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Messages - K-Rimes

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1
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Champa nursery
« on: November 22, 2024, 07:57:51 PM »
Quote from: gnoop on November 22, 2024, 04:57:09 PM
They'd lost their entry on Google Maps at one point as well.  It's back now but all the former info/reviews seem to be gone.  They're still listed on Yelp with reviews.  Seems like they were closed for a bit.  Their site still talks about 2023 Black Friday so not sure how well they're keeping the business going.

The sale thing is funny. They'd leave the sale deal up for many months past when it was due to end, and would honor it mostly. It's Black Friday again this week, so it's perfect timing now, like leaving your Xmas lights up all year long.

2
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Wtb uncaria tomentosa (cats claw)
« on: November 22, 2024, 07:56:08 PM »
Quote from: shmojojojo on November 22, 2024, 05:07:27 PM
Quote from: K-Rimes on November 18, 2024, 03:37:50 PM
Now that I look at what you're talking about, I don't have that. I have a fruit which was sold to me as "cat's claw" and has sharp spines along a vine, and grows an orange fruit with small thorns coming out of it that rub off. It is tasty, but I have neglected the vine a lot and haven't looked for it in awhile.

Lol as soon as you described the fruit I knew which "cat's claw" you were talking about. Did you purchase yours from
"The Plant Guy" in City Terrace? He was on all the sites selling p.aculeata as cat's claw. I actually think p.aculeata is
more useful than u.tormentosa, due to it's edible leaves and fruit, but I guess it depends on what you want to use it for

Yup, bought many plants from that guy. Sometimes I wonder how he's doing. That was one wild set-up.

3
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: First Fruiting Fern Leaf Guava
« on: November 21, 2024, 02:21:43 PM »
Quote from: shpaz on November 21, 2024, 02:11:06 PM
Thats a nice report Kevin thank you very much!

I am still waiting to get my hands on some seeds of this species but I'm glad the flavor was not too bad.

I'm going to wait on this next fruit to drop, and restrict watering to see if it gets better. The weather is slightly warmer right now. Looks like cold days and rain on the weekend though...

4
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Wtb uncaria tomentosa (cats claw)
« on: November 21, 2024, 01:59:17 PM »


Here it is, in all it’s neglected glory. Upon more reading, it is Pereskia aculeata.

5
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Yangmei (Morella/Myrica rubra) thread
« on: November 21, 2024, 01:49:00 PM »
Sigh. I had some nice plants growing in ground, seedlings. Thought they'd make it. Nope. Dead. I'll try again in my new spot with a few seedlings.

6
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: First Fruiting Fern Leaf Guava
« on: November 21, 2024, 01:12:39 PM »
Quote from: SHV on November 21, 2024, 12:44:54 AM
NICE.  thanks for sharing your review.  Probably the first fruiting one in CA, right?  Big fan of pink guavas and shmojo is correct.  Gauvas always seem to improve as they age, particularly if they flower early enough to ripen over the heat of summer.

This one did flower quite early, it's way ahead of my narrow leaf and also my guajava, so that is good about it. It put on a ton of volume this year and will go into a 25g next year, should be a bruiser by the end of 2025!

I think moving to 10a will really up my psidium game.

7
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: First Fruiting Fern Leaf Guava
« on: November 20, 2024, 08:24:31 PM »
Quote from: brian on November 20, 2024, 07:19:31 PM
Darn!  I have one that is just about fruiting size, expecting flowers any time now.  It is neat looking, but not enough for me to keep it unless the flavor is uniquely good.  I already have a pink guava that is excellent, so the bar is high.

Congrats on fruiting it, though!

Graft a branch onto your guajava, I would nearly guarantee it will work. Then you have both.

8
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: First Fruiting Fern Leaf Guava
« on: November 20, 2024, 06:59:33 PM »
Quote from: Rain on November 20, 2024, 06:50:58 PM
I never seen guava leaf like that. Pretty and unique tree. Would you sell seeds?

I'm going to grow these out myself.

