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Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 21, 2012, 01:03:00 AM

Title: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 21, 2012, 01:03:00 AM
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Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: fruitlovers on June 21, 2012, 01:39:21 AM
I remember Julian Lara mentioning that cecropia was edible in that video someone posted of Miami TV show...you know... the one with all the scantily clad ladies?  ::) That was the first i'd heard about eating cecropia. Quite interesting because cecropia grows wild all over the place here and is just considered a nuisance tree. I've yet to try the fruits.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: Fruitguy on June 21, 2012, 09:16:27 AM
These would be particulary good for Halloween as one of the common names I have heard is "Dead Man's Hands".  They can be propagated by large cuttings.  I had a 50% success rate with branches 2" thick simply stuck in potting mix.  The ones that I have tried have a licorice-like taste to them. 
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: murahilin on June 21, 2012, 10:13:28 AM
I've seen air layers of large branches done too.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: bsbullie on June 21, 2012, 10:19:27 AM
As murahilin said, I have seen them air layered.  Adam - one thing to know is that the trees get very large/tall with a beautiful umbrella type canopy.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: lkailburn on June 21, 2012, 10:30:58 AM
ALIEN!!!! wow those are some weird looking fruits!

-Luke
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 21, 2012, 10:56:29 AM
These would be particulary good for Halloween as one of the common names I have heard is "Dead Man's Hands".  They can be propagated by large cuttings.  I had a 50% success rate with branches 2" thick simply stuck in potting mix.  The ones that I have tried have a licorice-like taste to them.

interesting!

the one I ate had no trace of anise (licorise)

it was more just plain sweet and milky...and gummy.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 21, 2012, 11:00:39 AM
As murahilin said, I have seen them air layered.  Adam - one thing to know is that the trees get very large/tall with a beautiful umbrella type canopy.

Rob,
thanks for the info...I was told by the owner of this tree, although they typically get large, it was quite easy to keep small and fruit in a pot...much shorter than most papayas.

I don't think these fruits are for most people...bit they are very medicinal, and the tree has 101 uses.

Aztec ants have a very tight relationship with this tree, and it's design is one that has been formed by ants over many years.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: carraig on June 21, 2012, 11:04:24 AM
Do any of you fine souls have some seeds I could trade you for?

-Carraig
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: bsbullie on June 21, 2012, 11:06:28 AM
As murahilin said, I have seen them air layered.  Adam - one thing to know is that the trees get very large/tall with a beautiful umbrella type canopy.

Rob,
thanks for the info...I was told by the owner of this tree, although they typically get large, it was quite easy to keep small and fruit in a pot...much shorter than most papayas.

I don't think these fruits are for most people...bit they are very medicinal, and the tree has 101 uses.

Aztec ants have a very tight relationship with this tree, and it's design is one that has been formed by ants over many years.
I understand about the fruit aspect.  Excalibur has many fo these growing in pots, from 1 gallon to 200 gallon.  While I could see it fruiting as a small tree (since an air layer would come from a mature tree) but based on its growth habit (and what I have seen), I am not sure how these would be kept "small", espeially smaller than a papaya.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: bsbullie on June 21, 2012, 11:08:08 AM
Do any of you fine souls have some seeds I could trade you for?

-Carraig
I can tell you where you can buy a small tree.  Where are you located ?
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 21, 2012, 11:33:16 AM
Take a peek at my photo...I don't know how the chap has kept his plant so short...but he's had it for years...seeing is believe I guess.

I think it maybe a cutting...and this could help keep small..but I didn't ask how it was propagated.

Have u tasted fruits from trees at excalibur?

(hey! that reminds me!  I need a darn Red Genova..Illama...let me know whats up!  they said none available last time..still bagged up...are they ready...???? )

Thanks!

As murahilin said, I have seen them air layered.  Adam - one thing to know is that the trees get very large/tall with a beautiful umbrella type canopy.

Rob,
thanks for the info...I was told by the owner of this tree, although they typically get large, it was quite easy to keep small and fruit in a pot...much shorter than most papayas.

I don't think these fruits are for most people...bit they are very medicinal, and the tree has 101 uses.

Aztec ants have a very tight relationship with this tree, and it's design is one that has been formed by ants over many years.
I understand about the fruit aspect.  Excalibur has many fo these growing in pots, from 1 gallon to 200 gallon.  While I could see it fruiting as a small tree (since an air layer would come from a mature tree) but based on its growth habit (and what I have seen), I am not sure how these would be kept "small", espeially smaller than a papaya.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: carraig on June 22, 2012, 10:41:08 AM
Do any of you fine souls have some seeds I could trade you for?

-Carraig
I can tell you where you can buy a small tree.  Where are you located ?

Hi Rob,

I am in TX just north of Corpus Christi.

