choosing a pumello in FL

[Zafra]

I have a friend who's considering a pumello tree purchase in Florida. His choices are Hirado Buntan, Red Shaddock and Siamese Sweet. He says the seller says that Red Shaddock has the most intense flavor but is a huge tree, while Siamese Sweet is a bit more insipid but a more manageable tree. He's also considering the Oroblanco hybrid. I haven't tried the pumellos so I can't help him decide - can anyone here chime in with an opinion? Thanks in advance.

[noochka1]

I wish your friend lot of luck.  I've tried nearly 10 citrus trees here and all have developed greening within a year

[Zarafet]

Tahitian Pommelo is the best, i have a chandler myself

[Zafra]

I warned him about greening, he still wants to try. Unfortunately Tahitian is not one of the choices.

[Millet]

Florida is looking to have one of the worst citrus crops in a long time due to the worsening effects of citrus greening. Crop disease continues to threaten what used to be a signature industry in the sunshine state. The state’s orange crop is poised to shrink to what could be the smallest harvest in five decades.  If I lived in Florida, and planted a new citrus tree, I would put a protective screen around the tree to keep out the psylllid that transmits the greening disease.

[Zafra]

I'll encourage him to do that. Any ideas about the variety?

[Millet]

I've only grown one variety of pummelo and that was Chandler pink pummelo. Chandler was a great tasting pummelo.  I don't know much about other pummelo varieties.

[Laaz]

Hirado Buntan is another good one & is available in FL.

[Zafra]

yes Hirado Buntan is on the list. One vote for it then. Thanks!

[Galka]

The HB is really good and we have them for sale at HD and Lowe's.

[Tropheus76]

I have the red. Not a fan of pummalos. It is one of my better looking citrus trees and doesn't attract leaf miners or other pests like the magnets my other citrus are for them.

[Zafra]

Tropheus76 you have the Red Shaddock? Can you describe the fruit? There's very little info available on that one. I've heard the tree can be quite large - do you have it for a family member? Can't imagine having such a big tree of something I didn't like to eat!

[Tropheus76]

Believe thats it. Um not impressive. Super thick rind, like in the couple inches thick. Taste was meh, not bad but not worth the time it took to get to it. Not juicy at all. But the tree holds up well without interference from me so thats a plus.

[Zafra]

Well thanks, I'll definitely suggest he take that one off the list!