Bactris setosa (more fat than avocado or coconut! Cold hearty, Flood tolerant)

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Has anyone here ever tasted this or tried to grow it?

I just bought a nice specimen this evening...and I'm super excited to grow this palm species!

I've had trouble locating it, and one just fell into my lap today!

Thank  GOD!

[nullzero]

Has anyone here ever tasted this or tried to grow it?

I just bought a nice specimen this evening...and I'm super excited to grow this pal species!

I've had trouble locating it, and one just fell into my lap today!

Thank  GOD!

Adam,

Congrats! I talked to Dennis Sharmahd who said he tried it, told me he was not impressed with it.  Though all taste buds are different, I would like to taste it myself before making conclusions.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Null,

Was the tree grown in CA, where the fruits were tasted from?

IF so, the fruit will be much less sweet if grown with improper cultural practices...FULL SUN, is a must for the best tasting fruits of this species.  The same requisite for a more tasty fruit applies to the berries of Eugenia neonitida.  I'm hoping this is the case, and that properly grown fruits will have a much better flavor.

Thanks very much for the feedback!  I hope they taste nice to me, but also would really like for them to have a fruit that the majority of people like to consume.

This tree was hard for me to find...

IS it difficult to locate specimens in CA?

Thanks!

[nullzero]

Null,

Was the tree grown in CA, where the fruits were tasted from?

IF so, the fruit will be much less sweet if grown with improper cultural practices...FULL SUN, is a must for the best tasting fruits of this species.  The same requisite for a more tasty fruit applies to the berries of Eugenia neonitida.  I'm hoping this is the case, and that properly grown fruits will have a much better flavor.

Thanks very much for the feedback!  I hope they taste nice to me, but also would really like for them to have a fruit that the majority of people like to consume.

This tree was hard for me to find...

IS it difficult to locate specimens in CA?

Thanks!

Dennis, did not state where he tasted the fruit. I just inquired and asked if he has ever tried it. I am sure there is a lot of variance in fruit quality in the genetics as well. It looks like a tasty fruit, I am sure it has potential. As for sources JD anderson nursery had some limited quantities a while back (not the case anymore). So now there are no sources which I know of (besides potential seed sources).

[FlyingFoxFruits]

The Bactris setosa I just got, is in a 7 gal, and has about 5 stalks...and is about 3ft or taller.

I took the potted palm, and placed it in a 15gal aluminum pot, with no drainage.

Im going to keep it soaked for the entire year...except during cold weather events.


Upon inquiring with a gentleman in Brasil, who's eaten these fruits, he described them as having a very nice sweet and sour taste....they look quite similar to jaboticaba fruits, and are eaten in the same way, with the skin discarded, and the pulp sucked out.  The seed is also edible I hear (don't quote me).

My only complaint....this palm has the most intimidating thorns I've ever "bumped into", in all of my plant studies and adventures.  If you bump into one of its many thorny projections, even slightly, it eases into your flesh quicker and more effortlessly than the finest of hypodermic needles...and have fun trying to pick them out of your flesh.

For me, the thought of repotting this palm, conjures the same trepidatious emotions that a zookeeper must have, just before having to wrangle an angry porcupine.

But to me it's worth it to have hard to find fruit trees of all families and palms are lacking in my current inventory of plants.

So now I'm trying to fruit the dwarf acai, and this Tucum, both in pots of course...with any luck, I could have tucum fruits in 1-2yrs...and as for acai, maybe 2-3 yrs if extremely lucky.

[nullzero]

The Bactris setosa I just got, is in a 7 gal, and has about 5 stalks...and is about 3ft or taller.

I took the potted palm, and placed it in a 15gal aluminum pot, with no drainage.

Im going to keep it soaked for the entire year...except during cold weather events.


Upon inquiring with a gentleman in Brasil, who's eaten these fruits, he described them as having a very nice sweet and sour taste....they look quite similar to jaboticaba fruits, and are eaten in the same way, with the skin discarded, and the pulp sucked out.  The seed is also edible I hear (don't quote me).

My only complaint....this palm has the most intimidating thorns I've ever "bumped into", in all of my plant studies and adventures.  If you bump into one of its many thorny projections, even slightly, it eases into your flesh quicker and more effortlessly than the finest of hypodermic needles...and have fun trying to pick them out of your flesh.

For me, the thought of repotting this palm, conjures the same trepidatious emotions that a zookeeper must have, just before having to wrangle an angry porcupine.

But to me it's worth it to have hard to find fruit trees of all families and palms are lacking in my current inventory of plants.

So now I'm trying to fruit the dwarf acai, and this Tucum, both in pots of course...with any luck, I could have tucum fruits in 1-2yrs...and as for acai, maybe 2-3 yrs if extremely lucky.

I would love to try some fruit from this plant, maybe sometime in the future.

[BMc]

My only complaint....this palm has the most intimidating thorns I've ever "bumped into", in all of my plant studies and adventures.  If you bump into one of its many thorny projections, even slightly, it eases into your flesh quicker and more effortlessly than the finest of hypodermic needles...and have fun trying to pick them out of your flesh.

For me, the thought of repotting this palm, conjures the same trepidatious emotions that a zookeeper must have, just before having to wrangle an angry porcupine.

