========================================== Rare Fruit News Online - All Year for 2004 ========================================== Rare Fruit News Online - January 1, 2004 - AKA RFN200401A.txt _____________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> Flu, Colds, Pneumonia - Our family and the families of our San Diego children have been hammered. How have you fared? After a week or more, I'm beginning to feel much better, with only a residual cough. Resolution: Try to get caught up with outdoors chores. -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> New Subscriber, Fallbrook, CA Linda L Nickerson <><><> Readers Write <><><> Okinawan purple sweet potato Alan Schroeder Pineapple plants Ben Pierce Mango Fruit Drop Problem Rajiv Bhatarkar Yellow Pitaya Blooms, Puzzles, Jujube Succumb James Freedner Re: Rare Fruit Recommendations For Coastal S. California? PetMarv@aol.com Re: Hawthorne seeds - Reference Manual Recommended christopher.marshall@att.net <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> http://www.crfgsandiego.org For San Diego Chapter Of CRFG Information http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><><> Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) <><><> None, this time <><><> NAFEX List <><><> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex Archives at http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex None, this time <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" An Introduction to the Styx - Tasmania's Valley of the Giants Tue, 16 Dec 2003 02:43:16 -0600 http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/forests/tasmania/styx/styxintro/ <><><> From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@yahoogroups.com <><><> Recipe - DULCE DE PAPAYA (candied papaya) "brbrunner" Black Sapote ripening "Dan" Re: Black Sapote ripening james singer Re: Black Sapote ripening Console G4 Re: Re: Black Sapote ripening Erika Mackenzie Re: Re: Black Sapote ripening Console G4 Re: Re: Black Sapote ripening From: "Warren Condon" Black Sapote "Sheryl Backhouse" Re: Black Sapote sex "oscarrj" Kefir Limes "Erica Lynne" Re: Kefir Limes james singer Kaffir Lime. was Kefir Limes Sérgio Duarte Re: Raspberries in south Florida "George F. Emerich" Re: Papaya "tabbydan" Re: papayas - from cuttings? Erika Mackenzie <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars>news@arsgrin.gov <> http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm Groundbreaking for Horticultural Research Facility ARS News Service Soil Makes the Difference for Water Quality ARS News Service New Defense Against Insects ARS News Service Quicker Tests for E. Coli ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: New Subscriber, Fallbrook, CA From: Linda L Nickerson Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 11:27:32 -0800 Our real names are Linda Nickerson and Gery Kesslau, Fallbrook, CA. We have a variety of fruit trees ranging from the traditional--apricots, apples, pears, all kinds of citrus, figs, Avocados--to more exotic such as cherimoya, mango, loquat, guava, fuyus, ginger and now, Pitaya Hylocereus Undatus. We also raise and train American Miniature Horses and Australian Cattle Dogs. We have lived in southern CA for 5 1/2 years, previously from western Oregon. We are fascinated by the interesting (and tasty) exotic fruits that grow here and want to learn more about properly cultivating them. We also have recently purchased 24 acres of brush and rocks in a frost-free area of Fallbrook, and are exploring different ways to develop a profitable crop there. Marketability is of prime importance, as we have already experienced the difficulty of marketing Macadamia Nuts and Fuyus. We are willing to work at creating a co-op for marketing, and interested in joining others who feel too much fruit is not being used in this area, much to the waste of time and energy (and water) of the growers! Thanks for your efforts producing such a good forum for growers! Gery Kesslau and Linda Nickerson see us at: http://www.geocities.com/hastylinda/minis.html and http://www.geocities.com/hastylinda/ACD.html <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Okinawan purple sweet potato From: Alan Schroeder Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 14:14:01 -0800 Dear Michael: Some years ago I purchased Okinawan Purple Sweet Potatoes at Exotica Rare Fruit Tree Nursery in Vista, CA and planted them out here in Santa Barbara, CA (coastal S. California, not tropical but Mediterranean). They were put in my vegetable garden which had been amended with top soil as the natural soil is a hard clay. They flourished and produced the most wonderful sweet potatoes I have ever eaten. So sweet under the skin I used to suck on that area as it was like when my mother put marshmallows over the Thanksgiving sweet potatoes years ago. The vines were rampant. They overwintered just fine to produce year after year. I moved residence and no longer grow them due to lack of room. Most of my family and guests were afraid of them because they were so, well, Purple! and I guess purple food items frighten most Americans no matter how good they are. Alan Schroeder Santa Barbara, CA [I bought a plant at Exotica. I observed its rampant growth but didn't check underground for several years. In 1985, I harvested one weighing twenty pounds. In recent months, I bought a very small purple potato at Nenji (Japanese) market on Convoy, in San Diego. It was easy to get sprouts going, and I've eaten a few of the potatoes, but didn't let them get to be so large. -Leo] ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Pineapple plants From: Ben Pierce Date: 12/15/03 Leo, I saw your post asking about taking care of pineapple plants for the CRFG sale. I have found that foliar fertilizer can burn the plants pretty good. Ive had the best success with throwing Osmocote around the bottoms. The plants turned dark green and have been growing really well. Once it starts warming up I am going to try fruiting them with Ethepon. Ive heard that is the most successful. Happy Holidays and have a fruitful New Years. Ben Pierce ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Mango Fruit Drop Problem From: Rajiv Bhatarkar Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 20:06:01 +0530 Dear sir, I am farmer cultiving Mango, Banana, Chikoo etc. In my mango plantation in one flower there are 25 to 50 bb's to marble-size mango but there is a tremendous Fruit drop leaving only 5 to 7 fruits of mango. I want to know how should the fruit drop can be controlled. I need help now! My farm is in Surat District, Gujarat State, INDIA. Thank you, Truly yours, Rajiv Bhatarkar mailto:bhatarkarrajiv@hotmail.com mailto:rajchhay@vsnl.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Yellow Pitaya Blooms, Puzzles, Jujube Succumb From: James Freedner Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 20:33:53 -0800 Hi, Leo, That's strange about your yellow pitaya trying to bloom. My red pitaya gave its last flower show in November and "closed for the season." A couple of inquisitive new pitaya shoots have been growing up the concrete wall. One, encountering the wire that supports the bulk of the plant against the wall, decided to snake under the wire, even though the stem has gotten a definite pinch there. The other, finding a wooden board in its way, curved outward so it could continue on upward across the wood. How do plants "know" how to do these things? I have seen flower buds really, really try to open before but something stops them; usually too many flowers at one time or once in awhile, it seems the plant "misses" the full moon and gets disgusted with the idea of flowering. I don't know any better way to explain it. Though we've had some warm days in December I would guess overall the temperature is way too low for a successful flowering and fruit. Jujube sprouts died after the heat spell last autumn. I may try to plant others later in 2004. Not much else to report on here. Mr. Musgrave sent me a whole box of exotic seeds--guava and many more. I tried planting a few, without results at this time. Most likely the climate here is just too dry for them. One needs a greenhouse for better results, maybe. I don't consider myself in a "coastal region" so cannot comment on what might grow in La Jolla. Would surmise his choice is a bit more widespread than mine would be! Have a very happy holiday season, James Eric Freedner Sun Valley, CA ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Rare Fruit Recommendations For Coastal S. California? From: PetMarv@aol.com Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 11:30:48 -0500 (EST) Yes, I live 1 1/2 city blocks from the ocean in Pismo Beach, CA. I get a constant breeze either from the ocean or the land so it never freezes and does not get very warm. 42-82 average. Those are my lowest and highest average temps. I have had very good luck with Cherimoya, both seedlings and grafted varieties. Mostly Whites (seedlings) and my most recent that haven't fruited yet but have good healthy growth and have had blooms. Pierce and Elixer. The fruit have been excellent in flavor and I do not hand pollinate. The breeze and summer fogs are very helpful. I am also having two crops a year on my Sue Belle Sapote. It is only three years old but has large wonderful flavored fruit. It is too cool here for Bananas. I have some fruit but not every year. I have very good Fiejoas. CRFG member, Pet Daniels Pismo Pet ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Hawthorne seeds - Reference Manual Recommended From: christopher.marshall@att.net Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 18:08:37 +0000 Hi Larry, I'm a fellow subscriber to the Rare Fruit newsletter and saw your question about Crataegus seeds. I can suggest a reference for you: The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation by Michael Dirr and Charles Heuser, Jr., pp. 114-115. According to them, Crataegus seeds require acid scarification followed by prolonged cold stratification. The timing for these two stages varies. Probably a Mexican species would require less time in both stages but they have no specific information on C. pubescens. Even with this treatment, germination rates are often low so most commercial propagation is done by grafting. Used copies of this book are readily available and it is a good overall reference on all aspects of plant propagation. Chris Marshall <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><><><><><><> Announcements And Web Pages To Consider <><><><><><><><> San Diego Chapter California Rare Fruit Growers Meeting: Where: Casa del Prado Building Room 101, Balboa Park When: Fourth Thursday Of Each Month (Except December) See: http://www.crfgsandiego.org http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><><><><><><><> Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) <><><><><><><><> None this time <><><> NAFEX List From: nafex-request@lists.ibiblio.org <><><> None this time <><>Bot-Linx List http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/<><> From: "Scott D. Russell" Bot-Linx List http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/ Subject: An Introduction to the Styx - Tasmania's Valley of the Giants Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 02:43:16 -0600 http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/forests/tasmania/styx/styxintro/ The Styx Valley of Tasmania, Australia, contains the tallest angiosperm trees on Earth, Eucalyptus regnans. Some of the tallest may exceed 310 feet in height, second only to the coastal redwoods. Some are more than 400 years old and massive. Ironically, the Styx is on the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area-–one of the great temperate wilderness areas on Earth--but not in it. Therefore, this region is available for logging and the methods of regenerating new growth are draconian, involving the extermination of herbivores to assure success. The Wilderness Society of Tasmania (authors of this site) encourages making this into a Valley of the Giants National Park. Perhaps, with the recent announced death of the world's largest tree (URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3306655.stm), there may be pressure to save the tall trees. (***1/2) -S =============================================================== *BOT-LINX Home Delivery sends you the Botanical Link-of-the-Day http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/ *To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit the listserv site at URL: http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/listserv.shtml Archived at URL: http://lists.ou.edu/archives/botlinx.html =============================================================== <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 23:48:40 -0000 From: "brbrunner" Subject: Recipe - DULCE DE PAPAYA (candied papaya) Ok, all you cooks... here it is: DULCE DE PAPAYA (candied papaya) Ingredients: 1 large green papaya (probably about 5 pounds) 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cinnamon stick 2 tablespoons baking powder Procedure: 1) Peel the papaya and cut into thin slices. Barely cover the slices with water with the dissolved baking powder (this keeps the slices firm when they are cooked). Soak the slices for 3-4 hours in this solution. 2) Drain off the solution and rinse the slices thoroughly with plain water, then drain again. 3) Put the slices in a large pot (no water), and add the sugar and the cinnamon stick. 