Author Topic: Oysternut - UPDATED June 2015 - seeds available for trade in a couple of weeks (Read 15007 times)

Soren · « **on:** September 28, 2012, 03:13:24 AM »

I got a few old oysternuts vines growing (Telfairia occidentalis or Telfairia pedata), but have recently sown some more seeds which was left after mailing to members here and on the yahoo group. As seen on the photo, the seedlings have just emerged but are rapid growing. The farmers usually sow directly in the drip line of a tall tree and train it to reach the branches of the tree. The seedpod is huge and the seeds large, long, flat and taste like sunflower seeds when fresh or almonds when roasted. The perennial vine reaching a height of up to 30 m.

Two oysternut seedlings

I will have oysternut seeds towards end of June 2015 - let me know if interested in a trade.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2012, 04:46:12 AM »

Soren, how long do the oyster nut plants take to fruit? Here is a photo of your seeds upon arrival. Strange looking seeds. Look like big soup crackers.

Soren · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2012, 04:54:05 AM »

Oscar - good question. It should be less than a year for what I know, but my older vines have passed that ages without flowering yet. The seeds I mailed you were bought at the local markets out of town, and I only put the name Telfairia pedata not to totally confuse customs as I am not sure which of the two species it is.
Here the farmers sow the seeds directly, and a small seed should give a male plant while a bigger a female plant - but the African snails do love the vines so you should protect them for the first month or so... I have lost one so far in the bag.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2012, 05:10:26 AM »

Quote from: Soren on September 28, 2012, 04:54:05 AM

Oscar - good question. It should be less than a year for what I know, but my older vines have passed that ages without flowering yet. The seeds I mailed you were bought at the local markets out of town, and I only put the name Telfairia pedata not to totally confuse customs as I am not sure which of the two species it is.
Here the farmers sow the seeds directly, and a small seed should give a male plant while a bigger a female plant - but the African snails do love the vines so you should protect them for the first month or so... I have lost one so far in the bag.

Soren, what is the other species it could possibly be? BTW, customs here only wants to know genus name mostly. So if unsure of species name you can say Telfaria sp. No African snails here as yet, though many on other side of this island. Main problem here are slugs. Ok thanks for advice and for seeds!

Soren · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2012, 05:17:58 AM »

Either Telfairia occidentalis or Telfairia pedata - there is a third species but it is rare and not cultivated.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2012, 05:21:21 AM »

Is there a difference in how the pods of occidentalis and pedata look?

Soren · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2012, 06:15:14 AM »

Yes - there are several characteristics to key them on. Have an old book on "Gardening in East Africa" from the colonial days, which might be of some assistance.

Soren · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:03:13 AM »

Hi Oscar - found some interesting info in "Vegetables in the Tropics" (H.D. Tindall)

fruitlovers · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:19:36 AM »

Thanks for the scan.

Soren · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:57:00 AM »

will pass that on to the girl on the reception who actually did the work

luc · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2012, 01:49:31 PM »

Quote from: Soren on October 05, 2012, 06:03:13 AM

Hi Oscar - found some interesting info in "Vegetables in the Tropics" (H.D. Tindall)

Makes me wanna try them again Soren , don't know why my plants died , maybe overwatered them. Do the seeds have a long life , long enough to ship to Mexico ?
Do you wanna trade for a good not smelly Mabolo . BTW all the Mexicans who tried this loved them . Still have fruit on the trees .

Soren · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2012, 02:10:18 AM »

Hi Luc,
Can't remember when I mailed you seeds the first time - back in 2007-2008? Even if the mail is now longer in transit it should be possible by packing them for germination which should take 3 weeks or so... However; they are currently out of season for what I know; will follow up and get back to you.

blooberri · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2013, 01:58:31 PM »

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can buy oyster nut seeds in the US? I have looked for it online everywhere, but have not been succesful. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2013, 12:09:06 AM »

Quote from: blooberri on July 01, 2013, 01:58:31 PM

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can buy oyster nut seeds in the US? I have looked for it online everywhere, but have not been succesful. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

It's kind of like trying to buy a giraffe in the US.

Maybe giraffes are easier to find?

You will have to get seeds from someone like Soren in Africa. Maybe some day i can offer these seeds. BTW the seeds you sent me did come up Soren, just need to find a good tree i don't mind sacrificing to plant them next to.

