please visit my website. I also have a couple links I've found for plant sources. http://w3.nai/net/~jeffrey Cheerio... Jeff -------------------------------- Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 16:39:51 -0800 From: tina siegel Subject: Cocao Seeds and Plants Available at Frankie's Nursery Leo: Frankie`s Nursery in Hawaii has cocoa seeds and plants for sale. I`ve received both from them without any problem. The plants are $7.50 for a one gallon size. I`m not sure about the price of the seeds, but I think it was something like $3.00. The plants need high humidity and pure salt-free water or the leaves will burn and look real ugly! Tina ------------------------------- From: Doug Jones Subject: Still Needing Advice For Black-Tipped Leaves-Mangoes Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 21:53:01 -0700 Leo, you asked for more information about me..... I live in Mesa, Arizona (near Phoenix) on 1.3 acres of prime irrigated farmland. I have over 300 trees planted on the lot - mostly the standard things such as apples, peaches, pears, citrus, etc.. I am trying to get things going in the rarefruit area, and was doing pretty good untill my shed and greenhouse burned down. I lost 30+ mango trees, plus lychee, wax jambu, papaya, pineapples, sapote, avacado, etc.. The only thing that survived were the banana corms underground. I will be rebuilding the greenhouse after the shed/garage is completed, and plan on filling it up with mostly mangoes ,bananas, and papayas. I still have a few mangoes around the main house, but they are not doing so well. They survived the winter ok, but they have blackened tips and little if any growth flush. Any ideas as to what causes the blackened tips? Anybody out there growing in such extreme temperatures as Phoenix? We hit 20 degrees a few days, and may hit 120 during the summer!! Hope to hear from you with some mango info. Thanks, Doug ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Bruce Livingston's Page - http://www.gate.net/~santol/index.html Lots of information and links to places you want to know about! ------------------- JACKFRUIT http://www.jnlk.com/mikeb/jackfruit_facts.htm Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Moraceae Common Names: Jackfruit, Jakfruit, Jaca, Nangka. Related Species: Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), Breadnut (A. altilis 'Seminifera'), Champedak (A. integer), Lakoocha (A. lakoocha), Marang (A. odoratissimus). Distant affinity: Figs (Ficus spp.), Mulberries (Morus spp.), African Breadfruit (Treculia african). Origin: The jackfruit is believed indigenous to the rain forests of the Western Ghats of India. It spread early on to other parts of India, southeast Asia, the East Indies and ultimately the Philippines. It is often planted in central and eastern Africa and is fairly popular in Brazil and Surinam. Adaptation: Jackfruit is adapted to humid tropical and near-tropical climates. Mature trees have survived temperatures of about 27 F in southern Florida, but these were frozen to large limbs. Young trees are likely to be killed at temperatures below 32 F. Unlike its relative, the breadfruit, the jackfruit is not injured by cool weather several degrees above freezing. There are only a dozen or so bearing jackfruit trees today in southern Florida, and these are valued mainly as curiosities. There are also several trees planted in the Asian exhibit at the San Diego Zoo. What they will do or how high they will grow remains a question. The tree is too large to make a suitable container-grown plant. DESCRIPTION Growth Habit: The jackfruit tree is handsome and stately. In the tropics it grows to an enormous size, like a large eastern oak. In California it is very doubtful that it would ever approach this size. All parts contain a sticky, white latex. Foliage: The leaves are oblong, oval, or elliptic in form, 4 to 6 inches in length, leathery, glossy, and deep green in color. Juvenile leaves are lobed. Flowers: Male and female flowers are borne in separate flower-heads. Male flower-heads are on new wood among the leaves or above the female. They are swollen, oblong, from an inch to four inches long and up to an inch wide at the widest part. They are pale green at first, then darken. When mature the head is covered with yellow pollen that falls rapidly after flowering. The female heads appear on short, stout twigs that emerge from the trunk and large branches, or even from the soil-covered base of very old trees. They look like the male heads but without pollen, and soon begins to swell. The stalks of both male and female flower-heads are encircled by a small green ring. Fruit: Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, reaching 80 pounds in weight and up to 36 inches long and 20 inches in diameter. The exterior of the compound fruit is green or yellow when ripe. The interior consists of large edible bulbs of yellow, banana-flavored flesh that encloses a smooth, oval, light-brown seed. The seed is 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick and is white and crisp within. There may be 100 or up to 500 seeds in a single fruit, which are viable for no more than three or four days. When fully ripe, the unopened jackfruit emits a strong disagreeable odor, resembling that of decayed onions, while the pulp of the opened fruit smells of pineapple and banana. There are two main varieties. In one, the fruits have small, fibrous, soft, mushy, but very sweet carpels with a texture somewhat akin to a raw oysters. The other variety is crisp and almost crunchy though not quite as sweet. This form is the more important commercially and is more palatable to western tastes. CULTURE Location: The jackfruit tree should have a well-drained, frost-free location that is sunny and warm. Soil: The jackfruit flourishes in rich, deep soil of medium or open texture. Planting on top of an old compost heap would be ideal. The faster one can force a tropical plant to grow, the better the chance of keeping it alive. The tree needs the best drainage and cannot tolerate "wet feet". Irrigation: The tree will not tolerate drought. Water frequently during warm months and warm periods in cooler months. Less water is necessary during colder weather. Fertilization: The jackfruit's requirements are not known, but frequent, weak solutions of all-purpose fertilizer will speed the plant's growth without causing burn. In the regions where it is commonly grown, it succeeds without much care from man, the sole necessity being abundant moisture. Frost protection: Although mature jackfruit trees will take several degrees of frost, it is prudent to provide young plants with overhead protection if possible and plant them on the south side of a wall or building. Small plants should be given complete protection with a covering on cold nights and even a light bulb if possible. Propagation:Propagation is usually by seeds, which can be kept no longer than a month before planting. Germination requires 3 to 8 weeks. The seedlings should be moved when no more than 4 leaves have appeared. A more advanced seedling, with its long and delicate tap root is very difficult to transplant successfully. Cutting-grown plants and grafted seedlings are possible. Air-layering is common in India. Pruning: Little or no pruning is required other than to remove any dead branches from the interior of the tree, so that sufficient light is obtained for the developing fruit. Pests and diseases: A variety of pests and diseases afflict the jackfruit tree and fruit regions where it is commonly grown. In California the white fly is a minor pest. Harvest: Jackfruits mature 3 to 8 months from flowering. When mature, there is usually a change of fruit color from light green to yellow-brown. Spines, closely spaced, yield to moderate pressure, and there is a dull, hollow sound when the fruit is tapped. After ripening, they turn brown and deteriorate rather quickly. Cold storage trials indicate that ripe fruits can be kept for 3 to 6 weeks at 52 to 55 F and relative humidity of 85% to 95%. Immature fruit is boiled, fried, or roasted. Chunks are cooked in lightly salted water until tender and then served. The only handicap is copious gummy latex which accumulates on utensils and hands unless they are first rubbed with cooking oil. The seeds can also be boiled or roasted and eaten similar to chestnuts. In Southeast Asia dried slices of unripe jackfruit are sold in the markets. The ripe bulbs, fermented and then distilled, produce a potent liquor. -----list zingiber@onelist.com; contact zingiber-owner@onelist.com------- To: Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 19:56:34 -0500 From: "Raymond Gerlach" Hello Frigid Cindy, You might want to try a super dwarf Novak. It gets as thick and clumping as a dwarf cavendish but stays shorter in stature. It has a very tropical look to it and does not seem to be as susceptible to red spider mites as some of the thinner leafed varieties. Another type that I have good luck with is a green Macaboo. It gets tall but is very thick and the mites leave it alone too. What part of the frozen tundra do you hale from? There are several varieties of nanas that can take some hard hits of cold weather and still survive. Musa basjou, Musa lasiocarpa, and Musa Hookerii are candidates. Ray in KY. -----Original Message----- From: Cindy & Bud Now I would like to get a banana that will only be outdoors for a few months each year (if it is a good idea to put it out at all, since it will be adapted to indoors). Dwarf Cavendish and Raja Puri seem to be likely candidates for a house banana. Which will do best with indoor conditions? Also I see places where I can purchase a 3' plant, but I am wondering if the shock of arriving in my house from Florida or wherever might be less if I just start with a corm. Any thoughts? Thanks! Cindy in the Frozen North ----------------- Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 19:12:27 +0200 Delivered-To: mailing list zingiber@onelist.com Subject: Re: ginger from the supermarked From: "Nicho Stamatis" Cindy, the ginger you buy in the supermarket is Zingiber officinale. It looks very much like a reed- thin grassy stems and it makes a light pink cone from the ground. Makes a big clump and will go dormant in the dry season or if the air gets very cold for extended periods of time. Quite pretty plant and easy to grow. George Stamatis South Africa -----Original Message----- From: Cindy & Bud What species is the ginger you buy in the supermarket, and does it produce a nice plant if sprouted? Has anyone done that? Also thanks so much to everyone who wrote about sources for bananas. It's much appreciated! Cindy in the deep freeze ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops------- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 12:29:56 +0800 From: David Noel Subject: Bird Damage to Nut/Fruit Crops -- Here in Australia we continue to find bird damage to nut and fruit crops to be a continuing problem. There are solutions to such problems but most of those we know about to date are either expensive, high-labour, or of temporary effect. -- I would really like to hear from people who have had notable success with methods which are cheap, low-labour, and permanent, also from those with ideas which are innovative but not proven. -- If all respondants would be kind enough to include the words 'Bird Damage' in their message subject, this will enable anyone to retrieve all relevant messages from the New Crops archive, http://bluestem.hort.purdue.edu/newcroplistserv/Search.html. -- To give some structure to responses and suggestions, perhaps responses could be 'tagged' with an approach type, eg DETER, EXCLUDE, DIVERT, or as appropriate, for example 'Bird Damage: Deter'. 1. DETER. This includes all methods to discourage birds from attacking tree crops, such as noise or distress-call or electronic pattern broadcasting, shooting, trapping, and installing paired electrified wires (the latter has had some success locally). Most users of such methods comment that unless birds are physically hurt in some way, these methods are only temporary in effect (the birds get used to the disturbance). Shooting and noisy methods may be unacceptable or illegal in populated areas. Killing native birds may also be illegal, and trapping and release elsewhere ineffective. Running predator birds (hawks, falcons) is also said to be effective but training and control very expensive. 2. EXCLUDE. Typically net individual trees or the entire area of cropping trees. Can be effective if 100% enclosure (small birds are adept at finding small holes), but expensive, and quite difficult and high-labour to temporarily-net large trees during harvest season. Hence in Australia mostly used only for high-value, lower crops such as table grapes and cherries. Also, exclusion methods may also exclude beneficial effects of birds, eg clearing off caterpillars or other pests, aerial spreading of bird manure, or even pollination. 3. DIVERT. Diversion crops have been suggested, eg planting sorghum near almond crops to come ripe at the same time, with birds said to prefer the sorghum and leave the almonds alone. Any hard evidence on this approach would be welcome. 4. OTHER. Are there other approaches, especially ones giving a subtle twist to ecological conditions, which are effective or worth investigating? Any ideas welcome. From David Noel, Tree Crops Centre, Web Sites: http://www.AOI.com.au Granny Smith's Bookshop, , >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - March 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - April 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9904A.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily a collection of letters from you, the readers. I edit all submissions, sometimes in a very minor way. If you find errors of spelling, grammar, or facts, please let me know. These newsletters go out later to new subscribers and you will be doing them a favor. Please do feel free to write with questions you want to pose to the 300 other reader/growers around the world. Several of them will very likely be able to help. Also, feel free to write directly to individual readers, but I would appreciate a CC or BCC, so I can publish both your question and the answers that follow. Also, write to tell the rest of us about plant nurseries, or horticulture web pages that you think we will want to know about. Paul Thomson's Edgehill property listing notice with Paul Lucas Realty is near the end of this issue. Readers, there are not a lot of things I can do with a pure ascii text document, as this newsletter has to be, in order for everyone to be able to read it. I can and have modified spacing, in an attempt to make it easier to read. If you think of additional changes to suggest, or want to comment about what I have done, I'd like to hear. However, I'm not ready to abandon the pure ascii text format. I have tried to make e-mail addresses "hot" so that you can click on them to send an e-mail to the writer, rather than copy the address into an e-mail application. Does that work for you? --Notes In Passing RFCI is raising money selling clippers, loppers, and collector-item mugs. I ordered clippers and like them very much, but didn't need loppers. Maurice Kong has a collection of "Rare and Unusual Fruit and Flowering Trees..." that I will send more information about, when I get the revised copy back from Maurice. Reminder: Quang Ong's Rare Fruit Nursery - Unofficial Web Page http://www.homestead.com/rarefruit/QuangOng.html --New Subscribers New Subscriber, FL, Wants Soursop Information Mary King New Subscribers, FL, Grow (almost) Everything! Mike & Nelly New Subscriber, Canada: Trouble Sprouting Tropical Seeds Dustin Ellsworth New Subscriber, CA: Where To Buy Rare Fruit Trees Near S.F.? Will Sears New Subscriber, Vista, CA Muriel L de Koning --Readers Write Jackfruit Page Came From CRFG Fruit Fact Web Page! "Matt Heffron" Need Fruit Tree To Hide Neighbor's Yard, Plus.... Mark Presky Re: Need Fruit Tree To Hide Neighbor's Yard From: Leo Suggestions for Mark Presky (Hiding Neighbor's Yard) Sven Mergen Re: Mango for the desert "Holzinger, Bob" Bird Deterrent Eunice Messner Desert mango Eunice Messner Growing Cherimoyas in San Jose? Jim Cramer Blackened mango leaf tips Eunice Messner Thailand Papayas Eunice Messner What To Plant To Hide A Neighbor's Yard? Mark Presky Jac fruit facts Peggy Winter --Announcements and Web Sites To Consider Corrected Web Page Address: http://w3.nai.net/~jeffrey "JeffreyP" The Banana Tree - Not Just For Bananas! http://www.banana-tree.com/ Bananas In Vitro - http://www.tropbio.com.my/TRbanana.html TropBio Research TropBio Bananas Malaysia How are tropical fruits commercially propagated? http://www.rooting-hormones.com/discuss.htm#propagating citrus --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? Re: Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? Clarence Hester wrote: Re: Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? "Raymond Gerlach" Re: Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? "JeffreyP" Re: Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? Jack Honeycutt Banana Page: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/index.htm Paul Spracklin Ensete, Musa and Musella: an annotated list of species. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/index.htm --NAFEX List Subject: Paul Thomson's Edgehill Property Listing - Paul Lucas Realty "Lon J. Rombough" Chemical root pruning Gene Spears RE: Chemical root pruning (G. Spears) Joel Kroin --From NEWCROPS List Re: Bird Damage to Nut/Fruit Crops - Deter? (Use Dangling CDs!) Leo Manuel ------------------Leo's Notes------------------- RFCI is raising money selling clippers, loppers, and collector-item mugs. I bought clippers and like them very much, but didn't need loppers. There will be more information soon, in case you want to order from them. Maurice Kong has a collection of "Rare and Unusual Fruit and Flowering Trees...." I will send more information, when I get the revised copy back from Maurice, probably very soon. ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants Soursop Information Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 09:53:44 -0500 From: Mary King Hi, I am Mary King, now living in Venice, Florida I have recently moved to Florida from Pennsylvania and know very little about tropical fruit trees. I would like to know if anyone has information on Soursop, and ways to use the fruit. Thank you and I am looking forward to receiving your newsletter. Mary ------------------------------- Subject: New Subscribers, FL, Grow (almost) Everything! Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 21:57:40 EST From: Mike & Nelly We are Michael And Nelly Carufe plus 14 year old Michael Jr and 12 year old Anna and four year old Tiwi our blue and gold macaw. We live in Naples Fla. and have 2.5 acres of "Rare Fruit trees". Many varieties of citrus, about a six varieties of Lychees i.e. Brewster, Bengal, Ohia, Hak Ip, Mauritius, and Sweet Cliff. Several varieties of Mangoes including Kent, Tommy Atkins Nam Doc Mai and others. Several varieties of Annonas, star fruits, mamey Sapotes. White sapotes, yellow passion vines that bear very shyly, Avocadoes, Canistel, and Jaboticabas. I like to make wine with excess fruit. I have made longan, Jaboticaba and star fruit wines. Lots of other trees not bearing yet. I have been in this house since '91. First thing I did was to plant fruit trees even before I finished building the house! The Citrus trees did well but the first Lychee tree I planted is about the same size as the ones I planted out within the last couple of years. I suppose they need water when they are young. All Mango cultivars are in bloom and we are hoping for a bountiful summer crop. Tommy Atkins (which is not our favorite is always reliable with the least bit of effort.) This year we are hoping to taste some of the others listed including Kent which is one of my favorites and Nam Doc Mai. I have a Day avocado that has proven most reliable. It bears abundantly in mid to late summer. Jaboticabas do very well in this area. I have two that bear every year at least twice. They are completely covered in fruit at this time. They are amazing examples of cualifloria. They make a wonderful wine. I only have one Longan (kohala) that is flowering. I have other fruits that are in flower now also. If I can answer any questions about fruit crops in this area, I would be more than happy to. Pomologically Yours, Mike ------------------------------ From: Dustin Ellsworth Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 12:40:23 Subject: New Subscriber, Canada: Trouble Sprouting Tropical Seeds My name is Dustin Ellsworth. I live in the city of Edmonton which is in the province of Alberta in Canada. Please send the newsletter to rapstarD@hotmail.com. Currently I am attempting to grow flowering banana, papaya, monkey pod rainforest tree, and Adansonia digitata. I hope to also start other varieties including guava, breadfruit and starfruit. If anyone could answer questions on germinating tropical seeds I would be grateful as I have not had a great deal of success. thanks, Dustin Ellsworth ---------------------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, CA: Where To Buy Rare Fruit Trees Near S.F.? From: Will Sears Date: Mon, 22 March, 1999 I am Will Sears in San Leandro (near Oakland) California. The trees (tubers, and large herbaceous plants) I am now growing: Hass, Bacon avocado; raja puri, mysore, orinoco banana; Mexican papaya, babaco; Coffea arabica. also: taro, malanga, kiwano Trees I'd like to grow: cherimoya, paw paw, tamarillo, pepino dulce, carambola Does anyone know where I can purchase rare fruit trees in the San Francisco Bay Area? Will ---------------------------- Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 16:48:58 -0800 Subject: New Subscriber, Vista, CA From: Muriel L de Koning Hi, My name is Muriel deKoning and live with my husband in Vista, Ca We are currently growing a variey of rare tropical fruit trees . I understand through you I can be on the rare fruit news online. Please get us on as we love what we are doing. Thanks Anxiously awaiting your reply Muriel -----------------Readers Write------------------ From: "Matt Heffron" Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 11:09:27 -0800 Subject: Jackfruit Page Came From CRFG Fruit Fact Web Page! The Jackfruit page you listed in the last RFN appears to be just most of a COPY of the CRFG Jackfruit Fruit Facts web page. http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/jackfruit.html Matt Heffron CRFG Webmaster ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 10:46:10 -0800 From: Mark Presky Subject: Need Fruit Tree To Hide Neighbor's Yard, Plus.... Leo, I hope that one of the other recipients of your newsletter might be able to help me with a needed suggestion. I live very near Santa Monica, CA, about 2 miles from the coast. I have several citrus and a loquat already, but need one more semi-dwarf (10-12 ft) evergreen fruit tree, to furnish me with more fruit, and to hide a neighbor's yard. Any ideas? Thanks. Mark Presky, markpresky@att.net ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 11:50:35 -0800 To: Mark Presky Subject: Re: Need Fruit Tree To Hide Neighbor's Yard Mark, I'm sure there are plenty of possibilities. One rugged plant (for soil types) is Pitanga, and you can plant a hedge spaced rather closely - then remove some middle ones later, if you choose. They can be pruned to grow mostly outwards and toward each other. I'll publish your question. Leo ------------------------------- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 10:46:10 -0800 From: Mark Presky Subject: Re: Need Fruit Tree To Hide Neighbor's Yard, Plus.... Leo, Thank you. Funny you mentioned Pitanga; not knowing the latin, I was thinking the other day about using Surinam Cherry. I may go for that suggestion, although I'm going to wait to see what other suggestions come down the pike. Where I'm going to use it, it will be a stand-alone, near a blueberry. Something bushy will work well. Does Pitanga grow out? I've read that it grows, unchecked, to 15 feet. By the way, can you suggest sources for Pitanga? I called a couple of nurseries, but they don't carry it. Thanks again. Mark Presky ------------------------------ From: Sven Mergen Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 08:00:34 -0800 Subject: Suggestions for Mark Presky (Hiding Neighbor's Yard) Hi Leo, I believe I bought mine from Mimosa nursery. It is in the LA area, but I'm not sure what city or what their number is. Laguna Hills nursery in Laguna Hills would probably carry it or be able to get it (949 area code). They usually have some nice large tropical fruit trees. JD Anderson lists 1 and 5 gallon Surinam cherries: http://www.pe.net/~maxson/jdafr.htm. That is about all I can find in California, but it is a fairly common plant and I'm sure many more nurseries carry it. I have a bunch of small seedlings if he is interested. I think they grow fairly quickly. He might check with some of the nurseries listed at http://www.crfg.org/nurlist.html. I'm sure some of them carry pitanga or can point him in the right direction. Here are some additional suggestions for plants that Mark might consider: A longan would probably work well. They are dense and evergreen, but they will get large eventually. Guavas would make a nice hedge, but they do loose a fair amount of leaves in the winter. There was a strawberry tree near the house I grew up in that had been pruned into a 10 foot hedge which was dense and I think evergreen. We use to throw the fruit at each other not realizing they were edible. Jaboticaba is slow growing and will stay small. They loose some leaves, but would probably make a good block. Pineapple guava would also work well. That is all I can think of right now. You might want to ask Roger Meyer, he is pretty busy but he might have some good suggestions. Sven ------------------------------ From: "Holzinger, Bob" To: Adam Subject: Mango for the desert Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 13:39:59 -0800 Hi Adam, The last issue of Fruit Gardener had an article on the mango planting in the Coachella Valley. From their experiments it appears that Keitt is the variety of choice in that area. Since Keitt is a great mango I would suggest that you start with it and then try others when you feel like experimenting. If you can't find a Keitt at sources closer to you, then get in contact with Tim Thompson in Camarillo, he should have one for sure. Best of luck, Bob Holzinger ------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 20:47:09 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Bird Deterrent To: David Noel David Noel... I have found "Birdscare Flash Tape' very effective. It comes in 1/2"(12mm) wide and 290'(90M) long roll It is a silver and red metalized tape made of recyclable polyethylene. It is made in Japan. "Birdscare Flash Tape works by reflecting sun light. When applied in a spiral with the bright red and silver coated sides alternating, any movement of the wind will cause the tape to flash brilliantly. This flashing seems to signal danger to the birds. They may associate it with fire. It has been very effective in repelling birds, especially flock birds, in a wide variety of crop and garden applications. For best results put the tape up just before the crop starts to ripen so the birds don't become accustomed to its presence over a period of time. Remove it just as soon as the crop is harvested." A friend with acreage uses it over the tops of his trees. For the home garden I cut it into 18" lengths and loosely tie it to a branch; very much like decorating a Christmas tree. It can be used in many other situations. The source is: Modern Agri-Products (206) 354-8884 FAX 206 354-8885; 322 Main Street, Lynden, WA 98264 Eunice Messner ------------------------------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 12:58:58 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Desert mango To: Adam Adam... The large, green-skinned 'Keitt' is the commercial mango being grown near Salton Sea. Since green-skinned mangos don't have eye appeal, I understand they are looking for a more colorful one. Go to www.CRFG.org/CRFG Fruit List for a list of nurseries that have mangos. Regarding your Manila mango. There are at least two different types; one from Mexico and the other from the Phillipines. Of all the mangos I grow, the one from Mexico is my least favorite. It is a huge seedling tree and if even some of the blossoms on it set, I will have an enormous crop. BUT, the Manila mango seed Paul Thomson brought back from Mexico and fruited is a winner. Clones from that tree are now commercially available. A favorite of mine for flavor. It is called 'Thomson'. If you are planting a lot, I know of a source for the vigorous Puerto Rican rootstock that is used commercially. Best wishes, Eunice Messner [Note: My understanding is that Paul brought a Manila-like mango in from Mexico, but that he did not know if the parent tree was Manila. So, whether the 'Thomson' is Manila or not, I concur that the tree is prolific-tends to over bear and requires thinning, and the fruit is quite good. Leo] ------------------------------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 06:19:09 +0000 Subject: Growing Cherimoyas in San Jose? From: Jim Cramer I am Jim Cramer in San Jose, Ca. I would like to grow Cherimoyas. What varieties of cherimoyas successfully grow in the Santa Clara Valley or areas with similar climate and soil conditions? I plan on planting two trees on the west facing side of my house and will be providing temperature protection during the winter months. From the literature the following varieties appear to be what I am looking for: Libby----- late Sept, early Oct Ott--------Jan-April, high sugar, 26% Sabor----- Best flavor per crfg, does not need hand pollination Orton-----Late ripening, good fruit quality. Please provide information on these varieties and any other recommendations for my area? Thank you very much. Jim Cramer ------------------------------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 09:32:43 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Blackened mango leaf tips To: Doug Jones Doug Jones... Sure sorry to hear about the loss of your fruit trees, greenhouse and shed; but, glad you are not a quitter and are starting over again. I didn't answer your questions about blackened tips on your mangos because I had the same, but worse, problem. All 25 of my newly grafted mangos, in pots, developed black tips and then died. DEAD. I was talking with Dr. Greg Partida today from Cal Poly Pomona. Because of the Orange County Chapter's rare fruit planting at Cal Poly he has become very interested in mangos. In fact, he went to Florida and took a short course. It was there he learned what had caused the death of 75% of his mangos in containers. It started with blackened tips as mine did. They say it is a bacteria and no cure known as yet. They have used every known chemical. Since your trees are not dying, your problem may be water or soil oriented. Blackened tips usually indicate either a build of salts due to poor drainage or the water itself (are you using Colorado River water?). Surely in Arizona you have good drainage which is a main requirement of mangos. Do you have ample top mulch to encourage the pathogen fighting ability of micro-organisms? It is really frustrating to fight an unknown enemy, but it has to mean something is out-of-balance, i.e.; lack of organic material in the soil (burnt out by chemical?); too much tilling which destroys beneficial fungi (mycorrhiza); or no soil cover (mulch or cover crop). I hope you stumble on to an answer to your problem. Warm regards, Eunice Messner -------------------------------- Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 17:09:32 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Thailand Papayas Leo... Originally I had three papaya trees from Thailand seed. One had the characteristic elongated, Thai shape, but the flavor was nothing special. I eventually removed it. The other two bore roundish fruit up to 4#'s; one with yellow flesh, the other red. Both had perfect flowers and branched out like a tree, but still grew very tall. I would top them periodically. One lasted 10 years, but in the meantime I grew several other types of papayas so there may have been some intermingling. One never knows now if it will be yellow or red fleshed or which sex, but the very exotic flavor is usually there. I have contributed their seed to our Seed Bank over the years and still grow a few plants. If it were only a shorter tree, one would never look further for a perfect papaya. I also introduced the dwarf Taiwanese (red) papaya. The fruit was quite large and very good, but not as good as the Thailand. I no longer grow it. Re propagation: Papayas are very fussy about drainage, whether in a pot or in the ground. The planting medium is crucial to success. It needs to be light weight, preferably a mixture of sphagnum peat moss, perlite or pumice, a wetting agent and starter nutrients (the ingredients of "RediEarth", my favorite commercial mix but now very hard to find). The sphagnum peat moss deters plants from dying of "damp-off" a fungus causing plants to die at the soil level. If you are making your own planting mix, add a liquid such as "Water In" to moisten the peat moss and some home-made compost or earthworm castings as starter nutrients. Pumice doesn't float to the top like perlite, but may be harder to find. I have had marvelous success with plastic planting tubes, either the 1 1/2"x5" or 1 1/2"x7" from Stuewe and Sons*. I use the shorter ones mostly for vegetables and the longer ones for small fruit tree seeds. These fit into a 12"x24" plastic tray with 98 spaces. Why do these small-sized diameter tubes work better than a larger container? I surmise the roots get more oxygen since they reach the side of the container sooner and there is less soggy soil around the roots. I either grow them under florescent lights or in a very easy to construct Styrofoam box designed to hold this one tray. It uses only a 25 watt bulb. Be happy to send directions for making this box, if desired. Also see Aug. '92 article on propagation in the "Fruit Gardener" magazine. Unless you have a green house, time your seed planting so you do not have to hold the plants over winter in a pot. Seeds planted now can be transplanted to the ground this fall. If you have gophers, plant in a chicken wire cage. Also remember this is a plant without root hairs so it will really respond to mycoorhiza sprinkled in the seed mix or on the roots at transplant time. For growing in the ground, again, drainage is the key. If you don't have a slope, plant on a mound. Use as much home-made compost or worm-castings as you can spare, also a mulch on top. You could, of course, plant the seeds directly into the ground in late April, maybe 3 in a hole every 3 feet. Place a plastic milk bottle (with the bottom cut off, of course) over the seeds to protect them. When it becomes evident whether you have a male or female plant, cull out all the males except one. Small male flowers appear on long appendages; larger female or perfect flowers blossoms appear next to the trunk of the tree. However, sometimes even male plants will have a single female blossom on the end of the flowering scape (?), though the fruit may be of a different shape. Remember, chemical fertilizers are antagonistic to the microorganisms in the soil. So for optimum health, use organics and keep the microorganisms happy by using a surface mulch. Enjoy your fruits beginning in April - usually one year after planting. They will get progressively sweeter as the weather warms up. Eunice Messner *Stuewe & Sons, Inc. 2290 S.E. Kiger Island Drive, Corvallis, OR 97333. Toll free 1 800 533-5331 ---------------------------- Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 06:16:29 -0800 From: peggy winter Subject: Jac fruit "facts" I read your last newsletter. Lots of interesting stuff, and I e-mailed the New Zealander to give him Phil Gardner's e-mail address. On the subject of jac fruit, someone's behind on their Florida facts. The Fruit and Spice Park has a marvelous collection, at least 20 varieties and all large enough to be producing. On almost every day you'll find cut up jac fruit to taste in their office. I have two small jac fruit trees. They're living outside without the help of heat or anything and one is nearly through it's second winter. The grafted variety lost it's graft during the winter, but it wasn't planted until late September when the weather was turning cold. I had to cut back all the leaves in transplanting. I will try again in early summer and I'm sure I'll have good grafted varieties surviving next winter. Thanks, Peggy ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Corrected Web Page Address: http://w3.nai.net/~jeffrey Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 14:30:37 -0500 My web site is included in your newsletter, and it's not listed correctly.. My name is Jeff Picazio, and the correct URL is http://w3.nai.net/~jeffrey If you could make the correction I'd appreciate it... Jeff ----------------------- Subject: The Banana Tree - Not Just For Bananas! Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 06:08:48 +0000 http://www.banana-tree.com/ [I'm passing this information along, without recommendation, as I haven't ordered from them. Have you? Leo] The Banana Tree; The premier source for rare, tropical and exotic plants, seeds and bulbs. Welcome to the Banana Tree's On-line Catalog. At long last we have responded to the request of our customers, and taken this beautiful catalog to the World Wide Web. After 40 years in business, our old-fashioned style has "hit the highway". We hope you enjoy your visit. Heliconia Seeds Gingers Cycads Cactus and Succulents Protea Herbs Books 715 Northampton St. Easton, PA 18042 Phone: (610) 253-9589 Fax: (610) 253-4864 ------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 17:32:10 -0800 Subject: How are tropical fruits commercially propagated? http://www.rooting-hormones.com/discuss.htm#propagating citrus Moderators note: This discussion page has had several requests for information on the propagation of citrus and other tropical fruits. The following discussion was written by Dr. Manners who teaches plant science and citrus growing. Perhaps I can at least partially answer your question about rooting tropical fruit trees. Mango: To my knowledge, no one ever roots them from cuttings. Until relatively recently, even marcottage has been considered nearly impossible. In the magazine Tropical Fruit World, Vol. 1, No. 3, (July/August, 1990) is an article by Adriano Lambe, about work done at the University of Florida Tropical Research Center, by Roberto Nunez-Elisea and Tom Davenport, in which they successfully marcotted mangos, using a 2-3% NAA in lanolin paste, with good success. This is the only such case I'm aware of. Otherwise, mango seems always to be grafted to seedling rootstocks, or grown directly from seed. Carambola: Again, I've never heard of anyone successfully rooting cuttings. Marcots do work, but at a relatively low rate of success. Virtually all commercial trees are grafted or budded to seedling rootstocks. Mangosteen: To my knowledge, NO vegetative means of propagation has ever worked, for this fruit. That is most frustrating, since seedlings have a juvenile period of 10-20 years, before fruiting for the first time. A successful vegetative method would revolutionize mangosteen production! Papaya: These are easily rooted, but it's rather impractical, since the trees tend to have only one main trunk (like a palm) or at most a few branches, and individual stems are several inches in diameter. So the logistics of taking multiple cuttings of a plant without destroying the plant, are difficult to say the least. Nevertheless, papaya will root without difficulty, if you do take cuttings. I'm not aware of what, if any, plant growth regulators are used. Longan: Like its close relative, the lychee, longans are extraordinarily difficult (practically impossible) from cuttings. No method has ever yielded acceptable numbers of rooted plants. On the other hand, marcottage in early summer, with or without any growth regulator, is highly successful, and is the basis for propagating these fruits commercially, in Florida. We make our marcots in June. Using [dry powder rooting hormone] get nearly 100% success that way. I suspect that the trouble with cuttings, here, is the long time needed to root (3-4 months), and the consequent difficulty with keeping fungi from rotting the cutting during that period. Atemoya (hybrids of Annona cherimoya by A. squamosa): I've never heard of anyone trying to root these. Surely someone has, but it isn't even considered in Florida. They seem always to be grafted or budded to seedling atemoya or A. squamosa rootstocks. Even marcottage doesn't seem ever to be used in Florida. Well, those are the fruits with which I've had personal experience with propagation. By the way, the rose apple in your note had (name?) after it. It is Syzygium jambos. As far as I know, they are always grown from seed, as are all the Syzygiums and closely related Eugenias, genera which apparently have virtually no ability to produce adventitious roots. I hope this will be helpful. Please feel free to contact me if I can help further. The propagation of tropical fruits has always been fascinating to me, and I've worked quite a lot in that area, especially in grafting/budding methods. So many of the tropicals are frustrating because they are so resistant to successful rooting of cuttings. We need some success stories! Malcolm M. Manners, Ph.D., Chairman, Department of Citrus and Ornamental Horticulture Florida Southern College Lakeland, FL 33801-5698 -------list zingiber@onelist.com; contact zingiber-owner@onelist.com--------- Subject: Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 09:36:28 +0000 From: Leo Manuel I am being sent seeds of a non-edible banana with beautiful pink edible-looking fruit. I don't know the name, but I've never tried sprouting ornamental banana seeds. Does anyone know whether Gibberellic Acid is useful? If so, at what strength, etc.? It would also be helpful to know of websites with information regarding sprouting ornamental bananas. Thanks! Leo --------------------- Clarence Hester wrote: I've had really good success with Park's Ensete seeds. Usually at least two or three of the five germinate, generally within four weeks. I use a sharp knife blade to cut one or two relatively deep slits in the seed coat. This is *not* easy--the seeds are hard as a rock. It's really more of a "sawing into the seed" process than a mere nick. Then, I pour boiling water on the seeds and let them cool down a little. Finally, I put the seeds and the *very* warm water in a thermos jug and close tight, changing the water with hot water for three or four straight days. Then, I sow in 100% sand under a hot incandescent 150 watt grow bulb suspended over the seed tray. The heat generated could probably also come from bottom heat as well. I switched to sand rather than grow mix because the young roots, when they emerge, are somewhat brittle and this makes it easier to poke around and remove the seedling after sprouting. These are all rather extreme measures but they work. You can't "pussy foot" around with seeds this tough and hard. Abuse them and they will respond. Politely plant them in soil with no pretreatment and you'll be waiting forever. I'm convinced Park's sells a fresh product, or somehow keeps them fresh. I've never had a banana seed from any other catalog (e.g., T & M) germinate. Maybe that's just luck of the draw. Clarence Hester ---------------------------------- Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 23:45:10 -0500 Subject: Sprouting Banana Seeds From: "Raymond Gerlach" I have had good luck using a similar method to Clarence's. I soak the seeds for 3 to 4 days keeping them warm by sitting the glass on top of the water heater. This is followed by potting them in sterile seed starting soil in covered seed starting flats. The flats are then placed on top of a waterbed heater and the temperature is turned all of the way up. When the first leaves touch the top of the cover I use a spoon to remove the root ball and pot the lil fellow up. He goes under the grow lights or in a sunny window. I feel that the freshness of the seeds also helps. I bought seeds from the Banana Tree and had no luck with any of the varieties I purchased. Since then I have ordered from B and T seeds and Palme per Paket. Even though the seeds had to come from Europe, I have had a very good percentage of starts. I just received a confirmation letter from Palme per Paket today that my Ensete Superbum seeds are on their way. I'm hoping that these will be as faithful in sprouting. Ray in KY. -------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 22:55:12 -0500 Subject: [zingiber] Re: Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? From: "JeffreyP" Have you tried soaking the seeds in water for 24-36 hrs and then planting in warm soil? I suspect the results would be the same. Jeff http://www.the-banana.com -------------------------------------- From: Jack Honeycutt < mailto:jhoneycutt@uswest.net> Subject: Re: Sprout Banana Seeds - How to? I don't know anything about sprouting banana seeds. I can give you some background in sprouting some extremely hard water lily seeds though... Victoria water lily seeds are about the size of a pea. They are quite hard. Some folks like to scarify the seeds by filing down the outside membrane until the inside is visible. A very small opening is all that is necessary. Another approach we use is bleach. We soak seeds in a mix of warm water and 10% bleach for 3 minutes, then rinse with warm water. But like I said, I know nothing about banana seeds. I hope this helps. jack ---------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 17:05:45 +0000 Subject: Banana Page: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/index.htm From: Paul Spracklin Hi List. A chap I know has done a little digging about and research (well, a lot actually) and has tabulated his results as to accepted names, synonyms, pseudonyms etc. for Musa, Musella and Ensete. Good news is that it is on a website http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/index.htm He would be too modest to advertise it's existence, so I'm doing it for him. Worth a look. Regards Paul Spracklin Essex SS7 1LD England website - http://www.user.globalnet.co.uk/~exotic ---------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 12:54:58 +0000 Subject: Ensete, Musa and Musella: an annotated list of species. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/index.htm Ensete, Musa and Musella: an annotated list of species. This annotated list is a personal attempt to resolve inconsistencies and ambiguities in nomenclature of the Musaceae encountered in various horticultural texts. The Musaceae has been exploited by man for food for millennia. It is probable that the banana was one of the first food plants to receive attention in the early stages of primitive agriculture. The family is also exploited in ornamental horticulture; as a source of garden and patio plants, indoor pot plants and as a source of cut flowers. I have provided a small number of links to other related Musaceae web sites and would be pleased to hear of others. Please e-mail me at drc@globalnet.co.uk David Constantine. --------------NAFEX List ---------------------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 09:32:56 -0800 Subject: Paul Thomson's Edgehill Property Listing - Paul Lucas Realty From: "Lon J. Rombough" Note: Paul Thomson is the founder of the California Rare Fruit Growers and the Edgehill Grove is in California. I don't know what all is in the grove, but odds are good it's a substantial fruit collection. Lon Rombough From: Paul Lucas Date: Thu, Mar 18, 1999, 6:50 AM I currently have the Edgehill Grove, developed by Paul Thomson, listed for sale. If you know of anyone interested in purchasing this property, please contact me. Thank you, Paul http://www.paullucas.com/ ------------------------------- From: Gene Spears "NAFEX List" Subject: Chemical root pruning Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 09:28:57 -0500 I've searched my old POMONA issues, but can't find an article on how to control root growth in container-grown seedlings. The author mixed a copper-based (?) compound with latex paint & coated the interior of his pots. This apparently worked very well to kill the root tips as they came in contact with the container, resulting in a compact root ball with no girdling. Can anyone direct me to the issue & page number? What was the chemical & in what concentrations? many thanks in advance, gene -------------------- From: Joel Kroin "NAFEX List" Subject: RE: Chemical root pruning (G. Spears) Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 21:02:31 -0500 Dear Gene There is a product called SpinOut manufactured by Griffin. it is quite expensive. We obtain ours from Hummert International (800-325-3055). If you want to make your own at much less price: purchase from a marine supply an anti-fowling latex paint which has a high concentration of copper salts. You can obtain this in small quantities. Then mix one part of this product with a low price ordinary latex paint at 1 part marine to 4 parts latex. The product is painted on the inside of plastic planting pails. The end result is that when the fibrous plant roots touch the copper they will break off thereby preventing the root from roots from swirling around the container wall. the effect is similar to air pruning the roots. There have been many trials using this paint in research centers during the past ten years. You might take a look at the Journal indexes for the American Society of Horticultural Science for articles. regards Joel Kroin ---Discussion list for New Crops --- Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 16:23:18 +0000 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Re: Bird Damage to Nut/Fruit Crops - Deter? I suspended unwanted CD's around in my orchard last years, having heard that they scare off birds, and the practice seemed to work. It's not practical in a large orchard, but some of us get a lot of CDs in the mail that of no other use. Punching, drilling, or somehow getting a small hole near the outer rim (they may shatter!) and suspending them so they turn freely in the breeze and the reflected light seems to keep the birds away. Leo in San Diego >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - April 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online, April 15, 1999 aka RFN9904B.txt Please welcome the new subscribers. Many have questions and will welcome any leads. Remember how it is when you don't know where to look or exactly for what you want to look? If you know of web pages with pictures of rare fruit, or especially those with links to places which have information about rare fruit, or sources for plants, please let us know. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers --Notes In Passing #1 Web Page For Chinese Rare Fruit; Information Wanted #2 Several Rare Fruit Plant Sources --New Subscribers New Subscriber, FL Virginia Male New Subscriber, FL, Wants Longan Information Austin Dunk New Subscriber, AZ, wants to grow Pitanga, Pitomba,.... Bruce Jones New Subscriber, CA, Wants Suggestions For Desert Rare Fruit Suzanne Tobin New Customer, FL, Growing Guava, Mango, Sapodilla, .... Carole Cushnie New Subscriber, CA, Grows Mango, Cherimoya, Feijoa, .... Ron Base New Subscriber, CA, Cherimoya Grow In Far North? John Austin New Subscriber, Spain, Wants Pitaya Information Erik Strohmeyer New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Sarah --Readers Write Re: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Leo Manuel To: Sarah Colby Re: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Sarah Colby Re: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Leo Manuel To: Sarah Colby Re: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Sarah Colby RE: Will cherimoyas grow in the far north George Emerich To: jaustin@arcadianmgt.com RE: Soursop Mike Carufe To:Mary Doug Jones" Re-Introduction; Need Greenhouse Advice; Black Mango Twigs RE: Quang's BIG Clearance Sale Until 5/1/99 ONLY Buckner, Geoff --Announcements And Web Pages To Consider Green Scene Plant Sale-Fullerton Arbetum-CRFG Plants Also!! Sven Merten What Plants Will Be At Plant Sale? How To Find Out! Sven Merten Fruit Information From Maurice Kong's Listing Maurice Kong Want A Copy Of Edgehill Property Map? Sven Merten 1999 Festival of Fruit Glenn Young Co-Editor of the Fruit Gardener - Ronald W. Couch Glenn Young Re: Editor of the Fruit Gardener Robert D. Allen Re: Editor of the Fruit Gardener Jose Miguel Gallego Appointment Keith Harold as Treasurer of CRFG Glenn Young Re: Appointment of new treasurer Robert D. Allen Quang's BIG Clearance Sale Until 5/1/99 ONLY Leo Manuel --Discussion list for New Crops Sterculia Monosperma (China Chestnut) Information, Please Leo Manuel Re: Sterculia Monosperma (China Chestnut) Information, Please Robert Mowbray Re: Sterculia Monosperma (China Chestnut) Information, Please Dan Hemenway --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) Going Bananas Have A WebSite? Scott Re: Going Bananas Have A WebSite? Jack Honeycutt --NAFEX List None This Time ----------------------Notes In Passing----------------------- #1 Web Page For Chinese Rare Fruit; Information Wanted I'd like to find a web page with information on Chinese rare fruit, with English translation. Some of the most interesting fruit has originated there, and it would be helpful to see what is there. #2 Several Rare Fruit Plant Sources You will want to see the plant availability information mentioned in the "Announcements and Web Pages To Consider" section. Maurice Kong in Florida has a most unusual collection, and he provides information to whet your appetite. Be sure to contact him for complete details and price list. Sven Merten discusses the Fullerton Arboretum plant sale, and tells us how to find out what's there. Quang Ong's 30% or more reduction in prices in his collection in San Diego, but only until May 1. ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, FL Date: Sat, 03 Apr 1999 05:52:16 -0800 From: Virginia Male I am Virginia Male, living in Brooksville, Fl Now, I am growing Papaya, Sugar Apple, Star Fruit Virginia Male ------------------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants Longan Information Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 21:54:34 -0500 From: Austin Dunk I am Austin Dunk, in Venice, FL Currently growing atemoya, grumichama, jakfruit, lychee, miraclefruit, mango, papaya, pineapple, and passionfruit. Interested in acquiring some longans. I think the electronic newsletter is an excellent idea and I look forward to gaining from it. Does anyone have experience with longan cultivars or give a recommendation? Austin ------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, AZ, wants to grow Pitanga, Pitomba,.... Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 07:32:43 -0700 From: Bruce Jones I am Bruce Jones, in Mesa AZ. The fruit tree I am now growing is Eureka Lemon, but some I'd like to grow are Pitanga, pitomba, Jack fruit, Jaboticaba. Regards, Bruce ------------------------------ From: Suzanne Tobin Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 13:58:35 -0700 (PDT) Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Wants Suggestions For Desert Rare Fruit Hi, I am Suzanne Tobin, in Palm Springs, California I want to grow rare fruit, my soil is sand. I live in the desert. Winter temperature is about 55 F and summer can be 128 F. My friend planted papaya seed and it grew well. I have grown an ornamental passion vine quite successfully. I have high winds but can protect behind buildings. Regards Suzanne Tobin ---------------------------- From: Carole Cushnie Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 11:15:58 EDT Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Growing Guava, Mango, Sapodilla, .... Hi, my name is Carole Cushnie, Jensen Beach, Florida 34957. I currently have growing, guava, strawberry and the regular yellow, mango, sapodilla, apples, pears, blackberry, raspberry, nectarines, peaches, june plum, sweet sop and mulberry. Thanks, Carole Cushnie ---------------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 06:16:32 -0700 From: Ron Base Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Grows Mango, Cherimoya, Feijoa, .... Hi Leo, I am Ron Base of Upland, CA, and want to subscribe to the newsletter. Now I'm growing mango, cherimoya, feijoas, mostly tropicals. Thank you, Ron Base ----------------------- From: John Austin Date: Wed, 07 Apr 1999 16:06:25 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Cherimoya Grow In Far North? I am John H. Austin, in Oakland, Calif Will cherimoya grow as far north as San Francisco? John Austin ------------------------- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 09:31:48 +0200 From: Erik Strohmeyer Subject: New Subscriber, Spain, Wants Pitaya Information Hi, I am Erik Strohmeyer in El Ejido (Almeria Province) Spain We are about to start with pitaya the coming month, and want to know the "nutrinonal and fitosanitaric" needs of pitaya. (Nutritional and phyto-sanitary?) We appreciate your service and hope we can benefit from it. Erik Strohmeyer ----------------------- From: Sarah Colby Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 14:08:16 EDT Subject: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? I recently planted two mango trees about 3-4' high (I live in Redlands, Ca) and on the end of the upper leaves they have brown edges. Does this mean they are being attacked by some bug (which I can't see) or that they are not getting the right kind fertilizer or? I would appreciate anything you can tell me to make them happy to be in my yard. Sarah Colby -----------------Readers Write------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 13:42:15 -0700 To: Sarah Colby Subject: Re: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Hi Sarah, I would guess that it is related to soil conditions and drainage, and possibly an excess of some fertilizer or salts in the soil. I would also guess that a nurseryman would probably tell you what the most likely cause is, if you took a leaf sample. It probably isn't peculiar to mangoes. I can post your question to the readers in the newsletter and see if anyone has a better opinion. Do you have mild winters with no frost? If not, they may be in jeopardy, unless protected, this winter. Regards, Leo --------------------------- From: Sarah Colby Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:41:30 EDT Subject: Re: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Hi Leo, It is my understanding that Redlands, has mild winters but every once in a while frost. Do I cover the mango's this winter whenever there may be frost? It is difficult to get out (my husband is bedridden with Shy-Drager disorder) but when I do get out I'll try to take a sample leaf with me and stop at a local nursery. Thanks for your reply. Sarah Colby -------------------------- Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 16:58:04 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Sarah Colby Subject: Re: New Subscriber CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Hi Sarah, Where I once lived, there were occasionally cold snaps. I planted my mangoes close to the stucco house - along the South and West Walls. They did pretty well. Those farther from the house I protected while they were young, by taking wide strips (maybe 4-5 ft) of wire (I used the type used under stucco, but chicken wire would have done), cut them into relatively long pieces (Maybe 8 feet), covered one side with clear plastic that was a foot or two wider than the wire strip. Then, I encircled the young mango, wired the ends together, so it would stand up, and at night would pull the excess width of plastic up over the plant. Also, you could put a cloth cover over it at night, to help hold in the heat. I would also place a few gallon jugs - colored are better - with water around the tree, to gather heat in the day and distribute it at night. It's more work than you probably will want to perform. It's easier to plant them near a wall. When the trees get older, they can tolerate frost better. You might look around in the neighborhood for anyone with banana trees. They'd certainly know whether the winters get cold, as bananas damage rather easily. Regards, Leo --------------------------- From: Sarah Colby Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 12:17:04 EDT Subject: Re: New Subscriber, CA: Why Brown Ends Of Upper Leaves? Hi Leo, Thanks for the good advice. I printed it out so that I could have it available. I did plant the Mango trees near the house (stucco also) close to a south (I guess, SE) wall. I don't mind hard work (done it all my life and actually prefer working to being idle), so if I need to, I'll build them a cage as you suggest. Is there anything to the idea that when there is a possible frost coming to water the tree that night? Or is that only when there might be a freeze? I chuckled when you mentioned banana trees. I planted a banana tree and when I got our Labrador puppy (six months ago) he ate the banana tree. So, I picked another area near the house on the North (NW) wall and built-up a paver-planter raised bed and got another banana tree and planted it. This time Duke of Nottingham VI leaves it alone. Found something that made me smile too regarding Paw Paw trees and how to make sure they get pollinated. According to one opinion - hang up a raw piece of chicken when the Paw Paw flowers to attract flies and the Paw Paw will have a better chance of being pollinated. Is that being creative or not? : ) Thanks again. Sarah Colby ----------------------------------- Date: Wed, 07 Apr 1999 18:40:41 -0700 From: George F. Emerich To: jaustin@arcadianmgt.com Subject: RE: Will cherimoyas grow in the far north John: I learned a long time ago that the correct answer to your type of question is never "NO" because some one is sure to make a liar out of me. One answer is to hedge and point out that the environment is remote from the ideal. I suggest that you contact Bill Grimes, Chairman of the Golden Gate Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. (CRFG) at wagrimes@wco.com . He may be able to point to one of your neighbors who is successfully growing Cherimoyas. He will probably reluctantly offer you the opportunity to join CRFG and meet a bunch of kindred souls. George F. Emerich ------------------------------ Subject: Soursop To: Mary From: Mike Carufe Hi Mary, Nutritionally, soursops are very easy to grow. Any citrus-avocado fertilizer will give good results. They are very tropical and the frequent cold snaps send them into convulsions here on the west coast of Fl. If you plant one up close to you house it will help protect it. Inasmuch as it is not an aggressive tree and grows almost straight up you don't have to worry about it attacking you when you are not looking. I have never seen one in this area with more than 8' diameter. Cold weather causes them to drop leaves and fruit. Sugar apples (sweetsops) and atemoyas are much easier to grow here on fl west coast. More tolerant of cold weather and don't mind cacareous soils. Like the soursop they can also be processed into ice cream and cold tropical drinks. If it were just a frost problem I would encourage you to grow a soursop but those babies shiver when the bulb goes down to 50 F! 40F causes complete defoliation and forming fruits drop. Here in Naples, I have only picked two fruit off mine in the 7 years that I have had it.Sugar apples are so prolific and so good! They are easily grown from seed and bare in great abundance in the fall. Atemoyas do not come true from seed and need to be grafted. They taste more like the chermoya than the sugar apple (it is a hybrid of both of the sugar apple and the cherimoya) Cherimoyas are not at home in FL high humidity. Geffner is a good variety of atemoya. You can also find pond apples growing in the swamps but I never tasted one that was worth eating unless you were starving. Mike Carufe ------------------------------- From: "Doug Jones" Subject: Re-Introduction; Need Greenhouse Advice; Black Mango Twigs Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 20:36:04 -0700 Remember me? NAME: Doug Jones CITY: Mesa STATE: Az FRUIT TREES: I have over 300 trees on 1.25 irrigated acres. Fruiting trees include: apple, peach, plum, apricot, pears, Asian pears, persimmon, all types of citrus, pecan, nectarine, loquat, cerius cactus, guava, etc.. I have seedling trees (no fruit yet) of mango, banana, macadamia, avacado, white sapote, feijoa, capulin cherry, and pinapple. I had some of the exotics ready to fruit, but my greenhouse burned down last year. COMMENTS: I am looking at re-building the greenhouse, and would appreciate info on greenhouse material types. Anybody have any experience/preferences of wood versus steel framework, or fiberglass versus polycarbonate versus double-wall sheeting? I plan to build the greenhouse 30 x 50 feet. Also, I have a few mango trees, all of which exhibit blackened tips (not salt burned leaves, but black tipped branches). I am still trying to find out what causes the black tips. Anybody have that problem before? "Doug Jones" ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Quang's BIG Clearance Sale Until 5/1/99 ONLY From: "Buckner, Geoff" Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 10:37:59 -0700 Leo, Thanks for the hot tip. (See "Announcements...., below. Leo) I just left Quangs where I got a Sri Chompoo Longan and a VP Mango at great prices. Bill was right, his discount was about 30%. Geoff Buckner --------------Announcements and Web Sites To Consider--------------- From: Sven Merten Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 06:52:10 -0700 Subject: Green Scene Plant Sale-Fullerton Arbetum-CRFG Plants Also!! Leo and list members, Fullerton Arboretum is having their annual plant sale and garden show on the 24th and 25th. The Orange county CRFG chapter will have a booth as well as several other chapters and nurseries. Take the 57 to Yorba Linda Blvd. and head west. Make a left (south) on Associated. The address is 1900 Associated Rd. For more information the phone number for the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum is (714) 278-3404. Sven Merten ---------------------------------- From: Sven Merten Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 18:37:27 -0700 Subject: What Plants Will Be At Plant Sale? How To Find Out! Leo, I am donating rose apples, jambolans, bael fruit, kei apple, loquat, holly leaf cherry, pregnant onion, some 5 gallon guavas, and maybe some longan and lychee (all seedlings). The person to ask is David L. Maislen . He is in charge of Green Scene for the orange county chapter. As for other chapters and nurseries I am not sure what will be there. I think most of the nurseries had flowering plants, not fruit trees. Take care. Sven Merten ---------------------------- Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 17:40:23 EDT Subject: Fruit Information From Maurice Kong's Listing From: Maurice Kong Note: The following is a brief description of only a very few of the rare fruit available from Maurice Kong. For complete information, write to Maurice, and for information about his unusual collection of rare plants for sale, with their prices. Leo BALATA : (Manilkara bidentata ) aka Bulletwood. fam Sapotaceae An exciting new fruit from Trinidad released by Trinidad Ag station recently. Although this is a large forest tree that under ideal conditions can grow to 120 feet in height and over 6 feet in diameter, the good news to tropical fruit enthusiasts is that by grafting the Balata on Sapodilla rootstock, it has a dwarfing effect and will fruit in three years. .... It is not particular as to the soil. Penny Piece ( Pouteria multiflora ) A medium-sized, evergreen, native tree from Trinidad with a milky latex and obovate, leathery leaves, up to 12 inches by 4 inches ; flowers fairly small in axillary clusters on the old wood ; the fruit orange yellow, smooth, more or less egg-shaped and containing an edible, yellow, mealy pulp and one brown seed nearly an inch long. Sapodilla cv CIKU. There are many varieties of varying sizes, shapes with sweet smooth or with an objectionable grainy texture and grows up to 50-60 feet. The CIKU is an exciting new introduction with many advantages over the other cultivars. It appears to have a dwarf tree and grows to about 15-20 ft. It is very prolific with a sweet and smooth texture with no grainy taste and with an edible skin. Maurice Kong ---------------------------------- From: Sven Merten Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 18:42:43 -0700 Subject: Want A Copy Of Edgehill Property Map? Leo, I just received a map of the trees on the Edgehill property from Dr. Ellstrand and Dr. Clagg. I'd be happy to send a copy to anyone interested, just E-mail me your address. The map lists about 160 cherimoya trees and gives location and cultivar. Thanks. Sven Merten -------------------------------- Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 01:25:22 EST Subject: 1999 Festival of Fruit From: Glenn Young Be sure to check the CRFG web site to get the latest information on the Festival of Fruit. This information was posted just yesterday. The Northern California chapters are doing a great job and it promises to be a class 'A' event. Make your plans now to attend. Glenn Young --------------------------- From: Glenn Young Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 22:51:51 EDT Subject: Co-Editor of the Fruit Gardener - Ronald W. Couch Appointment of Ronald W. Couch as Editor of the Fruit Gardener Ronald (Ron) W. Couch will be joining the Fruit Gardener magazine staff as of May 1, 1999. He will be working with the present editor, Clytia Chambers, in a gradually increasing capacity during the remainder of her tenure. Clytia plans to retire in late December upon completion of the January/February 2000 issue of the magazine and Couch will become editor on January 1, 2000. Ron Couch brings to the job many years of experience as editor of publications for the United States Forest Service. He attended the 1998 Festival of Fruit in San Diego where he had the opportunity to meet many CRFG members and he will also come to the 1999 Festival of Fruit in Petaluma, Calif. to become even better acquainted with both the members and the organization activities. Ron will be running the magazine from Pineville, La., where he lives. With today's high-speed communications, the Board of Directors feels this presents no significant problems. Ron will bring new dimensions to the Fruit Gardener. However, the goal is to have this change of responsibility for the editorship, from the point of view of the reader, result in a seamless transfer. Ron will welcome any help you can extend in his assumption of this new role. If you have thoughts on ways to make the magazine an even better publication, or if you can write articles for future issues, please contact him. His e-mail address is writer@linknet.net. He can also be reached at P.O. Box 4146, Pineville, LA 71361, or by phone at (318)561-6119 (also fax). Clytia Chambers deserves the deep gratitude of all CRFG members for her development of the Fruit Gardener and her uninterrupted devotion to the organization. I have sadness in my heart as this stalwart CRFG editor over the past 20 years retires. I know she will still be around and we will be able to enjoy her company; even so, a great era in CRFG's development and growth has passed. THANK YOU, Clytia, for what you have meant to the California Rare Fruit Growers. Glenn Young ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 20:33:21 -0700 (PDT) From: "Robert D. Allen" Subject: Re: Editor of the Fruit Gardener Welcome, Ron, and thanks to you, Clytia, for all you have done and will continue to do for CRFG. Bob Allen --------------------------------- Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 21:04:34 -0700 From: Jose Miguel Gallego Subject: Re: Editor of the Fruit Gardener Ron, Welcome aboard!! Needless to say, learn as much that you can from the master while she is available. Clytia has been an incredible asset to our organization. Congratulations!! Jose M. Gallego --------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 22:51:53 EDT Subject: Appointment Keith Harold as Treasurer of CRFG From: Glenn Young Claire Guggenheim Replaced By Keith Harold as Treasurer of CRFG It is with a heavy heart that I announce the retirement of CRFG Treasurer Claire Guggenheim, an untiring worker on behalf of our organization. She has asked to be replaced so she and her husband, David, a past president of CRFG, can spend more time traveling and tending to their personal affairs. Claire has given CRFG the benefit of her professional skills as a Certified Public Accountant for more than 13 years, and deserves a respite after her long service. Fortunately, Keith Harold, chairman of the North San Diego County chapter, has agreed to take on the responsibility of treasurer. His professional background as treasurer/comptroller of several companies in the Los Angeles area and the skills such positions demand make him eminently suited to manage the financial affairs of CRFG. We are fortunate to have his stewardship in this area. Many members already know Keith Harold. However, if you have not had the pleasure of meeting him, be sure to look him up either through chapter activities or at the annual Festival of Fruit. I hope Claire and David will enjoy their retirement and return to be with us often. THANK YOU both for the dedicated service you have given to California Rare Fruit Growers. And WELCOME, Keith to this new assignment you are about to take on. You have our THANKS and best wishes. Glenn Young ---------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 20:34:27 -0700 (PDT) From: "Robert D. Allen" Subject: Re: Appointment of new treasurer Welcome Keith and thanks to Claire for all the years of devoted service. Enjoy your retirement, Claire! Bob Allen ----------------------- Subject: Quang's BIG Clearance Sale Until 5/1/99 ONLY Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 08:59:23 -0700 Quang's Nursery Web Page - Somewhat Out Of Date: http://www.homestead.com/rarefruit/QuangOng.html Location: 2528 Crandall Dr., San Diego, CA 92111 (619) 277-8167 Call before coming! Email: Here's what I understand: Quang's had to change his priorities, and plans to get out of the nursery - at least to the extent that he has been involved. He plans to have a large discount on his current stock. (Bill Burson thinks the discount may be about 30%.) But, on May 1, the prices will return to their pre-sale level, and Quang will turn over the operation of the nursery to his family - primarily, to his mother. So, don't wait until the trees you really want are gone. Leo -------Discussion list for New Crops------- Date: Wed, 07 Apr 1999 12:16:55 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Sterculia Monosperma (China Chestnut) Information, Please I just got a Sterculia Monosperma "Pheng Phok" maybe also known as China Chestnut, and can't find information in the books I have for it. I got it from Quang Ong, a local nurseryman. It supposedly has quite attractive flowers and edible nuts, eaten boiled or roasted. Thanks! Leo Manuel ------------------------------- From: "Robert Mowbray" Subject: Re: Sterculia Monosperma (China Chestnut) Information, Please Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 16:59:41 -0400 I don't know anything about it except that it is in the Sterculiaceae family, the same family as Theobroma (chocolate). Bob Mowbray ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 1999 09:29:27 EDT Sender: Discussion list for New Crops From: Dan Hemenway Subject: Re: Sterculia Monosperma (China Chestnut) Information, Please Hi Leo: Facciola lists quite a few species in this genus, mostly for a nut or seed product, but not monosperma. Is it possible that the binomial has changed? Dan Hemenway ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ Subject: Going Bananas Have A WebSite? From: Scott I am wondering if Going bananas has a website or if anyone on the list know how to contact them. Scott --------------------------- Subject: Re: Going Bananas Have A WebSite? From: Jack Honeycutt The URL is: http://zoneten.com/goingbananas.htm A email address for them is: gobanana@bellsouth.net While my M. basjoo corm that I picked up from them looks to be almost dead now (about 30 days later), they said they would replace it for the cost of postage if it failed to send up new leaves. I have been happy with the service I have received from them. jack ------------------ Subject: Banana Diseases in South Florida(!) - What's Susceptible? Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 10:07:04 -0400 From: "Clarence Hester" You may want to update the references on South Florida. There have been problems there, perhaps not with Black Sigatoka but certainly with other similar diseases. I know that the guy who runs the tropical fruit stand ("Robert is Here") in Florida City (?--near the Everglades) used to grow his own grove of Apple bananas, but no longer can because all his Apple bananas caught this disease (I think it was a form of Sigatoka, or maybe it was Panama disease--anyway, it was a disease that spreads). I was told the problem was somewhat prevalent throughout areas of South Florida. Also, if Jody is still on the list, I thought I was told that there were other reports of outbreaks of banana disease in South Florida (please clarify if you read this). Some varieties are much more susceptible than others. The Apple (manzano?) banana and Ice Cream banana are two that were said to be particularly prone to the problem. I'm not trying to speak too authoritatively because I don't live in South Florida and don't know for sure--but that's what I've been hearing thorugh the grapevine. Can any of the Florida people on the group clarify? Clarence Hester ---------------NAFEX List None This Time------------ >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - April 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - May 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9905A.txt ---------Table Of Contents - (Headers of Messages) --Notes In Passing #1 On being away for a week #2 On providing sale information of rare fruit seeds/plants --New Subscribers New Subscriber, Spain, Wants Pitaya Information Erik Strohmeyer New Subscriber, FL, Has Rare Fruit Web Site.... Kevin Zari New Subscriber, GA, Needs Kiwi Information Peggy Gwillim pgwillim@gate.net New Subscriber, CA, Grows Almost Everything! Alan Schroeder New Subscriber, FL, Getting Started With Rare Fruit Gregg Rothstein New Subscriber, LA, Wants Mulberry Information "Edmond Lanclos" New Subscriber Seeks Information On Guanaban/cherimoya Beth Klein New Subscriber, England, What A Collection! "Dynan, Roy" --Readers Write Death of Chris Popko Glenn Young Re: Death of Chris Popko Allison Yerger Re: New Subscriber, NC, Wants Mulberry Information Dan Hemenway RE: Greenhouse Building William Evans Re: Longan information Sainarong Rasananda To: AUSTIN DUNK Re: Longan information Sainarong Rasananda To: austin Re: Longan information austin To: "Sainarong Rasananda" Source Needed for Thomasville Citrangequat Darryl Clark Re: pitayas peggy winter To: bfrutas@arrakis.es Overdue update from Melbourne, Australia Mark Dodgson Grumichama Holzinger, Bob To: Austin Cherimoyas - Thanks For Your Help Lynne Des Rivieres Re: Care of Kiwi Eunice Messner To: Peggy Gwillim --Announcements and Web Sites To Consider Cacti as Crops See: http://www.bgu.ac.il/life/mizrahi/article1.html (Thorough treatment of Cacti as Crops and Links To Related Sites) Development of Cereus peruvianus (Apple Cactus) as a New Crop for the Negev Desert of Israel See: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/V2-486.html Great source of information Cherimoya Association Information Daniel Grant Fruits featured at Fairchild festival (Miami Herald Copy) See: http://www.herald.com/herald/content/digdocs/living/gardocs/070928.htm Extremely thorough treatment of Florida rare fruit and useful to most of us. --Sale Information of Rare Fruit Plant Material Rare Fruit Seeds And Plants For Sale Oscar Jaitt [mailto:FruitLovers@webtv.net] Kong Fruit Collection - Modifications - Write For Information Maurice Kong --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? Leo Manuel Re: Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? Jody Haynes To: Leo Re: Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? Eddie Vernon Re: Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? Keith Benson Diseases of Banana and Plantain (Musa spp.) Keith Benson Diseases of Florida Bananas Jody Haynes -------------------Leo's Notes------------------ #1 I was away for a week in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and out of touch. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to work on the newsletter while away. My father, age 92, had been active, gardening, but has some early symptoms of dementia, and needed to be taken out of his home, where my step-mother is suffering from pancreatic cancer, which has metastasized throughout most of her internal organs. My wife stayed with her, while I took my father to Oklahoma City. Anyway, it's good to be back, but I may be required to return at any time. #2 If you have plant material for sale and want the fact announced to the readers of RFNO, send me a *brief* notice. I usually will not have the space, time, nor inclination to list all items with prices and descriptions of the items. That's something you can send to anyone who responds to you, expressing interest. I'll simply let them know that you have rare fruit plants or seeds to sell, and they will write to you to learn the details. Be sure to let readers know if you can legally ship into their states or countries. Readers, be sure to write to the sellers, not to me, for additional information. ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 09:31:48 +0200 From: Erik Strohmeyer Subject: New Subscriber, Spain, Wants Pitaya Information I am Erik Strohmeyer in El Ejido (Almera Province) Spain. We are about to start with pitaya the coming month and want to learn of 'nutrinonal and fitosanitaric' (nutritional and phyto-sanitary?) needs of pitaya. Thanks, Erik Strohmeyer -------------------------------- Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 05:48:11 -0700 From: Kevin Zari Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Has Rare Fruit Web Site.... Hi, I am Kevin Zari in Merritt Island, FL Fruit I am now growing include various annonas, cashew, mango, loquat, jaboticaba, tropical almond, hog plum, black sapote, tamarind, carambola, guava, mamey sapote, and more... Please visit our web site at http://www.brevardrarefruit.org/ Kevin Zari , editor of newsletter / web site manager... -------------------------------- Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 05:29:53 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, GA, Needs Kiwi Information From: Peggy Gwillim pgwillim@gate.net Hi, I am Peggy Gwillim in Waycross, Ga. I have one male and two female kiwi vines two years of age. This spring we have blooms but we don't know what to expect from now on. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Peggy Gwillim -------------------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Grows Almost Everything! Date: Mon, 27 Aug 1956 13:14:20 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder Alan Schroeder Santa Barbara, California Fruit trees: cherimoya, including:Selma, pink fleshed and T1, Paul Thompson's #1 selection white sapote:Reinekes Commercial low chill hazelnuts lucuma:Montero feijoa: Masson, Nasemetz loquat:Big Jim figs:Monstreuse, Panachee, Gulbun, Pasquale, UCR275-49 jujube "Sherwood" kwai muk bananas black sapote star fruit Florita macadamia passion fruit: Red Rover, Frederick, Purple Tiger, Elizabeth avocado: Reed, Pinkerton manila tamarind (guamuchile) citrus, various babaco and chamburro sapodilla, seedling Longan: Kohala Pitahaya, various I am interested in back issues. Alan Schroeder -------------------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 21:23:23 -0700 From: Gregg Rothstein Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Getting Started With Rare Fruit Gregg Rothstein, here, in Palm City, Florida. I am in the process of planting out a fruit garden in my yard. Some of the trees I am planting include: Lychee, longan, various Annonas, jaboticaba, sapotes, mangoes, bananas, guava. I am raising some Atemoya, star apple, longan, and carambola seedlings to see what I come up with. Gregg Rothstein -------------------------------- Subject: New Subscriber, LA, Wants White Mulberry Information Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 08:49:10 -0500 From: Edmond Lanclos [Add to Address Book] or Lanclos99@msn.com? I am Edmond Lanclos, Baton Rouge, LA Lanclos99@msn.com Now, I have Figs, Peaches, Persimmons, Pears, Plums, White Mulberry, Seedless Che, Passion Fruit, Banana, Blackberries, etc. Our Winters usually above 20 degrees. Figs do well here unprotected. What I hope the readers can tell me: A source for White Mulberry - roundish, very sweet, white berry. Thanks, Edmond Lanclos or -------------------------------- From: Beth Klein Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 11:52:42 EDT Subject: New Subscriber Seeks Information On Guanaban/cherimoya Hi My name is Beth Klein - Boulder CO 80303. I need information on growing the Guanabana/cherimoya fruit. Do you have any information about that fruit? Hope to hear from you. Beth Klein -------------------------------- From: "Dynan, Roy" Subject: New Subscriber, England, What A Collection! Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 18:23:27 +0100 Second try - got a mail fail message. Hello Leo, Your QA sheet sounds fascinating! *Your Real Name Roy Dynan *City (in or near) North London *State/Province London *Country England *E-mail address-for receiving newsletter roy.dynan@bt.com *Fruit trees you are growing Type Summer Winter Qty Variety Comments Guava (pineapple) Garden Garden 2 Apollo, another self fertile good Pineapple Windowsill + capillary matting Windowsill + capillary matting 8 Mostly 'Queen' may need GA to produce Guava (strawberry) Garden Cold greenhouse + light shed 8 seedlings - some 'Lucida' lost my two stock plants from overwatering in spring '98 Lulo Outside + allotment Citrus conservatory in winter 2+ seedlings many cuttings from these two - still trying to set fruit after 3 years Pepino Outside + allotment Citrus conservatory in winter 1 Lima many cuttings - fruit set best in open ground Lemon Garden Citrus conservatory in winter 3 Meyers + 2 others sowing every meyers pip I get Lime Garden Citrus conservatory in winter 1 seedling Rangpur x? Very precocious! Ichang Garden Cold greenhouse 1 Ichang lemon New '99 from Agroforestry RT Citrange Garden Cold greenhouse 3 Carrizo + 2 others New '99 from Agroforestry RT Yuzu Garden Cold greenhouse 1 New '99 from Agroforestry RT Calamondin Garden Cold greenhouse 1 Round one New '99 from Agroforestry RT Kumquat Garden Cold greenhouse 1 New '99 from Agroforestry RT Limequat Garden Citrus conservatory in winter Lots Seedlings sowing every limequat pip I get Hardy Kiwi Garden Garden 1 Issai Small crop in second year despite root competition Passionfruit Garden Citrus conservatory in winter 2 Mollissima, 'Incense' Incense fruits lightly. Mollissima is too small Passionfruit Garden Garden 2 Incarnata Poor vigour and poor survival - keep trying Cactus Garden and conservatory conservatory/windowsills 2 Epiphyllums Best exotic fruit ever! (raspberry/lychee - but a small yield) Saskatoon Garden Garden 1 Grafted var for fruit Coming on well - half apple half plum flavour Arctic Raspberry Garden Garden 2 Anna, Sofia No fruit yet - but vineweevil grubs love the roots Pawpaw Cold greenhouse Cold greenhouse 4 'Mango' + 2 seedlings First year of flowers from Mango - no pollinator yet Plus: Figs, Yellow strawberries, Ground Cherries, Loquat and Cherimoya seedlings (just for show). Java peach is a bit exotic (to me) greenflesh nectarines are too. Hottentot Figs still haven't flowered. and/or fruit trees you want to grow? Still hoping to conquer outdoor citrus and passionfruit! Wish I had the room to plant more Pawpaws (still haven't tasted one - hoping it's like cherimoya with a hint of durian). Keep trying to crack papayas but can't overwinter them - would like to try a mountain papaya rootstock. Would like to try Jaboticabas but not even a whiff of any source in the UK. I'm interested in anything edible which can come through our damp cold winters (damp cold springs are often the coup de grace). Any other comments? I have to concentrate my efforts on things which are unobtainable or poor quality in shops - the latter means my european plums are just as important to me as my strawberry guavas. Epiphyllum fruits are a revelation - the flavour is in a class of its own (raspberry-lychee) as well as being otherwise unobtainable. Any questions to be answered by newsletter readers? I produce a steady stream of daft questions but at the moment CRFG seem happy to deal with them - if you really want to see them I'd be happy to copy them to you - second opinions always welcome (out of kindness I'll assume you see enough as it is). Here's a new one: I seem to have terrible trouble with Passiflora Incarnata - it seems to sprout at the first sign of spring then die back if (when) the promise fails. Giving it bubble-wrap seems to just make it fail quicker. Should I try the reverse - ie keep it cold until May? eg: shade the bed and use a heavy mulch? keep a potted one in an old fridge? I ought to point out that I've read that profoundly false springs are one of the main differences between the UK climate and a continental one like yours - we get -1 to -5 frosts most years within a week or two after the first 18 degree plus day of spring (which can come anywhere between late Feb and mid May). Also, UK books have all sorts of unconvincing explanations of why it is called maypops - surely 'at home' it pops up from nothing in May? Here's one even dafter than usual - Has anyone bred european yew for flavour and size of aril? - I love 'em but they're just a bit too bland to bother with more than a handful - I'm sure they could be bred to reach say mulberry strength! How do asian yew berries compare? Dynan, Roy -----------------Readers Write------------------ From: Glenn Young Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 22:20:57 EDT Subject: Death of Chris Popko I am sorry to have to inform you that Chris Popko died this morning. Chris was a hard working and dedicated member of CRFG who went the extra mile in his endeavor to make the seed bank and book sales a success. He will be sorely missed by his wife Shirley and by all of us within CRFG. A memorial service for Chris Popko will be held at the White Funeral Home, 400 East Foothill Blvd. In Azusa, California on Monday, May 3, 1999, at 7:00 PM. The phone number there is (626) 334 - 2921. Please pass the word on to other CRFG members who knew him. Glenn Young -------------------------------- From: Allison Yerger Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 09:20:34 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: Death of Chris Popko Dear Glen and CRFG, I am not alone when I express my sympathy to those who knew Chris. Although the AZ CRFG was not close with him we will be missing a valuable person and asset to the organization. Our deepest sympathy to his wife Shirley, the other members of his family, and his close friends. Allison yerger and the Arizona Chapter of the CRFG. Allison Yerger -------------------------------- From: Dan Hemenway Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 19:47:37 EDT Subject: Re: New Subscriber, NC, Wants Mulberry Information Hi Leo; We got a few varieties (of mulberries) from Edible Landscaping in Afton. CRFG has a year of the mulberry recently and they had a number of sources listed for cultivars. All our trees are very small and we will not be taking wood from them for a while. I don't know where Jamestown is--makes a big difference in NC whether it is coastal plain, high in the mountains, or in between. Probably a zone 7 climate, though and most cultivars will do well there. We have kept to varieties known to take warm temperate to subtropical climates--though all should do fine in NC. Shangri La and Pakistan we got from Edible Landscaping--these are probably the choicest. I got cuttings from a tree, probably seedling, that bears well in Miami (!)--REPORTED to be of good quality, reasonable size fruit but nothing astonishing. We had one cutting take and grow 5 feet in two months after we set the wood in medium. Another one behaved normally. This was last fall--no fruit this spring. Most selected mulberries bear immediately. We have two local varieties selected by local growers that seem to be working out. One is called Giant and the other is just a generic Black Mulberry. The Black we are using to shade the chicken coop. It isn't a very sunny space but it is reaching and producing a bit. Once it gets above everything, it should do well given the manure and freedom from grass in the chicken yard. I place the water bucket at the base of the tree--I always do this with trees I want to push along--so it gets the daily overflow when I rinse the bucket out. Mulberries are supposed to be somewhat drought tolerant, but they sure like moisture. During establishment, they can take some flooding, but they can't take any drought. Once the root system is established, they really go. While they tolerate poor soil, they really respond to good feeding. I have our big Miami planted over the offal from a steer I slaughtered this winter. That's both moisture and nutrients stored under it with a layer of soil so the roots can reach through and take what they want. I hope that I've been helpful. I used to live in Dahlonega Georgia, not far from the NC border, so I have a good sense of what it is like in Western NC. Dan Hemenway Barking Frogs Permaculture Center Sparr, Florida [Thanks, Dan! I'm going to look for the Shangri La. Leo] -------------------------------- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 09:31:53 -0700 From: William Evans Subject: RE: Greenhouse Building Have seen a few and built a couple small ones. My observations are double wall best over polycarbonate unless winds and flying debris are a factor for you in your desert local. If you use plastic then must be tight. All bearing surfaces (where the plastic touches - inside and out) should be painted w/flat white acrylic latex or similar. On the outside also paint over these same bearing surfaces...ie. paint the plastic outside over the trusses and at the endwalls. This should extend the life in these stressful areas by cutting down on localized heating and potential damage. 2 UV. Double wall can be hot, so plan well your ventilation. If elect to double wall using blower to separate plastic layers, would advise to monitor dust that might coat inside surfaces. Over time if too dusty could impact amout of light inside. Could coil poly pipe everywhere (I've been able to coil 500 feet of 1/2" poly over a surface of 4' by 21'... Big electrical staples hold it down good. During your winter days when temps are ideal, store up all the heat you can in as many feet of this stuff as possible.If you attach a large insulated tank into the picture, you have a great heatsink. All you then need is a small pump to circulate the warm water in the tank, through the piping at night. In the summertime I should think that this system would act as a buffer . The piping could be coiled under the benches, or even on top as poly is pretty tough as long as nominal pressures are used and you don't bang the pots around, or even tricker would be lath strips over the poly pipe. That would be ideal. Personally, I like double wall plastic but w/o the blower. More work initially, but no need for blower, Re Blackened mango twigs: Did you have a freeze? William Evans -------------------------------- Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 09:19:20 +0700 From:SainarongRasanandaTo:AUSTIN Subject: Re: Longan information Dear Austin, I shall be sending in a separate e-mail the e-mail addresses of those in the USA who are interested in longans. The reason I am not including them in this e-mail is that I am not sure whether they wish to have their e-mail addresses publicize. Just mention that I recommend their names to you. Dr. Richard Campbell, the Curator of Tropical Fruits at the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, is very knowledgeable. I met him in Thailand early this month. Anyway, Kohala is the most popular cultivar in the States. It comes from Hawaii and adapted itself very well to the Florida environments. The longan affectionados, however, prefer the cultivars from Thailand, for example, Biew Kiew, Bai Dum. Shompoo and Haew. The Thai cultivars are considered the best in the world by the majority of the population. However, I am not quite sure whether it has adapted well to the Florida environment. If you want more info, tell me. BTW I am a longan grower in Thailand. Sainarong Rasananda To: AUSTIN DUNK -------------------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 12:44:42 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: austin Subject: Re: Longan information austin wrote: 'Kohala' has been recommended to me for Florida cultivation and I'll try to locate some of the others you suggested. I have read that most cultivars experience erratic bearing. Do you find this to be true or are there methods to help prevent it? Austin ---- Austin, That is the problem with all longan cultivars, apart from the tropical, as opposed to sub-tropical, longans, such as 'Diamond River', which are not so nice.It has been discovered that sodium chlorate or potassium chlorate can force all longan cultivars to flower. The result is absolutely unbelievable! I myself did not believe it until I saw it with my own eyes! However, as the USA has very strict rules about use of chemicals, I do not know if such practices would be allowed in the States. Sainarong Rasananda To: AUSTIN DUNK -------------------------------- From: "austin" To: "Sainarong Rasananda" Subject: Re: Longan information Sainarong- I spoke to a professor at the University of Florida and he believed that the chlorate forms of potassium and sodium serve the same function as the chlorite forms (fertilizer). Being a fertilizer, it should be readily available in the United States. Can you tell me he the timing, application method (I am guessing foliar?), application frequency, and concentrations that are used? Take care austin -------------------------------- Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 06:10:01 -0700 From: Darryl Clark Subject: Source Needed for Thomasville Citrangequat Hello Leo: Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced source for Thomasville Citrangequat? I am looking for 20+ rooted cuttings or seedlings. Even a seed source would help greatly. Thanks Darryl Clark -------------------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 00:46:31 -0700 From: Peggy Winter To: bfrutas@arrakis.es Subject: RE: pitayas During our big CRFG San Diego meeting last fall, I had guests staying with me, namely Chris Rollins, director of the Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, FL, Maurice Kong, past president of Rare Fruit Council Inter, and Voon Boon Hoe, head of experimental agriculture in Sarawak, Malaysia. All three men got really excited by two fruits. One was my jujubes and the others were various pitayas. They visited Paul Thomson and obtained his excellent cultivars of pitayas, which they took with them. It will be interesting to see how their plants do in such different environments. Chris Rollins' email address is Rtropicals@AOL.com. Hoe doesn't have email yet, but his fax number is 1 60 082 611178. For really dependable information on pitayas, I'd ask Paul Thomson. Good luck. Peggy Winter To: bfrutas@arrakis.es -------------------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 05:26:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Mark Dodgson Subject: Overdue update from Melbourne, Australia Hi Leo We're coming up to Winter down here in Melbourne so the nights are starting to get cooler. I guess I'll have to finish up the rest of the extension for my greenhouse pretty soon: started at 8 feet long and is currently 16 feet long but without a lid on the new part. The mangoes/acerola/jaboticaba are all doing well in their pots, with the miracle fruit/pitanga looking like they don't really want to last another Winter. My Babaco is around 4 feet tall and the trunk is covered with many fine fruit which I guess will ripen later in the year (hey I'm no Babaco expert). Some of the stonefruit are starting to shed their leaves. Citrus have a few scale that I plan to take care of this weekend. My 2 hydroponic bananas are doing well with the Rajapuri at around 4 feet tall, and the Dwarf Red Dacca at around 3 feet tall (sorry, forgotten the leaf count of each). Guess I'll have to think about moving them into the glasshouse sometime soon as well. My chiles (Rocoto variety in particular) are in full splendour at the moment. I'm currently training one of my Rocotos to a central leader like arrangement, and it's up to around 10 feet or so tall now with some branches hanging off the plant being around 6 feet long. It's been in the ground for around 4 years now and I give it citrus food. Not bad for a plant that earlier in the season consisted of a single branch. I am starting to wonder what to do with all those hundreds of chiles though ... just kidding, I'll cope ;-) Bye, Mark Dodgson Mark's Mostly Chile Page http://members.xoom.com/mjdodgson/ icq#:11248266 -------------------------------- From: "Holzinger, Bob" To: Austin Subject: Grumichama Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 11:48:12 -0700 Hello Austin, I see you are a new member to RFNO and that you grow grumichama in Florida. I have some in pots and am preparing to put them in the ground here in So.California. So far they seem to prefer shade to direct sun. How do you grow your plants in Florida, in direct sun, partial or total shade? A comment on your search for longans. Quang Ong has a nursery in San Diego and does ship for a price. He has many cultivars of longan that he considers superior to Kohala, which is more easily found. You might try contacting him for some information. Try his web site at www.homestead.com/rarefruit/QuangOng.html. Good luck, Bob Holzinger To: Austin -------------------------------- From: Lynne Des Rivieres Subject: Cherimoyas - Thanks For Your Help Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 21:21:26 -0700 I appreciate receiving the newsletter. I received good tips from some readers and have had success with Cherimoya seeds, planted 5 and got 5! Not too shabby for these northern climes (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). My seedlings are about 2 feet tall but only one has branched out. I was wondering if anyone could tell me about its growth habits. Lynne Des Rivieres -------------------------------- Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 13:15:06 -0700 (PDT) From: EuniceTo: Peggy Gwillim Subject: Re: Care of Kiwi Peggy Gwillim... Welcome to the rare fruit group. We all love to 'talk' about our hobby of raising fruit trees. Regarding Kiwi, I think you will find more information than I have on the California Rare Fruit Growers's web page You can download the Kiwi fact sheet - plus all the others and have a good start for an informative library.. Hope your male and female kiwi like each other and bloom at the same time. Eunice Messner To: Peggy Gwillim ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Cacti as Crops See: http://www.bgu.ac.il/life/mizrahi/article1.html (Thorough treatment of Cacti as Crops and Links To Related Sites) ------------------------------- See: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/V2-486.html Development of Cereus peruvianus (Apple Cactus) as a New Crop for the Negev Desert of Israel Great source of information --------------------------------- Subject: Cherimoya Association Information From: Daniel Grant Daniel Grant 1103 Johnson Ave. San Luis Obispo, Ca. 93401 (805) 5498411 fax (805)7723726 -------------------------------- Subject: Fruits featured at Fairchild festival http://www.herald.com/herald/content/digdocs/living/gardocs/070928.htm Published Sunday, April 18, 1999, in the Miami Herald Fruits featured at Fairchild festival GEORGIA TASKER Herald Garden Writer As the days lengthen and humidity begins to rise, spring starts its slide into summer. That's when tropical fruits climb to the top of our most-wanted lists. To inaugurate the return of summer's warmth, its planting season and harvest of fruit, the annual spring members' day sale at Fairchild Tropical Garden is being restaged as a Caribbean Festival Saturday and April 25. Steel band music, food and plants of the Caribbean are on the docket. Taste-wise, the garden is planning to offer smoothies made from mamey sapote (fresh from the garden), canistel, sapodilla and guanabana. These are tentative; the fruits are ripening, but there has been some freelance tasting and fruit confiscation from the garden's plots. Tours of the Mayan Garden, which contains many fruit trees of the Central American and Caribbean region as well as vegetables, will be given during the two-day event. Crops developed by the Mayans more than 2,000 years ago include cashew, pineapple, custard and sugar apples, caimito, sapodilla, mamey sapote and hog plum. Beans, melons, corn, herbs and spices were Maya crops, too. Mayas traditionally grew some crops, such as coffee and cacao, beneath the shade of taller trees -- a practice that's regaining popularity in the tropics to reduce erosion, cut down on chemical fertilizers and provide habitats for birds. Here is the lowdown on three of the fruit trees the Mayas grew, all from the same family, the Sapotaceae. Sample a milk shake made from their fruit while strolling through the garden. You can also purchase canistel, mamey sapotes, and other trees and plants at the festival. Mamey Sapote Native to Mexico and Central America, the mamey sapote is a tree that allows you to count your eggs before they hatch. You can pick the current season's fruit, admire next year's fruit developing as scruffy little marble-sized things and give your blessings to the flowers popping out at the same time. Pink-fleshed and sweet, the mamey's exterior is resplendently unappealing. It could easily be mistaken for a child's football with a bad case of rough skin. But as we know, it's what's underneath that counts. In the garden's fruit tree plantings, at the Montgomery Botanical Center just a mile south, the mamey sapotes are bulking up with fruit that forms right on the branches. Jeff Wasielewski, the assistant curator of the tropical fruit program, says these normally 40-foot trees are being kept small to develop forms suitable for harvesting. Mameys like high, well-drained ground (and they take well to our alkaline soil). They are cold sensitive and do best close to the warm coasts. The trees must be watered in times of drought. They will allow their big leaves to flag if they get thirsty; this sets back development. The fruit of the mamey sapote is not only a delicious ingredient of ice cream and milkshakes, but it is said to encourage hair growth. Fruit is harvested in spring and summer. That rough-textured skin doesn't change color when the fruit is ready; rather, you can nick it with a fingernail and if you find pink or red just below the surface, the fruit can be picked and allowed to soften and ripen. Sapodilla As a shade tree, the sapodilla is tough and pretty. It has a symmetrical, dense canopy with glossy, pointed leaves. It resists strong winds. But young trees can be killed or injured when temperatures plunge into the freezing zone. The trees want to become 30 to 40 feet tall, and pruning is needed to keep them in bounds. A white, latex-like sticky sap in the stem end of the fruit and in the tree is chicle, an ingredient in the original chewing gum used by the Mayas. (Remember Chiclets?) The baseball-size brown fruits also much be nicked with a thumbnail to test for ripeness, as they don't change color on the outside. Inside is the flavor of pears and brown sugar. A relative is a smaller tree called wild dilly, native to the Florida Keys. Canistel Sometimes called eggfruit, the canistel has a pulp that may be compared with the yolk of a hard-boiled egg. Related to the sapodilla and mamey, the canistel oozes a little latex at the stem end when picked, and sometimes the pulp is sticky. Clemens, which bears in November, is one of the unsticky cultivars. The flavor is sometimes compared with sweet potatoes or pumpkins. Wind-resistant and tolerant of cold once they are large, the trees grow easily in South Florida. Established trees can take a fair amount of drought. The leaves are large, resembling the mamey, but the fruit is much smaller, and varies from round to spindle-shaped. How to plant Plant these and other fruit trees in full sun, with good drainage. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch 1 or 2 inches away from the trunks to avoid fungus or rot. As new growth appears on the new planting, fertilize every other month for the first year with a 6-6-6 formula that contains 3 or 4 percent magnesium. Start with one-fourth pound and gradually build to a pound. In succeeding years, fertilize three or four times a year with 8-3-9-4 or 8-2-10 and 4 percent magnesium. Add more fertilizer as the tree grows. Nutritional sprays of iron, zinc and manganese can be helpful in limestone. Water newly planted trees thoroughly at planting and then every day for the first two or three weeks, gradually reducing watering to two or three times a week. Keep the root area moist (but not soggy) for the growing season. A grafted tree can begin bearing after about three years. ---------Sale Information on Rare Fruit Plant Material----------- Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 22:28:18 -0400 From: Oscar Jaitt Subject: Rare Fruit Seeds And Plants For Sale Dear Rare Fruit enthusiast, here are some of the seeds we have for sale by mail. (Write to Oscar to get the long list, if interested.) Thank you. Oscar Jaitt PLANTS: All these plants and many others are available in our nursery. We do not at this time mail order plants, with the exception of Lychee air layers and some cuttings. If you live in Hawaii you are welcome to come visit. Please phone ahead of time. If you would like us to mail you a copy of our plant list, send a SASE to the address below, or we can fax it to you. FRUIT LOVERS NURSERY, Oscar Jaitt, PO Box 1597, Pahoa, HI 96778. Telephone and Fax (808) 965-9785 -------------------------------- From: Maurice Kong Date: April 21, 1999 Subject: Kong Fruit Collection - Modifications - Write For Information Leo, I've been deluged with orders and am sold out of many items, until I acquire more, in the months to come. Maurice Kong, 14735 SW 48 Terrace; Miami, FL 33185 Phone/Fax (303) 554-1333 (Please call BEFORE sending FAX) Maurice Kong -----Zingiber zingiber@onelist.com; contact zingiber-owner@onelist.com------ Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 05:21:49 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? I have two questions: 1. I've heard of banana growers who bagged their banana fruit at some stage in its development. I'm not sure if it was for cosmetic purposes or to hasten the ripening or what. I'd like information, as most of the varieties I have bloomed last autumn, and if the bagging would speed their ripening or improve the quality, I'd like to try it. 2. One banana 'Monthan' has a very heavy stalk of fruit, possibly weighing 100 pounds. The 'trunk' was in danger of breaking, so I've tried to support it by tying rope from it to a sturdier banana, but it hasn't been entirely satisfactory. I've thought props to push up from the ground might work. (It's about 7-8 feet to the top of the stalk, as the 'tree' is leaning.) What do commercial growers do? Thanks! Leo -------------------------------- Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 09:02:56 -0400 From: Jody Haynes To: Leo Subject: Re: Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? Leo, Plastic bags on banana bunches do hasten ripening after they have been cut, as does putting a fully ripe, even rotten banana close by--the chemicals released from the ripe fruit hastens ripening in the unripe fruit. However, I know nothing about this for fruit still on the pseudostem. As for plants bending due to the weight of a bunch, usually I have seen this happen because the plants aren't getting enough water and the pseudostems weaken and often break. As you know from general biology (or botany), water is pumped into large, central vacuoles inside plant cells and the resulting turgor pressure stiffens the cells, providing support for the entire plant. If there is not enough water available, the turgor pressure is not high enough and the plant "wilts". For now, though, increasing water may not bring the plant fully upright and so a wooden support might be necessary. Hope this helps. Jody Haynes To: Leo -------------------------------- Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 21:36:47 +0700 Subject: Re: Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? From: Eddie Vernon I have one reference here that says growers cover the bunches with a perforated polythene bag ater debudding and pruning the one or two apical hands of bananas. The bag protects the sensitive young fingers from fungal and insect damage, prevents leaf scarring, helps keep off dust and also promotes more rapid fruit maturation. Another reference (from Queensland) says that covering the bunches can help reduce fruit blemish by protecting the fruit against cold wind, birds and insects. In combination with "debelling" (I think another term for removing the bud), bunch covering can increase bunch weight by up to 22%. In addition quality is improved and bunches mature up to 2 weeks earlier. The preferred covers are blue plastic with a silver side which is placed towards the sun. With Cavendish bunches the covers are secured at the top of the bunch only. With Lady Fingers, the cover is also secured at the bottome to avoid wind damage. Covers are normally applied when the last hand has set. Bunches mature about 3 - 4 months after covering. I have also heard somewhere that the polythene bags may be impregnated with insecticides or a "pest block" may be enclosed inside the bag. Eddie Vernon ----------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 09:03:31 -0700 From: Keith Benson Subject: Re: Banana: Plastic Bags? Support? Leo, My understanding as this (plastic bag on fruit) produced a more cosmetically pleasing finished product by reducing dirt, debris, pest damage, etc. And, to support the banana, go for the prop - two pieces of bamboo, crossed so as to form a tripod with fruit bearing trunk should do to keep your fruit off the ground. I suspect that tying it to another banana might not help if you get any strong winds. Keith Benson -------------------------------- Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1999 09:01:48 -0700 From: Keith Benson Subject: Diseases of Banana and Plantain (Musa spp.) See: http://www.scisoc.org/ismpmi/common/names/banana.htm (Seems to have thorough discussion of various diseases and symptoms to look for.) Thought the group might like to see this. Keith Benson -------------------------------- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 14:00:38 -0400 Subject: Diseases of Florida Bananas From: Jody Haynes Clarence (and all): I have read the recent discussion on diseases of Florida bananas with some interest, as I work for a plant pathologist in Florida (UF research station in Homestead) that specializes in diseases of banana. I can say that Panama disease has decimated the commercial production of susceptible cultivars such as apple and ice cream here in S FL. There are several new plantings around south Dade County of Kluai namwa, which is a resistant cultivar (resistant to the strains that occur in S FL), but none of the ones I know of are fruiting size yet. Regarding the Sigatoka discussion, I must preface my statement (below) by saying that it is my understanding that black Sigatoka is the worst disease of banana worldwide and that yellow Sigatoka is more of an annoyance. With that said, I am sorry to say that black Sigatoka has been confirmed in South Florida and because of the recent discovery of this disease, the FL Department of Plant Industry has imposed a complete ban on all bananas (and I assume corms are included here) out of South Florida until further notice. Knowing this, I have been more than a little concerned with comments from people on this list of late regarding the receipt of bananas from a certain S FL banana producer (who will remain nameless). I don't know the extent of the ban or any of the particulars, so I cannot elaborate at this point. Just thought you all might like to be aware of the problem. Disclaimer: Anything I have said in this message is my own personal opinion and may not be representative of the opinion of the University of Florida or any other agency. Jody Haynes Corresponding Secretary, S Fla Chapter, Int Palm Soc. & Webmaster, Newsletter Editor, Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida (PACSOF) Virtual Palm Encyclopedia Virtual Cycad Encyclopedia (http://www.plantapalm.com) --------- On Thursday, April 15, 1999 10:07 AM, Clarence Hester [SMTP:heste018@mc. duke.edu] wrote: From: "Clarence Hester" You may want to update the references on South Florida. There have been problems there, perhaps not with Black Sigatoka but certainly with other similar diseases. I know that the guy who runs the tropical fruit stand ("Robert is Here") in Florida City (?--near the Everglades) used to grow his own grove of Apple bananas, but no longer can because all his Apple bananas caught this disease (I think it was a form of Sigatoka, or maybe it was Panama disease--anyway, it was a disease that spreads). I was told the problem was somewhat prevalent throughout areas of South Florida. Also, if Jody is still on the list, I thought I was told that there were other reports of outbreaks of banana disease in South Florida (please clarify if you read this). Some varieties are much more susceptible than others. The Apple (manzano?) banana and Ice Cream banana are two that were said to be particularly prone to the problem. I'm not trying to speak too authoritatively because I don't live in South Florida and don't know for sure--but that's what I've been hearing thorugh the grapevine. Can any of the Florida people on the group clarify? Clarence Hester ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops------- None this time >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - May 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - May 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9905B.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. Word gets around, apparently, as there are lots of new subscribers in this issue. The total number must be someplace 350 and 400 subscribers. I am sometimes surprised to hear from readers who haven't received recent issues. Somehow, the names just drop off the mailing list, or seem to. The only way I know you aren't getting it is if you let me know. Remember, the schedule is for the first and fifteenth of each month. If you don't get yours soon after the scheduled mailing date, please let me know. That's the only way I will be able to get the newsletter to you. --Notes In Passing #1 I am home, tentatively, but waiting for an announcement of the death of my step-mother in Tulsa. I don't believe it can be long now. I appreciate your letters of sympathy and support. If this newsletter arrives before the 15th, it will mean that I had to leave before usual mid-month date. #2 I'm surprised to see blooms on a small mango, seedling of Carrie, planted October 16, probably in 1996. I probably will (with reluctance) remove the bloom, so that the tree will not be stunted. I believe Carrie is closely related to Julie, possibly a seedling of Julie. Julie is a dwarf mango, isn't it? #3 Note the alternate e-mail addresses listed in the signature at the end of this newsletter. If letters addressed to me at leom@rarefruit.com bounce, please use one of those. It should not be necessary, but occasionally it is. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers Reno, Nevada: Wants Mango-Growing Information Robert L Thomasson <102073.3346@compuserve.com> N E Malaysia, Has Durian, Cempedak, .... Yee Pak Leong W S Escondido, CA "Cobbe,John" U B FL, Wants Secrets To Container Growing S Ken Brinsko C R Canary Islands, Spain, Wants Arid Zone Fruit Information J. M. Laulhe I B Borneo, Wants Info For S. American Fruit E A.L. Ong R S Oregon, Uses Greenhouse for 'Rare' Fruit Tom Edwards Ocala, FL, Interested In New Fruit Pgardener1@aol.com CA, Wants Growing Info for Persimmon & Durian Larry Ritchey --Readers Write Who Sells of citrus hybrids in North/Central Florida? "Mitch C. Amiano" Re: Who Sells of citrus hybrids in North/Central Florida? Dan Hemenway To: Mitch Re: Who Sells of citrus hybrids in North/Central Florida? Mitch C. Amiano To: Dan Hemenway Growing Mangoes In Nevada "Robert L. Thomasson" Re: Growing Mangoes In Nevada Leo Manuel To: "Robert L. Thomasson Re: Growing Mangoes in Nevada "Robert L. Thomasson" To: Leo Growing Mangoes in Nevada "Robert L. Thomasson" Re: Growing Mangoes in Nevada Leo Manuel To: "Robert L. Thomasson" Re: Growing Mangoes in Nevada "Robert L. Thomasson" FW: Sun and Starfruit "Buckner, Geoff" Carombola: Best In Full Sun, Partial Shade....? Buckner, Geoff [SMTP:GBuckner@BrwnCald.com] To: Ben Poirier Re: Carombola: Best In Full Sun, Partial Shade....? Ben Poirier [mailto:benplant@tfb.com] To: 'Buckner, Geoff' Cherimoya, guanabana in Boulder "Holzinger, Bob" To: Beth Best Sources Of Unusual Fruit & Vegetables in U.K. "Dynan, Roy" http://www.futurefoods.com/ http://members.aol.com/AgroResTr/homepage.html "Diamond River" / 'Petch Sakorn' Longans Eunice Messner Re: "Diamond River" / 'Petch Sakorn' Longans Sainarong Rasananda To: Eunice Messner Re: "Diamond River" / 'Petch Sakorn' Longans Eunice Messner To: Sainarong Black Sapote - Blooming; Now What Should I Do? Sue McAlister Re: Black Sapote - Blooming; Now What Should I Do? Leo Manuel To: Sue McAlister Your Post In Newsletter: Brevard Website Geoffrey Dunn To: Kevin Is This Normal For Babaco In Cooler Areas? Mark Dodgson Low-chill Hazelnuts KelsaySchroederTo: Eunice cherimoya seeds/fruit Kelsay Schroeder To: Barry Passionfruit Plant Resources Kelsay Schroeder To: Ed Low-chill hazelnut Eunice Messner To: Alan Schroeder Low-chill Hazelnuts Kelsay To: Eunice Low-chill Hazelnuts KelsaySchroeder To: Eunice Welcome! Eunice Messner To: Alan Schroeder Musa acumunata "Novak"-super dwarf from Home Depot-Info Sought Beth Elliott --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider HortSearch - http://www.hortworld.com/hortsearch.htm Also, http://www.hortworld.com/scripts/hortworld/plantsearch.asp Derek Burch Source Needed For Fruit: Lychee, Carombola, Durian "alexandr" --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List None, this time ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Date: Sun, 02 May 1999 19:16:43 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, Reno, Wants Mango-Growing Information From: Robert L Thomasson <102073.3346@compuserve.com> Hi Robert L Thomasson <102073.3346@compuserve.com> in Reno, Nevada I am now germinating Philippine Mangoes (from supermarket fruit seeds) and would like to compare notes with other mango growers. Is it possible or practical to order grafted mangoes or scion wood directly from the Philippines? Robert L Thomasson Subject: New Subscriber, Malaysia, Has Durian, Cempedak, .... Date: Mon, 03 May 1999 05:24:17 PDT From: Yee Pak Leong My name: Yeepak Leong of Tapah, Perak, Malaysia Tapah is not a city, but only a small town with population of about 10,000. I have planted citrus, durian, guava, jack fruit and cempedak (a fruit looks similar to jack fruit but smaller, of the same family but is different in taste and texture). Intend to venture into citrus cultivation again. Yee Pak Leong Subject: New Subscriber Escondido, CA Date: Tue, 4 May 1999 11:54:41 -0700 From: "Cobbe,John" John Cobbe, Escondido, Calif I have the following trees growing now: Mango, litchee, longan, macadamia, cherimoya, atemoya, jaboticaba, surinam cherry, Cherry of the Rio-Grande, capulin cherry, guava, passion fruits, misc standards John Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants Secrets To Container Growing Date: Tue, 04 May 1999 22:16:58 +0000 From: Ken Brinsko Hi! Browsing the web and found you. Please add me to your mailing list: I am Ken Brinsko of Orange Park, FL, USA (near Jacksonville) Currently growing Kari carambola, Li jujube, Fuyu persimmon, and pomegranate. Want to grow che, sapote, and atemoya. Would like to know any secrets to container growing. Thank you! Ken Brinsko Subject: New Subscriber, Canary Islands, Spain, Wants Arid Zone Fruit Information Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 22:34:09 +0100 From: J. M. Laulhe Hi, I am Juan Manuel LAULHE, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain I am interested in getting cultural information for any kind of arid zone trees: Opuntias, Jujubas, Marula, Dates, Etc. My company name is Forestaciones Canarias, S.L. We operate in the Canary Islands, North West Africa. Thanks J. M. Laulhe Date: Fri, 07 May 1999 20:35:58 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, Borneo, Wants Info For S. American Fruit From: A.L. Ong My name is A.L. Ong I'm from Singapore but living in Kuching, the administrative capital of Sarawak, which is a state in East Malaysia, in the Island of Borneo. I've started a fruit garden in my backyard three years ago with fruit trees that are indigenous to Borneo eg mangosteen, pulasan, rambutan, sapodilla, mango, carambola; I've just planted a dukong & Diamond River longan & a honey jackfruit. For most of your readers, rare fruits would mean your definition above; but for us here, it is difficult to find plants that may be easily grown here such as the fruit trees indigenous to South America.As I understand, we share a similar climate but due to the lack of publicity ,fruits that are not indegenous to Sarawak are a rarity here.So to answer your question, I am interested in growing Brazilian/South American fruit trees & any other which are uncommon here. I've just planted a jaboticaba, an atemoya, a few miracle fruits, & a few Abius. I would like to plant the Grumichama, the Cherry of the Rio Grande, mulberry, Canistel, Caimito, avocado, mabolo, mamey sapote, the yellow jaboticaba & the mysore raspberry just to name a few. I'm not too sure how I'm going to squeeze them in my small plot of land but I presume pruning would be the order of the day. I haven't any specific questions right now but I'd like to keep abreast of any new information on rare tropical fruits with the prospect of setting up a fruit lovers club here & to generally attempt to educate the public here that there are more than just the limited variety of fruits that are commonly grown in this region. Thank you. A.L. Ong Subject: New Subscriber, Oregon, Uses Greenhouse for 'Rare' Fruit Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 02:03:47 -0700 From: Tom Edwards Hi, I am Tom Edwards in Hood River, Oregon. This is a list of the fruit trees and vines I now have growing: Apples, Pears, Asian Pears, Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Kiwis, Limes, and Cherimoyas. Some in a greenhouse Tom Edwards Subject: New Subscriber, Ocala, FL, Interested In New Fruit Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 22:04:40 EDT From: Pgardener1@aol.com I am Pat Chuchian, in Ocala, FL Now I'm growing...Papaya, Fig, Pomegranite, Guava, Carambola, Bananas Would like to grow anything I can keep going......it gets little cold here in the winter.... Pat Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Wants Growing Info for Persimmon & Durian Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 23:41:33 EDT From: Larry Ritchey Hi: I am a relatively new inhabitant of Sun City, Ca, not too far from your San Diego. The wife and I just bought what we hope is our retirement home and while there are some wonderful fruit trees already here, we are partial to the Japanese Persimmon fruit. Are there any special precautions, or suggestions on making this tree produce? By the way, our favorite fruit is called Durian(King of Fruits), are there any trees in southern Calif.? I would presume it is not tropical enough here to grow. I have several web sites on Durian already bookmarked, its even a pleasure to see the fruit on a published page. All we can get here is the frozen variety--which is better than nothing at all. I am now growing Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Kumquat, Pomegranate. Here are fruit I'd like cultivation information on: Japanese Persimmon, and of course Durian Has anyone started a Durian tree from a seed, and if so do they live in a more tropical climate than S. California? Regards, Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you Larry Ritchey -----------------Readers Write------------------ Date: Sun, 02 May 1999 04:26:09 -0400 From: "Mitch C. Amiano" Subject: Who Sells of citrus hybrids in North/Central Florida? I am going to be taking a short trip to Orlando in July (to meet up with vacationing family), and thought I'd kill two birds with one stone... by finding some cold-tolerant citranges and etcetera. I understand that certain citranges are used as root stocks. I'd especially like to get a hold of some citrangequats if possible. However, I'm having a devil of a time trying to locate sellers before hand (I have no contacts in the area who know anything about fruit). Does anyone here have any recommendations? (I live in NC/USDA Zone 7.) Thanks Mitch C. Amiano ---- From: Dan Hemenway To: Mitch Date: Sun, 2 May 1999 18:14:45 EDT Subject: Re: Who Sells of citrus hybrids in North/Central Florida? Hi Mitch: Danged if I know. If a list develops, send it on to me too, ok? I can't sell anything because I need a nursery license to sell so much as a sprout. I've been trying to get trifoliate orange seed and keep bombing out. In Florida, as in TX and probably CA, it is hell to get what you want because you can't import citrus from other states--at least ordinary folk can't. I'm kind of skeptical about zone 7 citrus, other than trifoliate orange, frankly. A better bet might be strawberry guava, fig, jujube, pear (good zone for pears), and persimmon. We are zone 9 here and can lose most "cold hardy" citrus in a bad winter. (Of course a bad winter for frost sensitive plants can be a good winter for plants that benefit from a bit more chill factor t han we usually get). Good luck. Dan ---- Date: Sun, 02 May 1999 18:56:54 -0400 From: "Mitch C. Amiano" To: Dan Hemenway Subject: Re: Who Sells of citrus hybrids in North/Central Florida? Luckilly, the citrus import restriction doesn't apply to citrus exports. I'm not naieve about the prospects of poncirus crosses here in North Carolina (figs here can get killed back to the ground with regularity). I'd even be willing to grow from seed. I've have kumquats, trifoliate, uglifruit, lemon, moro, white grapefruit, and calamondin that way, though I know most of them won't even take a cold shoulder without keeling over. I'm willing to give some poncirus hybrids a sporting chance. Mitch C. Amiano Subject: Growing Mangoes In Nevada Date: Sun, 2 May 1999 22:39:47 -0400 From: "Robert L. Thomasson" Leo, I'm considering growing mangoes in N. Nevada at 5800 ft elevation. By the time they are big enough to move outdoors, I will have a greenhouse up. The next step is to figure out how to limit their height so I can keep them in the greenhouse. My plan so far is to use the inverted bark graft technique I learned from Gordon Nofs. Of course, it will take some nerve as I'll be afraid of killing the trees. I love to see the look on peoples faces around here when I tell them I'm growing mangoes! Robert L. Thomasson Subject: Re: Growing Mangoes In Nevada Date: Sun, 02 May 1999 20:06:00 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: "Robert L. Thomasson" Bob, Grafted mango trees usually are much slower growing and not destined to get great height, and some varieties are smaller than others. You can probably control those slower ones by pruning. I do it to keep fruit where I want it, but I know of hobbyists who prune to keep the limbs away from the walls, where they may be damaged. The inverted bark is something I'd try on some, but not all, as you may have more drastic results than planned. What did you use the inverted bark graft on? A fruit tree? I'd like to know more about what you have found by using it yourself. Yours, Leo Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 13:05:27 -0400 From: "Robert L. Thomasson" To: Leo Subject: Re: Growing Mangoes in Nevada Leo, Sorry, I should've been more clear. My knowledge of inverted bark grafting is only theoretical at this stage, although I have a fig or two that I might try it on. The figs I have here are Hardy Chicago, Celeste and Brown Turkey. Just got them this spring, so I'm not sure how they are going to do. It was snowing here this AM, to give you some idea of the climate. It doesn't get all that cold here, but due to the 5800 ft elevation, spring is sometimes slow in coming. Once it does warm up, it usually stays nice and warm all summer, though. Thanks again, Robert L. Thomasson Date: Sun, 2 May 1999 23:04:37 -0400 From: "Robert L. Thomasson" Subject: Growing Mangoes in Nevada Leo, you said: If you can drive to one of the larger Southern California coastal communities, such as L.A. or San Diego, or others, you can find mangoes for sale in nurseries, and they will produce much faster than those you grow from seed, because they will have a head start. If you especially like the Phillipine mangoes, you can look for Manila, but there are others most of us like better, so you should try more than one, IF you have a protected place to grow them. They will not tolerate a freeze, but will survive a light frost, after they get some size. Probably, you'll need a greenhouse. Leo, The newsletter looks great! Thanks for your mango comments. I worked in the Philippines a couple years ago, and got addicted to their mangoes, which I think are superior to what is sold here as "Manila Mangoes." Far as I know, there are no mangoes in the Philippines called Manila Mangoes, nor are mangoes grown in or near to Manila. I think that would be kind of like "Los Angeles" apples. I'm interested in trying to get some of the other varieties of Philippine Mangoes, but I'm concerned about the difficulty involved in importing them. Can you recommend any other mango varieties to try? My mango growing and eating experience is pretty limited. I will, of course, need a greenhouse! It gets to -10 F or colder here and we regularly get early spring winds of 100+ mph. Keeps life interesting. I'm also growing northern varieties of kiwi and also some pawpaws, but I'm not sure they meet the rare fruit definition. Also have the usual apples, cherries, pears and some northern pecan and various walnuts, hickory and filberts. In the Philippines I saw banana plantations with blue plastic bags tied around the bunches on the trees. I'll e-mail some friends there and see if I can find out exactly the purpose is, and if there is any thing special about the bags. Thanks again, Robert L. Thomasson Date: Mon, 03 May 1999 12:49:48 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: "Robert L. Thomasson" Subject: Re: Growing Mangoes in Nevada Bob, I think you will find in talking to various mango growers, that it's the climate, rather than the variety, that will make all the difference in the taste of a mango - or other exotic fruit. I'm doubtful that a mango will survive after an inverted bark graft. Maybe you'll find out more when you try it on something less sensitive, such as the figs. I drove through Flagstaff a few days ago, and there was lots of snow, for a few miles. Regards, Leo Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 16:03:29 -0400 From: "Robert L. Thomasson" Subject: Re: Growing Mangoes in Nevada Leo, Thanks for the information. My only hope for the mangoes is a totally artificial climate in a greenhouse, so if I do it right, maybe I'll have some success. It's been a lot of fun so far just germinating the supermarket seeds, so even if I get awful or no mangoes, it will still be a positive and educational experiment. I'm also going to try and get a grafted variety that Eunice Messner suggested, Edwards. I called Pacific Tree Farms and they said they have a new shipment of mangoes coming in about two months, so I'll see if I can get something interesting. Yeah, I have serious doubts about the inverted bark graft too, but with the supermarket seedlings it will be an interesting attempt and not a great loss if I lose them. I know you're busy, no need to respond to this e-mail, just wanted to thank you for your advice. Robert L. Thomasson From: "Buckner, Geoff" Subject: FW: Sun and Starfruit Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 09:10:40 -0700 Leo, You and other readers in SoCal may be interested in this exchange. How is your Carambola doing that you got from Quang's? [Not much, I've wondered if it didn't need partial shade for at least a while. I'll provide that. Thanks! Leo] -----Original Message----- From: Buckner, Geoff [SMTP:GBuckner@BrwnCald.com] Sent: Friday, April 30, 1999 11:24 AM To: Ben Poirier Subject: Carombola: Best In Full Sun, Partial Shade....? Ben, I just read with interest your article in the latest Fruit Gardener regarding experimentation with seeds. I am interested, in particular, with your finding that Carambola grown in CA prefer at least partial shade. As I am sure you are aware, the literature is mixed on this issue. I have read growers/researchers say full sun is best and others say Carambola will do just fine in nearly full shade. I would appreciate it very much if you would give me your opinion regarding the following scenario. I just planted a Sri Kembagnan Carambola (the tree is grafted and came from Florida) in a relatively protected area in full sun on the western slope of Point Loma. In your experience, do you think that this tree might do better in partial shade in this microclimate? It has new growth down on the trunk, however, the existing branches have been dying back. I assumed this phenomenon was from our cold spring. Could this be from placement in full sun, even in a coastal environment? Thank you in advance for your reply. I enjoyed your article. Geoff Buckner -----Original Message----- From: Ben Poirier [mailto:benplant@tfb.com] Sent: Friday, April 30, 1999 6:53 PM To: 'Buckner, Geoff' Subject: Re: Carombola: Best In Full Sun, Partial Shade....? Hi Goeff, Glad to hear you liked the article. My guess is that it is the sun causing the dieback. The cold did not affect my trees this winter - we had a few nights down to 33 and one at 32 with no dieback. However, some of the trees are dropping leaves now, but nothing to be concerned about. My suggestion would be to put some shadecloth around the tree for now. You may not want to disturbe the rootball by replanting at this time. If the new growth is below the graft union, you should remove it, otherwise the growth could all go in this direction and the grafted portion may die back, leaving you with basically a seedling tree. Some of my larger trees (7-8feet tall) are getting more sun now, but not more than a half day, if that. Let me know if I can be of further help, and please let me know how your tree does. I am trying to gather more info on how other people are doing with the carambola - I feel it has some real potential Regards Ben Poirier [mailto:benplant@tfb.com] From: "Holzinger, Bob" To: Beth Subject: Cherimoya, guanabana in Boulder Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 13:52:26 -0700 HI Beth, Saw your question on growing cherimoya and guanabana in Boulder, I assume you have a relatively large greenhouse in which to grow these trees. Neither would survive outside even one winter and the guanabana is possibly the most cold sensitive annona in cultivation. The cherimoya can take it in the mid-twenties when mature, but the guanabana will start to die back when the temperature hits 40. Both could benefit from a rich, well draining potting mix or soil, a complete fertilizer a couple of times a year and elevated humidity (50% or greater). Hand pollination will most likely be necessary once the trees reach flowering age. Both can be grown from seed, or grafted cultivars of both could be tried instead. The cherimoya are going deciduous right now, so this would be a good time to have one shipped, if you can find a source. Good luck, Bob Holzinger Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 17:27:49 +0100 From: "Dynan, Roy" Subject: Best Sources Of Unusual Fruit & Vegetables in U.K. http://www.futurefoods.com/ http://members.aol.com/AgroResTr/homepage.html Hi Leo, Thanks for the newsletter - it proved very timely and very very useful as I'm just starting to think about improving my Pitaya harvest! Here are two URLs you may need to take an editorial view on before releasing - they (with Clive Simms of Lincolnshire and Read's of Norfolk - but neither seem to have a website) are the best sources of unusual fruit and veg in the UK. They both give interesting data on growing and using: Future Foods (not to be confused with futurefood of Sonoma) http://www.futurefoods.com/ and the agroforestry research trust http://members.aol.com/AgroResTr/homepage.html. If you don't find anything new in these two, then as Peter Lorre probably didn't say: 'I'm not worthy, master'. Future foods catalogue is a much better read as it contains very good learned/funny/whimsical articles by Jeremy Cherfas who writes for Kew and the RHS - he specialises in unusual and 'lost' foods. The agroforestry guys have a very wide range but seem to use a very literal definition of 'edible'. Of course there is no need to print 'chill' status in a UK catalogue! PS. sorry to hear about your family difficulties etc. I hope you find the obvious enthusiasm and esteem shown by your correspondents is a support. Roy Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 17:06:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Longans Sainarong Rasananda... In the last issue of Florida's "Tropical Fruit News" there was an ad. for "Diamond River' longans. We were contemplating ordering some of these, but you briefly mentioned in Leo's last posting that they are "not so nice". Was that reference to the fruit itself or to the habit of alternate bearing? One had to order 100 so we would appreciate your opinion. Eunice Messner Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 11:44:58 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: Eunice Messner Subject: Re: "Diamond River' / 'Petch Sakorn' Longans First, I would like to make it clear that I have never seen 'Diamond River'. However, from what I have read about it, I assume that it is the same cultivar which is known as 'Petch Sakorn' in Thailand. 'Petch' means diamond, and 'Sakorn' means river. Petch Sakorn is a tropical longan, as opposed to Kohala, Biew Kiew, Shompoo, Haew, etc which are sub-tropical longans. Tropical longans are 'native' to central Thailand and South Vietnam. It is my opinion that they may have mutated from the Chinese sub-tropical longans, which were brought to these parts by the Chinese sea-farers centuries ago. These tropical longans are very distinct from the commonly-known longans, one can easily differentiate the leaves, the barks and the fruits. There are many tropical longans in these areas, the most well-known Thai cultivar is Petch Sakorn, and the most well-known Vietnamese cultivar is Teo Yah Bor or Black Pepper. All these tropical longans share similar characteristics. They are very easy to grow and to take care of in the tropic; they can flower two or three times a year; they flower very easily in the tropic; a grower in the tropic can mke them flower any time he wants by simple cincturing or girdling; the yield is pretty good; the fruit size of some cultivars is highly acceptable; the flesh is rather watery; the taste is definitely inferior to that of the sub-tropical longans (there is unanimous agreement in Thailand on this). I rather think that Petch Sakorn is not a new cultivar, but one which has been in existence for some time, but has only recently been 'discovered'. In Thailand, during the past few years, Petch Sakorn fetches a very high price, over twice the normal price, simply because it matures at a time no other fresh longans is available. I think that two factors will bring the price down, namely, more Petch Sakorn is being planted; the use of potassium chlorate to force longan to flower at any time will become more widespread in Thailand. As I have already mentioned, Petch Sakorn is essentially a tropical longan, but grows well in the colder climate of the North of Thailand. However, those few Petch Sakorn trees which I have planted in the north of Thailand are even more watery fruit-wise than in the central plains. I have no problems with the flowering, however. This is my own limited experience. FYI the north of Thailand is less cold than central Florida. Let me know if you want more info. Sainarong Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 13:23:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Diamond River longans To: Sainarong Rasananda Sainarong Rasananda... Thank you so much for your very informative description of the 'Diamond River' longan ('Petch Sakorn'). They sounded very tempting to try and grow here, until you said their flavor is inferior to the sub-tropical longans. I forwarded your information to Roger Meyer who was considering growing them commercially. We do have a nurseryman who has planted 11 acres of longans in Southern Californina because they fruit here in the off-season of other commercially offered longans. The Orange County chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers has an annual sale and we are always looking for new things to offer. Again, thank you for your excellent description of 'Diamond River'. May I publish it in the ""Fruit Gardener magazine? I think others would find it of great interest. Eunice Messner From: Sue McAlister Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 19:16:24 EDT Subject: Black Sapote - Blooming; Now What Should I Do? For the first time,I just found some blooms on my Black Sapote. Is there some special way that I should care for it? Thank you. I just love your newsletter. Sue McAlister Naples, Fl. Date: Thu, 06 May 1999 19:21:57 -0700 To: Sue McAlister From: Leo Manuel Subject: Re: Black Sapote - Blooming; Now What Should I Do? Sue, I'm not sure whether some black sapote require a pollinator or not, but I know some are self-pollinating. Let's hear what rest of the readers have to say. Yours, Leo Date: Sun, 09 May 1999 10:21:53 -0700 From: Geoffrey Dunn To: Kevin Subject: Your Post In Newsletter: Brevard Website Hello Kevin, My name is Geoff and I hail from South Africa. I have been to the Brevard site frequently and really like the pictures. This brings me to the reason for this post: I have grown a few carambola from seed (The Yellow variety) The tallest tree now only about 4 feet. What I would really like to do now, is grow an example of the "Red" carambola, since having seen the picture on your site. So, my questions are: 1. Is seed for this tree available, if so, what would they cost? 2. Could you recommend a source for cultural notes for carambola in general? I know that this must be something of a rarity, as I have enquired on the Santol webpage notice board and except for the proof on Brevards page, no-one will believe that it exists! Please tell me that my quest is not in vain? Many Thanks and Regards from South Africa, Geoff Dunn P.S. Should you favour me with a reply, please cc to as it largely thanks to his newsletter that I know of Brevard. Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 23:35:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Mark Dodgson Subject: Is This Normal For Babaco In Cooler Areas? Hi Leo My young babaco plant is around 3 feet tall and has many fruit growing in various stages of development. The plant is in a 19 inch wide pot. It seems the old leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. As this is the first season I've had fruit on the plant during the Winter period, is this normal behaviour for the babaco in cooler areas? Thanks in advance Mark Dodgson Mark's Mostly Chile Page http://members.xoom.com/mjdodgson/ Subject: Low-chill Hazelnuts Date: Mon, 9 May 1999 13:14:13 +0000 From:KelsaySchroeder To: eunicemessner@yahoo.com Dear Eunice: Even though low-chill hazelnuts may not exactly fit our rare fruit paradigm, I will try and let you know what I can in case others are interested as well. Seeds,scions and rooted layers are available through the: National Germplasm Repository 33447 Peoria Rd. Corvallis, OR 97333 phone: 503.750.8712 FAX: 503.750.8717 You must contact them by early November,especially regarding requests for open pollinated seed. Probably the best bet for rooted cuttings is to ask for nondormant seedlings. These come up every year there in Oregon but are just plowed under as they would not survive their winters, but since they require no winter chilling would be perfect for places like Southern California. About 25% of all hazelnut seedlings will be non-dormant. The only problem is that since they would be open pollinated, you could not be certain as to the quality of the nuts. A person like myself ordered known low chill cultivars such as: (1) Tombul Ghiagli (2) Tonda di Giffoni (3) OSU 380.060 (4) San Giovanni These cultivars originated in Southern Italy and Turkey and require between 300-600 chill hours, San Giovanni requiring the least. Of course they all require cross pollination to set a crop. I am not especially gifted when it comes to grafting, but I did not find any problem in grafting up these varieties so I could fit them in a limited space. Reference: Mehlenbacher, Shawn "Chilling Requirements of hazelnut cultivars"Scientia Horticulturae, 47 (1991)271-282. Alan Schroeder Subject: cherimoya seeds/fruit Date: Mon, 9 May 1999 13:32:05 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder To: Barry Dear Barry: I recommend that in order to obtain cherimoya seeds that you consult the seed bank of the California Rare Fruit Growers (www.crfg.org). There is almost always some type of cherimoya seed available. Insofar as scionwood availability, I have received some in the mail from Pacific Tree Farms, 4301 Lynwood Dr., Chula Vista,CA 91910 phone:619.422.2400, FAX:619.426.6759. I think they have about a dozen cultivars availble. May is about the end of the season for Cherimoya scionwood. Regarding Cherimoya fruit, I would suggest you go to the new website of the California Cherimoya Association (www.cherimoyas.org) and click on to the area entitled "Marketplace". I do not know if they would ship to individuals but perhaps they know of someone who would. Alan Schroeder Subject: Passionfruit Plant Resources Date: Mon, 9 May 1999 13:58:00 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder To: Ed Dear Ed: To obtain passionfruit plants, I obtained all of mine from our local chapter meetings of the California Rare Fruit Growers and from the now defunct Seaside Banana Farm here near Santa Barbara.CA. I would suggest you contact: Wild Ridge Nursery 17561 Vierra Canyon Rd. Box 37 Prunedale, CA 93907 ph:831.768.1517 This is the nursery run by Patrick Worley, who has hybridized many of the best subtropical passiflora. You should be able to get all the varieties I have plus many more. This is the only mail order source of "Purple Tiger" I know of. Another source of many passionfruit would be: Kartuz Greenhouses PO Box 790 Vista, CA 92085-0790 ph:760.941.3613 FAX: 760.941.1123 Finally, one could also order from: Logee's Greenhouse 141 North St. Danielson,CT 06239-1939 www.logees.com Insofar as to which is the best fruited variety, I am sure people in semitropical or tropical regions would have other candidates, but here in Southern California that I can grow outdoors I would say my "Frederick" is the best. I mainly use the fruit for juice. I do not want to fuss with little fruits and "Frederick" is much bigger than its sister "Red Rover". Some say "Red Rover" is sweeter, but I do not discern much difference. "Purple Tiger" is supposed to be the best flavored, bar none. My plant is still small and I have not tasted the fruit. It must be cross pollinated with P. caerulea "Constance Elliott" to set fruit. I grow "Elizabeth" primarily for the beautiful fragrant and colorful flowers. Its fruit, which also must be cross pollinated to produce, is so-so. Regarding your P. incarnata I imagine you might need to cross pollinate it yourself. I am not sure if that species is self fertile, but most passiflora are not. Alan Schroeder Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 08:09:36 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Low-chill hazelnut To: Alan Schroeder Alan Schroeder.. Thanks so much for all the good information and the time you spent. I have in the past told people hazel nuts needed winter chill, so I learned something new. Funny no one ever wrote about it in the Fruit Gardener magazine, unless I missed it. If I mention it in my column, do you think a back yard grower will have any problem getting the hazelnut from the Germplasm Repository? Eunice Messner Subject: low-chill hazelnuts Date: Mon, 27 Aug 1956 13:07:05 +0000 From: Kelsay To: eunicemessner@yahoo.com Dear Eunice: I had no problem obtaining material from the Germplasm Repository. I simply wrote I was with the CRFG and was interested in finding out whether or not hazelnuts could grow and produce in zone 10. I am not even sure if it was necessary to have some purported "research" explanation in order to obtain the material or not,but they did threaten that it was necessary in the forms they sent for ordering. I have intended to write an article for the CRFG's Fruit Gardener but would like a couple more years to evaluate nut productivity and flavor, etc. on the various cultivars before doing that. Alan Schroeder Subject: low-chill hazelnuts Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 13:20:22 +0000 From:KelsaySchroeder To: eunicemessner@yahoo.com Dear Eunice: I was told by the Oregon Germplasm folks that they had sent several non-dormant hazelnuts for planting out several years ago to the South Coast Field Station in Irvine, CA. They had no idea if anyone was looking after them or what the result was but it might be of interest to check it out since I believe you live down in that direction. Kelsay Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 13:39:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Welcome! To: Alan Schroeder Alan Schroeder: The name Schroeder and having a pink cherimoya surely indicates you are related to the noted Dr. C.A. and Mary Schroeder, members of the California Rare Fruit Growers. I have a question for you. Where can one find seeds for the low-chill hazelnut? Eunice Messner Subject: Musa acumunata "Novak"-super dwarf from Home Depot-Info Sought Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 09:21:24 -0800 From: Beth Elliott Hi Leo Thank you for your fabulous newsletter & all of your work! I recently added a Musa acumunata "Novak" - super dwarf from Home Depot to my banana collection. I'd like to give one to my parents in Denver who will keep it in a pot & haul it inside each winter. Do you have an idea of its mature size? Thanks, Beth Elliott San Pedro, CA ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Date: Tue, 4 May 1999 20:58:38 -0400 (EDT) From: Derek Burch Subject: HortSearch - http://www.hortworld.com/hortsearch.htm Also, http://www.hortworld.com/scripts/hortworld/plantsearch.asp Greetings to everyone' (on Zingiber List) This is not really a commercial message, although our site is a commercial venture. We have installed a search engine which will be restricted, in the data base which it searches, to botanical/horticultural sites (as far as we can control it, that is). This is an invitation to anyone with a website that they would like to enter into the data base (private or commercial), to do so. It is free, of course. We benfit from having a better base for anyone who searches, as the site benefits from additional exposure. The procedure is simple if you are on the web. Go to http://www.hortworld.com and click on the hortsearch logo. Then click "add url", and enter your address in the space which pops up. Choose whatever category you like in the other drop down menu, and press "enter". The screen will change fairly quickly to a thank you for entering message, including something which says "we grabbed your site in x seconds. While you are at hortworld, you may visit my tentative magazine if you like. The first issue had a little on small gingers - I would welcome other pictures to add to the gallery. I can give photocredit, of course. The images may be e-mailed to me at derek@betrock.com, and I would be most grateful. Sorry for this semi-commercial intrusion - it is meant well: the more people can get around to interesting botanical sites the better as far as I an comcerned. Derek Burch Subject: Source Needed For Fruit: Lychee, Carombola, Durian Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 16:20:40 -0700 From: "alexandr" We are a company in Lodi, California. Alexander Kiwifruit Products, Inc. 901 E. Lodi Ave, Lodi,CA 95240. Our web site is www/ccmall,com/kiwi. We process different fruit into purees. We are looking for lychee, carambola and durien to process. Do you know of any sources for any of these fruits? Thank you George Alexander ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops------- None this time >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - May 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - June 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9906A.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are sources thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. --Notes In Passing #1 Send Me Your List Of Resources (Print And On-Line Resources) If you will send me a list of fruit resources that you use often and recommend, I'll collate and publish them, and keep it as a supplement to give to new subscribers to the newsletter. I'd suggest we divide it up into these categories (Think of others?): 1. Books 2. Web Pages 3. Periodicals This list could be of great value to most of us. #2 This message is for those who will not receive this newsletter. (I wish it were possible to send such a message.) My Netscape Mail frequently loses blocks of addresses that are referred to as address lists by Netscape. It is frustrating and leads to my wasting time each month. Since those who should get this message won't, remember that if in the future you don't get the newsletter, that's most likely what happened, and simply request it again. This will prompt me to look to see if your name is still in the address book. I would change to Eudora except that it's not easy to import addresses from Netscape to Eudora, at least in large numbers. Leo #3 All of my early deciduous fruit has been far less sweet than I remember it. (Earligrand Peach, Desert Delight Nectarine, Gulf Red Plum) Is it climate? Missing trace minerals, and other food? I have plums, nectarines, and peaches, all of which are very early and all far less sweet than in prior years. Also, see: 'UFQueen' Nectarine, 250 Hours Chill, From Florida, near end of this newsletter. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow Pecans Tom Tyczkowski New Subscriber, CA, Grows everything; Has Questions Ramon Tuazon Tuazonrr@netzero.net New Subscriber, NC, With Unwelcome Deer Greg Tereszczyk New Subscriber Wants To Grow Mangoes Near San Francisco Mike Pleiss New Subscriber, Illinois, Wants Indoor Citrus Information Tony Shadid New Subscriber, FL, Grows Fruiting Plants I Don't Know About! Gary Nix New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow Black Sapote, Miracle Fruit, .... Matthew Carrick --Readers Write Questions: Carombola in Pots; Mango Nam Doc Mai Nan Sterman XX3 Avocado - In Search Of Nan Sterman Re: XX3 Avocado "Julie & Paul Frink" To: Leo Carambola in Pots, Nam Doc Mai Mango, ... Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Cold Hardy Citrus Darryl To: Mitch Ricardo Barbosa from Brazil At Our Meeting Holzinger, Bob" Re: Cold Hardy Citrus Darryl To: Mitch Black Persimmon (= Black Sapote) Eunice Messner To: Sue McAlister Japanese Persimmons Eunice Messner to Larry Fruit Identification From Photos Stef Van Uffel Re: Fruit Identification From Photos Leo Manuel To: Stef Van Uffel Re: Fruit Identification From Photos - Also Want Hardy Kiwi Seed Stef Van Uffel" To: Re: Fruit Identification From Photos - Also Want Hardy Kiwi Seed Leo Manuel To: Stef Van Uffel Fruit Identification From Photos - Jim Neitzel Says Langsat Leo Manuel To: Stef Van Uffel Re: Fruit Identification From Photos - Langsat Stef Van Uffel Longan - Which One Would You Recommend and Why? Kelsay Schroeder Passifloras Bob To: Ed Container tips Holzinger, Bob To: South American Seeds Holzinger, Bob To: Re: Mangos in Reno Holzinger, Bob Tell Me About Growing Jackfruit In California Ramon Tuazon Re: Carombola: Best In Full Sun, Partial Shade....? Sven RE: Starfruit in the shade Geoff BucknerTo:Tina Siegel Re: Book for growers in England Sven To: roy.dynan Re: Book for growers in England Leo Manuel To: Roy Dynan and Sven Merten RE: Book for growers in England Dynan, Roy To: Leo and Sven Re: Guava tree (Fejoa?) Lon Rombough To:Mark Re: Carambola in Pots, Nam Doc Mai Mango, ... Nan Sterman Re: Carambola in Pots, Nam Doc Mai Mango, ... Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Greetings from Santa Barbara - Just Passing By Pollyanna Sorensen Floridian Interested in Annonas, No Email, Wants Contacts Robert Perez, Miami, FL --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider 'UFQueen' Nectarine, 250 Hours Chill, From Florida Leo Manuel --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List Blueberry grafting (H. Black) Hector Black mailto:hblack@twlakes.net> -------Discussion list for New Crops------- Re: Tamarillo / Tree Tomato - Need Recipies VidaVerde --From NEWCROPS List None, this time ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 06:45:41 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow Pecans From: Tom Tyczkowski I am Tom Tyczkowski, Merritt Island FL Now I am growing banana, citrus, cherry, pear, nectarines, grapes. I'd like to grow pecans Tom Tyczkowski mailto:tyczkowski@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Grows everything; Has Questions Date: Tuesday, l8 May l999 From: Ramon Tuazon Tuazonrr@netzero.net [Ramon subscribed in April, but I failed to get his introduction published. I apologize! Leo] Ramon Tuazon West Covina, California Fruit Trees in 30 year old orchard: Mango, Haden, Hawaiian very productive in this area Cherimoya: Booth, White, AND 3 specie unknown, late maturing fruits Lychee, Hawaiian, good bloomer won't set fruits in this area. Guava: Argentina, crispy rind, sweet and Mexican, soft rind, sour Apricot, Tilton; Pear, Barttlet, not to good in this area Grapefruit, Florida, very productive this area; Tangerine, Calamondin Kiwi, Fallbrook variety; Loquats, unknown variety, very productive Fig, Grapes, Nectarine, Persimmon, Fuyu, Japanese Plum: prune; Santa Rosa; Satsuma, Avocado, Apple, Peach, Plum, black, Duhat, Philippine Would like to grow Jackfruit -- Any suggestions is very much appreciated. Would appreciate any suggestions to make over ten year old heavy blooming lychee to set fruits. Also, I'd like hand-pollination instruction for Cherimoya. Thank you very much. Ramon Tuazon mailto:Tuazonrr@netzero.net Subject: New Subscriber, NC, With Unwelcome Deer Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 15:54:00 -0400 From: Greg Tereszczyk Gregory Tereszczyk, Raleigh, NC I grow: persimmons, asian pears, nectarines, peaches, apples, plums, paw-paws, kiwi Would like to grow: raisin tree, jujube and anything else I can get my hands on. Alas, I only have 1/4 acre plus a house on it. I have serious shortage of land. I am working to correct rectify the short comming. How do I get my paw-paws to grow. They are not doing too well compared to my other trees. They are in well drained sunny soil with plenty of fertilizer. Next, how to get rid of bambis short of putting them in the pot. Not that I mind bambi meat, but I live in a town, meaning can't use firearms. Neighbors would get upset. Greg mailto:gtereszczyk@clariion.com Subject: New subscriber Wants To Grow Mangoes Near San Francisco Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 15:13:46 -0700 From: "Pleiss, Mike" Dear Mr. Manuel, Thanks you for this wonderful service. Info requested is below. I also moved to California from Kansas (went to graduate school in Lawrence and moved to Sunnyvale in 1983). Mike Pleiss of Sunnyvale, CA I am now growing lots of citrus and various quinces but, the fruit trees I want to grow are mango and guava. I have an eight year old daughter (Katie) who could live on mangoes. She really wants to grow one, but we live in Sunnyvale, CA (San Francisco area), so I was assuming I needed to grow a "dwarf " varietal in a large container and move it indoors in the winter. I put a query out on the tropical forum of gardenweb.com and received lots of help. One person suggested growing "Keitt" and said it was well suited for containers. I see in the Pacific Tree Farms catalog that a "Chuchua" varietal is listed with 28F listed next to it. Is this a cold tolerant varietal that could be planted in the ground (I am in the warmer regions of zone 9)? What is the fruit like? Any advice, suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to start one from seed. Thanks in advance for all help. Mike mailto:mpleiss@elanpharma.com Subject: New Subscriber, Illinois, Wants Indoor Citrus Information Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 19:50:12 -0500 From: Tony Shadid Tony Shadid, of Peoria, IL I am now growing Clementine from seeds. The seeds have sprouted and I have two plants. One is inside and the other is outside in a large planter. I have never done this before and I would like any info concerning growing conditions for these plants. I would like to keep the plants inside when they start bearing fruit because I understand the house fills with citrus smell. Thank You. Tony mailto:ashadi1@uic.edu From: Gary Nix Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 20:35:12 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Grows Fruiting Plants I Don't Know About! Dear Leo, My name is Gary Nix and I live near Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I heard about your newsletter through Bruce Livingstone who is an instructor of a tropical fruit class at one of the community colleges. My fruiting plants that I grow are Mangos, Bananas, Lychees, Sweetsop, Barbados Cherry, Grumichama, Guava, Passionfruit, Jaboticaba, Vexator, Yellow Jaboticaba, Coffee, Jakfruit, Miracle Fruit, Papaya, Pineapple, Coffee, Raspberry, Mulberry, Mountain Soursop, Santol, Carambola Wampi, Inga and Bunchosia. I also have some citrus which I guess is not really "rare fruit". I currently have calamondin and Honeybell Tangelo trees and one fruit cocktail tree that has tangelo, tangerine and two kinds of orange grafted on. I'm interested in tropical plants as a whole but especially fruiting tropical plants. I like the plants that can produce fruit when they are only a few feet tall. My yard is not very big and I have to crowd all my plants together. The best feeling I get is when a new plant produces fruit for the first time. It's great showing off my "yard candy" to all my friends. I look forward to reading your newsletter and hearing from other growers. Gary Nix mailto:dgnix@mediaone.net Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 05:21:01 -0700 From: Matthew Carrick Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow Black Sapote, Miracle Fruit, .... Hi, I am Matthew Carrick of Palm Bay, FL Fruit trees that I have: Guava, grapes, pineapple, aloe, persimmon, fig, citrus, papaya, avacodo, blueberries, pecans, blackberries, apple, loquat. Fruit trees that I would like to grow: All Spice, mysore black raspberry, black sapote, miracle fruit Matthew -----------------Readers Write------------------ Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 22:15:11 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Subject: Questions: Carombola in Pots; Mango Nam Doc Mai Hello Leo and everyone else! I recently bought a carambola that I am intending to grow in a pot on my San Diego patio. Can anyone advise me on how to grow this critter? The one I have is in a 5 gal container, and stands at least 5 1/2 feet tall. Also, is anyone familiar with a mango called Nam Doc Mai and it's preferences, how it produces, etc.? Thanks Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com San Diego County California Sunset zone 24 Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 22:12:01 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Subject: XX3 Avocado - In Search Of Hello - I am trying to find an XX3 avocado plant -- I saw one a few years ago at the South Coast Research Station near you and fell in love with the fruit and tree. I've contacted the Herb Lee of the Orange County CRFG chapter and he is checking in to a tree for me. In the meantime, I wonder if you know of anyone with an XX3 who would share either a plantlet or scionwood with me. thanks so much Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com From: "Julie & Paul Frink" To: Leo Subject: Re: XX3 Avocado Date: Sat, 15 May 1999 08:41:56 PDT It is possible that there will be a few for sale at the CRFG booth, Orange County, at the Green Scene at the Fullerton Arboretum next April. Otherwise I don't think they will be available for another 2 years. We are hoping to release some wood to nurseries next spring for propagation. If we do this they will be come available in 2001 on a limited basis. JRFrink mailto:jrfavodata@hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 15 May 1999 03:39:41 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Subject: Carambola in Pots, Nam Doc Mai Mango, ... Hi Nan, Supplement - PotCultr.txt: UnderCover Crops - Mobile Tropical Fruit Orchards By Ray Bayer Tropical Fruit World (March/April 1990 22-24; May/June 1990 58-59; September/October 1990 130; Nov/Dec 1990 163; Jan/Feb 1991 29; Here is a part of the supplement, "PotCultr.txt" concerning carambola: Carambola: Star of Pennsylvania By Ray Bayer The star fruit or carambola (Averrhoa carambola) can be the centerpiece of any tropical fruit orchard, not only for its crisp sweet taste, but also because of the unusual structure of the fruit. The carambola has 4 to 6 prominently raised ribs traveling the length of the fruit and when cut horizontally, voila, a star is born! The cut fruit looks distinctly starlike, the number of ribs determining the number of points on the star. If the shape of the fruit isn't unusual enough, its coloration and skin texture add even more to the fruit's pleasing strangeness. The mature fruit is a beautiful bright yellow, and due to a heavy coating of natural wax, the skin shines as though it's been painted with enamel lacquer. For all of its uniqueness and exotic eye appeal though, the carambola is a pleasure to grow in a container and very easy to bring into fruiting. I grow two varieties, the 'Arkin' and 'Fwang Tung, and both provide me with stellar fruiting performances every year. My trees are grown in 17" pots and the soil is kept on the acidic side. I use ammonia sulfate on the carambolas several times during the growing season (as I do with several other trees) and they simply revel in this treatment. Beginning in late winter, flowers appear in seemingly constant flushes. They appear as inflorescences from the leaf axils (where the leaf attaches to the tree) on young growth or where the leaves have fallen away on old growth. The small flowers are beautifully lilac, pleasantly fragrant and perfect, although, again, I assist pollination with my ever-present brush. Fruit maturation takes from 3 to 5 months depending on the weather and the time of the season in which the tree is holding fruit. The carambola is such an exuberant producer that I have had two foot high airlayers holding six fruit. Vegetatively propagated plants are the only reliable method of growing this tree because fruit taste ranges from sour to very sweet, with the fruit produced by seedlings almost guaranteed to be poor. Another interesting point about the star fruit is that the compound leaves have the ability to fold back at night only to open again in the morning. When I first started growing the trees I was unaware of this trait. It was in the evening on the day after they arrived from Florida that I first noticed the folded leaves and it was right after I had fertilized them. Of course I immediately thought I had done them in. However, the morning brought with it not only unfurled leaves but the awareness that this ability was just another distinctive characteristic of the carambola. The one minor problem in growing this tree that could eventually become very bothersome is that the trees attracts spider mites. I'm sure for Florida growers this problem is nonexistent but to greenhouse gardeners it could easily get out of control. This problem only becomes evident in the winter when the trees are quartered to the hothouse and is quickly remedied by soapy water or other means, usually chemical. Other than this one inconvenience, the carambola is certainly one of my top picks for its ease of culture and abundance of fruit it produces so regularly. ------- Nam Doc Mai is a mango available in several nurseries of late, and I bought a plant year before last. I didn't let it bear fruit last year, but I may permit a few to stay on this time. It is supposed to be a favorite in Thailand, and is polyembryonic, as I recall. Also, I've sent a copy of your avocado information request to Julie Frink, who knows more about avocados than just about anyone. Thanks for your support, Leo Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 02:09:54 -0700 From: Darryl To: Mitch Subject: Cold Hardy Citrus Hello Mitch: I am Darryl Clark in Charlotte, NC. I have been growing several Hardy varieties of Citrus and having a ball at it. I'm currently searching for "Thomasville Citrangequat", and having no success. I have located a source for several other "super" hardy citrus varieties. Please let me know if you come across a citrangequat source. I will do likewise. Fruitfully, Darryl mailto:autores@iname.com From: "Holzinger, Bob" Subject: Ricardo Barbosa from Brazil At Our Meeting Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 08:11:09 -0700 Hi Leo, Ricardo Barbosa and his wife Sonia came to our meeting and then followed me home for a lunch and a tour of my yard. He seemed to like my planting, but said all of my Myrtaceae were iron deficient. So I'm going to try some chelated iron as a foliar spray and also as a soil amendment. He suggested that I also check the pH of my soil, but it's obvious to him that it's too alkaline. With our water I wonder why! His native soil is pH 5.5 or there abouts. Gee, that would be nice to have, wouldn't it? Interestingly, though, he said they usually get temperatures of 30-32 every winter, yet he grows all the stuff we do and more. He's even trying rambutans! If I sent you his plant list way back when I first contacted him, well you can throw it away. He says he has over 180 plants now, so I will try to get a new list from him when he gets back home. He's a very nice guy and his English is good, and while he didn't want to talk at the meeting, he could have handled it. He left with an open invitation to visit him and to stay at his place. Looks like you can be very busy with 350+ readers for RFNO. I just started reading the latest mailing and I should have some comments in a day or two. Hope the trip to Oklahoma goes well. Later, Bob mailto:bholzing@amgen.com Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 01:33:44 -0700 From: Darryl To: Mitch Subject: Re: Cold Hardy Citrus Hello Mitch: I did receive your reply. Sorry for the impersonal header. If you have found a wholesale supply for Citrangequats, I am very excited. I would be willing to buy at wholesale quantity, and then sell you whatever quantity you want, at cost. I am looking for enough Thomasville to make a hedge. I started this scheme planning to use trifoliate "Flying dragon", but decided to go after thomasville in order to have something I would actually want to eat. Risky? yes! Fun? Yes! Expensive? Not compared to life's other vices :-). Please let me know what you've found in wholesale sources, and I'll see if I can work within their minimums. Where are you in North Carolina? Thanks, Darryl mailto:autores@iname.com ---- Mitch C. Amiano wrote: Will do. I'm interested in citrangequats myself, and am interested in hearing of your experiences. I'm also taking a trip in July to Orlando, and will make every opportunity to leave with several citranges, and if possible (though unlikely in that time frame, I suppose) some fruit. Have extended-cab pickup truck, will travel! I've got a few contacts for wholesale plants. Trouble is, I don't have time to deal with minimum quantities of 30 per. I can't get rid of all the kumquats I've grown from seed, let alone a couple of hundred plants. I figure I'd be able at the moment to use perhaps six or so of three or four varieties, but more later. (Hmmm... "Autores"... I wonder if this response is going to reach you?) Mitch Amiano, mailto:nop@ipass.net Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 15:48:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner Subject: Black Persimmon (AKA Black Sapote) To: Sue McAlister Sue McAlister... In 1980 I planted a small seedling Black Persimmon tree. I hoped, with the 3 trunks I encouraged, it would be a short tree. It grew to 30 ft.! For several years it had only male blossoms, but it longed for female company and eventually produced perfect flowers. The fruit, which looks like axle grease inside, is not eaten out-of-hand, but mix the pulp with a little lime or orange juice and whipped cream and you have a most exotic dessert. I call it 'Ersatz Chocolate Mousse'. This tall, evergreen tree with its ebony trunk was very beautiful and I'm sorry I topped it; I could not reach all the fruit, even with an extended picker. Here in So. California, the Leylandii Cypress is grown for a quick, tall, evergreen screen. However, after 10 years it invariably succumbs. Black persimmon would be a perfect substitute if you didn't mind the fruit going 'splat'. There are cultivars available. George Emerich has some nicely rounded, manageable trees. Roger Meyer has a good strain that appears to fruit precociously, early on. It has a columnar shape. I highly recommend Black Persimmon, Diospyrous digyna. Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com [Note: Black Persimmon, Diospyrous digyna, is also known as Black Sapote - Leo] Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 09:33:48 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner to Larry Subject: Japanese Persimmons Larry Ritchey... Welcome to the edible hobby group. You will be able to 'gorge' yourself with all the good info here. First try the California Rare Fruit Growers web page . Probably the top two varieties of the non-astringent type are Jiro and Fuyu. There has been some mislabeling of these trees. One now called California Fuyu has some male flowers, which, of course, will cause seeds to develop in your fruit. My Fuyu turned out to be one of these. But, I watch for the male blossoms (small, and in clusters) and get rid of them. (I was tempted to use the verb emasculate, but that didn't sound too nice). Anyhow, the Fuyu is nice but the Jiro has a larger fruit. Don't be tempted to buy the Giant Fuyu (Gosho). I have found the fruit less flavorful. [I may have less descriminating taste buds than Eunice, but I find Giant Fuyu to be totally acceptable in flavor, and the size is significantly larger. I grafted my Fuyu persimmon over to Giant Fuyu. Any other opinions about the comparative taste? Leo ] Persimmons can be enjoyed fresh in many ways. They are also excellent dried. Recent Ag Research studies show they help you to live longer by enhancing your immune system. Young trees usually drop most of their first offerings of fruit. This is for the betterment of the vigor of the tree, so take this as a 'given'. Enjoy! Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com From: "Stef Van Uffel" Subject: Fruit Identification From Photos Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 21:40:15 -0000 Dear Leo, Perhaps you could help me out. In my never-ending pursuit of rare fruits (seeds), I stumbled upon these in a Chinese supermarket in Antwerp. The first one, is green, the bottom looks like a granate apple and measures about 10 cm in diameter. ( picture). The name they told me was something pronounced like 'Quawa'. I didn't find any reference on the Internet, so ... [Stef and I agree that that one is a tropical guava.] The other fruit, I bought at the same place. I was mistaken, because I thought they where longans. Opening one at home, it seemed their flesh was divided into little parts, like a mangoustan. There are seeds, very soft and a bit green coloured. They measure 2-4 cm diameter and the skin is soft and about 3-4 mm in thickness. I took some photo's of them and I hope you'll be able to tell me something about their name. They apparently grow together on a branch just like longans. The name in the store was 'Long Gong'. Alas, the WWW didn't offer much help on this one either. So I would be very grateful, if you could tell me something more about them, and if it is possible to grow them from their seeds. Thanks, Stef Van Uffel mailto:Stef.VanUffel@ping.be Belgium. [Anyone else want to look at the photographs? Leo] Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 15:33:52 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Stef Van Uffel Subject: Re: Fruit Identification From Photos Stef, it (fruit Quawa) looks like a tropical guava, to me, and Quawa sounds like Guava. The second one, I can't tell, but Longan might have been a possibility, sounding like Long Gong, but it doesn't look at all like it. I have friends who may be able to help. Also, I'll forward your picture to anyone who wants to hazard a guess. I'm sure (but may be mistaken) that the first is a tropical guava, inside being more likely white, but possibly pink, orange, or even red. Sometimes they smell like gym socks, and wives complain about the ripe fruit being in the house. Yours, Leo mailto:leom@rarefruit.com Date: Thu May 20 11:41:37 1999 From: "Stef Van Uffel" To: Subject: Re: Fruit Identification From Photos - Also Want Hardy Kiwi Seed Dear Leo, About the first one, you're absolutely right. As soon as I sliced it, I recognized it. Just a pity it wasn't fully ripened. I salvaged some of the seeds, and will try to grow them. Have you any experience growing them from seed? I tried it a few times with smaller guava's, but except for the sprouting, they didn't do it very well. By the way, is there anybody who could spare some hardy kiwi seeds? I was able to buy once (3 years ago) some fruits, but it was the only time I found them in a store over here. I was able to grow one plant from their seeds, and when it was 5 inches, my dog decided not to wait any longer for the fruit and ate the plant. Since then I'm looking for hardy kiwi's, but can't possible find them over here. Thanks and keep up the good work with the newsletter. Yours sincerely, Stef. mailto:Stef.VanUffel@ping.be Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 11:46:18 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Stef Van Uffel Subject: Re: Fruit Identification From Photos - Also Want Hardy Kiwi Seed Stef, the large "apple guava" is often eaten in Asian countries unripe, and some of the white-fleshed ones don't ripen to be sweet. They sometimes begin to decay first. They are easy to grow from seed, if the seed is mature. I'd try it. I'd also plant them in a pot. You may not really want the fruit after waiting years for it to be produced, however. I will publish your request for hardy kiwi seeds. There may be places on the web to purchase them. Yours, Leo mailto:leom@rarefruit.com Re: Fruit Identification From Photos - Jim Neitzel Says.... Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 09:27:01 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Stef Van Uffel Hi Stef, Here's what a friend looked up and found. He (Jim Neitzel) is one of the most knowledgeable sources of information I know. He told me by phone, so some spelling errors are possible. He says that the fruit, Lancium domesticum, in Meliaceae family, originated in Malay. It's called Langsat maybe most often, and in the Philippines, as Lansones, sometimes known as Lanzone. There are two forms, but the one you had was possibly "Duku" ranging up to 5 cm in diameter. With thin skin, up to 5 segments, seeds green, and 'milky' (I'm not sure what that term describes in this case.) I then looked in Cornucopia II, (p. 149) which says: "Fruits are juicy, aromatic, subacid, and are considered one of the best fruits of the Malay region. They are eaten out of hand, candied, preserved in syrup, or made into wine....." Horticordially, Leo mailto:leom@rarefruit.com Subject: Re: Fruit Identification From Photos - Langsat Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 20:58:07 -0000 From: "Stef Van Uffel" Hello Leo, Your information must be correct. This description fits the fruit exactly. Thank you (and your friend) very much. I will just try to grow them. With milky seeds, he'll probably means they are very soft and week. You chew easily on them, and they are green on the outside, with a white pulpy inside. Most seeds are poorly developed, but the bigger the fruit, the more chance there is a bigger 'segment' inside, which contains a mature-looking seed. I found some more information on the net now, perhaps you would like to take a look at it. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/langsat.html Many greetings, Stef mailto:Stef.VanUffel@ping.be Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 14:42:00 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder To: sainaron@ksc9.th.com Subject: Longan - Which One Would You Recommend and Why? Dear I have read with interest your comments regarding longans. As a backyard grower, the question begs itself: if you had only one subtropical longan variety to grow, which would you recommend and why? Alan Schroeder mailto:kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us From: Bob To: Ed Subject: Passifloras Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 15:57:53 -0700 Hello Ed, I wanted to make some comments on the response you got from Alan Schroeder about passifloras. The nursery called Wild Ridge is no longer in business, so a good source is no longer available. All of the passifloras that Alan bought from Doug Richardson at Seaside Banana Farm came from me, but I don't propagate for sale anymore either. Your choices are dwindling. As for P. 'Purple Tiger', this hybrid is not self fruitful, so it does need to be cross pollinated with something in the same sub-genus group as P. edulis and P. caerulea. The fruits are truly delicious, but they need some heat to get to full flavor. The flower is always spectacular. Happy growing, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com Subject: Container tips Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 08:10:02 -0700 From: Holzinger, Bob To: Ken Hello Ken, Growing plants in container is in some ways more difficult than growing them in the ground. For sub-tropical and tropical fruit trees the drainage in a pot must be excellent, so I would recommend using sand or perlite in the potting mix, along with some peatmoss if you need a more acidic mixture. Fertilize with a time-release product which is triggered by time and not by temperature. I have been told that Osmocote will release everything when the temperature gets to the high 80's. So I use Nutricote for my containers. One thing that could help keep plants in a given size container is to root prune when you cut back the top of the plant. That way fresh feeder roots can take up the empty space in the pot and help support the new growth. Happy growing, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com Subject: South American Seeds Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 08:02:52 -0700 From: "Holzinger, Bob" To: Ong Greetings Mr. Ong, You mentioned that you are looking for a source of South American fruit trees. There is a seeds source in Hawaii that could probably get you many of the fruits you are interested in. I think the man in charge is named Oscar and his email address is Fruitlovers@webtv.net. He can send you a list of fruits that he has direct access to and if you ask for specific fruits not on the list he can tell you when and if he can get some seeds for you. He sells his seeds in lots of 50, so expect to pay $20-60 US. for a given species. Good luck, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com Subject: Re: Mangos in Reno Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 08:19:07 -0700 From: Holzinger, Bob To: Robert <102073.3346@compuserve.com> Hi Robert, So you want to grow mangos in Reno. I know it's easy to sprout mango seeds, but the seedlings will eventually want to grow too large for pot culture. I really think you need to make a trip down to So. Calif. and buy some grafted mango trees. There are several sources listed in the CRFG member nursery list and by calling ahead you can have trees ordered and waiting for you. Alternatively there are several sources in Florida who would be willing to ship trees to you in Nevada. There are always ads in the Rare Fruit Council Int. magazine to choose from and I think they have a web site. If you still want to try seeds, I suggest getting some Atualfo mangos. They are very similar to Manila, but fatter and sweeter. They are in season now in So. Calif. (from Mexico). Possibly you could find someone who will send you some seeds if you can't find the fruit. Good luck, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com From: "Ramon Tuazon" Subject: Tell Me About Growing Jackfruit In California Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 16:20:24 -0700 Hi, Leo I noted that you have been a member of CRFG, Inc. since l970. If you don't mind I may ask you some questions: (1) How old is your jackfruit tree? (2) What variety, south american, indian or asian? (3) Any suggestion from where I can buy a jackfruit tree? Any help from you on how to grow jackfruit in California is very much appreciated. Thank you very much. Ramon mailto:Tuazonrr@Netzero.net From: Sven Merten Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 06:40:26 -0700 To: Ben and Geoff Buckner Subject: Re: Carombola: Best In Full Sun, Partial Shade....? Hi Ben, Geoff and Leo, I have three seedling star fruit trees, the largest of which (5 ft) is in full sun. It doesn't seem to do as well as the other two which are in almost full shade on the north side of a fence. The growing tips tend to turn brown and the leaves don't look as healthy on the one in full sun. Other than sun the major difference is that the ones in shade get more water from our front sprinklers (moist most of the time), while the one in full sun usually gets watered every three or four days. I have been attributing the difference to the amount of water the trees receive. I will try to water more and see if it helps this year. Take care. Sven scoutdog@pacbell.net From: "Buckner, Geoff" To: Tina Siegel Subject: RE: Starfruit in the shade Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 09:16:23 -0700 Tina, Thanks for sharing your experience. I do live right on the coast, however, from the response I have received, it appears that partial shade may be necessary at least when the Carombolas are young. I have recently moved it to a location where it receives early morning sun and afternoon partial/full shade. Geoff mailto:GBuckner@BrwnCald.com Tina, you said: I tried my starfruit tree in full sun last spring and even though it was early in our warm season here in south Orange County in CA, (I`m about 10 miles from the ocean.) the tree quickly started declining losing its leaves and showing no signs of growth. However, after building a frame around it and covering it with 50% shade cloth, the tree starting doing very well. It made it through the winter fine. Its leafing out now, but I`ve got the shade cloth up already. Unless one lives right on the coast, I'd say a starfruit should be grown with some sun protection. Tina Siegel mailto:siegel2@home.com Date: Saturday, May 22, 1999 2:30 PM From: Sven To: roy.dynan Subject: Re: Book for growers in England Roy, I recently read a book you might be interested in. "Growing Unusual Fruit" by Alan E. Simmons (Pub: Walker and Company, NY 1972). It gives short descriptions and tips for growing many unusually fruits in your climate. Some of the fruit it covers are Akeba, almond, appleberry, apricot, banana, barbados cherry, brazilian cherry, carambola, coffee, custard apple, feijoa, guava, jujube, litchee, loquat, mango, medlar, mombin, passion fruit, pawpaw, persimmon, and pineapple. It has many more including some unusual berries. It doesn't give a lot of detail, but it might be a good source of ideas for unusual fruit. Good luck. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Date: Saturday, May 22, 1999 5:30 PM From: Leo Manuel To: Roy Dynan and Sven Merten Subject: Re: Book for growers in England Sven and Roy, I have that book, mine published in 1972, and the only point in my mentioning it is that it's been around so long that it should be found in used book stores and possibly libraries. I'd suggest looking it - or almost any fruit reference book - over, before buying. Leo From: "Dynan, Roy" To: Leo and Sven Subject: RE: Book for growers in England Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 11:51:53 +0100 Leo and Sven, I've got that book too! It is available in England by inter-library loan, but I bought the only copy I ever saw - and that was second-hand from one of the specialist booksellers who take stalls at the Chelsea Flower Show. If you have any readers in the UK it might be worth pointing out that the next most promising source of second-hand fruit books (that I know of) is in the shop at the Brogdale Horticultural Trust (National Fruit Collection) http://www.brogdale.org.uk/. Of course most of the books are on the classic British crops, and the turnover is fairly brisk. Roy mailto:roy.dynan@bt.com Subject: Re: Guava tree Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 16:10:17 -0700 From: Lon J. Rombough To: Mark Maresca I assume you mean pineapple guava (Feijoa). The only thing I can suggest is that the blossoms aren't getting pollinated. Pineapple guava has thick, flesh petals which are sweet and good to eat and in the wild there are birds that eat the petals, pollinating the flowers in the process. You might try picking the petals off and take your finger and gently rub the flower parts to get pollen on the stigmas so the fruit will set. I will also send your letter to someone who might be able to give more information. Lon Rombough mailto:lonrom@hevanet.com Mark, you said: I have a some kind of Guava tree that is about 4-5 years old, about 6 feet high. I wonder when I can expect it to bear fruit. Each year I get more and more bright red blossoms, but they simply dry out and fall off by July or August. I live in S. California, 30 miles N. of LA, so the temperature is 40-60 in winter, 60-90 in summer. The tree gets plenty of sun. Am I doing something wrong, or is it still too early to expect fruit? Thank you! Mark Maresca mailto:mmaresca@ccainc.com -- Note-Leo: 1. Is there a California Rare Fruit Growers chapter near you? I suspect there is. Check their web page http://www.crfg.org 2. Check with Alejandro Ching Alternative Crop Research & Development Center NW Missouri State Univ 106 Valk Bldg 800 University Drive Maryville MO 64468-6001 specialty: guava, papaya, anona, feijoa, kiwi e-mail: 0100003@acad.nwmissouri.edu - Leo Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 09:02:53 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Subject: Re: Carambola in Pots, Nam Doc Mai Mango, ... Leo, thank you for all your help! I still want to come see your garden.... what area of SD are you in? Nan Sterman, Olivenhain, CA mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 09:58:58 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Subject: Re: Carambola in Pots, Nam Doc Mai Mango, ... Nan, I'm in Rancho Penasquitos, about two blocks west of Black Mountain Road. I think my plans will be so uncertain for a few weeks that we should try for later in June/July, after I go to and return from the midwest, which should be any day. I'll try to let newsletter readers know when it's settled down. I'm listed in the phone book, but I'll give you directions to my place closer to the time of the visit. Yours, Leo mailto:leom@rarefruit.com From: Pollyanna Sorensen Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 21:12:06 EDT Subject: Greetings from Santa Barbara - Just Passing By Earlier this week, I took my kindergarten class to visit Peter Nichols at California Tropics packing plant in Carpinteria. He graciously showed them the process of packing cherimoyas - from start to finish. Then he took them upstairs for tasting samples of cherimoyas, white zapotes, and passion fruit. It was a wonderful day! So tonight, as I was idly exploring the "net", I stumbled across your web site. I am not a grower, but I do have an interest in agriculture and try to do my part in keeping my students and fellow teachers aware of the importance of it in our state and country. I enjoyed reading about your family on the web site. You seem like wonderful folks that it would be a pleasure to get to know. I wish we weren't so far apart. I am going to keep your web site on my "favorites" list. From time to time, I do think of questions and would like to know where to get answers. Thanks for sharing your history and some information about what you do. Pollyanna From: Robert Perez Subject: Floridian Interested in Annonas, No Email, Wants Contacts Date: Sat, May 29, 1999, 3:20 AM Hello, My name is ROBERT and I'm a fanatic when it comes to ANON and CHIRIMOYA plants/seeds. I'm just starting to embark on this hobby of growing these tricky plants. I've even down a bit of grafting and will know in a month or two if my experiments will be successful. I'm looking to connect with people and/or companies that deal in seeds/plants or would just like to exchange knowledge with an amateur like myself. If you know of anyone with the same interests or of any company that might sell anything related, please rush me this info to: ROBERT PEREZ P.O. Box 521156 Miami, Florida 33152-1156 (305) 460-3374 I do not have e-mail. Awaiting your reply, ROBERT ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 05:27:11 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: 'UFQueen' Nectarine, 250 Hours Chill, From Florida 'UFQueen' is an attractive, high quality, yellow and nonmelting flesh nectarine released by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Statent.... (It) produces fruit with a tree ripened flavor while retaining firmness for a longer shelf life than fruit from conventional melting flesh.... The major advantages of 'UFQueen' are a low chilling requirement, early ripening, a non-melting flesh, and an attractive red skin over a bright yellow ground color. Trees are estimated, based on bloom dates with standard cultivars, to require 250 chill units or about the same as 'Sunraycer' nectarine. The above announcement in Fruit Varieties Journal 53(2):126-127 1999. This is one nectarine I will be looking for. I now have 'Desert Delight.' It is also early, low-chill, and of good quality. Leo mailto:leom@rarefruit.com From: Leo Manuel To: Liz and Gary Tulloch Subject: Notices of property for sale in the newsletter? - OK, IF.... Hi Liz and Gary, So long as the notices are relatively short, truthful, informative, and reveal any downside known to exist for owning a lychee farm in Belize, as well as the upside, I have no objection. Send me something to include in the June 1 newsletter, meeting those criteria, and I'll happily oblige, and there is no charge. Yours, Leo Liz and Gary Tulloch wrote: Leo: We have a litchi (lychee) farm for sale in Belize, and would like to know if we can advertise it in the newsletter and, if so, is there a charge? If anyone is interested, they can contact our realtors on the web at www.texasintlrealestate.com Thanks and regards, Liz and Gary Tulloch mailto:Litchi11@aol.com ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ From: "NAFEX List" Subject: blueberry grafting (H. Black) Date: Fri, 07 May 1999 09:26:22 -0500 From: Hector Black Regarding blueberry grafting, I've not had much experience but did notice that whip and tongue or splice grafts took better than cleft grafting. I was putting a new variety 'Ozark Blue' onto my Tifblue to try to get something that bloomed later than Tifblue, but wasn't as fussy about soil ph as Ozarkblue seemed to be. Keep on trying Dan, maybe if you cut the Farkleberry back and let it grow for a year, then graft to the sprouts, you'd have better luck? Hector Black zone 6 mailto:hblack@twlakes.net -------Discussion list for New Crops------- Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 17:28:19 +0100 From: VidaVerde Subject: Re: Tamarillo / Tree Tomato - Need Recipies Ian said: I have 5 Tamarillo trees all bearing well, I am seeking recipes for the fruit especially Chutney, and Pie Ian ------ Ian, Try 'A Pickle & Chutney Cookbook' by Digby Law. (230pp Pub: Hodder & Stoughton 1986,87,91 ISBN 0 340 557206) Includes recipes for Tamarillo Chutney, T & Mint Jelly, Pickled T, T Sauce, & T Vinegar. It's a good book, too. New Zealand in origin, so includes 'newcrops' such as kiwi, passionfruit, mango, pepino dulce, etc. Lots of recipes to cope with that 'oh no, I've grown 3 tons of xxx' situation that we all find ourselves in from time to time. If you really can't find a copy, mail me privately & I'll try to write out a recipe for you. Ben - VIDAVERDE Rare Crop Centre; mailto:vidaverde@ARRAKIS.ES Los Molinos del Rio Aguas; Sorbas 04270; Almeria, Spain >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - June 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - June 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9906B.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. If it works, it's because of the teamwork, and I'm pleased to be part of it. --Notes In Passing #1 Keep sending in your resource list, as you think of those useful web pages, books, magazines, catalogs, etc. Maybe lists of fruit grower chapters, with contact persons - especially for California and Florida. There are a couple of contributions in this issue, from Roy Dynan and Alan Schroeder #2 I hadn't thought about how late the cherimoa flowers are this spring. I've seen very few open, and that's unusual for this time of year. #3 If any of you in the San Diego area know whether the dual-wall greenhouse covering is available locally, I'd like to hear from you. I found it at San Diego Plastics, but it was more expensive than at Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, except for shipping costs. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, CA, Wants: To Grow Guava & Bananas AND To Find Banana Plants Jim Parker New Subscriber, CA, Looking For "Noni" Tree RUSS GRAHAM New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow: Sapodilla, Soursop, .... Rob Cameron New Subscriber, Queensland, AU, Getting Started With Lots Of Rare Fruit! jenny awbery --Readers Write One Aussie Writes To Help Another Adrian Colley To: Jenny Re: New Subscriber, Queensland, AU, Getting Started.... Jenny Awbery Cherry Mango - Any Information? Robert L. Thomasson Re: "Cherry Mango" - Any Information? Leo Manuel To: "Robert L. Thomasson" Re: Cherry Mango - Any Information? Robert L. Thomasson Re: Cempedak tree Ramon Tuazon To: Leongyeepak@hotmail.com Re: Passionfruit Kelsay Schroeder To: Ed Re: Passionfruit Leo Manuel To: Alan Re: Nam Doc Mai Mango Samar Gupta To: Nan Sterman Re: Thomasville Citrangequat Samar Gupta To: Darryl Re: Mango For Container Growing Samar Gupta To: Mike Re: Heavy Blooming Lychee Will Not Set Fruits Samar Gupta To: Ramon Loquats, Delayed Ripening, Grafting Problems mshugart@ucsd.edu (Matthew Shugart) To: Leo Re: Loquats, Delayed Ripening, Grafting Problems Leo Manuel To: Matthew Shugart Re: Ripening of deciduous tree fruits mshugart@ucsd.edu (Matthew Shugart) Re: Ripening of deciduous tree fruits Leo Manuel To: Matthew Shugart Re: Ripening of deciduous tree fruits mshugart@ucsd.edu (Matthew Shugart) To: Leo Fruit Photo Confirmation: It's A Langsat Oscar Jaitt Rare Fruit News Online Quit Coming! Gavin ATKINSON To: Leo Nursery Experiences: Good, Bad, ? Leo Re: XX3 Avocado Julie & Paul Frink Cherimoyed (Cherimoa) lockanload Cherimoya Trees Leo Manuel To: Nina Re: Cherimoyed (Cherimoa) Trees lockanload To: Leo Re: Potassium Chlorate/Longans Sainarong Rasananda To: William Monroe Re: Potassium chlorate Sainarong Rasananda To: Eunice Messner Re: longan Sainarong Rasananda To: W.N. Veer Re: Longan information Sainarong Rasananda To: austin Re: Diamond River and 'Zuang Zuang' longan Sainarong Rasananda To: Eunice Messner --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Re: Send Me Your Resource List: Books, Web Pages http://www.readsnursery.co.uk/toc.htm http://www.futurefoods.com/ http://members.aol.com/AgroResTr/homepage.html John VanderPlank's Passaflora Book Roy Dynan Re: Resource List: Bushfood Links http://users.academy.net.au/~samantha/bushfood.html http://www.bushtucker.com.au Kelsay Schroeder Noni: Morinda citrifolia http://www.halfpricenoni.com/newspaper.html http://www.sirisimpex.com/prd22.htm Leo Manuel Subscribe To NewCrops (You Should Consider It) Leo --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List nafex@onelist.com None, this time --From NEWCROPS List (See "Subscribe To NewCrops" Below) None, this time ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Date: Sun, 06 Jun 1999 14:29:15 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Wants: To Grow Guava & Bananas AND To Find Banana Plants From: Jim Parker Hi, I am Jim Parker, living in La Mesa, and teaching in Spring Valley. (I garden at both locations, hydroponically and in the ground). My E-mail address for receiving newsletter is jwparker@sdcoe.k12.ca.us I now have strawberry guava and want to grow other guavas and bananas. However, I am not sure which guava I am interested in. I like the guava juice that can be found in local supermarkets. Where can I find young banana plants? I need smaller varieties, to be grown in a hydroponics system. Jim Parker Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Looking For "Noni" Tree Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 20:31:37 -0700 From: "RUSS GRAHAM" Hi I am Russ Graham, of Paramount, CA, rgraham@loop.com. Fruit trees I am now growing: jaboticaba, lychee, tapioca, pitanga, bananas, kiwi (female only) I want to grow "noni" and would like to know where might I find a noni tree? Thanks, RUSS GRAHAM From: Rob Cameron Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999 16:42:44 -0700 Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow: Sapodilla, Soursop, .... Hi, My name is Rob Cameron and I live in Eustis, FL (zone 9) My e-mail address is ares72@aol.com I am growing: Miraclefruit, WaxJambu, Figs (Celeste, Pasquale, BrownTurkey) Jackfruit, Star fruit, Atemoya, Natal Plum, Persimmon (Fuyu & Matsumoto) Barbados Cherry, Loquat, Acerola cherry, passion fruit, Pitomba, Strawberry tree (Muntingia calabura) Mulberry, Ambarella(Spondias cytherea) plums and citrus. I want to grow just about anything that's edible, especially tropical fruits. Sapodilla, Jujube, Soursop, Pili nut, and Guomi are a few that I am interested in. I love plants. I'm addicted. I want to learn all that I can about fruit and especially about growing fruit in Florida. Rob Cameron Subject: New Subscriber, Queensland, AU, Getting Started With Lots Of Rare Fruit! Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 04:14:37 PDT From: jenny awbery Hello, I found your site and would like to subscribe to the Rare Fruits News Online. Could you please send me the back copies too, particularly if they have any articles about subtropical fruits? My details are: Name: Jenny Awbery; City: Brisbane; State: Queensland Country: Australia; Email:jennifer.awbery@dnr.qld.gov.au Fruits Growing: abiu, acerola, ambarella, avocado, bay, beach cherry, brirba, black sapote, canistel, carambola, cinnamon, coffee, custard apple, cherry of the rio grande, elderberry, elephant apple, grumichama, guava, hill gooseberry, icecream bean, jaboticaba, jak fruit, kei apple, lemon, longan, loquat, mandarin, mango, midyim berry, mulberry, olive, panama berry, pawpaw, peach, pecan, persimmon, pitomba, pomegrante, pummelo, rose apple, saba nut, sapodilla, star apple, tamarillo, wampi, white sapote. Plus a few others! My trees are all less than one year old, so no fruit yet. I'm interested in anything that will suit our subtropical 5 acres, fertile soil, 1200mm rainfall, virtually frost-free. Particularly if there might be something suitable for a small scale commercial venture. [Is 1200mm about 47 inches?] My main question is: where can I get information about the best planting times for different fruits? Thanks, Jenny Awbery [Jenny, Your list is impressive! Some of the fruit is not familiar to me: beach cherry, elephant apple, midyim berry, panama berry, saba nut. Leo] -----------------Readers Write------------------ From: "Adrian Colley" To: Jenny Subject: One Aussie Writes To Help Another Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 08:31:57 +0800 Hi Jenny, Regarding the question on planting times for rare fruits have you tried Louis Glowinski's text Fruit Growing in Australia, or something like that. It is a very good source of information, as is the California Rare Fruits site. Regards Adrian Colley To: Jenny From: Jenny Awbery Subject: Re: New Subscriber, Queensland, AU, Getting Started.... Date: Sun, 13 Jun 1999 03:37:48 PDT Dear leo Thank you for introducing me to the Rare Fruit discussion group and publishing my questions. You said you have not heard of some of my fruits, so here is a bit more information about them. The first two of them are Australian 'Bush Foods' (native food species) which is a popular trend over here. Midyim berry (austromyrtus dulcis) - native prostrate ground cover/shrub, subtropical, with small grey berry with a sweet cinnamon taste. Beach Cherry (Eugenia reinwardtiana) is a subtropical native tree 2 - 4 m with edible fruit Panama Berry (Muntingia calabura) is also known as the Malay Cherry. It is hardy, fast growing to 4m and has small red sweet berries with an aromatic flavour. Elephant Apple (Dillenia Indica) is an Indian tree with large fruit widely used in curries. There are a few good specimens in our two city Botanic Gardens in Brisbane. Saba Nut (Pachira aquatica) is also known as the Malabar Chestnut, and there is information about it in the CRFG fruit facts. I have seen a lovely specimen growing just north of Brisbane with lots of fruit. Thanks again, and I look forward to participating in the network. Jenny Awbery Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 20:45:14 -0400 From: "Robert L. Thomasson" Subject: "Cherry Mango" - Any Information? Leo, The local supermarket here is selling what they call "Cherry Mangoes." They are yellow, and look and taste like a Philippine variety, but are about 2/3 the size of the mangoes usually sold as "Honey Manila." I can't find any references to Cherry Mangoes and I'm just wondering if anyone out there might know what they are, and how big the trees grow? Thanks, Bob Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 20:11:11 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: "Robert L. Thomasson" Subject: Re: "Cherry Mango" - Any Information? Bob, It could be Ataulfo. It is about that size. I'll publish your question. I'm not familiar with 'Honey Manila.' Leo Date: Tue, 1 Jun 1999 00:36:22 -0400 From: "Robert L. Thomasson" Subject: Re: "Cherry Mango" - Any Information? Leo, I don't think "Honey Manila" is an actual variety. It's what the wholesalers or whoever sells mangoes to the supermarkets call whatever variety of Philippine mango they are selling. There is a little plastic sticker on each one that says "Honey Manila" but I've spent the better part of a year in the Philippines and never heard of a Honey Manila mango over there. Bob From: Ramon Tuazon To: Leongyeepak@hotmail.com Date: Tue, 1 Jun 1999 05:33:08 EDT Subject: Re: Cempedak tree Hi, Yee Pak Thanks for your input on cempedak tree. Info very good, however I am still in search of the cempedak tree. Input from anyone is very much anticipated and appreciated. Thanks, Ramon Tuazon Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 08:36:24 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder To: Ed Subject: Re: Passionfruit Dear Ed: I'm happy the hand pollination trick helped. I'm also surprised your native pollinators were not working for you seeing that I believe P. incarnata should be originally from your area. I have grown P. alata "Ruby Glow". It is primarily grown for its gorgeous and intoxicatingly fragrant flowers that here in Southern California bloomed in the fall. I don't remember the fruit being especially good. It had to be cross pollinated. Use the "Constance Elliot" to do it. "Purple Tiger" (P. alata "Ruby Glow" x P. quadrangularis) has the unique property that you must pick it when it is ripe whereas most the other varieties will fall off the vine when ripe. A fellow rare fruit hobbyist that grows "Purple Tiger" learned a trick while in Costa Rica in the proper manner to consume it. He says you cut off the top of the fruit, and mix the seeds and pulp around with some milk and rum. Suddenly you're in paradise. The thick rind of the fruit is also edible like a fruit to itself. You can cut off the skin with a potato peeler and mix the chopped up or blended rind with the same above concoction. Alan Schroeder Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 09:32:17 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Alan Subject: Re: Passionfruit Hi Alan, Is "Ruby Glow" still available for sale? Someplace I got the idea that it was lost to Patrick Worley. Do you find P. alata needs at least partial shade? I'm not sure that it does, but after I removed a shade cloth that had protected it, it started doing less well. Could have been sheer coincidence, however. My P. alata is not "Ruby Glow" but I would like to get it. Do you also have "Fredrick?" If you've eaten the fruit of "Fredrick," how do you compare it to that of "Purple Tiger?" I heard someone once think that "Fredrick" was superior for fruit taste. Horticordially, Leo Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 21:51:03 +0530 To: Nan Sterman From: Samar Gupta Subject: Re: Nam Doc Mai Hi Nan, I've enjoyed reading your posts on the medit plant list. Nam Doc Mai is a Thai cultivar and the most popular one there. Its green skinned when ripe. I've planted three grafted saplings a year ago, and though they are doing well, they have some time before they fruit. Samar The information I've collected on the web on Nam Doc Mai is: Nam Doc Mai was introduced to Florida from Thailand in 1973 by the USDA, Miami, Florida. Multiple introductions of Nam Doc Mai have been made to Florida, resulting in two recognizable types, Nam Doc Mai and Mun. These may be different cultivars. TREE - vigorous; medium-sized, upright, dense canopy. FRUIT - eating quality: excellent. shape: long and slender, sigmoid; base rounded; medium stout stem inserted squarely in a level or slightly raised manner; apex sharply to bluntly pointed with no beak; surface smooth. Dimensions: length: 17-19 cm breadth: 7.5-8.5 cm thickness: 6.5-7.5 cm weight: 340-580 g skin: ground color greenish to bright yellow; slight pink blush; numerous small green dots; skin medium thick, tender and easily separating. flesh: soft, tender and juicy lemon yellow flesh; flavor rich, spicy and very sweet with a weak pleasant aroma; no fiber in flesh. stone and seed: thin and papery stone with a poly embryonic seed filling 25-50% of the stone. season: mid-June to July. additional comments: low acid fruit often eaten while still green; regular producer which occasionally hos multiple crops in a single season. Nam Dok Mai - Green / Yellow skinned, sweet, juicy, excellent flavour. Regular cropper in cooler climates. Susceptible to Anthracnose, resistant to Black Spot. Size 375gms. Nam Doc Mai - We sell our green, kidney shaped mangos to P.K. Oriental Mart on Sunset. They beg me to top-work our grove to Nam Doc Mai and they keep waiting lists for this fruit. It has a long ripening season and often flowers off season. In Thailand it is eaten green or ripe. I grew this in Homestead, but never got to eat it because it split end-to-end before ripening. We have lost lots of fruit this year from splitting, black spot, and being blown off by wind, but in May they are still flowering. Nam Doc Mai is certainly one of the world's best mangos, but it is not the only mango worth growing. Samar Gupta Bombay 400 006 India Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 21:50:51 +0530 To: Darryl From: Samar Gupta Subject: Re: Thomasville Citrangequat Dear Darryl, In Cornucopia II, Thomasville Citrangequat is listed as available at: Louisana Nursery, 5835, Highway 182, Opelousas, LA 70570 (318) 948-3696 Oregon Exotic Nursery, 1065 Messinger Rd., Grants Pass, OR 97527 (541) 846-7578 Sherwood Greenhouses, PO Box 6, Sibley, LA 71073 (1-800-647-5518 Regards, Samar Gupta Bombay, India Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 21:40:27 +0530 To: Mike From: Samar Gupta Subject: Re: Mango For Container Growing Dear Mike, I had read somewhere that Nam Doc Mai & Julie recommended for container growing. Unfortunately, I did not note where I copied this advice from. So use it with caution because this is not a recommendation from experience (I farm in frost-free India.) Regards, Samar Gupta Bombay, India [Julie is a dwarf mango, so the size should be helpful for growing in pots. Leo] Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 21:39:17 +0530 To: Tuazonrr@netzero.net From: Samar Gupta Subject: Re: Heavy Blooming Lychee Will Not Set Fruits Dear Ramon, Most people have a hard time getting their litchi to flower, but you have the uniquely frustrating experience of great flower set but no fruit. I came across the synopsis/abstract of a research paper on the web somewhere which might give you some pointers on how to solve your problem. (I've cut-pasted it below) Planting a couple of different litchi cultivars might just solve your problem. -- Towards an understanding of reproductive failure in lychee C Acta Horticulturae 175, 1986, 79-83) Donald J. Batten, Tropical Fruit Research Station, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 72 , Alstonville, N SW, 2477, Australia. Article by Australian researcher, Donald J. Batten, discusses the factors of reproductive failure with particular reference to recent research in China. The relationship of weather to lychee yield is analyzed in Fujian Province where they found that 'cold, wet, or cold, windy and low humidity weather during the female flowering cycle account for most crop failures". Other studies involve sunshine hours before flowering, low temperature and rain during the female flowering cycle, and humidity. The author points out that cultivars differ in their flowering behavior, for instance: At Altonville (New South Wales), the 'Tai So' variety, which does not crop consistently, usually has distinct, asynchronous male and female flowering cycles so that pollen must be transferred between trees. On the other hand, Wai Chee which bears much more consistently, produces both male and female flowers at the same time over a several week period." Batten suggests these areas for research: 1. Flower or crop load and plant energy balance. 2. Temperature, rain and humidity effects on pollen vectors, pollen viability, pollen germination, pollen tube growth and stigma receptivity. 3. Artificial pollination. 4. Varietal differences in male and female flower cycles. Regards, Samar Gupta Bombay, India Date: Thu, 3 Jun 1999 15:11:29 -0700 (PDT) To: leom@rarefruit.com From: mshugart@ucsd.edu (Matthew Shugart) Subject: Loquats, Delayed Ripening, Grafting Problems Hi again. My loquats this year did not begin ripening until May 11, while last year they were ripe on March 30! It is incredible how much the lower temperatures have delayed the loquats. I have noticed that it is not just my tree, as others in the area seem to have just gotten ripe in the last part of May. Are other loquat growers in southern California noticing such great delays relative to previous years? My loquat always seems to be later than others nearby, but not this late! Some of mine are still green even now, in the first days of June. The quality has been outstanding, by the way. Worth waiting for! I believe mine is just a seedling. It was a tree that I inherited from the previous owner of the property. I can't see any evidence of a graft union. The fruit are large, white-fleshed, and have an excellent sugar-acid balance. I prefer them to Golden Nugget and Champagne, as well as to other seedling loquats that I have tasted. Perhaps it's worth propagating. Can anyone offer any advice on how to propagate loquats? I have tried grafting scions of Benlehr and Big Jim onto upper branches of my loquat tree, but with no success. Matthew Shugart Carlsbad, California P.S. I suppose, in a sense, loquats five weeks late is nothing. Just a couple of weeks ago I harvested a Valencia Pride mango that had been hanging on the tree since last spring! It was quite good, though not like the 1997 crop (which ripened in October). Date: Thu, 03 Jun 1999 16:22:58 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Matthew Shugart Subject: Re: Loquats, Delayed Ripening, Grafting Problems Hi Matthew, Successful grafting may be a matter of timing. Maybe time of year, condition of rootstock, or condition of the scion. I've grafted several successfully, with a higher percentage of 'takes' than some other grafts. However, I always grafted onto young loquat trees in pots. That may make a difference. I don't remember what time of year I grafted. Probably you'll get expert opinions from our readers. But don't give up on grafting them. When everything's right, they seem to grow. My early deciduous fruit was much later this spring. I've had nectarines and peaches in late April that didn't begin until a month later this year. However, they were also not as sweet. That is unusual for Valencia Pride, from my limited experience, but I've noticed that it has a very long bloom period. I've thought that with two trees, one could make one early and the other late, just by removing blossoms at the appropriate time. Horticordially, Leo Date: Thu, 3 Jun 1999 15:11:06 -0700 (PDT) From: mshugart@ucsd.edu (Matthew Shugart) Subject: Re: Ripening of deciduous tree fruits Hi Leo and RFNO readers, You asked about the ripening of early deciduous tree fruits this year. I am having a similar experience to yours: less sweet than in past years. I have heard others say that same thing. I assume the reason is the cool weather this spring. I have Earlitreat, Tropic Snow, and Eva's Pride peaches, and Arctic Star nectarine. Last year, I had begun harvesting all except Eva's Pride by June 1, and Eva's Pride began on June 7. All were of outstanding flavor. This year, Earlitreat had a very small crop (more on that below) of noticeably inferior flavor. (Not that I would turn one down--it's all relative!) As of today (June 3) I have tasted some of the Tropic Snows and one Arctic Star. The Tropic Snow is good, but much less sweet than it should be, and the Arctic Star, although fairly soft, was barely palatable (and this is a fruit that is usually so swet that it is enjoyable while still quite firm). Presumably both will improve over the next week or two, as they are only now beginning to ripen, but I doubt they will be as good as last year. Earlitreat took 87 days from peak bloom to peak harvest this year, compared to an amazingly fast 79 days last year. So in 1998 it took less time to produce sweeter fruit than in 1999. If one looks at the temperatures in March, April and May in my orchard, one can see why it took longer and the end result was lower sugar content. This year's mean temperature for March was 56.3, for April 58.5 and for May 63.7. Last year they were 58.9, 59.6 and 64.7, respectively. That may not seem like a big difference, but the March difference of over 2.5 degrees is in fact huge, and even one degree in the other months has to have an effect. What we are seeing here is persistent cool weather. (And even 1998 was cooler than previous years--by several degrees. In 1997, March, April, and May were 62.6, 64.2, 72.7.) I mentioned the smaller crops. The Earlitreat and Arctic Star both set much lighter crops this year than last. Clearly the reason is not chilling, as my location probably had at least 50% more chill than in the previous winter, and both cultivars have pretty low chilling requirements (300-400 hours). The culprit, presumably, is the temperatures during bloom period. Both of these cultivars bloomed in the first three weeks of February (with Arctic Star continuing into late March!), and during those first three weeks of February, the mean low temperature was about 43 degrees, including five consecutive nights below 40. I suspect that was just too cold to get good fruit sets. Interestingly, Eva's Pride and Tropic Snow, which bloomed in late January and early February, set very heavy crops. The average low temperature was actually higher in that time than it was weeks later, though not by much (44). My (tentative) conclusion is that the lower-chill cultivars (Eva's Pride and Tropic Snow are both under 200 hours) can tolerate lower temperatures during their bloom than can the higher-chill cultivars. It makes sense, given that the very low-chill cultivars are bound to bloom much earlier, so to be viable cultivars they would have to be more tolerant of cool temperatures. Final observation: All four cultivars have smaller fruit than in previous years. It's just not a good year for early ripening peaches and nectarines. I hope that my later-ripeners (Arctic Glo, Doughnut, Santa Barbara, and Last Chance), all of which set heavy crops, benefit from enough warm weather to sweeten up. Of course, this current January-like weather that we are having in June and the forecasts of gloom throughout the summer don't leave one optimistic. Matthew Shugart Carlsbad, California Date: Thu, 03 Jun 1999 16:27:45 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Matthew Shugart Subject: Re: Ripening of deciduous tree fruits Hi again, Matthew I heard a forecast for a significantly cooler and extended period of 'June Gloom' for much if not all of the summer. Something about La Nia and colder ocean temperatures in critical areas. I bought a doughnut peach the other day at Quang Ong's without considering the chill it may require. Do you happen to know what it needs? Yours, Leo Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 17:24:02 -0700 (PDT) From: mshugart@ucsd.edu (Matthew Shugart) Subject: Re: Ripening of deciduous tree fruits Hi Leo, Yes, as I understand it, the La Nina pattern has broken down in that the water off the coast of northern South America has warmed again (under La Nina it is significantly cooler than normal, under El Nino warmer than normal). But the waters in the north-eastern Pacific are still a lot colder than normal. So, it is not quite La Nina anymore, but it is cooler water that should translate into a cooler, cloudier, and breezier summer for much of California, at least west of the coastal ranges. As I understand it, the reasons for this have not been determined, or at least there is as yet no consensus among the oceanographers and climatologists on why it is happening. The Pacific is acting contrary to the "norm" (which, recall, is nothing but an average of long-term readings, inlcuding warm and cool phases) as it slowly "recovers" from, first, the greatest El Nino on record, and then, one of the largest La Ninas on record in the very next year! The bottom line is that we got plenty of chill for varieties that don't normally produce well for us, but possibly we won't get enough heat to ripen them. As for 'Doughnut,' my own estimate, based on how it has performed the last two years (which is too limited an experience to base a firm estimate on), is that it requires at least 450 hours. Dave Wilson at first said 500 hours, and I think now is saying maybe as low as 400. I got no bloom or fruit last year, and a heavy crop this year. I estimate my location to have obtained about 425 chill hours (or chill "units") in 1997-98 and 600+ in 1998-99. It is, of course, possible that the tree was simply to young to bloom in 1998, and that the chilling requirement is in fact lower. But my tree did bloom in the previous year, 1997; I just don't count that because that was the year I received it from a northern mail-order source. But its ability to bloom that year does suggest that it was not youth, but insufficient chilling, that kept it from producing in 1998, after spending its first full winter here. Best, Matthew Shugart From: Oscar Jaitt Date: Thu, 3 Jun 1999 19:18:07 -1000 (HST) Subject: Fruit Photo Confirmation: It's A Langsat The second fruit photo is of a langsat, as it is called in Thailand. It is also called lansones in the Philipines. Some selected varieties of these are very sweet and delicious, others have a milky latex that can be quite bitter. Hope this is of help, Oscar Jaitt From: Gavin ATKINSON To: Leo Subject: Rare Fruit News Online Quit Coming! Hi Leo I haven't received a copy of Rare Fruit News Online since mid April. Have I possibly dropped off your distribution list? If so, can you add me again and send the copies I've missed out. Thanks Gavin Atkinson http://www.netspace.net.au/~atkinson/index.htm From: Leo Subject: Nursery Experiences: Good, Bad, ? Thu, 3 Jun 1999 19:25:39, -0500 I received a complaint from a reader about a nursery in Florida. That nursery shall remain nameless, but I wonder if there's any merit in collecting and passing along a list of on-line nurseries from whom you've had a satisfactory experience? I'm a little uneasy about publishing information about unpleasant experiences in this litiguous age. But, let's hear about your happy - at least, satisfied - experiences in buying plants and/or seeds on the internet. Leo Date: Mon Jun 7 16:05:38 1999 From: Julie & Paul Frink Subject: Re: XX3 Avocado Leo, The XX3 avocado tree is small, never needs pruning for height reduction, and has large fruit in the fall. Flesh is golden, flavor is high quality. It is the best of all the small avocado trees. It has never been available through nurseries as far as I know. We hope to make the budwood available to wholesale nurseries next spring so that trees could be available at nurseries in the year 2001. We may have a few available at the Greenscene at the Fullerton arboretum, CRFG booth next April. Julie and Paul Date: Tue, 08 Jun 1999 15:32:54 -0700 From: lockanload Subject: Cherimoyed (Cherimoa) A friend of mine brought over a cherimoyed fruit for me to try. I liked it very much. Kiddingly she said you have such a green thumb why don't you plant some of the seeds. I planted 5 and 3 are now poking their heads up as seedlings. My question is whats the best way to raise them, soil, heat/cold tolerance and any other info regarding them. I would like to give them the best chance possible. Thanks for any help you can give. Nina Date: Tue, 08 Jun 1999 16:11:51 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Nina Subject: Cherimoya Trees Hi Nina, Where do you live? In warm-winter areas, they grow easily outdoors, but if you live where the winter temperature gets below freezing, then they must be protected. If you look on the internet, at www.yahoo.com, or another internet search site, for cherimoya, you should find information. If you get frost but not freezing temperatures, in the high 30s, then the trees will need to be protected only when they are young. If you get temperatures in the low 30s or lower, you will need to have them in a protected place in the winter. Yours, Leo Date: Tue, 08 Jun 1999 17:24:37 -0700 From: lockanload Subject: Cherimoyed (Cherimoa) Trees Thanks for your speedy response on raising cherimoyed trees. We live in an inland med hi desert of california. 1500 to 4000 ft hills surround the valley were in. the weather is for the most part warm days cool nites, about once a yr for about a week we may have a low of 34. mostly it ranges low 40 to 50 s. The hi's on the other hand can range between 60 to 123 depending on time of year. 2 yrs ago I purchased a hawaiian solo papaya thats in a pot and made it thru all of the above, produced fruit, and only did the normal loss of leaves thru winter. If the cheramoyed is anything like that to grow, I shouldn't have too much problem. I guess the soil must be OK or they probably wouldn't have started up in the first place. Thanks again Nina Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 16:32:30 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: William Monroe Subject: Re: Potassium Chlorate/Longans William Monroe wrote: In your email to Leo Wright you mention the Potassium Chlorate > will make Longans flower at any time. I found a company called Fisher > Scientific (18007667000) which sells 500 grams containers (P210-500) > at a cost of $53.36. > Is this a good price? Pure reagent or laboratory-grade potassium chlorate is very expensive. Industrial-grade potassium chlorate is much much cheaper and works just as well. I use industrial-grade potassium chlorate from China which costs me about $6 per kilogram. > What is the mixture ratio between Potassium Chlorate and water(?) and how is > it applied (sprayed?)