The Tropical Fruit Forum

Evidently, in the past Pernambuco pineapples were a rather common planted pineapple, especially in South Florida.  Today it seems almost no one has heard about them.  Both Dr. Manners, and Dr. Julian W. Sauls have told me that the Pernambuuco was the best tasting pineapple they have eaten.  So far, after a years search I am still at zero in locating a source. - Millet

Harvey you stated that you are guessing a lower taste rating of the Valentine Pummelo was due to being over ripe, did you actually mean under ripe?  My test show leaving the Valentine Pummelo hang a while longer greatly improved the taste. This is certainly true for grapefruit also.- Millet

Be careful of adding to much hard wood chips to a citrus potting soil blend. Hardwood trees, (oaks, ash, maple cottonwood and so  on) work poorly, not because hardwood decomposition is excessive, but because of the accumulation of high levels of manganese that are in hard wood. - Millet

My tree is like Toms - very upright. - Millet

Yes, gibbereilllic (GA3) acid works great.  I use it most every year, both on my citrus and grapes. Two things to consider when using GA3 acid to pollinate your citrus.  The percent of active pollination is very high, so the tree will set a LOT of fruit when sprayed with GA3.  Much more than a tree being pollinated by natural means.  Therefore, you will get many more fruit, but because of the great number, the fruit will be smaller in size.  However, if you thin the tree a little the tree will produce the normal size for the cultivar.   Use a 1 percent solution.  If you don't want to by GA3 you can use tomato and pepper set.  In most brands, the active ingredient is GA3.  To be sure, check the ingredients on the label.  Spray at full bloom.  - Millet

I am searching for a source of propagation slips for the pineapple variety Pernambuco. Thank you for your help.

Darkman, you won't regret purchasing a Valentine Pummelo.  Great for breakfast.   Just be sure to let the fruit hang on the tree for a month or 6 weeks after the fruit turns yellow so it will attain the great taste. - Millet

Darkman, a little piece of good news is that the Xie Shan I doing well. Hope to see you again at Citrus Expo 2014- Millet

My guess is that Kona's tree is a Clementine.  Many of the fruit on my Clementine tree have a small neck and are about the same size as the one commonly sold in the store. Kishu are way to small to have a neck. Personally I gave up on Kishu, as the fruit is much to small to bother with. - Millet

Not long ago the University of California's Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) released the Valentine Pummelo to the public.  If I correctly remember, I think I got them from Harris Citrus.   Last Spring both trees fruited for the first time, and we ate the fruit for breakfast last January and into February.  On the advise of Housherquilt, I let them hang on the tree for a couple months after I believed they were mature to sweeten up.  The fruit is about the size of a soft ball with sweet dark red flesh.   If you love pummelos I urge you to purchase a Valentine tree, they are really, really, REALLY a great tree.. - Millet

I've also grown a lot of citrus tree in Coconut husk chips. Worked well - Millet

brain. Call Harris and ask for Ruth, she is the owners daughter,.  Ruth will probably answer the telephone, then ask her about Xie Shan (pronounced she-shan).   Some times not all of their trees are listed.  The chance of you getting a Xie Shan might be pretty good. If not she can tell you when they will be in stock again. - Millet