4) Cook covered at low heat for about 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. The slices are ready when they turn slightly golden and the syrup thickens. Let them cool, then refrigerate. This is typically eaten as a dessert with white cheese. Buen provecho!!! _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 16:56:16 -0000 From: "tabbydan" Subject: Black Sapote ripening Can anyone clue me in to the mysteries of black sapote ripening? Sometimes I've had what looks like ripe black sapote (mushy, dark brown color) which tastes good and sometimes it tastes awful (like burnt epoxy); and I'm wondering what accounts for this variation. Is it because the fruit is picked too early (the only thing that points against this is that I had one picked way too early and it took months to "ripen"- so I'd think too early and they wouldn't ripen normally. Then again it could be a matter of degree, slightly early bad flavor, way early extremely slow ripening)? Is it due to the temperature during the ripening process (my latest ones were ripened recently here and my house temp is in the 60's; again though I remember having one that tasted slightly off in FL so this doesn't seem too likely)?... _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 12:28:54 -0500 From: james singer Subject: Re: Black Sapote ripening My guess would be that they have similar ripening requirements as their cousins, the persimmons. Only ones I've ever had, however, were farmers' market purchases that ripe at purchase. And I've never tasted burnt epoxy, so I wouldn't know about that. Island Jim Southwest Florida Zone 10 _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 12:44:10 -0800 (PST) From: Console G4 Subject: Re: Black Sapote ripening Hi Dan, I have also had some that took a while to ripen and had a bad flavour. It may be a combination of factors, storage, age when picked, growing conditions so on. There is also the fact that most black sapote in the USA are from seed and there is a degree of variation in the population - some just may not have the flavour or may not ripen well off the tree. Diospyros digyna : Ebenaceae Best of growing, Bob SW Florida _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 02:22:30 +1000 From: Erika Mackenzie Subject: Re: Re: Black Sapote ripening My husband managed to find me one at a shop nearby here at the end of last season. It was the first - and the only - one I've seen or tasted. I treated it like an astringent Persimmon - waited a few days for it to go soft, so that a thumb pushed into the skin left a persistent dent. The skin, although soft, retained its green colour and was not at all unattractive to look at. I cut it open and ate it with a teaspoon. It had the appearance, flavour and texture of chocolate mousse. I thought it was delicious (which is why I've bought five grafted trees of different varieties). Maybe some varieties are more 'attractive' when ripe than others. I shall have to wait a few years to find out, I expect, although I have neighbours growing them, so maybe I'll get to try another before then.... No resemblance whatsoever to compost or anything else nasty, anyway . best, Erica Mackenzie Queensland, AUSTRALIA _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 08:36:55 -0800 (PST) From: Console G4 Subject: Re: Re: Black Sapote ripening Hi Erica, I usually let mine go a bit further so that the skin darkens some. If is your fellow Australians who have been promoting this fruit as the "chocolate pudding fruit" which gives a much better mental image. I've got a new variety from a local grower (Tree House / Bob and Vivian Murray for those in Florida) which I am eagerly watching as it grows. In a couple of years I hope for fruit. This year my seedling set 100 plus flowers and set zero fruit - perhaps it will hold some next flowering. Best of growing, Bob SW Florida USA _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 14:30:21 -0500 From: "Warren Condon" Subject: Re: Re: Black Sapote ripening Bob, What is the name of this new variety? What special characteristics does it have? Warren Condon Miami, FL _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 08:38:08 +1000 From: "Sheryl Backhouse" Subject: Black Sapote Have you ever eaten the fruit after freezing them. I much prefer the taste. Cheers Sheryl Brisbane Australia _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 21:04:24 -0000 From: "oscarrj" Subject: Re: Black Sapote sex I have a solitary black sapote tree that produces lots of fruits. They have seeds inside, so they are getting pollinated. I have heard of solitary black sapote trees that do not produce fruit. So I assume there are some trees that only have male flowers. Julia Morton, in her book Fruits of Warm Climates, also claims there are trees with perfect flowers and some with only male flowers (page 416). She also says the flowers smell like gardenia, which I never noticed. Oscar, Big Island, Hawaii _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 08:23:49 -0500 From: "Erica Lynne" Subject: Kefir Limes I have a friend who has become interested in Thai cooking who is looking for a Kefir lime tree. He lives in LaBelle Florida and is familiar with both the east and west coasts of Florida. Do any Florida list members know of a nursery in Florida that carries Kefir lime? Thanks. Erica Lynne Naples, FL - zone 10 _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 09:21:07 -0500 From: james singer Subject: Re: Kefir Limes Anyone have a botanical name for this plant? All Google turned up were recipes. So they must be the leaves of something else? _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 14:40:41 -0000 From: Sérgio Duarte Subject: Kaffir Lime. was Kefir Limes I know them as Kaffir Limes. The botanical name is: Citrus hystrix --sergio Lisbon, Portugal _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 18:05:15 -0800 From: "George F. Emerich" Subject: Re: Raspberries in south Florida We grow a raspberry in Southern California which is called "Oregon 1030" that does well under zone 9/10 conditions. It came out of a breeding program at Corvallis and was rejected for application in the northwest but when brought to SoCal, it did quite well. It is unique for a cane berry in that it bears on the new canes instead of last year's growth and therefore we mow them to the ground at the end of the season. George, Fallbrook, CA _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 19:38:08 -0000 From: "tabbydan" Subject: Re: Papaya .... I also like the papayass from the Carib (we get them here in DC). They are growing Solo there and during the summer the fruit quality rivals what I had in Hawaii (even shipped out here!). Oddly, after the summer is over we can still get them in some stores but usually they seem to be picked way too early (green fruits that don't look like they will ripen well), even though the supplier is the same (Martha's? I think). I also strongly prefer Solo's, the Mandarol type I usually find unpleasant (fishy overtones), though I did have a good Mandarol once in FL (it was almost as good as a Solo). They are a really annoying plant to grow in areas with erratic weather (if it is cool they want their soil dry, if it is hot they want it wet! My 4' plant died in a hailstorm one summer). I have some Solo seedlings going now but I'm not going to invest too much time into them. _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 02:51:12 +1000 From: Erika Mackenzie Subject: Papayas - from cuttings? Can you really grow Pawpaws (papayas) from cuttings? Is there any special trick or technique to it? Do they come out the same sex as the parent plant? Do they strike easily? Would hormone rooting powder help? I imagine you'd need to keep the potting mix on the dryish side, as they're so susceptible to root rot - is that right? I've got a huge, gnarled old mother Pawpaw in the middle of the yard. I'd love to get some cuttings from her if possible. best, Erica Mackenzie Queensland, AUSTRALIA <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. Subject: Groundbreaking for Horticultural Research Facility From: ARS News Service Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 10:12:24 -0500 MIAMI, Fla., Dec. 16--The U.S. Department of Agriculture broke ground at 10 a.m. today for a new state-of-the-art facility for the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (SHRS) operated here by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA's chief intramural scientific research agency. The new building will replace a number of smaller, outdated buildings used by SHRS at Chapman Field, a former military base. The $6.8 million funding for the new facility came from the Hurricane Andrew relief fund as a result of extensive damage done to SHRS by Andrew in 1992. The new facility, located south of Coral Gables and adjacent to Deering Bay in Metro Dade County, Fla., is scheduled to open in June 2005. The station's mission is to conduct and support environmentally sound research on tropical and subtropical crops. SHRS research activities include collecting, evaluating and developing improved commercial plants, and developing methods for managing exotic insect pests. The new laboratory building will house agronomy, chemistry, entomology, hydro-physics, molecular genetics and tissue culture laboratories, as well as a library, conference rooms and general administrative space. The building will be constructed primarily of reinforced concrete, with both its structure and roof designed to withstand hurricane-strength winds. The SHRS site encompasses approximately 197 acres--primarily fields and test plots dedicated to horticultural research--and more than 40 structures. In addition to construction of the new building, the project will also include renovations to an existing laboratory building. The new two-story building will provide 16,383 square feet of space per floor. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Soil Makes the Difference for Water Quality From: ARS News Service Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 06:14:07 -0500 A decade-long Agricultural Research Service study of two midwestern watersheds confirms that soil differences affect how water and agricultural chemicals--particularly nitrate fertilizer and atrazine herbicide--move through the soil. Those two chemicals were measured in the study of watersheds in Iowa and Missouri from 1992-2001. Soil scientists Gene Alberts and Robert Lerch of the ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit in Columbia, Mo.,studied the Goodwater Creek watershed in north-central Missouri. Dan Jaynes, research leader at the ARS National Soil Tilth Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, studied central Iowa's Walnut Creek watershed. Watersheds are geographic areas where the land "sheds" water to a common outlet. Researchers learned that two watersheds, closely located geographically, can have significantly different water quality issues. Chemical movement depends on their physical properties and how water moves off the land and through the soil. These watersheds have significantly different water movement pathways because their soils vary. At Walnut Creek, tile drains are needed to grow row crops. The drains intercept rainfall, moving it rapidly into the creek. This results in more rainfall percolating downward through the soil. Because of nitrate's soil mobility, it moves with the percolating water, resulting in high contamination levels of nitrates used as fertilizer. In Goodwater Creek soils, tile drains do not work well and are not needed for row crop production. Soils within this watershed have a natural clay layer that limits downward percolation of rainfall, resulting in higher levels of surface runoff. Unlike nitrate, atrazine stays near the soil surface where it moves with runoff. This resulted in high atrazine levels in Goodwater Creek, but lower nitrate levels. Atrazine is a pre-emergence herbicide that is applied to bare soil, which means that it's more susceptible to being washed away without crops to hold it in place. Crop rotation, cover crops and a nitrogen management plan can be beneficial in central Iowa. In Missouri, surface runoff control practices and a pesticide management plan that includes pesticide incorporation or the use of low-rate pesticides can be of assistance. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Defense Against Insects From: ARS News Service Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 09:36:26 -0500 A new biological control developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists may provide an important defense against some of the most destructive insect pests that farmers face. A bacterium called Chromobacterium suttsuga has been found to be effective against Colorado potato beetles, corn rootworms, diamondback moths, silverleaf whiteflies and green stinkbugs. These pests collectively cost farmers almost $3 billion annually in crop losses and control expenses. The team of ARS scientists involved in the research includes microbiologist Phyllis Martin, laboratory technician Ashaki Shropshire, molecular biologist Dawn Gundersen-Rindal and entomologists Dale Gelman, Michael Blackburn and Robert Farrar--all at the Insect Biocontrol Laboratory in Beltsville, Md.--plus entomologist Jeffrey Aldrich and visiting scientist Edson Hirose at the Chemicals Affecting Insect Behavior Laboratory, also in Beltsville. A patent application for the discovery has been filed. In lab tests, the scientists found that C. suttsuga seems to produce multiple toxins that deliver a lethal blow to the pests. Preliminary results from field tests have confirmed lab results, and more field tests are planned. The bacterium's toxins can be combined with chemical compounds and then applied to soil, plants or seeds. To control soil-dwelling pests, rice grains can be treated with the toxins and applied to the soil, where pests will feed on the treated grains. Insect pests often develop resistance to chemical insecticides, so biological compounds are regularly investigated for insecticidal properties. Biological control agents can be an important addition or alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides, and important in integrated pest management. Other advantages of C. suttsuga are that it's stable in the environment, and insects readily ingest it. The discovery may ultimately provide a new control for agriculturally important insect pests and give growers alternatives to chemical insecticides. