Monkey Orange, Klapper Fruit (Strychnos spinosa)

[palingkecil]

Is anyone in So-Cal grow this fruit tree? I am about to purchase a seedling online from Florida, but there is very little information about this Monkey Orange, except that everyone brags about how good the taste is.
This tree is semi deciduous, African native. I assume it will somehow do okay in So-Cal. But due to the limited space I have, I won't bother growing this if there is no chance to bear fruit.

Any input will be highly appreciated.

[Ertdude]

Hey I'm growing this as long as many other strychnos. I'd be interested in seeing a photo of the plant you receive if you end up buying it. My strychnos spinosa are growing sortve funny so I'd like to compare the plants to see if I just messed up transplanting them.

From what I've read it can withstand occasional light frosts.  If you somehow cant grow it outdoors it seems like a tree that could potentially fruit in a large pot.

[shaneatwell]

Ive had one in the ground for 3 or 4 years and it just barely gets by. Still only inches tall. I suspect it doesn't like my clay.

[nattyfroootz]

I've got 2 in pots that have suffered some gnarly scale damage, kind of coming out of it this year and flushing some healthy new growth.

[Daintree]

I have a real healthy one in a pot in my zone 12 greenhouse.  It is about 5 ft tall and 5 yrs old.  Mine does not like a lot of water, and it almost keeled over when I fertilized it.  Now, it just gets a little Osmocote Plus twice a year. I let it totally dry out before watering, and it is in the sunniest spot in the greenhouse.

Good luck!

Carolyn

[palingkecil]

Thank you everyone! I decided to take a chance and order one. I will post the picture once I received it.

[palingkecil]

I have a real healthy one in a pot in my zone 12 greenhouse.  It is about 5 ft tall and 5 yrs old.  Mine does not like a lot of water, and it almost keeled over when I fertilized it.  Now, it just gets a little Osmocote Plus twice a year. I let it totally dry out before watering, and it is in the sunniest spot in the greenhouse.

Good luck!

Carolyn

Carolyn, how is your tree's productivity? How does the fruit taste? How many years before it starts bear fruit? Thanks!