========================================== Rare Fruit News Online - All Year for 2005 ========================================== Rare Fruit News Online - January 1, 2005 - AKA RFN200501A.txt _____________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> How about writing an occasional letter to Rare Fruit News Online? As you can see by this issue, there hasn't been much mail. I wouldn't say that the newsletter is yet irrelevant, and I hope it doesn't happen. California is having frequent and relatively heavy rains lately. The major effect is to cause the remaining mangoes to split. Have you had problems caused by the rain? <><><><><><><><><> Table Of Contents <><><><><><><><><> -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> None this time <><><> Readers Write <><><> RE: Keitt Mango - Ripen On/Off The Tree? Edward Lin How To Succeed With Allspice? Edward & Althia Musgrave San Diego Orchards Doug Young minna@earthlink.net San Diegans Visiting Florida And Need Your Suggestions "R Snow Sr." <><><><><> Growing Rare Fruit In Containers <><><><><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> http://www.crfgsandiego.org For *San Diego Chapter* 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 <><><> From "rarefruit list" - rarefruit@yahoogroups.com <><><> Re: URL of Fairchild Tropical Garden james singer Re: POMEGRANATE luc vleeracker Re: POMEGRANATE Thaumaturgist <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars>news@arsgrin.gov <> http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm Turkish Plant Oils Lethal to Crop Pest ARS News Service Foreign Fruit Fly Suppression Program Grows in Hawaii ARS News Service Unique Pistachio Trees Preserved in California Collection ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> None this time <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: RE: Keitt Mango - Ripen On/Off The Tree? Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 22:55:19 -0500 From: Edward Lin Dear Leo, Hope you are continuing to improve healthwise. Keitt is a very large mango with a very long harvest season. Once mature size is attained, you can begin to harvest a few, allow to soften at room temp and then enjoy. The taste will be more lemony with a significant (perhaps even prominent) tartness. Later in the season as the peel assumes a reddish coloration, the flesh will be sweeter and adopt a more classic mango flavor. Best wishes for a joyous holiday season. Ed mailto:elin@ingenious.com -----Original Message----- From: Leo Manuel [mailto:rarefruit@san.rr.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 7:59 PM Subject: Keitt Mango - Ripen On/Off The Tree? Keitt Mango - Do you let them ripen on the tree? For years I would let them ripen on the tree, until I was told by a Florida grower that it's best to pick them before being quite ripe, and let them ripen off the tree. I've been disappointed by the lack of color of the peel when ripened off the tree, but the taste is still quite good. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: How To Succeed With Allspice? Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 08:16:41 -0500 From: Edward & Althia Musgrave Hi Leo I am having problems with an Allspice tree I have lost 2. I don't know what I am doing wrong . Is there anyone there that has information on what is the best way to grow them ? I don't want to give up on them. Ed Brandon FL mailto:eamusg@quixnet.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: San Diego Orchards Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 11:04:49 -0800 (PST) From: Doug Young To: minna@earthlink.net Minna, I, too, have a young orchard. Only 1.5 years on the property. I don't know of anywhere to pick the specialized, local fruit you mention. I'll keep my eyes open here in East County. If you find anything up your way, please let me know! Doug Young mailto:minna@earthlink.net Crest/El Cajon ------------------------------------------------ Subject: San Diegans Visiting Florida And Need Your Suggestions Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2004 17:48:57 -0800 From: "R Snow Sr." We are going to be in Florida the middle of this coming April. We are to leave from Miami on April 16 for a Panama Canal cruise. We plan on getting there maybe three days earlier to visit some of the tropical gardens there. I also would like to visit the Keys, never having been there. Do you have any suggestions of places to visit during our brief stay? Or possibly, places to avoid? My question to one of the locals (Miami area) is "what part of town, if any, should we NOT to stay in? Also of course, are there any astounding plant places to see there. Any info they may have about the Keys in aftermath of the hurricanes would be invited also." We live near San Diego, and are friends to Leo and Betty Manuel. Love to hear from you. Dick and Alice Snow mailto:rhsnowsr@cox.net <><> Mailbag of Sainarong Rasananda mailto:sainaron@loxinfo.co.th <><> None, this time <><><><><> Growing Rare Fruit In Containers <><><><><> 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 <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:00:46 -0500 From: james singer Subject: Re: URL of Fairchild Tropical Garden I've found this site useful when trying to locate the URLs of botanic gardens http://www.aabga.org/ Many are listed under "Public Gardens" and there is search capability. mailto:jsinger@igc.org On Monday, December 20, 2004, at 06:44 AM, Thaumaturgist wrote: > > The Garden is at > > http://www.ftg.org/ > > Asit Island Jim Southwest Florida 27.0 N, 82.4 W Zone 10a Minimum 30 F [-1 C] ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 21:41:53 -0800 (PST) From: Thaumaturgist Subject: POMEGRANATE The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the earliest cultivated fruits in the world. Although Pomegranates grew in the wild before the dawn of agriculture, they were one of the first five (5) domesticated crops along with Olives, Grapes, Figs and Dates. Believed to be first domesticated somewhere in northern Iran or Turkey, Pomegranates still occur in the wild. However, the first archeological evidence of domesticated Pomegranates isnÕt until around 3000 B.C. at Jericho. Soon after their appearance at Jericho, they turned up in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Pomegranate first appeared possibly in Persia and then slowly migrated to India, Northern Africa, China, Europe and the Americas. Of CaliforniaÕs three (3) main varieties, "Wonderful" is the leading commercial variety which originated in Florida and was first propagated in California in 1896. "Wonderful" Pomegranates produce the largest, deep purple-red fruit with the most vibrant color and the sweetest taste. The deep crimson color flesh is juicy with a delicious vinous flavor. With softer seeds, they are better for juicing than for eating out of hand. Plant is vigorous and productive. The juice from pomegranates is one of natureÕs most powerful antioxidants. Pomegranate Juice has more polyphenol antioxidants than any other drink; more than red wine, green tea, blueberry juice, cranberry juice and orange juice. Here are 2 photos at, http://2ndlight.com/forum42ndlight/messageview.cfm?catid=8&threadid=21607 ====================================================================== Asit mailto:asitkghosh@yahoo.com ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 10:42:10 -0800 (PST) From: luc vleeracker Subject: Re: POMEGRANATE Hi Asit, do you know the name of the yellow variety ? Luc mailto:lucvleeracker@yahoo.com Mexico ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 11:47:15 -0800 (PST) From: Thaumaturgist Subject: Re: POMEGRANATE Luc One yellow variety is called "TOYOSHO". Asit mailto:asitkghosh@yahoo.com <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. Subject: Turkish Plant Oils Lethal to Crop Pest Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 08:53:55 -0500 From: ARS News Service Turnip aphids beware! Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service and at Anadolu University in Eskisehir, Turkey, have found that oils from many Turkish medicinal herbs are deadlier to the aphid pests than those currently used in biological pesticides. Studies at two ARS laboratories in Mississippi--the Natural Products Utilization Laboratory in Oxford and the Small Fruit Research Station in Poplarville--found that essential oils from 17 plant species are more toxic to turnip aphids (Lipaphis pseudobrassicae) than oils of peppermint (Mentha piperita) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), which are used in the United States as organic pesticides and in broad-spectrum insecticides. The researchers evaluated essential oils from 25 plant species for toxicity to turnip aphids, which attack collards, mustard, broccoli, cabbage, radish, tomato and zucchini, among other vegetable crops throughout the southeastern United States. The aromatic essential oils help plants attract or repel insects and fend off heat, cold and bacteria. Obtained from air-dried flowering plants, the oils are used in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, cosmetics and food industries. Because their bioactive compounds are potentially toxic to insects and mites but relatively safe to humans and wildlife, they've recently become the focus of developers of ecologically safe pesticides. Plant pathologist David Wedge at Oxford and horticulturist James Spiers and entomologist Blair Sampson at Poplarville, along with Turkish colleagues led by chemist Nurhayat Tabanca, identified essential oils--many from wild plants--that achieve 100-percent kill rates at much lower concentrations than peppermint and rosemary oil. The researchers found that species of Bifora, Satureja and Salvia are the more promising botanical sources of compounds for new pesticides targeting aphids. The scientists were most impressed by the wild bishop plant, Bifora radians. It yielded the least essential oil, but that oil was by far the most toxic to the aphids. According to Wedge, future efforts may include collaborations with other universities in Turkey and technology transfer of advanced bioassay techniques for agrochemical research. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Foreign Fruit Fly Suppression Program Grows in Hawaii Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 09:50:45 -0500 From: ARS News Service Fruit grower Hugo Butler of Kula, Maui, used to feed most of his peaches, loquats and persimmons to the hogs because the fruit was too fly-damaged to sell. But that changed once he joined the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded Hawaii Area- Wide Fruit Fly Integrated Pest Management (HAW-FLYPM) Program. Today, Butler has a 96-percent improvement in his persimmon crop and reports raising amazing amounts of loquats and peaches. He is even growing perfect guavas for the first time--all without resorting to weekly pesticide spraying. Before ARS, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service partnered to develop this fruit fly suppression program to curb a quartet of exotic pests--Mediterranean, oriental, Malaysian and melon fruit flies. Together, they used to turn more than 400 fruits and vegetables in Hawaii into maggot-infested, inedible mush unless farmers and gardeners relied on intense applications of organophosphate pesticides. Now, five years after the HAW-FLYPM program began being demonstrated to the first few farmers on the big island of Hawaii, Butler is just one of more than 300 small and large growers across the islands who have reduced fruit fly infestation to less than 5 percent while cutting pesticide use by 75-90 percent. Areawide pest control programs are most successful when many growers in an area participate, leaving few reservoirs from which the pest population can rebuild. With the program successfully established, HAW-FLYPM is now beginning its final step. Its long-term management is being shifted from researchers to the growers themselves. ARS will continue to research new technologies for improving fruit fly control. The Entomological Society of America recently honored the program with its Dow AgroSciences Integrated Pest Management Team Award, presented by the Entomological Foundation. The award recognizes a collaborative team effort--involving industry and academic scientists--to control an insect pest. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Unique Pistachio Trees Preserved in California Collection Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 08:24:08 -0500 From: ARS News Service Pistachio trees from around the world thrive in America's official pistachio collection managed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Davis, Calif. This "living botanical library" safeguards more than 750 pistachio trees. For instance, Kerman pistachio trees, which bear the rich, crunchy nuts that make it this country's most popular commercial pistachio, share orchard space with wild, rare and uncultivated relatives. In all, 10 pistachio species and various hybrids make up this unique collection. Some trees are native to North America; others are from Afghanistan, China, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan or Tunisia. Certain pistachio varieties in the orchard bear nuts that are as large as--if not larger than--Kerman pistachios. But these varieties aren't as well suited as Kerman for growing in California, where most of America's 300-million-pound pistachio harvest is produced. Many kinds of pistachio trees aren't cultivated for their nuts, but instead are used as rootstocks to which the upper, nut-bearing portion of the tree, or scion, is grafted. Or, these species are planted as street trees, especially those like Pistacia chinensis, which has spectacular red and orange foliage in fall. Besides being fun to eat, pistachio nuts provide fiber, vitamins B1 and B6, thiamin, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, plus smaller amounts of other nutrients. The California research orchard, formally known as the ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Fruit and Nut Crops, is part of a nationwide network of preserves. ARS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency, operates the network to protect the natural genetic diversity, or gene pool, of crop plants. Plant breeders, researchers and others use these collections to develop new varieties or to discover more about the lineage of existing ones. That's according to Ed W. Stover, ARS research leader and curator at the Davis repository. <><><><><><><><><> End of RFN200501A.txt <><><><><><><><><><> Rare Fruit News Online - January 15, 2005 - AKA RFN200501B.txt ______________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> The San Diego Chapter Scion Exchange is the fourth Thursday. January 27th, 2005 (Deciduous Fruit Trees; Others Later.) More Surgery - Knee Replacement This Time. If you have had Bilateral Simultaneous knee replacement surgery, I'd like your opinion of doing both knees at the same time as opposed to doing them sequentially. Tentative date is February 17. