Topwork Unproductive Pitangatuba (Starcherry) Eugenia selloi

[FlyingFoxFruits]

this thread may be of interest to some...
over the years I've collected many pitangatubas, from about 7-8 different sources...

I noticed that some of the oldest trees, (which must have been over 10yr old when I got them) have issues with setting fruit.

after years of waiting for them to set fruits, I finally lost my patience...

last year I planted them out in my yard...and this year topworked them with some of the best varieties I have found...putting two varieties on each tree.

here are some pics of the two trees I topworked....I will post some updates as they progress...once they are setting fruits I'll be really happy...

[gunnar429]

this thread may be of interest to some...
over the years I've collected many pitangatubas, from about 7-8 different sources...

I noticed that some of the oldest trees, (which must have been over 10yr old when I got them) have issues with setting fruit.

after years of waiting for them to set fruits, I finally lost my patience...

last year I planted them out in my yard...and this year topworked them with some of the best varieties I have found...putting two varieties on each tree.

here are some pics of the two trees I topworked....I will post some updates as they progress...once they are setting fruits I'll be really happy...

Will you be evaluating the fruit and referring to the different varieties by name and/or number for future reference, and to spread the best types around?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Yes I plan to name a few varieties ... But it's going to be a while before they are released...

So far I got about 3-4 trees I'd like to propagate.

[gunnar429]

Yes I plan to name a few varieties ... But it's going to be a while before they are released...

So far I got about 3-4 trees I'd like to propagate.

Future job security!

[FlyingFoxFruits]

There is one tree in particular that is my favorite...

Sweeter fruits than usual
Can pick early and they still taste good (which is unusual)
And best of all, they are firmer than usual...being better for shipping as fresh fruit...

A typical pitangatuba is extremely soft / fragile, and has a tart (unpleasant) flavor when picked too early.

[FRUITBOXHERO]

I want one!

[kalan]

Adam, I have had my pitangatubas (seeds sourced from Berto) flower this year and last and have literally, never seen a pollinator on one of the flowers. I have about 6 plants bunched together, from the same batch of seeds. What are the typical pollinators on your trees? Does anyone hand pollinate with success?
Keith

[FlyingFoxFruits]

I believe bees and other Hymenoptera can play a role here in FL, but the only other insect I can recall seeing on the flowers in significant numbers, would be a syrphid fly.  They must get pollinated by wind most of the time.

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13208.msg167543#msg167543

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=587.msg7201#msg7201

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=2812.msg59102#msg59102

[ScottR]

Nice top work job Adam, await further pic's with growth a flowers

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Nice top work job Adam, await further pic's with growth a flowers

  u just reminded me, I better go handwater these trees, the scions could dry out!

thanks for keeping me on task!

[FlyingFoxFruits]

I believe the two unproductive seedlings have been successfully topworked

I will post pics when they start to set fruits.

They are quite easy to graft.

[Don]

Nice one, what  type of graft did you use? Still have faint variegation on that pitangatuba of mine, only comes out on one branch but still goin.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Nice one, what  type of graft did you use? Still have faint variegation on that pitangatuba of mine, only comes out on one branch but still goin.

cleft or off set cleft

[Don]

No worries, hopefully get some fruit off one of my trees and I will plant some rootstocks.

[ScottR]

Nice job Adam, those trees look great pushing growth like crazy

[Galka]

Nice, Adam. Is this tree planted directly in the ground or is it in pot? I got two seedlings from you last year and the smaller one flowered. 

[Solko]

That looks great, Adam. I'm really impressed with your grafting skills. Almost all brazilian studies I found mention that Myrtaceae are particularly hard to graft, but you post all kinds of  successfully topworked trees here. Really very inspirational! A Franken-Pitangatuba is a beautiful tree!

[FlyingFoxFruits]

thanks everyone!

here are some pics of the healed graft unions, to give you an idea of the technique I employed.

(Galka, it's in the ground! but could be done in a pot too)