? It can be applied to the soil, foilar-sprayed or even injected into the branches.The amount varies according to numerous factors, including seasons, type of soil, cultivars, tree age, etc. This is how I applied it to my 10-year old E-Daw trees. I waited until the new flush has fully matured. The I dissolved potassium chlorate into water. I added water until the chemical is fully dissolved. I used about 200 grams per tree. To ensure uniformity, I used a hand-held water 'shower' spray. Below is translated from an official booklet. Application of potassium chlorate Preparation before application. Clean out the area beneath the canopy. Get rid of the weeds and other stuffs. There is no need to till the earth. If the soil is too dry, make it pretty damp one day before application. Quantity of potassium chlorate This depends upon the purity of the chemical, tree age and size of canopy and soil type. For sandy soil, use as follows (for over 95% pure chemical) Age 5-7 years 100 grams per tree. Age 7 - 10 years 200 grams per tree Over 10 years 200 grams per tree. For clay or organic soil, add a further 50 grams per tree. Dissolve in about 50 to 100 liters of water. Pour beneath the canopy uniformly. Keeping the soil Damp. After application of the chemical, keep the soil well-damped for a week. After that, increase the amount of water until the soil is saturated. Maintain this state until flowering. This will take from 20 to 35 days. When to apply the chemical Either before November or around May. This advice is not the result of a research study, but is a concensus of the growers who have successfully experimented. Sainarong Rasananda Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 16:30:48 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: Eunice Messner Subject: Re: Potassium chlorate Eunice Messner wrote: > Do you know why Potassium chlorate is recommended instead of > Potassium nitrate that is recommended to make mangos bloom? No, not yet. Research is being done on this. In the meantime, I would like to translate, rather badly, the following article and hypothesis. The properties which make the longan flower are probably those of the chlorate ions, and not hte sodium or potassium ions. Both chemicals are considered high oxidizing agents. For plants, the chlorate ions are considered competitors of the nitrate ions in causing reduction actions with the nitrate reductase acting as enzymes. The chlorate ions can attach themselves to the nitrate reductase enzymes better than the nitrate ions. It is believed that the chlorate ions will be transported to various parts of the plants via the xylems. When the chlorate ions reach a living cell, it will attach itself to a nitrate reductase enzyme. The chlorate ions will release an oxygen atom and turns to a chlorite ion ClO2. The chlorite ion will inhibit the reactions of the nitrate reductase. Therefore the nitrate reductase enzyme will not work so well. There are more. If you want to know, please tell me. Sainarong Rasananda From: Sainarong Rasananda To: R. Burgess R. Burgess wrote: I came across some information where you said Sodium & Potassium Chlorates were efficacious in inducing longan flowering. I have a few trees one of which, 'Kohala' is very shy flowering, the others are seedlings of what I believe are called the 'mata kuching' type, which flowered well for the first time this year - 6-7 years from seed. > The 'Kohala' is a large tree about 12 years old. The area where I live > has about 15-1800mm rainfall, fairly well distributed and minimum > temperatures in Dec- Jan of 13C, occasionally reaching 10C maybe one > or two nights a year. I would be much obliged if you could give me a > bit more information on the use of chlorates viz - concentration to > use, method of application and time of application. > > Thanks & regards Reg Burgess You can use both sodium and potassium chlorate. Both work as well. I myself prefer potassium chlorate, because there will be no residue of sodium chlorate. I shall forward you e-mails on this. If you want further info, please me. Sainarong Rasananda Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 16:28:57 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: "W.N. Veer" Subject: Re: longan W.N. Veer wrote: > I am looking for a truly tropical lychee or longan, and she tells me > you have it, the Diamond River one. Can you tell me more about it? > Even now I am a little skeptical, because most parts of Thailand are > more up north than my country, and especially they get alittle cold > from the height (it is there much more mountainous). There are many truely tropical lychee and longans around Thailand. I can assure you of this fact. In Thailand, there are many such lychee cultivars. They mature about 1 to two months before the other cultivars. They are very sweet and there is very little sourness, unlike the other cultivars. The better tropical longans are found in South Vietnam. Diamond River, which prabably originates from Thailand, is pretty good, though. It can be obtained from Florida, I understand, but it is pretty expensive there. The tropical longans are not as tasty as the subtropical ones, but they can flower all year round. Out-of season longans fetch a very good price in Thailand, eventough the quality is definitely inferior. All tropical longans are similar to a certain extent. I shall forward you my e-mails on the subject. Sainarong Rasananda Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 12:49:25 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: austin Subject: Re: Longan information austin wrote: > I spoke to a professor at the University of Florida and he believed that the > chlorate forms of potassium and sodium serve the same function as the > chlorite forms (fertilizer). Being a fertilizer, it should be readily > available in the United States. Potassium chloride (KCl) is a popular fertilizer in Thailand. Note that it is spelt with a d not t. I am not aware that potassium chlorate (KClO3) is a fertilizer. If you have information on the use of potassium chlorate as a fertilizer, please tell me. I am very interested. In Thailand, potassium chlorate is considered an explosive, the import of which is under the control of the Ministry of Defence. Potassium chlorate is an important ingredient in fireworks here. > Can you tell me he the timing, application method (I am guessing foliar?), > application frequency, and concentrations that are used? I shall forward the info to you. Sainarong Rasananda Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 12:03:55 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: Eunice Messner Subject: Re: Diamond River and 'Zuang Zuang' longan Eunice Messner wrote: > Thank you so much for your very informative > description of the 'Diamond River' longan ('Petch > Sakorn'). They sounded very tempting to try and grow > here, until you said their flavor is inferior to the > sub-tropical longans. > Eunice Messner I have not seen or tasted it, but I hear that 'Zuang Zuang' is larger, less watery than Petch Sakorn , alias Diamond River. Zuang Zuang is a tropical longan, similar to Petch Sakorn. Therefore it should have many attributes of Petch Sakorn. It is native to South Vietnam, and is widely grown there for commercial purpose.As far as I know, there are very few orchards in Thailand which have Zuang Zuang, so not surprisingly I do not know very much about it.. However, a highly respected Thai horticulturist who has been to south Vietnam tells me that Zuang Zuang has some possibilities. Maybe I shall ask my friend for more info on Zuang Zuang, if you are interested. Sainarong Rasananda [I recently acquired a young "Diamond River" longan, and look forward to fruit - someday. Leo] ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Send Us Your Resource List: Books, Web Pages, Periodicals Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 12:45:01 +0100 From: Dynan, Roy Leo, I have recently found a new website for what is probably the main source of grafted exotic fruit in the UK - it is Reads Nursery near Norwich. http://www.readsnursery.co.uk/toc.htm They have a wide range of greenhouse citrus and some useful self-fertile clones (feijoas and hardy kiwi). I think they actually keep some national collections (fig and grape?) but my net link is out at the moment so I can't check. You already have two UK fruit source URLs from me but I'll copy them below to make it easier. Incidentally, I forgot to mention the Agroforestry guys have an impressive range of hardy citrus (hardy by UK standards): ------------------------------ Future Foods (not to be confused with futurefood of Sonoma) http://www.futurefoods.com/ and the agroforestry research trust http://members.aol.com/AgroResTr/homepage.html. Future foods catalogue is a much better read as it contains very good learned/funny/whimsical articles by Jeremy Cherfas who writes for Kew and the RHS - he specialises in unusual and 'lost' foods. The agroforestry guys have a very wide range but seem to use a very literal definition of 'edible'. ------------------------------ Books: Talking of national collections - you probably know of the lavishly illustrated book on passionflowers by John VanderPlank, but if not I can get full details. [Yes, Roy, I actually own two of those John VanderPlank books, and recommend them highly. Leo] Subject: Re: Resource List: Bushfood Links Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 08:29:37 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder Dear Leo: Here are two of my favorite online resources regarding Australian wild fruits. Hours of online web surfing. Links to nurseries,etc. http://users.academy.net.au/~samantha/bushfood.html and http://www.bushtucker.com.au Alan Schroeder Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999 06:56:37 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: What Is Noni: Morinda citrifolia http://www.halfpricenoni.com/newspaper.html http://www.sirisimpex.com/prd22.htm NewCrops Says: Morinda citrifolia, L.; Hunter. Australia (Queensland; Northern Territory): fruit edible, reported bitter. India (area unspecified): green fruit eaten. Hawaii: fruit eaten. Tahiti: fruit eaten. Hawaii: foetid fruit eaten. India (Madras Presidency): ripe fruit eaten; green fruit curried. Vernacular names - Australia: Canary Wood, Awl Tree, Indian Mulberry. Hawaiian: Noni. Tamil: Munja pavattay. Telugu: Molagha, Maddi chettu. Ref. HANDY, NEAL, STURTEVANT, CHOCK, CURREY, SHORTT. Morinda citrifolia, L. var. potteri Deg. Hawaii: as for Morinda citrifolia, L. (q.v.) Ref. HANDY, NEAL. Subject: Subscribe To NewCrops (You Should Consider It) From: Leo Send the following message to the listserv to subscribe to new crops To: listserv@vm.cc.purdue.edu From: Subject: --------------------------------------- subscribe newcrops You can also subscribe (or unsubscribe) online using the form at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ListServ/easyform.html The archives are available at http://bluestem.hort.purdue.edu/newcroplistserv/Search.html Anna Whipkey awhipkey@purdue.edu Center for New Crops and Plant Products www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ Purdue University >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - June 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - July 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9907A.txt Rare Fruit News Online is primarily messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you are ever missing an issue, don't assume that I've dropped you from the mailing list. The mailing list drops addressees without asking me, and the only way I'll find out is if you let me know. If you have trouble getting mail through to me - should never happen, but it does - please send a CC to one of the alternate addresses, such as CC: leom@bigfoot.com I'm going to change ISPs some day just to get my mail more reliably delivered. If you prefer enclosed to attached newsletters, or vice versa, please let me know. If you ask me a question about this or that plant, most likely I'll defer and ask the experts in the group. Don't take offense, but often you don't really want my opinion, you just think you do. This is later than usual, but I got a late start on it. I was in Tulsa for a funeral over the weekend. Read Gail Newcombs letter* on using higher humidity to pollinate cherimoyas. Did you know about this? If you do, let us know, please. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, CA Rosemary Keane New Subscriber, Lakeside, CA, Wants To Grow Mango and Cherimoya Mike Faircloth New Subscribers, San Diego, In Good Rare-Fruit Area Tom and Carol Rast New Subscriber, Suriname, Look At That Plant List!!! Wim Veer New Subscriber, Bombay, India, Wants Plant Source Information Ashish Hansoti New Subscriber, FL, Has Mangoes, Jaboticabas, Muntingeas, ... Robert Greenwald New Subscriber, Malaysia, To Share Info-Really Rare Tropical Fruit Chan Kok Choi Subject: Re: New Subscriber, Malaysia; What Is Pulasan, nam nam, etc Kok-choi Chan --Readers Write Update Information Bob Long Propagating Loquats Nan Sterman To: Matthew Shugart On Newsletter, Plants From Seed, And Kiwis As Weeds Gail Newcomb To: Jim Finally home Ricardo Barbosa Cherimoya pollination - (Read This, All Of Us Cherimoya Growers!)* Gail Newcomb Re: Cherimoya pollination Leo Manuel To: Gail Newcomb Re: Cherimoya pollination Gail Newcomb To: Leo Hi Moshe Leo Manuel To: Moshe Nadler Re: Hi Moshe moshe nadler Re: Hi Moshe Leo To: moshe nadler Longan In Australia - Repeat Greg Daley Longan In Australia - Repeat Leo To: GregDaley Resource List - See CRFG.org OR Ask Eunice Messner To: Leo langsat/guava AL Long To: Stef.VanUffel@ping.be Jackfruit In S. California; Who's Doing It? Ramon Re: Jackfruit In S. California; Who's Doing It? Leo To: Ramon Re: Mangoes In Scripps Ranch? Leo To: Rosemary White Sapote Seed - I Need Lots Of It! Sven Merten Name Is That Citrus! (Please) Geraldine C. Henchy Peach/Nectarine Fruit-Rot Problem; How To Prevent? Ben Poirier Wanted - Names and e-mails addresses of longan enthusiasts Sainarong Rasananda --Announcements and / or Sites To Consider Mango Site - http://www.pompano.net/~ompus/Mango_net/ Doron Kletter The Mango Page: Mangifera Indica, Tropical Fruit [Site Sometimes Down] http://www.pompano.net/~ompus/Mango_net/ California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. http://www.crfg.org/ (Visit Often!!) Leo Manuel Hylocereus polyrhizus and Hylocereus undulatus Web Info http://aphisweb.aphis.usda.gov/oa/commodities/pg33.html http://ftp.dcs.glasgow.ac.uk/~bunkenba/Cacti/Hylocereus/undatus.html Alex's Cactus Page http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~bunkenba/cacti.html Leo -(Abbreviated Introduction) The Gatherer - Plant Use Multiple Database Search Engine http://www.Kippewa-Gardens.com/cgi-bin/Gatherer.pl Trio of New Seedless Grapes on the Way to Consumers ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Garden Forum: Tropicals http://www.gardenweb.com/forums/tropical/ Leo --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List Re: noma noma Jeremy Cherfas Re: noma noma Robert Faust Re: noma noma David Noel PFAF (Plants For a Future) Database VidaVerde http://waffle.nal.usda.gov/agdb/pfsd.html or http://metalab.unc.edu/pfaf/D_search.html (In U.S.) ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, CA Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 15:27:36 -0700 From: Rosemary Keane I am Rosemary Keane in San Diego (Scripps Ranch) Fruit trees I am growing: 1 cherimoya, 2 fig, 1 avocado, 1 lemon, multiple passionfruit (one flowering) Rosemary Subject: New Subscriber, Lakeside, CA, Wants To Grow Mango and Cherimoya Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 15:09:32 EDT From: Mike Faircloth Hi, I am Mike Faircloth, Lakeside, Cal. The fruit trees I am growing : Papaya, Guava (strawberry, Apple), Pitanga Cherry, Blood orange, Passion Fruit, Loquat, plus some grapes, figs, and tangerines. I'd like to grow Mango and Cherimoya Any other comments? I was in the San Diego Rare Fruit Club... but because of work, I couldn't make the meetings..... this should work better for me. Mike Faircloth Subject: New Subscribers, San Diego, In Good Rare-Fruit Area Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 17:47:26 EDT From: Tom and Carol Rast Hi, We are Tom and Carol Rast, and are uniquely located outside of downtown San Diego where the climate is perfect to grow rare fruits We are now growing or want to grow: cherimoya, papaya, mango, guava, banana, capulin cherry, jujube, star fruit, weeping mulberry, edible bamboos, sapotas (white and black) Tom and Carol Rast Subject: New Subscriber, Suriname, Information Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 21:32:50 -0700 From: Wim Veer Hi Leo, A little delay in answering, I could not enter the net for some time. Your questions: 1. name is wim veer, 56 years old, geography teacher, born in Holland, but live in Suriname since 1968. 2. I live close to Paramaribo, the capital, and have a yard of 4 acres, which keeps me very busy. I will try to attach my plant list. We have a very humid and hot tropical climate, so best suited are the ultra tropicals. The problem is to get the plants, no nurseries to speak of, so I started everything from seeds. Which means years of waiting, not knowing what to get, very large trees. Nowadays I have to use the ax a lot. 3. From my list you see what has flowered, so that means a little experience. 4. what I am most interested in are varieties of TROPICAL litchis and longans. I have some 'normal' ones, they grow and grow, but never flower or fruit. Also I heard that there exists a very big rambutan, and would like to know where to find it. Wishing you luck with your growing, and hope the plantlist comes through. * = fruited SUIKERTUINTJE Aleurites moluccana -kemiri * Anacardium occident. -cashew * Anona cherimoya * Anona squamosa -custard apple, kasjoema * Artocarpus communis -broodboom * Artocarpus heteroph. -jackfruit,nangka * Artocarpus integer -chempedak Artocarpus odoratissimus -marang Averrhoa carambola -birambi (fransman) * Averrhoa bilimbi -birambie * Azadirachta indica -neem * Barringtonia Bixa orellana -koesoewe * Blighia sapida -akee * Bouea gandaria -gandaria, maprang Calocarpum sapota -mammie zapote * Cananga odorata -kenanga * Cinnamon zeylanicum -kaneel * Citrus aurantifolia -lemmetje * Citrus grandis -pompelmoes * Citrus medica -sucade * Citrus reticulata -mandarijn, rode en gele king * Citrus paradisa -grapefruit * Citrus sinensis -sinaasappel * Coffea liberica -koffie * Chrysophyllum cainito -sterappel * Clausena lansium -wampee Cynometra cauliflora -namnam * Diosppyros digyna -black sapote Durio zibethinus -durian Dypterix alata -baru Euphoria longan -longan Eribotrya japonica -loquat, nespoli * Flacourtia jangomas -babykers * Garcinia dulci -moendoe * Garcinia mangostana -mangistan * Genipa americana -marmeladebox Gulielma gasipaes -peachpalm Inga laurina -switi boontje * Lecythis elliptica -kwatta patoe * Litchi chinensis -litchi Lansium domesticum -doekoe * Malpighia punicifolia -w.i. kers * Manilkara zapota -sapodilla * Myristica fragrans -nootmuskaat * Macadamia ternifolia -macadamia Nephelium lappaceum -rambutan * Pimenta dioica -all spice Persea americana -advocaat * Quassia amara -kwasi bita * Rollinia mucos -biriba * Salaca edulis -salak * Sandoricum koetjape -santol Sterculia foetida -java olive Spondias cytherea -pomme de cithere * Stelechocarpus burahol -kepel * Synsepalum dulcificum -miracle fruit * Syzygium malaccense -pommerak * Syzygium samaragense -cur. apple * Theobroma cacao -cacao * Thyrsostachys siamensis Zizyphus jujuba -indian jujube, ber, olijf * WIM VEER, POBOX 2010, Paramaribo, Suriname e-mail: veerwn@sr.net Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 12:55:25 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: New Subscriber, Bombay, India, Wants Plant Source Information Hi, I am Ashish Hansoti; Bombay, INDIA My e-mail address is hansoti@bom3.vsnl.net.in Fruit trees I am now growing : lots of tropical fruit trees, most still juvenile, esp. from S.E.Asia.Of particular interest: Citrus, esp.Pomello, Guava, Wax Jambu & Jackfruit.These I grow at a location at sea level with winter minimum 10 deg C and summer maximum 44 deg C. Also Litchi, which I plan to grow at another location at 4000 feet altitude. I am looking for good sources of fruit plants in Florida: nurseries offering small plants of named cultivars would be best for me to bring back plants to India. I would be happy to buy but can also exchange plant material. Thanks Ashish Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Has Mangoes, Jaboticabas, Muntingeas, ... From: Robert Greenwald Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 18:11:51 -0400 Hi there, I am Robert J. Greenwals, a veterinarian in Venice Fl. with about 30 varieties of mangos, 30 of citrus, jaboticabas, muntingeas, lychees, jakfruit, etc etc. My son works at the Salk institute in La Jolla as a research scientist. Robert Subject: New Subscriber, Malaysia, To Share Info-Really Rare Tropical Fruit Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 13:46:05 +0800 From: Kok-choi Chan Hi, I am Chan Kok Choi, Petaling Jaya (Selangor) Malaysia E-mail address: duriannow@hotmail.com I have experience with most tropical fruits like mango, durian, rambutan, jackfruits etc. I would like to share knowledge for really rare tropical fruits like pulasan, nam nam, sentul, etc Chan Kok Choi [Great e-mail address! Leo] Subject: Pulasan, nam nam, etc Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 12:53:11 MYT From: Kok-choi Chan Leo, Thank you for the sample issue.I am looking forward to future issues. A bit about myself: I am now retired. Used to work with the Dept of Agriculture, Malaysia. I have had this interest in tropical fruits and horticultural plants. I was 'lurking' around the Gardenweb forums when I came across this site. Proves to be a treasure trove for discussions on tropical fruits. By the way, I am not aware of any site that has in depth information on those fruits I mentioned. [Is Noma Noma different than Nam Nam? Leo] Best regards choi -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Update Information Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 12:54:13 -0700 (PDT) From: Bob Long Leo, I have a new email address I'd like to have the rare fruit news sent to (the one being sent now). Keeping the original, of course. The original goes to my wife's email address at the college. This one is set up for my home use. This way we have a backup if something goes wrong. For refresher: Name: Robert Long (wife Therese Long) email: bobljr@yahoo.com (original tlong@gcccd.cc.ca.us (which has been shortened to : tlong@gcccd.net) Please use information from the original subscription for this new subscription. Questions? Just email me. Thanks, Bob Long - San Diego CRFG member Subject: Propagating Loquats Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 09:22:54 -0800 From: Nan Sterman To: Matthew Shugart Hi Matthew -- I read your question regarding ways to propagate loquats on Leo's rare-fruit on-line newsletter and I can't help but wonder why you haven't propagated them from seed which is the easiest way. The seeds sprout readily and the trees grow incredibly quickly.... Is there a problem with them "coming true" from seed? Nan Sterman Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11 Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 09:41:51 +1200 From: Gail Newcomb Subject: On Newsletter, Plants From Seed, And Kiwis As Weeds Hi Leo, I do enjoy the newsletters. Is it possible to send the one before this latest again as I can't open it. Hate to miss anything! Have managed to get plants from seeds from fruit at supermarket: Mango, Papaya, and local Cherimoa, Casimiroa, Pomegranate and Abyssinina banana so quite chuffed. Now what to do???? What size containters should I use to keep growing. Making nice houseplants at the moment. Someone has offered to buy the remaining 24 Kiwifruit vines when we have them pruned back and off the wires and pergola. Wish this resurgence of interest had been when we chainsawed the other 200! And they are still coming up. Weed! Thanks Gail Newcomb mailto:treecrops@nzero.co.nz http://www.nzero.co.nz/treecrop/ Subject: Dwarf and hydroponic bananas Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 19:01:24 -0700 (PDT) From: Mark Dodgson To: Jim Hi Jim My hydroponic supplier and myself are growing hydroponic bananas in Melbourne, Australia. Mine are grown in homemade aquafarms in a volcanic rock medium and currently sited outside under a pergola. The hydro guys bananas are grown inside under lights under ideal temperature conditions, but not with as much light as mine. As a consequence, my bananas are larger but his don't have wind damage, etc. I am growing one each of Rajapuri and Dwarf Red Dacca and both were started from test tube culture supplied by a lab up in the commercial banana growing district. The guy below also grows bananas hydroponically and can supply test tube culture of dwarf bananas if you're inclined that way (haven't tried his service, just thought I'd pass the links on): http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2011/MicroMusa.html http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2011/Hydroban.html Homemade aquafarm plans: http://www.ns.net/~bennu/ It's Winter here in Melbourne, and it's just starting to get cool during the days. The Rajapuri is around 4 feet tall, and the Dwarf Red Dacca is around 3 1/2 feet tall, both starting to show signs of yellowing I assume because of the cold. Bye for now Mark Dodgson mailto://mjdodgson@yahoo.com Subject: Finally home Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 00:33:16 -0300 From: "Ricardo Barbosa" Hi Leo. I arrived from US in June first and the next day I had to go to Argentine and Uruguay because my work as a consultant. Brazil and some South america countries are developing a common market called MERCOSUL (similar to US NAFTA that includes Mexico and Canada), and this is giving a lot of work nowadays. I liked very much California. It is a beautiful state. Impressed me Yosemite park canyon and Sequoias park. I took a picture beside the oldest living being in the world, a sequoia with 2,700 years. A huge tree. I thank very much for your reception. I and my wife Sonia, are very grateful for it. I hope someday we could do the same for you. If you and Betty come to Brazil, come to visit us in the South. You will not need to stay in hotel. My house will be open to you. The restaurant where we had the dinner I did not find any better in my trip. I liked your garden. You have nice trees growing there. I hope you can add the new pitangas to it. I have some comments that you could include in the nexts issues of the RFNO. They are about: - Best pH and watering for Pitanga trees and other mirtaceas; - The Yellow Jaboticaba and Cabeluda (Hairy) confusion; - The way we eat Avocados with two recipes. I will write about later. Best regards. Ricardo Subject: *Cherimoya pollination - (Read This, All Of Us Cherimoya Growers!) Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 17:42:29 +1200 From: Gail Newcomb Ramon wanted information about hand pollinating cherimoya. We recently had a Field Day on a property growing several cultivars. They found that hand pollination was too tedious and not very successful. What they had discovered is that humidity and rain will do the job so they went up and down the rows with a water blaster between the hours of 4-8pm. They tried a comparison test and just watered the ground with poor results until they redid the crop with the overhead watering. We saw the results! Hope this works for you too Gail Newcomb mailto:treecrops@nzero.co.nz http://www.nzero.co.nz/treecrop/ Subject: Re: Cherimoya pollination Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 06:34:20 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Gail Newcomb Hi Gail, Is this written in more detail someplace? It sounds most interesting to those of us with cherimoya trees. Thanks! Leo Subject: Re: Cherimoya pollination Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 10:43:31 +1200 From: Gail Newcomb To: Leo Hi Leo, No it's not written down anywhere except in my notes at the visit to the property. Raz and May were off to India shortly after and I don't know if they are back yet. We take a tape recorder on these outings so I have it as she more or less told us. The experiments may have been over a couple of seasons though. Will listen to the tape again Gail Newcomb mailto:treecrops@nzero.co.nz http://www.nzero.co.nz/treecrop/ Subject: Hi Moshe Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 09:08:23 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Moshe Nadler Hi Moshe, I haven't heard from you in so very long. Are you doing post-graduate work? I wish you well! Sincerely, Leo Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 09:55:52 -0700 (PDT) From: moshe nadler Subject: Re: Hi Moshe hi leo! it's amazying, you should try the lottery... i was just writing a letter to you, after recieveing your monthly e-mail, i said to myself that although i'm busy i need to sit and write an e-mail to you. first thanks, i am recieveing and enjoying the e-mails you send. i'm doing my ph.d. my idea was to try and undersatnd what cause the abssiccion of fruitlets in mango, and try to prevent it also. my prof. also wanted to check the effect of low temp. on flowers and to understand why low temp cause damages to the sex organs and also try to prevent this damage, mainly by the use of antioxidants. so i have a lot of work in the lab, and experiments all over israel, in mango orchards, already with interesting results. if you like i can send a short report about my work to you so you can publish it in your news letter. ok? anyway, thanks a lot for remembering mi. nice to hear from you. let me know if there is any information i can send from here. moshe Subject: Re: Hi Moshe Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 10:03:32 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: moshe nadler Hi Moshe, I will certainly publish your work and locations on the internet where additional information can be found on your writing and on related information. Regards, Leo Subject: Longan In Australia - Repeat From: "Greg Daley." Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 09:27:01 +1000 In reply to "Any Australian Longan grower" Sainarong Rasananda (2nd August, 1997). Let me introduce myself, I operate a Subtropical fruit and nut nursery in Australia (Northern NSW) and propagate quite an extensive range of fruit and nuts and am always fascinated about anything new. Regards Longans I have a good friend that grows them commercially and has found quite a good market late in the season following the lychees. Our latitude is 29 degrees south of the equator with mild winters. This friend does not have internet connection so he cannot reply. He used to grow quite an extensive selection of exotic fruits, but as the demand for economics out of his block of land became more important he has gradually increase his longan trees in preference to other less productive types. I have been propagating Longans and do find them rather difficult to graft. I have discovered though cincturing the scionwood in Mid summer and grafting in Autumn 2 months later the most successfull. Marcotting is also more difficult than Lychees but it certainly is quite viable. If any one has any ideas or tips they would be appreciated. It is one week off the beginning of Spring here now and we are grafting all sorts of trees at present. If any one is interested in Pecan propagation I feel we have perfected container propagaton of grafted trees. We can grow an excellant grafted tree from seed germination to grafted tree ready to plant out within 18 mths. Heres a question for someone. Can Canistel or Yellow Sapote be grafted onto Pouteria obovata successfully? Regards to all Rare fruit lovers Greg Daley gdaley@nrg.com.au From: Leo To: GregDaley Subject: Longan In Australia - Repeat Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 14:13:14 -0700 Hi Greg, I was rummaging in back issues of RFNO and came across this one. I don't remember any followup on this, but I'm interested in hearing if you have anything to change. I haven't attempted grafting longans, but I will try, by cincturing (or girdling - same thing?) as you described. Have you tried grafting lychee the same way? It is supposed to be possible but difficult. I haven't had trouble marcotting longans, and it may be a varietal difference. If I had known they were difficult, I probably wouldn't have tried them. I surprised myself in successfully marcotting a mango, but don't know if the root structure will be satisfactory or not. That may depend on variety as well? I'd like to know more about grafting pecans and if the method you use is likely to be helpful in grafting rare fruit. Looking forward to hearing from you. Horticordially, Leo Subject: Resource List - See CRFG.org Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 08:19:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner To: Leo More Information about CRFG: General questions may be e-mailed to info@crfg.org Subject: langsat/guava Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 23:22:59 MYT From: AL Long To: Stef.VanUffel@ping.be Hi Stef! Just a little bit more trivia for your information. The duku is generally a much more sour version of the langsat & is bigger. Here in Malaysia, we much prefer the langsat but there is now a much more succulent & flavoursome vareity called the dukong which at one stage was more popular than the durian in Thailand. The dukong originated from Thailand but is gaining more popularity in Malaysia as well.It's best to get grafted plants as the plants do not bear true from seed & would also take 8 years or more to fruit.The langsat susu ("susu" means milk in malay) is also very popular & succulent but I would still prefer the dukong. As for the guava, it is often sliced together with cucumber, starfruit, ambarella, turnip and pineapple & mixed with coarsely grounded peanuts & a shrimp-based sauce to form a dish which we call rojak--it's the malaysian version of a salad & is extremely delicious.The other alternative, if you like it plain is to dip in sour-plum powder or plain salt with a bit of sugar. Guava juice is also extremely popular & very high in vitamin C but of course you'd probably need at least a dozen of guavas to do so . Hope the above is helpful. AL Subject: Jackfruit Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 00:22:50 EDT From: TUAZONRR@aol.com Hi Leo I noted that a jackfruit tree is growing in your fruit garden. I appreciate it very much if you could provide me these informations: (l) Is your jackfruit tree bearing fruits? (2) Who else do you know grow jackfruit here in Southern California? I am seriously considering to grow jackfruit. Thank you very much. Ramon Subject: Re: Jackfruit Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 05:27:27 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: TUAZONRR@aol.com Hi Ramon, I just planted the jackfruit tree, and it hasn't grown much yet. There are others who have them planted, and I think you will hear of them when I publish your letter to me. Horticordially, Leo San Diego Subject: Re: Mangoes In Scripps Ranch - Possible? Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 02:39:04 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Rosemary Hi Rosemary, Have you any idea of the winter temperatures in Scripps Ranch? It is only a guess, but I believe that you may have possible low temperatures in the low 30s, with frost and maybe a slight freeze. If so, you might be able to grow mangoes, but you will need to protect them from the cold while young, for a few years after planting the trees. Older trees are more likely to survive the cold. You can check with the county agricultural agent, or nurserymen in the area, for temperature information. In areas where it doesn't get cold, mangoes are easy to grow. In Rancho Penasquitos, I have quite a few planted. I will publish your question, and maybe readers will be able to advise you. Yours, Leo Rosemary Keane wrote: Hello Leo, Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I just remembered that I forgot to ask you about growing mangos. Is it difficult and where could I find a tree? (I live in Scripps Ranch) Thanks, Rosemary Keane Subject: White Sapote Seed Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 07:33:57 -0700 From: scoutdog@pacbell.net Hi All, I am looking for a large quantity of white sapote seed for a friend in Florida. Do any of you know someone (or an arboretum) with a tree that produces a surplus of fruit that I could collect seed from. Thank you. Sven Subject: Name Is That Citrus! (Please) Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 21:09:29 -0700 From: "Geraldine C. Henchy" To: Leo Leo I really enjoyed your rarefruit site... You know I have a fruit in my backyard that is probably not rare but it is peculiar..It is orange smallish bush like tree...the leaves are citrus like and the fruits are orange and the fruits look like and have the shape of tangerines with small sections to eat inside...but.....it tastes strongly like a lemon all year long... Any idea what it might be? [Maybe Kumquat or Hybrid Of? Leo] Gerrie Subject: Peach/Nectarine Fruit-Rot Problem; How To Prevent? Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 13:01:08 -0700 From: Ben Poirier Hi Leo, I am noticing a problem with the peaches and nectarines, which also happened last year. The fruit begins to rot from the far end before it ripens. Does anyone have any reason for this and any way to correct it ? Regards Ben Poirier - Poirier Nurseries Subject: Wanted - Names and e-mails addresses of longan enthusiasts Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 14:27:27 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda Over times, many people have e-mailed me about longans. Unfortunately, I have not kept the names and e-mail addresses of some of them. If you, the reader, are one of these people, could you please send me again your names and e-mail addresses? It is most likely that I can recall your name when I see them. Please help me rectify my unorganization. Sainarong Rasananda sainaron@ksc9.th.com -----------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider----------------- Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 16:53:46 -0700 From: Doron Kletter Subject: mango site - http://www.pompano.net/~ompus/Mango_net/ Hello Leo, I came across a good site with information on mango cultivars in the US; If you are interested, take a look at: http://www.pompano.net/~ompus/Mango_net/ Always good to hear from you, -- Doron -- Subject: California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. http://www.crfg.org/ From: Leo Manuel [Note: No text version of the web page for CRFG can convey the vast amount of information contained there. Below, each topic below preceeded by "*" is really a hot link that takes you directly there. Leo] Founded in 1968, California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) is the largest amateur fruit-growing organization in the world, with members in 48 states and U.S. territories, and 30 countries. The worldwide membership of CRFG includes many nationally recognized botanical gardens, rare fruit enthusiasts, commercial fruit growers, and internationally recognized horticultural researchers. The organization has a general interest in all aspects of fruit growing with a primary focus on semitropical fruits and uncommon fruits and vegetables. * What's new! * More Information about CRFG * Join CRFG (membership application) * The Fruit Gardener magazine * CRFG Fruit Facts on-line * 20-year index of CRFG Publications (1969-1989), complete with cross-references * Descriptions of 250 rare and unusual edible plants * CRFG Fruit List * Other Publications * CRFG Local Chapters (by geographic area) * CRFG Book Service * Book Reviews * Seed Bank * Volunteer Fruit Specialists (Q & A) * CRFG Member Nurseries and Fruit Sources * Tidbits of Information * Annual Fruit Shoot Photo Contest * 1999 Festival of Fruit * Links to Related Web Sites --- Copyright 1995-1999, California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. info@crfg.org Subject: Hylocereus polyrhizus and Hylocereus undulatus http://aphisweb.aphis.usda.gov/oa/commodities/pg33.html http://ftp.dcs.glasgow.ac.uk/~bunkenba/Cacti/Hylocereus/undatus.html Common Names: Pitahaya, Pitajaya, Pitaya, organ pipe cactus, Strawberry pear Description: red, white spongy pulp with small black seeds, to 4 inches long, thick skin. Origin: Mexico. Comments: Host for mealybug and scale. Subject: Alex's Cactus Page (Abbreviated Introduction) Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 10:22:57 -0700 From: Leo Manuel http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~bunkenba/cacti.html Cacti Alex's page of cactus-related things. First some pictures and details of particular genera and species. Below you'll find a list of all cactus genera. Here I follow the taxonomy of the CITES checklist of Cactaceae by Daivd Hunt, 1992. Many people disagree with some of the decisions taken in there, especially if their favourite genus has become lumped under a mass genus like Echinopsis. There are some links to more information, sometimes with photographs. If they are in my webspace, you have permission to copy for non-commercial purposes. Subject: The Gatherer - Plant Use Multiple Database Search Engine http://www.Kippewa-Gardens.com/cgi-bin/Gatherer.pl Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 17:40:15 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Searches all of these plant databases, and more: Worldwide Ethnobotany Database American Indian Ethnobotany Database Plants for a Future Species Database GRIN Taxonomy (indicates if noxious weed, or rare or endangered species) PhytochemDB National Library of Medicine MEDLINE (via PubMed) Subject: Trio of New Seedless Grapes on the Way to Consumers Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 05:30:51 -0700 ----------- ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA June 18, 1999 Marcia Wood, (510) 559-6070, mwood@asrr.arsusda.gov ----------- FRESNO, Calif., June 18--Three delicious new seedless grapes from scientists here at USDA's Agricultural Research Service may make their way to consumers in the next few years. Melissa, Summer Royal and Summer Muscat are the newest varieties from the 76-year-old grape breeding program at the ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory. Cuttings are now available to growers and breeders. The Fresno breeding program is best known for developing Flame Seedless, America's most popular red seedless grape. The new varieties have undergone 5 to 18 years of testing in California's San Joaquin Valley. Melissa, a new white seedless grape, yields large, sweet berries. They ripen about the same time as Thompson Seedless--America's number one seedless grape, said ARS geneticist David W. Ramming. "But unlike Thompson Seedless, Melissa vines don't need to be sprayed with a natural growth regulator to make the plant form big berries. That saves money," he said. Ramming, who leads the grape breeding research program at Fresno, is a pioneer in "embryo rescue." This is a sophisticated lab procedure he used to produce Melissa and other recent grape varieties. In embryo rescue, scientists remove tiny, developing seeds from promising grapes. In laboratory petri dishes, the seeds are nurtured into tiny rooted plantlets. "These seeds often are mere wisps," Ramming said. "In nature, they probably wouldn't survive." The Fresno laboratory's new Summer Royal black seedless grape is sweet, large, firm and ideal for snacks and salads. "Summer Royal fills a production gap at the end of August, when there are usually no American-grown black seedless grapes on the market," Ramming said. The California Table Grape Commission helped fund the research. Makers of candy-coated raisins might want to try the Fresno researchers' new Summer Muscat seedless raisin grape. "This grape has a sweet, strong, muscat flavor somewhat like the traditional 'Muscat of Alexandria' grape," Ramming said. "But it's easier to candy-coat because it's seedless. Muscat of Alexandria has seeds that have to be removed mechanically. That makes the raisins sticky and hard to process." Muscat-flavored grapes are also used to make sweet dessert wines, he noted. Summer Muscat is the second dry-on-the-vine or "DOV" grape developed by Ramming's team. Unlike conventional raisin grapes, DOV grapes, which dry naturally on the vine once the cane or branch that they grow on is severed, can be mechanically harvested, thus saving labor costs. ---------- Scientific contact: David W. Ramming, ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Fresno, Calif., phone (559) 453-3061, fax (559) 453-3088, dramm@qnis.net. You can also get the latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. * Feedback and questions to ARS News Service via e-mail: isnv@ars-grin.gov. ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -----Discussion list for New Crops ----- Subject: PFAF (Plants For a Future) Database http://waffle.nal.usda.gov/agdb/pfsd.html or http://metalab.unc.edu/pfaf/D_search.html (In U.S.) Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 08:00:23 +0100 From: VidaVerde Just to comment on the Plants For a Future database, for those who haven't come across it. We find it a very valuable tool. It has about 6500 entries, in very good detail, including climate, propogation, uses, known toxicity etc. It deals mainly with edible perennials suitable for a northern European climate, though there are quite a few others there too. It used to be possible (I think it still is) to obtain a copy of the data from the database in return for a donation, which is what we did. If you, or someone you know, have some basic computer skills you can then import it into a database program such as Filemaker or Access. This is simple but not utterly trivial - if I recally correctly, we had strange problems due to the way some fields are coded. The data file itself was reasonably manageable in size, but beware that once you have the database made and indexed, it gets quite big - ours (in Filenmaker) takes up about 22M at the moment (but then it is tied into our other databases too). You do need a reasonbly fast computer to handle it. Ben VIDAVERDE Rare Crop Centre Los Molinos del Rio Aguas Sorbas 04270 Almeria, Spain Subject: Re: noma noma Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 12:50:12 +0100 From: Jeremy Cherfas >Is anyone familar with Noma Noma (pronounced no-nee no-nee), a >Hawaian tree? Facciola lists Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae) as Noni. "Unripe fruits used in sambals and curries. Ripe fruits are made into a beverage with sugar or syrup." Dr Jeremy Cherfas Unusual Edible Plants Somerset UK Subject: Re: noma noma Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 08:12:32 +0000 From: Robert Faust In Hawaii Noni was used as a famine food and as a medicine mainly for cuts and scratches. It is now sold in the MLM industry as a cure all or as a tonic. They are now purchasing noni (in the last month) here in Hawaii for .45$ per pound. Making it a potentially profitable crop, most of it is wild plants that are very common at lower elevations and drier sites. It is grown in india and used as a yellow dye. Robert Faust Ph.D. Agroecologist-Faust Bio-Agricultural Services, Subject: Re: noma noma Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 11:27:34 +0800 From: David Noel -- Morinda citrifolia is also native to northern Australia, and has many medicinal and edible uses - I ate part of one last week. However, common name is 'Rotten Cheese Fruit', so that could put you off. There is a fairly extensive writeup on the fruit in PROSEA's 'Dye and Tannin-Producing Plants' David Noel, Tree Crops Centre, Granny Smith's Bookshop, etc. , , ..... http://www.AOI.com.au  Subject: Mango Page: Mangifera Indica, Tropical Fruit [Site Sometimes Down] Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 18:10:18 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: leom@rarefruit.com http://www.pompano.net/~ompus/Mango_net/ - Abbreviated Version The Mango Page: a catalog of resources on Mangifera Indica Welcome to Glenn's Mango Page If you're already a mangophile, I hope this site will help you find, grow and use the superior mango. If you're more tentative, well, I hope this site at least whets your appetite. And if you're tired of staring at your computer, try Richard Campbell's great book, "Guide to Mangos in Florida". Fairchild's International Mango Festival: July 10 and 11, 1999 Mango Morning includes tasting of more than 20 cultivars and mango inspired culinary delights, a display of more than 250 cultivars with origins from around the world. Workshops with international experts will help make care and cultivation easy, and, at the fruit auction,bidding is fierce for the exotic mangos from the display. Fairchild will also be offering trees of select cultivars for sale. I have heard that 1000 mango trees will be available (hopefully avoiding last years 15 minute sell-out). Two varieties much in demand, Cogshall and Mallika will be particularly well represented due to last years unbelievable demand. Rarer varieties such as Fairchild, Rataul, Madame Francis and Ah Ping will also be available on a more limited basis. (If you want a rare variety you better get there EARLY. --- This site is made possible in part through the generosity of Richard.W. Campbell, Phd., Curator of Tropical Fruit at Fairchild Tropical Garden, who gave me access to personal and published descriptions of the various cultivars. Subject: Garden Forum: Tropicals http://www.gardenweb.com/forums/tropical/ Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 06:24:47 -0700 From: Leo Manuel http://www.gardenweb.com/forums/tropical/ Garden Forum: Tropicals This forum is meant for those growing tropical plants, indoors and out, and also those gardening in tropical regions. >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - July 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - July 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9907B.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. Banana Recipies: Banana Cabbage! Banana Curry! Banana Sweets! I will make the recipies a separate mailing from the newsletter. If you have favorite rare fruit recipies to get into a collection, how about passing them along? --Notes In Passing #1 Monthan Banana Ripening - Average Weight 9.5 oz per banana! The Monthan banana is ripening, a few at a time, and it very nice, probably a cooking banana, but can be eaten either way. The bunch was so heavy it began to break the "trunk" months ago, so I braced it with bamboo poles. Betty carmelized a fruit today, and it was delicious. #2 Giant Whitefly Is Returning - Not as heavily as last year, so far. #3 Baby Jackfruit On Seedling of Dwarf; Probably Won't Hold.... There is one about two inches in length and another very small. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, Australia, Want Recipies For Rare Fruit Iris & Tony Crawford New Subscriber, Guam, Has Guava, Mango, Banana, and Papaya.... Regina Ragan c/o Joe M. Arnett New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow Allspice, Black Sapote, Miracle Fruit.... Carrick New Subscriber, Bombay, India, Has Tropical, Subtropical, and Deciduous Fruit Dr.Ashish Hansoti New Subscriber, South Carolina Robert Hughes --Readers Write My Recent Mango Research - From Moshe Nadler PhD., Mango Specialist moshe nadler Re: Where To Buy Mango Trees In San Diego Nan Sterman To: Rosemary Keane Polyembryonic Mango Seedlings - Which Of Multiple Sprouts Are "True?" L. Warren Re: Polyembrionic Mango Seedlings - Which Of Multiple Sprouts Are "True?" Leo Manuel To: Les No hand pollinating of cherimoyas Eunice Messner To: Gail Newcomb --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider PLANTanswers Fruit Information - Recommended by Roy roy.dynan@bt.com http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/fruit/fruit.html Recommended: Granny Smith's Bookshop and One Green World Nursery Brett Portman http://www.aoi.com.au/granny and http://www.onegreenworld.com Dwarf Pear Tree: Another Genetic Engineering First ARS News Service Helium Balloon Tropics Project www.KILO.COM Frank Hodgson --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) Bananas: Most Productive Agricultural Crop On Earth! JeffreyP Darn Grasshoppers!! KAHUNA Re: Darn Grasshoppers!! JeffreyP Re: [zingiber] Darn Grasshoppers!! Nicho Stamatis (George) Banana Cabbage, Banana Curry, Banana Munchies, Banana Fruit Sweets Nicho Stamatis (George) JeffreyP George Yao --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List Li Chi - Flowering (Leo: Li Chi = Lychee = Litchee)? Michael Forsyth Re: Li Chi - Flowering David Noel --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Malaysian fruits - Brazilian Longan Size Of Small Orange! mrdurian@aol.com - rarefruit@egroups.com ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Australia, Want Recipies For Rare Fruit Date: Mon, 05 Jul 1999 11:00:13 -0700 From: Iris & Tony Crawford Hi, I am Iris Crawford near Gin Gin in QUEENSLAND. AUSTRALIA We are growing Black Sapote, White Sapote, Wampee, Hog Plum, Carambola, Custard Apple, Star Apple, Brazilian Cherry, and numerous. Also we are interested in all rare fruit in general. Recipes for the uses would be great. Iris & Tony Crawford Westella Home Voice: +61(7)4157-6570 Home Fax: +61(7)4157-6570 Subject: New Subscriber, Guam, Has Guava, Mango, Banana, and Papaya.... Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 20:11:30 +1000 From: Regina Ragan c/o Joe M. Arnett Hi, I am Regina Ragan, in Piti, Guam The fruit trees I am now growing: Guava (two varieties). Mango (unknown variety), bananas (5 kinds), wild papaya Some I want to grow: lychees, rambutans, carabolas Regina Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Wants To Grow Allspice, Black Sapote, Miracle Fruit.... Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 20:31:10 -0400 From: Carrick Hi, I am Matthew Carrick, Palm Bay, FL Fruit trees that I have: Guava, grapes, pineapple, persimmon, fig, citrus, papaya, avocado, blueberries, pecans, blackberries, apple, loquat. Fruit trees that I would like to grow: All Spice, mysore black raspberry, black sapote, miracle fruit. Matthew New Subscriber, Bombay, India, Has Tropical, Subtropical, and Deciduous Fruit Date: Mon, 01 Jan 1990 02:14:37 -0800 From: Dr.Ashish Hansoti Hi, I am Dr. Ashish Hansoti, Bombay, INDIA Fruit trees I have growing: A lot of tropicals, especially from S.E.Asia. Also low chill stonefruit and Lychee at another site at 4000 ft altitude. (Bombay is at sea level and very tropical). Would like to expand my collection with high quality named cultivars, especially S.American material. Ashish Subject: New Subscriber, South Carolina From: "ROBERT HUGHES" Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 09:36:58 -0400 Hi, I am Robert Hughes, Summerville, South Carolina. The fruit trees I am growing paw paw, jujube, southern apples, rabbiteye blueberries, and those I want to grow: sweet cherries, nut trees, "ornamental" fruit trees Robert -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: My Recent Mango Research Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 09:52:08 +0000 (GMT) From: moshe nadler Hi Leo! As I promised I'm sending a short e-mail about my work in Israel. I'm working on the abscission of mango fruitlets and trying to develop methods for decreasing it. In addition to problems such as irrigation, mineral nutrition and such, there are two major problems that are responsible for the problem of low yields: 1. Sensitivity of the reproductive organs to low temperatures at the beginning of the flowering season. 2. Abscission of fruitlets during fruit development. Concerning the first factor we have determined, by using calorimetry methods (with the guidance and help of Prof. Criddle from Davis CA.) The temperature below which the reproductive organs will be damaged. To prevent the effect of low temperatures we are using antioxidants (which are widely used in the food industry), since many stresses, including chilling involve oxidative stress. Concerning the second factor, we are studying the physiology of fruitlets abscission with emphasis on the involvement of auxin and ethylene. To decrease abscission we are using auxins. Some of those look quite promising but still there is a lot of work to do until we can come out with something. Our main effort is to increase the yield on 'Keitt' variety and by this to decrease the size of fruit also. That's it for now, will be glad to write again when I'll have some new data. Sincerely, Moshe [If Moshe didn't exist as a subscriber, I'd invent him! - Leo] Subject: Re: Rare Fruit News Online - July 1, 1999 - 5 Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1999 21:48:12 -0800 From: Nan Sterman To: Rosemary Keane Hello Rosemary! I read your request for places to buy mangoes in SD. You can buy them in many nurseries and teh prices vary widely. I recently bought a larger nam doc mai mango from Quang Ong who has a nursery in his home in the Linda Vista area, just off Genessee and the 163. Quang was reducing his stock in preparation, if I recall correctly, for returning control of the nursery stock to his mother. Either way, they have very nice trees and an unusual selection. Quang also has excellent knowledge of his trees. If you have back issues of Rare Fruit News Online, there was information about how to contact him several months ago. I don't have the information readily at hand, but I'm sure that Leo Manuel does (Leo, will you pass it on to Rosemary?). Good luck and keep us posted on how well your mangoes do. PS I had planted a 5 gallon mango the year before last and lost it in this past winter's cold temperatures (I'm only about 3 miles from the coast, but in the river valley of San Elijo Lagoon, so temps here are more like Escondido in the winter than they are like the coast). This year, the mango I bought from Quang was a 15 gallon so I hope that a) we don't get those incredibly low temperatures and b) the larger tree will be more resistant to the cold. Nan Sterman San Diego County Sunset zone 24, USDA zone 10b or 11 Subject: Polyembrionic Mango Seedlings Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 15:54:32 -0700 From: Les Warren Howdy Leo -- At the risk of beating a dead horse, I'm asking for general advice on propagating polyembrionic mango seedlings, specifically 'Ataulfo'. As I understand, the most vigorous first sprout is derived from the sexual union of the mango and will not necessarily be true to seed. The second and subsequent weaker sprouts are true to the parent. Is this indeed the case? Once several sprouts have come up, what then is the correct procedure for separating them? I keep hearing that the tap root should be cut so as to encourage feeder root formation. This bothers me. Wouldn't the plant be stronger and more drought tolerant if the tap root were retained -- or does the plant develop one anyway? I appreciate any help in this regard. Take care. Les Warren of Camarillo CA (Sunset 21/23) Subject: Re: Polyembrionic Mango Seedlings Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 21:25:46 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Les Warren Hi Les, Let's see what the readers have to say about that. Here's what I sense to be understood: a. The sprouts that are true to parent are not easy to determine from their vigor. b. I would definitely NOT cut the tap root as I believe it would not anchor as well later. I found Ataulfo to be difficult to grow from seed, for some reason. I planted several and those few that survived seemed to be weak. Polyembryonic seeds may be less vigorous, but that's my opinion based on very few trials. I will look forward to hearing what happens with yours. Horticordially, Leo Subject: No hand pollinating of cherimoyas Date: Sat, 3 Jul 1999 18:26:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner To: Gail Newcomb Gail Newcomb... I haven't hand pollinated my cherimoyas in years. I don't get as big a crop, but enough for personal use by merely hosing down the tree mid-morning. My theory is that is the time of day the female cycle is receptive and by keeping it moist a little longer it may overlap the afternoon male cycle. I have also observed that older trees will set fruit on their own. I have seen many huge trees loaded with fruit that no one pollinated. Eunice Messner, Anaheim Hills, CA ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: PLANTanswers Fruit Information - Recommended By Roy Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 13:17:59 -0700 From: roy.dynan@bt.com http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/fruit/fruit.html Hi Leo, Thanks for that Purdue U site - it's brilliant! Here's a new one (to me): Texas A&M: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/fruit/fruit.html Not so many species but some really interesting and specific cultivation hints and tricks in its 'Home Fruit Production' notes. Roy Here's a (brief) sample: Fruit Information - Most Are Hot Links Evaluating Pecan Problems Problems Caused by Lack of Chilling in Winter A Almonds Home Fruit Production-APPLES Apple Apricot Asian Pear Avocado Questions Home Fruit Production-AVOCADOS B Banana Home Fruit Production-BANANAS Blackberry Common Blueberry Disorders Common Blackberry and Raspberry Disorders C Cactus Carambola Cherry Home Fruit Production-CITRUS D Dormant Oil M Home Fruit Production-MANGO P Home Fruit Production-PAPAYA Palm Papaya Pawpaw Peach Texas A&M Peach Breeding Program Information Pear Home Fruit Production-PEARS Persimmon Pineapple Plum Pruning Pummelo Subject: Sites for your resource list - Recommended by Brett Date: Wed, 07 Jul 1999 03:47:49 AST From: Brett Portman http://www.aoi.com.au/granny and http://www.onegreenworld.com Two sites for your list: http://www.aoi.com.au/granny Granny Smith's Bookshop, in Australia, has a great selection of books about tropical fruit. I got my copy of Brunei Darrusalam Fruits in Colour from them. Wonderful stuff, the Australians are way ahead of folks in the States when it comes to tropical fruit. http://www.onegreenworld.com A nursery in Oregon with a good selection of uncommon temperate fruit including a good selection of hardy kiwis and cornelian cherries. Granny Smith's Bookshop Home Page http://www.aoi.com.au/granny/ http://www.aoi.com.au/granny/ GRANNY SMITH'S BOOKSHOP World's largest range of specialist books on nuts, fruits, other tree and perennial plant crops, permaculture, organic growing, sustainable agriculture, and rational land use One Green World Nursery - http://www.onegreenworld.com/ogwindex.html ONE GREEN WORLD Index (Hot Links) (partial) Plant Index Fruit Trees Rootstock Small Fruits Unique Fruits Books New Crops - Australia [Of Possible Interest To Aussies?] http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/ The Australian New Crops Home Page - Here's A Brief Portion Through this service we hope to improve the communications network among new crops workers in Australia. It is a common misconception that "new crops workers" are all scientifically or production orientated. We recognise that new crops must be developed within a whole industry framework and therefore we welcome inputs from people in a wide range of disciplines. We have endeavoured to respect copyright owners' rights and have requested permission when material has been reproduced. Please contact us if you wish to obtain more information on these matters. The New Crops Program at the School of Land and Food, University of Queensland Gatton College commenced with the New Crops Project UQ-33A which was funded by: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). Brett Portman Subject: Dwarf Pear Tree: Another Genetic Engineering First Date: Fri, 2 Jul 1999 09:57:50 -0400 From: "ARS News Service" ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Judy McBride, (301) 504-1628, jmcbride@asrr.arsusda.gov July 2, 1999 The first genetically engineered dwarf pear tree of an existing variety has been developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists. Dwarf trees are more productive than traditional-size trees and offer growers other advantages as well. ARS horticulturists Ralph Scorza and Richard Bell at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearnesyville, WV, dwarfed Bosc pear trees by inserting a gene originally isolated from a bacterium. The new dwarf trees are growing in greenhouses at the lab, and the scientists expect the trees to bear fruit in about two or three years. The bacterial gene can be used to dwarf rootstocks or to make the scionthe top part of the treesmaller or dwarf. According to Bell, the pear industry relies on only a few major varieties and needs to improve them. Dwarfing will do that. In addition to being more productive, dwarf fruit trees allow high-density plantings of smaller trees that can produce more fruit in the same area of land than the larger, standard-size trees. And they're easier to manage, prune, spray and harvest. Fruit from a dwarf tree is the same size as fruit from a normal tree. For those growers not interested in dwarf trees, Scorza and colleagues have developed a peach tree with a new, columnar shape. Perfect for the home gardener with limited space, the columnar tree has upright, narrow branches that grow close to the tree trunk without shading other fruit or vegetables that may be growing nearby. Like dwarfs, the columnar trees require much less management and will allow high-density growing. They eliminate the large space necessary between traditional trees. Therefore, chemicals and fertilizer need be applied only to a very small area, saving the grower money and reducing environmental impacts. Compared to traditional size trees, at least three times as many columnar trees can be grown per unit of land. These new treeswhich bear excellent quality fruitare expected to be available to home gardeners within the next few years. ARS is USDA's chief scientific research agency. A more detailed story on this research is available in the agency's July Agricultural Research magazine, available on the Internet at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jul99/fruits0799.htm Scientific contact: Ralph Scorza rscorza@afrs.ars.usda.gov and Richard Bell rbell@afrs.ars.usda.gov. Subject: Helium Balloon Tropics Project www.KILO.COM Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 18:10:16 -0700 (PDT) From: frank hodgson Leo & Betty Manuel You have a very nice website. My name is Frank Hodgson and I am with the Snow Water Corporation in Portola Valley California (south of San Francisco). My phone is (800) 872-5244 or (650) 493-5511. Our website is www.KILO.COM. Our interest in your newsletter is to begin contacting persons who might be interested our helium balloon project, Crown Balloons. We anticipate that we will be collecting substantial amounts of rare fruit seeds and other materials on these trips. Our objective is to make the systems and to train the crews (please see our website) not to get directly involved in the expeditions. In any case, thanks for making a fine site. Frank Subject: In Search Of Mango Scions - Living In Dominican Republic From: Dada Vidyananda Dear Leo, I am a missionary, working in the Dominican Republic. I would like to know if you could help me finding some mango-budwood. Particulary I am looking for Fairchild, Cogshall, Graham, Mallika, Golden Nugget and Nam Doc Mai. Hoping to hear soon from you. Dada Vidyananda [Please write directly to correspondent as he's not a subscriber. Leo] ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ Subject: Bananas: Most Productive Agricultural Crop On Earth! Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 08:24:02 -0400 From: "JeffreyP" Bananas are the single most productive agricultural crop on earth, producing as much as 80 tons of fruit per acre under less than ideal conditions, and as high as 140 tons per acre when growing is idealized with water, nutrition, disease control, and variety selection. Bananas are the hope of the world at the present exponential rate of population increase. We need to be doing much research into this plant, breeding to stay ahead of the myriad of diseases, etc. that attack the plant. JeffreyP http://www.the-banana.com Subject: Darn Grasshoppers!! Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 06:53:24 -0500 From: KAHUNA Reply-To: zingiber@onelist.com Hi All... For the first time..I have several grasshoppers eating holes in my banana leaves....what insectiside would you recommend..I never use poisons....any suggestions?? Mike Subject: Re: Darn Grasshoppers!! Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 08:16:52 -0400 From: "JeffreyP" Glad you wrote...If you can find a foliar spray of NEEM that would be the best non-poisonous spray...If you can't find this, you could try a HOT pepper extract spray for the leaves also available at most garden centers...Otherwise you could go the poisonous route with liquid seven.. JeffreyP http://www.the-banana.com Subject: Darn Grasshoppers!! Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 04:35:03 +0200 From: Nicho Stamatis Any stomach poison so that the hoppers eat it along with the leaves and get food poisoning. I dont know what brands you have in the USA, just ask for any stomach poison. George South Africa Subject: Banana Cabbage, Banana Curry, Banana Munchies, Banana Fruit Sweets From: Nicho Stamatis (George) From: JeffreyP From: George Yao (Separate Mailing) ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- Subject: Li Chi - Flowering (Leo: Li Chi = Lychee = Litchee)? Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 08:50:33 -0600 From: Michael Forsyth My father has a Li Chi in Florida which produces a lot of growth but no flowers and hence no fruit. He hasn't been able to get any useful help locally. Anyone have a suggestion? Mike Subject: Re: Li Chi - Flowering Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 14:47:09 +0800 From: David Noel A couple of things (of many) to look at: 1. Lychees are subtropical rather than tropical and do need some chilling. In fact they need a complex warm-cool-warm event to do well (unlike most fruits, buds become flower buds or vegetative buds according to the temperature regime while they grow). 2. If lychees get too much nitrogen, they produce a lot of growth but no fruits. If their soil is rich in nitrogen, it can take years of no feeding to get the N level down. David Noel --------From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com--------- Subject: Malaysian fruits - Brazilian Longan Size Of Small Orange! Date: Fri, 09 Jul 1999 20:44:04 -0700 From: mrdurian@aol.com rarefruit@egroups.com I just received a brochure from a Penang tropical fruit farm. A few of the fruits they grow are described and illustrated. I was especially interested in the "Brazilian longan"-described as the having the size of a small orange, the flavor of "mata" and the flesh of coconut. Does anyone know if this is actually a longan cultivar? Sounds unlikely. Also, "Buah Sangga", described as a rare sweet yellow sapote-Malaysian fruit. It looks like a green canistel. Sound familiar to anyone? >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - July 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - August 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9908A.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. In fact, please remember to include your name in any correspondence to be written in the newsletter. It adds an essential personal touch, I believe. --Notes In Passing I am planning to get a webpage with all back issues on it, or possibly a separate webpage for each year's publications. You may want to remind me that I said that ever month or so. I usually have a lot of projects going and may lose one along the way. If you have suggestions about anything, please feel free to voice them. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, Hilo, Hawaii, Wants To Grow Abiu, Chico Samuel J. Paltin New Subscriber; Athens, Greece Kostas Pramataris New Subscriber, Florida, Interested In Bananas, Mangoes, .... Wendy Boyd New Subscriber, Irvine, CA, Growing Babaco, Banana, Vanilla.... **mkern@kern-ent.net> New Subscriber, San Diego; Interested In Thai Fruit Carlyn R Ungphakorn New Subscriber, Miami, FL, Has Passiflora Fruit-Set Problem TERRY KELLEY --Readers Write Re: mango - polyembryonic seeds Leo Manuel To: moshe nadler Re: mango - polyembryonic seeds moshe nadler To: Leo Hawaiian bananas Kelsay Schroeder Longan - Which One Would You Recommend and Why? Kelsay Schroeder To: Sainarong Rasananda Re: Huge Brazilian Longan Sainarong Rasananda How To Grow Cherries From Seed? Paul, Subrata Timing of banana fruit ripening Nan Sterman Re: Timing of banana fruit ripening Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Grafting Citrus Nan Sterman Re: Grafting Citrus Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Polyembryonic mango seedlings Eunice Messner To: Les Quince Scions - Where To Acquire? Granny Smith's Books Holzinger, Bob To: Leo Peaches molding before ripening? Nan Sterman Rare fruit in Utah Joel Moskowitz --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Fruits of the Annonaceae family are linked to Parkinson's symptoms Leo Manuel Beneficial insects can now be sprayed on trees http://www.goodfruit.com/archive/July_96/feature4.html Effects Of Commercial Rooting Hormones http://members.aol.com/mmmavocad4/hormone.html Rooting Cuttings - Experiments http://members.aol.com/mmmavocad4/cuttings.html Effects Of Wounding On Rooting http://members.aol.com/mmmavocad4/wound.html Tom Wood, Nurseryman, Whlse - Gingers: New Plants For The 21st Century http://www.oldcity.com/gingers/ New Pecan Tree Bears Fruit Every Year ARS News Service" Hobby Greenhouse Association Helga and Bert Dunn --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) Good Gingers and heliconia websites Dave Friedman Ginger web page I recommend DioxinsUS@aol.com --NAFEX List None this time --From NEWCROPS List Mango Fork Anna Whipkey Lon J. Rombough Lynn Jenkins Peter G Harrison Thomas E. Billings --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Beyond Vegetarianism - Fruit Diet Thomas E. Billings A not-for-profit, information only (no ads) Internet web site: http://www.beyondveg.com Beyond Vegetarianism Re: Scicilian Blood Orange Sven Merten Re: Answer!! What Kind of Papaya is this? Sven Merten Re: chocolate pudding trees Roger and Shirley Meyer Re: Feijoa (Pineapple Guava) Information J D Prince ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Hilo, Hawaii, Wants To Grow Abiu, Chico Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 22:06:06 -1000 **From: Tanya Paltin Hi, I am Tanya Paltin of Hilo, Hawaii. Fruits now growing: Japanese persimmon,cherimoya, white sapote, black sapote, tree tomatoes, macadamian nuts, jack fruits, lichi, dwarf cuban red bananas, chinese bananas, rose apples, citrus, mamey sapote, egg fruit, Fruits To be Grown in the Future: Abiu, Chico If it is not asking too much I would like to receive all previous publications and supplemental issues. [Leo's note: It's better that I send these a few at a time. For previous publications, ask for them a few months at a time. Usually the current year's publications will be sufficient. I plan to get a web page with all previous issues on it. For supplements, request by short title only those you want to use. Many will not be of any use to you at all.] Tanya Paltin mailto:paltin@interpac.net Subject: New Subscriber; Athens, Greece Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:35:31 +0300 From: "Kostas Pramataris" Hello, I am Kostas Pramataris in Athens, Greece Fruit trees I am growing and/or fruit trees want to grow? avocados, figs, lychees regards, Kostas Pramataris mailto:kpram@ellemedia.com Subject: New Subscriber, Florida, Interested In Bananas, Mangoes, .... Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 10:27:33 EDT From: Wendy Boyd I am Wendy Boyd, in Middleburg, Florida At this time my husband and I do not have any fruit trees. We would like to try growing bananas, mangos, avocados and citrus. So any information on these types of trees would be helpful. Thanks, Wendy Boyd mailto:Ladysue00@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber, Irvine, CA, Growing Babaco, Banana, Vanilla.... Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 06:44:51 -0700 **From: MKern -> Hi, I am Mark Kern, of Irvine, CA, e-mail mkern@kern-ent.net Now I am growing: Babaco, Banana (6 Varieties), Vanilla, Mango, Papaya (4 varieties), Blueberry, Pepino, Najarillo, Kava Some grown Hydroponically Mark Kern mailto:mkern@kern-ent.net Subject: New Subscriber, San Diego; Interested In Thai Fruit Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 23:54:33 EDT From: Carlyn R Ungphakorn Hi Leo, Sorry It's taken us so long to get back to you. I misplaced some of the pages I printed from your e-mail on what info to send you, so will do my best to answer. We live in South of San Diego county in an area called Bay Terraces, sandwiched in between Paradise Hills and Bonita. We never have had frost, which may be because we always have an ocean breeze as we are at the top of a hill with the valley to the ocean. The fruit trees we have are: Thai Guava, Thai Banana (small sweet banana used for eating fresh, roasted or in desserts) Thai Jujube (blossoms wrong time of year for fruiting) Thai Mukrut (Kaffir Lime) Thai Chompoo (Rose Apple). Other fruit trees are Lime, White fig, Pomegranate, Cherimoya, Pear Apple, Fuyu Persimmon, Rajpuri Banana, Super Dwart Banana (Musa Acuminate "Novak"). The fruit we are especially interested in, is anything grown in Thailand, especailly: Longan, Mango, Lychee, Rambutan, Langsat (Meliacae), Sopodilla (Achras Sapote), Mangosteen, Jackfruit (both yellow and orange) Noi-Na (Sugar Apple-Annona Squamosa). Thanks for the last e-mail. It was so long I had to transfer it to a txt file to read, but it still got truncated. We look forward to reading more about all the different fruit be grown around San Diego, and other parts of the world. If I missed something, please let me know. Thanks, Carlyn R Ungphakorn mailto:cungphakorn@juno.com Subject: New Subscriber, Miami, FL, Has Passiflora Fruit-Set Problem Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 15:16:46 -0400 From: TERRY KELLEY I am Terry Kelley in Miami, FL We are now growing Avocado, Mango, Lime, Temple Orange, Papaya, Passion Vines (no fruit yet?) & Coconut Fruit we want to grow? Qumquat (Kumquat) How do you get fruit to form on the passaflora vine? I have 3 purple passion fruit vines with nonfruiting passaflora vines planted in between. No fruit has been produced in their first year since planting. One vine had fruit before I planted it last year. Terry Kelley mailto:TerrBett@worldnet.att.net -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Re: mango - polyembryonic seeds Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 06:41:15 -0700 From: Leo To: moshe nadler Hi, Moshe! I appreciate your taking time to answer. This question comes up fairly often, and it's an important one to have answered by scientific methods. I would very much like to have the information on rooting mangoes. I remember that you said it was easier before the mother tree had begun to bear. I had heard a guess that the root system may be inferior in cutting-grown trees. My own guess is that would vary from variety to variety, and would need to be tested. I would like to know what you have found. So, back to propagating polyembryonic mangoes: If my recollection is accurate, you need to use isoenzyme methods to analyze various seedlings of a known tree, and propagate by cuttings or layering those that are identical to the parent plant. Would you explain the isoenzyme method. Does it require a laboratory? Tell me about Yair Aron. Is he still in Puerto Rico, at aron@coqui.net? I haven't heard from him in so long, I wasn't sure that he was still getting the newsletter. Thanks so much for your help! Sincerely, Leo Subject: Re: mango - polyembryonic seeds Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 05:27:22 -0700 (PDT) From: moshe nadler To: Leo Hi Leo! You wrote: > Hi, Moshe! > > I would very much like to have the information on > rooting mangoes. I remember > that you said it was easier before the mother tree > had begun to bear. Not only in mango but also in many other species it was already demonstrated that rooting of juvenile plant material is much easier. If your only source is a mature tree you should take the cuttings from the lower part of the tree. Embryonic seeds, > I had heard a guess that the root system may be > inferior in cutting-grown > trees. My own guess is that would vary from variety > to variety, and would need > to be tested. I would like to know what you have > found. I don't have much experience as for this matter since in Israel scions are propagated by seeds and then grafted. I checked in the literature and found two experiments that were done in India (over 10 and 7 years respectively), there they found out that trees from air layering didn't develop as those propagated by other methods and they had low yields. > So, back to propagating polyembryonic mangoes: If > my recollection is > accurate, you need to use isoenzyme methods to > analyze various seedlings of a > known tree, and propagate by cuttings or layering > those that are identical to > the parent plant. > > Would you explain the isoenzyme method. Does it > require a laboratory? The isoenzyme method requires a laboratory. There is also another system called RAPDs - random amplified polymorphic DNAs, which also require a laboratory, Only way for us as growers to identify between cultivars is by leaf characteristics and later by fruits. Dr. Aron did much of his Ph.D. thesis on the genetics of the polyembryonic seeds of mango, he checked many cultivars from all over the world and i'm sure that he can add more information to this subject. Moshe Nadler mailto:nadler_m@yahoo.com Subject: Hawaiian bananas Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 07:10:22 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder To: Leo Dear Leo: I have grown several banana cultivars with much success over the years but have had problems with those Hawaiian ones such as Red Iholena, Hua Moa, Ae-Ae, etc. I will either get lots of growth as in the case of Ae-Ae but with no inflorescence, or in the case of Hua Moa, an aborted type of inflorescence with no flowers and of course no fruit. Red Iholena has produced some small fruit. In any case all the Hawaiian type bananas seem to decline with the second and subsequent pups to the point that the entire plant over a period of time seems to die out. Currently, right next to these disasters and treated in exactly the same way are fabulously flourishing varieties such as Goldfinger and Dwarf Brazilian that pump out fruit on a regular basis. I am in coastal Southern California and realize that the Hawaiian cultivars might be more cold intolerant but that does not seem to explain away the mother corms good growth but lack of inflorescence. I have read in one reference that at least the Ae-Ae might be ph sensitive and I do have alkaline conditions. Does anyone have a clue what might be going on here? Sincerely, Alan Schroeder mailto:kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us Subject: Longan - Which One Would You Recommend and Why? Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 12:49:15 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda To: Kelsay Schroeder Kelsay, you said: > > I have read with interest your comments regarding longans. As a > backyard grower, the question begs itself: if you had only one > subtropical longan variety to grow, which would you recommend and > why? Before I answer that, let me tell you what I am growing or intending to grow in my orchard in the North of Thailand. 