Fresh Durian in South Florida (with Video)

[Mike T]

Sorry Berto I jumped the gun there but I do think it is possible to grow them in the warm parts of Floridas climate with selection of the most suitable existing types.Mangosteen would be tougher but they have surprising diversity indicating the original hybridising even was repeated several times.The mangosteen lines in NE Thailand (eg chantharak) would be worth a shot.

[Mike T]

This is my red prawn 2 years after snapping off in a cyclone.It is one of the most cold tolerant.

[Mr. Clean]

This may be a silly question... but would the seeds from a frozen durian still be viable?

[bsbullie]

This may be a silly question... but would the seeds from a frozen durian still be viable?

If you are talking about the durian purchased at local Asian markets...besides being frozen I would put my money on them having been irradiated.  The other problem, the chances of successfully growing, let alone fruiting, durian in your area is slim (and that is being very gracious).

[fruitlovers]

Sorry Berto I jumped the gun there but I do think it is possible to grow them in the warm parts of Floridas climate with selection of the most suitable existing types.Mangosteen would be tougher but they have surprising diversity indicating the original hybridising even was repeated several times.The mangosteen lines in NE Thailand (eg chantharak) would be worth a shot.

Mangosteen has been fruited outdoors in Florida, most famously by Whitman. Durian has never been fruited in Florida. Even Whitman couldn't do it. More than warmth is involved, especially soils.

[fruitlovers]

This may be a silly question... but would the seeds from a frozen durian still be viable?

If the durian fruit is frozen all the way through the seeds would definitely not be viable. Most tropical seeds don't survive freezing process. That is why they cannot be stored in traditional germplasm banks.

[fruitlovers]

If you are talking about the durian purchased at local Asian markets...besides being frozen I would put my money on them having been irradiated.  The other problem, the chances of successfully growing, let alone fruiting, durian in your area is slim (and that is being very gracious).

I don't think durians are irradiated because they are not considered a host to fruit flies.

[Tim]

For those of you within San Diego county, Fresh durians are available at the Fruit shop in Kearny Mesa off Convoy for $4.99/lb.  The shop also sells at Mira Mesa's farmers market every Tuesday.

[bsbullie]

For those of you within San Diego county, Fresh durians are available at the Fruit shop in Kearny Mesa off Convoy for $4.99/lb.  The shop also sells at Mira Mesa's farmers market every Tuesday.

Where are they gettting them from ?

[Tim]

Sorry I didn't ask, I only stopped by to pick up a jackfruit and happen to see them on sale.  I didn't even ask where the Jaks came from   

As for other fruits currently available:  (they will have fruits from FL & HI later in the season, mangoes from Thailand as well)
mangosteen from Thailand
rambutans from Mexico
some really fat manila mangoes from South America (forgot which country)