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Messages - hoosierquilt

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1
Janet, do you happen to have any scions from your Cristobalina I might be able to purchase from you?  I missed Arboreum's purchase window, so no luck there.  Thanks!

Patty S.

Nectarines are one of my favorite fruits, so I’ve trialed everything low chill over the years.  I hand remove the blossoms and the fruits are clean, but I imagine that would be way too time consuming for you.  If you want to try Maria’s Gold let me know, it doesn’t look like any other nectarine and blooms later and I don’t think it has a russeting issue, it’s really good.  Interesting that Flavor King doesn’t bloom well for you, I would think you had more winter chill than me.  I wonder if it’s because you get hot days in the spring?  I have a low chill, self fertile cherry from Spain, Cristobalina, if you want to try it.  Tree is still small but I can share a scion with you.  I definitely want to try some of the new low chill trees from Dave Wilson when they’re available.  I don’t remember which one, but I think they described one of the new low chill nectarines as no russeting. 

Have you heard of the Adara plum?  There is research on it being used as a rootstock and interstem for cherry trees and other stone fruits because it handles alkaline soil conditions.  Plum is the easiest tree in my yard, so I’m going to experiment with using it as an interstem for apricot and peach/ nectarine as well.  Some of the most widely used rootstock for stone fruits, especially cherry, don’t do well in my heavy clay and alkaline soil. 
https://journals.ashs.org/downloadpdf/journals/hortsci/30/6/article-p1316.pdf

Janet

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Mark, I know this was from last year, but wondering if you have an 'Cristobalina' scions available this year?  Missed Arboreum's sale window, and would love to plant one up here in Vista.  Thanks!

Patty S.

3
Citrus General Discussion / Re: Cat outhouse
« on: May 09, 2014, 10:35:56 AM »
One thing you can try is to lay down hardware cloth or chicken wire down on the surface of the mulch, to discourage digging and pottying. 

4
Citrus General Discussion / Re: meyer lemon losing its fruit
« on: May 06, 2014, 04:23:21 PM »
What Millet & Tom said.  I had this happen with my Improved Meyer, when I first moved into our current home.  It was languishing due to no water source.  Lost a lot of leaves, and has since been restored to health, but now prefers to alternate bear to some degree.  I have heavier seasons and lighter seasons, often with a second smaller season.  So, this will probably be the bearing habit of this tree from now on out.

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Valentine Pummelo
« on: May 06, 2014, 04:13:24 PM »
Very good, Millet!  Too many fabulous citrus cultivars missed if you're on a statin that conflicts with Furanocoumarin.  Excellent! 

6
Citrus General Discussion / Re: Chironja Grapefruit Hybrid
« on: May 06, 2014, 03:06:09 PM »
I have one.  It is good, tastes more like an orange than a grapefruit.  Very little "grapefruit" taste.

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: CA Honey Mandarin
« on: May 04, 2014, 09:56:42 PM »
Clay, I'd buy one from Four Winds once they're back in stock, but until then, get yourself a Clemenules.  They are nearly identical in taste, and you'll end up with two lovely mandarins.  And, Gold Nugget will extend your mandarin season.  I'm still picking my lovely Gold Nuggets.  Made the best every margaritas with them yesterday for my birthday bash.  I make the best margarita in the state of California, all made with my own citrus of course  ;)

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Valentine Pummelo
« on: May 04, 2014, 09:54:12 PM »
Heh.  I'm printing off your comment, Millet, and mailing it to each of my three daughters, lol!!   :P   I'm only right on this one because the first visit I had to the UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection was probably in mid to late February.  This was a few years ago, when Valentine was first making its way to retail citrus sellers.  I got to taste it, and to me, clearly it wasn't quite ripe.  BUT, I could tell it had promise.  You could very clearly taste all 3 genetic parents - blood orange, mandarin and pummelo.  I found that to be very fascinating, and, I figured if really ripe, it might be sweet enough for my palette.  I love the taste of grapefruit, just hate that bitter aftertaste.  I decided that I would test mine in March.  Still a little "not quite ripe" to me.  So, tried again in April, and voila, delicious.  And I'm picking the last of mine, and so very happy to say they hold quite well on the tree, and did not develop that off taste some blood oranges can get if left too long on the tree.  For me, the Valentine is one of my "Top 10" citrus.  I adore it. 

