Friday, January 27, 2006

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.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

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.