Author Topic: Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum  (Read 1422 times)

Annonaceae

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Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum
« on: March 29, 2018, 05:05:59 AM »
Hi All

I have 2 x Theobroma grandiflorum, both probably 5-6 metres high....planted probably 1 metre apart from each other.  The tree flower constantly when in season, but I have never once received a fruit.  Some people tell me 1 tree is enough and have seen them fruit with no other species around, and then some say you need 2 trees.  I must state however these 2 trees were originally marcotts so may actually be marcotts from the same tree originally.

Can someone give some advice....the trees are in partial light / shade...but due to their height should get sufficient light.

Also I have Theobroma bicolor....they are probably 3 to 4 metres high...how long till they flower, any ideas?

Theobroma gileri is very slow growing but flowers constantly also.

Domnik

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Re: Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2018, 06:29:16 AM »
Hi Annonaceae,

I grow these fragile species + some subincanum in the conservatory and after 5 years of contact with them I estimate that I am still a beginner. Usually it may be a matter of the local microclimate, insects or too young age or to small size of individual species (from what you are writing, these last two things look unlikely for your plants).

If you can ask directly, more experienced people:

about grandiflorum: Bryan, Montoso gardens from Puerto Rico
about bicolor: Micah from Hawaii
about gileri: Jim West from Ecuador

Only Micah is often in this forum, the rest must be asked personally by email.

Regards
Dominik
Patience is a gardener's virtue

Finca La Isla

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Re: Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2018, 10:51:06 AM »
Grandiflora is self infertile in my experience.  If the two trees are layers from the same tree then that is probably why you don’t get any fruit.
Peter

Domnik

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Re: Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2018, 02:51:00 PM »
Peter, the lack of cross pollination with a relatively less related tree would be the most optimistic solution. I think your solution is very good, especially that it works for you. Unfortunately, only a part (maybe most but not all) grandiflorum are allogenic:

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0044-59671995000400181

This complicates matters a little. However, on Piotr's advice, just in case, I will plant additional trees of the same species from different regions. It could help.

Annonaceae did you try (as part of the test) to pollinate them manually?

Patience is a gardener's virtue

fruitlovers

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Re: Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2018, 04:31:58 AM »
My T. bicolor flowered and fruited at about 3 meters. You should get fruit soon. Give them wind protection or flowers can get knocked off.
Oscar

Mike T

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Re: Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2018, 04:41:58 AM »
Annona I don't know what you are doing wrong as I saw a 2m tree laden with fruit today.

Annonaceae

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Re: Trying to fruit Theobroma grandiflorum
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2018, 05:33:21 AM »
Mikey baby.....I wish at my place there was trees laden with fruit.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2018, 05:35:04 AM by Annonaceae »