Myrcianthes pungens (guabiju), first fruits

[fruitlovers]

Sure Oscar! The story is that they say that Carlos Gardel composed his first songs below that Guaviyú (and probably under other trees and into a house). And they call him the " Creole Thrush " ("el zorzal criollo") and the thrushes loves the fruits of the Guaviyú, is a love story shared by that landscape, and perhaps for the fruits of that tree. The thrushes are prized for their beautiful singing, like Gardel's tango. So, to me, everything is connected.

I have no evidence that Gardel eat these fruits, but it is likely. It is as if the tree had been the scene inspiring, and thrushes had taught him to sing.

So for me the Guaviyú is a magical, musical tree because these birds are the better singers throughout the region, like Gardel was.

Sounds like that would make good lyrics for a tango song! 

[huertasurbanas]

Steven, the pair of grandparents who informed me about this tree spoke of a chainsaw, but they really do not know.

what is known is that the tree is on land that belongs to the government of the city of Buenos Aires, and that these things are not handled as before.

Previously, the trees were pruned botanical garden  students , now they give the job to anyone with a chainsaw

[FlyingFoxFruits]

looks like one of my oldest trees has decided to flower....about 5ft tall...4yr old.

I'm extremely enthusiastic about this fruit tree....it can handle lots of cold...and it's a really beautiful tree...(a large tree too). 

Fruit is supposed to be excellent, and unique tasting.

[Luisport]

That's great Adam! Congratulations! Do you have any pics? 

[FlyingFoxFruits]

That's great Adam! Congratulations! Do you have any pics? 

thanks Luis!

I was just waiting for the blooms to open, its just barely starting to put out flower buds right now...I will definitely take pics when they're open.

[Luisport]

That's great Adam! Congratulations! Do you have any pics? 

thanks Luis!

I was just waiting for the blooms to open, its just barely starting to put out flower buds right now...I will definitely take pics when they're open.

That's great! Thank's! 

[FlyingFoxFruits]

pics of one of the trees that is starting to bloom.

[Luisport]

Congratulations, it's a beautifull tree! Just hope my plants get big fast! 

[luc]

I got 2 M. pungens in the ground , thorny type  , same hight as yours Ethan so I'll be checking for flowers ...seeds from Marco. Congratulations .

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Luc,

I had a dream last night that someone's gaubiju was starting to bloom on the forum, just like mine....

I'm here to congratulate you ahead of time, your tree is flowering...I have used my powers of remote viewing to see it already! 

[fruitlovers]

Luc,

I had a dream last night that someone's gaubiju was starting to bloom on the forum, just like mine....

I'm here to congratulate you ahead of time, your tree is flowering...I have used my powers of remote viewing to see it already! 

Do you do tarot card readings as well? I better check my tree also (non thorny type from Sherry in PR). It's certainly big enough to fruit! Like about 7 feet tall. Is yours in full sun Adam? I think mine might be getting too much shade?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

I can just imagine Luc having a tree that is ready to fruit now!

Yes, mine is in full sun...and has always been...(ethans looks like it's in a full sun situation as well)

i've seen them get super tall and lanky in the shade...I'm sure it prolongs their fruition....the tree is probably racing to get to the top of canopy, where it can present its fruits and flowers to the birds and the bees, thus ensuring optimal seed dispersal.

Luc,

I had a dream last night that someone's gaubiju was starting to bloom on the forum, just like mine....

I'm here to congratulate you ahead of time, your tree is flowering...I have used my powers of remote viewing to see it already! 

Do you do tarot card readings as well? I better check my tree also (non thorny type from Sherry in PR). It's certainly big enough to fruit! Like about 7 feet tall. Is yours in full sun Adam? I think mine might be getting too much shade?

[fruitlovers]

I can just imagine Luc having a tree that is ready to fruit now!

Yes, mine is in full sun...and has always been...(ethans looks like it's in a full sun situation as well)

i've seen them get super tall and lanky in the shade...I'm sure it prolongs their fruition....the tree is probably racing to get to the top of canopy, where it can present its fruits and flowers to the birds and the bees, thus ensuring optimal seed dispersal.