As an aside, for those of you who have had to strike grapefruit and pummelos off your diet due to conflicts with statin medications such as lovastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin (and so many folks over the age of 40 are on a statin), talk to your doctor about whether or not you might be able to switch up your statin to Rosuvastatin (Crestor), pravastatin (Pravachol) or fluvastatin (Lescol). as they undergo little or no metabolism by the enzyme CYP3A4 responsible for breaking down of the above mentioned statins.  Simvastatin (Zocor) and satorvastatin (Lipitor) appear to be the worst of the above statins, but if your doctor is willing to switch you over to Crestor, Pravochol or Lescol, you can enjoy grapefruit and pummelos.  Now, that being said, there are probably 80+ medications grapefruits interact with (it is Furanocoumarin that is the culprit in grapefruits and pummelos, in blocking the action of the enzyme CYP3A4 that is the main enzyme responsible for the metabolism of several drugs, including the above statins, as well as Allegra, btw), so do take care that you don't end up with issues outside of the statins and Allegra I've mentioned.  So, if this is preventing you from enjoying grapefruits and the lovely Valentine pummelo, chat up your doctor and see if you can switch your statin! (Patty the RN).


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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Citrus...Mulch or NO Mulch?
« on: April 30, 2014, 09:50:48 AM »
Clay, I live not too far from Durlings, and their climate (De Luz) is very similar to mine.  We mulch out here for all my above mentioned reasons, but I really think Millet is right.  It is really up to each person to determine whether or not mulching is beneficial for their trees, based on their average rainfall, soil types, etc.  Durling recommends it because we need the moisture retention out here.  When you get an average rainfall amount of about 6 inches a year, water is precious.  Plus, many of us are on DG or sand as well.  Not all - some folks here in S. California are on clay, so mulching will become challenging for those folks.  I think you simply need to look at where you live, your soil, your rainfall, and then see what works best for your trees  :)

10
Citrus General Discussion / Re: Hydrogen Peroxide
« on: April 30, 2014, 09:45:44 AM »
Okay, went back and read the thread on the Citrus Growers Forum.  I'm in Skeeter's camp.  I'm an RN with a chemistry background.  I don't use organic fertilizers for exactly the same reason Skeeter has described - organic fertilizer compounds are broken down by soil organisms (somewhat lacking in container medium) into their absorbable inorganic compounds for uptake by the roots.  And, the comment that "hydrogen peroxide will burn you" is simply not true.  The concentration of H202 we can buy at the drug store is specifically formulated to be used to cleanse wounds.  It will not cause a chemical burn to your skin (especially if you consider you're using it on an open wound). 

I think Ryan gives his citrus a lot of care, and that's why his citrus look so great.  I use a time release fertilizer for my container citrus, that is not organic.  They also look great.  I just don't have the time, money and inclination to do a bunch of gyrations for my container plants, but if this system is working for you, knock yourselves out  8)

11
Citrus General Discussion / Re: this isnt new news anymore
« on: April 29, 2014, 01:38:29 PM »
I agree with Millet, this is a terribly written report, full of misconceptions.  "But once the immediate crisis is averted, another problem looms: how to convince American consumers to put orange juice back on their breakfast tables."  Seriously?!?  That's not the issue.  The issue is the "immediate crisis" is not going to be averted by replanting.  I think the reporter missed the crux of the issue entirely - that there is no cure, and no amount of spraying, fertilizing, etc. will stop the eventual demise of a tree infected with HLB.  And that in order to still be able to grow citrus commercially, growers are now being forced to replant every 3 to 5 years.  Who on earth could afford to do that and stay in business unless the price of orange juice goes up so high, no one in their right mind would pay for it.  Missed the enormous elephant in the room.  Oh brother.   :-\