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get more work done around the yard as well as exercise after it's over. <><><><><><><><><> Table Of Contents <><><><><><><><><> -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> New Subscriber, Alabama "Dr. Ahmed/ER" New Subscriber, San Diego County Myshkin Miller <><><> Readers Write <><><> Allspice trees.. marionbrodie3@webtv.net (Marion Brodie) eamusg@quixnet.net Allspice trees William Butler Rare fruit I had while living in Puerto Rico in 1996 Bob Sorenson Re: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Bruce McGiverin Re: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Bryan Brunner RE: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Gerardo Garcia Pistachios - Produce In San Diego Area? Cheryl Noble Questions: Fuyu Seedling; Cochineal Scale Control James Freedner How To Prune Pomegranates? Marvelous Gardens Looking For South African Contacts Growing Dragon Fruit "Lee Naidoo (BPO)" Dragon Fruit On Coast Near Santa Barbara - Possible? Jim Ptaszenski Cherries In San Diego? Royal Ranier, Lapins, Nanking "Mark Renshaw" Mark Renshaw ISO Jellies, Jams and Dried fruit by Wilber G. Woods "JW Freadhoff Jnr." Protect Pineapple & Pitahayas From Rain? "Peruzan Dadbeh" "david.crfg-sd" Re: Protect Pineapple & Pitahayas From Rain? "david.crfg-sd" Peruzan Dadbeh Blooms But No Fruit On My Dragon Fruit. Why? Viet I Discover Dragon fruit in Brazil. My Questions... Graziela Volpiano <><><><><> Growing Rare Fruit In Containers <><><><><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> Mango - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango http://www.crfgsandiego.org For *San Diego Chapter* 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 <><><> 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 Little-Known Fruits Getting More Attention ARS News Service New Peaches for the Sweet-Loving Palate ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: New Subscriber, Alabama Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 11:28:38 -0600 From: "Dr. Ahmed/ER" My name Mohamed Ahmed I live in Madison, Alabama e mail mahmed4067@aol would like to be a member ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, San Diego County Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2005 13:21:27 -0800 From: Myshkin Miller My name is Myshkin Miller. I live in rural Northeastern Oregon. I have recently relocated from San Diego County. I was introduced to the Rare Fruit News at a garden exhibit at the Del Mar Fair in 2001. On my former property in Ramona, I grew pomegranates, apricots, apples, peaches, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines, and grapes. Nothing especially rare or unusual, but the experience in Ramona was good training for branching out into more exotic fruits. My new property here in Oregon (zone 5) is currently void of any trees except a gnarled old Gravenstein apple tree; but in the next few years I am looking forward to trying the following fruit crops: blueberries, blackberries, American and Ukrainian persimmon, sea berry, honeyberry, and hardy kiwi. I would also like to experiment with growing bananas, pineapples, dragon fruit, and other warmer-climate fruits indoors. Thank you Myshkin Miller <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Allspice trees.. Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2005 14:16:13 -0800 From: marionbrodie3@webtv.net (Marion Brodie) To: eamusg@quixnet.net Hi Ed, We have had two Allspice trees for the past 10 years, and never do anything to them, which includes no fertilising at all.. We live in east county [San Diego] our soil out here has been amended with mulch over the years, but it is dry...The trees get very little water [only when the leaves look a little stressed] but are very healthy, tho' slow growing.. My health has not been good so they have been somewhat neglected, however this year the garden will be getting a little more TLC.. They have thrived on neglect..they also fruit fairly well, one tree is more vigorous than the other..but are fairly close together so getting the same attention [ or lack]... We have hot dry summers out here, and colder winters than San Diego.. Marion B Blessings ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Allspice trees Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 10:55:21 -0800 (PST) From: William Butler Hi Ed I have tried growing allspice trees a couple of times at different homes I've lived at. Since I live in Californias central valley where it gets hot during the summer and cold in the winter I usually look for a more protected place to plant them. At my first home I had one on the N.E. corner of my house under the eve somewhat and it seemed to do very well there. It would get morning sun afternoon shade in this spot. I used peters 20-20-20 to feed it with about once or twice a month. During cold snaps in winter I'd toss a sheet over it and that seemed to be enough to protect it. I ended up moving from that house so I'm not sure what ever became of it. I imagine the new owners probably didnt know what it was or how to care for it. I have read where their cold tolerant to 26F. The second time of trial with it is in the current house I'm living in. I have one in the back yard next to the fence under the canopy of a large privet tree. This privet makes a unique micro climate and I have noticed that I can overwinter many tender plants under it without any more protection. It was a small tree this past spring when I planted it maybe 6 inches tall? It has more than tripled in height and is beginning to branch some. The soil under the tree is fairly good after years of decaying leaf material has accumulated. I havent fertilized this one more than twice as it was making pretty good growth with the good soil. I did add a drip system to all my plants and started watering them deeply once a week during the hottest months of summer and I have seen the difference this has made. I used 2 gph emitters and will probably change these to fan jets as the trees grow. I expect it to continue growing at a good pace this next spring and summer. This spring ! I am going to be mulching all my trees with a couple inches of good compost followed up with a layer of mulch on top of the compost. I'd like to have it a few inches thick to keep the weeds down and the roots happy and healthy. Hope this helps you some in your growing efforts. William Visalia Ca ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Mangoes I had while living in Puerto Rico in 1996 Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2005 11:25:57 -0800 From: Bob Sorenson My name is Bob Sorenson and I live in Washington state not far from the coast on an island in the Columbia river - I would like to know the correct name for the following type of fruit - It is shaped like a human heart and actually looks like one right down to the veins on the outside - The only ones I have ever seen were from 3 to 4 inches long, red in color and very very sugary - I have looked through the tropical fruits and do not find one listed - The local people that gave these to me let it be known that I was one of the lucky few to get them because not many form on a tree and they are highly prized. Hope you can help me out, I would like to show a picture of this unusual fruit to my wife who was not with me at that time - The same person that gave me this heart shaped fruit also brought me a Toro (the bull) mango with a very sweet flavor and about 9 inches long and big in diameter from his grandmas tree - I believe this is a rare type of mango that stores never see Hoping to hear from you Bob Sorenson [I wonder if the Toro Mango is the same as one called huevos de toro, generally translated as "bull's testicles", from the shape and size. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango -Leo] ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2005 18:22:33 -0800 From: Bruce McGiverin Sounds like it might be Annona reticulata, known in Puerto Rico as "corazon" (ie, heart), and elsewhere as the custard apple. Regards, Bruce, Cidra, PR ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2005 18:31:41 -0800 (PST) From: Bryan Brunner Hi Leo, Nice to hear from you. The fruit you are referring to is Annona reticulata, locally called "coraz—n", or bullock's heart in English. It is native to drier areas of the Antilles and Central America. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of one at the moment. Hopefully I can get a photo sometime. It isn't very common, and tends to get anthracnose a lot, which is why yields aren't high. I have never heard of the 'Toro' mango, and suspect it may just be a seedling variety growing in someone's yard. I hope that helps... please let me know if you need any more information. Bryan ------------------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 09:36:58 -0500 From: Gerardo Garcia Sure, it's the coraz—n - literally, heart, Annona reticulata. There are both red and green varieties. Great-tasting ones are unusual though, since they are often attacked by fungi or are otherwise grainy. The mango he mentions I believe is from the western part of the Island, but I have not personally tasted it. Will try to get more info. Gerardo ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Pistachios - Produce In San Diego Area? Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2005 20:52:47 -0800 (PST) From: Cheryl Noble I was told pistachios don't do well in San Diego where I live. Does that include the Kermin type mentioned in RF News? Also, my neighbor grows a pomegranite tree that supplies me on my side of the fence with enough fruit that I don't have to grow them. (Possession is 9/10's of the law). Is there a good way to extract the seeds or juice without the mess (colored juice that stains)? Lastly, we are doing torential rains again at avocado blooming time. Any suggestions to keep the blossoms from being blasted off? Thanks Leo for my trees that I bought from you last year. They are all doing well (but no fruit just yet) Cheryl Noble ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Questions: Fuyu Seedling; Cochineal Scale Control Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 20:16:48 -0800 From: James Freedner Leo, I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year and lots of good fruits, too!! Hey, I stuck a Fuyu (Japanese persimmon) pit in a flower pot in my living room here, and it has sprouted. NOW what do I do?! Problems with rain: Not sure if it's related to wet or dry weather, but cochineal scale has invaded my giant prickly pear cactus again! Stems are just covered with the white bugs. I figured cold winter weather would stop them for awhile, but not so. Can't spray with malathion just yet because of our continuing rains. Tried squishing the bugs by hand and my reward was about 7 cactus thorns in my left index finger. Some of which I am still trying to dig out. Squishing scale insects does not spread them around (by their eggs), does it? James Eric Freedner Sun Valley, CA ------------------------------------------------ Subject: How To Prune Pomegranates? Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 21:30:46 -0800 From: Marvelous Gardens I just purchased a 1 gallon 'Wonderful' Pomegranate. It said grows to 8' tall. Anything else I've read says they grow 20' - 25' tall. Which is too large for my yard. If this tree starts to run away in height, what kind of pruning can I do to keep it smaller, yet still be shaped right. I don't like pollarded trees. Thanks, Amy mailto:marvelousgardens@earthlink.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Looking For South African Contacts Growing Dragon Fruit Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2005 08:17:02 +0200 From: "Lee Naidoo (BPO)" Hi Leo, Thank you very much for the reminder to write. I am one of those curious people who find your newsletter useful only as info of interest and that is a fundamental selfishness which I must overcome. I have just bought a 7 acre plot and am concentrating on growing our indigenous trees and shrubs to attract the dwindling indigenous insect and animal life back. I would like to make contact with people in my country cultivating the 'Dragon Fruit" I also would like to wish you and your family a happy 2005. Lee Naidoo Durban. South Africa. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Dragon Fruit On Coast Near Santa Barbara - Possible? Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2005 06:17:45 -0800 (PST) From: Jim Ptaszenski Leo, Happy New Year! I look forward and appreciate your newsletters. I am wondering if you or anyone would be able to help me with a few questions regarding Dragon Fruit (aka Pitaya). I have a very good friend of mine that lives a little north of Santa Barbara (along the coast) that grows Avocados. He has offered me a small piece of land to grow whatever I want. I am very interested in Dragon Fruit and need to know if in fact they will grow and any particulars that might be involved. As I am sure you are aware I am not or have ever been a grower but am very interested in learning. Thanks for your anticipated help. Regards, Jim ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Cherries In San Diego? Royal Ranier, Lapins, Nanking From: "Mark Renshaw" To: Mark Renshaw I know of a couple of members who grow them, but they do not do very well in areas from the coast to El Cajon. Possibly higher up like Alpine and points east, they can get enough chill, but El Cajon is the farthest east ones I know of. They grow okay but produce very little in colder years down here, none or almost none in warmer years. I'm sorry I don't know much about the Nanking cherry. I know that they are very cold hardy, down to zone 5 or so. But I don't know how much chill they need to bloom. Around here people who want to grow cherry like fruit do much better with surinam cherries, capulin cherries, and cherry of the rio grande. These are not true cherries, but depending on your individual tastes, they can produce good cherry like fruit. I'm copying someone who has more knowledge on the cherry question. One of these is a rare fruit bulletin board, the other is the crfg prunus expert. Check in at rarefruit.com and subscribe to the email newsletter there if you'd like to see some further answers to your questions. Happy fruit gardening. David ------------------------------------------------ Subject: ISO Jellies, Jams and Dried fruit by Wilber G. Woods Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2005 12:49:04 -0600 From: "JW Freadhoff Jnr." Hello from North Dakota; Sorry to bother you. I am searching for the following book: Jellies, Jams and Dried fruit by Wilber G. Woods. It has a Pitaya jam recipe on page 107. No luck and all websearchs lead me to the California Rare Fruits Organization. No response to email and no answer on the phone. Would you have an idea where I could get a copy of the book or at least a photocopy of page 107? I will be in Belize from the 24th Jan - 28th February. Will be working on this year's marketing plan and looking at our next expansion. Again, Sorry to bother you, but am a little desperate. John W. Freadhoff Jnr. 3N Pitaya, Los Tambos, Belize ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Protect Pineapple & Pitahayas From Rain? From: "Peruzan Dadbeh" To: "david.crfg-sd" Date: Friday, January 07, 2005 10:54 AM Hi I was looking in the recent CRFG magazine and did not see the January meeting listed... I just wanted to verify that it is the third Thursday at 7. Also, in the scion exchange, I was thinking of bringing some, but was uncertain of what to take, the size, and which kind of plant (ex can you take cuttings from star fruit, jaboticaba). Finally, as I write this and it started raining, I was wondering if you know of any information/web-sites on possible protective measures that should be taken for some of tropicals in terms of cold or water logging (such as for pineapples or pitahayas). Thanks, Peruzan Dadbeh ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Protect Pineapple & Pitahayas From Rain? Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2005 13:35:08 -0800 From: "david.crfg-sd" To: Peruzan Dadbeh Hi, Peruzan, The San Diego Chapter Scion Exchange is the fourth thursday. January 27th. All meetings except November and December are on the fourth thursday. Details on scion exchange will be in the newsletter. But basically pencil thickness and 6 to 10 inches or at least two or three nodes. Cut the "up" end at an angle so people know which way is up. Also, it is really only deciduous fruit. More tropical stuff like star fruit and jaboticaba are not very easy to propagate from cuttings and it is too early to graft them. I'd also wait on cherimoya. We really need to have a series of scion exchanges. I am not sure what to do for the plants in all this cold rain. It is nice for the in ground deciduois trees including the figs and the pomegranates. But the tropicals and the potted stock may be suffering. I am going to put some of my more sensitive potted stuff like the australian pomegranates and cactuses and pineapples under a cold frame I made from PVC Pipe last year. I'll cover the frame with plastic sheeting and maybe put the bottom heat pad under the pots. Here is a picture of the cold frame, not too elegant, but the next one will be better. I'm copying Leo Manuel, so that he can put your question about the rain into his email newsletter. If you don't subscribe to it, I recomend that you go to rarefruit.com, and sign up. David ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Blooms But No Fruit On My Dragon Fruit. Why? Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:25:12 +1030 From: Viet To: leom@rarefruit.com, rarefruit@abac.com Hello Leo, My name Is Viet, I live In australia, I've been growing dragon fruit for 2 years but it not giving out any fruit. There are plenty of flowers at the moment but the flowers all drop off after 7 days, just the same as the 1st year. I look after it very well, giving it more water ... And currently it is summer In Australia , sunrise Is 6.00 Am and set at 830 pm, I think there are plenty light for It. Do you have this problems like this before? If you do please help me. Thanks so much. Sorry my English is terrible. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: I Discover Dragon fruit in Brazil. My Questions.... Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 10:44:41 -0600 From: Graziela Volpiano Hi there! I came across Dragon fruit yesterday for the first time at S‹o Paulo«s central market. As a pastry chef I was really curious to see what this fruit was like and how I could possible incorporate it to my desserts. After cutting it to my surprise the inside part had a pinkish-red beet like color. All information I«ve found about the fruit states that its supposed to have a white color. The fruit was totally flavourless. Are there different varieties of dragon fruit?? Was the fruit too ripe?? If you«re interested, I«d be more than willing to send a few pics that you could maybe use for your web site. Thanks for your time, Graziela Volpiano <><><><><> Growing Rare Fruit In Containers <><><><><> None, this time <><><><> Announcements And Web Pages To Consider <><><><> Subject: Mango - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango The mango (Mangifera spp.; plural mangos or mangoes) is a genus of about 35 species of tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae, native to India and Indo-China, of which the Indian Mango M. indica is by far the most important commercially. Reference to mangos as the "food of the gods" can be found in the Hindu Vedas, written in about 4000 B.C. The name of the fruit comes from the Tamil word man-kay, which was corrupted to manga by the Portuguese when they explored western India. The mango also features as a common motif, known as the paisley, in Indian textiles. The mango is now widely cultivated as a fruit tree in frost-free tropical and subtropical climates in North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, South and Central Africa, the Philippines and Australia. It is easily cultivated and now there are more than 1,000 cultivars, ranging from the turpentine mango (from the strong taste) to the huevos de toro, generally translated as "bull's testicles", from the shape and size. The mango is reputed to be the most commonly eaten fresh fruit worldwide. Mangos also readily naturalize in tropical climates. Some lowland forests in the Hawaiian Islands are dominated by introduced mangos. Mango From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article is about the fruit. For other meanings of the word, please see Mango (disambiguation). Mango Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantaeia Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Sapindales Family: Anacardiaceae Genus: Mangifera Species M. altissima M. caesia M. camptosperma M. casturi M. domestica M. foetida M. indica M. kemanga M. longipes M. macrocarpa M. odorata M. oppositifolia M. pajang M. pentandra M. persiciformis M. pinnata M. siamensis M. verticillata Ref: Mangifera species (http://gmr.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/Plantnames/Sorting/Mangifera.html) as of 2002-08-04 The mango (Mangifera spp.; plural mangos or mangoes) is a genus of about 35 species of tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae, native to India and Indo-China, of which the Indian Mango M. indica is by far the most important commercially. Reference to mangos as the "food of the gods" can be found in the Hindu Vedas, written in about 4000 B.C. The name of the fruit comes from the Tamil word man-kay, which was corrupted to manga by the Portuguese when they explored western India. The mango also features as a common motif, known as the paisley, in Indian textiles. The mango is now widely cultivated as a fruit tree in frost-free tropical and subtropical climates in North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, South and Central Africa, the Philippines and Australia. It is easily cultivated and now there are more than 1,000 cultivars, ranging from the turpentine mango (from the strong taste) to the huevos de toro, generally translated as "bull's testicles", from the shape and size. The mango is reputed to be the most commonly eaten fresh fruit worldwide. Mangos also readily naturalize in tropical climates. Some lowland forests in the Hawaiian Islands are dominated by introduced mangos. Contents 1 Description 2 Methods of eating a mango fruit 2.1 Mango in other forms and dishes 3 Important Mango cultivars 4 Fair trade 5 External links Description Mangos become very large trees. In height a mango tree may reach 35-40 meters (130 feet) with a span of 10 meters (33 feet) at the top. New leaves are almost a salmon color that rapidly changes to a dark glossy red, then dark green as they mature. When the small white flowers emerge they give off a mild sweet odour suggestive of lily of the valley. After the flowers fall off, the fruits may take from three to six months to ripen. The mango fruit, when fully mature, hangs from the tree on long stems. They are variable in size, from 10-25 cm long and 7-12 cm diameter, and may weigh up to 2.5 kg. The fruits come in a variety of colors: green, yellow, red, or various combinations of these colors. When ripe, the unpeeled fruit gives off a distinctive, slightly sweet smell. In the center of the fruit (a drupe) is a single flat, oblong stone that can be fibrous or hairless on the surface, depending on variety. Inside the shell, which is 1-2 mm thick, is a paper-thin lining covering a single seed, 4-7 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, 1 cm thick. The fruit flesh of a ripe mango contains about 15% sugar, up to 1% protein, and significant amounts of vitamins A, B and C. The taste of the fruit is very sweet, with some varieties having a slight acidic tang. The texture of the flesh varies markedly between different cultivars, some have quite a soft and pulpy texture similar to an over-ripe plum, others have a firmer flesh much like that of a cantaloupe or avacado, and in some cultivars the flesh can contain fibrous material. Mangoes are a very juicy fruit; the sweet taste and high water content make them refreshing to eat, however the juice can make eating them quite a messy affair. The mango is in the same family as poison ivy and contains urushiol, though much less than poison ivy. Some people get dermatitis from touching mango peel or sap. Persons showing an allergic reaction after handling a mango can usually enjoy the fruit if someone else first removes the skin. The leaves are also toxic to cattle. It is reputed that mangos soothe the intestines, which makes them easy to digest. In India, mangos are used to stop bleeding, to strengthen the heart, and to benefit the brain. Their high levels of iron make them useful in treating anemia. Methods of eating a mango fruit Some people claim that the safest way to eat a mango is in the bathtub, or sitting naked on a deserted beach, or even on top of a mango tree itself. Generally, once ripe, they are quite juicy and can be very messy to eat. However, those exported to temperate regions are, like much tropical fruit, picked under-ripe. Although they are ethylene producers and ripen in transit, they rarely have the same juiceness or flavour as the fresh fruit. A ripe mango will have an orange/yellow or reddish skin. To allow a mango to continue to ripen after purchase, store in a cool, dark place, but not your refigerator. Refrigeration will slow the ripening process. The small varieties, usually somewhat yellow in color, can be rolled on a flat surface in the same way a lemon is rolled before extracting the juice. It is ready for eating when the big stone can be rotated without breaking the skin. With the teeth rip off a piece of skin at the top of the mango and place your mouth over the hole. Squeeze the fruit from the bottom up, as if squeezing toothpaste from the bottom of the tube. With any of the larger varieties of mango, the operation is less hazardous: place the fruit lengthwise on a table and feel for the rather flat stone (containing the seed), which should lie horizontally inside the skin about midway through the fruit. Slice the mango so that the knife just passes over the flat surface of the stone. Turn the mango over and repeat the process, cutting across the other flat surface. With each big slice that has been removed, cut hatch marks through the flesh just down to the skin. Then, holding the piece flesh side up, press the thumb on the skin side underneath as if turning the piece inside out. Many bite-sized pieces of flesh will pop up and can be cut out to put into a fruit salad or other preparation. This technique is sometimes called the hedgehog method because of the appearance of the prepared fruit. An alternative to the hedgehog method is to use a spoon to scoop out pieces of the fruit from the exposed "cheeks". A simple way to eat a large mango 'as is' involves using a knife. Start by removing part of the skin and then slice out bite-sized pieces with the knife. Remove more skin to expose more flesh. Expect to get juicy hands when eating the last part, when there is no skin to hold with your hand. Mango in other forms and dishes Ripe mangoes are extremely popular throughout Latin America. In Mexico, sliced mango is eaten with chili powder and/or salt. In Guatemala, Ecuador and Honduras, small, green mangoes are popular; they have a sharp, brisk flavor like a Granny Smith apple. Vendors sell slices of peeled