The Tropical Fruit Forum

Mark Lee has a Christmas palm in ground in Chula Vista, Ca. It looks beautiful and seemed to be 6+ ft. tall with a beautifully ringed, fat trunk. I have them as well....though much younger. Lets put that "Christmas palm doesn't grow in California" myth to bed. Of course its not hardy here but in the right area things are possible. Chris

Damn Vern, you have a voice for recording! You should be so lucky. Nice video...I have off and on wondered about that species. Chris

I feel your pain Simon. I have smashed quite a few sharpshooters in my yard but never equated the insect with the branch dieback i have experienced until now. Makes perfect sense and now its game ON. Chris

I don't know if it was exactly onion but it seemed close to it. It was my first durian so I don't have much to compare it to. The texture was a bit mixed...creamy in spots and slightly firmer in other areas. The smell was (to me) more powerful before I opened the fruit and the first taste tasted a bit like the fruits odor only not as strong. I found it to be an amazing fruit even though I personally didn't care for the taste. I wouldn't hesitate to eat another if I happen to be in an area where it is grown. Weird? Chris

My wife and I bought a fresh Montong last summer and my reaction was similar to his second tasting minus the water. The lady we bought it from said it will be ready to eat in two days. I put the durian in our guest house so we didn't have to smell it (so much). Two days pass and we crack it open with a meat cleaver and BAM! There was that horrific oniony-foot smell...but there was some undertone of a delicious fruit mixed in there. It was tough to eat (for me) but interesting at the same time. Chris

Email sent

I've been dying to get some of these seeds. That seem to be very hard to locate. Any hints would be much appreciated. Thanks, Chris

Coffee grows well at my place but I noticed they would burn a bit in the hottest part of summer if planted in a full sun location. Mine are 3+ ft. and put out their first crop this year.

I agree with Rob- Osmocote can do some damage if you don't watch it carefully. Even then, there can be problems. I used to use it all the time and everything I put the fert in declined. Peace out Osmocote. Chris

Hi Luc, PM sent. Thanks

I tried to PM Adam and it said I was blocked? Hmm. Chris

I am here to report that my 6-7ft Santol is alive and healthy (minus some leaves) after one of my coldest (actual low temp) Winters since I have been at my current residence in Old Towne, Orange. Suffice to say, I think I am pushing the limits of this tree. Though I walk out into the backyard and think it's too cold for anything (I have) to survive they still do...soursop, santol, mamey apple, royal poinciana, caimito, phalenopsis orchids, etc. They could look better, or perform better in their respective climates but I think that are relatively happy. I have quite a few of the other tropical/subtropical trees but they perform beautifully without having to worry about them. Chris