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Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: vitiga on April 21, 2017, 07:13:05 AM

Title: Theobroma grandiflorum first time fruiting
Post by: vitiga on April 21, 2017, 07:13:05 AM

What a surprise to discover yesterday in our fruit forest that strange but lovely fruit . I was checking out for some chupa chupa when my eyes focused on that strange fruit in another tree behind. I completely forgot about those theobroma as they never fruited yet( planted about 20 years ago ! ) . So 20 years later, first time fruiting.... don't know if it is ripe or not. I have read that to be sure one have to wait the fruit to fall down. I also noticed two other smaller fruits on the same tree. Will plant the seeds for sure but was wondering if that specie can be grafted onto "classic" cacao ? Any tips and info welcome.
(https://s28.postimg.cc/scd424o95/Capture_d_cran_2017-04-21_22.11.33.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/scd424o95/)
(https://s1.postimg.cc/b0mlkww3f/Capture_d_cran_2017-04-21_22.11.23.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/b0mlkww3f/)

Title: Re: Theobroma grandiflorum first time fruiting
Post by: Finca La Isla on April 21, 2017, 09:23:43 AM

They do fall when ready, maybe even before ripe.  I find it tricky to open at the perfect time.
I haven't tried to graft them.  Keep in mind that they need a companion tree from another seedling as most are self infertile.
Peter

Title: Re: Theobroma grandiflorum first time fruiting
Post by: Domnik on April 21, 2017, 10:36:10 AM

Quote from: vitiga on April 21, 2017, 07:13:05 AM

Will plant the seeds for sure but was wondering if that specie can be grafted onto "classic" cacao ? Any tips and info welcome.

Hi Vitiga
Congratulations! I still look forward to blooming my trees. 
It is imposiblle to directly graft theobroma grandiflorum on theobroma cacao and theobroma cacao on theobroma grandiflorum. Grafted scion develops some leaves and then dies.

It is cleary described on 384 page of "Hybridization and Grafting in Species of Theobroma Which Occur in Amazonia"
Author(s): George Addison and Rosendo Tavares
Source: Evolution, Vol. 6, No. 4 (Dec., 1952), pp. 380-386
Published by: Society for the Study of Evolution
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2405700 (http://www.jstor.org/stable/2405700)

You can find downloadable part of this book here:

http://www.fruitlovers.com/Fruit/TheobromaHybrids.pdf (http://www.fruitlovers.com/Fruit/TheobromaHybrids.pdf)

Regards
Dominik

Title: Re: Theobroma grandiflorum first time fruiting
Post by: vitiga on April 22, 2017, 04:12:20 AM

Thank you for the comments and info Dominik. Always great to share experiences and info through that forum.