green mango on the streets of these countries, often served with salt. In Hawai'i it is common to pickle green mango slices. Mangoes are widely used in chutney, which in the West is often very sweet, but in the Indian subcontinent is usually sharpened with hot chilis or limes. In India, mango is often made into a pulp and sold as bars like chocolate, and unripe mango is eaten with chili powder and/or salt. In the Philippines, unripe mango is eaten with bagoong, a salty paste made from fermented fish or shrimp. Mango is also used to make juices, both in ripe and unripe form. Pieces of fruit can be mashed and used in ice cream; they can be substituted for peaches in a peach (now mango) pie; or put in a blender with milk, a little sugar, and crushed ice for a refreshing beverage. A more traditional Indian drink is mango lassi, which is similar, but uses a mixture of yoghurt and milk as the base, and is sometimes flavoured with salt or cardamom. Important Mango cultivars Many hundred named mango cultivars exist. In mango orchards, several cultivars are always grown intermixed to improve cross-pollination. In India, the commonest cultivar is 'Alphonso', known as the King of Mangoes. The best 'Alphonso' mangos are reputed to come from the town of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. About 80% of mangos in UK supermarkets are of the single cultivar 'Tommy Atkins', which dominates the world export trade. It travels well and has a good shelf-life, but does not have the same flavour as some less common varieties obtained from Asian shops. The following are among the more widely grown, listed by the country in which they were selected or are most extensively cultivated: Cambodia 'Cambodiana' Cameroon 'AmŽliorŽe du Cameroun' India 'Alphonso' (also called 'Hapoos'), 'Amrapali', 'Bangalora', 'Banganapalli', 'Bombay', 'Bombay Green','Chausa', 'Dashaheri' ('Daseri'), 'Fazli', 'Fernandian','Gulabkhas','Himsagar', 'Kesar', 'Kishen Bhog', 'Lalbaug', 'Langda' ('Langra'), 'Mallika', 'Mankurad', 'Mulgoa', 'Neelam', 'Pairi', 'Rajapuri', 'Safeda', 'Suvarnarekha','Totapuri', 'Vanraj', 'Zardalu' Indonesia 'Arumanis', 'Golek' Pakistan 'Chaunsa', 'Langra', 'Anwar Ratol', 'Sindhri', 'Dasehri', 'Fazli' Philippines 'Carabao' USA: Florida 'Haden', 'Irwin', 'Keitt', 'Kent', 'Tommy Atkins', 'Zill' USA: Hawaii 'Momi K', 'Pope' West Indies 'AmŽlie', 'Julie' A good list of additional leading cultivars can be found at the cultivar list link in the External links below (although this list omits 'Julie' of the West Indies). Fair trade Mangoes are a popular fruit with consumers around the world. However, many mango farmers receive a low price for their produce. This has led to mangoes being available as a 'fair trade' item in some countries. External links Mango Fruit Facts (http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/mango.html) Mango cultivar list (http://www.rajans.com/cultivars.htm) McGregor on Mango Pollination (http://bee.airoot.com/beeculture/book/chap5/mango.html) Mango Post Harvest (http://www.fao.org/inpho/compend/text/Ch20sec1.htm#) Health and Mangoes (http://www.nationalpak.com/healthmangoes.asp) ------------------------------------------------ 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 <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> None this time <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. Subject: Little-Known Fruits Getting More Attention Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2005 08:26:19 -0500 From: ARS News Service Have you ever tasted an elderberry or lingonberry? How about an aronia berry? These three lesser-known fruit crops are being studied by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists who hope to make these fruits more popular with consumers. At the ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Ore., research leader Kim E. Hummer and her staff are studying what are called "minor crops"--fruits that may be popular in other countries--to see if they can successfully grow them here. Another example is the edible-fruited honeysuckle, which looks somewhat like a blueberry and has its own unique flavor, very different from the more popular ornamental honeysuckles with orange fruit. There are more than 600 minor crops in the United States. While any crop that's grown on fewer than 300,000 acres nationally is considered a minor crop, many of the crops studied in Corvallis are grown on only a few hundred acres. In some cases, such as with kiwifruit, the fruit may start off as a minor crop but eventually become a market staple. The scientists also are studying hardy kiwifruit, which is related to the fuzzy kiwifruit found in supermarket produce sections. The hardy kiwifruit has a smooth skin and is the size of a large grape, but has green flesh and black seeds similar to the traditional kiwi. Two problems with the current hardy kiwifruit cultivars are that they are smaller than desired and only ripen during a three-week window, meaning they can only be sold for a few weeks a year. Geneticist Chad E. Finn at the ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, also in Corvallis, is trying to identify new cultivars from populations of wild hardy kiwifruit collected in China that have larger fruit and ripen at different times in the season than current cultivars. Read more about the repository and the fruit research in the January issue of Agricultural Research magazine, available online at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan05/fruits0105.htm ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Peaches for the Sweet-Loving Palate Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 16:10:30 -0500 From: ARS News Service Two new peach varieties developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists will be available to consumers in limited quantities in the summer of 2005. The new varieties, Gulfking and Gulfcrest, were made available to growers in 2003. They were developed by Thomas Beckman at the ARS Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, Ga., and colleagues from the University of Georgia and the University of Florida. Both varieties--known as "nonmelting" peaches--resist bruising and remain firm longer while ripening on the tree and after canning. Gulfking typically ripens in early May. When ripe, its skin is mostly red on a deep-yellow to orange background. The flesh is firm and sweet and does not turn brown readily when bruised or cut. Gulfcrest ripens from early to mid-May, extending the harvest period. The fruit is medium to large and also has a mostly red skin on a deep-yellow to orange background. The flesh is firm, with good sweetness, and contains some red flecks in the outer flesh on the sun-exposed side of the fruit. Like Gulfking, this peach doesn't brown readily when bruised or cut. In test plantings, both varieties appeared to be resistant to bacterial spot on the leaves and fruit. Read more about these new peaches in the January 2005 issue of Agricultural Research magazine, available online at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan05/peaches0105.htm <><><><><><><><><> End of RFN200501B.txt <><><><><><><><><><> Rare Fruit News Online - February 1, 2005 - RFN200502A.txt __________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> Yahoo News Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rfno/ I want to remind you that this Yahoo News Group was established so that you could share photographs with other readers of Rare Fruit News Online. PSM (Pen Sen Mun) Mango - Does it bear for you? I ask because mine has been blooming all winter but has not set any fruit, here in San Diego <><><><><><><><><> Table Of Contents <><><><><><><><><> -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> Please add me to your mailing list LindaLou New Subscriber, Brisbane - Queensland, Australia Sally French New Subscriber - Ventura, CA Intern Channel Islands New Subscriber, - San Diego, CA harve stewart <><><> Readers Write <><><> Rain Caused My Guava To Bear EZaragosa@cs.com Opuntia book gerardo garcia Lee.Naidoo@bidports.co.za Dragon Fruit Alan Schroeder tazskii@sbcglobal.net FW: Rare Fruit News Online - January 15, 2005 - 2 Bill Burson Noni Planted - Now What? Bob & Carmel Dragon Fruit Margaret Quinn Lee.Naidoo@bidports.co.za knee operation bert dunn Chill Requirements - Florida Peaches & Nectarines Michael Zarky Durian and Raw Fooders Richard Sar Trees that I'm trying to grow Marcia Wildner Re: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Spedyana@aol.com Re: Rare Fruit News and Weather Forecast Wilbur Shigehara Joe Sabol , rarefruit@san.rr.com Rare Fruit News and Weather Forecast Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Ben Pierce noble.c@sbcglobal.net FW: Re: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Ben Pierce Sapodilla Fruit Todd Abel RE: Growing tropical fruit from seed questions Niki Wessels Charles Novak Contorted jujube Dmshuck@aol.com Fw: Fw: Fw: Citrus Question(s) What is this? "david.crfg-sd" Leo Manuel Re: Fw: Citrus Question(s) What is this? Rare Fruit Intern Channel Islands <><><><><> Growing Rare Fruit In Containers <><><><><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta Event LWishe@ifas.ufl.edu 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 Also, http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" SBLD - Home Orchard Society "Scott D. Russell" SBLD - North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) http://www.nafex.org/ SBLD - Seed Savers Exchange Seed Savers Exchange http://www.seedsavers.org/ SBLD - Cal's Plant-of-the-Week Calendars Cal's Plant-of-the-Week Calendars http://www.plantoftheweek.org/calendars/ SBLD - Cactaceae.Net Cactaceae.Net http://www.thater.net/cactaceae/ <><><> NAFEX List <><><> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex Archives at http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex 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 Rising CO2 and Nitrogen ARS News Service Plastic Cover Aids Fumigant Alternative ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: Please add me to your mailing list Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 23:42:02 -0500 From: LindaLou My name is Linda and I live in east central Florida (Titusville). IÕm currently growing bananas, pineapples and citrus. I also have 1 litchie tree, 1 avocado tree and 1 mango tree Ð all in pots so I can move them when itÕs going to be too cold. All my pineapples are in pots too. IÕm looking forward to reading about more edible growing Òopportunities.Ó Thank you! Linda mailto:lindalou@cfl.rr.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, Brisbane - Queensland, Australia Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 12:01:45 +1000 From: Sally French Hi, My name is Sal, and IÕm living in Brisbane, Queensland in Australia. ItÕs subtropical here, and Brisbane is nearly on the coast, about halfway down the east coast of Australia. IÕm living in a rental house in one of the older suburbs of Brisbane, and one of the features of West End is that it was originally home to the Greek and Italian and Cypriot immigrant communities. So thanks to them I get to see some lovely fruit trees (lots of mangoes and avocadoes in season right now) in yards around my suburb. At the moment I have a macadamia nut (also known in Australia as the Queensland nut) in my back yard, but being a native tree, it is keeping a lot of native insects well fed Ð they like to bore into the nut long before I get to them. There is also a very young papaya, which IÕm hoping will start to bear in a few months. If you ever get the chance to try a jaboticaba, do so Ð it is very popular on the first taste with all who try it. The jaboticaba is a slow growing relative of guava, with a tough but fairly thin purple black skin, and the flesh is translucent white like a lychee, sometimes streaked with pink. The flavour is like a delicious rich juicy grape Ð but donÕt chew the skin or seed. And the fruit come off the trunk (cauliforus) which looks distinctly weird. They are about the size of a large grape, and to eat you hold it close to your mouth, and split it with your teeth and it pops in. I believe itÕs native to Brazil. I have a question Ð another relative to the guava, the Pitomba, is supposedly similar to an apricot, with a rose scent. Has anyone tried one of these? Sally French mailto:s.french@slq.qld.gov.au ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber - Ventura, CA Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:33:14 +0000 From: Intern Channel Islands Dear Rare Fruit Folks, Hello, My Name is Brian Dykstra in Ventura, CA. I recently moved to California from Oregon (OR), where I grew Paw Paw trees, Golden Plum trees, Purple Plums, and Quince. I am still interested in fruits that can survive in colder areas. I am interested in Abronia, Akebia, Medlars, Mulberries, Persimmons and more.Also, I am interested in purchasing seeds and growing rare, unique, under utilized, and cold-hardy edible natives and exotics (Zones 3-8) purchase. I have experience growing paw paws, plums, and quince. I would like to assist/expand permaculture and edible landscaping efforts in the northern hemisphere. Has anyone heard of high-yielding Akebia varieties? Can anyone share with me book titles of interest? Ex: How to grow Persimmons, Paw Paws, Quince and other cold-hardy fruiting trees/shrubs/vines. Thank you for contacting me. May the populus become more involved in raising fruits. I do see much potential for growing many more varieties of fruit trees, shrubs, and vines in colder climates as well as beautiful areas like southern California. Can anyone share with me BOOK TITLES that may be of interest? Ex: How to grow Persimmons, Paw Paws, and Quince especially. (Colder climate varieites). My friends educate each other about native fruits and sustainable living. I hope FRUITS and their TREES, SHRUBS, and VINES become a greater part of everyones life around the world. Thank you for listening. Brian mailto:archintern7@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber, - San Diego, CA Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 23:10:14 -0800 From: harve stewart I am Harve stewart, in College area, San Diego. I am growing Logan, quince, jujube, pommelo, suriname cherry, white sapote, cherimoya, grumichama, Mango and Wampee I would like to grow Jak fruit, pitomba, black sapote, native american paw-paw, starfruit, gooseberry. Comments: growing things that should be north of our climate zone or south of it- that is what fascinates me I just lost my cocos nucifera that wintered outside in San Diego's college area since 1998 to crown rot due to the rains- anyone else have better success with coconuts in San Diego? harve stewart mailto:sandiegodude@cox.net <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Rain Caused My Guava To Bear Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:50:35 -0500 (EST) From: EZaragosa@cs.com The only effect I have seen from the rain is that my Guava (Lua Ranch) tree has finally developed fruit. This plant was a fairly mature boxed specimen (10 feet) that was planted a year and a half ago. The fruit is small but maturing! Richard Rothschild mailto:ezaragosa@cs.