Soren · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2013, 01:32:06 AM »

Quote from: fruitlovers on July 02, 2013, 12:09:06 AM

Quote from: blooberri on July 01, 2013, 01:58:31 PM
Hi,
Does anyone know where I can buy oyster nut seeds in the US? I have looked for it online everywhere, but have not been succesful. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

It's kind of like trying to buy a giraffe in the US. Maybe giraffes are easier to find? You will have to get seeds from someone like Soren in Africa. Maybe some day i can offer these seeds. BTW the seeds you sent me did come up Soren, just need to find a good tree i don't mind sacrificing to plant them next to.

You need tall trees; but the vines will not cover much of the crown (unlike passionfruit).

Soren · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2013, 09:22:34 AM »

Flowers and vine of Oysternut

nullzero · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2013, 11:13:37 AM »

Very pretty looking.

Tomas · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2013, 03:44:13 PM »

Hello Soren,

Very cool! How tall is it? It's a little hard to see.

Tomas

Guanabanus · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2013, 04:55:14 PM »

Nice! I take it they don't like a lot of shade, so aren't planted next to the trunks of trees?

Soren · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2013, 01:32:22 AM »

Quote from: Guanabanus on August 26, 2013, 04:55:14 PM

Nice! I take it they don't like a lot of shade, so aren't planted next to the trunks of trees?

They can take full sun, but is usually planted in the dripzone of tall trees as they grow very tall.

KarenRei · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2013, 04:37:02 AM »

Low-light-tolerant vine which produces a tasty nut? I've got to get me some of these....

Roy-Ind · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2013, 05:54:04 AM »

Soren
Some small & some big seeds of Telfairia occidentalis - fluted pumpkin, oyster nut or
Telfairia pedata (syn. T. africana, Fevillea pedata, Joliffia africana) - oyster nut, queen's nut, Zanzibar oil vine to me please.

Thank you

Roy

Fruittylife · « **Reply #22 on:** September 27, 2013, 03:30:53 AM »

Hi I would really love some seeds... thanks,

Soren · « **Reply #23 on:** September 27, 2013, 04:07:48 AM »

Are looking for seeds, they should be in season by now.

micah · « **Reply #24 on:** September 27, 2013, 12:42:25 PM »

Hi Soren,
I was wondering how do you harvest the oyster nut...does It fall when ripe? Or does the tree need to be climbed?
I had some vines growing trained onto a java plum tree....it was massive...only problem...the new house built nearby was to close to the java tree line so they had to go...as we were cleaning out the area I noticed flowers on the vine...I was so close...I think it was 3 years old...
Seeds available? Maybe I try again?

Luisport · « **Reply #25 on:** September 27, 2013, 12:53:40 PM »

I love to try too...

Sanddollarmoon · « **Reply #26 on:** September 30, 2013, 12:01:11 AM »

Quote from: Soren on August 26, 2013, 09:22:34 AM

Flowers and vine of Oysternut

Soren, did these producing any female flowers yet? Fluted pumpkin is probably one of the more fascinating of the curcurbits, right along side horned melon, from what I understand it can be nearly jackfruit sized. What is the color when ripe, most pics are green, but some are a pasty blue. Be sure to post pics when a fruit is set!

Fruittylife · « **Reply #27 on:** October 07, 2013, 12:22:18 PM »

Hi Soren

Would it be possible that you get me some oyster nut seeds??

Thanks

Sven · « **Reply #28 on:** October 07, 2013, 04:06:43 PM »

I'd be interested in seed as well if you find any. Happy to pay for shipping and for the seed.

Thanks,
Sven

Soren · « **Reply #29 on:** October 10, 2013, 02:57:34 AM »

None so far - will post when in season

SeptemberGardens · « **Reply #30 on:** January 07, 2014, 05:51:58 PM »

Hello Soren,
I speak on behalf of a small Urban Garden Group in Aurora,CO. USA
We are wondering about these Oysternut seeds. Are there any available and if so what is the process of acquiring some?
Please let us know
Jerry Thomas II

Future · « **Reply #31 on:** January 07, 2014, 07:34:35 PM »

Sign me up...

Bonakyon · « **Reply #32 on:** January 07, 2014, 10:46:37 PM »

Add me to the list too please...

jmc96 · « **Reply #33 on:** April 01, 2014, 02:28:16 AM »

Hoping to be added to the Oyster Nut list if there is such a list.
Will pay well for some fresh seeds.

jmc96 · « **Reply #34 on:** July 18, 2014, 07:17:01 PM »

when does the Oyster Nut (Telfairia spp) ripen?
I'm still very keen for someone to take some money out of my wallet.
It would be great to get some of these planted in the next few weeks. We are mid winter here but I have a temp controlled poly house to germinate them in. It works well, all the Monk fruit seeds germinated in a week and Micah's Inca peanut seeds closely followed them.