You never forget the first time you try to pick the fruits of the salak palm 

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Pics of fruits, and tree with fruits...I guess the thorns really must scare people away, because I think this tree is easy to grow, and delicious tasting.  I'm willing to deal with thorns, if the tree will give me fruits that are unique and tasty.  The more I read about Tucum, I'm learning that many people enjoy the flavor of the fruits...this is very encouraging!




http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrebenedito/2277665939/#lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrebenedito/2277666323/#lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrebenedito/2278458326/#lightbox/

[nullzero]

Pics of fruits, and tree with fruits...I guess the thorns really must scare people away, because I think this tree is easy to grow, and delicious tasting.  I'm willing to deal with thorns, if the tree will give me fruits that are unique and tasty.  The more I read about Tucum, I'm learning that many people enjoy the flavor of the fruits...this is very encouraging!




http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrebenedito/2277665939/#lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrebenedito/2277666323/#lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrebenedito/2278458326/#lightbox/

Nice pictures, I would love to grow it just for its looks. Thorns, spikes, spines, and glochids don't scare me away from the fruit , I have an eye out for this palm.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

I wonder if a rat or squirrel could climb a solitary Tucum palm, with no other pathways?

Probably, but I'd love to see one try!

I may grow this tree, just to encourage squirrels to attempt fruit theft. 

[mangomandan]

There seem to be different takes on how cold-hardy this palm is.  Some sites say zone 10a.
Have you heard whether it can take a freeze?

BTW, I love your avatars, Adam. Where do you find these improbable graphics?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Thanks Maniacal mangomadman,

This palm tree is from some of the southernmost portions of brazil

and I purchased it from a gentleman in Central FL, who personally could attest to this palms ability to easily tolerate freezing conditions.  I'm assuming that temperatures around 25 degrees will prove fatal or damaging.

My palm tree appears to be around 4-5yrs old at least, which means it lived through some harsh winters here lately.

As for my avatars...I find them here and there...they usually have some hidden meaning...but now, here I stand, just a man...owned by plants...and the picture I have now is of my actual mug.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

some images of my palm tree.

I'm wondering if anyone in the group can tell if its close to flowering?

I was hoping it is...one of the trunks in the bunch, is getting large, and swollen...kind of like a banana.

The thorns on this tree are enough to make some growers say never!  but the fruits I'm sure make some fans for life.

can't wait to see if I enjoy the taste.

[nullzero]

Its looking good Adam, hoping you get fruit soon!

[FlyingFoxFruits]

I was looking at the nutritional info of this fruit, Tucum, and found that it has 43.7g of fat per 100 g of fruit. 

I can't imagine a fruit that looks like a jaboticaba/grape, with such a high fat content...maybe the seeds are being used in the equation to figure out fat content?  Although the textbook I'm referring to, has no mention of the seeds being eaten.  I suppose the fat content is based upon the flesh...which is very interesting to me.  What texture do they have? how do they taste? how large are the seeds??

I can't think of any fruit that has this much fat (more than avocado or coconut)!  maybe it was a typo in the book I'm reading?  I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[fruitlovers]

Might be helpful to get your answers to compare it with Bactris gasipaes, peach palm, which is much more well known. You don't eat the seed on that one. That fruit is very rich also, but don't have the data in front of me.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Ok...

I just found out that the nut is edible

They must be added into the equation!

Also found out it bears from seed in about 6 yrs, 2-3 years from division of clumps.  Seeds germinate in about 1-2yrs!  They seem to like shade or half shade, but can live in full sun if irrigated.  Can be grown in pots.  They supposedly taste very nice! Like a grape.

[nullzero]

Any updated pictures of the plant? Would be nice to see the growth rates since last year. Fruit sounds great, I wonder what the flesh to seed ratio is like.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Nullzee,

the plant got really chlorotic, I suppose from the city water?

So I took it out to the well water location...and its doing much better...in a 20 gal pot, but it doesn't look like its grown too much.   Its still about 4 ft tall, to the highest point of the canopy.

I will try to get a picture soon!  I think its going to start growing much faster now that its got well water.  I didn't realize how sensitive this tree is until recently.  I'd say it's moderately sensitive to city water (not sure about ph though).

[nullzero]

Nullzee,

the plant got really chlorotic, I suppose from the city water?

So I took it out to the well water location...and its doing much better...in a 20 gal pot, but it doesn't look like its grown too much.   Its still about 4 ft tall, to the highest point of the canopy.

I will try to get a picture soon!  I think its going to start growing much faster now that its got well water.  I didn't realize how sensitive this tree is until recently.  I'd say it's moderately sensitive to city water (not sure about ph though).

Have you experimenting with crushed natural charcoal in the soil mix? I think its helping with the poor city water, the plants seem to like it.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

I haven't tried this, because I thought it could raise the ph...furthering the chlorosis...
I think it will be fine in moderation though...or maybe applied with an acid fertilizer.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Look at this pic NZ,

its not a tall plant. easy to grow in a pot, but watch out for the thorns...they are all over this thing.  The only part without thorns seems to be the fruits and roots.

I wonder how is best remove the suckers, or propagate this one? With chisel?

Didn't u want some cuttings?

[nullzero]

Look at this pic NZ,

its not a tall plant. easy to grow in a pot, but watch out for the thorns...they are all over this thing.  The only part without thorns seems to be the fruits and roots.

I wonder how is best remove the suckers, or propagate this one? With chisel?

Didn't u want some cuttings?

I'm interested but have to hold off for now. I am in the process of preparing for a possible move in the next 3 to 6 months. I will be getting another selection of yacon soon BTW, its said to have  high production of tasty tubers. Tell me if you interested.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

I'm ready to see some flowers!  judging by some other specimens I've seen, this one should be large enough to fruit soon.   

This tree likes to be grown in partial shade...and doesn't like city water.  It seems to be a slow grower.  I have this one sitting in two pots, one has no holes.   Tucum (B. setosa) can grow in swampy areas so I've read, and it doesn't mind this treatment so far.

[Sven]

Hey Adam,

How’d the palm do this summer?  Any blooms yet?  It looks interesting.

Sven