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Opuntia book Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 15:54:38 -0500 From: gerardo garcia To: Lee.Naidoo@bidports.co.za Saw your letter in Leo's newsletter, you might be interested in obtaining the South African book: Spineless Prickly Pears A.B. Wessels Perskor Publishers, Johannesburg, Cape Town 1988 translated by John G. Saunders (apparently the original was in Afrikaans) ISBN 0 628 0329 0 It mentions research carried out at the Research Institute at Grootfontein, Middelburg in Cape Province, the University of Port Hare and by the author at the University of Pretoria. I bought my copy years ago from Granny Smith's Bookstore in Perth, Australia. Unfortunately, I can find no online sources for the book, but perhaps you might find it locally at used book shops. Hope this helps. Good luck. Gerardo Garc’a Ramis mailto:manilkara@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Dragon Fruit Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 14:29:03 -0800 From: Alan Schroeder To: tazskii@sbcglobal.net Dear Jim: Dragonfruit do well in the Santa Barbara area. There are already two small commercial plantings I know of. In my yard and the yards of other CRFG members they have grown and fruited. I have had slow to no growth with some species eg. H. ocamponis and excellant growth with selected cultivars as for example a Vietnamese. Alan Schroeder mailto:arschroeder@cox.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: What fruit plants can be propagated by cuttings? Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 16:47:23 -0600 From: Bill Burson I am looking for any fruiting plants that can be are usually (easily) propagated by cuttings Bill Burson mailto:powaybill@mchsi.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Noni Planted - Now What? Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:02:59 +1000 From: Bob & Carmel G'Day, My name is Bob O'Connor I live on the Gold Coast in QLD in Australia I have just put in 20 noni trees and would be very grateful for any information on how to grow and when to pick, how to juice and when etc., what to do with the leaves and roots are also used is this true? Thanks for any help Bob mailto:racao@optusnet.com.au ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Dragon Fruit Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:28:00 +0200 From: Margaret Quinn To: Lee.Naidoo@bidports.co.za Lee, I have recently built a greenhouse with the hope of obtaiting Dragon Fruit seed to cultivate. As of yet I am unable to obtain any in SA. I am trying my Israeli contacts and hoping that brings results. What is your interest in this fruit, apart from attracting Birds? You're welcome to contact me, 082 8515444. Regards, Margaret Quinn Margaret Quinn mailto:maranatha_kidspc@lando.co.za ------------------------------------------------ Subject: knee operation Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:16:06 -0500 From: bert dunn Hello Leo I am not speaking from personal experience, however my wife has lived through a lot. Since 1978 Helga has had 4 hip operations. Damage resulted from way over prescription of steroids. Nov, 2003 she had her first knee done. She is scheduled for her 2nd knee in Apr 2004. Now I asked her about doing both at the same time. She said while in rehab in Nov 2003 there were two other persons who had both done at the same time. They were still in the work force and had no problems with getting both done. Helga she said you should discuss with you doctor and get his approval to having both done at the same time. The final recovery time is basically the same with one or two knees. Of course initially you'll be less mobile if 2 are done at the same time. Helga said initial recovery for her was 3 months and final recovery 6 months. She now charges up & down stairs, shops 'til she drops, dances etc, etc. in spite of her pending other knee. Most important in Helga's mind. She does exercises every a.m. - (that means every a.m.). And you probably have heard that old adage "no pain --no gain" Even when uncomfortable with the knee to go-she exercises. All the very best Bert mailto:helbert@idirect.com www.hardygrapes.tottenham.on.ca www.littlefatwino.com/bertslist.html ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Chill Requirements - Florida Peaches & Nectarines Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:36:06 -0800 From: Michael Zarky Dear Leo, With regard to the ARS article about the new peach varieties, I was curious about the chill requirement. Here is something I came up with through Google. ... A peach and nectarine breeding program was initiated at the University of Florida in the early 1950s with the objective to produce early ripening, low chill, high quality fruit cultivars adapted to Florida. Peach and nectarine production in Florida has good potential because of an excellent market window for early fruit production in the United States. All recent University of Florida cultivars have a low chilling requirement (100-500), a short fruit development period (60-110 days), good firmness, taste, attractiveness and resistance to bacterial spot. These fruit ripen from mid-April to June. The period of fruit production (March to June) is usually a dry period that enhances sugar accumulation and the development of red color, while suppressing high humidity or wet weather diseases. During the last 5-10 years there has been a shift in emphasis toward a non melting flesh (Apricot-like) character so that peaches can be shipped at physiological maturity to distant markets since the flesh resists bruising. Non melting flesh peaches begin with the prefix UF and include: ÔUF GoldÕ, ÔUF 2000Õ, ÔUF OÕ, and ÔGulfprinceÕ. ÔUF QueenÕ is the first non-melting flesh nectarine. All of the above cultivars are adapted to north central Florida and have a chilling requirement of 200-325; with the exception of ÔGulfprinceÕ which is adapted to north Florida (400 chilling units). The peach cultivars suitable for trial are as follows: central Florida -ÔFlordastarÕ, ÔFlordaprinceÕ, ÔFlordagloÕ, ÔTropic SweetÕ, ÔTropic BeautyÕ and ÔTropic SnowÕ (all 100-250 chilling units). The list for north central Florida is ÔFlordadawnÕ, ÔFlordakingÕ, ÔFlordacrestÕ, ÔUF GoldÕ, ÔUF 2000Õ, and ÔUF OÕ (all 200-400 chilling units). The list for north Florida includes ÔFlordadawnÕ, ÔFlordakingÕ, ÔFlordacrestÕ and ÔGulfprinceÕ (all 300-400 chilling units). Two very new non melting flesh cultivars for north Florida are ÔGulfkingÕ and ÔGulfcrestÕ (650 chilling units), but they will not be available until 2004 or 2005. ÔSunbestÕ and ÔUF QueenÕ (200-275 chilling units) are suitable for trial in north central Florida, while ÔSuncoastÕ (375 chilling units) is suitable for trial in north Florida. On the other hand, readers can go to a nursery list and find different (lower) numbers for these varieties, which make them sound more viable for medium-chill areas. http://www.tnnursery.com/VaughnNursery/peaches.htm Michael Zarky mailto:mzarky@earthlink.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Durian and Raw Fooders Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:38:51 -0800 (PST) From: Richard Sar Hi Leo, I hope you and other newsletter members find this interesting. While online about a month ago, I stumbled upon these groups of dieters. What had first intrigued me about them was that not only were they familiar with the durian fruit but they held durian parties. Durian parties you ask? Well, durian parties are simply when everyone gets together to eat fresh durians. ItÕs hard enough to even find a fruit lover that is familiar with the durian but many raw fooders seems to eat a durian as often as the opportunity would allow them. Some even enjoy the smell of a fresh durian. Now anyone who loves the durian is good with me in my book. This made me look more into raw foodism(..is that! a word). What is a raw fooder? I am not quite sure there is a completely right answer for that but I will give an opinion of what raw fooders are with what little information I have learned so far. There seems to be variations of diet between different groups. For instance dairy may be accepted by some and not by others. But I believe the core of it is eating a diet consisting mostly of uncooked vegetables and fruits. Many raw fooders are even familiar with fruits such as lychees, jackfruits, cherimoyas, etc. While most of the public never even heard of these fruits, they appear to more than open to different fruits. No I am not here to ! sell a diet and I would suggest for anyone looking for such a big change in their diet to consult with their own personal physician. However, I find our commonalities very thrilling. Now, here comes the good part. If any of you have ever wanted to eat fresh durians but were never able to find any I suggest getting a hold of this group of dieters in your area. Being a raw fooder isnÕt a prerequisite to join in on these durian parties. The following is information from one raw fooderÕs site, http://www.thepurefoodnetwork.org They ship fresh durians within the United States. I warned you the price isnÕt cheap but I have heard great things about the quality and it is also shipped with only the segments, no husks. Regards, Richard mailto:richardsar01@yahoo.com The Purefood Network Web: http://www.thepurefoodnetwork.org Email: info@thepurefoodnetwork.org ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Fruit trees that I'm trying to grow Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:09:42 -0800 (PST) From: Marcia Wildner Hi, my name is Marcia and we live in Florida. Recently we bought the following trees: Black Sapote, Black Gold Jacktree, Passion fruit, Lychee, Mango, Guanavana I hope they will make. I'm originally from Brazil and I love all these fruits. I want to plant many more.. I got a little scare this week. my Jackfruit lost all its leaves. I didn't plant it yet. is that commom that Jackfruit loose its leaves?? Please advise, Thanks, Marcia mailto:marciasenesac@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Puerto Rican Fruit - Human Heart-shaped - Know of it? Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 18:02:54 -0500 (EST) From: Spedyana@aol.com The name is "Corazon" meaning hard in English mailto:Spedyana@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Rare Fruit News and Weather Forecast Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:09:13 -0800 From: Wilbur Shigehara To: Joe Sabol Joe, the rain forecast still looks good for rain in San Luis next Wednesday night and Thursday for San Diego. How would you like another half to one inch with a few more showers the last weekend of the month. I don't know how hot you got today, but it was too hot for me and my apple buds are beginning to swell. Ouch!!! Sorry to hear of your double knee surgery Leo. Wilbur Shigehara is predicting that we have a few weeks in January without rain so better get outside and get those jobs done before the surgery and the February rains!!! Joe Sabol mailto:jsabol@calpoly.edu San Luis Obispo, CA ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 18:47:31 -0800 From: Ben Pierce To: noble.c@sbcglobal.net I've always been told no. However, The pistachio trees at California Adventure in Anaheim had them on the tree one time when I was there. It could be the trees were moved from a colder area recently and they had enough chill hours to do this. Or maybe the trees can produce here just not in commercial amounts. Anyways, I live in North San Diego county and have wanted to try for awhile now. Its very hard to find trees. Ive searched all over and if you do find them they are very expensive. El Plantio nursery in Escondido had them for 80.00. You have to plant male and female trees so we are talking 160.00 out the door. I frequently travel in the San Joaquin valley and plan to stop into a few nurseries up there one day to see if they have them. Cheryl mailto:noble.c@sbcglobal.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: FW: Re: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 16:47:53 -0800 From: Ben Pierce >From: Cheryl Noble >To: Ben Pierce >Subject: Re: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? >Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:56:40 -0800 (PST) > >Thanks for your reply. Pacific Tree in Bonita had a pistachio but gave the >400 chill hour argument and talked me out of it. They certainly weren't >$80. (much less I think). I appreciate the site too. Now I'm really >confused seems they grow in places like Syria that I'm sure doesn't get >that cold. Ben Pierce mailto:mariposafamily@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Sapodilla Fruit Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 18:56:51 -0800 From: Todd Abel Leo, Sapodilla has over 20 fruit still hanging in there. The tree is about 4yrs in the ground, and is a grafted Alano variety. I took the male part of a flower and rubbed a bunch of other flowers, and it seemed to help fruit set quite a bit. The tree also liked all the rain we had. Other trees that seemed to actually like all that rain were; Ice Cream Bean, Longan (big time, Loquat, still flowering Sweet Lemon, still flowering Bangok Guava, Strawberry Guava, Capulin Cherry, White Sapote, and Rose Apple. It was very surprising to me that the Dragonfruit also liked the rain. Trees that did not like all the rain; Mangoes, Papayas, all Bananas, most Citrus, and Nopales. Hope the knee goes well. Todd Abel mailto:table@socal.rr.