Treefarm Destroyed!

On March 20,2006 severe Tropical Cyclone Larry (http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/cyclone/tc_larry/) struck the wet Tropics area of north Queensland with windspeeds over 300 km/hr.

Most orchards, including that of Treefarm, were more or less destroyed.

That's why seeds haven't been available from the Borneo Collection since then.

Unfortunately, the trees that survived have been reluctant to fruit, so there haven't been seeds from these either. Hopefully next year will see some trees fruiting.

I know most of the seeds we normally sell aren't available elsewhere, so people around the world just haven't been able to enrich their collection or commercial orchard with the wonderful range of Borneo and other fruits.

I'm sorry about this situation.

Meanwhile, if you have a question about tropical fruits, feel free to ask and I or someone else will try to answer it. Use the blog or if emailing, put "info request" in the subject line.

Monsoon Fruits

The rainy season is full on now; tropical trees really love these conditions, and fruits fill out and begin to mature. Younger trees put on lots of growth. Some of the best fruits are on. Take this chance to order something you would like to try growing.


Tropical Fruit Tree Seeds Available

Kandis
is available again now. Very high quality, beautiful fruit.
Salak, Balinese
Salak, Javanese
Durian
Mangosteen
Rambutan
Rollinia
Abiu
Mendi
Dabai
Tampoi

Salak (Salacca edulis)

Salak (Salacca Edulis) seeds are now available. Our culivars are from Java and Bali. This stemless palm produces one of the nicest tropical fruits, which its slightly astringent but sweet flavour, and crunchy, apple-like texture. The two cvs taste different. The tree requires care when young, and the Java variety is dioecious. Light shade gives the best results, and yield is good. If you would like to grow this unique Southeast Asian fruit tree, order now, as the season is restricted.

Now Available: Bacu (Rheedia brasiliensis)

Bacu (Rheedia brasiliensis) seeds are now available for a short season. It is a good-to-eat small fruit which grows on an easy-to-grow tree. The yellow-skinned fruit are easy to peel, revealing a translucent flesh, of subacid flavour, with one seed. The fruit are not attractive to wildlife. The tree is drought resistant in a humid climate, and bears regularly, with huge crops, enough for the whole family. It responds well to pruning, and can be manipulated to any shape to suit the location, since the fruit are borne on the tree's inside branches. Thus it is suitable for large or small orchards or backyards, as a dooryard tree. It is attractive, with glossy dark green leathery leaves, typical of its family, the Clusiaceae. If you would like to try this tree in your tropical garden, order now as the season is very limited.

What's fruiting at Treefarm

Here at Treefarm in North Queensland, the wet season has begun after a long dry period. Early Summer fruits are beginning to drop. There's a second crop of Kandis and Kundong. The December crop was small, so some people were disappointed. Both fruits are small, delicious mangosteen relatives. They are refreshing and easy to eat, with thin skins and small seeds. Mendi are available, and Abiu are just beginning. It's worth growing Abius from both the near- and trans-Andean zones, since their seasons are different. Abiu is such an easy tree to grow. In very good soil you can get fruit in two years or less, and the tree will fit in anywhere, since it's small and responds well to pruning. If you want to grow abiu, or don't have both heritages, order seeds now.

David with langsat

Read about my seed collecting exploits in an article published in the Australian rare fruit review published recently. Connect to the RFCA website to read the article "Pioneers in Borneo." 

Kandis Seeds

We have run out of Kandis seeds and they won't be available now until December 2006

Tropical Fruit Tree Seed Availability

The following seeds are currently available:

Kandis
Kundong
Salak, Balinese
Salak, Javan
Taun, New Guinea cultivar
Taun, Temotu, Solomons cv
Black Sapote
Canistel
Star Apple (Caimito)
Grumichama
Jaboticaba
Rollinia