1. For commercial purpose, I grow mainly E-Daw. This cultivar is exported to China. It is one of the easiest to look after, it is a much more regular bearer than other popular cultivars in Thailand,the yield is pretty good, the price is good, the demand is good, the shelf-life is good, it is easy to pack, the damage from transport is small, the size is good, the flavor is good.. 2. I intend to grow a few Puang Tong for my own consumption, and for my relatives, friends and guests. It is, in my opinion, the most delicious longan, but I may be biased, as it is native to my district. Not many people in Thailand have heard of Puang Tong. Both the demand and supply are small. Commercially, it is not a very good choice. 3. I intend to increase the number of Shompoo trees for the domestic market. Thai people prefer Shompoo to all other cultivars. 4. I intend to grow some Barn Hoang. The fruit of this cultivar is reportedly somewhat a cross between longan and lychee. No one knows how it comes about. I have never seen the fruit, and have only started growing a few saplings. It sems interesting with commercial possibility. Shompoo and Barn Hoang are not regular bearers, but this should no longer pose any problem, as I intend to use potassium chlorate to force them to flower. Now, this is the advice I would give to a grower in Florida. 1. The number one recommendation is Kohala. It has adapted itself very well to the Florida climate. It is easy to look after. It is a fairly regular bearer, well, more regular than the others. It gives a very heavy yield, too heavy. the size is large. Dr. Richard Campbell in Florida, a expert in longan, tells me that it tastes just as good as Biew Kiew, but the Australian growers, who are experienced with longans, tell me than it is almost tasteless, compared with the Thai cultivars. 2. If you are an experienced grower, I would recommend that you try Biew Kiew, Shompoo and Bai Dum (and maybe even Haew) in that order. These are Thai cultivars, and are considered by the American enthusiasts to be the best. These four are the cultivars which are available in the States. It is accepted by people all over the world that the Thai cultivars are the best. The original Thai cultivar, from which all other good Thai cultivars springs from, is probably Biew Kiew. The very first Biew Kiew is most likely a chance mutation from an unknown Chinese cultivar, imported into Thailand a century ago by a Chinese immigrant. I do not know whether the Thai cultivars in the States and Australia are from good stocks or not. some people question that they may not be. For example. in Australia, all the Thai cultivars are from stocks brought into the country in about 1969, and no more stocks were imported since, so I am told. One further piece of information, an experienced Australian longan grower, who has grown many cultivars, and have travelled to many countries, tells me that he can easily differentiate between a Thai cultivar and the rest by simply looking at the leaves. This supports my hypothesis that the Thai cultivars come from one single lucky-chance mutation. Sorry this e-mail is rather long. I got carried away. Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@ksc9.th.com Subject: Re: Huge Brazilian Longan Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 23:49:32 +0700 From: Sainarong Rasananda As longans are native to coastal South-East China and South-East Asia, I doubt if there are any special note-worthy longan cultivars in Brazil. I myself have not heard of any longan production there, although I have no doubt that there is a few. The largest longan in the world, as far as I know, is called Zuang Zuang. It can be slightly larger than a ping-pong (table-tennis) ball. Zuang Zuang is a tropical longan as opposed to subtropical longan. It is native to South Vietnam and is widely grown there. Zuang Zuang is fairly popular in South Vietnam - Teo Yah Boh being the most popular tropical longan there. It is not as tasty as the much more common sub-tropical longans. Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@samart.co.th Subject: How To Grow Cherries From Seed? Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 16:12:07 -0500 From: "Paul, Subrata" Hi, I am Rini Paul in Rochester, NY. I have a number of plants grown from seeds - pomegranate, oranges, mango, etc. I am trying to grow cherries from seeds - does anyone have suggests on how to start? The seeds appear to be a lot sturdier than the orange/pomegranate/mango seeds and I'm not sure if I need to prepare it before planting. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated/ thanks! Rini Paul mailto:Subrata.Paul@westgroup.com Subject: Timing of banana fruit ripening Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 14:14:36 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Hi Leo, how are you? I just got the latest newsletter and enjoyed it as usual. How is your father doing? I have a question about bananas. I have a mystery banana (bought at a quail sale as "musa sp") and it always seems to develop fruit at the end of the season so that when the fruit would be ripening, is when we get our frost. So the fruits never ripen, they just freeze and become mush. Is this the wrong variety to be growing here in San Diego County? Should I replace it with a different banana? Or is banana timing just odd? Thanks for the response Nan Sterman Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com San Diego County California Sunset zone 24 Subject: Re: Timing of banana fruit ripening Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 15:54:57 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Nan, there's probably nothing that will make a banana bloom when it should, for our climate. I had seven that bloomed late last autumn and ripened over the winter. They are better when ripening in warmer months, but not too bad. Dad's not doing too bad, considering what he's gone through. I will go to see him in a couple of months. Yours, Leo Subject: Grafting Citrus Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 12:33:24 -0800 From: Nan Sterman To: Leo Dear Leo and friends I was doing some clean up in my yard today and went to pull out a mexican lime that froze this past winter. It was only a few feet tall though the rootstock is about 2-3" in diameter. I noticed that the rootstock (which is probably flying dragon???) is still alive though the scion is dead. I'm wondering if I should just replace the entire little tree or if I should find someone with a mexican lime and graft some scion wood onto it. If I graft, is summer a good time to do it or should I wait until Fall or next Spring? Thanks for your ideas Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com San Diego County California USDA hardiness zone 10b/11 Subject: Re: Grafting Citrus Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 17:44:28 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: Nan Sterman Nan, if it were my rootstock, I'd utilize it, but not for something I especially want. It takes a long time for grafted citrus to grow, at least in my limited experience. I'd buy a grafted tree, but, just for practice, graft something onto that rootstock, provided you have the room. I'll let the readers tell you what the best time to graft is. I expect that you can do it now, up until late fall, then again next spring. Yours, Leo Subject: Polyembryonic mango seedlings Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 22:18:57 -0400 (EDT) From: Eunice Messner To: Les Les... I suspect the 'Ataulfo' mango was held in cold storage too long. I tested mine in water first to see if they would send out a rootlet. Only one did. I have read the strongest of the new shoots on a seedling are nucellar and that maybe only one of the other shoots would be a hybrid. I do not try to separate the embryos until they have about 6" of growth. I do believe polyembryonic mangos are more difficult to grow. They have less food reserves, less vigor and seem to make a smaller tree. I don't have a green house so that may be part of the reason they don't survive the first winter, but I keep trying and do succeed some of the time. Monoembryonic are definitely easier to grow. Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com Subject: Quince Scions - Where To Acquire? Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 11:05:23 EDT From: MJARDALI@aol.com Dear Leo Do you of a source of quince clone where I can get budstick for budding now or grafting next winter/spring MJ (?) mailto:MJARDALI@aol.com Subject: Granny Smith's Books Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 09:58:38 -0700 From: Holzinger, Bob To: Leo Hi Leo, I just took the time to look at the Web Site for Granny Smith's Books that was listed on the last issue of RFNO. WOW!!! Have you looked at all the titles listed at this site? I wish I had a spare $1000 laying around to spend on books because there were several titles over $100 that looked very interesting. There are a couple of books that were reasonably priced that I may consider getting. If I can remember to bring it down I bought a great coffee table book on the fruits of Brunei. Great color shots and some interesting information. Just thought I would mention this site. As for my trip south, I will drop Linda off at LAX August 6th and spend the night at my mother's house. I may drive down the next day and see how many people I can visit before driving back to Fullerton, where my mother lives. This is tentative, I'll get back to you in a week or so with a better guess. Take care, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com To: Leo Subject: Peaches molding before ripening? Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 08:30:31 -0800 From: Nan Sterman To: Leo Hi all -- I am wondering why my Saturn peaches are molding before they ripen. They are big and beautiful and turning blush, but not soft yet. However, they are molding badly and I am throwing them out before they are edible. What's wrong? Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com San Diego County California USDA hardiness zone 10b/11 Subject: Rare fruit in Utah Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 21:34:28 -0400 (EDT) From: Joel Moskowitz A friend of mine now lives in Utah and recently asked me what kinds of rare fruit trees might do well in his area. Actually, I don't know precisely where in Utah he lives but perhaps there might be someone who might offer some information which we will both appreciate. Joel Moskowitz mailto:jamoskowitzmd@pol.net ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Fruits of the Annonaceae family linked to Parkinson's symptoms Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 20:55:15 -0700 From: Leo Manuel NEW YORK, Jul 23 (Reuters Health) -- Toxins in tropical fruits and herbal teas may be at least partly to blame for the ''unexpectedly high'' rate of Parkinson's disease-like ailments seen in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, report an international team of researchers. In a new study, patients with such ailments were more than 20 times more likely than healthy people or patients with typical Parkinson's disease to say they regularly consumed certain herbal teas and fruits. The investigators specifically looked at herbal teas and fruits of the Annonaceae family, including custard apple or pawpaw fruit, which contain alkaloids, compounds toxic to nerve cells that previous research has linked to parkinsonism in animals. The study included people with atypical parkinsonism or progressive supranuclear palsy, two ailments that are similar to Parkinson's disease, but do not respond to the drug levodopa. Overall, 94% patients with a neurological disease known as progressive supranuclear palsy reported regular consumption of pawpaw fruit and 84% reported drinking herbal tea. Among the patients with atypical parkinsonism, the corresponding numbers were 100% and 80%. In comparison, only 59% and 18% of patients with Parkinson's disease reported eating pawpaw fruit or drinking herbal tea. The study included 22 people with Parkinson's disease, 31 with progressive supranuclear palsy, 30 with atypical parkinsonism and 4 with atypical parkinsonism associated with motor neuron disease, according to a report published in the July 24th issue of The Lancet. In Europe and North America, most people with Parkinson's like-symptoms end up being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In the new study, 74% of the 87 patients with such symptoms did not have typical Parkinson's disease. The findings confirm that atypical parkinsonism is indeed more common in the French West Indies, according to lead study author Dr. Dominique Caparros-Lefebvre, of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire des Antilles et de la Guyane in Guadeloupe, and other investigators for the Caribbean Parkinsonism Study Group. And it suggests that consumption of fruits and teas containing neurotoxic alkaloids, specifically compounds known as benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines, may be to blame for these disorders, the researchers conclude. However, more study is needed to confirm the findings, and an additional, larger study of this association is under way, they note. SOURCE: The Lancet 1999;354:281-286. Subject: Beneficial insects can now be sprayed on trees Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 11:25:03 -0700 http://www.goodfruit.com/archive/July_96/feature4.html Here is a part of the information on the website: Technical application of beneficial insects has become a reality with the introduction of biological sprayers by an Oregon manufacturing firm. These Bio-Sprayers distribute eggs of beneficial insects on foliage of trees and vines. Pests attacked by the beneficials include codling moth and grape mealybug. The sprayer, which was patented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was developed by entomologist Dr. Louis Tedders of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, now retired; Beneficial Insectary of Oak Run, California; and Smucker Mfg., Inc., of Harrisburg, Oregon. Smucker is manufacturing three sprayer models under license from the USDA. === [Below are several related websites that will be of interest if you propagate using cuttings. You must visit those sites to view the images, to better understand the various comparisons. The first shows the effects of using various rooting hormones. The second - I forgot to note what's presented there. The third illustrates the effects of wounding the base of the cutting. At least, I found them of interest to me. Leo] Subject: Effects Of Commercial Rooting Hormones Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 06:55:08 -0700 http://members.aol.com/mmmavocad4/hormone.html Effects of Commercial Rooting Hormones For this experiment, my Introduction to Horticultural Science class tested the effects of 8 root-promoting hormone treatments on the rooting of 'Fortuniana' rose cuttings. We used 'Fortuniana' since it is the most-used rootstock in Florida, and because it is considered by many people to be a challenge to root with a high degree of success. We determined in a different experiment that removing two strips of bark at the base of the cutting gave us the best rooting, so that wounding method was used here, for all of the treatments shown. Cuttings with several leaves were wounded, then dipped in powdered hormone preparations or soaked for 5-10 seconds in liquid hormone preparations, then stuck in coarse white sand, 10 cuttings of the same treatment per 6" pot. These were then placed in the college's intermittent mist system for 5 weeks. Then the sand was carefully washed away and these photographs were taken. Group 1. This is the control -- wounded cutings with no hormone. A couple of them have a root or two, but most don't. Group 2. Rhizopon AA#1 powder (0.1% indole-3-butyric acid [IBA] in talc) produced more roots, of better quality, on cuttings which rooted at all, but still, the majority of the cuttings did not root. Group 3. Rhizopon AA#2 powder (0.3% IBA in talc) stimulated most of the cuttings to root, with generally good quality roots. Group 4. Rhizopon AA#3 powder (0.8% IBA in talc) produced the best rooting success rate, as well as the best quality (number and length) roots of any treatment in the experiment. Group 5. Rhizopon water soluble tablets, 1 tablet in 50 ml water (1000 ppm IBA) had almost no effect on the cuttings. The result was quite similar to that of the control. Group 6. Rhizopon water soluble tablets, 2 tablets in 50 ml water (2000 ppm IBA) gave slightly better rooting, but still far less than the higher-concentration powdered forms. Group 7. Dip 'N Grow liquid diluted to 1/20 strength in water (final concentration 500 ppm IBA and 250 ppm 1-naphthaleneacetic acid [NAA]) produced only a few roots on a few cuttings. Group 8. Dip 'N Grow at 1/10 dilution (1000 ppm IBA and 500 ppm NAA) gave excellent roots on some cuttings, but no roots at all on other cuttings. Group 9. Dip 'N Grow at 1/5 dilution (2000 ppm IBA and 1000 ppm NAA) gave the best rooting of all the liquid treatments, but still not as good as the Rhizopon AA#3 powder treatment. Our conclusions: 1. At least in this experiment, powder worked better than liquid. That was a surprise to us, since it is commonly believed that liquids should work better. 2. In the concentration ranges used, we got better rooting with increased hormone concentration, and we apparently never reached a hormone concentration that was toxic. Since the AA#3 powder is 8000 ppm IBA, it may have been the higher concentration, rather than the fact that it was a powder, which produced the better results. 3. As can be seen in the photographs, many of the cuttings which did not root at all are, nevertheless, well-callused and apparently healthy. We realize that they may still have rooted, had we left them in the mist longer. But of course, there is value in cycling plants out of the mist in as few days as possible, and we felt that 5 weeks should be adequate for rooting 'Fortuniana' cuttings. Subject: Rooting Cuttings - Experiments Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 06:55:18 -0700 http://members.aol.com/mmmavocad4/cuttings.html Subject: Effects Of Wounding On Rooting Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 06:55:26 -0700 http://members.aol.com/mmmavocad4/wound.html Effects of Wounding on Rooting In this experiment, we observed the effect of 3 kinds of basal wounds on rooting of 'Fortuniana' rose cuttings. As in the hormone effects experiment, we took cuttings with several leaves attached. We made the appropriate wound, dipped the cuttings in a root-promoting hormone, and stuck them in 6" pots of coarse white sand, then placed them under intermittent mist. After 5 weeks, the sandwas carefully washed away and the cuttings were photographed. While we tried all of these wound types with all of the hormone treatments, I'm showing only the effects of wounding on the 2 most successful hormone treatments. Group 1. No wound. These cuttings were simply clipped off at the base with a clipper. Rhizopon AA#3 powder. Group 2. These cuttings were wounded by making 2 vertical slits in the bark, 1" long, with a sharp knife. The cuts went through the bark, but not deep into the wood. No bark was removed. Rhizopon AA#3 powder. Group 3. These cuttings had a strip of bark, perhaps 1/8" wide and exactly 1" long, removed from one side of the base of the cutting, by slicing the bark away with a knife, down to the wood. Rhizopon AA#3 powder. The most successful of the experiment, had 2 strips of bark, about 1/8" wide by exactly 1" long, removed from the base of the cutting, by slicing the bark away with a knife, down to the wood. The 2 wounds were on opposite sides of the cutting. Rhizopon AA#3 powder. When Rhizopon AA#3 powder was used, 2 wounds appear to be better than one, and removing 2 strips of bark, rather than just slitting the bark, was clearly the superior method of wounding. Group 4. No basal wound. Dip 'N Grow 1/5 dilution Group 5. 2 vertical slits with a knife. Dip 'N Grow 1/5 dilution. Group 6. 1 strip of bark 1/8" wide by 1" long removed. Dip 'N Grow 1/5 dilution. Group 7. 2 strips of bark, 1/8" wide by 1" long, on opposite sides of the cutting. Dip 'N Grow, 1/5 dilution. With Dip 'N Grow, the unwounded cuttings made some of the best quality roots, although only about half of the cuttings rooted at all. Again, removing 2 bark strips gave the highest number of cuttings which rooted. We concluded that with wounding, more generally seems to be better. Subject: Tom Wood, Nurseryman-Gingers: New Plants For The 21st Century Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 06:37:10 -0700 http://www.oldcity.com/gingers/ EMail gingers@gator.net "We are a wholesale only nursery with a minimum order of $200 on domestic orders and $300 foreign." Subject: New Pecan Tree Bears Fruit Every Year Date: Tue, 27 Jul 1999 11:19:52 -0400 From: "ARS News Service" Pecan lovers will appreciate the fruits of a new pecan variety that produces large nuts with halves that stay intact during shelling. Named "Hopi," the new variety was developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Researchers with USDA's Agricultural Research Service developed Hopi from a cross between Schley, a commercially popular variety, and McCulley, a central Texas native variety. ARS is the chief research agency of USDA. Hopi's performance has been extensively tested and evaluated for 45 years. Yields from Hopi tree plantings are equal to Kanza and Creek, which were previously developed and released by ARS and cooperating state experiment stations. Hopi's strength is a uniform nut production from year to year, thus overcoming a main problem in pecan production: trees that bear fruit every other year. Pecans are a multimillion-dollar industry. Rural landowners in the southwest and southeast derive primary or supplemental income from growing pecan trees in orchards or woodland pastures. In 1998, U.S. pecan production was about 155 million pounds with a value of nearly $191 million. Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Louisiana are the top five pecan-producing states. Annual fall nut shows are conducted in 100 of 214 Texas counties. This year, Hopi has been a consistent winner in Texas regional and county pecan shows. ---------- Scientific contact: Tommy E. Thompson, ARS Crop Germplasm Research Unit, College Station, Texas; phone (409) 272-1402, fax (409) 272-1401, tet@tamu.edu. ---------- You can also get the latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm ARS News Service mailto:isnv@ars-grin.gov Subject: Hobby Greenhouse Association Sent: Friday, July 30, 1999 4:47 PM From: Helga and Bert Dunn An article in an old 'horticulture" had a brief article on Hobby Greenhouse Association. Is this group still operating? Would appreciate current address & e mail address if known. Thank You Bert Zone 4b Ontario Canada Dear Helga and Bert, The Hobby GH Association address is listed below. They also have an active list. This list is for gardeners who grow plants and flowers in residential hobby greenhouses or who are planning to build a greenhouse in the future. Growers in window greenhouses and solariums are included. The Hobby Greenhouse Association, a nonprofit organization, has set up this list to provide an electronic place where both members of HGA and other indoor gardeners can "meet" and exchange information on greenhouse maintenance, operation, and growing plants. Although many other subjects can be discussed, this list of topics gives some indication of the scope of HGA-L: Greenhouses: attached, free-standing, leanto, solar, pit Equipment, accessories Watering methods Heating, cooling, ventilation, shading Glazing, other structural elements Plants to grow in a cool or warm greenhouse Growing greenhouse vegetables Growing specific plants such as: orchids, cacti, bromeliads, gesneriads, flowering vines, tropicals, alpines, etc. Fertilizing Seeds and propagation Pests and diseases So, the list is focused on hobby greenhouse gardening as an avocation and recreation. Do feel free to participate. HGA-L belongs to you, the users. It is only through active use that a "virtual community" will evolve. The address of HGA-L is HGA-L@ULKYVM (Bitnet) or HGA-L@ULKYVM.LOUISVILLE.EDU (Internet) To subscribe to The Hobby Greenhouse Association, write a message to HGA-L@ULKYVM.LOUISVILLE.EDU sending it from the e-mail address to which you wish it sent. In body of message, write only: SUBSCRIBE: HGA-L For additional information write either to the list owner, Elliott Parker (3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU or 3ZLUFUR@CMUVM) or to Joel Subject: Book on Himalayan wild fruits Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 14:32:34 -0700 From: "Dr. Chiranjit Parmar" Dear friend, This is to tell you about the book, WILD FRUITS OF THE SUB-HIMALAYAN REGION, written by me jointly with one of my graduate students. It was first published in 1982 and then reprinted in 1989. The book was not available since long and only photocopies could be provided to meet the demand from persons like you having interest in novel and lesser known type of plants. It has now been reprinted again . The book carries a detailed account of various quality characteristics, bearing, flowering and fruiting seasons, medicinal uses( as mentioned in various treatises on the ancient Indian medical system), chemical composition and nutritive vale, other uses, scope and possibilities of domestication etc. 26 very useful wild growing plants of the Himalayas. The book is not just a compilation of information from literature but is the outcome of actual field study of these plants by the authors. It is for the first time that so detailed information about these plants has appeared under a single cover. Many of these plants bear fruits of marketable quality. Some of them have other uses too. Most of these plants are multipurpose type. I have a strong belief that if organized efforts are made to promote them, a few of these might turn out to be successful commercial fruit crops of the future like kiwifruit. It is really unfortunate that very few people, even in India, are aware of the existence of such valuable plant wealth. The book has 150 pages and 47 B&W plates. It is an inexpensive publication available just for 18 US dollars which also includes forwarding by REGISTERED AIR MAIL. So if you want a copy, please send me a PERSONAL CHECK for US$18 and I shall arrange to get your copy air mailed by registered post. PLEASE DO NOT ENCLOSE DOLLAR BILLS as these get stolen. As regards me, I am a senior horticultural scientist and have worked for 25 years at universities on the utilization of wild and unexploited plants and developing these as new food and cash crops. I shifted to private sector in 1992 to start the first domestication and cultivation project on the Himalayan Yew(Taxus baccata). I work as a corporate consultant now and my list of clients, among others, also includes Shaman Pharmaceuticals Inc., South San Francisco. With best regards, Chiranjit Parmarn Dr. Chiranjit Parmar mailto:parmarch@ch1.dot.net.in Horticultural Sales & Services 186/3 Jail Road, Mandi HP 175 001, INDIA. Phone:(01905)22810 Fax:(01905)25419 -----------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) zingiber@onelist.com----------- Subject: Good Gingers and heliconia websites Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999 21:22:49 -0400 From: Dave Friedman Hi folks. Scott asked ... Does anyone on the list know of any good Gingers and heliconia websites? I am interested in learning more about them . I joined this list for the bananas and I am reading an awful lot about Gingers and heliconias so if anyone has a website please send a link to the list Here's a short list: http://www.banana-tree.com/ The Banana Tree http://www.stokestropicals.com/ Stokes Tropicals http://www.premier.net/~chapman/ginger.html The Ornamental Ginger Page A lot of these are great sources for pictures and information on the plants themselves. Hope this helps. Dave Friedman mailto:dfriedman@pb.net Subject: Ginger web page recommendation Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 04:39:43 EDT http://www.nettally.com/skinnerd/gingers.htm Noncommercial, with reliable information. Run by David Skinner in Florida. Very comprehensive, and growing. Brian mailto:DioxinsUS@aol.co ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- Subject: mango fork Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 15:31:16 -0500 From: Anna Whipkey I have a request from someone looking for a mango fork, following is a description: I used them years ago in Mexico. A trident with one long straight prong and shorter straight prongs on each side. Stick the long prong into the seed. The shorter prongs hold the mango steady. Peel and eat like a lollipop, with no mess. Does anyone know where to get one? Anna Whipkey mailto:awhipkey@PURDUE.EDU Center for New Crops and Plant Products www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ Subject: Re: mango fork Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 13:51:54 -0700 From: "Lon J. Rombough" The description fits what my father told of after a visit to Mexico. My thought would be to get some dinner forks at a second hand store and file the side tines. Seems like it'd be easy to make. Lon J. Rombough mailto:lonrom@HEVANET.COM Subject: Re: mango fork Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 16:09:03 -0500 From: Lynn Jenkins How handy! I wondered if there might be some better way to enjoy these fabulous fruits rather than leaning over the kitchen sink and letting the juices run down my arms! So sweet, you don't want to loose a bite! And no way to cut it all off the stone...you have to eat it off!.. If you find a source for the forks, please let me know so I won't be so uncouth when I enjoy one! Lynn Jenkins mailto:jenks@IQUEST.NET Subject: Re: mango fork Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 13:15:01 +0930 From: Peter G Harrison There is only ONE way to eat a mango without a problem. The fruit is bisected around the stone giving 2 halves. These are criss-crossed with a knife and then the section folded back exposing the small bite sized portions of the fruit which are then eaten off the skin. If desperate for mango, suck the "seed". If eaten this way there is little if any mess. The method is illustrated in many Australian mango advertising materials. Peter G Harrison mailto:pgharr@PEG.APC.ORG PG Harrison & Associates Agricultural and Environmental Consultants PO Box 40493 Casuarina 0811 Australia ph 61 8 8948 1894 fax 61 8 8948 3894 ---------From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com------------ Subject: Beyond Vegetarianism - Fruit Diet Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 18:06:19 -0700 (PDT) From: Thomas E. Billings While it is certainly true that people who follow a typical Western diet that is high in refined, processed foods and fatty feedlot meats, will generally benefit from eating less junk and more fruits, going to an extreme and trying to live on diets that are purely or predominantly fruit (the "fruitarian" diet), is problematic and risky. A new website has opened that provides information on fruitarian (and other, alternative) diets. The paragraphs below are from the opening announcement. A not-for-profit, information only (no ads) Internet web site: http://www.beyondveg.com Beyond Vegetarianism is now open in full. The site is investigative and provides both science-based and real-world experience based articles on raw and alternative diets. Diets covered include conventional vegan, vegetarian, raw vegan, fruitarian, natural hygiene, instincto, and Paleolithic diet. The site goes "beyond vegetarianism" in several senses: questioning the usual vegetarian party line; exploring issues related to diets that go beyond typical lacto-ovo-vegetarianism (i.e., raw foods, veganism, fruitarianism); as well as reporting on natural diets such as instincto and paleolithic diet that are non-vegetarian. For articles on fruitarian diets, see the "Fruitarian Dreamtime" section of the above site. Some list members might find the info on other diets there to be of interest as well. Thomas E. Billings mailto:teb@transbay.net Subject: Re: Scicilian Blood Orange Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 15:12:29 -0700 From: scoutdog@pacbell.net Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com To: rarefruit@egroups.com Hi Ranjit, Check for spongy bark or sap leakage around the base of the trunk. It is called foot rot and is caused by a fungus in the soil that can only attack the tree if the trunk gets wet. I had this happen to a Eureka lemon that I put too much mulch around, and the symptoms sound similar to your tree. Good luck. Sven Merten mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Ranjit Singh wrote: > Hi, > > My Scicilian Blood Orange is not doing too well. Leaves and branches > are drying up and the plant looks in poor health. (The soil however > is damp). I was wondering about giving it a High Nitrogen Boost > 50-0-0 to see if I could get it to put out some new shoots. Any > thoughts ? > > Thanks > > Ranjit Subject: Re: chocolate pudding trees Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1999 08:34:35 -0700 From: Roger and Shirley Meyer The black sapote, chocolate pudding tree, will grow in southern California in the warmer winter areas. They can tolerate light freezes but not excessive ones. The "arctic express" that came through California in 1989 or so really damaged my tree to the point of complete defoliation. It did survive those temperatures of about 27-28 F and now produces nicely. The cold of last Christmas (about 28-29 F) only lightly burned the outer leaves. However, by now the tree is 12-15 years and more able to withstand the temeratures. The tree stays evergreen and ripens the fruit about May near the coast and June-July further inland. This spring, being so cool, has delayed the fruit ripening and I now have ripe fruit as well as next years flowers going strong. hope this helps. Roger and Shirley Meyer mailto:exoticfruit@95net.com Subject: Re: Feijoa (Pineapple Guava) Info (See Their Webpage:Leo) Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 19:03:44 +1200 From: J D Prince What, specifically, do you want to know? They are hardy to (off the top of my head) about -8 degrees C, bird pollinated, selected varieties give better fruit, and they don't usually get good management from growers. Opening out the inside of the tree, irrigating and fertilizing, not letting fruit touch other fruit, or rub on other parts of the plant, mulching (they are shallow rooting), and generally good tree management will produce better fruit. Make a very nice wine too! :^) John Prince & Rosemary Steele, Nestlebrae Exotics, 219 South Head Road, Parkhurst, R.D.1 Helensville, New Zealand 1250. website: http://www.helensville.co.nz/nestlebrae.htm You (paarenas@colomsat.net.co) said: >Any information available about growing feijoas is welcome.< J D Prince mailto:Nestlebrae.Exotics@xtra.co.nz >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - August 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - August 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9908B.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. --Note In Passing Can Frozen Pollen Be Utilized For Sub-Tropicals? See: "Subject: Pollen-Viability Related To Temperature," Below ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, Santa Monica, CA, Growing Mangoes, Miracle Fruit.... Dina Hernandez --Readers Write Sources of Information Eunice Messner To: Ladysue00@aol.com Hawaiian Bananas Eunice Messner To: kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us All plants planted & What Date Palm To Get? Peggy Winter Passion fruit not setting Bob Holzinger To: Terry Hawaiian bananas Kelsay Schroeder To: eunicemessner@yahoo.com Wholesale Fruit For Export AL ( from Sarawak, East Malaysia) Re: Wholesale Fruit For Export AL Long Banana fertilizer Eunice Messner To: Alan Schroeder --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Annona muricata and Annona squamosa - Linked To Medical Problem? http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htmlgen.exe?MENU_TF Fruit Site Recommended by roy.dynan@bt.com --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) Nuclear Transfer Technology-Applications/Consequences for Plants JeffreyP http://www.the-banana.com/photo.htm Re: Nuclear Transfer Technology-Applications/Consequences for Plants mike underwood" Nuclear Transfer Technology-Applications/Consequences for Plants Mike --NAFEX List Pollen-Viability Related To Temperature nafex@onelist.com --From NEWCROPS List Neem and Re: Neem Robert H. Faust" To: Karen Shelton --From "Rarefruit List" - rarefruit@egroups.com Re: Feijoa I Wilson Re: Feijoa J D Prince re: Feijoas Eunice Messner --ARS News List: mailto:ars-news@ars-grin.gov Breeder Readies Russian Honey Bees for American Hives ARS News List" ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Santa Monica, CA, Growing Mangoes, Miracle Fruit.... Date: Sun, 08 Aug 1999 06:30:59 -0700 From: Dina Hernandez I am Dina Hernandez, of Santa Monica, Ca Now I am growing: mangoes, miracle fruit, capulin cherry, ateymoya Trees I want to grow: cherimoya, star fruit Dina Hernandez mailto:tjames@jps.net -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject:Sources of Information Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 16:36:59 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner To: Ladysue00@aol.com The Boyds: The best way to become acquainted with sub-tropical and tropical fruits is to log on and look at the Fact Sheets for any fruits that interest you. Another web page is http://www.egroups.com/group/rarefruit Since Florida is more limited that California in the avocados that do best there, look at the later website for recommended avocados. If you still have questions, post it here and you will get help (sometimes maybe even more than you want to know, but we all like to share our experiences). Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com Anaheim Hills, CA Subject:Hawaiian Bananas Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 16:45:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner To: kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us Alan Schroeder: Do you have gophers? They eat the heart out of the stem and really cause growth problems. I grow the Dwarf White Iholene v. Haa-Haa without any problems. It has pleasant, but different, flavor than most bananas. Also is quick to set fruit. Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com Anaheim Hills, CA Subject: All plants planted & What Date Palm To Get? Date: Tue, 03 Aug 1999 09:12:17 -0700 From: Peggy Winter Everything is in the ground, tra la. I think I told you that I bought a Mauritus Litchi and an M2 Jac fruit. My neighbor needed to screen off the back of his place so we're using that whole pot of pitangas. There were plenty, and I can go across the street and eat them. I'm going to Palm Springs next Spring and will drive to Indio to buy one male and two female date palms. I've received permission to plant them in the common area here. Do you have any suggestions of which varities would be best? Thanks, Peggy mailto:peggyw@adnc.com Subject: Passion fruit not setting Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 08:15:49 -0700 From: Bob Holzinger To: Terry Hi Terry, The P. edulis passionfruit that's not setting fruit, is this a cutting grown plant or a seedling? Seedlings generally take two years to fruit, but cutting grown plants can fruit in the first year from rooting. Quite often the first flowers in a season will not set on P. edulis and not every flower sets fruit either. This species is quite self fruitful, so just have patience. Be aware that nematodes can be a problem for P. edulis. As for the "non-fruiting" passifloras you have planted, they will set fruit if cross pollinated with a compatible species or a different clone of the same species. If you tell me which species/hybrids you have I can tell you what species to use as a pollen donor and whether the fruit will be tasty or not. Good luck, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com Subject: Hawaiian bananas Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 06:54:35 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder To: eunicemessner@yahoo.com Dear Eunice: Gopher damage is obviously a problem when it occurs, but does not explain why my Hawaiian bananas grow initially just fine but have no inflorescence (and with no evidence of gopher presence). I am wondering if there is some specialized fertilizing requirement beyond that for regular bananas or if there is some soil pathogen to which these Hawaiian varieties are susceptible to explain the dramatic decline in vigor. Sincerely, Alan Schroeder mailto:kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us Subject: Wholesale Fruit For Export Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 13:19:02 MYT From: AL Long (Sarawak, East Malaysia) Dear Leo, I have some queries from a few local importers of fruits here who're interested in importing exotic fruits from South America on a wholesale basis eg abius, mamey sapotes, etc. Is there anyone out there who may be able to provide information on how to go about it or provide any contacts whom we can get in touch with to form a business relationship? Regards, AL mailto:oal67@hotmail.com ( from Sarawak, East Malaysia) Subject: Re: wholesale fruit for export Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 23:09:19 MYT From: AL Long Hi again, Leo, There are also queries as to whether there are any fruit importers out there who are interested in importing fruits from this side of the world eg. durians, rambutans, langsats, mangosteens, etc.Is there any market demand for such fruits to do it on a wholesale basis? At present, where does most of the supply come from? A contact of mine is also very interested in exporting fruits like carambola, guava & jambu madu (honey water apple) but I'm afraid the keeping quality isn't very long. However, I think if apples can be preserved for a year & is still reasonably delicious by the time it gets out to this part of the world,then perhaps the preseravtive might also work for the above fruits.Does anyone have any brilliant ideas? Pls contact me. AL Long mailto:oal67@hotmail.com >From: Leo Manuel To: AL Long >Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 05:46:14 -0700 > >Hi, > >I will print your request in the next newsletter. Another avenue >for help is the NEWCROPS list. > > http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop >To Join: write to NEWCROPS-Request@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU >Discussion list for New Crops > >Leo Subject: Banana fertilizer Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 12:47:05 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner To: Alan Schroeder Alan... Doug Richardson, the former Seaside banana plantation grower, used Sul-Po-Mag when planting a banana. Since phosphate is responsible for bloom, why not add some soft rock phosphate or the Whitney Farms Rock Phosphate that is mined from the ground. Armstrong Nurseries now feature organic products.I like to show my appreciation by patronizing them. Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Annona muricata and Annona squamosa - Linked To Medical Problem? Date: Wed, 04 Aug 1999 20:49:19 -0700 Published In: Lancet 1999; Volume 354, 281-86 Number 9175 24 July 1999 Title: Possible relation of atypical parkinsonism in the French West Indies with consumption of tropical plants: a case-control study Summary Background In Europe and North America, Parkinson's disease is the major form of parkinsonism; less than 4% of cases are progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and about 20% are atypical parkinsonism. The distribution of these subgroups is different in the French West Indies. We aimed to define the clinical and demographic specificity of these disorders in Guadeloupe and to investigate a postulated link with consumption of herbal tea and fruits from the Annonaceae family (Annona muricata and Annona squamosa), which contain neurotoxic benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. Methods Between September, 1996, and August, 1998, 87 consecutive patients with parkinsonism were referred to the single neurological department in Guadeloupe. After detailed clinical, neurophysiological, cognitive, and neuroradiological assessment, they were classified by generally accepted criteria as having Parkinson's disease, PSP, or atypical parkinsonism. We compared the amount of tropical fruits and herbal tea consumed by the various parkinsonian subgroups and by frequency-matched controls (patients with benign symptoms and no neurodegenerative disease). Findings Of the 87 patients, 22 had Parkinson's disease, 31 had PSP, 30 had atypical parkinsonism, and four had atypical parkinsonism associated with motor neuron disease, 44 of the patients with PSP or atypical parkinsonism were male. The patients with atypical parkinsonism had symmetrical rigidity and bradykinesia, and no levodopa peak-dose dyskinesias. Patients with PSP differed from those with atypical parkinsonism because they had supranuclear vertical down-gaze palsy, severe gait and balance problems, and frontal-lobe syndrome. 29 patients with PSP reported regular consumption of pawpaw fruit, and 26 drank herbal tea. 30 patients with atypical parkinsonism reported regular consumption of pawpaw fruit, and 24 drank herbal tea. Both of these groups consumed significantly more fruit and herbal tea than patients with Parkinson's disease (fruit: odds ratio 236; herbal tea: 282); and controls (fruit: 207; herbal tea: 648). Interpretation Our study confirms the over-representation of atypical parkinsonism and PSP in patients with parkinsonism in the French West Indies. Chronic exposure to neurotoxic alkaloids could be an important aetiological factor because these compounds induce parkinsonism in animals. A larger epidemiological study, to clarify the link between these fruits with atypical parkinsonism and PSP, is proposed. Lancet 1999; 354: 281-86 Subject: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htmlgen.exe?MENU_TF Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 13:26:20 +0100 From: Roy Hi Leo, I look forward to your newsletter, its alway a pleasure - even when it's bad news.... Thanks for the Annona/Asimina warning - very interesting but let's hope they put this to bed soon. It may very well be true but there's still a chance it isn't - after all it goes against the common sense of a fruit diet - what does a plant with such large seeds have to gain from damaging the large mammals that distribute them? I recall a scare about cooked persimmon (pies) from some researchers working in China about 10 years ago - as far as I can tell it came to nothing. I found another university fruit site via Green Growing Globe ( http://home.sol.no/~geirke/ggghome.htm ) it is the Florida U one: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htmlgen.exe?MENU_TF Here is the index: Subtropical/Tropical Fruit Crops The Atemoya The Avocado The Banana The Barbados Cherry The Carambola The Chinese Jujube The Coconut The Fig The Guava The Jaboticaba The Longan The Loquat The Lychee The Macadamia The Mamey Sapote The Mango The Papaya The Passionfruit Oriental Persimmon in Florida The Pineapple The Pomegranate The Sapodilla The Seagrape The Sugar Apple The Tahiti Lime Spondias in Florida Selected Eugenia Species Growing Fuit Crops in Containers Dooryard Fruit Varieties Diseases of Avocado in Florida Some Common Diseases of Mango in Florida Some Common Diseases of Papaya in Florida Some Common Diseases of T. Lime in Florida Disease Control in Citrus If you already have all these university sites please say..... if not maybe some web guru can suggest a way to collect them all in one search. Regards, Roy mailto:roy.dynan@bt.com -----Zingiber List mailto:zingiber@onelist.com (Bananas, Gingers)------ Subject: Nuclear Transfer Technology-Applications/Consequences for Plants Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 18:17:29 -0400 From: "JeffreyP" I wonder if the same nuclear transfer technology could be used in plants? It appears that dolly has aged more rapidly perhaps because her dna came from an adult animal. Could it be possible that an adult fruiting plant could be used in the same manner to create a seed with a very short juvenile period? Just a thought... on another note, i've updated the photo section and created a thumbnail gallery if you care to take a look.. http://www.the-banana.com/photo.htm Jeffrey@the-banana.com mailto:jeffrey@mail1.nai.net Subject:Re: Nuclear Transfer Technology-Applications/Consequences for Plants Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 08:57:02 -0500 From: mike underwood It does not seem to work quite that way in plants. Remember a cutting or division is an exact clone just like dolly. Plants are often able to regenerate cut off parts like roots, while we can not regenerate arms. Our mature cells can not normally revert to "young" cells and reproduce different types of cells. For example, we can not take a liver cell and make it produce heart cells or anything but liver . But a plant can have tissue cells generate root cells. A large cutting that roots is mature already. Mike mailto:mike@avi-sci.com Subject:Re: Nuclear Transfer Technology-Applications/Consequences for Plants Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 06:52:03 -0500 From: Mike > On this same subject..I have thought about this Genetic engineering > before....wonder if super cold hardy plast have or will be developed. > ..just imagine,palm trees and banana trees hardy to -50 degrees.{:O) > > Thanks!! Mike Bernardoni mailto:mikeb@globaleyes.net ------------------NAFEX List mailto:nafex@cet.com ------------------ [Leo's Question: Can Frozen Pollen Be Utilized For Sub-Tropicals Subject: Pollen-Viability Related To Temperature Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 06:53:42 -0700 From: "dwalsh/wchase" Kevin, I'm really an apple person (amateur) so I don't know much about pears, but I'm also interested in pollination 'cos you can't have apples without pollination. Pollination is defined as the transfer of viable pollen from an anther to a receptive stigma of a compatible flower. The simple sentence defines a very complex event: VIABLE pollen, RECEPTIVE stigma, COMPATIBLE flower. Pollen can be frozen until you need to use it, but it has to be warmed up before it will be viable. The temperature for apples is 14C(57F) and for plums 10C (50F). According to a Firman Pollen Co flyer/handout: The apple blossom is receptive for 12 to 48 hours depending on the weather (the longer time is during cooler weather). Lots of pollen at the wrong time is as bad as no pollen at the right time. To tell when flowers are receptive, pick a just opened flower. Clustered in the center will be football-shaped pollen sacs. The anthers are smooth and yellow coloured (red for pears) when still holding their pollen. They shrivel and turn brown (green for pears) after they shed their pollen. When some but not all of the anthers have shed their pollen, the flower is most receptive. Under warm, dry conditions, the flowers are usually most receptive as soon as they open. Under cool, moist conditions flowers may not be receptive until a day or two after they have opened (end of Firman info) Now the pollen grain has a life span and if that life span was two hours (just a guess), sometime in the period the pollen grain sat on the pistil, the temp must reach 57F and the temp must be reached within the life span of the pollen grain. Firman brochure says 55F for pears. The pollen is not killed by freezing temperatures, but neither is it viable at freezing (or below 57F) temps for apples. I don't know for how long an apple pollen grain is viable, maybe somebody out there does know. Firman (above) tells you when the apple flower is receptive, and 'a compatible flower' (paragraph 2) just means apple pollen for apples, pear pollen for pears. To add to the equation, there are some apples and pears that have sterile pollen. Then there must be pollinators (usually insects or a paintbrush in the hand of a human). See my web page for the Blue Orchard bee as a pollinator of apple blossoms. Add in the (lousy) weather ... no pollinating insects and perhaps no viable pollen and/or no receptive flowers, and it is only with a great deal of luck that we in the PNW get any fruit!! Other miscellaneous titbits: In nice warm weather, around 65F or more for several days during bloom, there should be a minimum of 20 bees per tree per minute for maximum pollination. ((Whatcom Country Master Gardeners handout) A flower needs to be visited by a bee 68 times to produce fruit with a high number of seeds. (Whatcom County MG handout) In my orchard I have pollenizers (crabapples). Crabapples are good pollenizers because they produce a lot of pollen over a long period of time and the bees seem to like crabapple pollen (I think crabapple pollen has more protein or more of something that bees like). There are early pollenizers (Dolgo, Manchurian crab) and mid season pollenizers (John Downie, Snowdrift) and I now have a late one (Prairie Fire). My John Downie is listed as blooming for 25 days. I've recorded 14-21 days of bloom. Dolgo gives me about 16 days of bloom. Ed Fackler warned me to watch out with late blooming crabapples because if we have a late bloom and our late crabapple comes even later, it is vulnerable to fire blight (conditions for fire blight: late bloom, warm temps, rain simultaneously). If I am hand-pollinating, I like to do it between noon and 2 pm because that is usually the warmest time of the day at bloom time and by noon, the flowers have dried off from the morning dew. Sorry to be so verbose, but I really would like lots of comments and feedback on the above pollination info. Cheers, Derry "dwalsh/wchase" You said: : : I've tried to hand pollinate several times without much success. : Are you saying that the temperature at the time that I remove the : pollen from the. . stamens? . . . has to be above said temp? And/or : has to be that temp. when transfering to the . . . pistil?. . . of : the other plant? That seems : weird because I thought that pollen could be refrigerated and that : would bepretty much what would happening between the time I hand : pollinate in theearly morning and the time that it gets above 50 : degrees later in themorning. There would only be an hour or so : between the time it leavesrefrigerator temperature (41 degrees) : and the time it reaches 50 degrees later in the morning. : I don't get it. : Kevin Bradley mailto:edforest55@hotmail.com ------Discussion list for New Crops mailto:NEWCROPS@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU ------ Subject: Neem and Re: Neem Date: Sun, 8 Aug 1999 07:42:25 +0000 From: "Robert H. Faust" Organization: Faust Bio-Agricultural Services Inc. Neem is found in sub-tropical areas like S. India only it can not take frost. The tree of Paradise/ Melia azadaract is found farther north and looks similar and has similar insecticidal effects. Robert H. Faust mailto:drfist@ilhawaii.net Karen Shelton wrote: > Does anyone have a good picture of a Neem tree? I have seen good > picture of the leaves from the search engines but not the tree > itself. Also read that it has naturalized in the Southeast, does > that include my area? ( Mid TN on the west edge of the Cumberland > Plateau, Manchester is where May Prairie is.) > > Karen Shelton ------From rarefruit list - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com ------- Subject: Which Feijoa Tastes Best? Date: Sat, 07 Aug 1999 18:50:50 +1000 From: I Wilson Can the New Zealanders (or anyone else) let us know which Feijoa varieties are the best. I can't say I have tasted any that would make me rush back for more. Also, I have been told that both Black Sapote and Feijoa are only viable when grafted (my trees are not). I will post an update on my very Macadamias when all the data is in. Regards Ian Subject:Re: Which Feijoa Tastes Best? Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1999 20:13:33 +1200 From: "J D Prince" I don't think there is much difference in taste. I suppose some people don't like them much, and I even know a few poor people like that! But generally they are pretty well widely regarded as acceptable. I discussed this with Rosemary, and her comment was that she didn't think that people could tell cultivars apart if they were blindfolded. Don't eat the skin, or the flesh just immediately under it, don't eat them hard and underripe, and don't eat them brown-fleshed and overripe. So, if you haven't done those things, and you still don't like them, then just put it down to individual likes and dislikes with respect to taste and texture of food. John Prince & Rosemary Steele mailto:Nestlebrae.Exotics@xtra.co.nz http://www.helensville.co.nz/nestlebrae.htm Nestlebrae Exotics, 219 South Head Road, Parkhurst, Subject: Feijoas Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1999 08:13:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Eunice Messner Wow! What a difference of opinions. My two cents worth: Pineapple guavas (feijoas) probably have a better flavor in temperate zones. They were at one time my favorite fruit. There are thick skinned and then there are thin skinned ones that allow you to eat them skin and all. There is definitely a difference in the taste of some. I have a seedling from Nazemetz that is excellent. Also have seedlings from a large sized New Zealand imported fruit (Mammoth?). Most feijoas are self-fruitful. Superba is not. They make a small, manageable tree if pruned. I like the multiple trunk shape best. They are one of the few fruit trees that will tolerate some shade (remember they like it cool). They are ornamental, evergreen and have pretty edible flowers. Considered difficult to graft but they are fairly true from seed. There are years when the interior is brown and inedible (also when overripe). For saving seed, let the fruit sit around for a week or two and then plant the seed. So, what is my favorite fruit now? Peaches and mangos! But then... there are apples, bananas, pepino dulce, apricots, melons... or whatever is in season. Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com Anaheim Hills, S. CA. --------ARS News List: mailto:ars-news@ars-grin.gov ---------- Subject: Breeder Readies Russian Honey Bees for American Hives Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 10:06:11 -0400 From: "ARS News Service" To: "ARS News List" ----------- ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Marcia Wood, (510) 559-6070, mwood@asrr.arsusda.gov August 5, 1999 ----------- Hardy Russian honey bees that resist attack by devastating varroa mites will begin showing up in American beehives within a year, thanks to scientists in Louisiana with the Agricultural Research Service, USDA's chief research wing. The Russian bees' genetic resistance will provide beekeepers with a tool--in addition to chemical pesticides--to control the mites. Varroa mites--eight-legged parasites--are among the worst enemies of honey bees worldwide. In the U.S., the mites have attacked bees in almost every state. Though only about one- sixteenth-inch in size, they can destroy a hive of tens of thousands of bees in as little as 6 months. The mites have also eliminated most of North America's wild honey bees. Under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement signed this week by ARS and Bernard's Apiaries, Inc., Breaux Bridge, La., bee breeder Steven J. Bernard is authorized to raise hundreds of Russian honey bee queens this fall and winter. The bees will be available for sale to U.S. beekeepers early next year. The beekeepers will use the queens to produce more queens for populating hives with mite-resistant offspring. These offspring will be fathered by male bees, known as drones, from the American hives. Compared to domestic honey bees, the Russian bees are more than twice as resistant to attack by varroa mites, according to tests by geneticist Thomas E. Rinderer and colleagues at ARS' Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge, La. The domestic honey bee and the Russian honey bee are the same species, Apis mellifera. But the Russian bees have had to develop resistance to survive in their homeland, the mite-infested Primorsky region of far eastern Russia. Rinderer studied the bees there, then imported them under a federal permit. He said it is likely that wild--as well as domesticated--honey bees in the U.S. will eventually have Russian honey bee parentage. Besides producing honey, honey bees pollinate dozens of crops, from apples to zucchini, worth $8 to $10 billion. An article in the August issue of the agency's monthly magazine, Agricultural Research, tells more. View it on the World Wide Web at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/aug99/bees0899.htm >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - August 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - September 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9909A.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. I hope you will check out the webpage with photos to exchange and where back issues of RFNO will be stored, at least recent issues. You need only this password to log in: rare http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit --Notes In Passing #1 Anyone Check RareFruit Photo/File Exchange Website? You can come here to view and exchange photos and files You need this password to log in: rare http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit It's my new trial Visto Rare Fruit Photo/File Website. Here's where I am publishing fruit photos and files. I plan to have back issues of RFN for at least all of this year. You may upload a file or photo, preferably here, or send it to leom@rarefruit.com. Send me your comments and suggestions. Discussion: You will go to this site, http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit find the Username rarefruit) already filled in, and you enter "rare" for password (without quotation marks) This takes you to a page with a very long URL in one long line (I've divided it into two lines) (You won't need to remember it): http://www41.visto.com//home@.html?sid15629/214208085&owner=rarefruit&partnervisto&uid717508 Title: RareFruit Photo/File On the left is a brief message from me: Welcome! Rare Fruit News File/Photo Sharing Website for RFNO. Here is where I will be sharing files, photos and possibly back issues of Rare Fruit News Online Newsletter. Send me fruit photos or files to share. On the right is file information: Files View my files Send me a file to add to the site At the lower part is calendar and other information, which I hope you will ignore. Now, I'm always suspicious of something that sounds too good to be true, as this Visto site does. It wouldn't surprise me if charges arise in the future. But, in the meantime, let's try it out! Leo -----Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents)---- --New Subscribers New Subscriber, Florida, Wants To Know About Dwarf Tropical Fruit Trees John D. New Subscriber, Florida Donna Raymer New Subscriber, California, Wants Cherimoya Culture Information Louise Oller New Subscriber, Florida: Look At His Plant List! Wants Mangosteen Info Warren Condon New Subscribers, Hawaii; Also Interested In Recipies Bill Green and Linda Brown New Subscriber, CA: Poor Drainage - How To Compensate? Linda Goodwin New Subscriber, New Delhi, India sandhya Subscribe RFNO (Try Again) W.N. Veer --Readers Write Re:passionfruit- Rare Fruit News Online - August 15, 1999 Aaron Gilbert Feijoa taste Gail Newcomb Mite Resistance and the San Diego Honeybee Buckner, Geoff Re: Your Visto site Leo To: Santol Wim's Riddle At http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit Wim N. Veer --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Southern African New Crop Research Association (SANCRA) http://www.uovs.ac.za/lib/agric/sancra/page3.html http://www.uovs.ac.za/lib/agric/sancra/default.asp SANCRA web-site W.J.SWART X2383 ECHO http://www.echonet.org/ Recommended by Raymond Gerlach --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) mailto:zingiber@onelist.com Monthan Banana - Excellent Fruit Quality Leo Manuel To: zingiber@onelist.com Re: Monthan Banana (Maybe It's African Rhino Horn? Jeff Picazio Re: Monthan Banana (Maybe It's African Rhino Horn? Leo Manuel To: jeff picazio Subject: Obtuse Abbreviations: REI and spp and ... Richard Re: Obtuse Abbreviations: REI and spp and ... Jody Haynes --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List Re: Neem PeterHarrison To:KarenShelton --From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com Re: Feijoa (Varietal Performance By Weight) I Wilson Re: Re: Feijoa W C Letter of Introduction Monroe, William --ARS News List: mailto:ars-news@ars-grin.gov Natural Controls for Plant Fungi Sarah Tarshis, ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Florida, Wants To Know About Dwarf Tropical Fruit Trees Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 20:18:47 -0700 From: John D. I am John D (Last name withheld on request), in Ft Lauderdale, Florida Now growing: Tangelo, Grapefruit, Fig, and Banana (also a papaya but it died) Want to grow: Mango, Papaya, Dates, lemon, and any other "exotic" and tropical fruits that sound delicious (as my small space allows) Are there tropical fruit trees that are dwarf size and where to buy them. John D. mailto:bolo17@hotmail.com Subject: New Subscriber, Florida Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 07:08:33 -0700 From: Donna Raymer I am Donna Raymer in Bradenton, Florida Currently I inherited some citrus when I bought the house in November, also a banana (unknown variety) Papaya (unknown variety). Purchased Ranghpor Lime, Pomello. I will also be purchasing two mangos, and a carambolla (have a small yard) Sorry I missed the one for the 15th, look forward to receiving the first one. Donna mailto:Rita166400@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber, California, Wants Cherimoya Culture Information Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 05:12:18 -0700 From: Louise Oller Hi, I am Louise Oller, in Los Angeles, California. I am growing Cherimoya now, and am looking for information on the care of these trees. Thank you, Louise mailto:LNiday@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber, Florida: Look At His Plant List! Wants Mangosteen Info Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 04:51:17 PDT From: Warren Condon Hello, I am Warren P. Condon, from Miami, Florida Fruit trees now growing : mango, avocado, jakfruit, passionfruit, pomegranate, fig, akee, sugar-apple, star-apple, sugar cane, papaya, guava, banana/plantain, mulberry, alupag, mangosteen, abiu, mamey, canistel, ross sapote, lychee (and most likely a few others that I have forgotten at the moment) Fruit trees I want to grow: longan, cherichuela, others I wouldn't mind some back issues, or supplements dealing with some of the more "uncommon" fruits, i.e. mangosteen, alupag, etc. Has anyone successfully grown mangosteen to fruit? if so, what suggestions do they have as far as conditions provided for success? Thanks, Warren mailto:wpc728@hotmail.com Subject: New Subscribers, Hawaii; Also Interested In Recipies Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 13:55:36 -0700 From: Bill Green and Linda Brown Hi, We are Bill Green and Linda Brown in Keaau, (Near Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii) Hawaii. Fruit trees we are growing: Mango, Bananas (5 kinds), Cherimoya, Santol, Rose Apple, Mountain Apple, Pond Apple, Atemoya, Capulin Cherry, Longan, Passion Fruit (2 kinds), White Sapote, Black Sapote, Green Sapote, Mammey Sapote, Chico Sapote, Lychee, Papayas (3 kinds), JackFruit, Durian, Star Fruit, Citrus, Japanese Persimmon, Avocados, Eggfruit, Pommelos, Japotacaba (2 kinds), Abu, and a few others. I make preserves from exotic (rare) fruit. I am writing a cook book about exotic fruit jams and preserves. I would like recipes if there are any available. I am also willing to share mine. Aloha, Linda Brown mailto:SrfnBill@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber, CA: Poor Drainage - How To Compensate? Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 02:47:12 EDT From: Linda Goodwin Hi, I am Linda Goodwin, San Diego, CA, near San Diego State University. Fruit/nut trees I am either growing or want to grow:Cherimoya, Jackfruit, Macadamia, several Tropical Guavas, Sapotes, Tropical Cherry, Sorbus, Soncoya, Biriba, Kei Apple The trees are currently growing in pots and I need advice on how to plant in the ground. I have plenty of land, but clay and poor drainage. I'd like more information on the sucess of growing these types of trees in San Diego by San Diego State University. A question: Cherimoya - soil condition is required? Thank you, Linda P.S. Any jobs related to this type of hobby? Linda mailto:tgoo101707@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber, New Delhi, India Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 16:07:54 +0530 From: sandhya Hi, I am Dr Sandhya Gupta in New Delhi, INDIA Fruit trees I now have growing - kiwifruit, apple, pomegranate Kindly send me the list of rare fruit crops. Dr. Gupta mailto:sandhya@nbpgr.delhi.nic.in Subject: Subscribe RFNO (Try Again) Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 21:32:50 -0700 From: Wim N Veer Hi Leo, A little delay in answering, I could not enter the net for some time. Your questions: 1. name is Wim Veer, 56 years old, geography teacher, born in Holland, but live in Suriname since 1968. 2. I live close to Paramaribo, the capital, and have a yard of 4 acres, which keeps me very busy. I will try to attach my plant list. We have a very humid and hot tropical climate, so best suited are the ultra tropicals. The problem is to get the plants, no nurseries to speak of, so I started everything from seeds. Which means years of waiting, not knowing what to get, very large trees. Nowadays I have to use the ax a lot. 3. From my list you see what has flowered, so that means a little experience. 4. what I am most interested in are varieties of TROPICAL litchis and longans. I have some 'normal' ones, they grow and grow, but never flower or fruit. Also I heard that there exists a very big rambutan, and would like to know where to find it. Here's the plantlist: * = fruited SUIKERTUINTJE Aleurites moluccana -kemiri * Anacardium occident. -cashew * Anona cherimoya * Anona squamosa -custard apple, kasjoema * Artocarpus communis -broodboom * Artocarpus heteroph. -jackfruit, nangka * Artocarpus integer -chempedak Artocarpus odoratissimus-marang Averrhoa carambola -birambi (fransman) * Averrhoa bilimbi -birambie * Azadirachta indica -neem * Barringtonia Bixa orellana -koesoewe * Blighia sapida -akee * Bouea gandaria -gandaria, maprang Calocarpum sapota -mammie zapote * Cananga odorata -kenanga * Cinnamon zeylanicum -kaneel * Citrus aurantifolia -lemmetje * Citrus grandis -pompelmoes * Citrus medica -sucade * Citrus reticulata -mandarijn, rode en gele king * Citrus paradisa -grapefruit * Citrus sinensis -sinaasappel * Coffea liberica -koffie * Chrysophyllum cainito -sterappel * Clausena lansium -wampee Cynometra cauliflora -namnam * Diosppyros digyna -black sapote Durio zibethinus -durian Dypterix alata -baru Euphoria longan -long an Eribotrya japonica -loquat, nespoli * Flacourtia jangomas -babykers * Garcinia dulci -moendoe * Garcinia mangostana -mangistan * Genipa americana -marmeladebox Gulielma gasipaes -peachpalm Inga laurina -switi boontje * Lecythis elliptica -kwatta patoe * Litchi chinensis -litchi Lansium domesticum -doekoe * Malpighia punicifolia -w.i. kers * Manilkara zapota -sapodilla * Myristica fragrans -nootmuskaat * Macadamia ternifolia -macadamia Nephelium lappaceum -rambutan * Pimenta dioica -all spice Persea americana -advocaat * Quassia amara -kwasi bita * Rollinia mucos -biriba * Salaca edulis -salak * Sandoricum koetjape -santol Sterculia foetida -java olive Spondias cytherea -pomme de cithere * Stelechocarpus burahol -kepel * Synsepalum dulcificum -miracle fruit * Syzygium malaccense -pommerak * Syzygium samaragense -cur. apple * Theobroma cacao -cacao * Thyrsostachys siamensis Zizyphus jujuba -indian jujube, ber, olijf * Wim Veer, PO Box 2010, Paramaribo, Suriname mailto:veerwn@sr.net -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Re:passionfruit- Rare Fruit News Online - August 15, 1999 Date: Sat, 21 Aug 1999 09:07:53 +0000 From: gilbert To: Terry Terry - Hello I just got around to reading the last issue of rare fruit online and saw a response to your question, although i missed the original question. in regards to getting fruit from edulis, it can produce quite a few fruit. I get at least 15 fruits off a mature plant each year in the san francisco bay area. I find that you need to hand pollinate to get a good crop. To do this you need to take a small brush and take the pollen from the stamen and rub it on the stigma. When the pollen is ripe the head of the stamen opens up revealing the pollen. You could even use your finger if you have a "light touch" and do not damage the flower. I find that passion flowers can be difficult to fruit if the conditions are not suited to them. It seems that it can be too cold where i live, and often too dry. The mollissima (banana passion flower) fruits and flowers like crazy, while i have had no luck with lingularis, it will not flower at all. I see caerulea fruiting around town. Actinia and vitifolia both grow and flower profusely and yet i have never gotten a single fruit of either of them, even with hand pollination. Good luck getting that fruit, Aaron Gilbert mailto:agilbert@wenet.net Subject: Feijoa taste Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 14:47:59 +1200 From: Gail Newcomb I was interested to hear John and Rosie's comments on Feijoa. I didn't like them much at all - feijoa that is, not J & R, until someone made us a delicious set of jam, jelly & conserve, that changed my mind. Couldn't decide which way we like best. Surprised at the tangy flavour and similar to Cape Gooseberry but so much easier to do. There were a lot of trials and new cultivars a while back but I don't see many of the names around now. Choisiana, Suberba, David, Gracie, Roundjon, Triumph, Unique, Mammoth, Robert, Apollo, Gemini, Marion, Opal Star, Kakapo, Pounamu, Wiki Tu. Some of these are for sale in Nurseries and some have PVR. It seems some folks just sow seed and hopefully get a bigger? better? one. Have to keep the dream going. Most of the ones sold commercially are selected for packaging etc and not taste.When the DSIR took over the trials where quality on shelf was more important than flavour the citeria that some early Tree Croppers were working on changed and not for the better according to an early trialist. I asked her which one she preferred to which she replied 'Mine'! Maybe I'll get a cutting from her. Since we have just aquired Apollo and Unique I will do a taste test - with a blindfold on when we get fruit. Then again there's that lovely fizzy wine.... It changed my mind about feijoas too. Gail Newcomb mailto:treecrops@nzero.co.nz Newsletter Editor, Bay of Plenty Branch Technical Editor, http://www.nzero.co.nz/treecrop/ Subject: Mite Resistance and the San Diego Honeybee Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 09:13:13 -0700 From: "Buckner, Geoff" Leo, Interesting article on Russian honeybees. Quite possibly, I have observed an increase in mite resistance by local bees here in San Diego in the last two years. Four years ago, I bought a starter hive of Three Banded Italian Honeybees for my Point Loma backyard. This was at a time when the native bee population in my neighborhood appeared to be decimated, most likely, by both Varroa and Tracheal mites. My bees thrived beyond my wildest expectations. Due to the lack of competition and the abundance of local nectar, I collected more than 100 lbs. of honey/yr. and was constantly battling very high reproduction rates which led to the bees wanting to swarm. By the end of the second year I had split the initial weak hive into four very strong hives. I never medicated my hives and never had a mite problem. Unfortunately, I had to give up my hives last year. But, the reason I am writing this is to note that in my neighborhood the native honeybee population has appeared to return to approximately it's historic levels. This observation is not based on a scientific study, just the fact that I now see a lot of bees. I have assumed that this is, at least in part, due to an increased mite resistance in the local bee population. Geoff Buckner mailto:gbuckner@brwncald.com Subject: Re: Your Visto site Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 05:56:15 -0700 From: Leo To: Santol Hi, I'm not sure I can duplicate your problem. When I open that webpage, http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit I am presented with a couple of dialog boxes: Username - rarefruit (already filled in) Password - rare (I have to supply that one.) This immediately takes me to a page, with a very long URL: http://www19.visto.com//home@.html?sid=10644/190489308&owner=rarefruit&partner=visto&uid=717508 That is titled "RareFruit Photo/File" and on the upper right-hand side, under "Files" are two choices: "View My Files," and "Send Me A File." At no time this morning was I required to register, but it's quite possible that Visto remembers my previous registration with 'Cookies.' Please try again and let me know if you are not successful. It may not be worth the effort.... Thanks for writing. Leo Santol wrote: Hello Leo, I just tried to find your site. When I got to Visto, I registered as a new member. That's what you have to do to get in at all. Ok, I did that. Once I got in, it was great at asking me to create groups for myself. What I can't figure out is how to find YOURs. Tell me (and probably everybody else) exactly what to do, step-by-step, to find whatever you created there. Bruce mailto:santol@gate.net Subject: Wim's Riddle At http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 06:00:31 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Hi Leo, I filled in dutifully your questionaire and sent it back. (Wim's fascinating collection is below.)Then started waiting for my first on-line news. As a fruit grower I am used to waiting, but in this case I think something went wrong as I never received anything. But I'd like to be a part of your on-line group. As a riddle I have an attachment for you, do you know this fruit? I just wrote some lines on it for the TFN magazine. Greetings, Wim mailto:veerwn@sr.net [Leo's Note: See Wim's photo as first one on RareFruit Photo Webpage] ---------------Announcements And/Or Web Pages To Consider--------------- Subject: Southern African New Crop Research Association (SANCRA) Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 06:04:28 -0700 http://www.uovs.ac.za/lib/agric/sancra/page3.html http://www.uovs.ac.za/lib/agric/sancra/default.asp S A N C R A N E W S Official Newsletter Of The Southern African New Crop Research Assn Subject: SANCRA web-site From: "W.J.SWART X2383" Reply-To: Discussion list for New Crops Colleagues, My apologies if you have experienced difficulty in accessing the SANCRA web-site. The correct URL is : http://www.uovs.ac.za/lib/agric/sancra/default.asp Prof. Wijnand J. Swart mailto:wjs@LANDBOU.UOVS.AC.ZA New Crop Pathology Programme (NCPP) Dept of Plant Pathology Univ. of the Orange Free State P.O.Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300 South Afric Subject: ECHO http://www.echonet.org/ Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 10:14:27 -0700 Recommended by Raymond Gerlach Leo's Note: Here's part of the information at the webpage: ECHOEducational Concerns for Hunger Organization is a non-profit, Christian organization dedicated to the fight against world hunger. ECHO's Internet resources are designed not only to tell you about our organization, but also to access our resources and services for small farm tropical agriculture from around the globe. Our most popular publications are on-line here for quick access at any time. [Image] Our Mission Our primary mandate is to strengthen the ministries of missionaries and national churches as they assist small farmers or urban gardeners in the third world. We gladly offer assistance to others doing similar work, such as Peace Corps volunteers and development workers. Resources for our friends and neighbors in North America "ECHO's Global Bookstore" specializes in Florida and tropical gardening books. You can order right now from our online bookstore, download a catalog, or visit our store. Gardeners throughout N. America will want to check out our seed catalog of unusual garden vegetables for sale. Teachers will want to read our science fair suggestions. Teachers in Ft. Myers will want to know about our school and summer camp tours. Those who live or vacation in South West Florida will want to know about our free farm tours, a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. Our Edible Landscape Nursery retails rare tropical fruits, herbs, and perennial vegetables to beautify your yard and table. Workshops on landscaping with edibles and herbs, spices, and herb crafts are held in our gardens. Our Canadian friends will want to know about ECHO Canada, a sister organization founded for and by Canadians who value ECHO programs. Resources for those working in Agriculture Development A seed bank of tropical food, fuel, and soil-improving plants. Study/internship opportunities for those working in development. Annual Ag Missions Conferences with delegates from around the globe. Publications: ECHO Development Notes about tropical agriculture techniques and plants; our book, Amaranth to Zai Holes containing 15 years of ideas for agriculture development; technical notes on topics ranging from beehives in the tropics to organic neem pest control. Hard-to-find books about tropical agriculture, development, health, appropriate technology, and more for sale online. Links to websites with useful information. Contact Information Telephone: 941-543-3246 Fax: 941-543-5317 Postal address: 17391 Durrance Rd., N. Ft. Myers, FL 33917 USA E-mail: echo@echonet.org ----Zingiber List (Banana, Ginger, etc.) mailto:zingiber@onelist.com----- Subject: Monthan Banana - Excellent Fruit Quality Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 06:22:54 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: zingiber@onelist.com I hadn't heard of the name 'Monthan' banana until a friend gave me a pup. It bloomed late last summer and the very large bunch sized up relatively quickly, but took a long time to become ripe. The bunch was so heavy that the 'trunk' began to break, so I followed advice from this group to stake it with bamboo poles. Friends estimated the weight to be close to 100 pounds. Height was approximately 12 feet. Fruit began to ripen in July, and I'm still cutting them as they are ready. Length of individual fruit is about 7+ inches, and the diameter 1.5 inches. Weight of each is between 9 and 10 oz. (Two exceeds a pound.) The fruit crowded each other around each hand. There was never any hard places or discoloration of the peeled fruit, and the texture was smooth. There was more 'rag' than would have been ideal, but it was easy to remove. I've fruited eight or ten varieties of bananas, and when you consider that 'Monthan' ripened over the winter, you realize that this is a great banana for San Diego or southern Florida. Leo, in San Diego Subject: Monthan Banana Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 07:33:43 PDT From: "Jeff Picazio" Leo, Are you sure it's not the African Rhino Horn variety ? Jeff mailto:jpicazio@hotmail.com / www.the-banana.com Subject: Re: monthan banana Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 16:23:53 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: jeff picazio Jeff, I have no way of knowing whether it's the African Rhino Horn. Where can I find pictures to check? Leo Subject: Obtuse Abbreviations: REI and spp Date: 26 Aug 1999 12:51:35 -0000 From: Richard I often see the abbreviation REI on chemical products - what does this mean? Many botanical names end in spp - what does that stand for. Trying to learn it all Thanks Richard mailto:knee@gate.net Subject: Re: Obtuse Abbreviations: REI and spp Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 09:25:01 -0400 From: Jody Haynes REI means Re-Entry Interval--the time you are supposed (required) to wait before you go back into an area that has been sprayed with a pesticide. And spp means "species", so Zingiber spp. refers to the many species of Zingiber, not just one. The ending sp. means undescribed species, and ssp. means subspecies. Hope this helps. Jody Haynes mailto:webmaster@plantapalm.com Corresponding Secretary South Florida Chapter, International Palm Society & Corresponding Secretary, Editor & Webmaster Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida (PACSOF) Virtual Palm Encyclopedia, Virtual Cycad Encyclopedia (http://www.plantapalm.com) ------------------NAFEX List mailto:nafex@cet.com------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- Subject: Re: Neem Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 16:05:49 +0930 From: Peter G Harrison To:Karen Shelton I would doubt that it has naturalised in the S.E. USA, as the most common areas for endemic populations extends through Indonesia, Thailand and Burma, India as well as much of tropical west Africa, and the tropical areas of the caribbean eg Costa rica, Guatemala, Belize, etc. There are significant plantings in north Australia. Taxonomy a bit tricky and the non medicinal white cedar [Melia azederach] has a very different leave morphology to true neem. It also tends to be more common in subtropical areas. I have several trees outside my office, and could supply photos I guess of trees from several countries. Many of the true neem trees have fissured bark,especially as they get older and larger, but some from Thailand do not seem to be as noticeable in this character. There are several large volumes on at least 3 or 4 international conferences on neem published, plus a somewhat dated but useful National Academy of Science book. Also try search engines using "neem". Peter G Harrison - PG Harrison & Associates Agricultural and Environmental Consultants PO Box 736 Nightcliff 0814 Australia ph 61 8 8948 1894 fax 61 8 8948 3894 mailto:nature@EDGE.NET -----Original Message----- From: Karen Shelton Date: Sunday, 8 August 1999 23:08 Subject: Neem Karen Shelton said: Does anyone have a good picture of a Neem tree? I have seen good picture of the leaves from the search engines but not the tree itself. Also read that it has naturalized in the Southeast, does that include my area? ( Mid TN on the west edge of the Cumberland Plateau, Manchester is where May Prairie is.) Karen Shelton mailto:nature@EDGE.NET --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- Subject: Re:feijoa Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 20:02:34 +1000 From: I Wilson Bob Where were the Feijoas - latitude/longitude/altitude? The only reason that I know for them not bearing (within reason) is being seedlings. I have some data that may shed some light on the temperature thing- a recent trial near Sydney NSW Fruit Weight (gms) Site Inland 1000m altitude Coast 30m altitude Variety Superbia 40g 61g Robert 41g 61g Rond Jon 50g 57g Nazametz 56g 64G Mammoth 55g 75g Trask 47g 70g Harvest May April Pests None Fruit fly Problems Fruit frosted Fruit sunburnt Mammoth and Trask were the only ones regarded as having a 'good' flavour Regards Ian mailto:newgrange1@primus.com.au ----------original message------------ From: Robert Chambers Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1999 09:03:11 -0700 Subject: Re: Feijoa Bob Chambers said: I used to have a half acre of feijoas of six varieties selected by Paul Thomson. At my location, however, in four years I did not even get a bloom, and then a fire came along (courtesy of Camp Pendleton next door) and killed them all. The principal varieties were Nazemetz and Trask. My conclusion on the lack of bloom was that it was too warm for those varieties. I finally located people who told me that they do require some chilling to bear fruit, something I did not see much in publications. I gather however, that this varies a lot with the variety. I can remember Dick Wright trying to propagate these by cuttings. These two just would not work, but others did. As far as the taste goes, my wife and I think they are one of the best fruits for taste -- to me far better than regular guavas -- almost comparable to pears -- better than kiwis. There are a lot of feijoa bushes grown as ornamentals around here (nice silvery leaves), and we have sampled some of those when we see the opportunity. We find they range from delicious to kind of weak tasting. The basic taste is always about the same though. Kids here typically cut them in two lengthwise and scrape the pulp off by running the top front teeth down the half fruit. The skin is quite flexible. Bob Chambers mailto:robertchambers@sprintmail.com Subject: Re: Re: feijoa Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 05:00:15 PDT From: W C I recently took a class in Subtropical Fruits at Broward Community College (Professor Bruce Livingston) and was informed that the reason feijoas don't set fruit in South Florida is that they require at least 30 grains of pollen per flower. I would be interested in hearing if anyone attempts this pollination and their results. Also I would be interested in obtaining a Feijoa if anyone cares to trade... Warren mailto:wpc728@hotmail.com Subject: Letter of Introduction Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 07:45:26 -0400 From: Monroe, William Greetings All, My name is Bill Monroe, and I'm the 1999 president of the Brevard Rare Fruit Council based in Brevard County, Florida. If your wondering where Brevard county is located just think of the Space Shuttle launching. I invite you to visit our web site at http://www.brevardrarefruit.org. We are always looking for speakers, and invite them to bring any products they wish to sell. Currently, we are at 165 members, so you have a built in market for your products. We will cover your room, dinner, and there is a 100 dollar honorarium. In addition, the club will purchase any remaining products (within limits) at the end of the meeting. Please visit our online newsletter, which can be viewed via Adobe Acrobats free viewer (Download link supplied). If you are a vendor, or fruit enthusiast growing unique cultivars I welcome the opportunity to discuss any business dealings. We have several members in search of different papayas, lychees, longans, carambolas, and mangos. I will ensure that your name and any information you deem releasable is included in our newsletter. Best Regards, Bill Monroe mailto:wlmonroe@hotmail.com --------ARS News List: mailto:ars-news@ars-grin.gov------ Subject: Natural Controls for Plant Fungi Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 10:27:46 -0400 From: "ARS News Service" To: "ARS News List" Sarah Tarshis, New R&D Agreement Aims at Natural Controls for Plant Fungi Zosteric acid, a natural product made by a common seagrass, may lead to a nontoxic way to protect strawberries and other crops from fungal diseases. Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service--USDA's chief scientific arm--are exploring the acid as an environmentally safe alternative to chemical fungicides. Zosteric acid is found in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) that grows in many saltwater bays and harbors. Under a new Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, ARS and PhycoGen, Inc., Portland, Me., will evaluate zosteric acid against fungi that cause fruit and crown rot of strawberries. Fungal pathogens rely on spores to infect a plant or fruit, but spores must first attach to a leaf or fruit surface and then germinate to cause infection. Unlike chemical fungicides, zosteric acid doesn't kill fungi; rather, it may act as a shield, preventing spores from attaching. This mode of action would be environmentally safe and would sidestep the risk of fungi developing chemical resistance. David Wedge of ARS' Natural Products Utilization Research Lab in Oxford, Miss., will conduct laboratory studies with strawberries and blueberries, and Barbara Smith with ARS in Poplarville, Miss., will also conduct greenhouse studies. Kenneth Curry of the University of Southern Mississippi will work with the ARS team to examine zosteric acid's antifungal features. Randall Alberte of PhycoGen will conduct lab studies on strawberries. Most research to develop fungicides is done by industry and focuses on major crops. But the ARS research will benefit small farmers who often grow so-called "minor crops." While grown on relatively few acres, minor crops are worth about $31 billion annually to U.S. growers and are economically vital to many rural communities and family farms. PhycoGen, which manufactures zosteric acid, will also cooperate with ARS to develop a product to protect stored seeds from fungi. The company is also exploring the acid as a marine antifouling agent for boat hulls and other applications. ---------- Scientific contact: David Wedge, ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, National Center for Natural Product Research, University, MS 38677, phone (601) 232-1137, fax (601) 232-1035, dwedge@olemiss.edu. ---------- This item is one of the news releases and story leads that ARS Information distributes on weekdays to fax and e-mail subscribers. You can also get the latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. * Feedback and questions to ARS News Service via e-mail: isnv@ars-grin.gov. * ARS Information Staff, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128, (301) 504- 1617, fax 504-1648. mailto:isst@ars-grin.gov >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - September 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online, September 15, 1999 aka RFN9909B.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. I hope you will check out the webpage with photos to exchange and where back issues of RFNO, and easily (?) accessed. http://www.visto.com/club_alert.html?club/visto/groups/oldrfn.rarefruit --Notes In Passing #1 Unexpected problems with my computer have kept me busy for about a week. It's very likely that I have lost messages that you sent. I apologize, and hope you will send them again. The problem turned out to be with a particular type of file in the Mail folder, in Netscape. If I had only known, I could have removed all of that type, as they don't seem to have any particular use, and are regenerated by Netscape if they are removed. Also, I've volunteered to work in the Bucklew mango, getting water to historic trees that Captain Bucklew planted much earlier in this century. I had the good fortune to meet him, soon after I moved to San Diego (in 1962). He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, and when I met him he was probably close to, if not already 100 years of age. Gladys Baird works on part of his estate, and it was through her that I got involved. #2 I took graftwood from some of Captain Bucklew's mangoes, and several have begun to grow. Unfortunately, I am not sure of the identity of some of them, but I expect to find out, when the Captain's granddaughter, Barbara Weber, gets some health matters resolved. I placed some in mid-July, and a few in mid-August. Of course, more of the former were successful than the latter. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, TX, Growing Citrus, Wants To Grow Black Sapote Craig S. McKnight" or --Readers Write Re: Grapefruit-Dangerous cocktails Clement Re: Check out the RareFruit Visto Guest Website Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Re: Champaca - Familiar With It? Sven Merten Planting sub-tropical plants Bob Holzinger To: Linda Identity Revealed Of Mystery Photograph: kepel or Stelechocarpus burahol "W.N. Veer" --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Visto Guest Website & Disclaimer http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit Password: rare Leo Manuel The Solar Cooking Archive http://www.accessone.com/~sbcn/index.htm Leo Manuel What happened today in your Visto Group: OldRFN http://www.visto.com/club_alert.html?club/visto/groups/oldrfn.rarefruit Leo Manuel Drip Store Product Index - Excellent Help For Designing Drip System http://www.dripirrigation.com Leo Manuel Bananas Described in Stokes Tropicals Page Leo Manuel Aloha Tropicals: Musa Banana (Fruiting) http://alohatropicals.com/musaf.html Leo Manuel BANANAS FOR SALE - J.D. Anderson - Brief Descriptions http://www.pe.net/~maxson/jdaban.htm Leo Manuel Bananas from CA Trop Fruit Tree Nsy http://www.tropicalfruittrees.com/b.htm Leo Manuel --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List [nafex] Macadamia Trees Indoors - Possible? Lon J. Rombough --From NEWCROPS List None, this time --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com> [rarefruit] Re: Guava "Yee Pak Leong" [rarefruit] Re: Guava "Martin Berghuis" [rarefruit] Re: Guava "Yee Pak Leong" [rarefruit] banana site http://www.stokestropicals.com Couth11@aol.com ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, TX, Growing Citrus, Wants To Grow Black Sapote Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 18:04:00 -0500 From: "Craig S. McKnight" or Sir, Please subscribe me to your newsletter. I am Craig McKnight, in Angleton (Near the Gulf of Mexico), Texas Fruit trees I am now growing: Citrus Those I want to grow: Black Sapote Any information you have on the Black Sapote, temperatures it can withstand, how long until it bears fruit, does it need to be grafted if I plant seeds, and where I can buy by mailorder, Craig (One of: mailto:cmcknigh@brazosport.cc.tx.us or mailto:cmcnigh@brazosport.cc.tx.us [Leo's Note: Both addresses were used. Probably only one is valid.] -----------------Readers Write------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 21:54:50 +0800 From: Clement Subject: Re: Grapefruit-Dangerous cocktails Hi Leo, I came across an article in The Sunday Times 22/8/99 published in West Australia about the danger of grapefruit that can pose a potentially serious health risk that might interest your reader. Below are some of the extract : Grapefruit juice can react dangerously with some medication for hay fever, high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia and arthritis. Just one glass can boost the concentration of this drugs by 600 per cent for more than 24 hours and increase with each glass. Below are the guide contains some of the drug affected by grapefruit. However, patients with medication concerns are strongly urged to consult their doctor. Alprazolam- used to treat anxiety. Felodipine- a blood pressure medication. Enthinylestradiol- a female hormone replacement . Cisapride-for gastric reflux. Astemizole- an antihistamine for allergies such as hay fever. Cyclosporin- to prevent organ transplant rejection and treat severe rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Triazolam- for treating anxiety. Atorvastatin- for lowering cholesterol. Nifedipine- for high blood pressure. Cheers Clement mailto:cdteng@starwon.com.au From: Alohatherapy@webtv.net (Oscar Jaitt) Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 14:00:12 -1000 (HST) Subject: Re: Check out this RareFruit Visto Guest Website! I like this idea of a photo file and backissues of RFNO. Glad you did it. Here are some suggestions for improvement: 1)put the dates of the back issues on the click button, 2)make the backissues more readable--right now it's one big runon, 3) have a search capacity to use as an index. I am working on a homepage myself. I would like it to be a master link center for tropical fruits. When I have more of it up I'll send you the site address. Fruitfully yours, Oscar Jaitt mailto:Alohatherapy@webtv.net Date: Wed, 01 Sep 1999 08:25:29 -0700 From: Sven Merten Subject: Re: Champaca - Familiar With It? Leo, Last time I bought the mycorrhizal from Orange County Farm Supply. Before that I got it at one of the CRFG meetings from Power Organics. Any farm supply type store should have it. The potting soil I usually mix up is 2 parts Kellog Growmulch, 2 parts potting soil (whatever brand of ripped bags I have), 1.5 parts soil builder (redwood shavings), and 0.75 parts soil from the yard (loose clay, 5 gallon bucket per wheel barrel). I added the soil builder originally on someone's recommendation that it is a good source for a slow release of nitrogen. I found out later that this is exactly the opposite, it withdraws nitrogen from the soil as it brakes down. The benefit is that it lowers the pH. I started adding the soil from the yard when I realized the pots were drying out too quickly. This helps hold the water and slows the drainage to allow good saturation. I think this may also be a good source of mycorrhizal for plants that haven't been inoculated already. What do you use? I think outside, it is probably snails or slugs that are eating your pitaya. I think the rats only went after them because there wasn't anything else to eat in the garage. I put out poison last week and I found a dead rat in the yard this morning, so hopefully our troubles are over. I was thinking that on the property, for snails, I will try putting a ring of that copper tape (Home Depot) around the base of each plant. Not touching the plant, but an inch or two out from the stem and sink it into the dirt a little. Snail bait would also work. We were talking to Paul Thomson at the Festival of Fruit and he said 50% shade cloth was too much. They grow, but won't flower. 30% is what they use in Israel, but I'm sure they have more intense light there. Dr. Nerd suggested less than 30%, 20 or 10 maybe. I think a lot of people grow them in full sun. This is fine as long as they don't get bleached or burnt. Take care. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net PS Would it be difficult to get a copy of all the back issues of the Rare Fruit News. I would like to put them all in one file so that I can search them easily. If you have a zip drive I could bring you a disk if that is easier than through email. My first issue was 5-1-98. Thanks. Leo Manuel wrote: Hi, Sven Quang said: Champaca aka Michelia alba takes 3-5 months to root and since we have more warm months ahead, it's worth a try. Where do you get your mycorrhizal? I've done quite a few airlayers, mostly successfully, and have some I could cut anytime, on my longan. I noticed something had been eating the pitaya and it was probably mice or rats, as I have a lot around. How do you keep them away, when they're planted outside? I'd like to get mine in the ground. Several have good roots, and should grow, if I knew more about where to put them. Hope to see you sometime soon. Leo Sven Merten wrote: Hi Leo, They do air layer champaca. I don't know when to set up the air layers specifically on champaca. Usually in the spring I think. What I did last time was to fill zip lock bag with moist peat moss and then slice them open when I had a branch ready and sprinkle it with rooting hormone and mycorrhizal (this was a tip from Bob Cannon). I then used duct tape to secure it tightly to the branch, and covered them with foil. Of course I don't know if this worked since someone took them before I could find out, but it was relatively easy to set them up this way. On lychee, branches in full sun root better than shaded branches. I hope things are growing well for you. Have you had any more growth on the pitaya? I had lots growing in my garage and I found out the hard way that rats or mice like to eat the fresh growth. I think I've gotten rid of the rats, so hopefully we will still get some more growth before it cools off. Sven From: Holzinger, Bob To: Linda Subject: Planting sub-tropical plants Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 14:37:52 -0700 Hello Linda, You are in luck. For information on sub-tropical fruit trees in pots and how to plant them in the ground, one of the most knowledgeable people in San Diego County is close to you. He is Tom Del Hotel and he works at the Lemon Grove Home Depot store. Just go in and talk to him about your concerns and he will have all the answers. Happy growing, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com From: "W.N. Veer" Subject: Identity Revealed; Mystery Photo: kepel or Stelechocarpus burahol Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1999 20:43:09 -0700 Hi Leo, The picture I sent you recently was a photograph of the kepel, Stelechocarpus burahol. This is a very rare small tree from Indonesia. I came upon it in an old dutch plant book, which wrote that "on the island of Java only the sultan was allowed to grow it, and that the fruit was20 reserved for the royal princess as it made their puddle smell like violets". Of course after reading this I had to obtain this20 tree to see what those princesses were enjoying. Some years searching, and then some years waiting, and then finally the first fruits. As you see, very strange, only at the bottom of the20 tree, directly from the trunk, grew some strange uninviting brown fruits. I saw flowers on some branches but they all fell of without result. At a certain moment the fruits fell off and I tasted what the princesses had to eat. Not worth much, I think. Inside you find a lot of big seeds, sometimes 6 - 8, surrounded by a little brown- orange colored pulp. The pulp has a nice flavor but is not enough for all the trouble. As about the violet smell, I did not notice any change in odor. But then, maybe it only works with princesses. Wim mailto:veerwn@sr.net ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 11:57:30 -0700 Subject: Visto Guest Website & Disclaimer http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit Password: rare Click on this link http://www.visto.com/guest/rarefruit to see Visto Guest Website. This site is of minor use to us so far. However, the group, OldRFN, http://www.visto.com/club_alert.html?club/visto/groups/oldrfn.rarefruit is very useful, so long as it works properly. That's where the back issues of Rare Fruit News Online are located. Don't feel bad if you sometimes have trouble negotiating the site. So do I, but I think it may work out. Let me know of problems, and I'll report them. Leo Manuel Date: Wed, 08 Sep 1999 08:16:36 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: The Solar Cooking Archive http://www.accessone.com/~sbcn/index.htm You may not find the idea of harnessing the sun for cooking to be of interest, but here is a webpage devoted to that, just in case.... Leo Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 02:56:29 -0700 (added by postmaster@isocor6.visto.com) Subject: What happened today in your Visto Group: OldRFN http://www.visto.com/club_alert.html?club/visto/groups/oldrfn.rarefruit NEW MEMBERS: Member fruitnut (Harry Pasvantis) joined. [Leo's Note: I can't see any advantage to becoming a member. Is it required by the site?] NEW PHOTOS: (I think maybe they got lost.) Photo (Leo And Betty, June, 1998) posted by rarefruit. Photo (Various Fruit, Blk/White) posted by rarefruit. Date: Sun, 05 Sep 1999 16:23:10 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Drip Store Product Index - Excellent Help For Designing Drip System http://www.dripirrigation.com Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 05:53:06 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: List Of Bananas Described in Stokes Tropicals Page http://www.stokestropicals.com Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 05:55:06 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Aloha Tropicals: Musa Banana (Fruiting) http://alohatropicals.com/musaf.html This site has good descriptions and pictures of bananas. Leo Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 06:05:56 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: BANANAS FOR SALE - J.D. Anderson - Brief Descriptions http://www.pe.net/~maxson/jdaban.htm Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 06:10:18 -0700 From: Leo Manuel Subject: Bananas from CA Trop Fruit Tree Nsy http://www.tropicalfruittrees.com/b.htm ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ Subject: [nafex] Macadamia Trees Indoors - Possible? Date: Thu, 09 Sep 1999 20:43:56 -0700 From: "Lon J. Rombough" Here's one for your newsletter From: bmn To: nafex@onelist.com Subject: [nafex] macadamia growing? Can anyone shed any light on the possibility of growing Macadamia indoors in a pot in a small apartment? My brother is fanatical about them and I'm thinking of giving one as a gift. If not, does anyone know of a focus group for them? -- Please remove "faux." from my reply-to address above in order to send a reply. I'll try anything to try and foil the junk email mutants. bmn mailto:bmn@iglou.com -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- None this time --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- From: "Yee Pak Leong" Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 07:22:46 PDT Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Guava The guava you mentioned sounds like those planted extensively as a commercial crop in Malaysia. There are a few varieties that suits your description. The fruits are picked 80 to 90 percent ripe when they are still crunchy. One of the best eating quality is Glom Sali, a variety introduced from Thailand. Quote from a book 'Guava in Malaysia by Lim Tong Kwee and Khoo Khay chong',a description on Glom Sali: "The fruits are globose, rough-siknned, light green when frum ripe, and large, 8 - 10 cm diameter, and 200 - 400 g in weight, but can reach one kg under good orchard management. The flesh is thick, 20 - 23 mm, white, crunchy, sweet, and has a pleasant flavour with a distinctive pleasant aroma". This variety however is susceptible to anthracnose, a fungus disease that causes the fruits to rot on the tree. In Bidor, a small town in West coast of Malaysia, there are also at least 4 commercial varieties available which are seedless. They are natural mutations from the seedy varieties, and one of them was introduced from Bangkok, Thailand, the other three are local mutations. The size of the fruits are similar to those seedy varieties. Yee Pack Leong mailto:leongyeepak@hotmail.com From: Leeve3311@aol.com Subject: [rarefruit] Guava Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 15:37:44 EDT Hi This my first time to contact this group. But I do have a question. A couple of months ago, I was in San Antonio in an oriental grocery store, and purchased the largest guava I have ever seen, it was green, and the size of a soft-ball. When it ripened, I saved the seeds. But I was wondering if anyone knows anylthing about this variety? I lived 35 years in Hawaii (Diamond Head and Kaneohe) and am very familiar with the common guava and the two varieties of strawberry guava (made wonderful jam out of the red strawberry guavas off my tree). Let me hear from you guavaites Lee Van Epps McAllen, Texas From: "Martin Berghuis" Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 09:17:28 -0700 Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Guava Dear Yee Pak Leong, I wonder if you can tell me something about Djambu Susu(Psidium guajava) and the variety with the pink flowers, sold here in California under the name of Maroon Java. I have both of them, but it is a struggle in this colder climate in the winter. I was born on Java and love tropical fruit. What is the best time of the year to visit Malaysia to taste all those wonderful fruits? Is it true that you can get really sick from eating too much mangosteen? I heard that the symptoms are the same as from a heart attack. Thanks, Martin Berghuis mailto:martinb@lightspeed.net Exeter, CA From: "Yee Pak Leong" Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 07:57:23 PDT Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Guava Dear Martin, Djambu Susu sounds more like a Indonesian name. "Jambu" in Malay Language in Malaysia means 'guava' and 'susu' means 'milk'. Perhaps it is a local name given to an Indonesian variety. 'Psidium guajava' is the bontanical name of guava. About the pink flower variety, let me quote you from the book "Guava in Malaysia': Thai Maroon. This cultivar is reported to have been introduced from Thailand. It is a more slender and less bushy, medium-sized tree than other introduced cultivars. It is characterised by large, elliptical to oblong, greenish-maroon leaves with simple, entire margins. The young shoots are maroon in colour. The flowers are showy and attractive as they are pink to pale maroon in colour, and occur in clustes of two to three. The fruits are elongate, fairly large, smooth-skinned, and deep maroon in colour. The flesh is maroon, thick and more acid than sweet. It is not a pleasant dessert fruit. It is grown more for its novelty and ornamental curiosity." Many fruits in Malaysia are seasonal. Example: durian, mangosteen, rambutan, cempedak, langsat etc. I would guess that durian will start to drop in November until December. Durian in Malaysia drops by itself when ripe on the tree, whereas in Thailand, durian fruits are plucked from the trees. However if one is not used to the durian smell, one finds it very repulsive. But if one is used to the smell, the smell of the durian is often irresistable. The other seasonal fruits should also be around the same time. Guava is non-seasonal. I have not heard about the heart-attack symtom produced by eating too much mangosteen. I think too much of anything is bad, however. Yee Pak Leong From: Couth11@aol.com Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 22:34:35 EDT Subject: [rarefruit] banana site http://www.stokestropicals.com Bill, Here is a pretty good banana description site that I found on the net. Dan mailto:Couth11@aol.com >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - September 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - October 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9910A.txt If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. To see back issues of the newsletter, visit the online group, "OldRFN" OldRFN is at http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX --Notes In Passing Delayed Newsletter The delay of the newsletter was to enable me to keep an appointment I had made with aging relatives in Oklahoma City. I planned the trip to share very old family photos with them, and it took far longer to get them all (400+) scanned and edited. I had no idea that it would take as long as it did. I apologize for the delay in the newsletter, and thank you for your letters of concern. Also, while I was sending the note letting you know that there would be a delay, the server kept disconnecting me, so that some of you got multiple copies. I had no way to know who had already received it, so I kept sending the notice again. I hope that it doesn't happen while sending this newsletter. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, England-to-Spain(!) Norah Biggs New Subscriber, El Centro, CA, Needs Suggestions For Desert arlynd New Subscriber, CA, Mostly Container Trees.... Fred Nagahori New Subscriber, FL, Growing Mango, Java Plum, Coconut.... A.Zapota@usa.net (Asit Ghosh) --Readers Write Michelia (Correction Of Earlier Comment) George F. Emerich To: Leo Aussie-to-Aussie Contact Adrian Colley Tropical fruit & Cairns Staples, Ian" Further thoughts on my microclimate (Cherries In S. Calif) Skip To: Leo JACKFRUIT (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.,) Jingtair Siriphanich" --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Subtropical Fruit News http://www.west.net/~lsrose/sub/sub198/some.htm Alphabetical Listing of Trees and Palms http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/8964/listing.html Jackfruit Germplasm Catalogue http://www.soton.ac.uk/~icuc/jcgerm/jc-top.htm ICUC - Fruits and Nuts http://www.soton.ac.uk/~icuc/frunut.htm --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) Bob Batson Re: Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) Dan Hemenway --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Re: Mangosteens Darius Wilkins Re: Mangosteens Roger and Shirley Meyer Blossoms of Jackfruit Leo Manuel Re: Blossoms of Jackfruit Dan Duprey Re: Blossoms of Jackfruit Bob Cannon Re: Blossoms of Jackfruit Dan Duprey to Roger and Shirley Meyer ---Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov Hawaiian Bananas Can Target New Markets ARS News List Specialist Bee Gets an "A" for Pollinating ARS News List New Uses for Milkweed - Pesticide, Nematicide.... ARS News List Codling Moth Project Succeeds in Northwest ARS News List ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, England-to-Spain(!) Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 23:05:23 +0100 From: "Norah Biggs" Dear Leo, I'd very much like to receive Rare Fruit News Online - what a relief to at last find some potential sources of information on growing warm climate fruits!(not easy in England). I'm moving to a remote part of Spain and hopefully later the tropics, but my mother will receive it for me and pass it on somehow! So here's the information you requested: Name: Amanda Biggs City: for now, nr Estepona State: Andalucia Country: Spain - but looking to move to tropics, probably Belize. Tobago or Brazil or some combination! Fruit trees I am growing: Up until now, as I've been living in England, nothing that counts as "rare" except a couple of feijoas - which are coming to Spain where they at least stand a chance of fruiting. Everything else has been temperate climate stuff - apples, pears, plums, cherries, berries etc. Fruit trees I want to grow: The widest variety possible! Both in Spain and Belize/Tobago/Brazil (as I've done in England), I want to create a "forest garden" ie mimic a natural forest with fruit trees & shrubs, climbers, perennials etc as well as native trees. The aim is to get as many fruits as possible growing all year round in a sustainable way. Other comments/ questions to be answered: For the different areas I hope to be growing in - ie Andalucia, SW Spain, 500m, more rain than the rest of Spain but still not much; Para region, Brazil, lowland equatorial, wet & dry seasons; Belize, hopefully Cayo district, 400m+, high rainfall; or maybe Tobago island, again 400m+ and fairly high rainfall - I am looking to find the widest variety of fruits, cultivars etc to get the most variety of fruits all year round. I'm gradually finding general info on cultivars of major fruits but it would be really helpful if anyone has specific recommendations on any fruits/varieties etc, particularly from experience of growing them in similar conditions to any of those I've mentioned (please state which one!). Any contacts in these areas would be helpful. Another question, though not completely fruit-related... for any readers in or with knowledge of Brazil, is any possible souurces of help or funding for the creation of a private reserve (which is to include a large fruit forest) - this is what I've been trying to help the (Brazilian) owner of a 2,500 acre ex-farm to do - but he really needs more help or preferably someone reputable like an environmental charity to take on responsibility/ ownership of the land, with him keeping access. He's really struggling and I do feel the whole project may well collapse soon if he doesn't get some help or advice or support or something. That's all I can think of for now! Hope it's not too vague. Norah Biggs mailto:nfb@nbiggs.freeserve.co.uk Subject: New Subscriber, El Centro, CA, Needs Suggestions For Desert Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 14:40:50 -0700 From: arlynd Hi, I am Arlyn R. Duval El Centro, Calif Lived in Turlock, Ca. (Central Valley) for years, and was then member of RFG in Sacramento. Moved to desert 2 yrs ago, have house now, and alkaline soil Trees currently: NOTHING rare. Basic citrus. Wish to change this situation. Questions for others: 1. Experience with low-chill peaches in desert? Any other fruits? 2. Source of appropriate plants? Bearing in mind my willingness to "Stretch" the environment. 3. Anyone growing avocados in desert? Which one? 4. How about papaya? Cherimoya? PS. Thanks for all the info - looks real good. Hate to spend time on simple ornamentals here when its possible to coax exotic fruit into being. Regards, Arlyn mailto:arlynd@concentric.net Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Mostly Container Trees.... Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 19:03:48 -0700 (PDT) From: Fred Nagahori Hi Leo, Sorry I took so long to answer your letter. Sometimes I have trouble getting hooked up to the net. I'm Fred N.Nagahori. I live in Westminster, Ca. My e-mail address is fnagahori@yahoo.com I'm mostly a container gardener. I have one citrus in the ground. It's a dancy tangerine. I have Moro Blood orange, Oroblanco grapefruit, Midknight valencia and a Hassaku (Japanesse grapefruit) grafted to it. I also have in the ground drawf Cavindish banana and a Surinam Cherry. In containers: Apples, avocados, babaco, citrus, cherimoya, carambola, jaboticaba, persimmonn figs, acerola cherry, holly leaf cherry, capulin cherry, coffee. I have more but I can't name them all with out going into my backyard and take inventory. I don't have any questions right now but I will write down any questions as they pop up and ask you. Do you want a list of all the tress I have? Fred Nagahori mailto:fnagahori@yahoo.com Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Growing Mango, Java Plum, Coconut.... Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:05:23 -0400 Reply To: A.Zapota@usa.net (Asit Ghosh) I am Asit K. Ghosh, Merritt Island (55 miles east of Orlando, FL), Florida - 32953, and the e-mail address to contact me is A.Zapota@usa.net I am now growing Mango, Guava, Java Plum, Sapodilla, Longan, Tamarind, Moringa Oleifera, Sugar Apple, Coconut, Sugar Cane, Meyer's Lemon Asit K. Ghosh mailto:A.Zapota@usa.net -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Michelia Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 11:52:23 -0700 From: "George F. Emerich" To: Leo Leo: I think you misspoke in you note to Sven Merton. Champaca and alba are separate species of Michelia. Alba bears white flowers and the flowers of champaca are yellow to orange. Alba is rarer and is generally considered more desirable. Sorry about that. (apparently in cultural requirements they are almost identical) George F. Emerich mailto:gemerich@tfb.com Subject: Aussie-to-Aussie Contact Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 09:33:19+0800 From: "Adrian Colley" Hi, I just saw your message and realized there's lot of Australians who share my passion for fruit growing. I would love to correspond on some of the issues that concern me: Has anyone had any luck grafting guavas? Propagating named Feijoas from cuttings? Let me know. Adrian Colley mailto:gino@highway1.com.au Subject: Trop fruit & Cairns Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 17:18:17 +1000 From: "Staples, Ian" To: raymondkathy.bayer@worldnet.att.net G'day mate(s?) [ That "raymondkathy" sounds like a pair. :) ] There's a bloke up at Cape Tribulation who I've seen posting to sci.agriculture.fruit from time to time, but I can't recall his name or address (he's got a web page too IIRC). You might find him by searching for "Cape Tribulation" (but I didn't have much luck just now 8-). You might also like to check out the Qld Dept of Primary Industries web pages, especially the Qld Horticulture Institute page http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/qhi/Welcome.html - though I won't guarantee there's anything of use there yet. It might be more useful to go directly to "agrilink" http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/agrilink/Welcome.html but, again, I don't know what you'll find there that's freely available -- I suspect a lot of it is "for sale". If you get to Cairns, check out the folk at South Johnstone Research Station (near Innisfail, about 60 or 70 miles south of Cairns to SJRS). This is now the centre for horticultural R&D on the wet tropical coast. The DPI Centre for Tropical Agriculture here at Mareeba (up on the tableland more or less due west of Cairns, and about 42 miles by road via Kuranda) has quite a good info centre where you can browse a lot of stuff. They have handouts on the sorts of fruit that have been or are being tried on the tableland in an attempt to diversify the agriculture here as the traditional tobacco industry in the irrigation area around Mareeba declines. (Mind you, most of the MDIA seems to be going under sugar cane now!) Cheers, Ian Staples mailto:StapleI@prose.dpi.qld.gov.au> Subject: Further thoughts on my microclimate (Cherries In S. Calif) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 16:56:15 -0700 From: Skip To: Leo Leo, One final thought on my Stella cherry's success in our part of the world. I now believe I have the full story as to its success, at least a hypothesis. I don't believe the required chill factor for the Stella is as low as we might suppose from my success. As we have discussed previously, the tree is in the coldest part of our property, in the depths of the ravine, because the heavy cold air flows downward into the ravine and is held captive there for long periods of time during the colder months. Importantly, and not mentioned before by me, is another observation of a specific environmental condition essential to maintaining the proper number of chill hours. You might remember the 100+ foot eucalyptus trees bordering the fruit grove, which while letting in ample sunlight during the warmer half of the year when the sun is nearly vertical, keeps the trees in complete shade during the months when the sun is low on the horizon. This means the fruit trees on this north-facing property is kept in shade for several months. This in turn prevents the daytime air/soil/trees from heating up during these months, which would have canceled out many of the accumulated chill hours. If effect, this maximizes my chill hours. This, I believe, is my answer to the success of the Stella cherry in Rancho Santa Fe. Thanks for all your work for us fruit growers. ...Skip Skip mailto:lifedoc@sciti.com Subject: JACKFRUIT (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.,) Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 06:34:14 -0700 From: From: "Jingtair Siriphanich" JACKFRUIT (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.,) Botany Known in Thailand as khanun, jackfruit distributes all over South and South East Asia, between the 25 degree latitude. Its origin is believed to be in Western Ghats of India. It has been introduced to many part of the world, but never gain wide acceptance, except in Brazil and Surinam. This is due to its peculiar fruit odor, which is said to resemble decayed onion, when fully ripe and unopened. The pulp itself smells of pineapple and banana. The jackfruit tree has a beautiful cone shape structure, evergreen, of up to 20m high. The leaves are large, simple, alternate, glossy, and somewhat leathery. All part of jackfruit contain white latex. Being monoecious plant, the tiny male flowers are born in oblong cluster, about 10 cm in length and 2-3 cm in width. It has yellow pollen, and emits sweet scent to attract insects. Female flowers are similar to the male but are slightly bigger, hairy due to the protruding stigma, and emerge only from the trunk or large branches. Its peduncle is also larger. After pollination, the flowers develops and fused into one large aggregate fruit, which can weight from a few kg to 50 kg, becoming the biggest of all tree fruit. The rind is green or yellow when ripe and composed of numerous small pyramid or spines. Inside the fruit, it contains 100 or more individual yellow fruits, known as bulb, massed among narrow and usually white ribbons, which are the infertile flowers. The edible bulbs weigh about 25-40 % of the fruit weight. Each individual bulb contain one large oblong seed of about 1.5 by 3 cm, which can also be consumed cooked. Flowering begins in July and last until October, while the fruit is ready to be harvested in January and last until May. There are numerous cultivars of jackfruit in Thailand. However, it is quite difficult to tell one cultivar from the others. There are two type of jackfruit, the soft and thin bulb unpopular and the firm and thick bulb popular one. ' Among the firm type three cultivars are recognized by the Department of Agriculture Extension. These are Thong-sudjai, Fa-talom, and Jampa-krop. It can also be divided in two groups according to the pulp color, whether it is yellow or orange. Economic significance : There are over 26,000 ha of jackfruit plantation in India and over 4,500 ha in Sri Lanka. The Philippines has about 13,000 ha, producing about 67,500 ton of jackfruit annually. In Sri Lanka, however, it is grown mainly for timber. Jackwood is yellow to dark-red in color, making beautiful furniture. It is termite proof, not as strong as teak, but is considered superior to teak for furniture making and construction. The bark and wood are rich in yellow dye which is used for dying silk and the yellow robes of Buddhist monks. In Thailand. jackfruit is grown for fruit, which may be consumed fresh for the ripe ones or consumed cooked for the young immature ones. The production area is over 32,000 ha and distributed to all part of Thailand. Annual production is estimated at 56 millions fruits. The two most producing provinces are Chonburi and Nakorn Ratchasima. Export of jackfruit is very limit but the pulp can be processed into frozen, dehydrated or canned, which are then exported or used for making other products. Good jackfruit growers can earn up to 1,000 dollars per hectar per year. In China the pulp and seed is used to overcome the effect of alcohol. In South East Asia, the leaf is used for healing wound. The prospect of jackfruit in international trade is not so bright due to unpredictable yield, both in quantity and time. Its odor and large size fruit are also the limiting factors. Horticultural practices : Propagation of jackfruit can be done easily with seed, but it must be done soon after removing the seed from the fruit. This is because the seed lost its viability with in one month. Vegetative propagation is only practiced in Thailand. Most seedling are used for budding or marching with good scions. It must also be planted less than 1 year old. At present, jackfruit can be propagated by tissue culture from the shoot tip as well as the lateral buds, by using Gibberellic acid and benzyi aminopurine to induce shoot and indolebutyric acid to induced root growth., Jackfruit trees are not tolerate to water logging but can stand drought quite well. Rainfall of 1,500 mm, however, is needed to ensure high yield. Planting space should be set not less than 8 m apart to ensure high yield, when it become fully grown. Fertilizer is normally applied twice a year. First during the vegetative growth with 15-15-15, and second during the fruit development with 1 3-1 3-21 about 2 kg per tree depending on the size of the tree. Most important insect found in jackfruit is the stem borer which bore into the trunk or branches of the tree causing death to the shoot and branches. To control this insect it is recommend to examine the plant regularly. If found, apply insecticide into the tunnel and seal with clay. Mealy bug is another annoying insect but is not difficult to controls, by spraying with malathion and petroleum oil regularly according to the insecticide manufacturer recommendation. Fruit fly can attack the fruit when it start to ripe. Fruit fly trap should be used, or the fruit can be wrapped with paper bag. Jackfruit is quite free from disease. The only importance disease is the anthracnose, which can be control by regular spray with benomyl or other fungicide in the same group. Bagging the fruit with paper bag is becoming more importance. t can protect the fruit from insects and other damage cause by external factor, such as wind. The bagged fruits also attain better color. Postharvest technology : Jackfruit takes about 5-6 month to developed from flowering to maturity. The easiest way to tell whether the fruit is ready to be harvest is by noticing the leave on the fruit stem. Once this leave turn yellow it is the time to make the harvesting. The other means are by looking at the skin color which turns to yellow-green, the flattening spines and widening space between them, and the hollow sound produced when tapping the fruit. Once harvested, it is recommended to hammering down a wooden stick into the fruit at the base of the fruit stem, apparently to induce the fruit to produce ethylene. Ethylene will ensure a uniform ripening of the whole fruit. Modern ripening procedure for jackfruit has not yet been worked out. Normally jackfruits are cut open, the bulb removed and sold to the consumers by the retailers. Storage of the whole fruit is recommended at 11-13 C, where it can be kept for 3-6 weeks. The pulp itself can be stored at 5 C for up to 9 days if the seed is removed. If the seed remains intact, it can be stored for up to 12 days, but the color of the bulb turns pale readily. From : BioEconomic study on durian, jackfruit, mangosteen and sapodilla by Jingtair Siriphanich Department of Horticulture, Kasetsart University [Leo's Note: Cornucopia II, p. 154: "The young male inflorescences are eaten mixed with chilis, fish paste, sugar, salt, etc."] ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Subtropical Fruit News (Excerpts) From: Leo http://www.west.net/~lsrose/sub/sub198/some.htm Some Aspects of Pollination and Fertilization in Subtropical Fruit Species C. A. Schroeder Dept. of Biology University of Calif. L.A. Reuben Hofshi Del Rey A Fallbrook, CA Many factors are responsible for the ultimate yield in tree fruit crops. Cultural practices such as irrigation and mineral fertilization most certainly influence the ultimate crop load and potential fruit size. Trees have to be well nourished and watered to maximize production. Light is critical for flower initiation and development and the production of assimilates, therefore canopy manipulation to maximize light interception is of greatest importance. Crop loads can be managed to minimize alternate bearing by fruit removal at appropriate times and by judicial pruning. However, without flowers there would be no fruit formation hence this article considers some of the factors which influence the processes of pollination with particular emphasis on avocado pollination. With few exceptions, subtropical fruit crops reproduce sexually and depend on two interrelated processes: pollination and fertilization: Pollination: The arrival of one or more pollen grains onto the receptive stigma. Fertilization (sexual): The germination of the pollen on the stigma, growth of a pollen tube through the style and the union of the sperm and egg to form an embryo. Flowering and pollination are important aspects of fruit production in most subtropical fruit crops. Many fruits such as Washington Navel orange, Bearss lime, Thompson grapefruit, bananas and pineapples are seedless as the flowers are without viable pollen, hence pollination and seed formation are of little or no importance. Such fruits develop as the result of internal stimuli, a process termed parthenocarpy. The fruit set and yields in such crops, however, often can be influenced by control of moisture and mineral nutrition applications to the trees at appropriate times during the year. A very unique tropical fruit, the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), has no pollen producing flowers yet will develop fruits with viable seed. The seed with viable embryos develops without pollination from female tissue within the ovule as apomictic or asexual embryos. Still other fruits such as the Sultanina grape are initiated through the pollination process with subsequent embryo formation, but the embryo aborts at an early stage. The fruit continues to develop but is seedless upon reaching maturity. It is quite possible to induce fruit development in flowers in many species by application of various types of auxins and growth promoters at the appropriate time. Auxin induced fruits are seedless and sometimes quite acceptable for commercial production. Other hormone treated fruits as the Calimyrna fig develop attractive size but lack good quality. The cherimoya can be induced to set fruit by hormone sprays. These sprays need to be applied several times during fruit development, therefore, limiting its commercial feasibility. Avocado can be induced by hormonal sprays to develop seedless fruits, "cucs", but the resulting fruits are small and only have limited market appeal. Most fruit species produce perfect flowers with female (pistil) and male (anther) structures in the same flower. Dioecious species bear female flowers and male flowers but on different plants. A good example of this is the date palm. Combinations of perfect (flowers contain both male and female components) and unisex flowers occur in polygamous species such as kaki persimmon and carob. It is also possible to have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Examples of this type of flowering behavior (monoecious) are walnuts and pecans. Single seeded fruits such as avocado, mango and litchi generally produce flowers in very great abundance yet, few fruits are set and reach maturity even on mature trees. Avocado trees may have 1.5 million flowers but will set and mature only a few dozen to a few hundred fruits. Plant breeders, who have hand pollinated avocado flowers, will attest to the low returns from carefully hand pollinated flowers. The 9 stamens in the avocado flower produce hundreds of pollen grains, yet only one pollen grain is required to set a fruit. The single stamen of the mango flower produces 200 to 300 pollen grains, one of which can set a fruit. Similarly in wind pollinated species such as walnut and pistachio, the expenditure of energy in excessive production of flowers and pollen and the relatively small numbers of fruit resulting from such efforts has no reasonable biological explanation. Fruits of the kaki or oriental persimmon cultivars will set adequate to excessive crops of seedless fruit under California conditions without pollination. Most of the common and available kaki persimmon cultivars in California have only pistillate (female) flowers which produce the fruit. When specific pollen producing kaki cultivars are provided nearby, these persimmons can produce an abundance of kaki seed which are sought by nurserymen for use as rootstocks. Pollination of the kaki persimmon apparently is provided by the honey bee. Many Citrus cultivars benefit from self or cross pollination which is expedited in most instances by the honey bee. Self or close pollination is adequate for most Citrus cultivars but a few selections such as Clementine and Fairchild mandarins require specific cross pollination. Many species of Citrus exhibit polyembrony and produce 2 types of embryos in a given seed. The product of sexual fusion of the pollen gamete and the egg gives rise to the hybrid, sexual or gametic embryo. Upon formation of the gametic embryo there arises from the tissue surrounding the egg apparatus, one or often several apomictic embryos as a result of an internal stimulus associated with sexual fusion. These apomictic (nucellar or asexual) embryos are derived from the female tissue of the ovule hence provide the exact genetic composition of the female parent. While the seed contains a sexual embryo and possibly several other apomictic embryos derived only from female tissue, it is important to identify each of these. Frequently this can be done by growing each of the embryos of a seed as separate plants to a stage where mature leaf characteristics can identify the plant from the sexual embryo as it will often differ in leaf character from the other plants derived from the given seed. A more precise identification of the individual seedlings can be made by using molecular markers. The cherimoya is a fleshy fruit with many seeds. It is considered as a special type of fruit, a syncarpium, as the several pistils are fused together and united into a single mass along a central receptacle. The flower is somewhat inconspicuous and green in color but is large, sometimes two or more inches in length. The 3 fleshy petals surround a central mass of spirally arranged pistils with a ring of many anthers at the base. In common with the avocado, the cherimoya flower has both male and female phases within the same flower and exhibits a dichogamous behavior. The flower opens in the morning in the female phase by separating the petals at their tips to partially expose the glistening stigmas of the many receptive pistils. The female phase lasts all that day and the next day until sometime between 3 and 7 p.m. of the second day when the stigmas become dry. At this point their receptivity to pollen is reduced, but some receptivity may exist for a short period of time. Also at this point, the flowers switch to the male phase. The petals of the flower are now open wide and the anthers have begun to shed their pollen. Since the receptivity of the stigmas is absent or very low at the time pollen is shed, self pollination rarely occurs, but when it does self-pollinated fruit are often misshapen due to uneven distribution of pollen. Honey bees will collect cherimoya pollen from the exposed stamens in the afternoon, but cannot enter the unopened or slightly opened flowers in the female stage. Hence, bees are of no value as pollinators in cherimoya. Several species of beetles have been shown to expedite the pollen transfer in the cherimoyas native habitat. Because of the strong floral dichogamy in California, and the low numbers of appropriate beetles, growers can only be assured of adequate fruit set if hand pollination is practiced. It is best to collect pollen anthers in the late afternoon and apply it to flowers which are newly opened at that time with their petals slightly separated. Pollen can be held overnight to be applied by a small brush to flowers in the receptive stage the next morning, but there is less pollen capable of pollination and fertilization the following morning, so this method can be less successful. Hand pollination is an economically feasible practice to obtain high yields of excellent quality fruit in California and other areas where the cherimoya is grown. Hand pollination provides many advantages to the grower such as the positioning of the fruit on the tree which can enhance the ease of harvest and handling. Another advantage is the growers can control the time of fruit set, hence, the time of harvest which allows spreading the duration of the harvest season. Finally, one can control fruit quality particularly as fruit size can be modified by amount of pollen used to set the fruit. Some control of the nature of the surface texture (smoothness) can also be influenced by the choice of the pollen (male) parent. One of the oldest horticultural practices, pollination in the date palm, was known in biblical times as it is depicted on Assyrian bas-relief and as Theophrastus described it about 326 B.C. Date flowers are borne in great clusters as male flowers in spathes in the crown of one palm and as female flowers on other palms. While wind pollination and occasional visits by honey bees, other insects and perhaps some birds will result in a few fruits, it is necessary to transfer pollen by hand to obtain a satisfactory crop for human use. The grower collects several flower stalks of staminate (male) flowers which are shedding pollen and places these among the flower stalks of the receptive pistillate (female) inflorescences. If the pollen is mature before the pistillate flowers are receptive it can be stored at low temperature under a dried condition for many months, sometimes until the following flowering season. Specific pollens can enhance the fruit quality of certain date cultivars by causing the fruit to mature as much as 2 or 3 weeks earlier. Harvesting of early maturing date fruit can avoid damage from early season rains which can cause fruit damage. In nearly all fruit species, the general health of the plant especially the status of the mineral nutrition and the availability of adequate moisture throughout the year will influence the several sequential developmental steps in flowering, pollination and fruit set. The fruit buds of many species are differentiated and formed sometimes several months before the flower can be visually detected. Tree nutrition prior to bud appearance can affect the condition and development of the buds. After the buds develop into mature flowers the factors of specific pollination vectors become of importance. Among the several actual and possible pollinators the honey bee is perhaps of greatest importance for most tree crop plants in California. Subject: Alphabetical Listing of Trees and Palms (With Pictures) Date: Tue, 21 Sep1999 06:48:45 -0700 http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/8964/listing.html (As copied -a small part- from the web page.) Below are a bunch of links (some internal) to pictures of trees (mostly tropical and sub-tropical), including palms. Some smaller plants are also included. I tried to get good-quality pictures whenever possible, and the pictures are generally of the full tree (versus just a few leaves). I tried to get as many of the common trees (especially palms) in at least the sub-tropical areas as possible (and of course, I threw in some exceedingly rare trees too!). If you know of any good clear pictures on the web of trees that are missed below, send me an e-mail at bmaxwell@flash.net Here they are (This list will grow (maybe even as fast as some tropical trees), by the way)... Acacia albida (Winter Thorn)(B) Semi-Tropical Acalypha hispida (Chenille Plant) (UH) Tropical Acalypha wilkesiana (Copper Leaf) (B) Tropical Areca catechu (Betel Nut Palm) (TAM) Tropical Arenga pinnata (Sugar Palm) (TS) Tropical Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit) (UH) Very Tropical Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) (UH) Tropical Carica papaya (Papaya) (COR) Tropical Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum) (B) Semi-Tropical Carpentaria acuminata (Carpentaria Palm) (DA) Tropical Caryota cumingii (a Fishtail Palm) (DA) Semi-Tropical erbera sp. (Cerbera) (UH) Tropical Ceroxylon parvifrons (Andean Wax Palm) (PAP) Sub-Tropical (Mild Summer) Ceroxylon quindiuense (Andean/Colombian Wax Palm) (IPS) Sub-Tropical (Mild Summer) Ceroxylon ventricosum (Andean Wax Palm) (PC) Sub-Tropical (Mild Summer) Chamaedora tuerckheimi (Potato Chip Palm) (PW) Semi-Tropical Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean Fan Palm) (SWE) Sub-Tropical Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow, Desert Catalpa) (TAM) Warm Temperate Chitalpa tashkentensis (Chitalpa, also Catalpa x Chilopsis) (B) Warm Temperate Durio zibethinus (Durian) (TAM) Very Tropical Dypsis baronii (a Palm) (DA) Tropical Dypsis leptocheilos (Teddy Bear Palm) (IPS) Tropical Dypsis madagascariensis var. lucubensis (Single-Trunked Dypsis Palm) (DA) Tropical Erythrina caffra (Kaffirboom Coral Tree) (B) Semi-Tropical Eucalyptus coccifera (Mount Wellington Peppermint Gum) (HE) Mild Temperate (Winter and Summer) Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) (B) Tropical Ficus benjamina variegata (Variegated Weeping Fig) (B) Semi-Tropical Ficus dammaropsis (Dinner-Plate Fig) (B) Tropical Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant) (B) Semi-Tropical Close-Up Jubaea chilensis (Chilean Wine Palm) (B) Sub-Tropical Jubaeaopsis caffra (a Palm) (B) Semi-Tropical Kalanchoe beharensis (Felt Plant) (B) Semi-Tropical Kerriodoxa elegans (a Palm) (PW) Tropical Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) (B) Temperate--Can Grow in Some Tropical Areas Livistona decipiens (a Fan Palm) (DA) Semi-Tropical Livistona fulva (a Fan Palm) (DA) Semi-Tropical Livistona mariae (Interior Australian Fan Palm) (AB) Sub-Tropical Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) (OSU) Warm Temperate Mangifera indica (Mango) (COR) Tropical Tipuana tipu (Tipu Tree) (B) Semi-Tropical Tristania conferta (Brisbane Box) (B) Semi-Tropical Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan Palm/Chinese Fan-Palm) (PC) Sub-Tropical Trithrinax campestris (Campestre Palm) (PC) Sub-Tropical Washingtonia filifera (PW) Sub-Tropical Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) (PA) Sub-Tropical Wodyetia bifurcata (Foxtail Palm) (PC) Tropical Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (Grass Tree) (TAM) Sub-Tropical Yucca carnerosana (Yucca) (TAM) Dry Sub-Tropical Yucca rostrata (Yucca) (TAM) Dry Sub-Tropical The categories of "Very Tropical", "Tropical", "Semi-Tropical", "Sub-Tropical" and "Warm Temperate" are somewhat subjective, but go in that order from hot to cold. As a rough guideline, "Semi-Tropical" means a tree will do fine in coastal southern California, but not much further north. Tolerance to cold was the most important factor in determining the category, but need for heat and the origin of the plant were also factors. Listed below are where the pictures came from (listed by code). AB: Australian National Botanic Gardens B: These pictures were taken by Brandt in the San Diego area, unless a location was listed. COR: Cornell Horticulture DA: Daryl's Palm Page DC: Hardy Palm Trees and Ferns around DC FD: Floridata HE: Hardy Eucalpytus Page IPS: International Palm Society OSU: Oregon State University Horticulture- Landscape Plant Materials PA: Plantadviser PAP: Plantapalm (Virtual Palm Encyclopedia) PC: The Palm Centre PCA: Palm and Cycad Society of Australia PW: Palms of the World SDZ: San Diego Zoo SWE: Palms and Gardens in the south-west of Europe TAM: Texas A&M Bioinformatics TS: Tropicalseeds UH: University of Hawaii Botany Department's Manoa Campus Plants Subject: Jackfruit Germplasm Catalogue Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 07:03:10 -0700 From: Leo Manuel http://www.soton.ac.uk/~icuc/jcgerm/jc-top.htm Germplasm Catalogue of Jackfruit in Bangladesh Subject: ICUC - Fruits and Nuts Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 07:05:18-0700 From: Leo Manuel http://www.soton.ac.uk/~icuc/frunut.htm ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- Subject: Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 11:46:33 -0500 From: Bob Batson Reply-To: Discussion list for New Crops Toward Domestication of the Maypop Christopher McGuire (Section of Ecology and Systematics, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853) thinks that Passiflora incarnata (commonly known as maypop and wild passion flower) should be grown for its delicious fruit. This herbaceous perennial vine is native to the southeastern U.S., and it has been grown successfully in northern Ohio, in Massachusetts, and in central New York. Overwinter survival appears to require that shoot buds remain unfrozen; this can be guaranteed by applying mulch in the fall. Fruit ripening appears to require around 150 days or more between frosts. Full sun is necessary for highest fruit yields. A potential problem is invasiveness; it might not be wise to introduce weedy maypop into areas where it does not exist in the wild! Little work has been done on breeding maypop, but it is believed that desirable hybrids with other Passiflora species could be created. If you are intrigued by the possibility of helping to domesticate the maypop, we suggest that you write to McGuire. Reference: Christopher M. McGuire, "Passiflora incarnata (Passifloraceae): A New Fruit Crop," _Economic Botany_ 53(2), April-June 1999, 161-176. (The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-5126.) -- Reprinted with permission from the August 1999 _HortIdeas_. Copyright 1999 by Greg and Pat Williams. _HortIdeas_ (ISSN 0742-8219) is published monthly by Gregory and Patricia Y. Williams, 750 Black Lick Road, Switch, KY 40328 U.S.A. Annual subscription rates: U.S., $20 periodicals or $22 first class; Canada and Mexico, $26; Overseas, $30 surface mail or $35 air mail. Single issues: North America, $2.00 each; Overseas, $3.00 each, surface mail, or $3.50 each, air mail. The email address for HortIdeas is: gwill@mis.net. HortIdeas is now on the world wide web at http://www.users.mis.net/~gwill/ Bob Batson mailto:bob@SKY.NET Subject: Re: Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 13:44:49 EDT From: Dan Hemenway Reply-To:Discussion list for New Crops In a message dated 9/18/99 10:50:03 AM, lonrom@HEVANET.COM writes: <> I have read in several places that unlike the other species in this genus, maypop leaves are safely edible. This seems like a reasonable way to control their spread. They are a favorite of cattle and grazing (or mowing) suppresses them significanty. In favorable circumstances, they can be an almost complete groundcover. We have a strain (or clone) here that produces fruit of almost softball size. However I've never seen them ripe--possoms, racoons and probably feral pigs eat them while green. This strain of maypop does not have long vines--probably they never reach six feet, but they are prolific on the ground and I've seen individual vines with at least a half dozen large fruit on them. In the natural range, there is an intensely orange butterfly that produces a catipillar of the same color that will defoliate vines. They also attack other Passiflora, though I've not seen any on my P. edulis this year. I don't know if BT would control them--I just snip them in two with my pruning shears which are always in my overalls. A friend in Northern Georgia used to trellis them next to the house, and he always got some fruit. They are worth the blossoms alone. Dan Hemenway mailto:Permacltur@AOL.COM --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Mangosteens Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 18:05:12 EDT From: Darius Wilkins To: rarefruit@egroups.com Currently, due to fruit-fly fears, mangosteens cannot be imported. If you did see them, the Dept. of Agriculture and Customs would like to know. You can, however, purchase expensive mangosteens in Canada because of the lack of tropical agriculture. Darius Wilkins mailto:Sgw8@aol.com Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Mangosteens Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 16:21:21-0700 From: Roger and Shirley Meyer To: rarefruit@egroups.com Mangosteen are available frozen in the Asian markets (99 Ranch Market, for example). I have never seen them fresh here. I am told that they are one of the few fruit that can be imported from Puerto Rico, however, virtually none are grown there. They are probably available in Vancouver, BC. Roger and Shirley Meyer mailto:exoticfruit@95net.com Subject: [rarefruit] Blossoms of Jackfruit Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 13:38:22 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: rarefruit@egroups.com I have a seedling of a dwarf jackfruit, which has bloomed. That is, miniature jackfruit appear, and get up to 2-3 inches in length, discolor, and fall off. I assume that there is no pollination occuring. There is no blossom that opens, just the miniature fruit. I would like to know more about how they set fruit. If there is a male blossom that I haven't seen, I want to know if it's possible to store pollen for later females, and on what part of the 'fruit' do I place the pollen. Can someone at least will direct me to some webpage, possibly with pictures of blooms? Thanks! Leo Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Blossoms of Jackfruit Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 19:47:42 -0400 From: "Dan Duprey" To: Leo, Most likely the objects that look like miniature jackfruit are male blossoms. The male blossoms act just as you described: get to that length and then blacken from fungus, then fall off. I believe I read that young trees tend to have male blossoms before they have any female ones. Personally, I find it very hard to distinguish between male and female blossoms. The female ones may be a bit "rougher." The male blossoms may be a bit more fragrant. But I never really can tell until the female ones keep growing. I don't know about saving the male pollen. With my own trees, when the females do appear, there are plenty of male blossoms still hanging around. Also, the female blossoms have thicker stems, but this may not be easy to discern when the blossoms are still very small. Good luck, Dan Duprey mailto:dupreyd@gate.net Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Blossoms of Jackfruit Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 23:22:51 -0400 From: Bob Cannon To:rarefruit@egroups.com Leo, It has been said that the best way to tell a male jakfruit flower from a female flower is that the males discolour, turn black and fall off & the females grow into fruit :) You have been seeing the male 'flower' of the jakfruit. (To see the real flowers would take a good deal of magnification). Frequently a young tree that has just started to bloom will have mostly, or only, male flowers for the first seasom (sometimes two). Since both male and female flowers appear on the same tree you can expect females to show up sometime soon. Female flowers look ALMOST like males, the stem is a bit thicker and if you use a hand lense (or have a good eye) you can see that the surface lookks more like a jakfruit. At some point the male flowers will show pollen (shortly before they expire). You can takke this dust and brush it onto a female flower. For good coverage do every other day over a period of several days. By looking you should see when the female flowers begin to be receptive. What variety are you growing? It seems that each varitey has a rather definate flower to ripe period. Best of growing, Bob Cannon mailto:tfnews@gate.net http://www.gate.net/~tfnews Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Blossoms of Jackfruit Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 09:23:50 -0400 From: "Dan Duprey" To: I think you've given a pretty good desciption of a common configuration of male and female blossoms on a jackfruit. Dan Duprey mailto:dupreyd@gate.net Roger Meyer said: Group, concerning jakfruit flowering. My "dwarf" Singapore is in a 15 gallon container and had single "fruit" several times last season but always fell off. This year there are two "fruit" at once for the first time. Both are on the same stem. The lower "fruit" has a thicker, slightly longer stem and the "fruit" itself is rougher in appearance. About 2 inches further out is the second "fruit" which is much smoother in appearance and the "fruit" itself is shorter. Does this sound likely to be male and female flowers? Roger and Shirley Meyer mailto:exoticfruit@95net.com ----Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov---- Subject: Hawaiian Bananas Can Target New Markets Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 08:24:23 -0300 To: "ARS News List" Hawaii's banana growers may have a better chance to capture mainland and overseas markets, thanks to experiments led by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service. The tests demonstrated conditions for safely shipping island-grown bananas without need for treatments to ensure the fruit is free of Mediterranean fruit flies and oriental fruit flies. The research is a boon for growers and consumers alike. That's because the previous disinfestation treatment, which relied on a now-banned chemical--ethylene dibromide--added to costs, and could hasten spoilage of the fruit. Fruit leaving Hawaii for the U.S. mainland must be free of any hitchhiking Mediterranean or oriental fruit flies. Because the pests can attack more than 200 different fruits and vegetables, they are constant threats to mainland agriculture. In laboratory and outdoor experiments, the researchers used thousands of freshly harvested bananas from more than a dozen plantations on the five major Hawaiian islands. ARS entomologist John W. Armstrong and colleagues showed that the bananas won't harbor these fruit flies if the fruit is shipped full size, green skinned and without cuts or punctures. The scientists' efforts led USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in 1998 to approve new, workable regulations for shipping the bananas without disinfestation treatments. Armstrong and co-workers did the research at ARS' U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service and the Hawaii Banana Industry Association. They used three kinds of the familiar Cavendish banana and the specialty "Hawaiian apple banana," which has a sweet, custardlike flavor. An article in the September issue of ARS' Agricultural Research magazine tells more. Read it on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep99/banana0999.htm In 1998, Hawaii growers produced about 21 million pounds of bananas, worth about $7 million. ARS is the chief research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ---------- Scientific contact: John W. Armstrong, ARS U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, Hawaii, phone (808) 959-4336, fax (808) 959-4323, jwa@aloha.net. Subject: Specialist Bee Gets an "A" for Pollinating Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 06:42:43 -0300 From: "ARS News Service" When the job is pollinating crops, it might pay to bring in the specialists--especially those whose superior work habits offset the fact they're outnumbered 10 to one. An entomologist with the Agricultural Research Service has found that the sunflower leafcutting bee often does a better job pollinating sunflowers than the more common domesticated honey bee. In outdoor enclosures, one of the two kinds of sunflowers used in Vincent J. Tepedino's experiments produced larger and heavier seeds when pollinated by sunflower leafcutting bees. According to Tepedino, the sunflower leafcutting bees spread out evenly among the sunflowers rather than visiting just the plants nearest their nesting boxes. Tepedino is based at the ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory in Logan, Utah. The sunflower leafcutting bees, dark-brown to black insects about 3/4-inch to 1-inch long, are native to southern Canada and most of the United States. They are known to scientists as Megachile pugnata. The domesticated honey bee--originally from Europe--is Apis mellifera. For the test, Tepedino used four 100-by-20-foot screened enclosures, owned by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., at Woodland, Calif. Each cage contained approximately 600 sunflower plants. For about 2-1/2 weeks, about 100 sunflower bees in each of two cages performed pollination chores. Meanwhile, a few thousand domestic honey bees--about 10 times more than the sunflower leafcutting bees--performed the same task in two other cages. The test was the first using sunflower leafcutting bees to pollinate hybrid sunflowers in field cages. Earlier work by other ARS researchers at Logan scrutinized the bees in open fields. For details, see the story in the current issue of the ARS magazine, Agricultural Research, and on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep99/sunf0999.htm ARS is USDA's chief research agency. ---------- Scientific contact: Vincent J. Tepedino, ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory, 5310 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322; phone (435) 797-2559, fax (435) 797-0461, andrena@cc.usu.edu. Subject: New Useful Products from ... a Weed? Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 07:45:32 -0300 From: "ARS News Service" Milkweed is a nasty perennial weed, but its chances of growing into a new cultivated crop are getting better, thanks to Agricultural Research Service scientists who are finding several uses for milkweed's many parts. Wild milkweed grows along roadsides and in fields in the eastern U.S. as far south as Georgia. Industry has known the value of its fiber, but is now learning the value of its meal and oil. Milkweed fiber has become the mainstay of a small company, Natural Fibers Corp. of Ogallala, Neb., which began marketing milkweed floss as a filler for comforters in 1989. ARS textile engineers in New Orleans, La., aided the entrepreneurs in blending the floss with cotton to produce a non-woven product. The problem: what to do with the leftover seedmeal? It contains compounds called cardenolides that produce heart palpitations in people and animals. So the meal can't be used in animal feed. But ARS chemists at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Ill., have found that the seedmeal kills nematodes and fall armyworms. These pests destroy potatoes, tomatoes, soybeans, sorghum, peanuts, corn and alfalfa. In field studies with Washington State University researchers in Prosser, Wash., milkweed seedmeal killed 97 percent of nematodes on potatoes. Incorporating the seedmeal into the soil might be an alternative to methyl bromide, now severely restricted in the U.S. and other countries. More good news: Peoria chemist Rogers E. Harry-O'kuru found that milkweed oil--rich in Vitamin E--is free of cardenolides. This knowledge may help establish another market for milkweed's parts: skin moisturizers. Milkweed oil, modified with lipase enzyme, can hold 18 percent more moisture than unmodified oil, making it an ideal moisturizer ingredient. ARS' research success on milkweed is just one example of developing value-added products from nontraditional crops: rapeseed, crambe, jojoba, meadowfoam, kenaf, milkweed, lesquerella, cuphea, vernonia and euphorbia lagascae. ARS is USDA's chief scientific agency. ---------- Scientific contact: Rogers E. Harry-O'kuru, New Crops Research Unit, ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Ill., phone (309) 681-6341, fax (309) 681-6524, harryore@mail.ncaur.usda.gov. Subject: Codling Moth Project Succeeds in Northwest Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 10:03:04 -0300 From: "ARS News Service" WAPATO, Wash., Oct. 4--Nearly one-third of Washington State's apple and pear orchards now rely on nonchemical pest management tools, thanks to a 5-year USDA-sponsored research program targeting codling moths and other pests, Agricultural Research Service administrator Floyd P. Horn announced today. "Young codling moths are the infamous 'worms in the apple,'" said Horn. "But growers and scientists together have shown that integrated pest management can rein them in and use about two-thirds less insecticide. Now, as was intended at the program's start, scientists are ready to turn the mechanics of the program over to growers." "Some apple and pear growers using the IPM approach have not sprayed for moths or for any other orchard pest in two years," he noted. The Codling Moth Areawide Suppression Program was set up by USDA's Agricultural Research Service in 1994. It relies on ARS- and university-developed technology for confusing the moths with sex attractants, or pheromones, so they cannot find a mate. This tactic is supplemented with intensive monitoring and limited pesticide spraying. "Without control, codling moths could destroy 80 percent of the northwest apple crop and half the pear crop," said Horn. More than half the nation's commercial apples come from Washington. Normally, growers sprayed up to six times per year for codling moth, and four to six more times for leafrollers, aphids and other secondary pests. This meant using about 2 million pounds of insecticides annually at a cost of $60 to $150 per acre. Overall, pesticide use has been reduced by at least 70 percent. "We started the 5-year program with 5 sites and 68 participants encompassing 3,000 acres," said Carrol Calkins, research leader at the ARS Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory in Wapato, Wash. "Since then, 17 more sites were established for one year to get other growers started. Mating disruption is now used on at least 60,000 acres in Washington and another 8,000 acres of orchards in California, Colorado and Oregon." Calkins coordinates the cooperative project, which includes researchers at Washington State University in Pullman, Oregon State University in Corvallis and the University of California in Berkeley. More growers are expected to join in, now that key pesticides like methyl parathion (Penncap-M) and azinphos-methyl (Guthion) are being eliminated or greatly restricted next year by the Food Quality Protection Act. "Initially," Calkins said, "the IPM mating disruption strategy cost more than using pesticides. But now, with widespread participation and new dispensers, IPM costs less. It works better, too." Studies by Calkins and ARS colleagues at Wapato showed that using commercial insecticides can still leave one or two percent of the apples damaged by insects. With IPM, that drops to less than one percent, in some cases as low as one apple in 10,000, he said. "This program proves that IPM can give growers a viable option to strictly chemical pest control--if they get together and make it happen over a large area," said Horn. Other ARS-funded IPM programs are underway to control corn rootworms, the rangeland weed leafy spurge and insects in grain storage bins. More information on the Codling Moth Areawide Suppression Program is available at a web site of the Wapato lab: http://pwa.ars.usda.gov/yarl/areawide/areawide.html ---------- Scientific contact: Carrol O. Calkins, ARS Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951; phone (509) 454-6550, fax (509) 454-5646, calkins@yarl.gov. ---------- This item is one of the news releases and story leads that ARS Information distributes on weekdays to fax and e-mail subscribers. You can also get the latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - October 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - October 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9910B.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. To see back issues of the newsletter, visit the online group, "OldRFN" OldRFN is at http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX Please keep me advised of trouble with the OldRFN webpage. I apologize again for not having time to edit as carefully as I would have liked. I waited until the morning of October 15 to begin to edit. Consequently, some of the references are 'way too long. I suggest that you read before printing, as you will probably not want to print the whole thing. [Note: Believe it or not, there are readers who print every word of the newsletter.] --Notes In Passing 1. Grafting Mangoes In August and September I don't believe I've tried grafting mangoes in August or September before. This year at that time, I had the opportunity to get scions from Captain Bucklew's historic mango grove (primarily 'Early Gold') and was surprised that most of the grafts were successful. I am impressed with the quality of the few fruit of 'Early Gold' mango that I've eaten. The mango truly is early when grown in Encinitas on Bucklew's estate. I am looking forward to testing them more inland, at my Rancho Peasquitos home in San Diego. None of those I've tried have had viable seeds. That may be a function of where the trees were grown or caused by the trees being stressed for water. Since I began watering them, most of them have begun to flush and bloom. If you have experience with 'Early Gold,' would you write about it? There's another mango I want to get, 'Villa Seor.' I once had it and it was quite good. If you know where trees or scions are available, I'd like to know. 2. Keeping Rare Fruit News Online Alive (Thoughts Morbid) I've been spending so much time thinking about my aging relatives that I start thinking about my own mortality. I would like for the newsletter to continue when the time comes for me to step aside (assuming that there will be sufficient interest.) I'd like suggestions from you. It would be helpful to set up some mechanism so that the operation could be transferred to someone. My hope is that it would be someone nearby, for ease in communication, but that might not be necessary. I don't anticipate anything happening to me for quite a few more years. I'm (only) 66 and in good health. Yours, Leo ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, Poway, CA; Getting Started With Rare Fruit McCright, Michael CWO New Subscriber, Fremont, CA, Wants To Grow Lychee & Guava Belle Wong New Subscriber, Brisbane, Australia, With Lots Of Rare Fruit! Lisa Chadfield , New Subscriber, Wants Information - Fruit Growing In Las Vegas Holly Arceo or New Subscriber, Brazil, Wants To Grow ILLAMA, & ... Marcos Sobrosa --Readers Write Reprint: Rare Fruit News Online 08/15/97 16 Greg Daley Cinnamon and clove Nan Sterman Low chill peaches in desert Nan Sterman To: arlynd@concentric.net OldRFN - How Can I Search The Archives? Dan Hemenway Re: OldRFN - How Can I Search The Archives? Dan Hemenway Re: OldRFN - How Can I Search The Archives? Leo Manuel To: Dan Hemenway Re: Santol and Link to Julia Mortons book Geoffrey Dunn Re: Santol and Link to Julia Mortons book Leo Manuel To: geo@intekom.co.za Stella cherry Matthew Shugart To: Skip Vint Re: Stella cherry Matthew Shugart To: Skip Vint --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Jackfruit Information (From Webpage) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jackfruit_ars.html Fruits of Warm Climates - Julia F. Morton Geoffrey Dunn http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/index.html --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List Blackberry Experiences - Mine Are Different! Leo Manuel To: nafex@onelist.com --From NEWCROPS List None, this time --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Seedless Sugar Apple Chris Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com --Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov New Lure for Fruit Fly ARS News Service New Bait May Be Last Meal For Pest Termite ARS News Service ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Poway, CA; Getting Started With Rare Fruit Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 07:26:37 -0700 From: "McCright, Michael CWO" Hi, I am Mike McCright, now living in Poway, CA. Fruit trees I am now growing: None in Poway, I am a new resident, moving from Washington in early September. I found some tasty white sapote fruit at the market and plan to plant the seeds, later grafting a good variety onthe rootstock. I have also planted some mexican papaya and passion fruit seeds. I have also planted the giant granidilla passion vines from the meeting. I own a house in WA, there I grow figs and an apple tree. I have had other houses where I have grown various other temperate fruits. Fruit trees I want to grow: Papaya, cheramoya, figs, white sapote, bananas, monstera, lychee, longan, coconut, peaches, nectarines, appricots, passion fruit, loquat, canistel, jaboticaba, taminarind, cashew, mamey sapote, mangosteen. I certainly don't have room to grow all these, but if I had the space and time, I would. Comments or questions for newsletter readers: I am interested in seeds or cuttings that I can use to propagate new plants. I am interested in fruits and vegetables, treees and vines. I used to live in Florida and was a member of Rare Fruit Counsel International. Florida has a warm humid climate that gets gets 60'' of rain a year, mainly from May-September. I have never lived in S. CA. and do not know what will grow here and what will not, so I am looking for guidance that will help me out. I am living in a rental house and am interested in growing trees in pots. In doing so, I can transplant them later when I buy a house and also protect them from cold. I would like to know the local resources, the knowegable nursery's, the public gardens available and the experienced gardeners inthe area. I am especially interested in Cherimoya and Soursop culture. Are the local elongated papaya's in the market, the mountain papaya? Will they grow better here than the Hawaiian or Florida varieties? I am interested in tropical and subtropical herbs that will here. Where can I find Stevia Rebaudiana seeds or plants? Thanks for any assistance you or other gardeners can give me. Mike McCright mailto:MMcCright@d11.uscg.mil Subject: New Subscriber, Fremont, CA, Wants To Grow Lychee & Guava Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 17:13:32 -0700 From: Belle Wong I am Belle Wong, Fremont, CA Fruit trees I want to grow: lychee and guavas. Belle Wong mailto:belle.wong@vlsi.com Subject: New Subscriber, Brisbane, Australia, With Lots Of Rare Fruit! Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 22:31:17 +1000 From: "lisa chadfield" , I am Lisa Chadfield, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Some of the trees grown are: Jakfruit, Tamarillo, Abiu, Chocolate pudding fruit, cocona, rose apple, star apple, natal plum, star gooseberry, carambola, pond apple, canistel, chartoot mulberry, acerola, inga, burdekin plum, davidsons plum, jaboticaba, rollinia, white sapote, poshte, bunchosia, kei apple, grumichama, wampi, kafir plum, well thats most for the moment! Lisa mailto:lisc@powerup.com.au, Subject: New Subscriber, Wants Information - Fruit Growing In Las Vegas Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 18:46:53 -0700 From: "Holly A." or Hi, I am Holly Arceo in Las Vegas, Nevada I'm growing 2 chinese jujube trees and 1 oriental persimmon tree. I'd like to grow some guava trees and asian pear trees. Is it Ok to grow them here in Las Vegas? Holly mailto:kusim@netzero.net or mailto:tuling@netzero.net Subject: New Subscriber, Brazil, Wants To Grow ILLAMA, & ... Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 18:41:25 -0300 From: "Marcos Sobrosa" Dear Leo Manuel I do want to be in your mailing list. My Name is: Marcos Sobrosa I live in Belo Horizonte in the State of: Minas Gerais, in Brazil The rare fruit I am growing is: Araa (strawberry guava), Cabeludinha, Grumichama, Cambuca, Cereja do Rio Grande, Guabiju, Pitomba, Uvaia, Cambuci, Ciriguela, Guabiroba. The fruit I'd like to grow is: ILLAMA ( Annona Diversifolia ) , Posh-te Annona Scleroderma), Soncoya ( Annona Purpurea ), Wild Cherimoya (Annona Longiflora )Feijoa ( Feijoa Sellowiana) Anyone who has the fruits listed above please contact me: msobrosa@net.em.com.br You can publish the list of fruits I am looking for in the RFNO Thanks Marcos mailto:msobrosa@net.em.com.br -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Reprint: Rare Fruit News Online 08/15/97 16 Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 09:27:01 +1000 From: "Greg Daley." Let me introduce myself, I operate a Subtropical fruit and nut nursery in Australia (Northern NSW) and propagate quite an extensive range of fruit and nuts and am always fascinated about anything new. Regards Longans I have a good friend that grows them commercially and has found quite a good market late in the season following the lychees. Our latitude is 29 degrees south of the equator with mild winters. This friend does not have internet connection so he cannot reply. He used to grow quite an extensive selection of exotic fruits, but as the demand for economics out of his block of land became more important he has gradually increase his longan trees in preference to other less productive types. I have been propagating Longans and do find them rather difficult to graft. I have discovered though cincturing the scionwood in Mid summer and grafting in Autumn 2 months later the most successfull. Marcotting is also more difficult than Lychees but it certainly is quite viable. If any one has any ideas or tips they would be appreciated. It is one week off the beginning of Spring here now and we are grafting all sorts of trees at present. If any one is interested in Pecan propagation I feel we have perfected container propagaton of grafted trees. We can grow an excellant grafted tree from seed germination to grafted tree ready to plant out within 18mths. Heres a question for someone. Can Canistel or Yellow Sapote be grafted onto Pouteria obovata successfully? Regards to all Rare fruit lovers Greg Daley mailto:gdaley@nrg.com.au Subject: Cinnamon and clove Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 18:40:39 -0800 From: Nan Sterman Hi Leo and Rare Fruit Folk I am looking for information on growing clove and cinnamon in mediterranean climates like we have here in San Diego -- Anyone done it? How? How well did you do? Thanks Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com San Diego County CA Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11 Subject: Low chill peaches in desert Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 22:48:00 -0800 From: Nan Sterman To: arlynd@concentric.net Hello Arlyn In response to your search for low chill peaches that will grow in the desert (from Rare Fruit News Online), may I suggest the Bay Laurel Nursery catalog. www.baylaurelnursery.com. I have bought terrific low-chill fruit from them and their quality is wonderful as is their customer service. Good luck! Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com ----- Leo's note: Finding low-chill cultivars of deciduous fruit is not hard. The hard part is to know what will survive in the harsh summer of the desert. May I suggest that you contact Carl & Maria Erlandson (AZ) mailto:cerland593@aol.com who may help. Yours, Leo Subject: OldRFN - How Can I Search The Archives? Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 07:32:58 EDT From: Permacltur@aol.com Leo: I haven't visited the archives, not being a web enthusiast, but I can see their value. Is there an automated means to search the archives? This would make them very useful to me. Thanks for all your diligent work to the benefit of those of us interested in fruit growing. Dan Hemenway mailto:Permacltur@aol.com Subject: Re: OldRFN - How Can I Search The Archives? Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 11:32:45 EDT From: Permacltur@aol.com In a message dated 10/5/99 10:21:34 AM, leom@rarefruit.com writes: <> Hi Leo That's about what I figured. Sounds like you still several steps ahead of me re technolgoy. I tried to investigate what would be involved in having a simple web page, and AOL wanted me to pay first, and then they would tell me how to do it! I don' t have time to learn anything complex, especially for a one-time applicaton, and I certainly don't gamble, so I don't have a web page at all. We have a "find" program in our new Mac software that supposedly searches the web, but I can't see how it could search a specific web site. I think that the site would have to be designed for that, but again, this is just wild guessing. Maybe someone on the list will come up with a strategy for searching the archives that is more direct. After all we all benefit. Thanks again Dan Hemenway mailto:Permacltur@aol.com Subject: Re: OldRFN - How Can I Search The Archives? From: Leo Manuel To: Permacltur@aol.com Dan, Don't forget the free webpages. http://www.visto.com (where I have my archived RFNO) http://my.excite.com is another, http://build.tripod.com http://www.fortunecity.com/join/index.html?referer=how-sa-sacpc2 (and a whole lot more) I did a search on Yahoo for "Free Web" and got a lot of information: http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=%22free+web%22 Yours, Leo Subject: Re: Santol and Link to Julia Mortons book Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 20:23:38 -0700 From: Geoffrey Dunn Hi Leo, I visited Santols web page today and found this link: This is Julia Mortons book online (I really think this is worth sharing with your readers) I have thus far only read up about the Buddha's Hand Citron and the Carambola, and found the info most useful and informative. Thanks again for the work you do to bring us RFNO. I am not sure if you realise how us folk in the backwoods appreciate all your hard work in keeping us up to date on developments and possible sources of information. Warm regards from South Africa Geoff Dunn mailto:geo@intekom.co.za Subject: Re: Santol and Link to Julia Mortons book Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 16:39:19 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: geo@intekom.co.za Hi Geoff, I own that book and it is great. I didn't know it was online. Thanks for telling me, and for the accolades! Sincerely, Leo Subject: Stella cherry Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:11:15 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart To: Skip Vint Dear Skip: It was very interesting reading your message about the environment in which your Stella cherry is growing. Indeed, the things you mention--a ravine, evergreen trees providing winter shade, etc.--can increase chill accumulation. Still, it seems to me that Stella and other self-fruitful cherries such as Lapins and Craig's Crimson must be lower in chill than the listed 800 hours. I had a conversation about cherries with Gary Matsuoka, the owner of Laguna Hills Nursery. He indicated that his Lapins at his home had a good fruit set this past year. His location is about the exact opposite of yours: an inland hilltop, where it gets lots of warm daytime weather and away from which nighttime cold air drains. It is very much unsettled what the chill requirement of these cherries might be. But it might be very low. Of course, there is a second problem besides chill that encounters attempts to grow cherries in non-mountain southern California: the dearth of spring sunshine and heat. Have you found this to be a problem--particularly this past season, which must have been one of the coolest springs and summers on record? It would be fascinating if you could place a mini-max thermometer and check it every 24 hours this coming December and January. From the data that a once-a-day check of such a thermometer would provide, one could estimate how much chill is in fact being accumulated around the area of your tree. I would encourage you to do so, as it would help provide some valuable information as to the tree's chilling needs. If done over several years, including mild winters, we would have a clearer idea whether your location is just unusually favorable, or whether the variety is low chill. Matthew Shugart mailto:mshugart@ucsd.edu Subject: Re: Stella cherry Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 11:03:04 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart To: Skip Vint Hi Skip, That is a very impressive harvest! I hope you can track temperatures. I have visions of you climbing down into the ravine on a chilly evening... Anyway, if you can do it, it would be terrific. One question. On what basis do you conclude that Northstar and Black Tartarian have lower chill requirements? Nothing I have ever read has suggested that would be the case, so your experience is intriguing. Best, Matthew mailto:mshugart@ucsd.edu At 3:35 PM -0700 10/6/99, LifeDoc wrote: Hello Matthew, I will attempt to do the high/low thermometer charting, as much as possible. It is a long way down to the Stella. The only way we will ever know the acceptable chill factor for this cherry, is for many people to plant the trees. Since I obtained cherries the first year, it would not take long for results to be known. Other observations: Even though our Spring was extremely cold and prolonged, I obtained 52 pounds from the Stella. Also, from the Northstar and the Black Tartarian, I had the largest crops yet. Usually, I would have a dozen cherries, but this year, I obtained four or five dozen cherries from these 7 year old trees (same age and location as the Stella.) These latter two cherry varieties definitely have a lower chill factor than the Stella. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your continued interest in these "rare" (for San Diego) and excellent tasting fruits. Skip Vint lifedoc@sciti.com ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Jackfruit Information From Webpage Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 21:07:17 -0700 http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jackfruit_ars.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Morton, J. 1987. Jackfruit. p. 5864. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Description * Origin and Distribution * Varieties * Pollination * Climate * Soil * Propagation * Culture * Season * Harvesting * Yield * Storage * Pests and Diseases * Food Uses * Toxicity * Other Uses * Related Species The jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (syns. A. integrifolius Auct. NOT L. f.; A integrifolia L. f.; A. integra Merr.; Rademachia integra Thunb. ), of the family Moraceae, is also called jak-fruit, jak, jaca, and, in Malaysia and the Philippines, nangka; in Thailand, khanun; in Cambodia, khnor; in Laos, mak mi or may mi; in Vietnam, mit. It is an excellent example of a food prized in some areas of the world and allowed to go to waste in others. O.W. Barrett wrote in 1928: ";The jaks . . . are such large and interesting fruits and the trees so well-behaved that it is difficult to explain the general lack of knowledge concerning them."; Description The tree is handsome and stately, 30 to 70 ft (9-21 m) tall, with evergreen, alternate, glossy, somewhat leathery leaves to 9 in (22.5 cm) long, oval on mature wood, sometimes oblong or deeply lobed on young shoots. All parts contain a sticky, white latex. Short, stout flowering twigs emerge from the trunk and large branches, or even from the soil-covered base of very old trees. The tree is monoecious: tiny male flowers are borne in oblong clusters 2 to 4 in (5-10 cm) in length; the female flower clusters are elliptic or rounded. Largest of all tree-borne fruits, the jackfruit may be 8 in to 3 ft (20-90 cm) long and 6 to 20 in (15-50 cm) wide, and the weight ranges from 10 to 60 or even as much as 110 lbs (4.5-20 or 50 kg). The "rind' or exterior of the compound or aggregate fruit is green or yellow when ripe and composed of numerous hard, cone-like points attached to a thick and rubbery, pale yellow or whitish wall. The interior consists of large "bulbs" (fully developed perianths) of yellow, banana-flavored flesh, massed among narrow ribbons of thin, tough undeveloped perianths (or perigones), and a central, pithy core. Each bulb encloses a smooth, oval, light-brown "seed" (endocarp) covered by a thin white membrane (exocarp). The seed is 3/4 to 1 1/2 in (2-4 cm) long and 1/2 to 3/4 in (1.25-2 cm) thick and is white and crisp within. There may be 100 or up to 500 seeds in a single fruit. When fully ripe, the unopened jackfruit emits a strong disagreeable odor, resembling that of decayed onions, while the pulp of the opened fruit smells of pineapple and banana. Origin and Distribution No one knows the jackfruit's place of origin but it is believed indigenous to the rainforests of the Western Ghats. It is cultivated at low elevations throughout India, Burma, Ceylon, southern China, Malaya, and the East Indies. It is common in the Philippines, both cultivated and naturalized. It is grown to a limited extent in Queensland and Mauritius. In Africa, it is often planted in Kenya, Uganda and former Zanzibar. Though planted in Hawaii prior to 1888, it is still rare there and in other Pactfic islands, as it is in most of tropical America and the West Indies. It was introduced into northern Brazil in the mid-19th Century and is more popular there and in Surinam than elsewhere in the New World. In 1782, plants from a captured French ship destined for Martinique were taken to Jamaica where the tree is now common, and about 100 years later, the jackfruit made its appearance in Florida, presumably imported by the Reasoner's Nursery from Ceylon. The United States Department of Agriculture's Report on the Conditions of Tropical and Semitropical Fruits in the United States in 1887 states: "There are but few specimens in the State. Mr. Bidwell, at Orlando, has a healthy young tree, which was killed back to the ground, however, by the freeze of 1886. " There are today less than a dozen bearing jackfruit trees in South Florida and these are valued mainly as curiosities. Many seeds have been planted over the years but few seedlings have survived, though the jackfruit is hardier than its close relative, the breadfruit (q.v.). In South India, the jackfruit is a popular food ranking next to the mango and banana in total annual production. There are more than 100,000 trees in backyards and grown for shade in betelnut, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations. The total area planted to jackfruit in all India is calculated at 14,826 acres (26,000 ha). Government horticulturists promote the planting of jackfruit trees along highways, waterways and railroads to add to the country's food supply. There are over 11,000 acres (4,452 ha) planted to jack fruit in Ceylon, mainly for timber, with the fruit a much-appreciated by-product. The tree is commonly cultivated throughout Thailand for its fruit. Away from the Far East, the jackfruit has never gained the acceptance accorded the breadfruit (except in settlements of people of East Indian origin). This is due largely to the odor of the ripe fruit and to traditional preference for the breadfruit. Varieties In South India, jackfruits are classified as of two general types: 1) Koozha chakka, the fruits of which have small, fibrous, soft, mushy, but very sweet carpels; 2) Koozha pazham, more important commercially, with crisp carpers of high quality known as Varika. These types are apparently known in different areas by other names such as Barka, or Berka (soft, sweet and broken open with the hands), and Kapa or Kapiya (crisp and cut open with a knife). The equivalent types are known as Kha-nun nang (firm; best) and Kha-nun lamoud (soft) in Thailand; and as Vela (soft) and Varaka, or Waraka (firm) in Ceylon. The Peniwaraka, or honey jak, has sweet pulp, and some have claimed it the best of all. The Kuruwaraka has small, rounded fruits. Dr. David Fairchild, writing of the honey jak in Ceylon, describes the rind as dark-green in contrast to the golden yellow pulp when cut open for eating, but the fruits of his own tree in Coconut Grove and those of the Matheson tree which he maintained were honey jaks are definitely yellow when ripe. The Vela type predominates in the West Indies. Firminger described two types: the Khuja (green, hard and smooth, with juicy pulp and small seeds); the Ghila (rough, soft, with thin pulp, not very juicy, and large seeds). Dutta says Khujja, or Karcha, has pale-brown or occcasionally pale-green rind, and pulp as hard as an apple; Ghila, or Ghula, is usually light-green, occasionally brownish, and has soft pulp, sweet or acidulously sweet. He describes 8 varieties, only one with a name. This is Hazari; similar to Rudrakshi; which has a relatively smooth rind and flesh of inferior quality. The 'Singapore', or 'Ceylon', jack, a remarkably early bearer producing fruit in 18 months to 2 1/2 years from transplanting, was introduced into India from Ceylon and planted extensively in 1949. The fruit is of medium size with small, fibrous carpers which are very sweet. In addition to the summer crop (June and July), there is a second crop from October to December. In 1961, the Horticultural Research Institute at Saharanpur, India, reported the acquisition of air-layered plants of the excellent varieties, 'Safeda', 'Khaja', 'Bhusila', 'Bhadaiyan' and 'Handia' and others. The Fruit Experimental Station at Burliar, established a collection of 54 jackfruit clones from all producing countries, and ultimately selected 'T Nagar Jack' as the best in quality and yield. The Fruit Experimental Station at Kallar, began breeding work in 1952 with a view to developing short, compact, many-branched trees, precocious and productive, bearing large, yellow, high quality fruits, 1/2 in the main season, 1/2 late. 'Singapore Jack' was chosen as the female parent because of its early and late crops; and, as the male parent, 'Velipala', a local selection from the forest having large fruits with large carpers of superior quality, and borne regularly in the main summer season. After 25 years of testing, one hybrid was rated as outstanding for precocity, fruit size, off-season as well as main season production, and yield excelling its parents. It had not been named when reported on by Chellappan and Roche in 1982. In Assam, nurserymen have given names such as 'Mammoth', 'Everbearer', and 'Rose-scented' to preferred types. Pollination Horticulturists in Madras have found that hand-pollination produces fruits with more of the fully developed bulbs than does normal wind-pollination. Climate The jackfruit is adapted only to humid tropical and near-tropical climates. It is sensitive to frost in its early life and cannot tolerate drought. If rainfall is deficient, the tree must be irrigated. In India, it thrives in the Himalayan foothills and from sea-level to an altitude of 5,000 ft (1,500 m) in the south. It is stated that jackfruits grown above 4,000 ft (1,200 m) are of poor quality and usable only for cooking. The tree ascends to about 800 ft (244 m) in Kwangtung, China. Soil The jackfruit tree flourishes in rich, deep soil of medium or open texture, sometimes on deep gravelly or laterite soil. It will grow, but more slowly and not as tall in shallow limestone. In India, they say that the tree grows tall and thin on sand, short and thick on stony land. It cannot tolerate "wet feet". If the roots touch water, the tree will not bear fruit or may die. Propagation Propagation is usually by seeds which can be kept no longer than a month before planting. Germination requires 3 to 8 weeks but is expedited by soaking seeds in water for 24 hours. Soaking in a 10% solution of gibberellic acid results in 100% germination. The seeds may be sown in situ or may be nursery-germinated and moved when no more than 4 leaves have appeared. A more advanced seedling, with its long and delicate tap root, is very difficult to transplant successfully. Budding and grafting attempts have often been unsuccessful, though Ochse considers the modified Forkert method of budding feasible. Either jackfruit or champedak (q.v.) seedlings may serve as rootstocks and the grafting may be done at any time of year. Inarching has been practiced and advocated but presents the same problem of transplanting after separation from the scion parent. To avoid this and yet achieve consistently early bearing of fruits of known quality, air-layers produced with the aid of growth promoting hormones are being distributed in India. In Florida cuttings of young wood have been rooted under mist. At Calcutta University, cuttings have been successfully rooted only with forced and etiolated shoots treated with indole butyric acid (preferably at 5,000 mg/l) and kept under mist. Tissue culture experiments have been conducted at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. Culture Soaking one-month-old seedlings in a gibberellic acid solution (25-200 ppm) enhances shoot growth. Gibberellic acid spray and paste increase root growth. In plantations, the trees are set 30 to 40 ft (9-12 m) apart. Young plantings require protection from sunscald and from grazing animals, hares, deer, etc. Seeds in the field may be eaten by rats. Firminger describes the quaint practice of raising a young seedling in a 3 to 4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) bamboo tube, then bending over and coiling the pliant stem beneath the soil, with only the tip showing. In 5 years, such a plant is said to produce large and fine fruits on the spiral underground. In Travancore, the whole fruit is buried, the many seedlings which spring up are bound together with straw and they gradually fuse into one tree which bears in 6 to 7 years. Seedlings may ordinarily take 4 to 14 years to come into bearing, though certain precocious cultivars may begin to bear in 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years. The jackfruit is a fairly rapid grower, reaching 58 ft (17.5 m) in height and 28 in (70 cm) around the trunk in 20 years in Ceylon. It is said to live as long as 100 years. However, productivity declines with age. In Thailand, it is recommended that alternate rows be planted every 10 years so that 20-year-old trees may be routinely removed from the plantation and replaced by a new generation. Little attention has been given to the tree's fertilizer requirements. Severe symptoms of manganese deficiency have been observed in India. After harvesting, the fruiting twigs may be cut back to the trunk or branch to induce flowering the next season. In the Cachar district of Assam, production of female flowers is said to be stimulated by slashing the tree with a hatchet, the shoots emerging from the wounds; and branches are lopped every 3 to 4 years to maintain fruitfulness. On the other hand, studies at the University of Kalyani, West Bengal, showed that neither scoring nor pruning of shoots increases fruit set and that ringing enhances fruit set only the first year, production declining in the second year. Season In Asia, jackfruits ripen principally from March to June, April to September, orJune to August, depending on the climatic region, with some off-season crops from September to December, or a few fruits at other times of the year. In the West Indies, I have seen many ripening in June; in Florida, the season is late summer and fall. Harvesting Fruits mature 3 to 8 months from flowering. In Jamaica, an "X" is sometimes cut in the apex of the fruit to speed ripening and improve flavor. Yield In India, a good yield is 150 large fruits per tree annually, though some trees bear as many as 250 and a fully mature tree may produce 500, these probably of medium or small size. Storage Jackfruits turn brown and deteriorate quickly after ripening. Cold storage trials indicate that ripe fruits can be kept for 3 to 6 weeks at 52 to 55F (11.11-12.78C) and relative humidity of 85 to 95%. Pests and Diseases Principal insect pests in India are the shoot-borer caterpillar, Diaphania caesalis; mealybugs. Nipaecoccus viridis, Pseudococcus corymbatus, and Ferrisia virgata, the spittle bug, Cosmoscarta relata, and jack scale, Ceroplastes rubina. The most destructive and widespread bark borers are Indarbela tetraonis and Batocera rufomaculata. Other major pests are the stem and fruit borer, Margaronia caecalis, and the brown bud-weevil, Ochyromera artocarpio. In southern China, the larvae of the longicorn beetles, including Apriona germarri; Pterolophia discalis, Xenolea tomenlosa asiatica, and Olenecamptus bilobus seriously damage the fruit stem. The caterpillar of the leaf webbers, Perina nuda and Diaphania bivitralis, is a minor problem, as are aphids, Greenidea artocarpi and Toxoptera aurantii; and thrips, Pseudodendrothrips dwivarna. Diseases of importance include pink disease, Pelliculana (Corticium) salmonicolor, stem rot, fruit rot and male inflorescence rot caused by Rhizopus artocarpi; and leafspot due to Phomopsis artocarpina, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Septoria artocarpi, and other fungi. Gray blight, Pestalotia elasticola, charcoal rot, Ustilana zonata, collar rot, Rosellinia arcuata, and rust, Uredo artocarpi, occur on jackfruit in some regions. The fruits may be covered with paper sacks when very young to protect them from pests and diseases. Burkill says the bags encourage ants to swarm over the fruit and guard it from its enemies. Food Uses Westerners generally will find the jackfruit most acceptable in the full-grown but unripe stage, when it has no objectionable odor and excels cooked green breadfruit and plantain. The fruit at this time is simply cut into large chunks for cooking, the only handicap being its copious gummy latex which accumulates on the knife and the hands unless they are first rubbed with salad oil. The chunks are boiled in lightly salted water until tender, when the really delicious flesh is cut from the rind and served as a vegetable, including the seeds which, if thoroughly cooked, are mealy and agreeable. The latex clinging to the pot may be removed by rubbing with oil. The flesh of the unripe fruit has been experimentally canned in brine or with curry. It may also be dried and kept in tins for a year. Cross sections of dried, unripe jackfruit are sold in native markets in Thailand. Tender young fruits may be pickled with or without spices. If the jackfruit is allowed to ripen, the bulbs and seeds may be extracted outdoors; or, if indoors, the odorous residue should be removed from the kitchen at once. The bulbs may then be enjoyed raw or cooked (with coconut milk or otherwise); or made into ice cream, chutney, jam, jelly, paste, "leather" or papad, or canned in sirup made with sugar or honey with citric acid added. The crisp types of jackfruit are preferred for canning. The canned product is more attractive than the fresh pulp and is sometimes called "vegetable meat". The ripe bulbs are mechanically pulped to make jackfruit nectar or reduced to concentrate or powder. The addition of synthetic flavoringethyl and n-butyl esters of 4-hydroxybutyric acid at 120 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively greatly improves the flavor of the canned fruit and the nectar. If the bulbs are boiled in milk, the latter when drained off and cooled will congeal and form a pleasant, orange colored custard. By a method patented in India, the ripe bulbs may be dried, fried in oil and salted for eating like potato chips. Candied jackfruit pulp in boxes was being marketed in Brazil in 1917. Improved methods of preserving and candying jackfruit pulp have been devised at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India. Ripe bulbs, sliced and packed in sirup with added citric acid, and frozen, retain good color, flavor and texture for one year. Canned jackfruit retains quality for 63 weeks at room temperature75 to 80F (23.89-26.67C), with only 3% loss of B-carotene. When frozen, the canned pulp keeps well for 2 years. In Malaya, where the odor of the ripe fruit is not avoided, small jackfruits are cut in half, seeded, chilled, and brought to the table filled with ice cream. The ripe bulbs, fermented and then distilled, produce a potent liquor. The seeds, which appeal to all tastes, may be boiled or roasted and eaten, or boiled and preserved in sirup like chestnuts. They have also been successfully canned in brine, in curry, and, like baked beans, in tomato sauce. They are often included in curried dishes. Roasted, dried seeds are ground to make a flour which is blended with wheat flour for baking. Where large quantities of jackfruit are available, it is worthwhile to utilize the inedible portion, and the rind has been found to yield a fair jelly with citric acid. A pectin extract can be made from the peel, undeveloped perianths and core, or just from the inner rind; and this waste also yields a sirup used for tobacco curing. Tender jackfruit leaves and young male flower clusters may be cooked and served as vegetables. Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion The pulp constitutes 25-40% of the fruit's weight. In general, fresh seeds are considered to be high in starch, low in calcium and iron; good sources of vitamins B1 and B2. Toxicity Even in India there is some resistance to the jackfruit, attributed to the belief that overindulgence in it causes digestive ailments. Burkill declares that it is the raw, unripe fruit that is astringent and indigestible. The ripe fruit is somewhat laxative; if eaten in excess it will cause diarrhea. Raw jackfruit seeds are indigestible due to the presence of a powerful trypsin inhibitor. This element is destroyed by boiling or baking. Other Uses Fruit: In some areas, the jackfruit is fed to cattle. The tree is even planted in pastures so that the animals can avail themselves of the fallen fruits. Surplus jackfruit rind is considered a good stock food. Leaves: Young leaves are readily eaten by cattle and other livestock and are said to be fattening. In India, the leaves are used as food wrappers in cooking, and they are also fastened together for use as plates. Latex: The latex serves as birdlime, alone or mixed with Ficus sap and oil from Schleichera trijuga Willd. The heated latex is employed as a household cement for mending chinaware and earthenware, and to caulk boats and holes in buckets. The chemical constituents of the latex have been reported by Tanchico and Magpanlay. It is not a substitue for rubber but contains 82.6 to 86.4% resins which may have value in varnishes. Its bacteriolytic activity is equal to that of papaya latex. Wood: Jackwood is an important timber in Ceylon and, to a lesser extent, in India; some is exported to Europe. It changes with age from orange or yellow to brown or dark-red; is termite proof, fairly resistant to fungal and bacterial decay, seasons without difficulty, resembles mahogany and is superior to teak for furniture, construction, turnery, masts, oars, implements, brush backs and musical instruments. Palaces were built of jackwood in Bali and Macassar, and the limited supply was once reserved for temples in Indochina. Its strength is 75 to 80% that of teak. Though sharp tools are needed to achieve a smooth surface, it polishes beautifully. Roots of old trees are greatly prized for carving and picture framing. Dried branches are employed to produce fire by friction in religious ceremonies in Malabar. From the sawdust of jackwood or chips of the heartwood, boiled with alum, there is derived a rich yellow dye commonly used for dyeing silk and the cotton robes of Buddhist priests. In Indonesia, splinters of the wood are put into the bamboo tubes collecting coconut toddy in order to impart a yellow tone to the sugar. Besides the yellow colorant, morin, the wood contains the colorless cyanomaclurin and a new yellow coloring matter, artocarpin, was reported by workers in Bombay in 1955. Six other flavonoids have been isolated at the National Chemical Laboratory, Poona. Bark: There is only 3.3% tannin in the bark which is occasionally made into cordage or cloth. Medicinal Uses: The Chinese consider jackfruit pulp and seeds tonic, cooling and nutritious, and to be "useful in overcoming the influence of alcohol on the system." The seed starch is given to relieve biliousness and the roasted seeds are regarded as aphrodisiac. The ash of jackfruit leaves, burned with corn and coconut shells, is used alone or mixed with coconut oil to heal ulcers. The dried latex yields artostenone, convertible to artosterone, a compound with marked androgenic action. Mixed with vinegar, the latex promotes healing of abscesses, snakebite and glandular swellings. The root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken in cases of fever and diarrhea. The bark is made into poultices. Heated leaves are placed on wounds. The wood has a sedative property; its pith is said to produce abortion. Related Species The Champedak, A. integer Merr. (syns. A. champeden Spreng., A. polyphena Pers.), is also known as chempedak, cempedak, sempedak, temedak in Malaya; cham-pa-da in Thailand, tjampedak in Indonesia; lemasa in the Philippines. The wild form in Malaya is called bangkong or baroh. The fruit is borne by a deciduous tree, reaching about 60 ft (18 m) in cultivation, up to 100 or 150 ft (30-45.5 m) in the wild. It is easy to distinguish from the jackfruit by the long, stiff, brown hairs on young branchlets, leaves, buds and peduncles. The leaves, often 3-lobed when young, are obovate oblong or elliptical when mature and 6 to 11 in (15-28 cm) long. The male flower spikes are only 2 in (5 cm) long and the fruit cylindrical or irregular, no more than 14 in (35.5 cm) long and 6 in (15 cm) thick, mustard-yellow to golden-brown, reticulated, warty, and highly odoriferous when ripe. In fact, it is described as having the "strongest and richest smell of any fruit in creation." The rind is thinner than that of the jackfruit and the seeds and surrounding pulp can be extracted by cutting open the base and pulling on the fruit stalk. The pulp is deep-yellow, tender, slimy, juicy and sweet. That of the wild form is thin, subacid and odorless. The tree is native and common in the wild in Malaya up to an altitude of 4,200 ft (1,300 m) and is cultivated throughout Malaysia and by many preferred to jackfruit. It is grown from seed or budded onto self-seedlings or jackfruit or other Artocarpus species. Seedlings bear in 5 years. The pulp is eaten with rice and the seeds are roasted and eaten. The wood is strong and durable and yields yellow dye, and the bark is rich in tannin. The Lakoocha, A. lakoocha Roxb., is also known as monkey jack or lakuchi in India; tampang and other similar native names in Malaya; as lokhat in Thailand. The tree is 20 to 30 ft (6-9 m) tall with deciduous, large, leathery leaves, downy on the underside. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree, the former orange-yellow, the latter reddish. The fruits are nearly round or irregular, 2 to 5 in (5-12.5 cm) wide, velvety, dull-yellow tinged with pink, with sweet sour pulp which is occasionally eaten raw but mostly made into curries or chutney. The male flower spike, acid and astringent, is pickled. A native of the humid sub-Himalayan region of India, up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m), also Malaya and Ceylon, it is sometimes grown for shade or for its fruit. Seedlings come into production in 5 years. A specimen was planted at the Federal Experiment Station, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in 1921. There was a large tree in Bermuda in 1918. The wood, sold as lakuch, is heavier than that of the jackfruit, similar to teak, durable outdoors and under water, but does not polish well. It is used for piles, and in construction; for boats, furniture and cabinetwork. The bark contains 8.5% tannin and is chewed like betelnut. It yields a fiber for cordage. The wood and roots yield a dye of richer color than that obtained from the jackfruit. Both seeds and milky latex are purgative. The bark is applied on skin ailments. The fruit is believed to act as a tonic for the liver. The Kwai Muk, possibly A. lingnanensis Merr., was introduced into Florida as A. hypargyraea Hance, or A. hypargyraeus Hance ex Benth. The tree is a slow-growing, slender, erect ornamental 20 to 50 ft (6-15 m) tall, with much milky latex and evergreen leaves 2 to 5 in (5-12.5 cm) long. Tiny male and female flowers are yellowish and borne on the same tree, the female in globular heads to 3/8 in (1 cm) long. The fruits are more or less oblate and irregular, 1 to 2 in (2.5-5 cm) wide, with velvety, brownish, thin, tender skin and replete with latex when unripe. When ripe, the pulp is orange-red or red, soft, of agreeable subacid to acid flavor and may be seedless or contain 1 to 7 small, pale seeds. The pulp is edible raw; can be preserved in sirup or dried. Ripens from August to October in Florida. The tree is native from Kwangtung, China, to Hong Kong, and has been introduced sparingly abroad. It was planted experimentally in Florida in 1927 and was thriving in Puerto Rico in 1929. It grows at an altitude of 500 ft (152 m) in China. Young trees are injured by brief drops in temperature to 28 to 30F (-2.22-1.11C). Mature trees have endured 25 to 26F (-3.89-3.33C) in Homestead, Florida; have been killed by 20F (-6.67C) in central Florida. Subject: Fruits of Warm Climates - Julia F. Morton Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 16:38:07 -0700 From: Geoffrey Dunn http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/index.html Fruits of Warm Climates Julia F. Morton Published by Julia F. Morton, 20534 SW 92 Ct. Miami, FL. 33189 ISBN: 0-9610184-1-0 Distributed by Creative Resource Systems, Inc. Box 890, Winterville, N.C. 28590 PALMEA Date Pejibaye ARACEAE Ceriman BROMELIACEAE Pineapple MUSACEAE Banana MORACEAE Fig Breadfruit Jackfruit and Related Species Amazon Tree-Grape ANNONACEAE Cherimoya Sugar Apple Atemoya Soursop Custard Apple Ilama Soncoya Wild Custard Apple and Related Species Biriba LAURACEAE Avocado and Related Species ROSACEAE Loquat Capulin Mysore Raspberry Red Ceylon Peach CHRYSOBALANACEAE Sansapote LEGUMINOSAE Tamarind Carob OXALIDACEAE Carambola Bilimbi RUTACEAE Sour Orange Orange Mandarin Orange Tangor Pummelo Grapefruit Tangelo Orangelo Lemon Mexican Lime Tahiti Lime Sweet Lime Calamondin Mandarin Lime Citron Kumquat Sundry Hybrids and Rootstocks Bael Fruit Wood-Apple White Sapote Wampee MELIACEAE Santol Langsat MALPIGHIACEAE Barbados Cherry Nance EUPHORBIACEAE Bignay and Related Species Emblic Otaheite Gooseberry Rambai and Related Species ANACARDIACEAE Mango and Related Species Cashew Apple Ambarella and Related Species Purple Mombin Yellow Mombin and Related Species SAPINDACEAE Lychee Longan Rambutan Pulasan Mamoncillo Akee RHAMNACEAE Indian Jujube TILIACEAE Phalsa ELAEOCARPACEAE Jamaica Cherry MALVACEAE Roselle BOMBACACEAE Durian and Related Species Chupa-Chupa ACTINIDIACEAE Kiwifruit and Related Species GUTTIFERAE Mangosteen Mamey Bakuri Bakupari and Related Species FLACOURTIACEAE Ketembilla and Related Species Kei Apple and Related Species PASSIFLORACEAE Passionfruit Giant Granadilla Sweet Granadilla Water Lemon Banana Passion Fruit Sweet Calabash CARICACEAE Papaya and Related Species CACTACEAE Strawberry Pear and Related Species Barbados Gooseberry PUNICACEAE Pomegranate MYRTACEAE Guave Cattley Guava Costa Rican Guava Brazilian Guava and Related Species Feijoa Jaboticabas Jambolan Malay Apple Java Apple Water Apple Rose Apple Surinam Cherry Rumberry and Related Species Grumichama Pitomba SAPOTACEAE Sapodilla Sapote and Related Species Canistel Lucmo Abiu Star Apple EBENACEAE Japanese Persimmon Black Sapote Mabolo APOCYNACEAE Carissa Karanda SOLANACEAE Naranjilla and Closely Related Species Cocona Cape Gooseberry Mexican Husk Tomato Tree Tomato RUBIACEAE Genipap CUCURBITACEAE Cassabanana Bibliography ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ Subject: Blackberry Experiences - Mine Are Different! Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:08:16 -0700 From: Leo Manuel To: nafex@onelist.com Sam, my experiences with blackberries are so different from what you and Jeff report that I should tell of mine. I live in San Diego, and the berries are planted on a north slope. I initially planted Chester, Navaho, Arapaho, and Waldo. I recently added LochNess (I believe that's the name.) Chester - very sour, but a rampant grower. I removed it right away, but doubt if I got it all. Navaho - Mine all (six) died before I could evaluate them. I will try them again, as they have been reported as one of the best, and I like the erect way they grow. Arapaho - My favorite! It's erect, bears delicious and large berries over a long period. I recommend it to my friends without reservation. Waldo - As good as Arapaho in performance and taste, but is, at best, semi-erect, and requires more staking and training. LochNess - Has grown very slightly. I need to re-locate them, as they probably are not getting the best nourishment and water. The berries are quite good, and late, but the vines grew so sparingly that the lateness may not be the norm. I can't tell if it's erect-growing yet or not. Anyone with similar experience with Chester v Arapaho v Waldo? Horticordially, Leo Manuel --Sam Franc said in Message: 13 Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 20:42:26 -0700 Subject: Re: (blackberries) Which foothills are you in? I am at 160 feet south of Florence. I have Navahoe, arapahoe, hull, and chester. Chester is by far the best producing and best tasteing for me. Navahoe is very slow growing and the berries stay small and sour with large seeds. Arapahoe is a complete bust. Hull is vigorous and a large berry. Taste is good. The vines may be a little too vigourous as I have to really cut them back to keep them in bounds. Sam mailto:franc@presys.com -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- None this time --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- Subject: [rarefruit] seedless sugar apple Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 07:20:52 +0100 (WETDST) From: lavigne@paradis.cirad.fr Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com Dear rare fruit growers, Here in Reunion Island, a farmer sells seedless sugar apples (Annona squamosa). These fruits are so delicious, without the usually numerous seeds inside, that I would like to grow the tree in my garden. Unfortunately, this man does not want to sell any budwood... Does somebody knows about this variety of sugar apple, and where I can buy budwood ? Thanks. Chris mailto:lavigne@paradis.cirad.fr ---Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov--- Subject: New Lure for Fruit Fly Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 07:14:09 -0300 From: "ARS News Service" A new lure developed at the Agricultural Research Service may help stop the spread of the Malaysian fruit fly, a housefly-size pest of crops like peppers, tomato, eggplant, cucumber and gourds. The lure can be easily applied to wicks like those used in standard insect traps. Traps holding wicks treated with the new blend could be used in detection programs in states such as California. There, pest control workers monitor traps year-round to detect outbreaks of other insect species before they build up. A relative of the infamous Mediterranean fruit fly, the Malaysian fruit fly or Bactrocera latifrons is now established on all major islands in Hawaii. If undetected in contraband produce, it could hitchhike to the continental U.S. and pose a considerable threat to mainland agriculture. The insect is native to southern and southeastern regions of Asia. The new lure was developed by ARS researchers in Hilo, Hawaii, and Albany, Calif. The agency-- the chief research wing of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--is seeking patent protection for the lure. The lure is easy to make and doesn't require solvents or additives. It combines a colorless chemical called alpha-ionol and cade oil. The oil is a dark-brown liquid extracted from prickly juniper, Juniperus oxycedrus. Earlier, ARS scientists in Hawaii and Maryland patented alpha-ionol as a Malaysian fruit fly lure. Now, ARS experiments in Hawaii have shown that cade oil makes the lure more effective. The experiments used more than 1 million laboratory-reared Malaysian fruit flies, according to Grant T. McQuate at the ARS U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo. An article in the September issue of ARS' monthly journal, Agricultural Research, tells more. See it on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep99/lure0999.htm Subject: New Bait May Be Last Meal For Pest Termite Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 10:28:35 -0400 From: "ARS News Service" NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 12--An experimental bait that tempts the termite's taste buds with plant fiber and other ingredients is earning high marks--but not just from the insect. U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are pleased with early test results showing the bait is quickly attacked by the termite and can require less pesticide to kill the wood-eating pest. In laboratory trials, the bait required up to 95 percent less toxin than other bait products to kill off captive termite colonies, report Guadalupe Rojas and Juan Morales-Ramos, entomologists with USDA's Agricultural Research Service in New Orleans. The agency has applied for patent protection on the bait, primarily designed for the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus. In tests, the bait often stimulated feeding within two weeks of deployment. By six weeks, the termite population declined, and by three months little or no activity was evident. Native to southern China and nearby Pacific islands, the Formosan subterranean termite was discovered in the southern U.S. during the mid-1960s at several seaport cities, including New Orleans. Possibly transported there by ships returning from World War II's South Pacific theater, the termite today is established in nine southern states, California and Hawaii. In the U.S. alone, the exotic pest costs an estimated $1 billion dollars annually in damage, repairs and control expenses The scientists' research is part of a USDA-led national campaign called Operation Full Stop, begun last year to reign in the Formosan termite and minimize its damage. Conventional control methods call for applying chemical insecticides along a building's perimeter. However, such defenses often fail to stop the Formosan termite. That has forced pest control experts to take the offensive. A key attack strategy is to deploy toxic baits to eliminate the termite population. "The trick is making sure the termites quickly find and readily feed on the bait, along with the impregnated toxins," says Rojas, who is with the ARS' Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans. Moreover, she adds, the toxin must be slow-acting and not kill the termites too soon. That's because the pests need time to distribute the toxin to other colony members by exchanging food or secretions, such as through grooming, excretion or regurgitation. With that in mind, the two researchers developed an entirely new bait formula. To do this, they carefully studied the termite's foraging behavior, feeding preferences, and nutritional needs for growth and reproduction. Early on, they looked to nature for clues. In decaying wood, for example, they found natural substances that foraging termites readily consume and carry to their queen to help with her egg-laying. After identifying the substances, the researchers combined them into feeding stimulants. They then mixed the stimulants with ground plant fiber, water and other ingredients that maintain proper texture and moisture. They also designed a covering for the bait (called a "matrix") that maintains an environment the termites prefer. Standard baits employ wooden stakes and cardboard or paper as carriers for the toxins. But the new bait's "ingredients" stimulate the termites to feed--and come back for more. This results in more toxin getting spread quickly to more colony members, says Rojas, at the ARS' center's Formosan Subterranean Termite Research Unit. In lab trials there, the bait required less pesticide than standard products and triggered quicker termite feeding. By six weeks, such feeding had killed off much of the colony. The scientists used both experimental and commercially registered pesticides, including diflubenzuron and hexaflumuron. Both these chemicals disrupt the formation of chitin, a substance comprising the termite's outer "skin," gut wall and air tubes. Field studies conducted at New Orleans City Park confirmed the scientists' lab findings. In the study, they installed yellow pine stakes next to the ARS bait matrix. A few weeks later, they checked for termite feeding damage. The results showed that the termites were nine times more likely to attack and eat the baits than the pine stakes. This summer, licensed pest control operators in New Orleans began monitoring seven homes in which the ARS bait matrix had been installed. Similar trials are also underway in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama. Rojas says the baits, which contained diflubenzuron, were installed in seven New Orleans homes last June. Biweekly inspections revealed termite feeding on the baits as soon as two weeks after their installation. Once that happened, termite activity declined in about six weeks, mirroring findings in the lab. The ARS research center where Rojas and Morales work will also install the bait in several of its buildings as well as around infested trees on the facility's property. Like many buildings and trees in the Greater New Orleans area, the ARS center also has been invaded by the Formosan termite. You can also get the latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - October 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - November 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9911A.txt Can it be November already? Mango blossoms keep appearing, probably because of the unseasonable heat. However, my crop is light. Howabout yours? This issue is one of the smallest I've sent out for years! The mail has been light. Just keep us in mind when you have a question (or an answer to a question we probably have.) If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. To see back issues of the newsletter, visit the online group, "OldRFN" OldRFN is at http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX Does the webpage, OldRFN work for you? If you have trouble, please feel free to request copies by email. --Notes In Passing 1. I want to buy an 'EarlyGold' mango tree. I've been watering Captain Bucklew's mango grove in Encinitas, most of which are supposed to be 'EarlyGold,' and I have successfully grafted from several, but the identification is tentative, at best. 2. What do you know about the 'Zill' mango? There is one or two of them, supposedly, also in Captain Bucklews grove, and they seem pretty similar to the 'EarlyGold' mango. Anyone growing either of them, please let me know. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, FL, Has Citrus Robert Knight New Subscriber, Near San Francisco; What Will Grow Here? Bill Smyth --Readers Write Successor Seth Saturn Re: nitre bush lisa chadfield To: Ricardo Barbosa Re: Longan Info and Thursday Meeting Sven Merten Information on naranjilla fruit needed Peter Holland Mountain Papaya - How Do I Prepare Them To Eat? Kelsay Schroeder --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider None, this time --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List None, this time None, this time --From NEWCROPS List None, this time --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Re: papaya Ira Lane Re: Temperature concerns Sven Merten Re: papaya Vineet Shroff ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Has Citrus Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 20:05:51 From: Robert Knight Hi, I am Robert L Knight, in Bradenton, Florida The fruit trees I currently have are: Key Lime, Blood Orange Thanks, Bob mailto:knightbob@yahoo.com Subject: New Subscriber, Near San Francisco; What Will Grow Here? Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 20:20:33 -0700 From: Bill Smyth I am Bill Smyth, living near San Francisco, CA (About 3 blocks away from SF city/county. Right by Colma. Rare fruit I am growing: Avocados; Fruit I'd like to grow: Apricot, peach, nectarine, better Japanese Plum, mine is 15-20 yrs old. Maybe a grape on my South wall, or there's a climbing fig which sticks to anything at all... A lemon or Myers Improved (substitute,) and a Lime for this climate. I tend to choose 'Early' also when I can, as Alaskans do, due to low sun (fog) and low heat. Their 60 day tomatoes take 120, here, 90-ish. (One must read between the lines, living here.) Does anyone in a low chill, low heat, low light, long season, little/no frost area w/PM wind 0-15mph have experience w/these fruits or others... respond or e-mail direct is fine. Specific varietals, a plus. What varieties do 'well' in 'low everything' climates? Bill mailto:OOWON@netscape.net -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Successor Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 05:30:18 PDT From: "Seth Saturn" Leo, Seth Saturn (late of Minnesota) here. We met briefly 9/98 when I was in SD for the annual meeting. I appreciated your site on the tour - it's a great model. I've not always been able to keep current on the reading, but I have to tell you how much I value what you do to make this possible. I have been growing exotic edibles for about 13 years. That includes tropicals, sub, and other (lots of other because I have lived in Oregon and now in the mid-west). When I finish my Ph.D., we will be returning to the Northwest and buying land again to resume my hobby more actively. I anticipate continuing to follow my interest and may be a potential next editor / facilitator. (At age 41, I probably represent "the next generation" - but please don't go anywhere for a LONG time -- you're too much fun to have around!) Rest assured, we will not let your good work end. Thanks for all you do to keep our fruit-growing interests alive!!!! I never met a fruit I didn't like :-) !! Seth Saturn mailto:mnfruitgardener@excite.com Subject: re nitre bush Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 11:50:54 +1000 From: "lisa chadfield" To: "Ricardo Barbosa" Hi Ricardo We have Yellow, Orange & Black Grumichamas, only the yellow has fruited as yet, the others are only young & I think they are one of the most delicious fruits we have. I am very glad that this is the yellows 3rd year of fruiting & it looks like a bumper crop! I hadn't actually heard of the Nitre Bush myself but we have a book by Tim Low called " Wild Food Plants of Australia" & I was able to find the following information for you, I hope it helps. Nitre Bush (Nitaria billardieri) other names Dillon Bush, Wild Grape, Karumbil (N. schoberi) note this is an outdated scientific name. Nitre bush forms a large sprawling sometimes spiny shrub 0.5 - 3m tall. The fruits are red purple or yellow, 1-2 cm long, contain a long pointed seed & ripen in summer & autumn. The slender fleshy leaves are 1-4cm long. Plants in South western Australia grow upright, have broader leaves & may represent a separate undescribed species. Nitre Bush grows on beaches, dunes & coastal headlands, & inland on saltbush plains, claypans, riverflats, overgrazed pastures & degraded farmlands.Nitre Fruits taste like salty grapes. I am at present collecting various Australian native seeds for myself as our land at present can't fit anymore plants on! We hope to move to acreage in the near future...anyway as I gather seeds I will collect some for you as well. I will contact you when I have a few. Regards Lisa mailto:lisc@powerup.com.au Subject: Re: Longan Info and Thursday Meeting. Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 05:33:02 -0700 From: scoutdog@pacbell.net Leo, Is Quang looking for a house, or somewhere to set up a nursery? I assume you mean closer to downtown San Diego? If he is looking for a house there are some less expensive areas like National City and El Cajon, but if he is looking for land I'm not sure where he should look. Yes, I am planning to do most of the work on the orchard myself. It's more fun that way! I really like working outside and working hard. Remember I've been working in a lab for the last 6 years so I've hardly seen the sun. I will get help if things get too much, but for now it doesn't look like it will be too bad. I rented a bulldozer and cleared 2 acres and I'll rent a trencher to dig the ditches for the irrigation lines. I plan to rent or buy a mulcher to get rid of the brush. The only hard part will be digging the holes for the trees and I can take that slow. We will probably only plant about three acres of longans. There is a large market for them in the Asian communities up here in Orange and LA Counties. The good thing about them is that they produce off season (2 month later) from Asia. So, you get top dollar because there is no supply when they ripen. The only question is how well and regularly they will produce, but we'll see. Right now we are not planning any significant number of mango trees. Maybe we will plant a few just for ourselves and for selling in farmers markets. I was looking for fruits that are in demand, but in short supply that will get a high price. Thus, the pitaya and off-season longans. I am also planning on trying sapodilla, although only a half acre or so. What I would really like to produce is mangosteen and rambutan, (as well as some others) but this will take greenhouses and I don't know how feasible that would be. My neighbor and I share fruit with each other all the time. The other day she brought some over in a paper towel and said she had some lychee for me to try. When I looked down I couldn't believe it. There two fresh rambutan. I guess one of her customers at Home Depot, an older Asian lady grows them in a greenhouse in her back yard. So it is possible to get them to fruit this way. I am trying to go over and see how she has things set up, but I'm not sure if she wants anyone to come over to her house. Well, I guess I've rambled enough. I'll see you tonight. Take care. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Leo Manuel wrote: Hi Sven, I'm sorry to say I don't have any additional information to pass along. I do plan to go to the meeting tomorrow night. Feel free to stop by almost any time. I'm home most of the time on most days, so you will most likely catch me home. Quang Ong is going to be looking for a place to move to, but he wants something closer to San Diego. If you know of anything, I'm sure he'd like to hear of it. Are you doing most of the physical work yourself? What made you decide to plant so many longan trees? Did you research the market potential? Are you going to plant mango trees in quantity as well? I'd guess (only that) that mango trees would be relatively profitable, if you can avoid frost for a few years. See you soon. Leo Sven Merten wrote: Hi Leo, How are you doing? I was wondering if you have any information on longans other than what is in your archives? We cleared 2 acres on the property and I am trying to figure out how to plant the longans. i.e. spacing, irrigation set up and any cover crops that we can plant. Is there anyone I should talk to other than Dr. Rasananda. He gave me some names of people in the states, but I thought you might also know someone. I don't know if you are going, but I am going to the San Diego chapter meeting on thursday. I hope to see you there. Thanks and I'll talk to you soon. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Subject: Information on naranjilla fruit needed Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 11:04:36-0400 From: "Peter Holland" I am looking for the following information on Naranjilla fruit. What parts of the world is it grown. the history of the fruit. the nutritional benefits of the fruit Please email me with any information you may have. Thank you. Peter holland mailto:holland2@mediaone.net Subject: Mountain Papaya - How Do I Prepare Them To Eat? Date: Mon, 01 Nov 1999 08:30:42 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder Dear Leo: I have now grown a number of Mountain Papayas or chamburro, possibly toronchi, I am not sure, to fruiting stage but I have no idea what to do with the small 4" fruits. I tried parboiling them to soften them up but after ten minutes they were still too tough to my palate. I tried adding a little sugar, but they were still too bland. I know they can taste quite good, as a local grocery store, Trader Joe's, has carried what they call "Chilean Papaya" processed in glass jars, and which I presume to be a larger cultivated variety of what I have, and everyone in the family enjoys them and their flavor. Any ideas or recipes? Sincerely, Alan Schroeder mailto:kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us ----------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider---------------- None this time ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- None this time --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- Subject: [rarefruit] Re: papaya Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 21:49:52 EDT From: Ira Lane Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com I use the leaves as a natural wrap for steamed meat/fish/egetable food packets called "lau lau." Wrap meat and fish in taro leaves, then wrap them in banana leaves and steam cook for 3 hours. Banana leaves impart an "earthy" flavor and aroma to dishes cooked in them. Ancestors have been doing it a long time...long before we invinted foil wrap . And banana plants look so green and gorgeous on the landscape. No recipe to mention. Ira mailto:ira_lane@juno.com Erica Lynne wrote: Are all banana leaves good for cooking? What do you cook in them? Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Temperature concerns Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 08:41:56-0700 From: scoutdog@pacbell.net Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com Hi Cher, The following site list many fruit trees and temperatures they can withstand: http://www.crfg.org/tidbits/seedprop.html This one has tips for protecting trees from frost: http://www.crfg.org/tidbits/bkydfrostprot.html The Kiwi should handle the cold, but the others may need some protection. Good luck. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Cher wrote: Hello everyone.. I am really new to this world of rare and not so rare fruits. I have a concern that I hope you can help me with. I live in what is considered zone 9. We do from time to time experience freezes. My question however is, at what temp should I be concerned about my new children. Kiwi vine, Strawberry Tree, Papaya, etc. ??? Thank you. Cher Subject: [rarefruit] Re: papaya Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 01:13:51 +0530 From: "Vineet Shroff" Reply-To:rarefruit@egroups.com In Indian cooking, banana leaves have been used extensively. 1) Fish is coated in spices like chilly, mint, ginger and garlic, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or fried. The same can be done for chicken or mutton after adequate marination or with natural tenderisers such as Papin from raw papya gratings. 2) Fish is also grilled on the tandoor after wrapping it in banana leaves to prevent it from disintegrating or charring excessively. 3) Vegetables and shrimps with suitable condiments are packed into banana leaf packets and deep fried. Additionally, banana leaf is used as a plate in traditional meals in the Southern states of India. Banana flowers are also used to make delicacies in different styles in the different regions of India. Vineet Shroff mailto:vshroff@bigfoot.com Pgardener1@aol.com wrote: I'm in zone 9a North Central Florida...I also grow bananas...but haven't gotten any ripe fruit yet...I expect to get some during the years when we have mild winters...I have key lime but I protect it in the winter. Cool. I too, have not been able to fruit bananas, but I have seen them in my area. I noticed that these banana plants are growing on the south or southeast wall of the house. Bananas are like papaya...need a long, warm, growing season. I use my banana trees as garden decoration and the leaves are used for wrapping foods for coooking. I grow taro too...just for the leaves and they make a nice yard decoration..."edible landscaping." ---Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov--- None, this time. >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - November 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - November 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9911A.txt Can it be November already? Mango blossoms keep appearing, probably because of the unseasonable heat. However, my crop is light. Howabout yours? This issue is one of the smallest I've sent out for years! The mail has been light. Just keep us in mind when you have a question (or an answer to a question we probably have.) If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. To see back issues of the newsletter, visit the online group, "OldRFN" OldRFN is at http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX Does the webpage, OldRFN work for you? If you have trouble, please feel free to request copies by email. --Notes In Passing 1. I want to buy an 'EarlyGold' mango tree. I've been watering Captain Bucklew's mango grove in Encinitas, most of which are supposed to be 'EarlyGold,' and I have successfully grafted from several, but the identification is tentative, at best. 2. What do you know about the 'Zill' mango? There is one or two of them, supposedly, also in Captain Bucklews grove, and they seem pretty similar to the 'EarlyGold' mango. Anyone growing either of them, please let me know. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, FL, Has Citrus Robert Knight New Subscriber, Near San Francisco; What Will Grow Here? Bill Smyth --Readers Write Successor Seth Saturn Re: nitre bush lisa chadfield To: Ricardo Barbosa Re: Longan Info and Thursday Meeting Sven Merten Information on naranjilla fruit needed Peter Holland Mountain Papaya - How Do I Prepare Them To Eat? Kelsay Schroeder --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider None, this time --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List None, this time None, this time --From NEWCROPS List None, this time --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Re: papaya Ira Lane Re: Temperature concerns Sven Merten Re: papaya Vineet Shroff ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, FL, Has Citrus Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 20:05:51 From: Robert Knight Hi, I am Robert L Knight, in Bradenton, Florida The fruit trees I currently have are: Key Lime, Blood Orange Thanks, Bob mailto:knightbob@yahoo.com Subject: New Subscriber, Near San Francisco; What Will Grow Here? Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 20:20:33 -0700 From: Bill Smyth I am Bill Smyth, living near San Francisco, CA (About 3 blocks away from SF city/county. Right by Colma. Rare fruit I am growing: Avocados; Fruit I'd like to grow: Apricot, peach, nectarine, better Japanese Plum, mine is 15-20 yrs old. Maybe a grape on my South wall, or there's a climbing fig which sticks to anything at all... A lemon or Myers Improved (substitute,) and a Lime for this climate. I tend to choose 'Early' also when I can, as Alaskans do, due to low sun (fog) and low heat. Their 60 day tomatoes take 120, here, 90-ish. (One must read between the lines, living here.) Does anyone in a low chill, low heat, low light, long season, little/no frost area w/PM wind 0-15mph have experience w/these fruits or others... respond or e-mail direct is fine. Specific varietals, a plus. What varieties do 'well' in 'low everything' climates? Bill mailto:OOWON@netscape.net -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Successor Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 05:30:18 PDT From: "Seth Saturn" Leo, Seth Saturn (late of Minnesota) here. We met briefly 9/98 when I was in SD for the annual meeting. I appreciated your site on the tour - it's a great model. I've not always been able to keep current on the reading, but I have to tell you how much I value what you do to make this possible. I have been growing exotic edibles for about 13 years. That includes tropicals, sub, and other (lots of other because I have lived in Oregon and now in the mid-west). When I finish my Ph.D., we will be returning to the Northwest and buying land again to resume my hobby more actively. I anticipate continuing to follow my interest and may be a potential next editor / facilitator. (At age 41, I probably represent "the next generation" - but please don't go anywhere for a LONG time -- you're too much fun to have around!) Rest assured, we will not let your good work end. Thanks for all you do to keep our fruit-growing interests alive!!!! I never met a fruit I didn't like :-) !! Seth Saturn mailto:mnfruitgardener@excite.com Subject: re nitre bush Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 11:50:54 +1000 From: "lisa chadfield" To: "Ricardo Barbosa" Hi Ricardo We have Yellow, Orange & Black Grumichamas, only the yellow has fruited as yet, the others are only young & I think they are one of the most delicious fruits we have. I am very glad that this is the yellows 3rd year of fruiting & it looks like a bumper crop! I hadn't actually heard of the Nitre Bush myself but we have a book by Tim Low called " Wild Food Plants of Australia" & I was able to find the following information for you, I hope it helps. Nitre Bush (Nitaria billardieri) other names Dillon Bush, Wild Grape, Karumbil (N. schoberi) note this is an outdated scientific name. Nitre bush forms a large sprawling sometimes spiny shrub 0.5 - 3m tall. The fruits are red purple or yellow, 1-2 cm long, contain a long pointed seed & ripen in summer & autumn. The slender fleshy leaves are 1-4cm long. Plants in South western Australia grow upright, have broader leaves & may represent a separate undescribed species. Nitre Bush grows on beaches, dunes & coastal headlands, & inland on saltbush plains, claypans, riverflats, overgrazed pastures & degraded farmlands.Nitre Fruits taste like salty grapes. I am at present collecting various Australian native seeds for myself as our land at present can't fit anymore plants on! We hope to move to acreage in the near future...anyway as I gather seeds I will collect some for you as well. I will contact you when I have a few. Regards Lisa mailto:lisc@powerup.com.au Subject: Re: Longan Info and Thursday Meeting. Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 05:33:02 -0700 From: scoutdog@pacbell.net Leo, Is Quang looking for a house, or somewhere to set up a nursery? I assume you mean closer to downtown San Diego? If he is looking for a house there are some less expensive areas like National City and El Cajon, but if he is looking for land I'm not sure where he should look. Yes, I am planning to do most of the work on the orchard myself. It's more fun that way! I really like working outside and working hard. Remember I've been working in a lab for the last 6 years so I've hardly seen the sun. I will get help if things get too much, but for now it doesn't look like it will be too bad. I rented a bulldozer and cleared 2 acres and I'll rent a trencher to dig the ditches for the irrigation lines. I plan to rent or buy a mulcher to get rid of the brush. The only hard part will be digging the holes for the trees and I can take that slow. We will probably only plant about three acres of longans. There is a large market for them in the Asian communities up here in Orange and LA Counties. The good thing about them is that they produce off season (2 month later) from Asia. So, you get top dollar because there is no supply when they ripen. The only question is how well and regularly they will produce, but we'll see. Right now we are not planning any significant number of mango trees. Maybe we will plant a few just for ourselves and for selling in farmers markets. I was looking for fruits that are in demand, but in short supply that will get a high price. Thus, the pitaya and off-season longans. I am also planning on trying sapodilla, although only a half acre or so. What I would really like to produce is mangosteen and rambutan, (as well as some others) but this will take greenhouses and I don't know how feasible that would be. My neighbor and I share fruit with each other all the time. The other day she brought some over in a paper towel and said she had some lychee for me to try. When I looked down I couldn't believe it. There two fresh rambutan. I guess one of her customers at Home Depot, an older Asian lady grows them in a greenhouse in her back yard. So it is possible to get them to fruit this way. I am trying to go over and see how she has things set up, but I'm not sure if she wants anyone to come over to her house. Well, I guess I've rambled enough. I'll see you tonight. Take care. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Leo Manuel wrote: Hi Sven, I'm sorry to say I don't have any additional information to pass along. I do plan to go to the meeting tomorrow night. Feel free to stop by almost any time. I'm home most of the time on most days, so you will most likely catch me home. Quang Ong is going to be looking for a place to move to, but he wants something closer to San Diego. If you know of anything, I'm sure he'd like to hear of it. Are you doing most of the physical work yourself? What made you decide to plant so many longan trees? Did you research the market potential? Are you going to plant mango trees in quantity as well? I'd guess (only that) that mango trees would be relatively profitable, if you can avoid frost for a few years. See you soon. Leo Sven Merten wrote: Hi Leo, How are you doing? I was wondering if you have any information on longans other than what is in your archives? We cleared 2 acres on the property and I am trying to figure out how to plant the longans. i.e. spacing, irrigation set up and any cover crops that we can plant. Is there anyone I should talk to other than Dr. Rasananda. He gave me some names of people in the states, but I thought you might also know someone. I don't know if you are going, but I am going to the San Diego chapter meeting on thursday. I hope to see you there. Thanks and I'll talk to you soon. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Subject: Information on naranjilla fruit needed Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 11:04:36-0400 From: "Peter Holland" I am looking for the following information on Naranjilla fruit. What parts of the world is it grown. the history of the fruit. the nutritional benefits of the fruit Please email me with any information you may have. Thank you. Peter holland mailto:holland2@mediaone.net Subject: Mountain Papaya - How Do I Prepare Them To Eat? Date: Mon, 01 Nov 1999 08:30:42 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder Dear Leo: I have now grown a number of Mountain Papayas or chamburro, possibly toronchi, I am not sure, to fruiting stage but I have no idea what to do with the small 4" fruits. I tried parboiling them to soften them up but after ten minutes they were still too tough to my palate. I tried adding a little sugar, but they were still too bland. I know they can taste quite good, as a local grocery store, Trader Joe's, has carried what they call "Chilean Papaya" processed in glass jars, and which I presume to be a larger cultivated variety of what I have, and everyone in the family enjoys them and their flavor. Any ideas or recipes? Sincerely, Alan Schroeder mailto:kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us ----------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider---------------- None this time ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- None this time --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- Subject: [rarefruit] Re: papaya Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 21:49:52 EDT From: Ira Lane Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com I use the leaves as a natural wrap for steamed meat/fish/egetable food packets called "lau lau." Wrap meat and fish in taro leaves, then wrap them in banana leaves and steam cook for 3 hours. Banana leaves impart an "earthy" flavor and aroma to dishes cooked in them. Ancestors have been doing it a long time...long before we invinted foil wrap . And banana plants look so green and gorgeous on the landscape. No recipe to mention. Ira mailto:ira_lane@juno.com Erica Lynne wrote: Are all banana leaves good for cooking? What do you cook in them? Subject: [rarefruit] Re: Temperature concerns Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 08:41:56-0700 From: scoutdog@pacbell.net Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com Hi Cher, The following site list many fruit trees and temperatures they can withstand: http://www.crfg.org/tidbits/seedprop.html This one has tips for protecting trees from frost: http://www.crfg.org/tidbits/bkydfrostprot.html The Kiwi should handle the cold, but the others may need some protection. Good luck. Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Cher wrote: Hello everyone.. I am really new to this world of rare and not so rare fruits. I have a concern that I hope you can help me with. I live in what is considered zone 9. We do from time to time experience freezes. My question however is, at what temp should I be concerned about my new children. Kiwi vine, Strawberry Tree, Papaya, etc. ??? Thank you. Cher Subject: [rarefruit] Re: papaya Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 01:13:51 +0530 From: "Vineet Shroff" Reply-To:rarefruit@egroups.com In Indian cooking, banana leaves have been used extensively. 1) Fish is coated in spices like chilly, mint, ginger and garlic, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or fried. The same can be done for chicken or mutton after adequate marination or with natural tenderisers such as Papin from raw papya gratings. 2) Fish is also grilled on the tandoor after wrapping it in banana leaves to prevent it from disintegrating or charring excessively. 3) Vegetables and shrimps with suitable condiments are packed into banana leaf packets and deep fried. Additionally, banana leaf is used as a plate in traditional meals in the Southern states of India. Banana flowers are also used to make delicacies in different styles in the different regions of India. Vineet Shroff mailto:vshroff@bigfoot.com Pgardener1@aol.com wrote: I'm in zone 9a North Central Florida...I also grow bananas...but haven't gotten any ripe fruit yet...I expect to get some during the years when we have mild winters...I have key lime but I protect it in the winter. Cool. I too, have not been able to fruit bananas, but I have seen them in my area. I noticed that these banana plants are growing on the south or southeast wall of the house. Bananas are like papaya...need a long, warm, growing season. I use my banana trees as garden decoration and the leaves are used for wrapping foods for coooking. I grow taro too...just for the leaves and they make a nice yard decoration..."edible landscaping." ---Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov--- None, this time. >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - November 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - December 1, 1999 - AKA RFN9912A.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. To see back issues of the newsletter, visit the online group, "OldRFN" OldRFN is at http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX Please keep me advised of trouble with the OldRFN webpage. Also, please pass along suggestions to make the newsletter more useful and interesting. --Notes In Passing I will be in Rolla, Missouri for the week of December 23 through 30, and possibly out of touch with e-mail. My father is in a residential care facility there and I will be staying in his room. His telephone doesn't permit long distance calls out, and I don't know how to use voice to get an outside line (with credit card or MCI calling card information) and then switch on my laptop. Usually the computer does the dialing through a modem. Driving on ice and/or snow is something I haven't done since 1963, and I'm not looking forward to it. Maybe the weather in the St. Louis area will continue to be mild.... Happy holidays to you and yours! Leo ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, CA; What To Squeeze Into A Small Yard? Brandt Maxwell New Subscriber, FL, Has Lots Of Questions Kay Cheesewright-Duke --Readers Write Re: Seed "Richard K. Gross" To: Oscar Jaitt RE: Please Help Identify These California Fruit Sven Merten To: Maurice Kong Apples and chill Matthew Shugart Cherry Of The Rio Grande - OK In Zone 8? Other Questions.... Judy Boudreaux Rocoto peppers Kelsay Schroeder San Diego County Property Sought Nan Sterman Longan, Mango Fertilization; Information Sought EJG@webtv.net (Joyce Greenlund) --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider Oregon Live: Home & Garden -- 11/18/99 - Lon Rombough Introduced http://www.oregonlive.com/homeandgarden/features/11/991118_grape.html Re: Fungus - Problem or Godsend? A Different Perspective jko@xprt.net (Jeff Owens) --Zingiber List zingiber@onelist.com (Bananas, Gingers) Re: spider mites "mike underwood" --NAFEX List Re: Brambling "Lon J. Rombough" To: Leo Manuel Pineapples Richard Tripp Re: Pineapples "Doreen Howard" Re:Pineapples "Gambill" Brown Turkey fig Ray Givan --From NEWCROPS List None, this time --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Trying to id a fruit -- most delicious I ever tasted "M.-J. Taylor" Re: id - most delicious I ever tasted .. eggfruit, I think "M.-J. Taylor" Re: trying to id a fruit -- most delicious I ever tasted Copain97@aol.com Re: Need Suggestions Console IIci Re: re: id - most delicious I ever tasted .. eggfruit, I think Console IIci Re: Looking for help in a book project about tropical fruit Gloria & Walter Lyford Re: Blossom Set Eunice Messner Re: mangosteen and rambutan trees npara Re: Ed's Nursery "Bret Schmiege" Grafted Rambutans,etc. Bret Schmiege --Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov Japanese Honeysuckle Fragrances Could Help Control Moth Pests "ARS News Service" ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, CA; What To Squeeze Into A Small Yard? Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 04:51:22 -0800 From: Brandt Maxwell Leo, I'd be interested in receiving the Rare Fruit News Online...it sounds interesting. While I'm still sort of a beginner (I've only owned a house for a year now), I'm growing some rare fruit trees/plants (plus a garden) in my yard (in the western part of Mira Mesa--so I'm not terribly far from you if you're near Poway). I've planted bananas (Manzano and Brazilian), pineapple guava, white sapote, mango and several papayas (Hawaiian and Mexican). I also successfully rooted a pineapple (from a store-bought fruit)- it's in a pot outside, and next year I'll stick it in the ground. The only temperate-climate fruit plant (excluding garden veggies that are really fruits) is a low-chill blueberry bush I put in just recently. I assume if you're near Poway, you're on one of the hills near there (Poway gets pretty cold at night in the winter)? Anyway, here's the info for the "subscription"... I am Brandt Maxwell, in San Diego (Mira Mesa) California E-mail: bmaxwe@sac.san.noaa.gov (I have a home e-mail address too, but I might change my provider soon, so I'll give you the work address.) Fruit trees: See above. I'm running out of room, but maybe I can add something else (maybe something very VERY rare)! Oh, yeah...one other comment...I'm originally from Kansas too (Lawrence). I lived there until age 23 (I'm now 31). Later... Brandt mailto:bmaxwe@sac.san.noaa.gov Subject: New Subscriber, FL; Please Help In A Hurry! Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 21:24:46 -0800 From: Leo Manuel Hi, I am Kay Cheesewright-Duke, Okeechobee, Florida I am taking a Tropical and Subtropical fruit class with the University of Florida this semester. I am working on a paper for the end of the class on Eugenia uniflora L.. Florida is quite capable of growing the Surinam cherry in the landscape and therefore, there is a small amount of information pertaining to it. But I'm also interested in information about the Cherry of the Rio Grande and the Pitanga, which is or is not the same as the Eugenia uniflora L.. Yes or NO? Do you have or know of any great web sites or bits and pieces of personal information that you could pass on to me of the growing, habits, successes and how you use the mature fruit. How does the Cherry of the Rio Grande tolerate cooler to cold weather in California? I've read that is hardier than the Surinam cherry that we use quite a bit of in landscaping. I thank-you very much for your time and information. Please answer at your earliest convenience. If you have any information or web sites that can connect me to background information on the Eugenia aggregata Kiaersk, Eugenia dombeyi Skeels, Eugenia luschnathiana Klotzch and Eugenia uniflora L. Thank-you, Kay C. Duke mailto:bgcheese@okeechobee.com -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Re: Seed Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 00:06:43 -0800 From: "Richard K. Gross" To: Oscar Jaitt Just read your email to Leo Manual's RFN. That reminded me to thank you for the seed. It arrived here in perfect shape although some had split. I planted the 30 odd immediately. I check them every 15 minutes. No green showing yet. Thank you very much for the excellent service. "Richard K. Gross" mailto:rkg144@worldnet.att.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Oscar Jaitt To: Richard K. Gross Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 2:34 PM Subject: Re: Seed Hi Richard, I just found a bearing Mountain Apple tree. So if you still want the seeds e mail me back right away, so I save them for you until your check arrives. Or if you have not cashed my check yet you can just send that back. Thanks, Oscar Jaitt mailto:FruitLovers@webtv.net Subject: RE: Please Help Identify These California Fruit Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 07:15:49 -0800 From: scoutdog@pacbell.net To: Maurice Kong Dear Maurice, #1 looks like a lucuma (Pouteria lucuma or Lucuma obovata). Was the flesh orange and dry like an egg fruit? No idea on #2. #3 looks like a red Atemoya, but I guess that's obvious. I hope this helps. If you don't mind me asking, where are these plants. I would be interested in some bud wood from #3 if it is possible. Red colored Annonas are hard to come by, especially in California. Thank you for sending your tree list in one of the back issues of RFN. As you assumed, I am interested in growing longans. My wife and I are in the process of setting up a small orchard in San Diego County. We want to plant 2 or 3 acres of longans, but since we don't know which varieties will do well here we would like to try 10 trees of as many varieties as possible. Do you give any discount for larger numbers of trees, 10 or 20? The Mo-Bay sounds interesting, but do you think it will do well in cooler areas or just in warm climates. The Nam Pet is also interesting, is 10 a "larger quantity"? Do you ever sell air layers at a lower price? Tree size isn't that important, I am more interested in getting as many varieties as possible which means finding inexpensive plants so that we can buy more varieties. So far we have 50 each of See Champoo and Biew Kiew, 20 kohala, and one Diamond River (this isn't the same as Nam Pet is it?). I have had a hard time locating other varieties of longans. You mentioned that most unusual varieties are in private collections. I was wondering if you know of anyone willing to sell or trade some air layers off their trees. I would really like to find some varieties that will bear well in our area. Do you know anyone growing Sapodilla or pitaya (Hylocereus sp. or Selenicereus megalanthus)? We are also planning to plant a few acres of these. Are your Sapodila trees grafted or air layered? Keep us posted as to the identity of your unknown fruit. Thanks for the help. Best regards, Sven Merten mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Subject: Apples and chill Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 11:28:53 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart To: leom@rarefruit.com Hi folks: In the November 15 RFNO there was some discussion of what apple varieties do well under low-chill conditions. While I am willing to believe that there are indeed apple varieties that have high chilling requirements (even 800-1000 hours or more), I have come to the conclusion that most require NO chill! Frank James (CRFG member in Santa Ana) has tried more apples than anyone else I know in southern California, and he has said that probably over two thirds of all apples WILL FRUIT reliably in southern California. (I probably should not attribute that 2/3 number to him; I think he might have said 80 or even 90 percent, but I don't recall. Let's just say "vast majority"!) If you look at how most apples grow and bloom, you can see why. Unlike peaches and plums and apricots (which clearly do have chilling requirements, though some cultivars have very low requirements), apples usually begin growing first, then bloom. Other deciduous fruits tend to bloom first, then leaf out and grow. There are exceptions, of course. The point is that the growth of most apples is triggered by warmth, not the completion of a chilling requirement, and many varieties begin growing for a while before they bloom. That means they are not dependent on the previous year's growth to set bloom and fruit. Peaches (for example) grow have grown next year's fruiting wood this year and set buds during the late summer. Those buds then will over-winter and bloom only after they (the buds themselves) have been chilled for a certain number of (noncumulative) hours. Apples, on the other hand, tend to set their flower buds AFTER spring growth has resumed. Thus the buds do not need chill to open. I am generalizing here. I am not claiming this is true of all apples, but it is true of most. Many apples also can grow and bloom (and set fruit) almost any time of the year, as long as it is warm. In fact, studies in the Philippines with supposedly high-chill varieties like Rome Beauty have shown that even with no chill whatsoever, the trees will go into a bloom cycle shortly after their leaves are stripped to induce dormancy. They will regrow in the absence of chill because all they need to leaf out and then bloom is warmth. You can't do that with plums! My Anna and Dorsett Golden both are blooming right now, in mid-November after a warm spell. But then everyone seems to agree that these are low-chill cultivars. I have had excellent success with the following additional varieties, in approximate order of productivity for me (with higher on the list meaning more productive): Granny Smith (Leo: I want to get this to replace my 'Summer Granny.') Winter Pearmain Jonagold Pink Pearl (not to be confused with Pink Lady) Gala Braeburn Cinnamon Spice Hudson's Golden Gem All of these are listed in catalogues as needing, depending on the variety, 500 to 800 hours of chill! The last three I have on on M111 rootstock, and I think the only reason they have been somewhat less productive is that they are young trees on a less vigorous rootstock. The others are on either P22, M27 or B9. Those three are "mini-dwarf" rootstocks, and I am happiest with P22 and especially B9. I have better growth and better density of fruit along the branches of the trees on the B9 and P22 trees than on the M27 (including my Dorsett) or M111. I have no reason to believe any of the varieties that I list is less suitable for the climate than any others. By the way, I absolutely adore the Cinnamon Spice apple! One final comment. There is no doubt that more chill is better than less for apples; the point is just that chill isn't necessary. After the 1998-99 winter, which resulted in (I estimate) 600-650 chill units at my location, the crops were heavier, even on low-chill Anna, than in past years. But even with the more typical (for me) 400 chill units or less, all produce well. The main difference I see between milder and colder winters is that during a colder one, all the leaves drop. During a milder one, the trees are almost evergreen. I think that implies that a more complete dormancy indeed does lead to a better bloom. Perhaps that can be simulated by stripping leaves during a mild winter, consistent with the Philippine experiments I alluded to above. Yes, you can grow "rare" apple varieties in southern California. You need not stick with common Anna and Dorsett Golden (good though they are) and others like Beverly Hills, etc. Good growing. Matthew Shugart mailto:mshugart@ucsd.edu Carlsbad, California [Leo's note: My 'Magnum Bonum' bears quite heavily and is excellent as a dessert apple that keeps well. I also have a 'Giant Astrachan' that has enormous apples, maybe a little higher in chill requirements - All growing a few feet from my mango trees.] Subject: Cherry Of The Rio Grande - OK In Zone 8? Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 14:43:18 -0600 From: Judy Boudreaux I live in Texas. I love tropical fruits but am not able to grow many. Will the rio grande cherry survive in zone 8 and if so where can I find it. I live in east texas, Lovelady, Tx. My husband and I have a small place near Galveston. We have banana trees and a tangerine tree that is loaded. I am interested in getting other tropicals started. thanking you in advance. Judy Boudreaux mailto:CSH_JXB@shsu.edu - Lovelady, Tx 75851 Subject: Rocoto peppers Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 08:43:36 +0000 From: Kelsay Schroeder Dear Leo: Seed of Rocoto peppers can be purchased from Oregon Exotics Nursery: www.exoticfruit.com The mature peppers are in various colors:red, yellow, brown and green. I have two plants of the red variety growing here in coastal Southern California. They are perennial and seemed to survive even the cold of last winter without too much problem. My plants are two years old. One is about 3 feet tall and twice as wide,the other is about 5-6 feet tall and as wide. They tend to be spreading. Harvest is October through December. The peppers are fruity and with moderate heat and comparatively thick walled. They size up at 2 inches by 2 inches, small "apples" at best. Sincerely Kelsay Schroeder mailto:kelsay@straphael.sbceo.k12.ca.us Subject: San Diego County Property Sought Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 19:53:34 -0800 From: Nan Sterman "We are looking for 8-20 acres in San Diego County with a well and reasonable access to and from property for wholesale and retail traffic. Our ideal is a parcel with a little natural character....perhaps a creek and or some old oaks or sycamores, a structure or two to remodel into offices and perhaps even a retail shop, and if it had a liveable house on site or adjacen (via rent, lease or additional purchase) that would be a very nice thing! "We intend to start by rebuilding our wholesale stock and then develop a retail area with demonstration gardens, and an outdoor classroom to continue with the educational side of this business that is so critical in my mind..." Dear Leo, I have a friend in the San Diego area who is looking for property to move his native plant growing grounds and retail operations. Since this topic has come up before on rarefruit on-line, I thought that some of your readers might have some suggestions for him. I would greatly appreciate your posting the following information to the rarefruit on-line. Readers can respond to me and I will pass the information on. Thanks so much! Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com Subject: Longan, Mango Fertilization; Information Sought Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 18:08:37 -0800 (PST) From: EJG@webtv.net (Joyce Greenlund) Please add me to your monthly newsletter posting. Also, if you have any fertilization info for longons and mango. Thanks. Joyce Greenlund mailto:EJG@webtv.net I live in Santa Barbara. Bubbles' and Bruno's mommy ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: Oregon Live: Home & Garden -- 11/18/99 - Lon Rombough Introduced Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 05:11:16 -0800 http://www.oregonlive.com/homeandgarden/features/11/991118_grape.html Grape Expectations - A dedicated viticulturist selects vines for home growers in the Willamette Valley The extensive information both on growing grapes and on Lon Rombough, make taking time to visit the page rewarding to those of us interested in grapes. Leo Subject: Re: [ecopath] Fungus - Problem or Godsend? Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 08:11:54 -0800 From: jko@xprt.net (Jeff Owens) Reply-To: ecopath@csf.colorado.edu Kathryn wrote: >Sounds interesting Jeff - tell us more. I'm sure most people on this >list are pretty conscious that we are dependent on fungi but the >detail gets more and more fascinating as the research is done. Me, >I love the idea that more of me is bacteria than is me Hi Kathryn, My information came from an article in "Mushroom" by Paul Stamets. It didn't have a source list. Stamets is currently growing mushrooms in oil saturated mulch so some of this is original research. The part about PH being controlled by fungi sounds plausible and i suspect the facts can be easily found. If I get time I'll check the research at OSU. What puzzles me is the role of fungi in the ocean. I think about 80 percent of the earths oxygen and photosynthesis is in the ocean and I've not heard anything about fungi. On land I'm pretty sure plants and fungi are the prime movers. Forests (locally) are probably more fungi than trees. What might be interesting is to look at agriculture from the fungi's perspective. They seem to be at the center of the growing process. Most organic matter is broken down by fungi, the fungi feed plant roots, and fungi are inside plants fighting disease. They control the soil environment in places and act as filters. These are the things modern agriculture has tried to take over and failed. One might conclude that the failure of modern agriculture is mostly due to ignoring the role of fungi. At present a few people are saying this about forestry. We are killing the forests by not understanding the role of fungi. This is still a radical idea but seems to be growing. jeff mailto:jko@xprt.net ---------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)-------- Subject: Re: spider mites Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 09:52:03 -0600 From: "mike underwood" Reply-To: zingiber@onelist.com Living in Michigan and growing things such as gingers and bananas (basjoo it the worst banana for mites) inside half of the year, I always had mite problems. Finally I found something that works for me and it is all I use now. I mix about 1 cup corn oil and 1 cup liquid dish soap into a two gallon sprayer and use that mix to coat both the top and underside of all leaves. Mites can not get resistance to suffocation as the soap emulsifies the oil that then coats the leaf. This will last for a long time if not washed off. It kills most mites and keeps them knocked down in numbers so they are not a problem. It is readily available, cheap, non-toxic and works very well. If you also have mealy bugs then add a pint of rubbing alcohol to the mix to break down their wax coat and it will kill them too. Test it on one leaf first as it can cause some necrosis on very sensitive plants and the amounts of ingredients can be varied greatly to suit your own needs. You may need to try several different concentrations to find what works best under your own growing conditions. Some plants such as brugmansias can not be grown here in the winter without mite control and I was going to give up until I tried this last year. Now they even bloom all winter long. Give it a try, it is so simple you have nothing to loose. (But like anything new test it on a small portion first.) "Mike Underwood" mailto:mike@avi-sci.com ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ Subject: Re: [nafex] Re: Brambling Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 08:43:36 -0800 From: "Lon J. Rombough" Leo: Doyle (blackberry, thornless) can be tremendously vigorous and productive, with canes 50 feet long and clusters of up to 100 berries at each node. Yield can be more than two bushels per plant. It was featured as the cover story of Mother Earth News on the October or November issue. Flavor is... blackberry. Nothing special here, but then Oregon has the most ideal climate for blackberries of any state, so it isn't a fair comparison. After a perfectly ripened Marionberry, not much else seems to have a lot of flavor. (Not bragging - it has actually been measured as having more aromatic flavor components than other blackberries). But Marionberry can be hurt by 5 above, while Doyle is hardy to zone 3-4, with a little winter protection when it's young. I'd call that a fair trade-off - more hardiness and productivity, if less spectacular flavor. -Lon Rombough mailto:lonrom@hevanet.com Grapes, unusual fruits, writing, more, at http://www.hevanet.com/lonrom Leo Manuel said: Richard, There was a thread on blackberries on this list a few months back, and I was impressed with the wide variation in the productivity of the various thornless cultivars. For me, Chester was vigorous and although sufficiently productive, I removed it because it would not get sweet. Arapaho was and is my best cultivar. I planted Navaho at the same time and every plant died. Waldo is extremely productive, but not as erect. I will get 'Triple Crown' for a trial, when I find someplace selling it. I hadn't heard of 'Doyle' thornless. I'd like more information about it, also. Leo Manuel Subject: Pineapples Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 17:00:10 -0800 (PST) From: Richard Tripp Good evening. Does anyone know of a site where info on growing pineapples might be found? When Y2K hits, I am thinking of an occupation change :) Have a good Thanksgiving everyone. Regards Dick Tripp mailto:rtripp@u.washington.edu Woodway, WA zone 8 Subject: Re: Pineapples Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 19:23:06 -0600 From: "Doreen Howard" Start with the Calif. Rare Fruit Growers site at: http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pineapple.html Pineapples are not hard to grow. I've taken the tops from store-bought ones, rooted them in flower pots and grown new pineapples. They have few pests or problems. If bromeliads do well in your area, pineapple (part of that family) will too. If not, they grow easily in greenhouses and under lights. Doreen Howard mailto:doreen@fgi.net Subject: Re:Pineapples Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 19:44:41 -0600 From: "Gambill" http://agrss.sherman.hawaii.edu/pineapple/pinegrow.htm is a great site for the home/greenhouse cultivation of pineapple. Michael Gambill mailto:mdove@tcworks.net Greenbrier, Arkansas [Zone 7... heart of pineapple country...well ;) ] Subject: Brown Turkey fig Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 06:52:53 -0800 (PST) From: Ray Givan At 06:32 AM 11/25/99 -0500, Billie Ann Satchell wrote: After listing some common names for Brown Turkey on the garden web site, this is the response I received. I found the common names in encyclopedia and on your web site. Is it true that 'Brown Turkey' is not 'English Brown Turkey'? web site was www.gardenweb.com Billie Ann "Posted by: Hanc (Hnc205L@aol.com) on Mon, Nov 8, 99 at 16:56 Billie Ann: Nafex is wrong on this one. Nafex is comprised of amatuers from all over the World some are excellent and some are not. The info that is listed in NAFEX is given by the members and some times an individual members gives wrong informantion[ not intentionally]. I am a member of NAFEX it's a great group. I believe that English Brown Turkey is a sport of Celeste or vice versa. They are similar but not the same, trust me. Hanc" Billie Ann: Only in California is Brown Turkey NOT English Brown Turkey. The Californians misuse of the name Brown Turkey for San Piero force the rest of us to add "English" to "Brown Turkey." I don't know if Hanc is right about Brown Turkey being a sport of Celeste/vice versa. Maybe, but the leaves, fruit and fruiting habits are different. Similar, but different. Rather too different to arise from a single mutation, I would think. Condit says the correct name for Celeste is Malta. Both Celeste and Brown Turkey were both first described in the literature in Philip Miller's "Garden Encyclopedia" no later than the 7th edition of 1759 as distinct varieties. San Piero or California Brown Turkey is a totally different and rather inferior variety--although the fruit is large. The plants are not vigorous and do not bear heavily in my experience. Worse, from my viewpoint, is that it is not hardy and probably not advisable outside of Mediterranean climates like that of California.. Ray Givan mailto:raygivan@earthlink.net -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- None this time --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- Subject: Trying to id a fruit -- most delicious I ever tasted Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 19:57:31 -0500 From: "M.-J. Taylor" Hello, I am trying to identify the most delicious fruit I ever ate ... unfortunately I have not seen the tree, so I will have to rely on a description of the fruit to try and elicit your recognition. The most remarkable thing about this fruit is its taste ... it is a creamy custard flavor and texture with no juiciness whatsoever. Indeed, it is very unlike any fruit I have ever tasted in that texture. The fruit is orange and oval and not more than 2 inches long, with an almost velvet skin. And the skin is not really separate from the flesh ... it's just much drier. But even the flesh is not at all wet. There is a large, shiny brown oval pit. The fruit was from a tree in Miami-Dade County, Florida ... Any ideas? Thanks for any clues! Cheers! M.J. Taylor mailto:mjtaylor@netrox.net Subject: re: id - most delicious I ever tasted .. eggfruit, I think Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 20:13:05 -0500 From: "M.-J. Taylor" Hello, I think it might be eggfruit: EGGFRUIT (Pouteria caimito) This fruit is a bit bigger than an egg, orange on the outside and on the inside. It is dry and very sweet, kind of like a date. The tree is medium sized and fast growing. Fruits in about three years. The fruitcan be eaten out of hand and is also excellent dried. M.J. Taylor mailto:mjtaylor@netrox.net Subject: Re: trying to id a fruit -- most delicious I ever tasted Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 20:55:04 EST From: Copain97@aol.com Sounds like a fruit from the Sapotacea family. Hope this will help you narrow your search. Patrice mailto:Copain97@aol.com Subject: Re: re: id - most delicious I ever tasted .. eggfruit, I think Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 01:11:29 -0400 From: Console IIci I think you have answered your own ID question. Canistel (eggfruit, te-essa) does indeed grow in the keys. There are several named varieties that you can buy. Some are quite large but I prefer the flavour of the smaller. Who has em? Several nurseries come to mind. Tree House on Pine Island is one. One close bet might be; Hopkins Nursery 5200 SW 160 Ave Fort Lauderdale, Fla (954) 434-5558 If they can't help let me know and I'll find another address. Best of growing, Bob Cannon mailto:tfnews@gate.net Subject: Re: Need Suggestions Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 22:26:27 -0400 From: Console IIci Richard Himbarger wrote: Hello everyone, I'm a new member of this group and this is the first time that I've posted a message. I have a few questions that I'm hopingone or more of you can answer. But first, let me tell you about the growing conditions that I have to deal with, so that you can better answer my questions. I live in a part of northern California where the summer temperatures range from 90 to 110 degrees and the humidity ranges from 5 to 25 percent. During the winter, the temperature can fall into the 30's and occasionally into the 20's. During the summer, I move the plants outside. But during the winter I move them into my plant room, a spare bedroom. The plant room has 2 small windows, 1 facing south, the other east. I also have 240 watts of lighting. I have a banana that is several years old. It is root bound, and I need to know how big of a pot to put it into. I was also wondering, with my growing conditions is it possible to get it to produce fruit, and what do I need to do to encourage it. I also have 2 Strawberry Guavas planted in a 20 gallon pot outdoors, where they stay all year round. I place hot water bottles around them, and cover them during extreme cold snaps. I got a few flowers this year, but they dropped off and there was no fruit. What can I do to encourage them to produce fruit. I would also like to try growing some other tropical or sub-tropical fruits, but only if they have a fair chance of producing fruit. I also have to take into consideration the plant room, where they will spend the winter. The plant room has an 8 foot sealing, and any plant I grow, either should naturally be shorter than that, or shouldn't mind being pruned to that height. "Richard Himbarger" mailto:himbarger@jps.net Richard, It sounds like you have interesting plants and the desire it takes to grow in marginal areas - a real rare fruiter. Some comments follow in the body of your message... Most bananas bloom within two years. It may be that the size of the container and light conditions have stalled the bloom. I have seen several varieties of bananas bloom in containers, most of the containers were 25 gal or more and a very fertile soil mix was used. You might pot up a size and add a mycorrhizae product. (Don Chapman makes a good one, you can order through me if you wish). I would not expect a large bloom from an old plant but following blooms should be good. Remember that bananas need a lot of water but also good drainage. You might also mist the leaves. Stress makes flowers drop, perhaps a water problem. Giving fertilizer at the wrong time or of the wrong formula (too much nitrogen) can also cause flower drop. I would try sugar apple, pigeon pea, strawberry tree, several of the eugenias and some of the other small growing fruits that bloom when youns (small). Sapidilla will also fruit in containers as will some avocado and mango. One problem that I think some of the tropicals have is too cool soil, black containers and sinking the pot into the ground might help. All the plants listed can't take much more than a light frost, if that. Keep us posted. Best of growing, Bob Cannon mailto:tfnews@gate.net http://www.gate.net/~tfnews Subject: Re: Looking for help in a book project about tropical fruit Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 01:00:54 -0500 From: Gloria & Walter Lyford Dear All, Julia Morton's book, Fruits from Warm Climates has a lot of interesting information on Casimiroa edulis--White Sapote. It is known to Oaxacans as "Sleeping Sapote" or "Zapote Dormiln" due to its supposed soperific effects. Julia had a lot to say about it and was involved in chemical analysis in here Miami. Best of reading, growing, etc. Walt Lyford mailto:glowalt@earthlink.net Lyne-Gordon David wrote: Dear All, As fruit lovers all, I am hoping that you may be able to help me with a project I'm involved in - the compilation of a book on fruit & vegetables from around the world. I am in need of information on the origins, early useage, mythological associations of a whole range of edible plants. For instance, the Casimora, I understand from reading something recently, that is was favoured by the Aztecs. What is the source of that information? I'd like to include it in my book. Can anybody out there help me, I'd be grateful for any assistance. I look forward to hearing from you, Best regards & have a good weekend, mailto:David.Lyne-Gordon@eurotunnel.com Subject: Re: Blossom Set Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 09:04:36 -0800 (PST) From: Eunice Messner Sidney... Ask your local nursery for "Tomato Hold" a product made by Chacon. As the tree gets older it will set some fruit without it, but the seeds are sterile. Post your other questions on rarefruit@egroups.com Bob Cannon, group editor, should be able to help with tropical fruits like mangosteen and rambutan and maybe some one else with a greenhouse can help you there. Eunice Messner mailto:eunicemessner@yahoo.com "Sidney A. Williams" <104252.1024@compuserve.com> wrote: We would appreciate some help with problems in our greenhouse. 1) Our acerola tree blooms profusely but has never set fruit. The CRFG data sheet recommends using "blossom set" to prevent loss of the blossoms. But where on earth can we find this product? 2) We have been looking for mangosteen and rambutan trees with no luck. Do you know of a supplier? 3) We have numerous citrus trees in the greenhouse. They receive about 3000 foot candles of light during the middle of the day, and I have examined the spectral transmission of the sunlight and the trees are receiving the full red end of the spectrum. Yet most of the trees do not bloom. Is there some other factor we have not considered? The trees appear to be otherwise healthy and receive normal care. Any help you can offer us will be very much appreciated. Sid and Betty Williams mailto:104252.1024@compuserve.com Subject: Re: mangosteen and rambutan trees Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 08:12:33 +0800 From: npara Dear Sid&Betty I am in the business of exporting the above named trees, please tell me the quantity and the place you me to send them to. I will tell you how much it will cost. Await to hearing from you. Nelson Subramaniam mailto:npara@pd.jaring.my> "Sidney A. Williams" wrote: We also are searching for mangosteen and rambutan trees - no luck so far. Do you know of a supplier? Thank you, Sid/Betty Williams mailto:104252.1024@compuserve.com Subject: Re: Ed's Nursery Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 11:18:12 -0800 From: "Bret Schmiege" Frankie's Nursery 41-999 Mahiku Place Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795 808-259-8737 Grafted Rambutans are $45 in 2gal buckets Bret Schmiege mailto:mrdurian@aol.com "w c" wrote: Would you have contact information for either/both John Painter or Frankie's in Hawaii? Subject: Re: Ed's Nursery Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 08:41:44 +0800 From: npara I can supply Rambutan grafted at at US35 depending on the height. Regards Nelson Subject: Grafted Rambutans,etc. Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 10:47:29 -0800 From: "Bret Schmiege" Another Hawaiian source for grafted trees is David Frenz at 808-959-5750. E-mail is trees@interpac.net He occasionally has some unusual stuff along with Rambutans, longans, etc. and his prices are very reasonable. Bret Schmiege mailto:mrdurian@aol.com ---Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov--- Subject: Japanese Honeysuckle Fragrances Could Help Control Moth Pests Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 07:54:50 -0500 From: "ARS News Service" Natural compounds released by flowers of the Japanese honeysuckle could give scientists a new arsenal of tools to monitor or combat a variety of moth pests. Many species of Lepidopteran moths such as corn earworm and cabbage looper are crop pests during their larval, wormlike stage. Each year, these pests cost U.S. farmers nearly $2 billion in losses and chemical control costs. In many areas, these pests have become resistant to conventional insecticides and natural controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. Agricultural Research Service scientists at the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Lane, Okla., have discovered and patented volatiles from the flowers of night-blooming Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica. These compounds are effective attractants for a variety of important adult moth pests. The ARS scientists also found that cis-jasmone, alone or with other floral volatiles from the honeysuckle flowers--particularly linalool and phenylacetaldehyde--attract both sexes of these insect pests. Currently, most moth monitoring systems use sex pheromones as baits for one gender- -usually male pests. To attract both sexes, the honeysuckle volatiles could be combined with the sex pheromones or other agents such as feeding stimulants or insect toxins. Recently, ARS signed a cooperative research and development agreement with Trc, Inc., Salinas, Calif., to study and test the honeysuckle compounds as the basis for safer and more effective strategies for controlling and monitoring moth pests. Trc scientists will analyze the compounds and develop formulations for commercially monitoring and controlling a broad range of moth pests. ARS and Trc will work together to screen the formulas and evaluate final selections in field tests. ARS is the chief research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - December 1, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< Rare Fruit News Online - December 15, 1999 - AKA RFN9912B.txt Rare Fruit News Online consists primarily of messages from subscribers. Sometimes there are questions to be answered by those with knowledge and experience (and, we are fortunate to have them among us.) Others consist of feedback to letters posted in an earlier issue. Sometimes there are references thought to be of interest, such as books, periodicals, or - more likely - web pages and their URL addresses. It works, because of the teamwork among you, and I'm pleased to be part of it. If you ever want to write about changing your email address or unsubscribing or almost anything, please include your WHOLE name (especially the LAST name) as my address book is set up that way. To see back issues of the newsletter, visit the online group, "OldRFN" Also, this is where I post photographs sent by readers. OldRFN is at http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX Please keep me advised of trouble with the OldRFN webpage. --Notes In Passing As I indicated in the last RFNO, I will be in Missouri from December 23 to 30. I will take along the email I receive before December 23 to edit. Hopefully, there will be something coming in before then. I may be late in getting the Y2K issue out, but probably not. ---------Table Of Contents - Headers; (Letters Follow Table Of Contents) --New Subscribers New Subscriber, CA, Fruiting In Pots Questions "Richard Himbarger" New Subscriber, Alabama, Need Fruit For April Wedding Stephanie Stephens New Subscriber, Texas, With Avocado In Texas Question Javier Molinar New Subscriber, CA, Wants To Plant Etrog Paul Haueter New Subscriber, KY (Look At His Plant List!) Vernon Shelton --Readers Write Re: Fruit And Vegetables From Around The World Nan Sterman To: David.Lyne-Gordon@eurotunnel.com Figs - 'Brown Turkey' is a ... Turkey! Matthew Shugart Longans and sapodillas "Holzinger, Bob" To: Sven Merten Re: Longans and sapodillas scoutdog@pacbell.netTo: "Holzinger, Bob" guava, cherimoya akumar Rocotto Pepper - Hotter Than 'Moderate!' Ben Poirier Photograph of "Ginnups" For ID In US (See Photo In OldRFN) "Claire Dileo" Carob On Dwarf Rootstock? Available? Susan --Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider http://www.stuewe.com - Tree Seedling Nursery Containers Leo Manuel --Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) None, this time --NAFEX List None, this time --From NEWCROPS List None, this time --From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@egroups.com Re: Heating roots, et. al. "Waltja@earthlink.com" Abiu leaves are yellow "laborie" Re: Abiu leaves are yellow Darius Wilkins Re: mangos for wet cimates Sven Merten Re: mangos for wet cimates "Bret Schmiege" Re: JABOTICABA "Paulo de Sa" Re: Heat I Wilson Re Heat I Wilson --Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov Managing Rosette in Blackberries "ARS News Service" ----------------New Subscribers------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Fruiting In Pots Questions Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 22:25:55 -0800 From: "Richard Himbarger" Hello. I would like to subscribe to your rare fruit news letter. Richard Himbarger himbarger@jps.net Red Bluff, CA, USA I am relatively new to rare fruits, but have ben interested in them for a long time. Currently, I'm growing 2 Strawberry Guavas, together, in a 20 gallon pot, and it would be nice if someone could tell me if that size pot is big enough, and what I can do to encourage fruiting. I am also growing a banana, of unknown variety, which I intend to replace with a known variety that hopefully won't get any taller than 8 feet, since that is the height of the ceiling in my plant room. I would appreciate it if someone could suggest a variety fitting the height requirement that might stand a good chance of fruiting. I am also interested in pineapples, Cinnamon, and Babaco. Any information on those fruits would be helpful. I could also use some information about nurseries that deal in rare fruits, that are in, or who can ship, too California. Thank you Richard Himbarger mailto:himbarger@jps.net Subject: New Subscriber, Alabama, Need Fruit For April Wedding Date: Sun, 05 Dec 1999 12:05:54 -0600 From: Stephanie Stephens I am Stephanie Stephens, in Birmingham, Alabama I will be getting married in April of 2000 and would like to have some rare fruits that I ate in my home Country at my wedding reception, available for guests to enjoy. In the area where I live, I have not found any markets that carry rare fruits such as Maracuya (yellow passion fruit), Papaya, Guanabana(Soursop), Tamarind, Guava, Mamey, Lulo, Tomate de arbol (Tree tomato), and Mango. I have seen Mango before, but they did not have very many and they are not very juicy. I will need enough fruit to make juice with some of the fruits and also have them available in a fruit display for approximately 100 guests. If you can provide me information on company's I could contact or any other suggestions in this regard, I would most certainly appreciate your input. Stephanie Stephens mailto:isla@mindspring.com Subject: New Subscriber, Texas, With Avocado In Texas Question Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 22:37:00 -0600 From: Javier Molinar I am Javier Molinar in Alvin (near Houston) Texas Fruit trees I am now growing: Banana, papaya, guava, lime, cherimoya, jujube, loquat, japanese persimmon, asian pear, fig, pomegranate Fruit trees I want to grow: Avocado, mango, acerola, camu-camu Will a mexican avocado do well in the Houston area? (Typical lows are 26-28) Javier Molinar mailto:xmm@worldnet.att.net Subject: New Subscriber, CA, Wants To Plant Etrog Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 23:52:38 EST From: Paul Haueter I am Paul Haueter in Los Osos, CA Currently growing Apricot, Peach, Avocado, Lime, and would like to plant an Etrog. Looking forward to your newsletter. Paul Haueter mailto:HootP@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber, KY (Look At His Plant List!) Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 10:18:54 -0500 From: Vernon Shelton Hello My name is Vernon Shelton 7700 New LaGrange Rd. Louisville, Ky. 40222 I am growing Atemoya Geffiner Carombola Ardkins Mango Julie Jaboticaba M. Cal. & M. Vexitor Miracle Fruit Cashew Macadamia Nut Coffee Jakfruit Barbados Cherry Black Sapote Coconut Orange Lychee Grumachamia Cherry Of The Rio Grande Vernon Shelton mailto:dian@lou-telecom.net -----------------Readers Write------------------ Subject: Re: Fruit And Vegetables From Around The World Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 08:14:48 -0800 From: Nan Sterman To: David.Lyne-Gordon@eurotunnel.com Hi David -- Long ago I bought a wonderful coffee table book on fruits and vegetables with similar information. Though it has long sat on a shelf, I still adore it and consider it the "roots" of my interest in rare fruits and veggies. If you can find a copy, take a look at "The Complete Book of Fruits and Vegetables" by Bianchini, Corbetta and Pistoia. Published by Crown Publishers, copyright 1973, ISBN 0 517 52033 8. I look forward to reading your book when it is done! You said: As fruit lovers all, I am hoping that you may be able to help me with a project I'm involved in - the compilation of a book on fruit & vegetables from around the world. I am in need of information on the origins, early useage, mythological associations of a whole range of edible plants. Nan Sterman mailto:nsterman@mindsovermatter.com To: Subject: Figs - 'Brown Turkey' is a ... Turkey! Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 08:43:20 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart Dear RFNO readers: I want to second Ray Givan's note that the fig variety commonly known in California as 'Brown Turkey' is inferior. I had two that were in my property when I bought it, and my next-door neighbor has one that hangs over the fence. Once in a while I have a fig from Brown Turkey that tastes delicious, but the vast majority fail to sweeten adequately for my taste. The varieties I now grow, all of which I like, are: Flanders (only complaint is that the fruit is small) White Adriatic (superb, richly flavored, early ripener, seems to need little heat) Kadota (not very reliably sweet, but fantastic at its best) Pasquale (one of the best figs I have ever tasted, and very late ripening) For some reason, my Kadota and Pasquale did not fruit this year. For the Kadota, the reason may be that this is a young tree that I grew from a cutting taken a couple of years ago to replace an overgrown established tree. The Pasquale is also young, but is a more mature tree that fruited well last year. I hope the lack of production this year does not mean it will prove unreliable. I also like Black Mission, but find that it, too, does not reliably sweeten along the coast. I might try Negronne or Petit Negra, which are similar and excellent. Cheers, Matthew Shugart Carlsbad, California mailto:mshugart@ucsd.edu Subject: Longans and sapodillas Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 13:41:45 -0800 From: "Holzinger, Bob" To: Sven Merten Hi Sven, Have you talked to Quang Ong, or whoever is running the nursery in Clairemont, about longans? He told me that he had several Thai varieties that were better than Kohala. Of course, you could also go to his source to see what is available there. One of his sources is Frankie's Nursery on Oahu. Frankie isn't cheap, but I can guarantee that you will get quality plants. The same goes for sapodillas from Frankie's. He has several varieties and the plants will be quality plants. If you don't have Frankie's price list, he will mail one along with an information packet on most of the major plants he sells. Frankie's address and phone number are: 41-999 Mahiku Place Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795 (808) 259-8737 By the way, where is your acreage, in De Luz? Happy hunting, Bob Holzinger mailto:bholzing@amgen.com Subject: Re: Longans and sapodillas Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 05:27:36 -0800 From: Sven Merten To: "Holzinger, Bob" Hi Bob, We bought 100 trees from Quang. 50 each of biew kiew and see champoo. They are great trees, the only problem is the price. Quang only brings in trees that have been potted for several years, so the trees are larger and more expensive. I would rather buy air layers for $10-15 a piece and get more varieties. I don't mind waiting an extra year or two since I'm not really relying on them for income yet. Also to get a better price we had to buy a large quantity, but I would like to try 10 trees of as many varieties as possible. I didn't mind 50 each of the ones above because they are supposedly some of the best varieties, but who know how they will do around here. I have been meaning to write Frankie's for a while, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I assume he only sells larger trees, but I will ask if I can buy air layers. For the sapodilla I will probably have to buy larger plants, but we aren't going to plant as many of these. Our property is in Rainbow, on top of Rainbow Heights Road. We've cleared about 2 acres and laid the main water lines. Last week I had 5 loads of mulch delivered, but I managed to catch a cold, so I haven't made it down yet to start spreading it. Thanks for Frankie's info, I will try to write them soon. Take care. Regards, Sven mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net Subject: guava, cherimoya Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 11:45:11 -0800 From: akumar Do you know of any sources that will ship the above fruits Guava, Cherimoya to individuals? I love both of them but can rarely find them in the Chicago area. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Anand Kumar mailto:akumar@rush.edu Subject: Rocotto Pepper - Hotter Than 'Moderate!' Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 18:23:16 -0800 From: Ben Poirier Hi Leo Saw the comments on the Rocotto Pepper (Caspicum pubescens)in the 12/1 newsletter and had to pass on a comment on this one. I have grown the Red and Yellow forms and find I have to disagree with the comment that these have moderate heat. The red form is one of the hottest peppers I have eaten ! Right up there with habeneros. It does have a thicker flesh and more of an interesting flavor though - if you can stand the heat. It is indeed a perenial and does well in the shade. Ben Poirier mailto:benplant@tfb.com Subject: Photograph of "Ginnups" For ID In US (See Photo In OldRFN) Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 16:52:17 -0500 From: "Claire Dileo" [Image] In Panama, we call these "Ginnups" --- any idea what they call them in the States - or where I can find them? PLEASE! Note: I posted the photograph in OldRFN: http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16812838.WDY3NjdX Thank you, Claire Dileo mailto:cdouglass@hotoffice.com Subject: Carob On Dwarf Rootstock? Available? Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 23:50:13 EST From: Anothafela@aol.com Have you ever heard of anyone growing carob on a dwarf or semi-dwarf root stock? If so, I'd be interested in purchasing one. I really like the pods, but don't want a smaller sized tree. Thanks. mailto:Anothafela@aol.com ------------------Announcements And Web Pages To Consider------------------ Subject: http://www.stuewe.com - Tree Seedling Nursery Containers Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 06:14:37 -0800 From: Leo Manuel This is a great place to order various pots of all sizes. I like the "Tall One," a 4x4 inch top square, that is 14 inches high. Great for crowding lots of trees into a small hotbed. They cost 32 cents each in a case of 240 pots. They're made of very thin black but rigid plastic. Leo ------------------Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers)------------------ None this time ------------------NAFEX List ------------------ None this time -------Discussion list for New Crops ------- None this time --------From "rarefruit list" - mailto:rarefruit@egroups.com-------- Subject: Re: Heating roots, et. al. Date: Thu, 2 Dec 99 07:48:59 -0800 From: "Waltja@earthlink.com" Reply-To: rarefruit@egroups.com Hi Sven, Sorry to say I couldn't keep my breadfruit alive. The key to more success for me seems a greenhouse. Right now I live in Southern California on a postage stamp sized lot with a great view. I have used up all of my space in my small yard for plants and now am relegated to using the front of the door of my third garage for a growing area. All my plants are in pots. My neighbors think I'm a little odd with all the plants (only about five) in the front, but you do what you have to do. My wish list includes a larger lot where I can include a greenhouse. Until then, if it gets real cold..I bring my plants into the house for a while. Easy to say, but when the plants are in large plastic pots..not an easy task. That is why I was looking to the idea of somehow getting heat to the roots to be able to stabilize my plants growing. Maybe that is a future product idea for some Rube Goldberg inventor out there. If someone comes up with that kind of product..I'll be the first in line. Or, on the other hand, if for some scientific reason that won't work...I wish someone would tell me. Anyway, thanks for the reply. May your breadfruit live long and prosper. If you have a minute once in a while, drop me a note and tell me how it's doing. Walt mailto:waltja@earthlink.net Mission Viejo CA Subject: Abiu leaves are yellow Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 23:36:38 -0800 From: "laborie" Compare to others fruit trees in the same conditions, Abiu leaves are always pale or yellow . even in container, abiu trees are prone to this pale color . What does the Abiu needs that others trees do not need ? Philippe laborie mailto:laborie-passion@mail.pf Subject: Re: Abiu leaves are yellow Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999 11:01:53 EST From: Sgw8@aol.com That's an interesting question...My abiu used to be very light green, but it got a really horrendus scale infection. When that cleared up, all the old leaves were gone, but the new ones comming in were a luxuriant green. Darius Wilkins mailto:Sgw8@aol.com Subject: Re: mangos for wet cimates Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 06:04:09 -0800 From: Sven Merten Cory, In "All About Citrus & Subtropical Fruits" (Ortho) they suggest varieties for different regions. For Hawaii they recommend: Ah Ping, Edwards, Fairchild (anthracnose resistant), Georgiana, Gouveia, Joe Welch, Julie, Ono, Pairi, Smith, and Zill. A publication by the University of Hawaii, at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/publications/freepubs/pdf/HC-2.pdf says: "Recommended mango varieties for Hawaii are 'Ah Ping', 'Fairchild', 'Gouveia', 'Harders', 'Keitt', 'Momi K', 'Pope', and 'Rapoza'.... 'Fairchild' is considered somewhat resistant to anthracnose and is favored for humid areas where other varieties usually fail to fruit because of this fungus." You may want to try to contact an extension agent from the university, or your local agriculture official. They may be able to help. Good luck. Sven Merten mailto:scoutdog@pacbell.net cory michaud wrote: > Dear Experts > > I live on the wet (140 in. or 325 cm./yr.) sidof the Hawaii's Big > Island and would like to plant a few mango trees for home fruit, not > commercial use. Can anyone out there provide the name of a few > varieties that would fruit well in this rainy situation. Most people > here find that their mango trees thrive but that such standbys as > Hayden fruit very unreliably. Apparently the rain interfers with the > formation and maturation of the flowers. > > The elevation is 1000 ft. zone 11, and laterite clay soil. > > Cory Subject: Re: mangos for wet cimates Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 15:41:11 -0800 From: "Bret Schmiege" Cory, my orchard is in a very similar microclimate at 650ft in Puna, and just as much rain. I have "Fairchild", and it's been a complete failure. Local fruit tree expert David Frenz in Waikea Uka (just as wet as our places) says that "Florigon" is the only variety that's proven successful in the rain. Another interesting possibility is the Mango relative Mangifera casturi, sold by Frankie's Nursery on Oahu. Frankie claims that it doesn't have any anthracnose problems, period. It's indigenous to Banjarmasin (I think it's in Borneo) so it's used to a climate with no dry season. The fruit is supposedly small but tasty. Bret Schmiege mailto:mrdurian@aol.com Subject: Re: JABOTICABA Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 00:05:40 -0200 From: "Paulo de Sa" In Brazil there are at least 3 different species in the Genus Myrciaria : M. jaboticaba, M. cauliflora and M. truncifloro. The M. jaboticaba is the most common. The most popular varieties are Sabar, Paulista, Rajada, Branca (white pericarp) and Ponhema (used to prepare jams and liquor). Recently we discovered a new variety hat we called Tinta. It's native in the South States of the country and can be grown in regions with 300 chilling hours (it's considered cold tolerant). Paulo de Sa mailto:paulosa@mandic.com.br Subject: Re: Heat Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 00:19:58 +1100 From: I Wilson Hi I grow macadamias commercially on the southern limit of their natural range on the north coast of New South Wales Australia. i.e. the temperatures are not excessive. My nursery is on the northern edge of Sydney (next to a large estuary - frost free) 300 miles to the south of my farms. As an experiment I tried heating tape on some nut germination boxes last winter - 60 watts/cu ft of sand continuously applied - and saw no difference in germination. i.e. NO GERMINATION. I can never get them to germinate in winter this far south. It was surprising - so I can't see how you can do it in an unfavourable climate!! Maybe I did something wrong? Thats my contribution to the soil heating bit. Any thoughts? Ian Subject: Re Heat Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 19:59:46 +1100 From: I Wilson Reply-To:rarefruit@egroups.com Thanks for the response Bill Sorry for the delay in getting back but I have had Y2K issues and a massive spamming attack from a trading list to contend with. The nuts germinated the same as the control groups 3 months later with about 25% gerimation which is OK. Temp at soil surface was a constant 26 degrees C which should have been enough. The only differenc I can think of is that there was very little diurnal change in temp. the heated boxes had Styrofoam lids - controls didn't Sand is fine, and is industry practice here. The rule of thumb that I always use is that the particle size of the germination medium has to be smaller than the seed. Good growing Ian Bill said: > * Interesting! Good Input. Had to look Macadamia up (newbie) > and know little it or of germination for it, but... > > 1) At 60W/Ft^3, what was the sand temp, where seed depth? > 2) I ASSUME sand is OK for germination... > Sunset book mentions deep rich soil. > 3) Implies semi-moist, not dry soil. Your sand? > Plastic covered? Any info? > (Remember, I'm new, and don't know what parameters the > pro's will look for, or even assume, from their > 'normal everyday practice,' > w/o thinking about it even.) > > Thx for soil/heat input. Failures will lead to success, > by refinement, & process of elimination, infoshare. > Bill ---Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars-news@arsgrin.gov--- Subject: Managing Rosette in Blackberries Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 09:55:29 -0500 From: "ARS News Service" New strategies for controlling rosette disease in blackberries could open a new fruit market for small farmers. Rosette, or double blossom, is one of the most severe fungal diseases of blackberries grown in the southeastern United States. Many crops fall prey to this disease, which reduces yields and fruit quality. Plant pathologist Barbara J. Smith has found a way to control the disease using a modified fungicide spray schedule. Smith is with the Agricultural Research Service's Small Fruit Research Station in Poplarville, Miss. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency To control rosette, growers have been using information from the 1930s. This information is outdated, since new cultivars have been developed and the disease itself has changed since then. Smith has found the most effective way to control rosette is to apply four fungicide applications at a 10-14 day interval beginning about six weeks before berries ripen and continuing until three days before harvest. She also recommends a fifth application immediately after harvest. Many farmers have been disappointed with fungicidal control of rosette, because they thought spraying would control the disease in that year's crop. But that's not the case; fungicides applied this year help control next year's rosette problem. The most effective fungicide tested for controlling rosette, caused by the fungus Cercosporella rubi, is benomyl. Few fungicides are registered and available for controlling blackberry diseases. Smith plans to evaluate some new fungicides and is also looking more closely at the pathogen and how it infects the fruit. Rosette disease is one of the major reasons southeastern farmers don't grow this specialty crop, which could yield $3,000 to $4,000 an acre. Overcoming this disease offers a high-value crop that costs less to establish than strawberries and blueberries. ---------- Scientific contact: Barbara J. Smith, ARS Small Fruit Research Station, Poplarville, Miss., phone (601) 795-8751, fax (601) 795-4965, bjsmith@ag.gov. =============================================================== Leo Manuel leom@rarefruit.com http://www.rarefruit.com =============================================================== >>>>>>>>End: Rare Fruit News Online - December 15, 1999<<<<<<<<< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< >< ><