-Carraig
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: Guanabanus on June 22, 2012, 08:24:08 PM
This is the fruit of the female Cecropia peltata--- absolutely syrrupy delicious in dry weather, quickly fermented in wet.

The seeds are no good, unless someone has been fool enough to introduce a male tree, in which case we will soon have a new exotic pest plant on our hands.

Vegetative propagation only.

As far as I know, none of the many other Cecropia species produces edible fruit.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FloridaGreenMan on June 22, 2012, 08:28:38 PM
I first tasted ripe C.peltata fruit in Homestead and found it was pretty decent. Tasted like slimy figs but in a good way. I am a fan of this fruit but not many grow it here.   
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: fruitlovers on June 23, 2012, 03:03:25 AM
Was just noticing today all the wild Cecropia trees fruiting on the main highway center divider. I think the main species here is obtusifolia, not peltata. But seems like peltata was also introduced here and may be some of that growing wild as well:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Cecropia_obtusifolia.pdf (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Cecropia_obtusifolia.pdf)
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 24, 2012, 03:56:10 PM
Was just noticing today all the wild Cecropia trees fruiting on the main highway center divider. I think the main species here is obtusifolia, not peltata. But seems like peltata was also introduced here and may be some of that growing wild as well:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Cecropia_obtusifolia.pdf (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Cecropia_obtusifolia.pdf)

Oscar,

sell some marcotts of the female C. peltata...maybe one with unique characteristics if you can find one!

I'd love to buy a few.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FloridaGreenMan on June 24, 2012, 03:57:00 PM
Here is your Cecropia fruit from the tree @ Mounts Botanical

(http://s16.postimage.org/6g83hbk1t/Mounts_Fest2012_009.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6g83hbk1t/)

Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: Guanabanus on June 24, 2012, 11:37:07 PM
Those don't look fully ripe yet.  They get thicker and start to slump down the cores, making big juice-filled flesh folds.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: bsbullie on June 24, 2012, 11:40:02 PM
Those don't look fully ripe yet.  They get thicker and start to slump down the cores, making big juice-filled flesh folds.
Agreed, they get "wrinkly" and a little more yellow in color also.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 24, 2012, 11:44:12 PM
ohhh! they weren't ripe!! that's why my throat swelled shut after I ate these fruits that taste like a mix of unripe persimmons and sapodilla!
 :D

 ripe.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: Squam256 on June 24, 2012, 11:51:07 PM
The ones I have eaten got progressively less sweet as I ate them....I presume this is just how they ripen, from the top down?
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: fruitlovers on June 25, 2012, 02:59:58 AM
Was just noticing today all the wild Cecropia trees fruiting on the main highway center divider. I think the main species here is obtusifolia, not peltata. But seems like peltata was also introduced here and may be some of that growing wild as well:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Cecropia_obtusifolia.pdf (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Cecropia_obtusifolia.pdf)

Oscar,

sell some marcotts of the female C. peltata...maybe one with unique characteristics if you can find one!

I'd love to buy a few.

I'll see if i can spot any peltatas around. So far cecropia made me automatically reach for my machete. A pretty, but pretty invasive here!
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: mangologist on April 12, 2013, 12:05:07 PM
My young Cecropia peltata is getting ready to bloom.  Is there anything I can do to enhance the chances of it fruiting?  It's in a 10 gallon pot.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on April 12, 2013, 07:30:06 PM
I'm still looking for one!
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: KarenRei on June 02, 2018, 07:18:53 AM
Holy cecropia, Batman! (sorry to wake this thread)...

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-84042000000200003 (http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-84042000000200003)

Quote
The estimates of individual growth rates obtained here are in the range obtained by Schupp (1987) for Cecropia obtusifolia (between 0.05 and 2.00 m.yr-1), but are low compared with the growth rates obtained for C. peltata (1.0 to 10.6 m.yr-1) and C. obtusifolia (0.7 to 12.4 m.yr-1) in Costa Rica (Davis 1970), for C. insignis (4.9 m.yr-1) in Barro Colorado (Brokaw 1987) and for C. obtusa (0.14 to 6.52 m.yr-1) in Carajás, PA, Northern Brazil (F.A.M. Santos & J.D. Hay, unpublished data).

Up to 10,6m/year for C. peltata and up to 12,4m/year for C. obtusifolia?  That can't be right, can it?  12,4 meters in one year?  Over 40 feet?  What sort of radioactive waste are they dumping down there in Costa Rica? 

I imagine they get to bearing age pretty quickly with that kind of bonkers growth rate...

ED: Found another reference which says that normal growth is 10-15sm in the first 10 weeks and 2m in the first year.  Given that the tree can top out as high as 30m, maybe the second or third year growth is faster. But nonetheless, those reported growth rates are just insane...
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: pineislander on June 03, 2018, 02:02:16 PM
They are rather flimsy hollow branches, almost herbaceous. Used for making flutes. The high rate could be after coppice.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: KarenRei on June 03, 2018, 02:56:28 PM
They are rather flimsy hollow branches, almost herbaceous. Used for making flutes. The high rate could be after coppice.

