Has anyone fruited Lingaro (Elaeagnus philippinensis) in Florida?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone has fruited, or seen a fruiting Lingaro (Elaeagnus philippinensis) in Florida?

I've never seen this species fruiting or being sold in FL, now I'm starting to wonder why? 

I guess we will find out, I just planted about 4 trees!

Any info would be appreciated !

Thanks in advance!

[fruitlovers]

Adam, i believe Warren in Florida has fruited it. You can ask him, his forum member name if Fruitguy. He hasn't posted for a while.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Thanks Oscar for the lead.

I will send him a message.

[mangomike]

Adam there was a shrub of  E. philippinensis in the fruit garden at Quail botanic garden in San Diego. It had fruit on it much of the year IIRC. Since that location is much cooler than almost anywhere in Florida, I would think you will have no problem getting them to bear. I seem to remember that the fruit of that particular specimen were small and somewhat astringent, probably better suited to jam making than fresh consumption. Hopefully your bushes will be superior.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Adam there was a shrub of  E. philippinensis in the fruit garden at Quail botanic garden in San Diego. It had fruit on it much of the year IIRC. Since that location is much cooler than almost anywhere in Florida, I would think you will have no problem getting them to bear. I seem to remember that the fruit of that particular specimen were small and somewhat astringent, probably better suited to jam making than fresh consumption. Hopefully your bushes will be superior.

Mangomike

Thanks for the info!

Sounds like the same plant I have ...I've been told they're small fruited and astringent somewhat.

That's ok by me!  Looks like some of the plants I planted recently might flower! 

If I get fruit I'll be sure to post about it...the plants are pretty...I like the leaves

[johnnydo]

Adam any updates on the Lingaro?
The one I got from you has been slowly but steadily growing.

[ScottR]

I have one growing in Ca. the fruit needs to be dead ripe before you pick then no astringency! Fruit smaller than currents!

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Adam any updates on the Lingaro?
The one I got from you has been slowly but steadily growing.

had 4 i planted out in the yard...last winter got so wet, two died.

still have two alive, they always look sad...but are alive...about 5ft tall

no sign of fruit or flowers, and they are rooted cuttings from about 2-3yr ago.

[Pan Dulce]

I saw one in front of David Fairchild's house. Its outside of the door of his detached office. There were a few fruit on it when I visited in July 2012.

[fruitlovers]

I ate lingaro many years ago in Phillippines, where it grew wild on the roadside. Don't remember exactly how it tasted except that i didn't think very highly of it. I think probably it has more worth as a landscape ornamental than as an edible fruit.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

one of the trees fruited quite well last year, despite flooding, and the fruit was interesting, very astringent, but i kind of like the, you probably use them for a wine, or cooking..but very easy to grow, and i used it as a rootstock successfully for latifolia

[ScottR]

 I believe they also are nitrogen fixers so good for soil! Fruits much tastier when dead ripe but have to fight birds here for them. 

[Dimitry Fisher]

> Fruits much tastier when dead ripe

Same experience here (not with E. philippinensis though, but mostly with E. x ebbingei): fruit very astringent while on the bush, but really nice tasting (kinda like plum jam) when picked from the ground.  Not bletted, just fully ripe or slightly overripe.   E. pungens is very similar.   Several  Elaeagnus species grow very well in San Diego.  Regarding Florida - AFAIK E. philippinensis needs cooler nights (it's growing higher uphill in the Philippines) so depends where you are.   Goumi (E. multiflora) almost certainly won't do well in Florida - I could barely keep it alive in Sacramento area over the summer (that was before I moved to San Diego). Hope this helps.