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Quicker Tests for E. Coli From: ARS News Service Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 08:17:16 -0500 New tests that more quickly identify dangerous strains of Escherichia coli bacteria are being developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists in Wyndmoor, Pa. ARS microbiologist Pina M. Fratamico, at the agency's Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) in Wyndmoor, is working with Pennsylvania State University to develop tests that quickly identify E. coli strains. Certain E. coli strains, such as O157:H7, causes serious diseases, including bloody diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis. Infections may result in serious health complications, including kidney failure. Other E. coli serogroups, including E. coli O26, O111 and O121, also cause gastrointestinal illnesses in humans. Currently, scientists commonly use a procedure called serotyping to distinguish between different types of E. coli--some harmful, others harmless. However, this procedure is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Fratamico, with ERRC's Microbial Food Safety Research Unit, and her team are developing both conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. These chemical procedures generate enough of a bacterium's genetic material so that it can be studied and identified. With one real-time PCR reaction, four products can be amplified simultaneously and detected in "real time" as they multiply. Scientists have little information about some individual E. coli serogroups; therefore, the number of diseases these organisms cause is likely underestimated. Fratamico is targeting genes in the E. coli O-antigen gene clusters so researchers can detect and identify specific serogroups and increase knowledge about each one's potency. In one study, a real-time PCR assay was more sensitive than other detection methods. According to Fratamico, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has expressed interest in the new PCR tests for detection and confirmation of not only E. coli O157:H7, but of other E. coli strains as well. <><><><><><><><><> End of RFN200401A.txt <><><><><><><><><><> Rare Fruit News Online - January 15, 2004 - AKA RFN200401B.txt ______________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> Subject: Purpose of New Yahoo Rarefruit Group From: Leo Manuel Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 18:22:33 +0000 I set up a new Yahoo Rarefruit group on which you may post pictures or files for others to see. It may not be sufficiently useful to continue, but it is there, if needed. I need feedback from you as to how best operate this group. My intent was to have it be a repository of photos and files. See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rfno/ When you post either a photo or file, would you write a letter to me at address below, to explain what the photo is about, so readers will be motivated (or not) to view it. Similarly, explain what file you have posted, with a description of its contents. Your letter will appear in the newsletter. It is NOT the purpose of this group to replace the twice-monthly newsletter, but rather to support it with information that can't be included in the RFNO format newsletter. Again, I want to know whether this idea has merit. Send me your suggestions. Horticordially, Leo Manuel mailto:rarefruit@san.rr.com Warm Weather In January - Feels Great! Several spells of unseasonal warmth this winter has caused many of my mango trees to be in bloom, with a few actually setting tiny fruit. It's been dry so there hasn't yet been any fungal attacks on the blooms. Fruit on Nam Doc Mai and Keitt are still holding, and I pick them to eat as I want them. Keitt gets a much better color when permitted to stay on the tree for longer than those sold as "Green Mango" fruit in boxes at CostCo. Keitt should not be permitted to hang on the tree for too long, but it's tricky to know when to remove them. It's nice to remove only what you want to eat soon. Nam Doc Mai will split if it rains after the fruit is ripe. It is a tree that does very well in my location, about ten miles inland. Fungal or viral attack on several pitaya plants is troubling, because I don't know how best to handle it. I've removed several plants that were heavily infected. If you have experience in successfully treating cacti with this problem, please advise me. -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> New Subscriber, Los Angeles Alice Rosenthal New Subscriber, Pasadena From Kenya Laura Raab New Subscriber, Los Angeles EZaragosa@cs.com New Subscriber, Ilha Soltiera, Sao Paulo, Brazil Kuniko Iwamoto Haga New Subscriber, Maui, Hawaii Molly O'Keefe New Subscriber, Lome, Togolese Republic Leo Manuel New Subscriber, Canada, with Greenhouses dean tiessen <><><> Readers Write <><><> Fino de Jete - When Is It Ripe? Matthew Shugart Rooting papaya cuttings Dick Gross Re: How Have You Fared? James Freedner RE: Pineapple Plants Ben Pierce Newsletter Change To Consider Dmshuck@aol.com Re: Newsletter Change To Consider Dmshuck@aol.com RE: Christmas Bloom of Selenicereus megalanthus 2003 Dennis Ting Purple Sweet Potato Nan Sterman Strange Fruit - What The Hell Is This? Norm Re: Strange Fruit - What The Hell Is This? Leo Manuel RE: Strange Fruit - What The Hell Is This? Norm Dragon Fruit Plants at Home Depot William Chow Looking for Pepino Dulce (Solanum muricatum) Seeds. Hristo Hristov <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> San Diego Chapter California Rare Fruit Growers Meeting: Where: Casa del Prado Building Room 101, Balboa Park When: Fourth Thursday Of Each Month (Except December) See: http://www.crfgsandiego.org http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. Plant Delights Page Of Interest Allan Bredeson http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/page66.html#03064 <><><> Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) <><><> None, this time <><><> NAFEX List <><><> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex Archives at http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex None, this time <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" None, this time <><><> From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@yahoogroups.com <><><> [Synopsis of [rarefruit] newsletter (some highlights)] <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars>news@arsgrin.gov <> http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm Replanting Papayas: New Tactics May Cut Costs ARS News Service Cleaning Roots for Science ARS News Service Planet's Papaya Protected in Hawaii Collection ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: New Subscriber, Los Angeles From: Alice Rosenthal Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 15:00:57 -0800 I am Alice Rosenthal and live in LA - and have a canyon micro-climate excellent for growing rare fruits and trees I've lived in apartment for years and only have had potted plants. I have a Jamacian Red Banana which is new and lots of celedine plumaria and a few others from excursions to other states I am a hobbiest in air layering - which I practice enthusiastically on Meyer lemon trees, and other trees I like the taste of the fruit. I am looking to begin practicing grafting and other forms of propagation of exotic fruit trees. I would like to grow:, Papayas, Cheremoya, Lychee, Jack Fruit, Pecans, peaches, Cherries, Apricots, Breaburn Apple, Passion Fruit, Guava, Banana, Pommegrannet, Concord grape, Cacao tree, and other hard to find fruit trees, schrubs and vines Alice Rosenthal mailto:Truth@gigsville.org ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Pasadena From Kenya From: Laura Raab Date: Sun, 04 Jan 2004 15:52:45 -0500 (EST) I am Laura Raab, living in Pasadena, California. However, I have lived in Kenya, East Africa for 8 years, and I am trying to research agricultural information that will be of help to the small farmer (many times only 2 acres) in developing countries. I am looking for tips that are basically free to implement that will produce more food or protect crops from insects and disease. I hope this newsletter will help provide that. Laura mailto:LLRaab@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Los Angeles From: Richard Rothschild Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2004 18:16:53 -0500 (EST) I am Richard Rothschild in Los Angeles, California and now growing Pitahaya, Guava, White sapote, Plum, lemon, grapefruit, Papaya Richard Rothschild mailto:EZaragosa@cs.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Ilha Soltiera, Sao Paulo, Brazil From: Kuniko Iwamoto Haga Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 09:49:33 -0200 I am Kuniko Iwamoto Haga in the city of Ilha Solteira, state of Sao Paulo, in the country Brazil. I am now growing Pitahaya. I need informations about Pitahaya growing conditions, by nutrition, by water necessity, all the information. Kuniko Iwamoto Haga mailto:kuniko@bio.feis.unesp.br ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Maui, Hawaii From: Molly O'Keefe Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 05:10:24 -0800 (PST) Hi, I live on Maui at 3200 ft among cherimoya and avocado trees as well as panini. Before living here I had never eaten cherimoya. They are especially good and rich. They aren't sold in stores here. I assume that it is because once they get ripe they need to be eaten quickly, or perhaps all their seeds make them unpopular. These trees were here when I moved in. I have no plans to grow any trees just yet, but when conditions are right, I may do that. I would like to plant a lychee tree for future generations. Molly mailto:mollyokeeffe2001@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Lome, Togolese Republic From: Olivier PEDANOU Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 10:01:46 -0800 I am Olivier PEDANOU in LOME - TOGO and want to subscribe. Olivier PEDANOU mailto:opedanou@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Canada, with Greenhouses From: Dean Tiessen Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 09:46:51 -0500 Leo, I am a commerical greenhouse grower in Ontario Canada. We have approx 400 000 ft2 of greenhouses were we grow sweet peppers. I also have a passion for figs. I grow figs all year around and love to grow anything. Looking forward to any new information that I can give or receive. I am always looking for new things to grow in our greenhouses for hobbies of even anything that may have potiential for commerical production. Any more information on this dragon fruit or any other exotics that you might have would be great. I would love to get some cuttings from this plant to start growing it. What is the nutritional value of this fruit? Thanks Dean W. Tiessen mailto:deantiessen@msn.com PYRAMID FARMS LTD. WE HAVE A GOOD THING GROWING! <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Fino de Jete - When Is It Ripe? From: Matthew Shugart Date: Thu, 01 Jan 2004 12:26:55 -0800 Hi Leo-- I bought a Fino de Jete cherimoya (among other varieties) from you several months ago. This tree has developed a single fruit since I planted it, and now that the fruit is almost the size of a softball, I am wondering when this variety typically matures. How do I know when to pick it? Cheers, Matthew Shugart Bonsall, CA mailto:mshugart@ucsd.edu ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Rooting papaya cuttings From: Dick Gross Date: Thu, 01 Jan 2004 15:25:47 -0700 Erika, I have read and heard of rooting papaya cuttings from so many sources I am quite sure it can be done. One native of Hawaii told me that, when he was a kid, they would simply stand one up on the ground leaning against something and it would take root. I have tried that several times with Solo branches and it doesn't work in Phoenix, Arizona when the temperature is 110 degrees F. But it might if the proper precautions were taken and this is what I plan to try again when I have sufficient cuttings to work with. Using a couple of branches about one inch in diameter, make a one inch girdle near the base of the stem and leave them alone until the wounds have hardened off. During this time, carbohydrates should be accumulating above the girdle. Cut the branch at the lower end of the girdle, let that cut dry and coat it with grafting wax or an exterior wood glue. Do not remove the leaves. Your cutting should be ready to insert into a media that can be almost anything with a lot of air space with a high humidity like a well-hydrated pumice alone or mixes of the dampened pumice and coconut fiber or peat moss wetted to the texture of a damp sponge. Dip the dampened cutting base in a rooting hormone to soil depth, tap off the excess, insert it in a premade hole and gently firm the mix around the stem with a blunt object. Try cuttings without the hormone. For the best results, the relative humidity should be at least 80% and the temperature no lower than body temperature. Bottom heat would probably help. To acquire that environment, you may need to improvise and enclose the cuttings in a clear plastic tent. Keep the cuttings in good light but avoid direct sun. If they are entirely enclosed, you should not have to re-water until after rooting has occurred and you have removed the temporary greenhouse. If it is not practical to make a greenhouse, remove the leaves and wrap the exposed section and tip above the soil line with Parafilm, a wrap that sticks to itself used in grafting. If you don't know what that is, you can find it on the internet. When a bud breaks, it will grow right through the film as if it was not present but the film replaces the enclosure and keeps the exposed part of the cutting from drying out. In this case, pay close attention to the rooting mix that can dry out without the greenhouse. Try some variations of your own. Patch grafting has been done successfully, I've read, but you would need another rooted plant to place the patch. You can find that technique on the internet. You might have to make some modifications to adapt it to papaya. Trial and error is the vehicle most members of the California Rare Fruit Growers to discover what works and what doesn't and our curiosity has no bounds. What makes us different is an eagerness to share the successes and failures with everyone. Good luck and let me know what you will have learned. Dick Gross, Secretary/Editor Arizona cultivar, California Rare Fruit Growers mailto:rkgross3@cox.net [I have also heard of grafting papayas onto seedlings.-Leo] ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: How Have You Fared? From: James Freedner Date: Thu, 01 Jan 2004 21:37:12 -0800 I am OK so far (knock on wood). My wife has been sick for 2 weeks, with cough, respiratory congestion, fever, etc. I assume it is the flu. She has been taking medication but nothing seems to work. Have a happy and healthier 2004! May I submit the Question of the Year to Rare Fruit Online? "There is some little sprout growing out of my flower pot. Do you know what it is?" Cheers, J. Eric Freedner mailto:Freedner@msn.