So they tolerate coppice?  What's a normal growth rate in your experience in a good environment?
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: TerraFrutisEcuador on June 03, 2018, 05:50:39 PM
In Ecuador we have various cecropia, 10m a year seems possible, typical would be 5 meters from seedling etc. there are some other weed trees that can show similar growth also. 6-10 meters a year is not unusual fr9m weed trees.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: KarenRei on June 03, 2018, 05:55:56 PM
In Ecuador we have various cecropia, 10m a year seems possible, typical would be 5 meters from seedling etc. there are some other weed trees that can show similar growth also. 6-10 meters a year is not unusual fr9m weed trees.

That's amazing; the only other (non-bamboo) plant I'm aware of that can grow like that is moringa, and that's even impressive for moringa.

Any other "weed trees" that have fruit / appearance that might make them worthy of growing?
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: Guanabanus on June 03, 2018, 09:37:27 PM
I can't cite any specific growth rates for Inga species, but they are pretty fast, and are sometimes used as "nurse" trees, to provide shade for tender seedlings.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: KarenRei on June 03, 2018, 10:19:53 PM
I can't cite any specific growth rates for Inga species, but they are pretty fast, and are sometimes used as "nurse" trees, to provide shade for tender seedlings.

The (limited, anecdotal) evidence I've come across for Ingas shows about 2m/year for most species, and about 1m/year for slower-growing species like I. vulpina.  But that could be wrong, so if anyone has better data, please let me know.   :)
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: TerraFrutisEcuador on June 06, 2018, 12:15:13 AM
The weed trees produce Nothing special really. I notice one of them decays very rapidly, leaves turn black when dried and that’s all, they produced good amounts of mulch.

Anyhow here is a photo of a young cecropia seedling maybe 6 months old. There is another I see often about 2-3 years old a coppiced cecropia that I have seen grow at least 4 meters a year with 3 branches.



In Ecuador we have various cecropia, 10m a year seems possible, typical would be 5 meters from seedling etc. there are some other weed trees that can show similar growth also. 6-10 meters a year is not unusual fr9m weed trees.

That's amazing; the only other (non-bamboo) plant I'm aware of that can grow like that is moringa, and that's even impressive for moringa.

Any other "weed trees" that have fruit / appearance that might make them worthy of growing?
(https://s15.postimg.cc/wm8c1y23r/6_FFC8_E30-4710-49_F0-_AB8_A-5_AA124_BAD9_D8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wm8c1y23r/)
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: KarenRei on June 06, 2018, 07:17:05 AM
The weed trees produce Nothing special really. I notice one of them decays very rapidly, leaves turn black when dried and that’s all, they produced good amounts of mulch.

Are you saying that you don't like the taste or the texture of the fruit, or that they don't yield much fruit for you?  While I've never seen anyone rank it as a top notch fruit, most of the reviews of it on this site aren't that bad - usually along the lines of watery raisins, licorice, "slimy figs but in a good way", etc.  Kumu Aina Farms has a recipe for a sort of "mock fig jam" from them:

(http://www.kumuainafarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/cecropiajamcover_lr-864x400.jpg)
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: pineislander on June 06, 2018, 08:32:45 AM
This is the fruit of the female Cecropia peltata--- absolutely syrrupy delicious in dry weather, quickly fermented in wet.
Har is spot on here in SW Florida last years season started early enough in dry springtime that fruit was great. This year rainy season came one month earlier than usual and all fruit fermented too quickly to develop and is sliding off to ground. It was probably far worse in SEFL as they got much more rain. So, in your greenhouse culture you might grow this is in a "dry" zone or perhaps control humidity while fruiting.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: KarenRei on June 06, 2018, 09:08:10 AM
This is the fruit of the female Cecropia peltata--- absolutely syrrupy delicious in dry weather, quickly fermented in wet.
Har is spot on here in SW Florida last years season started early enough in dry springtime that fruit was great. This year rainy season came one month earlier than usual and all fruit fermented too quickly to develop and is sliding off to ground. It was probably far worse in SEFL as they got much more rain. So, in your greenhouse culture you might grow this is in a "dry" zone or perhaps control humidity while fruiting.

Interesting - so they grow in either wet or dry climates, but the fruit ferments quickly in wet climates?  Important detail, that!  Is it a "water on the fruit" issue, or a "humidity in the air" issue, do you know?
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: pineislander on June 06, 2018, 12:58:21 PM
I don't know which, but once the rains begin they just slide off and splat on the ground.
Title: Re: Cecropia peltata
Post by: Guanabanus on June 06, 2018, 07:11:27 PM
They also ferment from high humidity, or, at least, from dew.  And during prolonged cloudy weather they don't get fully sweetened.