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Growing tropical fruit from seed questions Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 13:16:53 +0200 From: Niki Wessels To: Charles Novak Dear Charles Unfortunately the Cape holly does not seem to grow in the area where I live, but Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town (contact details below) may be able to provide you with seeds. As the berries ripen in autumn, they are probably only likely to become available around March to April. If they cannot help you, my brother-in-law who lives near Cape Town might possible be able to obtain berries from the wild. Please have a look at the SANBI (including Kirstenbosch) website, which is an excellent source of information about South African plants as well as plants offered for sale. The alphabetical section on plants contains a very good page on the Cape holly. Thanks for the link to your website. Is there any way I could join, and if so, what are the costs involved? Regards Niki mailto:mynah@mweb.co.za SANBI information: See http://www.nbi.ac.za/ South African National Biodiversity Institute Seeds and plants email: seedroom@nbi.ac.za. -----Original Message----- From: Charles Novak [mailto:c.novak@worldnet.att.net] Sent: 16 January 2005 12:24 AM To: mynah@mweb.co.za Subject: Growing tropical fruit from seed questions Dear Niki, > I hope you can help. I need you help with some seeds from > Africa. > > I have been looking for Cape holly (Ilex mitis) seeds for a > very long time. > > If you can help with seeds, please let us know, and, if not, > a name and address of someone who may be able to help. > > I will pay for the seeds and mailing cost or trade seeds. > > Please check the following website ( > http://www.rarefruit.org/RFCISeeds.html ) for seeds I > currently have available. > > Thank you very much! > > Best Regards, > > Charles Novak ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Contorted jujube Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 12:55:39 -0500 (EST) From: Dmshuck@aol.com Hi Leo, I found a contorted Jujube bareroot at Walter Anderson's yesterday. I wasn't looking for one but it looked so unusual I just had to get it. Richard is the person that orders the fruit trees at Walter Anderson in Poway and is a member of CRFG. He does a great job and is always fun to talk with. Hope you are doing well. Denise mailto:Dmshuck@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Fw: Fw: Fw: Citrus Question(s) What is this? Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 22:59:45 -0800 From: "david.crfg-sd" Hi David, Thank you for your help. I would like to attend the North county meeting on the 21st since I have a conflict on the 27th. I don't know the exact location of the meeting. Could you help me find out what building and room it is in at the Mira Costa College? I tried to find the North county web site without luck. One of my brothers and I are planning on replanting the yard at our mother's house with different kinds of fruit trees so it will be great fun to learn from your group. Also, while it is nice to know that the tangerine I was trying to identify is a Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) there are many kinds of Satsumas, so I still have not found the answer I would like. I will try to bring one of the fruit in to the meeting. I would like to try to graft some of this tree on to some root stock. Here is the web site where I learned about the large variety of satsumas. http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=ref_contents&viewsrc=lists/contents.cfm Thank you again for your help. Bill Hagey (858) 459-8554 ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Fw: Satsuma Citrus Question(s) What is this? David: From the appearance in the photo, the fact that it is seedless, and its age, it is quite likely that it is a Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus reticulata). The varieties the Citrus species, reticulata. are generally called 'mandarins' if they were brought directly from the Orient, while they are called 'tangerines' if they got here via the Mediterranean area. You can attend the January meeting of the North County Chapter at Mira Costa College in Oceanside on the 21st or the S.D. Chapter at Balboa Park on the 27th.. George Fallbrook, (760) 728-3281 > Subject: Question(s) What is this? > > Hi, > > I found your web site and hope to come to your meeting in January. I > have a fruit tree and love the fruit, but can't tell what kind of > tangerine tree it is. > Attached is a picture of some of the fruit and here is what I can say > about the fruit: > > These tangerines are the best I have ever had and I can't seem to find > more like them. They are seedless, easy to peal, very very sweet, the > top of the fruit pulls off when picked most of the time, they ripen in > November to January, they would be difficult to package and ship because > they are easy to crush and don't last long after being picked. I have > never seen them in stores. It may not show too well in the photo, but > they are more disk like than round and they are small - about 2" around > the equator. > > I can't imagine they are too exotic since they come from a back yard > tree in my parents house. The tree was planted in the early 60s and I > would like to graft it on to some new root stock to make sure it does > not die and we loose these great fruit. > > Thank you, and hope to meet you in January, > > Bill Hagey <><><><><> Growing Rare Fruit In Containers <><><><><> None, this time <><><><> Announcements And Web Pages To Consider <><><><> Subject: Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta Event Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 14:36:20 -0500 From: LWishe@ifas.ufl.edu Hello Tropical Fruit Fiesta Supporters! Just a note to let you know the University of Florida/Monroe County Extension office is holding the 7th Annual Tropical Fruit Fiesta on Saturday, June 25th, 2005 at Bayview Park in Key West. Hours from 9am to 2pm. There will be fruit tree sales, expert speakers, vendors, fruit displays, children's activities and more! For more information contact : University of Florida/Monroe County Extension, 1100 Simonton Street, #2-260, Key West, FL 33040. Telephone: 305-292-4501, Email: monroe@ifas.ufl.edu or visit our website (click on Annual Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta) http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lisa Wishe mailto:lwishe@ifas.ufl.edu Extension Coordinator 305-292-4501 http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu ------------------------------------------------ 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 Also, http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" Subject: SBLD - Home Orchard Society Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 23:23:16 -0600 Home Orchard Society http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/ The Home Orchard Society is dedicated to "Growing Good Fruit at Home" and this website offers a wide variety of information, including articles, the newsletter "Pome News", tips (particularly useful ones for propagation), active discussion forums & news for principally hobby fruit growers. There are a few commercial links (not many), but everyone needs bees and garden supplies. The uncluttered home page is remarkably information rich and the calendar is great for those who lose track of gardening seasons. (****)-SR ------------------------------------------------ Subject: SBLD - North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 19:33:55 -0600 North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) http://www.nafex.org/ North American Fruit Explorers is a 3000+ member organization devoted to "aid and encourage fruit exploration in its broadest context," with annual meetings, Pomona (a quarterly journal, sadly only the TOC is currently online). Hidden in a link called "NAFEX Fruit and Nut Interest Groups" is reasonably extensive information on figs and kiwi, less on a handful of other fruits. Membership is remarkably cheap ($13) and it includes the journal. The society takes off where yesterday's Home Orchard Society leaves off, but alas the web site does not (I will revise this if they do in the future!). (**1/2) ------------------------------------------------ Subject: SBLD - Seed Savers Exchange Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 23:22:52 -0600 January 19, 2005 Seed Savers Exchange http://www.seedsavers.org/ According to their website, "Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit organization that saves and shares the heirloom seeds of our garden heritage, forming a living legacy that can be passed down through generations." Links on the site include an Online Seed Catalog of Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Transplants, Books & Gifts. Their vision of retaining genetic diversity is brought into fruition at Heritage Farm, an 890-acre living museum near Decorah, Iowa. Seeds are available there, through the mail and at their Madison, Wisconsin store. It is an important concept in a world where diversity decreases everyday. (***1/2) -SR ------------------------------------------------ Subject: SBLD - Cal's Plant-of-the-Week Calendars Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:22:27 -0600 Cal's Plant-of-the-Week Calendars http://www.plantoftheweek.org/calendars/ Some of you may be familiar with Cal's Plant of the Week site, which I have featured before (October 18, 2002, see URL: http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/oct02.shtml#Oct18). As part of the project, I developed some calendars that I thought some viewers of SBLD may appreciate. These are PDF files and will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Their printed quality relies largely on the quality of the paper selected, but otherwise the calendar is free. I hope you enjoy it. -SR ------------------------------------------------ Subject: SBLD - Cactaceae.Net Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 19:19:37 -0600 Cactaceae.Net http://www.thater.net/cactaceae/ At the center of Cactaceae.Net is a database with 7932 pictures, 254 genera, 246 registered users, and 600 multi-lingual synonyms. Entries emphasize the Cactaceae, but extend to succulent plants in other families, as well. Numerous thumbnail images make viewing pages of images easy. Images excel in botanical and artistic detail with about 100 new images added each month and information on each species. The site also has a forum, email notification and RSS feeds! Site by Guido Thater. (****) -SR <><><> NAFEX List From: nafex-request@lists.ibiblio.org <><><> None this time <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> None this time <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. Subject: Rising CO2 and Nitrogen Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 08:45:39 -0500 From: ARS News Service Wheat grown under elevated levels of carbon dioxide over the next half-century will need slightly more nitrogen to grow, but not as much as previously predicted, according to a two-year study by Agricultural Research Service scientists and cooperators. Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are projected to increase 43 percent by 2050. The increased CO2 makes plants like wheat grow larger. But a bigger plant needs more nutrients such as nitrogen, at least in theory, according to ARS soil scientist Floyd J. Adamsen, who works at the agency's U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory in Phoenix, Ariz. So the ARS scientists have been trying to determine whether higher CO2 levels will increase the amount of nitrogen that wheat and other crops need to grow. They reported their findings on the interaction between carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the January-February 2005 issue of Agronomy Journal. At the Maricopa Agricultural Center near Phoenix, the team compared wheat grown under current levels of CO2 to wheat grown with the CO2 levels expected by 2050. A series of tubes injected CO2 into circular, open-air field plots to increase the CO2 concentration in the air during the two-year experiment. The plants grown with higher CO2 levels only used about 3 to 4 percent more nitrogen than the plants grown at current CO2 levels. The researchers applied fertilizer four times, which spread out the uptake of the nutrients. Based on the study's findings, farmers in the future may need to apply fertilizer four times on wheat, instead of the traditional one or two applications. The scientists believe growers need to understand how rising levels of CO2 may affect their crops. Accordingly, farmers may have to adapt their farming practices--such as altering the timing and amounts of nitrogen fertilizer--to produce crops in the changing environmental conditions of the future. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Plastic Cover Aids Fumigant Alternative Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 08:52:17 -0500 From: ARS News Service A new type of plastic cover that helps stop chemical soil fumigants from escaping into the atmosphere could provide a timely alternative for farmers facing a ban on methyl bromide, according to Agricultural Research Service scientists. ARS scientists in Gainesville, Fla., are studying plastic covers placed over raised beds where vegetables and strawberries are grown. Fumigants applied to the soil are trapped underground by the plastic, controlling pests under the soil surface. One type of plastic cover, called virtually impermeable film (VIF), contains a central, gas-impermeable layer designed to curb soil fumigant from escaping into the atmosphere. ARS is studying environmentally safe alternatives to methyl bromide as a soil fumigant for crop protection. VIF alone isn't intended to serve as a replacement for methyl bromide, according to researchers, but would allow growers to use lower levels of fumigants that are more environmentally friendly than methyl bromide. Hartwell Allen, a soil scientist at the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology's Crop Genetics and Environmental Research Unit in Gainesville, and collaborators at the University of Florida showed that VIF can retain alternative soil fumigants at higher concentrations for longer periods in soil than standard high-density polyethylene film now used in vegetable and strawberry production. One alternative fumigant the researchers tested was 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D). Allen and Joseph Vu, an ARS plant physiologist, and university researchers John Thomas, Li-Tse Ou and Donald Dickson conducted several field trials in sandy soils at Gainesville to compare VIF polyethylene film on raised beds. They found that VIF retained more active compounds in the fumigants for a longer period of time, provided more uniform distribution of 1,3-D, and slowed surface emissions of the fumigant more effectively. Further development of VIF technology is needed, however, to improve the speed and reliability of its application. Use of methyl bromide is due to be phased out in developed nations because it was found to deplete the Earth's ozone layer. <><><><><><><><><> End of RFN200502A.txt <><><><><><><><><><> Rare Fruit News Online - February 15, 2005 - AKA RFN200502B.txt _______________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> Thursday (2/17) I go in for my first knee replacement surgery. I'm expecting to be in the hospital for about one week, then begin physical therapy. <><><><><><><><><> Table Of Contents <><><><><><><><><> -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> New Subscriber, Saudi Arabia "Abosabaah, Hamed M" New Subscriber - Paso Robles, CA Vic Silveria <><><> Readers Write <><><> Mulberry Question Doug Young Re: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Matthew Shugart North County San Diego CRFG Chapter website Ben Pierce RARE FRUIT CONFERENCE 2005 (July 6-10 2005 Homestead, FL) Leo Manuel Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand Fruit and Garden Tour 7/2005 Leo Manuel Tropical Ag Fiesta Weekend - June 11, 12, 2005 Leo Manuel Feb 05 Newsletter of CRFG San Diego Zhenxing Fu <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> http://www.crfgsandiego.org For *San Diego Chapter* CRFG Information http://members.cox.net/ncsdcrfg For North County CRFG Chapter Meeting http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about ALL CRFG chapters. <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" SBLD - Amazing Plants Website http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~dkramer/ <><><> NAFEX List <><><> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex Archives at http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex 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 None, this time <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: New Subscriber, Saudi Arabia Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2005 14:11:54 +0300 From: "Abosabaah, Hamed M" Dear Sir Please add me name to your e-mail list, we would like to receive the newsletter regularly. Hamed Abosabaah H. Abosabaah EST. Saudi Arabia Riyadh 11476 P.O. BOX 25732 E-mail hamed.abosabaah@aramco.com.sa Tel. 009661 4614977 Fax 009661 4161603 Thank you Hamed Abosabaah mailto:hamed.abosabaah@aramco.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber - Paso Robles, CA Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2005 10:15:44 -0800 From: Vic Silveria I'm Victor Silveria Paso Robles California USA. I have a 10 acre parcel with excellent soil and would like to plant Rare fruit trees, nut trees walnut, almond, pecan and pistachio. Vic Silveria mailto:vcsilver@adelphia.net <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Mulberry Question Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:05:39 -0800 (PST) From: Doug Young Does anyone know anything about the Sullivan Mulberry? I picked up a cutting at the CRFG-San Diego scion exchange last week and, since I don't have a rootstock for it, I'm trying to root it. What can I expect? Doug Young El Cajon mailto:douglasyo@sbcglobal.net ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:19:46 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart It is my understanding that the main obstacle to growing pistachios in our area is lack of heat, not lack of chill. Besides, if the chilling requirement is only 400 hours, that would not be an obstacle in most of San Diego (except hilltop areas or coastal areas that are not near a canyon or rivermouth). If they are grown in Syria, that does not mean no chill (many Mediterranean desert areas get relatively cold), but it does mean heat! Same for Central Valley of California, where they are grown commercially. It is the heat that lets them thrive there. One more example. You can find commercial orchards in the desert near Casa Grande, Arizona. I have no idea what the chill might be around there (not very high), but you know they have long hot and rarely overcast spring and summer days. Matthew Shugart Bonsall, CA mailto:mshugart@ucsd.edu ------------------------------------------------ Subject: North County San Diego CRFG Chapter website Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2005 07:16:20 -0800 From: Ben Pierce Leo, I saw the email in RFNO from the gentleman asking about our website. The url for the new website is http://members.cox.net/ncsdcrfg Our meeting information and newsletters are now available on the site. I keep it current and am constantly adding info. Anyone looking for news etc of our chapter activities should check back their often. Also, I will soon be adding a link to your website when I have some time. Ben Pierce mailto:mariposafamily@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: RARE FRUIT CONFERENCE 2005 (July 6-10 2005 Homestead, FL) Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:31:54 -0800 From: Leo Manuel RARE FRUIT CONFERENCE 2005 Sponsored by The Friends of The Fruit & Spice Park Fruit & Spice Park 24801 SW 187 Ave. Homestead, FL 33031 Mr. Chris B. Rollins, Coordinator Telephone: 305-247-5727, FAX: 305-245-3369 Email: fsp@miamidade.gov http://www.fruitandspicepark.org This exciting event brings together tropical fruit enthusiasts and experts from around the world. Activities include garden tours, packing house tours, tropical fruit nursery tours, demonstrations, research station tours and local and international speakers. Participants will be encouraged to bring seeds, cuttings and plants with them to sell, trade or share. For complete information, visit the webpage or send an email request. Early registration is advised Wednesday July 6th Pre-Conference Registration Thursday July 7th Pre-Conference Activities and Registration Friday July 8th Pre-Conference Activities and Registration Saturday July 9th Conference Field Day Sunday July 10th Conference Lecture Series ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand Fruit and Garden Tour 7/2005 Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:34:43 -0800 From: Leo Manuel Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand Fruit and Garden Tour 7/2005 Join Chris Rollins and explore the exciting markets, farms, gardens of Southeast Asia. Visit Angkor Wat the magnificent temples lost in the jungle for centuries. Immerse yourself in the color, culture and commerce of the bustling Asian market place. Experience the quite grace and tranquility of the Buddhist temple. Explore the exotic tropical farms and see rice, rubber and cocoa plantations. Taste the luscious fruits of Southeast Asia: Mangosteen, Durian, Langsat, Mango, Jackfruit, Salak, Santol, Rambutan, Nipa, Dragon Fruit and many others. July 29, 05 (Saturday) Ð Depart MIA en route to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (Overnight in KL) Aug 01, 05 (Monday) Ð Day 1: ARRIVE SIEM REAP (L,D) Aug 02, 05 (Tuesday) Ð Day 2: SIEM REAP (B,L,D) Aug 03, 05 (Wednesday) Ð Day 3: SIEM REAP Ð PHNOM PENH (B,L,D) Aug 04, 05 (Thursday) Ð Day 4: PHNOM PENH (B,L,D) Aug 05, 05 (Friday) Ð Day 5: PHNOM PENH Ð HCMC (B,D) Aug 06, 05 (Saturday) Ð Day 6: HCMC Ð MYTHO (B,L) Aug 07, 05 (Sunday) Ð Day 7: MYTHO Ð VINH LONG Ð HCMC (B,L,D) Aug 08, 05 (Monday) Ð Day 8: HCMC (B,D) Aug 09, 05 (Tuesday) Ð Day 9: HCMC (B) Aug 10, 05 (Wednesday) Ð Day 10: HCMC Ð DANANG Ð HOI AN (B,D) Aug 11, 05 (Thursday) Ð Day 11: HOIAN Ð BACH MA Ð HUE (B,D) Aug 12, 05 (Friday) Ð Day 12: HUE (B,D) Aug 13, 05 (Saturday) Ð Day 13: HUE Ð HANOI (B,D) Aug 14, 05 (Sunday) Ð Day 14: HANOI (B,D) Aug 15, 05 (Monday) Ð Day 15: HANOI (B) Aug 16, 05 (Tuesday) Ð Day 16: HANOI Ð BAC NINH Ð HALONG (B) Aug 17, 05 (Wednesday) Ð Day 17: HALONG Ð CATBA (B,L) Aug 18, 05 (Thursday) Ð Day 18: CATBA Ð HANOI (B) Aug 19, 05 (Friday) Ð Day 19: HANOI - BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI (B) Aug 20, 05 (Saturday) Ð Day 20: CHIANG MAI (B) Aug 21, 05 (Sunday) Ð Day 21: CHIANG MAI (B) Aug 22, 05 (Monday) Ð Day 22: CHIANG MAI Ð BANGKOK (B) Aug 23, 05 (Tuesday) Ð Day 23: BANGKOK - RAYONG Ð PATTAYA (B,L) Aug 24, 05 (Wednesday) Ð Day 24: BANGKOK - AYUTHAYA (B,L) Aug 25, 05 (Thursday) Ð Day 25: BANGKOK (B) Aug 26, 05 (Friday) Ð Day 26: BANGKOK (B) Aug 27, 05 (Saturday) Ð Day 27: BANGKOK Aug 28, 05 (Sunday) Ð Day 28:Bangkok ÐDeparture (B) =============================================== Tour prices for land cost for the above program are: $5,500.00, per person, double occupancy (Single supplement available) $500.00 deposit per person needed by March 10th Deposits and payments should be made payable to Travel Now, Inc., and may be given to Chris Rollins or to the Travel Now agency, at 14374 Biscayne Blvd. North Miami Beach FL 33181 Included in land cost are: - Accommodation at hotels as specified - Meals as specified based on meal only. - Transfers and sightseeing by one bus - Entrance fees during sightseeing usual tourist site visit. - Entrance fees for shows as mentioned in the program - Domestic air in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam - Departure international airport tax ex Bangkok, Siem Reap and Hanoi. Not included in land cost are: - Personal expenses i.e. drinks, laundry, tel/fax etc. - Any optional or optional tours. - Any items not mentioned in itinerary or inclusion. - Travel Insurance. - Any arrangement for a special visit (Mr. Sainarong to arrange all) - Any cost of arrangement for plant shipping. - Any cost of arrangement for Phyto certificate. - Gratuities to local guides and drivers - Extra cost of extra vehicle ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Tropical Ag Fiesta Weekend - June 11, 12, 2005 Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:36:54 -0800 From: Leo Manuel Tropical Ag Fiesta Weekend - June 11, 12, 2005 10 AM to 5 P FRUIT & SPICE PARK 24801 SW 187TH AVENUE HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA 33031 305-247-5727 or mailto:fsp@miamidade.gov Over 50 vendors and exhibitors of various kinds will be on-hand at the Tropical Ag Fiesta, co-sponsored by Fruit & Spice Park and Tropical Fruit Growers, providing educational information and lots of interesting things to see. The Fiesta, an annual event, spotlights exotic fruits and vegetables grown in the Redland agriculture area and offers advice on how to grow and cook them. This will give visitors the opportunity to taste rare and exotic tropical fruits such as lychee, mango and jackfruit. There will be live entertainment each day, activities for the youngsters, renown chefs from MiamiÕs best restaurants and local folks will be doing cooking demonstrations with exotic fruits and vegetables, crafts, talented local artist exhibits, tree-grafting demonstrations, educational displays and plant vendors will teach participants how to grow tropical plants native to places close as the Caribbean and as far away as Asia. Join in of this fun packed weekend and see how a little known industry of exotic fruits and vegetables has flourished into a booming cultural explosion. ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Feb 05 Newsletter of CRFG San Diego Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 17:15:25 -0800 From: Zhenxing Fu CALIFORNIA RARE FRUIT GROWERS - SAN DIEGO CHAPTER FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER NEXT Meeting: WHERE: Casa del Prado Building Room 101, Balboa Park WHEN: February 24, 2005 MEETING TOPIC: Budding and Grafting THE VIEW FROM THE CHAIR On another subject, IÕve been communicating with a couple of people up at the Germplasm Repository and Dr. Dan Parfitt at the UC Davis Pomology Department. Rather than bore you with details, here is what has come of these conversations. 1. The Pomegranate that we call Pink Ice already has a name: Sin Pepe, or ÒseedlessÓ. ItÕs a boring name, but thatÕs it. Apparently all of the trees in that old row are named varieties. 