Kevin, i don't have and never tasted goumi. I would be willing to trade some cuttings with you as i'd like to give goumi a try here. I've heard goumi is astringent. Is that true? I noticed with the so-shan (latifolia) that you can eat them even when not fully ripe if you peel them. The astringency is only on the exterior peel. But if you let them fully ripen no astringency at all and very nice plum-like taste and texture, quite juicy. Mine were not attacked by birds because fruits are well hidden under the foliage. The latifolia has been fast growing and vigorous, but it took about 4 years to fruit. The fruits of latifolia are 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches long. I think it is a fruit that has possible commercial future, especially if some trials were done to select best cultivars. It's main down side seems like it has short keeping quality, about 3-4 days.
Oscar
Oscar,
I'd be happy to send you cuttings- my plants are both still dormant and will be for another 6 weeks or so. I've never tried to ship plants to Hawaii before (only from Hawaii)- are there any permits or restrictions? (I also happen to have some small rooted cuttings of Ugni molinae, which I believe you were interested in at one point.)
I have two selected varieties- 'Sweet Scarlet' and 'Red Gem', both of which I believe have been selected for more sweetness, less astringency and better fruit size and production. Goumi fruit aren't really large enough to not eat the peel, so I've never tried that, but they are fairly astringent when they first turn red; leaving them on the plant for another 2-4 days doubles the pulp volume, increases sweetness and decreases astringency. 'Sweet Scarlet' has very little to no lingering astringency at this point, 'Red Gem' still seems to have a little, but not objectionable. They are still a bit sour but a very refreshing, cherry or plum-like taste. I suspect goumi fruit wouldn't have a long shelf life either, but I haven't succeeded in even getting any in the house yet; they all got eaten immediately after picking!
I do think with more breeding and cultivar selection that goumi could be an ideal edible ornamental fruit for temperate conditions. I have no idea how they would behave without a cold winter dormancy though!
I've heard goumi takes 3-4 years from seed to set fruit, but cuttings usually bear their first season. Hopefully So-Shang is similar!
Kevin