The Tropical Fruit Forum

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24281192

This is a very interesting idea. So soursop seeds that have been frozen do not and will not germinate, got it. Now, is it impossible? They will absolutly not germinate 100% of the time?

What if there is a chance that a seed will germinate? If one does germinate, would the reason be because it has a mutated genetic makeup that allowed it to survive?
And, that when the seedling tree matures, it will produce a fruit tree (and fruit) that is cold resistant/proof?

How about this, get as many of these Asian Market frozen seeds as you can find, and then plant them all together (yes all of them together, if most or all are dead, it won't matter) in a large potting container, using only the best quality 'Miracle Grow' potting soil you can find/buy. Then, put the container in the sun, water everyday and wait to see if anything happens/sprouts.

Assuming you could get ALL the mutations needed for a tropical species to suddenly become temperate (cold-proof) is numerically improbable (same as putting a load of laundry into the dryer and having it come out completely folded and stacked). It's not impossible, but it could have already occurred and the seedling died due to being cut down, drought, etc, or won't occur for another thousand years, or it could be in the middle of the jungle right this moment. Mutations occur slowly, and go adding up over time.

Going for making a tropical species cold-resistant is much, MUCH more plausible but this still wouldn't imply the seedling you get from the seed being cold-tolerant as the seed coat/shape/etc is determined by the parent genes. The seedling COULD have inherited the parental resistance(assuming it had it), or it might not have. Not only that, but you'd have to take into account other variables that could have affected the seed's survival (was the seed that germinated more insulated than the others, did it receive more nutrients than the outer[or inner] seeds, did it go through a period of drought/flood during it's formation which affected it,etc).

As anyone here could tell you, even getting "cold-resistant" varieties of tropicals to fruiting age requires some care, as they are quite fragile when young. Miracle-grow wouldn't be your best bet either.


Now, if we go down another route, say a genetic engineering route, we could be looking at "temperate" tropicals and sub-tropicals within  decades. Mangosteen and Pulasan outdoors in nothern Ohio? Not a problem >.< There would have to be an actual demand for them though, so don't expect it.


Source: Don't have the ol' textbook with me at the moment, but here's a useful link which explains everything, although it is slightly technical. The seed development and germination sections are fairly easy to read. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~bot.512/lectures/seed&fruit.htm

One of my neighbors has his trees spaced at about 2-3meters apart, doesn't seem to be a problem as he keeps them at about 4 1/2 meters tall and all produce fine for their size. Although they aren't lychees, so I guess it doesn't really apply to this question. Since the lychee really does prefer sun for fruits, I'd say take that somewhere else so you can get the most out of it, and put something else in the hole that likes shade and doesn't grow as big. How tall are you going to try to maintain the trees?

Woke up this morning, went to check on the plants and this papaya had developed these things. They're non-mobile, fluffy, hollow, and in some sort of colony (lots of them make up the puffball). Anyone know what this is? Eggs?

Ty all for the comments and suggestions!!!

The pulasan is a good idea. Maybe even planting 2 trees in one hole? Best of both. Only bad part is mine are all seedlings, so I'd def have to get a grafted one

I've went to Eneida once least year, but got unlucky (most of their fruit trees had sold that day). It's about a 1/2 drive. Maybe it is time I went back there again... Had forgotten about them >.<

Hello everyone! New to the forum. From Northwestern Puerto Rico, got a small amount of fruit trees going, currently passing through the gimmey-gimmey's of exotic fruit collecting. 6 things in the ground, 20 more in pots >.< I'll post some pictures later on this week. Hoping to become a regular member!

First post on these forums! Just joined yesterday. Been lurking for a few days now.

I live in northwestern Puerto Rico (Aguadilla) and had planted a lychee tree about 6 months ago. However after reading on this forum, as well as researching more about it (and after planting it :/), I found out it needs some temperatures a least into the 60s for it to set fruit.

My zone is 12b/13a (right on the border between the two). Nighttime "winter" temps do get into the 60s (sometimes even low 60s) but the daytime temps are always in the 70s-low 80s range. 

Do you guys think the lychee still has a chance to fruit or will it be next to impossible?