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Pineapple Plants From: Ben Pierce Date: Fri, 02 Jan 2004 07:07:06 -0800 Sorry about that first message being blank. My laptop has a habit of hitting a button if you hover over it too long. Need to fix that. Thanks for the advice on pineapples. I know it is possible to fruit them here. Ive read articles by those who have done it. Its tricky but sounds like fun to try. I think one factor is getting the plants pretty large before you try to do it. Some people put one plant in a 5 gallon to 10 gallon container. After they get good size then its time to put some Ethepon in them to get them to fruit. Ethepon can be purchased as Florel in California. Its usually sold to prevent olive trees from fruiting. I will have to experiment with different strengths and time of year. Ive been fertilizing with Osmocote slow release fertilizer 19-6-12. It seems to have pumped up the plants pretty well. Also, Ive been spraying the plants with humic acid on a regular basis as well. They may account for some of the growth too. > From: "James Freedner" > To: > Subject: Pineapple Plants > Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2004 21:42:28 -0800 > > Hi, Ben, > > Saw your posting on Rare Fruit News. > > No real advice I can offer but I grew pineapples in > Hollywood, Florida, when a child. They were cut-off > tops from store pineapples that we rooted in water > and then stuck into the ground. The plans grew > slowly in whatever the Florida soil was. I don't > think we fertilized them at all or gave them any > special care. After maybe 4-5 years, one of the > plants did produce a flower. The fruit, if there > was one that developed, was very small and we just > let the plant keep on growing above it. Probably > a "cardinal sin" but it was just as easy to buy > a fresh (or canned) pineapple for eating! > > I have not seen any pineapples growing in California > where I now live. It should be possible but maybe > the climate here is too hot and dry for them. > > Happy new year, > > J. Eric Freedner > Sun Valley, CA Ben Pierce mailto:mariposafamily@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Newsletter Change To Consider From: Dmshuck@aol.com Date: Fri, 02 Jan 2004 18:08:29 -0500 (EST) Hi Leo, I hope you and your family enjoyed the holidays. As I was working in the garden today I had a thought about the newsletter. What do you think about making it a yahoo group? I belong to a couple of flute groups that have become yahoo groups. I don't know how to set it up since I haven't done one but a couple of people that have set them up said they are easy to do. You put in a lot of time and effort on the newsletter. I thought it would help you out to not have to spend so much time on the newsletter when you have other things you would rather be doing. Take Care, Denise Woo mailto:Dmshuck@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Newsletter Change To Consider From: Dmshuck@aol.com Date: Sat, 03 Jan 2004 12:01:58 -0500 (EST) Hi Leo, I am glad you know about the Yahoo groups. I haven't visited the Pitaya Group. I should because my Pitaya bloomed and I should learn more about them. I lost both blooms but I did get pictures. They were so pretty. My Solo Papaya trees are doing well so far this winter. The cover we made for them seems to have done the trick. We put 6 metal conduit poles 10 feet tall, 3 on each side of the bed, and put 1/2 inch PVC arching over the top of the beds then put shade cloth on top. The structure is 14 feet high, 4 feet wide and 12 feet long. Looks a bit odd but it worked. Yesterday I weeded the bed and managed to get their feet covered with some solar mulch before it started raining. Now I just have to determine out how to get the shade cloth a bit more stable before we have some strong winds. I became a member of the San Diego Flute Guild Board. We have done most of out communications through the Yahoo Group as a closed one just for the board members. The other flute groups I am a member of are flute players from all over the world. Much like your newsletter has become. They send in almost more than I can manage everyday. I will get between 30-100 e-mails a day depending if it is a hot topic or not. I have gone to a digest on one of them. I am glad you are enjoying doing the newsletter. Every time I read it I am thankful that you take your time to keep putting the newsletter out. A few years ago I started playing in a flute choir that meets at SDSU. They meet on Thursday nights so I have not been able to go to the meetings at Casa del Prado. This year I informed the director that I will be just coming a couple times a month so I can go to the CRFG meetings. Take care, Denise mailto:Dmshuck@aol.com In a message dated 1/2/2004 6:35:37 PM Pacific Standard Time, rarefruit@san.rr.com writes: Hi Denise Have you visited 'my' Yahoo Pitaya Fruit Group at Pitaya Fruit:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PitayaFruit/ I edit every email that gets posted there, and it works pretty well. I have found that some people don't like Yahoo's information gathering and the number of 'cookies' they insist on setting before you can post anything on any of the Yahoo groups. If I were to do something like that for RFNO, I think I'd pick some other host - maybe MSN or some other one. I have gotten accustomed to doing our newsletter this way, and will probably continue, at least in the near term. Thanks for your concern, Leo Manuel ------------------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Christmas Bloom of Selenicereus megalanthus 2003 From: Dennis Ting Date: Sun, 04 Jan 2004 08:31:24 +1100 Hi Leo Your Selenicereus megalanthus looks excellent. I am hoping to see flowers on my plants in a couple of years time. The background scenery tends to suggest to me that you are in an area that is quite dry like Melbourne in summer! Yesterday I purchased a red pitaya fruit at the supermarket which had a red skin, yellowish scales and a white to grey flesh. It was sweet but quite bland in flavour. I much preferred the yellow pitaya fruit of Selenicereus megalanthus which I tried in July which had a tangy citrusy flavour. Since joining the Pitaya Group and reading through the previous correspondence I think I have learnt enough to at least have a chance with my plants. Regards Dennis mailto:dennis_c_ting@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Purple Sweet Potato From: Nan Sterman Date: Sun, 04 Jan 2004 18:52:06 -0800 Hi Alan I read your posting about purple sweet potato in Rare Fruit News Online. I happened to be at an Asian food store today and they had what they called Hawaiian purple sweet potato - do you think they are the same thing? They were pretty gnarly, warty little tan things. Not pretty but prettiness does not always determine taste. I bought several - how do you recommend I cook them and how do you recommend I plant them? Thanks Nan Sterman mailto:Talkingpoints@PlantSoup.Com Encinitas, CA 92023 ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Strange Fruit - What The Hell Is This? From: Norm Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2004 18:36:20 -0600 Hey, I went to a walmart and bought a bag of apples and oranges and when I cut open what I thought was an orange I got an interesting surprise: [Picture of orange with pink/red flesh] Is this a cross-pollination between an orange and a ruby- red grapefruit? That is what it tastes like. Norm Lee mailto:normlee@cableone.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Strange Fruit - What The Hell Is This? From: Leo Manuel Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2004 17:02:07 -0800 Hi Norm I have a Cara Cara naval orange with flesh pink/red and it looks very much like that. It has excellent taste. See http://www.imok.ufl.edu/citrus/bfg/cara.htm The Cara Cara Navel (Venezuelan Red Navel) is a red-fleshed navel with internal color comparable to the Flame or Star Ruby grapefruit. Cara Cara was introduced from Venezuela by Dr. Al Krezdorn and was distributed as clean stock by the Florida Department of Agriculture in June 1987. The quality is comparable with other standard navels, and yields may be slightly better. Season is October-November. Fruit size is medium to small, navel opening is quite variable. Leo ------------------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Strange Fruit - What The Hell Is This? From: Norm Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 00:23:23 -0600 Thanks for the info, good to know I wasn't eating a MUTANT. mailto:normlee@cableone.net norm wrote: >> >> I ate it, it tasted fine, are you sure it wasn't a cross-pollinated >> grape fruit? None of the other oranges in the bag were like that. >> >> Is that cara cara naval orange an exotic type deal or is it pretty >> common? >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Leo Manuel [mailto:rarefruit@san.rr.com] >> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 7:02 PM >> To: norm >> Subject: Re: FW: strange fruit - what the hell is this? >> >> Hi Norm >> >> I have a Cara Cara naval orange with flesh pink/red and it looks >> very much like that. It has excellent taste. >> >> Leo ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Dragon Fruit at Home Depot From: William Chow Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 17:32:58 -0800 Hi, I was surprised to see dragon fruit plant for sale at the Genesee/Balboa Home Depot. The put a vine about 3 feet long in a 5 gallon pot. The vine is straight and there is only one in the pot. In the growing instruction, these is no mention of cross pollenation. I guess this plant is self pollenating. The instruction said the plant will fruit in 12 month. If a fungal and/or bacteria disease occurs, use Oxychloride of Copper of Dithane. They are selling the 5 gallon pot with one vine for $29. I am growing sprouting broccoli (purple) and also romanesco broccoli. I am making seedlings in 1.5 inch peat pots. I move it outside in the morning and bring that indoors at night. How is your garden ? Best wishes for 2004 ! William mailto:wchow@znet.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Looking for Pepino Dulce (Solanum muricatum) Seeds. From: Hristo Hristov Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 06:53:48 -0800 (PST) I want to buy or to swap seeds of some tasty Pepino variety. My seedlist is at http://www.geocities.com/bg_seeds/ Hristo mailto:bg_seeds@yahoo.com <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><><><><><><> Announcements And Web Pages To Consider <><><><><><><><> San Diego Chapter California Rare Fruit Growers Meeting: Where: Casa del Prado Building Room 101, Balboa Park When: Fourth Thursday Of Each Month (Except December) See: http://www.crfgsandiego.org http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Plant Delights Page Of Interest From: Allan Bredeson Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 18:56:43 -1000 http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/page66.html#03064 Allan Bredeson mailto:a.alankona@verizon.net in Kona <><><><><><><><> Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) <><><><><><><><> None this time <><><> NAFEX List From: nafex-request@lists.ibiblio.org <><><> None this time <><>Bot-Linx List http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/<><> From: "Scott D. Russell" Bot-Linx List http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/ None this time <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> The past two weeks of the [rarefruit] newsletters were excellent, with many posting about the odors and tastes of such rare fruit as Durian, Papaya, and Guava. Some find each of those objectionable. Dried Litchi (Lychee) and Longans were discussed, with health benefits reported among Asians who eat them. Also, seeds of some rare fruit may not sprout when chilled, but others are not affected. I urge readers of this newsletter to at least read online the many posts, or you may wish to subscribe http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. Subject: Replanting Papayas: New Tactics May Cut Costs From: ARS News Service Date: Fri, 02 Jan 2004 09:03:22 -0500 The sweet taste and creamy texture of a fresh papaya make this exotic tropical fruit a perfect addition to a zesty salsa, colorful fruit salad or refreshing shake. Or, you may prefer your papaya halved and served with a splash of lime juice. Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service and their university and corporate colleagues are working out a science-based strategy to streamline today's costly replanting of papaya orchards. They're doing the work in Hawaii at the agency's U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, headquartered in Hilo. Most of America's papaya crop is grown in Hawaii. Papaya trees bear fruit less than year after they're planted. However, yields typically taper off once trees reach 3 years of age. This means that most papaya orchards have to be replanted every 3 to 4 years, according to ARS plant physiologist Maureen M.M. Fitch at Aiea, Hawaii, near Honolulu. Fitch has developed a high-tech approach for simpler, less costly replanting. It relies on using shoots from ideal papaya plants to generate multiple laboratory plantlets. Screening all plantlets with a highly accurate laboratory test insures that the plantlets, when mature, will produce trees with the fruit that growers and consumers want. With this approach, growers need only place one young papaya tree per planting hole in their orchards. That's in contrast to today's practice in which growers must place at least five young trees per hole to insure a 97 percent chance that at least one will produce the desired fruit. The other four trees have to be chopped down, a time-consuming and labor intensive practice. The idea of propagating perfect papaya plantlets in the laboratory isn't new, but the technology that Fitch is fine-tuning will be freely available, in contrast to proprietary techniques. Read more about the research in the January 2004 issue of Agricultural Research magazine, available online at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan04/papaya0104.htm ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Cleaning Roots for Science From: ARS News Service Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 07:20:37 -0500 Cleaning soil from plant roots before studying them would be easier and faster using a new washing device developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists. Agronomists, plant pathologists, botanists and other researchers study the effects of soil and crop management practices on crop root systems. To examine plant roots, scientists usually have to spend time and energy cleaning them first. Now ARS soil scientist Joseph G. Benjamin, at the agency's Central Great Plains Research Station in Akron, Colo., has created a root washer with a rotary design to automate and speed up the process. Other devices require more attention from the operator. The new device can clean up to 24 samples at a time, more than other washers. The washing cycle starts when a technician places a soil sample--including roots--in the machine. As the samples rotate inside, they are dipped into water and then sprayed with water to remove the soil. Mud goes out the back of the machine as the roots are constantly washed. The cycle takes about one and a half hours to complete. The undamaged roots are then ready to study. After the roots are cleaned, a flat-bed scanner digitizes root images so scientists can analyze the samples using computer software. Through mathematical equations, Benjamin determines the surface area of roots in the samples. Benjamin's root washer is an enlarged version of the weed-seed washer invented by weed scientist Lori J. Wiles and others in the ARS Water Management Research Unit, Fort Collins, Colo. More information about this research is available in the January issue of Agricultural Research magazine, available online at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan04/roots0104.htm ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Planet's Papaya Protected in Hawaii Collection From: ARS News Service Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 07:45:10 -0500 Both familiar and unusual papayas from around the world have a safe, permanent home in Hawaii. They're part of a living collection managed by Agricultural Research Service scientists based in Hilo. Formally known as the ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nut Crops, the collection includes everything from Thailand's 8- to 9-pound mega-papayas to Hawaii's widely planted, one- to one-and-one-half-pound "solo" varieties, each the perfect size for one person to eat. Other papaya trees at the repository come from Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Taiwan, China and Australia, as well as from Central and South America. In all, the collection includes more than 60 kinds of papaya. Some are varieties of the familiar Papaya carica that we eat; others are lesser known, wild papaya species. Among the most unusual specimens is a papaya relative from Paraguay, Jacaratia spinosa. It bears small, orange fruit and makes an attractive, 12- to 15-foot ornamental tree. At four or five years, it appears as stately and mature as other species that are 30 to 40 years old, according to repository curator and research leader Francis T.P. Zee. Some of the papayas from South America, such as those from Columbia and Ecuador, thrive in cold weather. So, they're planted in an orchard about 30 miles from the repository's Hilo headquarters, where the elevation is higher and the temperatures are lower. The repository helps ensure that samples of older papaya varieties won't disappear as they're outsold by newly popular ones. Too, papaya's wild relatives are protected there because they might otherwise fall victim to land development. The Hilo facility, described in the January 2004 issue of Agricultural Research magazine is part of a nationwide network of ARS-managed plant repositories. You can read more about it on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan04/papaya0104.htm <><><><><><><><><> End of RFN200401B.txt <><><><><><><><><><> Rare Fruit News Online - February 1, 2004 - AKA RFN200402A.txt ______________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> RFNO Yahoo Newsgroup - Miscellany I set up the Yahoo Newsgroup to support the newsletter, "RFNO." In order to keep nuisance spam out, I only approve for membership those whose names I recognize. If I don't recognize your email address when you request to join, I will write to ask who you are. I won't do anything with that information, except approve your request as you presented it. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I've had a very few problems in the past with spam getting in other newsgroups. In RFNO, I have posted ten recent pictures consuming about one-third of the 30 MB alloted to the group. As the limit is approached, I'll delete older photographs. It is perhaps best to keep the size to a width of five inches or less. These are 72 ppi. If you post pictures, put them in the members' album, please. Leo Manuel -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> New Subscriber, Phoenix, AZ, Wants Passionfruit source Johnfcryptic@aol.com New Subscriber, Phoenix, AZ, Wants Passionfruit source Johnfcryptic@aol.com New Subscriber, San Diego Point Loma - Needs Help Jennifer Kellar <><><> Readers Write <><><> Wanted: yuzu, chinese date (jujube), shitake jorge de atucha Airlayering Dick Gross Re: Airlayering Dick Gross Re: Airlayering Dick Gross coconut palm Beth Elliott Hawaiian Sweet potato Judi Steinman Red-flowered lilikoi Judi Steinman Purple Sweet Potato Ben Pierce Re: Purple Sweet Potato Leo Manuel Re: Purple Sweet Potato Ben Pierce Re: Purple Sweet Potato Leo Manuel Re: How do you prepare purple sweet potatoes? Zhenxing Fu Re: Where to buy purple sweet potatoes in San Diego Zhenxing Fu Purple Yam Jam Ranch 99 Market (Clairemont Mesa Blvd) Leo Manuel Re: Purple Yam Jam Ranch 99 Market (Clairemont Mesa Blvd) Zhenxing Fu Can anyone identify this fruit? Allan Bredeson Re: Can anyone identify this fruit? Leo Manuel Re: What is this plant (fruit)? Allan Bredeson To deter fungus in the garden, consider milk & GSE Amy Fernandez Pineapples Todd Abel Fruit tree nursery recommended? (Citrus first) Tim Dooley <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> http://www.crfgsandiego.org For San Diego Chapter Of CRFG Information http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><><> Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) <><><> None, this time <><><> NAFEX List <><><> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex Archives at http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex None, this time <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" None, this time <><><> From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@yahoogroups.com <><><> "Nestlebrae.Exotics" Re: Arbutus unedo "mcgiverin" Amazon tree grape hwmpg@comcast.net Re: Arbutus unedo "tabbydan" Re: Amazon tree grape "mcgiverin" Could this be the year... Sergio Duarte Re: Arbutus unedo jules casseur Re: Hello, (and Jakfruit) Michael Nave Re: Arbutus unedo "brbrunner" Re: amazon tree grape The Thaumaturgist Jakfruit w/o Latex Console G4 Re: Macadamia allergy? David Fay Congo Native Fruits Book <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars>news@arsgrin.gov <> http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm Papaya Sex-Chromosome Study Provides New Glimpse of Evolution ARS News Service Phosphorus Needed Less Than Believed ARS News Service More Soil Benefits from No-Till Planting ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: New Subscriber, Phoenix, AZ, Wants Passionfruit source From: Johnfcryptic@aol.com Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 10:41:59 -0500 (EST) Hello, My name is John Fontana, in Phoenix, AZ I grow Passionflowers/Fruit as a hobby and I purchase 1 flat of Passionfruit each week for my diet. I'm looking for sources for Passionfruit. Please send email, if you know of any. Thank you John mailto:Johnfcryptic@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, San Diego Point Loma - Needs Help From: Jennifer Kellar Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 14:07:18 -0800 I am Jennifer Kellar, in San Diego (Point Loma area) I am just beginning to plant fruit trees. So far its only a passion fruit, red strawberry guava and white china guava. A citrus mix tree with 5 varieties of grafts and a Reed and Haas avocado are also included in the herd so far. I want to grow carambola, cherimoya, White Sapote, Mango, Banana, and Fuji Persimmon. Are there certain varieties that will produce better than others near the coast? Good strong sunshine can be lacking with all the overcast days here - when its nice and sunny inland. Thanks for all your help to a beginner. Jennifer Kellar mailto:catboat@hotmail.com <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Wanted: yuzu, chinese date (jujube), shitake From: jorge de atucha Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 04:42:26 -0300 I would like to have plant prices, for yuzu, chinese date (jujube), shitake thanks, Jorge Atucha mailto:jorgedeatucha@fibertel.com.ar ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Airlayering From: Dick Gross Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 09:06:24 -0700 Hi, Alice. Would you consider sharing with the group your layering technique or tricks of the art, so to speak? Regards, Dick Gross mailto:rkgross3@cox.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Airlayering From: Dick Gross Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 09:00:17 -0700 Thank you, Alice, That is a thorough and complete explanation and your style of writing, your composition, is interesting, too. I would like to forward this to Leo Manuel for inclusion in his Rare Fruit News On Line so that others can benefit from your experience. If, for any reason, that is not okay with you, just let me know. Thank you again, Dick Gross mailto:rkgross3@cox.net Arizona Rare Fruit Growers ----- Original Message ----- From: za172 To: Dick Gross Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 2:27 AM Subject: RE: Airlayering Hi Everyone, Glad to be here on the Rare Fruit Group News! Since you asked about my air-layering technique I'll let you know everything I do. This information originated from a Quaker friend from Kona, Hawaii who showed me how to do this when he was visiting CA about 5 years ago. I was glad to have the lesson cause I'm dyslexic and find it a lot easier to learn by seeing and touching than reading - so if anyone else feels the same I'll be happy to show them. Supplies you need to Air Layer: Sphagnum Moss (soaking in bucket of water) Bucket of water Sharp knife Root tone or rooting hormone Small paint brush (disposable) 99 cent only store Saran wrap or aluminum foil Hand pruners or scissors Disposable latex gloves (3 pair just in case) Dust mask Enthusiasm Directions: Take all this stuff to the tree you want to clone on a calm day (no wind). Start soaking the moss in the water. Look at the branches and decided which would be a good branch(s) to prune off in the near future. I look for a branch that's not too big or small - about 1/2" in diameter and a foot or more long. Look at how long it is and how many time it splits. If you want a taller tree, straight branches will work best. It you choose a branch with lots of wyes it will be a bushy tree. I usually choose about 10 branches (practice makes perfect) working one at a time. I start by cutting two rings, into the bark only, around the branch. These rings are about an inch apart, between two nubs (nodes) on the branch, close to the branch base. Then I cut a third time connecting the two rings so I can remove the bark. (Imagine cutting the empty cardboard center of a toilet paper roll). Now you have a naked ring (barkless ring) around the branch. At this point I take my pocketknife and scrape the shiny white, barkless, part of the branch. You are scraping away the shiny stuff that's really thin. Once this stuff is gone the naked part of the branch won't be shiny anymore. I was told that this shiny/slippery part under the bark supplies the tip of the branch with its food - so if it's not getting any food, the branch will go looking for food by sending out new roots. Next put on your latex gloves and dust mask 'cause you don't want to get any rooting hormone on your skin or in your eyes (read the precautionary instruction on the hormone and proceed at your own risk). Resist the desire to include small children and pets - believe me on this one! Take your paintbrush and dip it in the rooting hormone and brush it on the naked bark. (I've recently been told that too much rooting hormone is worse than not enough - so dusting is all you need.) Take a generous wad of wet moss (not dripping) and wrap it around the naked branch. With your third hand wrap the moss with aluminum foil or saran wrap so that it doesn't move. Both saran wrap and Aluminum foil have their advantages and dis-advantages. If the tree has tight branches it is hard to wrap them. Aluminum foil will get holes in it and tear- but crumples up and holds it's shape easily. Saran wrap stretches nicely but sticks to itself when you don't want it to. That's why I really appreciate the third arm I grew from not being careful with the rooting hormone. Just checking to see if your paying attention! The purpose of the aluminum foil or saran wrap is to hold the moss in place and give the tree branch a good medium to send out roots in to find water. So like with your other plants you don't want it too wet or too dry. If you have too many holes in the aluminum foil it will dry out too quickly and the aluminum may conduct too much heat in direct sunlight. If you wrap the saran wrap too tight it my mold from being too moist. I'm sure there is a good time of year to do this - like when trees are dormant, but frankly, I've had success every month of the year in So. California. O.K. So now you've done one air layering. Time to move on to the next 9 branches. You don't have to do 10 but your technique and agility will improve as you go. Another reason to do more than one is that you may not have done it right or it wont take. I once had terrible results (less than 10% sprouted roots) but I was careful to be mindful at harvest time and noticed there were no roots & the branches were still alive - so I took my knife and scraped the naked bark harder and dusted with a little more root tone and closed em back up for another two months - and low and behold I had 100% success! Harvesting your Baby Trees! Now you've waited 6 to 8 weeks and you remember those funny looking pregnant branches on your neighbor's trees. Well, it's time to give birth! Walk on over with your empty bucket and pruning sheers or kitchen scissor (and maybe your knife and saran wrap - just in case) and carefully remove the aluminum foil or saran wrap. If you can see roots growing through the moss you are ready to give birth by cutting the umbilical cord (which is the branch just below the previously naked branch). If you can't see roots through the moss - you can carefully part the moss and look to see if there are any roots started inside. You can choose to wrap it back up if you think there aren't enough roots and let it grow for another 4 weeks - and then give birth. If there are no roots and the branch is green you can re-scrape, dust, re-wrap and wait. If there are no roots and the branch is brown - you scratched too hard or cut too deep. Just cut that branch off and try it again on another branch. That's all there is to air layering. And the fun thing about it is that if your neighbor, friend or even a stranger has a tree that you like, you can have one just like it, with just a little patience. [How you treat the newly-harvested trees can be critical in determining whether they survive or not. I usually put them in pots with planting mix, water them, and cover the whole tree with a large plastic bag, and place them in the shade. After at least one month, it may be ok to remove the bag, but if the tree begins to wilt, replace the bag for a few more weeks. I have frequently air-layered guavas, lychee, and longan trees, usually with good results. -Leo] ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Airlayering From: Dick Gross Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 20:43:29 -0700 Writers who write like they speak, conversational prose, reveal a lot about their personalities and a real person comes across as sincere and straight forward and as one who is interested in expressing a thought in terms another can comprehend rather than one using incomprehensive