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Hydrogen Peroxide
« on: April 29, 2014, 10:02:53 AM »
Why??? :o

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Citrus...Mulch or NO Mulch?
« on: April 29, 2014, 10:02:13 AM »
Mulching is rather a matter of moisture retention, soil improvement, and weed abatement for those who need to mulch.  Most folks who would benefit from mulching are going to live in more arid, hotter climates (parts of California and AZ.)  I mulch for all three reasons.  I live in a low rain area - S. California -, so moisture retention is important, which helps to keep my water bill down to something just this side of terrifying.  Also, I hate to weed, and mulching keeps the weeds way down for me.  And, my soil is mostly DG (decomposed granite), so returning organic matter to the soil improves my soil quality.  After living here for almost 5 years, and having put down 3 to 4" of wood chip mulch twice now, I am finding lots of lovely fat earthworms underneath.  There are fairly recent studies out there conducted in California that have shown that mulching under my particular circumstances is beneficial.  For others who live in rainier areas, the need or benefits of mulching may not really apply.  Also, just a clarification - citrus are not "acid loving plants".  Citrus actually prefer more neutral to slightly acidic soils - 6.0 to 8.0, but do quite well in areas that have slightly alkaline soils (or we'd never be able to grow citrus commercially here in Central and S. California). 

14
Citrus General Discussion / Re: 3 new Mandarin trees for the yard!!!!
« on: April 29, 2014, 09:53:05 AM »
Very nice, and yes, Four Winds' California Honey mandarin is very good.  Clemenules (Clemnules, Nules) is also nearly identical, so if you can find that, consider it basically the same in flavor. 

15
Citrus General Discussion / Re: Valentine Pumelo
« on: April 23, 2014, 11:31:09 PM »
I eat mine a little differently. I cut them in half, then in quarters.  I scrape out the seeds, then eat them like an orange.  Sometimes I"ll peel them, quarter them, de-seed them, then eat the peeled quarters.

Patty S.

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My Seedless Kishu is on par with Gold Nugget, Tango, Page, Ponkan and Clemenules.  It is one of my top favorite citrus.  It is small, but is completely seedless, zipper skin, and rich, sweet and complex. 

Patty S.

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Citrus General Discussion / NBC Nightly News Citrus Greening Piece
« on: April 23, 2014, 08:50:27 PM »
Just watched a brief piece on Citrus Greening, on the NBC Nightly News.  Interesting, but much too brief.  Sure would like to see it covered on 60 Minutes. 

Patty S.

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Pomelo and Lemon Meyer
« on: April 23, 2014, 10:18:31 AM »
Your Meyer Lemon will not pass on anything to other citrus.  Not sure what the grower was referring to.  The Meyer Lemon cultivar now available to the public is the "Improved Meyer Lemon" and free from Tristeza.  But, your little Meyer lemon looks like it has a pretty severe aphid infestation, so treat accordingly.  And I agree with Igor, your pummelo looks like a Chandler, which is very good and very sweet.  My favorite pummelo next to the Valentine pummelo hybrid.

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Kishu Mandarin
« on: April 22, 2014, 12:43:51 AM »
What is the growth habits of your  tree, is it spreading or upright growth. My Kishu is almost semi dwarf looking even though it is on Swingle rootstock. It is wider than it is tall. Compared to other trees the same age it is small but very productive. Fruit are small somewhat concave top and bottom.

Jason, if it is small, it could be either Pixie or a small Clementine.  Both resemble Seedless Kishu.  Both have seeds and are small.  Both have tighter skins than Seedless Kishu, which is almost satsuma-like in its zipper skin.  And, more pebbly, too. 

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Valentine Pumelo
« on: April 21, 2014, 05:26:28 PM »
Glad you enjoyed your Valentine, Millet!  Harvey, don't know what to say, I'm still picking mine, and they are fantastic.  You can actually identify all 3 genetic parents in this fruit - the pummelo, the mandarin and the blood orange.  They are just fabulous, especially for those who like the flavor of grapefruits, but not so much the bitter aftertaste (I would be included as one of those people.)  I don't find that they taste over-ripe or off tasting at all, and mine are much better on the tree another 3 to 6 weeks.  But then, it doesn't get super hot here, either.  It's possible Lindcove gets hotter than I do, only being about 7 miles from the coast.  Love this tree.  They grow well on either Carizzo/Troyer or on C35, I have them on both in my yard.