Well you got it right that someone's tree is fruiting. I think your dream was about mine tree rather than Luc's. I just checked it more thoroughly and there are plenty of flowers and even fruits. I just didn't notice them before because they're up high. This is the first time it's fruited. Yes it got lanky reaching for the light; it's actually about 9+ feet tall.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Lol...nice!

Congrats Oscar!  (If Lucs tree isn't flowering, then it must have been yours I saw in my minds eye    )

Yours looks much different than mine...leaves look less hairy and flowers look a bit different...does yours have thorns on the tips?

I might be asking to buy some seeds or scions soon!  I hope u get lots of seeds and delicious fruits.

[fruitlovers]

Lol...nice!

Congrats Oscar!  (If Lucs tree isn't flowering, then it must have been yours I saw in my minds eye    )

Yours looks much different than mine...leaves look less hairy and flowers look a bit different...does yours have thorns on the tips?

I might be asking to buy some seeds or scions soon!  I hope u get lots of seeds and delicious fruits.

Thanks. No thorns on tips. Has been really growing fast. Look forward to tasting this fruit for first time. Anestor in Brazil told me it is one of his favorite fruits.

[ScottR]

My guabiju has the thorns on leave tips but it has become a good fruiter





my plant came from Ben Poirier in Fallbrook Ca. don't rmember how old guess 7-10yrs.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Robert,

wow! very nice!!  Have u tasted the fruits? if so what's your opinion??  thanks for sharing!

Oscar,

thanks for the info!  I'm eager to get scions from yours if possible...and a few seeds!

I'm happy you got a different variety!  seems like yours is mo' rare!

[ScottR]

Adam, have had fruit last 3-yrs and getting more every year, very taste little fruit reminds me of paulista jabo in a way ( the only jabo I've been able to taste here) tough skin spitter but flesh around seed interesting flora sweet galatiness  I need a hedge of this because it's also cold hardy! Took 24f for 2-3 hour duration with only young tip growth burnt. Fruits are 1/2-3/4inch diameter with 1/2-1/3 seed space.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Adam, have had fruit last 3-yrs and getting more every year, very taste little fruit reminds me of paulista jabo in a way ( the only jabo I've been able to taste here) tough skin spitter but flesh around seed interesting flora sweet galatiness  I need a hedge of this because it's also cold hardy! Took 24f for 2-3 hour duration with only young tip growth burnt. Fruits are 1/2-3/4inch diameter with 1/2-1/3 seed space.

thanks for the info my friend!  sounds like a winner!

it can handle about 18-19F I've heard!

[gunnar429]

Adam, have had fruit last 3-yrs and getting more every year, very taste little fruit reminds me of paulista jabo in a way ( the only jabo I've been able to taste here) tough skin spitter but flesh around seed interesting flora sweet galatiness  I need a hedge of this because it's also cold hardy! Took 24f for 2-3 hour duration with only young tip growth burnt. Fruits are 1/2-3/4inch diameter with 1/2-1/3 seed space.

thanks for the info my friend!  sounds like a winner!

it can handle about 18-19F I've heard!

[/b]

Guabiju, you're a better man than I 

[FlyingFoxFruits]

got to taste Guabiju for the first time today!

the fruits were a bit larger than I anticipated...(my friend OrganicJim grew them)

the flavor was pleasant, but very hard to describe...it didn't taste as I'd expect.

I did not detect any resin flavor (that I would associate with Myrciaria or Eugenia)...but maybe this is because I did not taste of the skin?  I simply cut the fruit in half for the picture, and the pulp slid out of the skin without effort.

the flavor was mild, sweet (not extremely sweet), reminiscent of a persimmon (strangely enough).  I can't think of any other fruit to compare the flavor to.

the fruits each had one seed, that was easily removed from the pulp.

this fruit is very easy to enjoy!

[huertasurbanas]

One time, I identified I guabiju fruit in the Miami area.  The fruit is pretty good.  However, it is a small fruit and the tree can become quite big if not prunned.
 I would  use my real estate for a better cost/benefit fruit tree.  Guabiju is found in the south and southeast part of Brasil where the climate can get very cold during the Winter.
Just an unrequested/unsolicited opinion!

Thanks for reporting! Is there more guabijús fruiting at Miami?

Cheers