Soren · « **Reply #35 on:** June 03, 2015, 05:11:57 AM »

Oysternuts have been identified on some vines near a friends place, and will be available later this month. Available for trade only - PM me.

Soren · « **Reply #36 on:** August 21, 2015, 06:39:40 AM »

Quote from: Soren on June 03, 2015, 05:11:57 AM

Oysternuts have been identified on some vines near a friends place, and will be available later this month. Available for trade only - PM me.

The nuts took forever to fall to the ground, and my friend Francis only secured 20+ nuts; of which most are already promised to other collectors - but I do have a few up for grabs.!

Mivan · « **Reply #37 on:** September 14, 2015, 05:33:12 PM »

Just recently purchased seeds from TradeWindsFruit in the US. Of 3 purchases only two seeds from the first batch germinated and are now about 6 feet tall. I am told that both male and female plants are needed to produce seeds. Is this true? I hope more of my seeds will germinate but my enthusiasm is waning. Should I buy fresh seeds from Africa?

Mike
Eustis FL USA

nullzero · « **Reply #38 on:** September 14, 2015, 11:15:53 PM »

Quote from: Mivan on September 14, 2015, 05:33:12 PM

Just recently purchased seeds from TradeWindsFruit in the US. Of 3 purchases only two seeds from the first batch germinated and are now about 6 feet tall. I am told that both male and female plants are needed to produce seeds. Is this true? I hope more of my seeds will germinate but my enthusiasm is waning. Should I buy fresh seeds from Africa?

Mike
Eustis FL USA

I have some growing as well. 2 vines now, so we can exchange rooted cuttings if you have a male or I have a female etc.

Jsvand5 · « **Reply #39 on:** October 19, 2015, 09:51:11 AM »

Quote from: nullzero on September 14, 2015, 11:15:53 PM

Quote from: Mivan on September 14, 2015, 05:33:12 PM
Just recently purchased seeds from TradeWindsFruit in the US. Of 3 purchases only two seeds from the first batch germinated and are now about 6 feet tall. I am told that both male and female plants are needed to produce seeds. Is this true? I hope more of my seeds will germinate but my enthusiasm is waning. Should I buy fresh seeds from Africa?

Mike
Eustis FL USA

I have some growing as well. 2 vines now, so we can exchange rooted cuttings if you have a male or I have a female etc.

I have 5 that are just germinating so I should have at least one female I would hope. Anyone know of what kind of cold these can handle?

Caesar · « **Reply #40 on:** October 21, 2015, 06:30:43 PM »

Quote from: Jsvand5 on October 19, 2015, 09:51:11 AM

Quote from: nullzero on September 14, 2015, 11:15:53 PM
Quote from: Mivan on September 14, 2015, 05:33:12 PM
Just recently purchased seeds from TradeWindsFruit in the US. Of 3 purchases only two seeds from the first batch germinated and are now about 6 feet tall. I am told that both male and female plants are needed to produce seeds. Is this true? I hope more of my seeds will germinate but my enthusiasm is waning. Should I buy fresh seeds from Africa?

Mike
Eustis FL USA

I have some growing as well. 2 vines now, so we can exchange rooted cuttings if you have a male or I have a female etc.

I have 5 that are just germinating so I should have at least one female I would hope. Anyone know of what kind of cold these can handle?

Sign me up for the cutting pool. I just ordered 5 seeds from Tradewinds, and am waiting for their arrival. At least one of us is bound to have a male, and one of us is bound to have a female. If any of us is lacking either gender, the rest could chip in. Shoot, even if we all have both genders, it'd still be a good idea to exchange rooted cuttings to add some genetic diversity to all our collections. I'm willing if y'all are. Whaddya say, anyone else wanna join in?

Soren · « **Reply #41 on:** January 04, 2016, 01:12:35 AM »

The seeds of Oyster nut will be mailed this week. I still have a handful available (Mike T + Oscar, both of you will get).
Let me know if interested - and sorry - I only trade with people I have traded with before, and seeds are not sold.

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Author Topic: Oysternut - UPDATED June 2015 - seeds available for trade in a couple of weeks (Read 15007 times)