terminology designed to bring praise and adulation for the writer's brilliance and genius, like this junk I just wrote. Anyway, you write well, Alice, and I urge you to do more of it. I guess I don't know exactly what dyslexia is. I understood perfectly what you were saying. Incidentally, a few practitioners of air-layering will leave the girth exposed until the upper cut is callused before enclosing it. To show a person how to airlayer on a white sapote, I once grabbed a handful of mud and covered the wound as you would with moss and wrapped it with Saran wrap and aluminum foil. To my great surprise, three months later the mud was still damp and full of new roots. Moss, however, is a better way to go but we learn a lot by trial and error. One can learn to write exactly the same way. The skills of propagation and/or writing are honed by practice. I will forward this to Leo. Thanks for your response. Dick mailto:rkgross3@cox.net ----- Original Message ----- From: za172 To: Dick Gross Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 3:25 PM Subject: RE: Airlayering Gee, of course it's ok with me - that's why I wrote it. So you think I have an interesting writing style? That's probably cause I'm dyslexic. I write like I speak - other than that I don't know how to really write like a writer. Got any reccommendations? Just between you and me, It was hard to write this explanation - I didn't want to used the term spagnum moss too many times cause I dont know if I spelt the word spagnum correct - so I just shortened it to moss. I hope who ever reads it knows I mean spagnum moss. I tried it once with moss I collected from the forest and it turned to mush. That was a botched attempt. Well - I can't imagine the kind of people that are interested in rare fruits would need much instruction on how to airlayer but I figured it was a good opportunity to let people get to know I exist. Best wishes and thanks for the inquiry. Alice ------------------------------------------------ Subject: coconut palm From: Beth Elliott Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 09:57:19 -0800 Hi Leo & everyone! I have a small (about 2' tall) coconut palm that has been getting new fronds but is turning yellow. I live near the ocean in San Pedro, Ca. The palm is planted in a sunny spot near my water faucet. Might it be getting too much water from a leak there? Is it just too cool for coconut palm? Any help caring for it would be welcome. Thanks much, Beth E. mailto:bethelliottarts@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Hawaiian Sweet potato From: Judi Steinman Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 15:47:08 -0800 (PST) Aloha Nan - There's been a lot of interesting discussion about Hawaiian purple sweet potatoes on this newsletter lately, but as a newscomer to Hawaii, I wanted to respond. When I first discovered these ugly, shrunken, little potatoes during a visit to the Hilo Farmers' Market, I couldn't imagine how delicious and nutritious they would be. My husband, the chef in our house, prepared them two ways: sliced in a pan with olive oil and shallots or in tin foil in the grill. I have since learned that yams from Africa have some medicinal and nutritional value that makes them unique among foods - they are high in nutrients that contribute to tissue formation and wound healing and there even have been some studies on the effects of yams on memory loss. I'm not saying that these effects have been shown for the Hawaiian purple sweet potato, only that its an interesting plant that may be good for you to eat above and beyond its sweet taste! I cut up s! ome of these potatoes and they rooted easily, so I am hoping that they will grow like weeds here in Laupahoehoe, HI. Judi mailto:jsteinman@biotechnolegal.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Red-flowered lilikoi From: Judi Steinman Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 15:53:31 -0800 (PST) I saw the most beautiful red flower growing on a vine in Hilo, Hawaii at around 700 foot elevation and I would like to know if its a lilikoi or passionfruit. It had a stamen and pistel that looked like the white or purple lilikoi flowers that grow elsewhere on the island. The red petals were larger than those typically seen on the white or purple flowers. I took a piece of the stalk with the flowers on it and tried to root it after adding rooting hormone, but no roots took. Any insight into how to get it to grow? will it fruit or is it ornamental only? Judi mailto:jsteinman@biotechnolegal.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Purple Sweet Potato From: Ben Pierce Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 07:59:50 -0800 Nan, Saw your post about the Purple Sweet Potato on Leo Manuel's Rare Fruit newsletter. Where did you buy yours at? I obtained a cutting from Leo not too long ago and its growing well. Leo, Where did you get yours at? Which Asian markets in San Diego do either of you find have a good selection of fruit for sale. I get all kinds of seeds and roots at these places to start plants from. I like Seafood City in Mira Mesa and Ranch 99 on Jeffrey in Irvine. Ben Pierce mailto:mariposafamily@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Purple Sweet Potato From: Leo Manuel Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 13:24:29 -0800 Hi Ben I got mine indirectly from Ninji (sp?) Market on Linda Vista Road or Convoy. Have you shopped at the Ranch 99 market on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard? It's very large. Leo ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Purple Sweet Potato From: Ben Pierce Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 13:34:59 -0800 My wife asks if that is the old Woo Chee Chong market? She's the native! I have been to Ranch 99 on Clairemont Mesa. We usually go to the other one in Irvine because its on the way to my mom and dads and is just off of the freeway. I will have to check out Nijia. Is it Japanese? Ben Pierce mailto:mariposafamily@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Purple Sweet Potato From: Leo Manuel Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 15:37:26 -0800 Yes, Ninji (I don't remember its spelling) is a Japanese market just north of the 805 overpass on Convoy. Ninji is on the opposite side of the street and much south of the old Woo Chee Chong market. Leo ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: How do you prepare purple sweet potatoes? From: Zhenxing Fu Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 12:13:50 -0800 Hello Nan, You can treat the Hawaiian purple sweet potato as the regular sweet potato. I just bake them in the oven and they taste very starchy and sweet without any sugar added. You can also chop them into half inch cubes and boil them in water with some sugar for about 15 min and serve for breakfast. I like it very much. Good luck, Zhenxing mailto:zfu@ucsd.edu ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Where to buy purple sweet potatoes in San Diego From: Zhenxing Fu Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 13:29:01 -0800 There is an Asian supermarket called Lucky Seafood on Mira Mesa Blv/Black mountain Rd sells them at $1.89/lb. Another store called VienDong on Linda Vista and Genesse sells them too. It is worth to try it. If you find some that has eyes on it, you can even start growing them in the pot and eventually in the ground. I started mine like that. It is fun to grow your own. Zhenxing mailto:zfu@ucsd.edu [I bought some at Nenji Market on Convoy and sprouted them. -Leo] ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Purple Yam Jam Ranch 99 Market (Clairemont Mesa Blvd) From: Leo Manuel Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 14:41:22 -0800 Hi Zhenxing Have you ever eaten 'Purple Yam Jam' sold at Ranch 99 Market? I like the Masagana brand. It's not excessively sweet. Leo ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Purple Yam Jam Ranch 99 Market (Clairemont Mesa Blvd) From: Zhenxing Fu Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 14:56:57 -0800 Hi Leo, I have not tried the one sold at 99 Ranch Market. I will go this weekend to buy and try. I am the one pretty bad at remember names. I will pay attention to the name of variety this time. Zhenxing mailto:zfu@ucsd.edu ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Can anyone identify this fruit? From: Allan Bredeson Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 18:02:46 -1000 A man in SW Australia (in a Mediterranean climate similar to S. California) is growing this plant (see picture) and would like it identified. He got seed from a now defunct Australian seed Company. The name was: guava - winter wonder. The fruit is only about pea size. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? Click on the link below to see it. Al Bredeson mailto:a.alankona@verizon.net http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4101056&a=31063069&p=66577550&f=0 ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Can anyone identify this fruit? From: Leo Manuel Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 06:12:44 -0800 Hi Allan I showed the picture to Jim and Tom DelHotal, and both were puzzled. Jim said it looked to be Eleagnus while Tom said possibly Bignay. Leo ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: What is this plant (fruit)? From: Allan Bredeson Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 02:22:53 -1000 Thanks Leo. Another person mentioned Eleagnus also. Anyway I told him what you guys thoughts were on it also. Al Bredeson mailto:a.alankona@verizon.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: To deter fungus in the garden, consider milk & GSE From: Amy Fernandez Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 10:00:57 -0800 Hi, Leo, I have sprayed 1 part of milk in 2 parts of water onto my papayas, curcurbits, roses and other flowers to deter fungus and works rather well as a prophylactic and even helps if the fungi have begun. The casein in milk is an antifungal. It has been used in agriculture for powdery mildew, but I have found it also stops the rust infestation on my miniature roses. I have not yet, but am going to spray some GSE (which I buy at the health food store) on the fuschias to see if it will stop a viral infestation for which they say there is no cure, but, I'm game. There is info at http://www.nutriteam.com on using GSE in agriculture. It is also an antifungal. Plus, it's not harmful to ingest. ;-D Amy of Marvelous Gardens zone 10 or Sunset 22, NE Orange California http://home.earthlink.net/~marvelousgardens/ Leo said: >> >> Fungal or viral attack on several pitaya plants is >> troubling, because I don't know how best to >> handle it. I've removed several plants that >> were heavily infected. If you have experience >> in successfully treating cacti with this >> problem, please advise me. Amy Fernandez mailto:marvelousgardens@earthlink.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Pineapples From: Todd Abel Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 18:23:20 -0800 Leo, I responded to some letters about Pineapples growing in California, but entered your email incorrectly. I have 3 Pineapples from fruit tops that have been in the ground since April, 2003. They are in the HOT area between the sidewalk and street. The plants are mulched with manure and bark (lower pH), and seem to love the heat here in southern California. The plants were watered only once a week in the summer, and are now 2 ft by 2 ft. The January summer heat is ripening a good crop of Star fruit, which is the second crop this year. Unfortunately, some of the fruit is hollow due the ants and black scale. Always a good time to call relatives back east now. Jamaican Banana not looking good even with this heat, maybe too marginal for here. Oh well. Todd Abel mailti:table@socal.rr.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Fruit tree nursery recommended? (Citrus first) From: Tim Dooley Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 18:27:41 -0800 (PST) Hello Leo: It was good to speak with you tonight! If any names come to mind concerning nurseries you think I should visit; let me know. I will look into the Fallbrook area and go up Monday morning. I am quite encouraged to know you are growing Cherimoya successfully. That and Dragonfruit have to be on the short list of "best fruits". Thanks for the invite to see your Dragonfruit. Let me know when would be a good time to visit. I have Sunday and Mondays off. Hope this rain treats you well. Regards, Tim Dooley mailto:platinumtimis@yahoo.com <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><><><><><><> Announcements And Web Pages To Consider <><><><><><><><> San Diego Chapter California Rare Fruit Growers Meeting: Where: Casa del Prado Building Room 101, Balboa Park When: Fourth Thursday Of Each Month (Except December) See: http://www.crfgsandiego.org http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><><><><><><><> Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) <><><><><><><><> None this time <><><> NAFEX List From: nafex-request@lists.ibiblio.org <><><> None this time <><>Bot-Linx List http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/<><> From: "Scott D. Russell" None this time <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 20:20:39 +1300 From: "Nestlebrae.Exotics" Subject: Re: Arbutus unedo I think, without a doubt, that a can of these from China were, incontrovertibly, the worst things I've ever eaten out of tinned/frozen/canned vegetables or fruit! I grow a tree of it, but, apart from trying one every five years just to remind myself of what a fantastically misleading name it is (Strawberry Tree- life must have been tough in Ireland!), I don't bother to eat them. John John D Prince & Rosemary Steele 219 South Head Road, Parkhurst, RD1 Helensville, New Zealand 1250. phone [64] 09 420 7312 website: www.helensville.co.nz/nestlebrae.htm ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 12:22:46 -0000 From: "mcgiverin" Subject: Amazon tree grape In the same spirit as Tabbydan's last query, I was wondering if anyone has experience or opinions on growing the amazon tree grape (Pourouma cecropiaefolia) for fruit and/or ornamental value. I have three seedlings growing very well in containers, and was wondering about setting them out. I know that they tend to produce male and female flowers on separate plants, so I would probably have to plant all three, and don't know whether I should devote space to them. If I do plant, how close together can I plant the three? Thanks, Bruce, Cidra PR. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 18:58:30 +0000 From: hwmpg@comcast.net Subject: Re: Arbutus unedo In the Maritime areas of the Northwest and SW BC they are used mainly as landscaping....they are a broadleaf evergreen, attractive, glossy, fairly dense folilage, but the colored fruit is a bright orange-red globe, contrasts beautifully against the dark glossy green foliage and lasts for quite a while during cold weather when there aren't many other landscaping items with color. We would eat them if we were starving, but then, their lack of desirability as a food source improves their value as a landscaping plant. Herb ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 19:02:46 -0000 From: "tabbydan" Subject: Re: Amazon tree grape Alternatively, if space is a premium for you, you could see what gender they are (I'm hoping they can flower in a container), then graft female onto male. I hope if you have to "dispose" of some plants you can find a local grower who wants them. You got a lot farther than I did. I had a bunch of seeds and they sprouted but oddly most of them died in my garage (the garage had good heat, good humidity- and worked out well for ultra-tropicals such as my rheedia, garcinia, theobroma, & bacca macrocarpa) during the summer. Good luck. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 20:28:38 -0000 From: "mcgiverin" Subject: Could this be the year... ...that I get my first mango from my trees?! In spite of heavy rains in October, November, December, I have some flowers on 'Palmer' and 'Ice Cream'. (Nothing so far on 'Carrie', 'Cogshall' and 'Po Pyu Kalay'.) In August, following someone's advice on this forum, I girdled the 'Palmer' by cutting a ring around the trunk with a utility knife; think that caused it to flower? So far, only a few panicles, but who knows, maybe more on the way. Bruce, Cidra PR, 1400 ft, way too much rain ("Where the mangos never - strike that - SELDOM bloom....") ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 21:12:10 -0000 From: Sergio Duarte Subject: Re: Arbutus unedo Hi, Arbutus unedo, grows wild in Portugal, especially in the southern portion of the country. Locally, the fruit is called "medronho", while the plant itself is called "medronheiro", (where "nh" sounds like the spanish –, n with tilde). The fruits are attractive reddish orange balls, 1 inch in diameter or less, with a spiky surface. The pulp is yellow orange with several small seeds. The fruit is sweet but rather bland. It's not so bad that eating more than a few becomes a feat. The problem is that the promising appearance does not translate to a remarkable taste or flavor and one quickly loses interest. "Medronho" shrubs are ornamental. They produce masses of small bell- like fragant flowers that attract bees and other insects. To my senses, the fragance is strong and reminds me of the smell/taste of honey. The fruit ripens in the Autumn months but it is still possible to find some fruits in January. The seeds probably need some cold before they are ready to germinate. The "medronho" is not used as a fresh fruit. However, traditionally it is collected in Portugal to produce an highly alcoholic beverage of the same name. The process involves first the fermentation of the macerated fruit pulp, followed by distillation. The result is a very strong, clear and colorless liquid, which is usually taken in small shots or to spice up coffee (espresso). One local myth that surrounds this fruit is that it is said that one will get drunk if one eats too many of them. Now a bit of speculation. Could it be that Rheedia madruno is called like that because the surface of the fruit resembles that of the A. unedo, which incidently is called madru–o is Spanish? --sergio, lisbon, portugal ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 22:46:53 -0800 (PST) From: jules casseur Subject: Re: Hello, (and Jakfruit) Good morning dear Jackfruiter, THere exist a latexless variety of the Jackfruit developped by the Malaysian resaerch institute, the flesh is more reddish orange, and has excellent eating quality. It's recently has been introduced here (Phillipines). Kind Regards Will jules1949@yahoo.com ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 23:25:29 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Nave Subject: Re: Arbutus unedo I like them. There are dozens of them growing outside my office. I like the texture. The fruit is somewhat bland but it's still better than any starfruit I've ever tried (but then I don't believe that starfruit is actually meant to be eaten by humans). I'm sure that the fruit could be improved at least a little by some judicious breeding. The best one I ever had was growing on the grounds of the Luther Burbank house in Santa Rosa, CA. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 08:36:45 -0000 From: "brbrunner" Subject: Re: amazon tree grape Bruce, Amazon tree grape tends to grow quite tall before branching, especially in our rainy, cloudy environment. It is a large tree, and difficult to keep small by pruning. They are definitely dioecious, so you should plant all three. I have three planted, but they haven't flowered yet, and they are about 40 feet tall. I saw a smaller one that was loaded with fruit in Hawaii, but it was a sunnier, warmer, sea level location. I've never tried it, so I don't know how good it is. Can anyone comment on the flavor and quality of the fruit? Bryan Maricao, Puerto Rico ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 17:49:13 -0800 (PST) From: The Thaumaturgist Subject: Jakfruit w/o Latex A new variety of Jakfruit with little or no latex had been developed in the southern part of India. I had not tasted nor had I seen any photograph of this variety which is supposedly being seen more and more in the local markets. Asit K. Ghosh Rockledge, Florida 32955 Zone 10a ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 09:40:56 -0800 (PST) From: Console G4 Subject: Re: Macadamia allergy? Hi Michael, I once worked for a man who would itch, suffer swelling and difficulty breathing when he ate macadamia nuts (even a small amount in other food). Only case I know of. Best of growing, Bob SW Florida ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 23:03:14 -0800 (PST) From: David Fay Subject: Congo Native Fruits Book This book is available from ECHO for $10: http://www.echonet.org/shopsite_sc/store/html/CongoNativeFruits.html I did have a little contact with the authors, but haven't received any seeds as yet. They have moved to the Central African Republic. I am always interested to trade African Fruit seeds for Thai fruit seeds if anyone has any leads. Rgds, David SE Thailand (Rayong) <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. Subject: Papaya Sex-Chromosome Study Provides New Glimpse of Evolution From: ARS News Service Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 13:10:58 -0500 What do people and papayas have in common? Both have specialized chromosomes carrying genes that determine the gender of their offspring. These so-called "sex chromosomes" are markedly different from ordinary chromosomes. In the current issue of the journal Nature, scientists from industry, university and the Agricultural Research Service provide the first direct evidence that papaya sex chromosomes are evolving from other chromosomes--ordinary ones in the plants' genetic makeup. The same process is thought to have occurred in the human genome during the millions of years of human sex chromosome evolution. In humans, sex-chromosome studies may explain inheritance of gender-linked conditions such as sickle-cell anemia or hemophilia. In papaya, studies of sex chromosomes may help scientists understand inheritance of traits responsible for the size, shape and quality of this popular tropical fruit. Apparently, only papaya trees that inherit a specific combination of genes on their sex chromosomes produce fruit that has the elongated shape that consumers of Hawaii-grown papaya prefer. Today, just half of all commercial papaya seedlings grown in Hawaii inherit this prized combination of genes. ARS research plant physiologist Paul H. Moore at Aiea, Hawaii, and ARS research horticulturist Francis T.P. Zee at Hilo participated in the papaya study. Both are with the ARS U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. Plant molecular geneticist Ray Ming of the grower-sponsored Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Aiea, led the investigation. The scientists analyzed genetic material from more than 2,000 fresh papayas. They found that a chromosome with a small region of genes for male traits--comprising only about 10 percent of the chromosome's length--determines sex in papaya. This papaya chromosome resembles a primitive version of the human Y chromosome--perhaps as it existed 240 to 320 million years ago. The papaya research provides a unique opportunity to examine the beginnings of sex chromosome evolution. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Phosphorus Needed Less Than Believed From: ARS News Service Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 06:45:09 -0500 Phosphorus fertilizer, while expensive, is often necessary for wheat, barley, corn and other crops to produce profitable yields. Now Agricultural Research Service research has shown that phosphorus does not have to be applied annually to get good yields. ARS soil scientist Ardell D. Halvorson, of the agency's Soil, Plant and Nutrient Research Laboratory in Fort Collins, Colo., conducted several long-term experiments in the Great Plains on farm fields in Montana, Colorado and Nebraska. In Montana, he found that a single application of phosphorus increased soil test levels and crop yields for more than 17 years. His research in Nebraska and Colorado also showed that farmers can expect improved yields for several years after a single phosphorus treatment. Since phosphorus is expensive, many farmers tend to use less than the ideal amount each year. Through his research, Halvorson has found economic returns to be greater when applying the correct amount of phosphorus the first year, to eliminate phosphorus deficiency, and then skipping two or three years. Initial cost will be higher, but farmers are likely to have greater profits in the long term. Halvorson recommends applying higher, adequate rates of phosphorus initially, then lower rates as needed to maintain optimum crop yields. Since cropping intensity influences how quickly phosphorus is used, farmers may have to apply it more often if using annual cropping systems, rather than wheat/fallow. But they still don't have to apply it every year. If a farmer is only renting the land for a short period of time, the investment for an initial large application of phosphorus may not make sense. However, for landowners, applying the optimal amount every few years will likely produce larger yields. Since neither soil nor phosphorus leaches readily under Great Plains conditions, the only way a farmer can really "lose" it is through soil erosion, runoff and crop removal. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: More Soil Benefits from No-Till Planting From: ARS News Service Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 08:56:21 -0500 No-till crops like wheat and peas can be grown without undue erosion on land that has been rested in grass under the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), according to a 6-year study by Agricultural Research Service scientists. CRP lands are often judged to be highly erodible. No-till planting minimizes erosion because crop seeds are planted directly through the plant residue left from the previous crop, without plowing the field. Soil scientists Donald L. Tanaka, Stephen D. Merrill and colleagues at the ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan, N. Dak., began their study in 1994 on plots laid out on former wheatfields that had been seeded to a grass-alfalfa mixture under the CRP program in 1989. In 2000, Merrill, Chi-hua Huang, a soil scientist with the ARS National Soil Erosion Research Lab in West Lafayette, Ind., and others twice repeated a 3-year rotation of spring wheat, winter wheat and dry pea for a total of six growing seasons. First, they grew the crops under both no-till and moderate conventional disk tilling. Then they used rainfall simulation equipment to compare the soil erosion that occurred with each of those tillage methods, with erosion caused on plots left in grass and harvested for hay once a year. The researchers found that growing the crops with no-till caused no more erosion than occurred when grass was harvested annually for hay. They also showed that both the land cropped with a wheat-pea rotation under no-till and CRP grassland annually harvested for hay had one-sixth as much erosion as did land cropped with moderate conventional tillage. <><><><><><><><><> End of RFN200402A.txt <><><><><><><><><><> Rare Fruit News Online - February 15, 2004 - AKA RFN200402B.txt _______________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> Vanishing Email - Weird! I have had three occasions when my Inbox lost quite a few of the most recently received messages. I am using Netscape 4.79, and probably will have to begin using another application. For the Macintosh, there are fewer options. Anyway, I'm telling you this because you may not find messages here that you sent to me. Anytime you send me messages that don't appear in the newsletter, it is probably because they dropped into some black hole. -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> New Subscriber, Sri Lanka, Wants To Grow Pitaya A. Valemurugan New Subscriber, North Texas, Interested In Cactus Patrick N. McVay New Subscriber, Ohio, Looking For Pandanus amarylifolius Francis Weng New Subscriber, East Central Florida Hays, Gary <><><> Readers Write <><><> Information Sought: Thai Sweetsop, Firm and Soft Richard Sar New Yahoo RFNO Group Richard Sar Green Sapote Viride Edward & Althia Musgrave Re: Cherimoya In South Texas - Possible? Leo Manuel Sally Chinese arbutus David Noel nestlebrae.exotics@xtra.co.nz Point Loma Fruit Geoff Buckner Jennifer To Import Rare Seeds Through Customs Safely - How? Luc Vleeracker <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> San Diego Chapter California Rare Fruit Growers Meeting: Where: Casa del Prado Building Room 101, Balboa Park When: Fourth Thursday Of Each Month (Except December) See: http://www.crfgsandiego.org http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. Peaches - Some Low Chill Leo Manuel <><><> Zingiber List (Bananas, Gingers) <><><> None, this time <><><> NAFEX List <><><> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex Archives at http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex None, this time <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" None, this time <><><> From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@yahoogroups.com <><><> None, this time <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars>news@arsgrin.gov <> http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm Winning the Fruit Fly Battle in Hawaii ARS News Service Troubles in Chocolate Land ARS News Service New Soybean Promises Healthier Soy Oil ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: New Subscriber, Sri Lanka, Wants To Grow Pitaya From: "A. Valemurugan" Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 22:56:55 +0600 I am Valemurugan Arumugam, living in Sri Lanka, and I grow Papaya. I would like to grow Dragon fruit (Pitaya) or (Hylocereus undatus) This fruit is not grown in a large scale in our country and is not know much among the local population but I plan to cultivate and introduce to the Sri lankan market. I wish to know as to where I could get the planting material and also the prospects of export market to the European countries & the Middle East. More requests regarding fruit cultivation later. Thanks & regards. A. Valemurugan mailto:valea@sltnet.lk ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, North Texas, Interested In Cactus From: "Patrick N. McVay" Date: Sun, 01 Feb 2004 12:58:29 -0600 Dear Leo...Okay just Leo: I live in the Dallas, Texas area and have been able to grow figs, grapes, and even Japanese maples. However, I have failed on my nectarine project miserably. Instead of roasting another nectarine tree I thought I would try something different this spring. Besides, I do not have any cacti on my property. Is it possible to grow this type of cacti and produce this wonderful red fruit in North Texas climates. I am not interested in growing commercially, just a couple of plants for decoration. Patrick N. McVay mailto:p.mcvay@verizon.