2. The new research leader at the Germplasm Repository, Ed Stover, is very appreciative of the fruit varieties that CRFG has contributed and will contribute to them, and of the various data compilations I send from time to time. 3. Mr. Stover will take up our loquat project. He will request, on behalf of the Davis Repository, the varieties that I have indicated to him and other varieties to reflect the diversity of the species. The European repository is almost certain to cooperate. And Mr. Stover has written that he will share loquat material with me. Things are definitely looking up Loquat wise. David Silverstein Announcements: DURLING NURSERY TOUR February 26, 2005 MEET AT 8 A.M. AT VETERANS Memorial Car Pool Site or 10 a.m. at Durling Ð 40401 De Luz Road Fallbrook, CA (ThatÕs on De Luz Road a little north of De Luz) 760-728-9572 Got any interesting Mulberry or Loquat scion wood? Call Dave Silverstein if you are willing to donate material to the Germplasm Repository. Our relationship with and support of that institution are important. The California Cherimoya Association will be holding its annual meeting this year on March 5, 2005. South Coast Research & Extension Center 7601 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, CA. 10 AM to around 4PM. Liz Inglese, from Maui Fresh/Calavo and Dr. Gary Bender of the UC Cooperative Extension will speak. There will also be a team of specialists in cherimoyas to answer any of your questions. A delicious Hawaiian barbecue lunch and a raffle are also included in this event. The cost is $20.00 per person-this price includes the $5.00 for REGISTRATION and $15.00 for lunch. *Note: If you wish to attend and have lunch-you need to register now . Please send your check to: Wendy Reisman, 1863 Wilstone Avenue, Leucadia, Ca 92024. If you have any questions you can call 760 942-8464 or email wendyreisman@cox.net . GOT GOOD FRUIT PICTURES? Let Dave Silverstein know. We need to contribute some for our upcoming news story. MERIT MOUNTAIN NURSERY CRFG DISCOUNT Yes friends, it is 25% off on all Fruit Trees. Call Paul Fisher for more information. Don't forget to check our website at www.crfgsandiego.org. For membership, please mail your check for eight dollars to CRFG, San Diego Chapter C/O Paul Fisher 1266 Vista Del Monte Dr. El Cajon, CA 92020 You must be a current member of the parent CRFG organization as well, or send thirty eight dollars to cover both. <><><><> 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://members.cox.net/ncsdcrfg For North County CRFG Chapter Meeting http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about ALL CRFG chapters. http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><>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: SBLD - Amazing Plants Website Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2005 07:29:35 -0600 http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~dkramer/ The Amazing Plants website includes three major parts: materials for beginning plant biology courses, Teachers Academy Workshop links and Botany as a Profession. Among the course materials are a nice summary of "Families of Flowering Plants" and "Study Tips for Plant Biology Students", but the most remarkable part is his "Botany in Cyberspace," which is a major links resource page. The care and completeness of the site reflect the outstanding leadership of the author in developing online resources for the BSA and others. Site is by David W. Kramer at Ohio State University-Mansfield. (***1/2) -SR <><><> NAFEX List From: nafex-request@lists.ibiblio.org <><><> None this time <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> None this time <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. None this time <><><><><><><><><> End of RFN200502B.txt <><><><><><><><><><> Rare Fruit News Online - March 1, 2005 - AKA RFN200503A.txt ___________________________________________________________ <><><><> Notes In Passing - Leo <><><><> The volume of mail from readers is 'way down, which which makes me a bit nervous. How about writing a letter to tell the rest of us how your garden is doing, or what new varieties of fruit trees you have found, or asking a question you'd like answered, or answering a question, or .... I hope that the newsletter will continue to be useful to you. I'm restricted to the amount of time I can sit at the computer continuously, so this newsletter has been easier to produce. Knee Replacement Surgery 2/17: Procedure lasted one-and- one-half hours. I was expecting better pain control than I experienced. Some of the time I had very little pain but other times it was at the limit of tolerance. Some of the instructions were confusing. Vicodin was prescribed to be taken once or twice every four hours. This gives a theoretical limit of twelve tabs per day, BUT the high concentration of acetametiphen limits the actual number to not more than 8 tabs per day. I 'traded' Vicodin for Norco, which has much less acetametaphen per tab. If I had had Norco from the beginning, I think I would have experienced far less pain. <><><><><><><><><> Table Of Contents <><><><><><><><><> -> -> -> Messages follow the Table Of Contents <- <- <- <><><> New Subscribers <><><> New Subscriber - Sacramento, CA Jim Barsch New Subscriber - Burbank, CA Joe Reuter <><><> Readers Write <><><> Re: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Matthew Shugart Re: Pomegranate "david.crfg-sd" <><><><><> Growing Rare Fruit In Containers <><><><><> None, this time <><><> Announcements and / or Web Sites To Consider <><><> http://www.crfgsandiego.org For *San Diego Chapter* CRFG Information http://members.cox.net/ncsdcrfg For North County CRFG Chapter Meeting http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about ALL CRFG chapters. <><>Bot-Linx List <> From: "Scott D. Russell" SBLD - Ant Plants Ant Plants http://www.duke.edu/~nplummer/intro.html SBLD - Cell Biology Education Cell Biology Education http://www.cellbioed.org/ <><><> NAFEX List <><><> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex Archives at http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex 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 For Some Insects, It's Smart to Run With the Crowd ARS News Service Medicinal Compound Gets New Life as Fungicide ARS News Service Designer Composts May Combat Phosphorus Overload ARS News Service <><><><><><><><> New Subscribers <><><><><><><><><> Subject: New Subscriber - Sacramento, CA Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:19:12 -0800 (PST) From: Jim Barsch Hi Leo: My name is Jim Barsch and I live in Sacramento. My email address for receiving the news letter is cjbarsch@hotmail.com. The fruits that I grow that would be considered rare in Sacramento include: banana, cherimoya, guava, jack fruit, longan, mango, passion fruit, papaya, pineapple, rambutan, sugar cane and star fruit. The fruit that I would like to grow are attemoya, pitaya, and sugar apple. The fruit that I dream about growing is durian and mangosteen. I will be in the San Diego area on Saturday 2/26/05. I'm looking for a good source for pitaya. If you could offer any advice I would appreciate it. Thanks, Jimmy mailto:barschjim@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------ Subject: New Subscriber - Burbank, CA Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 21:06:20 -0800 From: Joe Reuter Dear Leo and Betty, Thank you for the service you perform editing and distributing your newsletter. This is Joe Reuter from Burbank, could you please subscribe me to Rare Fruit News at reuterj@pacbell.net? I am a current AHS and former CRFG member intending to renew (user name Burbank Joe) and am on gardenweb as whybuywhatyoucangrow. We're growing apricot, apples, banana, Pierce Cherimoya, cherries, feijoas, figs, various wine grapes, guavas, Lang Jujube, old orchard lemon, Big Jim Loquat, white mulberry, blood and cara cara oranges, Babcock Papaya, peaches, pears, plums, pluots, pommegranite, white sapote, Arbutus Unedo and various berries.I would like to add Chocolate, Cinnamon and Coffeecake Persimmon, Miracle Fruit, Lychee or Rambutan, and a Pineapple Gem Feijoa. I am interested in acquiring cuttings from flavorful feijoa/pineapple guava varieties. Joe mailto:reuterj@pacbell.net <><><><><><><><><> Readers Write<><><><><><><><><><> Subject: Re: Will Pistachio Produce In San Diego Area? Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:19:46 -0800 From: Matthew Shugart It is my understanding that the main obstacle to growing pistachios in our area is lack of heat, not lack of chill. Besides, if the chilling requirement is only 400 hours, that would not be an obstacle in most of San Diego (except hilltop areas or coastal areas that are not near a canyon or rivermouth). If they are grown in Syria, that does not mean no chill (many Mediterranean desert areas get relatively cold), but it does mean heat! Same for Central Valley of California, where they are grown commercially. It is the heat that lets them thrive there. One more example. You can find commercial orchards in the desert near Casa Grande, Arizona. I have no idea what the chill might be around there (not very high), but you know they have long hot and rarely overcast spring and summer days. Matthew Shugart mailto:mshugart@ucsd.edu Bonsall, California ------------------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Pomegranate Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 22:04:01 -0800 From: "david.crfg-sd" To: Gidon Bing , info@crfg.org, "William A. Grimes" CC: Roger Meyer I would add that the USDA list can be found in greater detail at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_site_acc.pl?DAV%20Punica%20granatum The homepage is here so that you can contact them if you like http://www.ars-grin.gov/dav/ . You will also be glad to know that there are few pomegranate varieties with any kind of intellectual property protection. Here in the US there are only two that are patented to the best of my knowledge, Eversweet and a variety that is similar to Wonderful, but earlier. Wonderful, the principal comercial variety in this country, is notSubject to any protections or limitations. I do not know your climate, but I know of a pomegranate nursery in Western Australia that probably has a better idea of it. http://www.fixedstars.com.au/ They also have some unique varieties and the ability to sell large numbers of cuttings. I'm also copying this to a rare fruit email group that has subscribers all over the world. You can subscribe and check out the archives at http://www.rarefruit.com/. Another site with a broad following is the cloudforest cafe http://www.cloudforest.com/cafe/. I hope this helps. David Silverstein mailto:david.crfg-sd@cox.net CRFG, San Diego Chapter ----- Original Message ----- From: William A. Grimes To: Gidon Bing ; info@crfg.org Cc: Roger Meyer ; david.crfg-sd@cox.net Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 1:26 PM Subject: Re: Pomegranate The organization itself has not been involved with research although individual members might have been. I'm going to copy my response to a few others who might be able to help you. In addition, the USDA Germplasm facility at Wolfskill, Winters, California, has a list of available accessions online but you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) installed to view it: http://www.ars-grin.gov/ars/PacWest/Davis/punicahtml.pdf Bill Grimes CRFG At 12:46 PM 2/16/2005, Gidon Bing wrote: > To whom it may concern, I understand from your website that your > organisation has been involved in research/propagation of > varieties of pomegranate plants. I am currently trying to locate > information on the latest varieties of fruit bearing > pomegranates that would best suite the climate/conditions in New > Zealand. I am also trying to locate information on where/from > whom I can obtain licence/rights for such varieties. > > > Would greatly appreciate any advice/information you can give me. > > > > Warm regards, > > Gidon Bing mailto:info@crfg.org <><><><> 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://members.cox.net/ncsdcrfg For North County CRFG Chapter Meeting http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about ALL CRFG chapters. http://www.crfg.org/chapters.html For information about all CRFG chapters. <><>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: SBLD - Ant Plants February 18, 2005 Ant Plants http://www.duke.edu/~nplummer/intro.html "Ant Plants" are plants with intricate relationships to ants. The plant provides shelter or food, whereas the ants defend the plant and provide nutrients. Families with ant plants include Rubiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Nepenthaceae, Bromeliaceae and ferns. Some plants provide specialized chambers for ant colonies, called "domatia", and absorb materials that the ants leave behind as nutrients. Worth particular attention are pages and images on the Rubiaceae, particularly Myrmecodia and Hydnophytum. Site by Nicholas Plummer. (***1/2) -SR ------------------------------------------------ Subject: SBLD - Cell Biology Education February 23, 2005 Cell Biology Education http://www.cellbioed.org/ Cell Biology Education: A Journal of Life Science Education is currently in its third year of quarterly online publication, providing features, articles, essays and announcements for the community of life science educators. Each article is refereed and when published, there is a forum for discussion connected to each article. Offerings in the current issue include alternative methods of teaching (not a surprise, of course), discussion of National Academies publications & meetings, book & video reviews, tests of new technologies and more. The articles are well written and informative, hopefully inspirational, and seem carefully edited. Overall, this is a worthwhile resource, published by the American Society for Cell Biology, and supported in part by an Undergraduate Science Education Program grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. (****) -SR <><><> NAFEX List From: nafex-request@lists.ibiblio.org <><><> None this time <><> [rarefruit] List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit <><> None this time <> Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mailto:ars http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm. Subject: For Some Insects, It's Smart to Run With the Crowd Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 09:26:23 -0500 From: ARS News Service To the casual observer, the millions of swarming locusts that descended on West Africa last year were like something straight out of a science fiction novel. Several mile-wide bands of the voracious insects ate their way through the region's crop lands, threatening to cause food shortages and loss of income for local farmers. Now, Gregory Sword, an ecologist with the Agricultural Research Service, has an explanation for why some insects, like the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, gather in mind-boggling numbers and move together across the landscape. In the current issue of the journal Nature, Sword describes how the Mormon cricket--a species of katydid known to periodically overrun agricultural fields in the Northern Plains of the United States--relies on the protection afforded by thousands, if not millions, of its fellow crickets to reduce the risk of attack by predators. Researchers have speculated that insects moving in bands derive some benefits from traveling en masse. But no one has previously attempted to quantify those advantages, mostly because of the inherent d