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I just received this post from the CalRareFruit forum, and thought I'd pass it along to this forum:

UC ANR has released a new edition and is running a special on this very comprehensive look at citrus growing.

"The Citrus Production Manual is available and for the month of April the price is reduced from $75 to $60! This is the first citrus manual in more than 20 years to cover all the major topics of citrus production including planting, horticulture, pest management and post harvest issues. It is a wonderful resource for all citrus producers and pest managers.

To order a copy, go to the UC Ag and Natural Resources catalog http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/ and type in publication 3539 or the search term 'citrus production manual' or call 1-800-994-8849.

Better yet, if you buy both the Citrus Production Manual and the IPM for citrus manual (pub 3539Promo) the combined price is only $85 - a savings of $30!"

"Save 25% on this bundled package of Citrus Production Manual and IPM for Citrus. Essential tools for anyone involved in the citrus industry.

The University of California's Citrus Production Manual is the first comprehensive manual on citrus from the university's experts. Inside you'll find over 400 pages of research covering botany and physiology, how to establish an orchard, managing your orchard, pest management, and postharvest handling.

The 3rd Edition of IPM for Citrus will help you identify and manage for than 150 common citrus pests, disease and disorders -- including Asian citrus psyllid and citrus leaf miner.

Purchased separately, these two indispensable manuals retail for $115.00; you'll save 25% when purchasing them together in this bundled set.

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Citrus General Discussion / Re: Kishu Mandarin
« on: April 17, 2014, 04:43:52 PM »
Always seedless.  I have over 100 different cultivars and have never seen a seed.  Have had several off the trees at UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection and have not found a seed any any fruit from there, as well.  It is the only "seedless" citrus cultivar that I feel confident in stating, "truly seedless".

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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Pruning a New Cherimoya
« on: August 18, 2012, 02:26:01 PM »
Okay, to try to answer all questions - yes, definitely trying to keep the tree within my grasp, and being somewhat "vertically challenged" at 5'4", and having banned the use of all ladders to pick fruit in my garden, yes, I would like to keep the tree no taller than what I can reach, which is probably 6 1/2' or so.  So, I'll just top the top and see how it goes.  Simon, I like your pruning system, very easy to follow.  I'll tie the branches down as they start to grow so they are more horizontal, then tip prune the branches emanating from those down the road.  I'll give Armstrong Carlsbad a call and see if they might have an El Bumpo, or can get the one up from Ranch Penasquitos for me.  A lot closer a drive for me.  Another option might be Walter Andersen's in Poway.  What do you all think between Fino and El Bumpo as a second variety option??

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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Pruning a New Cherimoya
« on: August 18, 2012, 10:40:59 AM »
I posted this over on the GW Tropical Fruit forum, but figured I'd probably get more responses over here  :)  I just picked up my first Cherimoya, a Honey Heart, and it is essentially a tall whip with no scaffold branches. I am wondering if I should top it to encourage some side branching? It's about 5' tall. Also picked up my first two banana trees,too, both are 'Ice Cream". Excited about both. Hoping Ong's will also have a Fino or an El Bumpo cherimoya when I go down on Saturday to look at their mangos.  Thanks so much, hoping this little tree will do well for me in my area.

Patty S.
Vista, CA
Sunset 23

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Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Help Identifying My Mango Tree!
« on: August 14, 2012, 09:48:01 AM »
For some reason, our Costco has not been good about stocking LaVerne's trees.  But, I have to go there tomorrow, so I'll check our out.  And, if you think Glenn is better, then I'll pick up a Glenn.  Dave was promoting the Valencia Pride as being so good.  Maybe just better at growing in our area.  I think it's now down to a Glenn and  Pickering for me.

Patty S.

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