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Ohio, Looking For Pandanus amarylifolius From: Francis Weng Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2004 13:40:18 -0500 I am Francis Weng, in Tallmadge, Ohio and trying to grow every fruit that I remember from my native Malaysia, here in frozen Ohio. Can someone help me in locating Pandanus amarylifolius. This small leafy shrub is used in south east Asian cooking. Thanks Francis mailto:gardenponds@nevereverbeordinary.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, East Central Florida From: "Hays, Gary" Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 12:48:16 -0500 I am Gary Hays in East Central Florida, zone 9b I am now growing Avocado, Macadamia, peach, grumichama, lychee, longan, paw paw, pineapples, cherry of the rio grande, guava, barbados cherry, carambola, purple mombin, dwarf ambarella, papaya, mangos, pecans, passionfruit, grape, blueberries, citrus, and banana. I want to try kiwifruit and atemoya. Looking forward to joining this very informative list, and I'm sure will have many questions. Gary mailto:ghays@harris.com <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Information Sought: Thai Sweetsop, Firm and Soft From: Richard Sar Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 17:12:38 -0800 Hi Leo, I'm looking for information on Thai Sweetsop. When I visited Thailand years ago, I sampled 2 types of sweetsop. One had firm flesh and one had very soft, smooth flesh. The soft flesh one had flesh segments that would easily separate, the firm flesh one didn't and was almost chewy in a way. Does any one know which category Florida grown sweetsops are in? When it comes to the firm flesh, is this a desirable quality? I thought it was very enjoyable. Regards, Richard ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Yahoo RFNO Group From: Richard Sar Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004 01:15:52 -0800 Hey Leo, I think I somehow missed that Jan 15 issue. I just recently realized you already started the yahoo group. It sounds like a great idea to support the monthly newsletter with a yahoo group. Pictures would really be helpful in discussions concerning cultivars, pollination, airlayering, and grafting. Richard mailto:richardsar01@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Green Sapote Viride From: Edward & Althia Musgrave Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004 09:14:34 -0500 Hi Leo I am looking for a small supply of seeds of Green Sapote Viride, and if anyone has any I would gladly trade some other rare fruit seeds for them. I live in Brandon FL Edward & Althia Musgrave mailto:eamusg@quixnet.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Cherimoya In South Texas - Possible? From: Leo Manuel Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2004 11:48:35 -0800 To: Sally Hi Sally, It depends on the winter temperatures and whether you can protect the trees when young. They can handle a few degrees of frost, but more when they are older than when very young. Find out the winter facts before you plant either banana or cherimoya. Pawpaw is a distant relative and you may have eaten them in Michigan. They are more hardy. I'll put your letter in the newsletter. You search for more information on the internet. Also see http://crfg.org/pubs/ff/cherimoya.html Take care, Leo : : My name is Sally Montoya. I live in Lansing, MI, but am : moving to southern Texas. I've recently grown interested in : cherimoyas and wonder if the climate surrounding Corpus : Cristi would be too harsh for growing them. I'm also : interested in other fruit trees, apple, peach, lemon, lime : and banana. When we relocate, I'll have 2.5 acres to play : with. It is at the outer edge of a flood plain area but has : fairly good drainage, no standing water. If you can direct : me where to look I'd appreciate your help. Thanks for your : assistance. Sally mailto:Sjmontoya1@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Chinese arbutus From: David Noel Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2004 16:07:58 +0800 To: nestlebrae.exotics@xtra.co.nz Hello John -- -- Saw your comment as below, and wondered if you knew that 'Chinese Arbutus' is not from any Arbutus species, but is a bayberry (Myrica) fruit, not related. If you still have some from the can, you might notice that each fruit has a single large central seed, not scattered small seeds as in Irish Strawberry. -- I quite like the flavour of fruit from my Arbutos unedo (species name unedo said to be Latin for 'you only eat one'), although they are rather mealy. There are many related species, including one from Mexico which has large bright red fruit, said to be somewhat narcotic! David Noel mailto:davidn@AOI.com.au / 2004 Feb 5 ====================== : Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 20:20:39 +1300 : From: "Nestlebrae.Exotics" : : Subject: Re: Arbutus unedo : : I think, without a doubt, that a can of these from China : were, incontrovertibly, the worst things I've ever eaten out : of tinned/frozen/canned vegetables or fruit! I grow a tree : of it, but, apart from trying one every five years just to : remind myself of what a fantastically misleading name it is : (Strawberry Tree- life must have been tough in Ireland!), I : don't bother to eat them. John : : John D Prince & Rosemary Steele ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Point Loma Fruit From: Geoff Buckner Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 11:19:45 -0800 To: Jennifer Jennifer, Yes, with respect to rare fruits, living in Point Loma is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is there is no frost and the curse is the damp cool sea breeze. Myself and others live on the Sunset Cliffs side (the windy cold side) of the hill and grow the plants that you want to grow plus many others. Here is a list of varieties of the plants that you want to grow that seem to do well here on the coast. Mango - Valencia Pride, excellent disease resistance, good tasting and fiberless. Cherimoya - They all do very well on the coast. Plant the one you like or graft on different varieties. A lot of people seem to like Honeyhart and El Bumpo. White Sapote - Same as Cherimoya they all seem to do well. Star Fruit - Despite what the literature says, plant in full sun on coast. Sri Kembangan may not do well here. I may try Kari in the near future. Banana - They all do well here. Dwarf varieties are best on the windy side of the point. Dwarf Brazilian is a good one. Fuyu Persimmon - I have a Jiro sited in a cold windy location that has not performed very well at all. Here in Point Loma, maybe persimmons need warm protected areas? I do see them growing okay in some protected backyards... Hope this helps. Are you a member of CRFG? If not, it is a good organization with a lot of valuable information. http://www.crfg.org/ http://www.crfgsandiego.org/ Geoff Buckner mailto:bucknergt@pl1.sdcoxmail.com Point Loma [Check out the local CRFG meetings in Balboa Park monthly, on the fourth Thursday. -Leo] ------------------------------------------------ Subject: To Import Rare Seeds Through Customs Safely - How? From: Luc Vleeracker Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 13:56:17 -0600 Dear Leo, First I want to thank you again for the yellow pitahaya cutting. It's doing well and new buds are growing. Now this is for the next newsletter, maybe somebody can give me advice: I am planning a trip to Bali and Malaysia this month of june ( yes right in the middle of Durion season ) , you probably guessed the rest of my message , right.. , i 'm gonna bring back a bunch of seeds, only rare of course , so here's the question : who had any experience with this , since they most will have a short life and the risk of confiscation at us custom??? I live in Mexico so i'll be only in transit in the us. Looking forward to hear from you guys! Luc mailto:lucvleeracker241@hotmail.com Luc Vleeracker Gardenias 241 Fracc. Amapas Puerto Vallarta, Jal. Mexico 322-22-32791/Work <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><><><><><><> Announcements And Web Pages To Consider <><><><><><><><> San Diego Chapter California Rare Fruit Growers Meeting: Where: Casa del Prado Building Room 101, Balboa Park When: Fourth Thursday Of Each Month (Except December) See: http://www.crfgsandiego.org http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. Subject: Peaches - Some Low Chill From: Leo Manuel Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004 11:35:34 -0800 Low Chill UF Gold Peach (PP#10315) An attractive, high-quality, yellow and non-melting flesh peach. It produces fruit with tree-ripened full flavor while retaining firmness for longer shelf life than fruit from conventional melting-flesh market varieties. It possesses a very low chilling requirement (200 chill units). Fruit shape is nearly round and averages about 110 g and 6.4 cm in diameter. Flesh is non-melting and clingy with a little separation from the stone when soft ripe. Leaves and fruit are moderately resistant to bacterial spot. UF 2000 Peach (PP#12019) An attractive, high quality peach with yellow non-melting flesh. It produces fruit with tree-ripened aroma and sweetness with softens slowly, allowing for longer shelf life than fruit from conventional melting-flesh, fresh market cultivates. Trees possess a low chilling requirement of 300 chill units. Fruit is large and average 150 g and 7 cm in diameter. Ripe fruit has 50% to 70% bright red skin with a deep orange ground color. Flordadawn One of the first commercially shipped peaches to ripen in North America (usually late April in north Florida); good color, shape, and flavor; heavy, prolonged bloom; blooms early; fruit are relatively small but acceptable for their season. Flordaglobe Early ripening (with or before Flordaking); blooms later than Flordaking; good color, shape, and flavor; fewer split pits than Flordaking; smaller than Flordaking. FlordaRio Large fruit; good shape, color, and flavor; blooms earlier than JuneGold. Flordglo Large fruit for its season; firm, nonbrowning white flesh; ripens about 1 week after Flordaprince. Florida Prince Ripens 78-83 days after full bloom. Requires 150 chilling units, early harvest, fruit round with good color. Standard of the season. Tropic Beauty Ripens 85-94 days after full bloom. Requires 150 chilling units, mid season harvest, fruit round, very good firmness, good color and size. Tropic Sweet Ripens 90-100 days after bloom. Requires 175 chilling units, late season harvest. Fruit large, round and good color. Tropic Prince (Patent Pending) Texas A&M University selection made in 1994. Begins to ripen as Florida Prince is fruiting. Good cropping, size, firmness, shape, and blush. Better ground coloration than Earligrande. Somewhat blotchy blush. Chill requirements: 150 Chill units to fruit. Ripe:7 days after Florda Prince (about 4/23 at Weslaco, Texas). Gulf Prince (Patent Pending) A jointly released peach from Florida and Georgia Ag Experiment Stations with wide area adaptation. Very firm, sweet yellow, non-melting flesh fruit with a longer shelf life than fruit from conventional non-melting flesh market varieties. Leaves are resistant to bacterial spot. Fruit is large, symmetrical (6.4 to 7 cm diameter) and attractive, ranging from 140 to 150 g ub weight. Ripe fruit exhibits 45% ti 55% red over a deep yellow to orange ground color. Trees possessa low chilling requirement to 400 chill units. Florda Grande Ripens 100-105 days after full bloom. Requires less than 100 chilling units, harvests late, average color, large fruit. Tropic Snow Ripens 110 days after full bloom. Requires 200 chilling units. White flesh peach, excellent flavor. Cling Peaches Thiara Cling (PP#8744) A vigorous growing tree harvesting a week before Loadel. Fruit holds well on tree and colors evenly inside to outside, no splits and sizes well. Third Leaf Orchard in Yuba City planted 18x20 @ 121 trees/acre yielded 16 tons per acre in 1997. Kingsburg Cling (PP#11739) Discovered as a mutation of Dr. Davis. Fruit ripens 10 days ahead of Dr. Davis, after Andross with excellent quality, shape and firmness. Cut-outs have revealed exceptional canning quality. Kingsburg Cling has been well received by Del Monte. Fruit size is comparable to Dr. Davis with consistent cropping. Tree's vigorous. Late Ross (PP#11208) This is a new variety which was discovered as a bud mutation of Ross. Late Ross exhibits many of the same quality characteristics as its parent except that it ripens about five to seven days later. Fruit displays good shape, size, firmness and color. Ceres Carson (Patent Pending) Ripening approximately five days ahead of Loadel. Ceres Carson was discovered as a bud sport. Fruit set appears to be lighter than Loadel, but with better size and production. Ceres Carson has a good tree vigor, cans well and holds up well in cold storage. Goodwin Harvests August 4. Late. This new University of California variety ripens with Andross about the first week of August. Fruit is medium size with a slight tip. Flesh is slightly less fuzzy than Andross. Pit is small to mediu