9
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: First Fruiting Fern Leaf Guava
« on: November 20, 2024, 05:27:07 PM »
Quote from: elouicious on November 20, 2024, 04:17:49 PM
love this tree

Thanks for the report Kevin

Seems amenable to growing oustide the zone of true Guavaja no?

No it's definitely an offshoot of guajava and is cold sensitive. It does ripen earlier, by a lot though.

10
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Eugenia myrcianthes - Uvaia do Campo
« on: November 20, 2024, 05:26:35 PM »
The solitary tree in Santa Barbara produces profusely. Doesn't seem to be an issue, but you may get the eugenia self-infertile curse.

11
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: First Fruiting Fern Leaf Guava
« on: November 20, 2024, 02:44:28 PM »
Quote from: SDPirate on November 20, 2024, 02:01:22 PM
Nice report.  I didn't expect this one to be a superior guava but unremarkable is better than inferior at least.  Definitely seems to be a tree better purposed as an ornamental that happens to bear fruit.  Leaves almost remind me of kale lol.

It was pretty bland, but so are a lot of the standard pink guavas. My temps are really cold right now, you can see some blush on the leaves since we're nearing frost. It would probably taste a lot better, as do most guavas, with better ripening temps.

12
Tropical Fruit Discussion / First Fruiting Fern Leaf Guava
« on: November 20, 2024, 01:44:02 PM »








Flavor was unremarkable, like a standard pink guava, maybe a tad more robust flavor and fragrance. Not much of a seed pouch.

Sure is a pretty tree though!

Is anyone else on the forum fruiting this?

13
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: When to stump a 15' Manila in SoCal?
« on: November 20, 2024, 01:39:02 PM »
Quote from: simon_grow on November 19, 2024, 08:06:20 PM
It depends on how your tree is structured but I usually don’t recommend stumping a tree to change over the variety. If your tree has good scaffold branches, I would try to keep them.

Simon

All the cocktail and variety changes I've done where I've tried to maintain the tree size or shape have been problematic. You need to plan for their future growth to fruiting size, so around 6-8' of growth from where you graft them. I can agree that saving the scaffolds is a good idea, but leaving say, 8-12" of length to each branch, no more.

One of my first cocktail projects, a rootstock pomelo that had been grown to a full size citrus tree, the owner asked me to keep the tree the same size, but add varieties. Now, it is awful and lanky and you can't prune anything because the grafts start so far outboard.

MasOlas, if this were my tree, I would not hesitate to take the branches down to 12" from the trunk, then choose your sprouts to graft onto next year. Being that it's cold now in SoCal, and soon to be rainy, I would probably wait till Spring to do this pruning when you can reliably get some vegetative growth. This said, I'd love to hear from some of the FL growers who have more experience with this type of activity.

Skhan had some videos or threads about topping his mangoes years ago, and I was simply amazed when I visited this year to see how massive and productive those grafts had become.

14
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2025 Mango season
« on: November 19, 2024, 06:22:04 PM »
Quote from: sddarkman619 on November 19, 2024, 01:44:29 PM
Still trying to figure out which one to try Kent or Keitt, I don't remember which I had but it was one of the two and I really liked it. BUt I hear they have to have a certain environment and it may be too cold where we are in San Diego during the winter.
Suggestions?

Kent and Keitt are both available commercially in CA at Costco. The CA grown Keitts from Coachella are available around now at Whole Foods and other expensive grocery stores.  Could be worth grabbing a few of those for seeds. The Kent season from Mexico is now, over this said.

15
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 18, 2024, 07:35:10 PM »
Quote from: SDPirate on November 18, 2024, 07:24:35 PM
Glad you found a new spot.  Hopefully the move is a smooth transition for you.

Jealous of that fern leaf guava you have.  I got to have me some scions or seeds even later down the line if you are willing to part with (or trade).

There are two fat fruit hanging in it. It was hard for me to not eat them today, but they didn't come off easily.

It will assuredly graft easily to guajava, so scions will be coming up for sure (but probably not cheap!). Let's see how it grows. I expect it'll be a fairly large tree next Summer when it graduates to a 20 or 25g pot, and even better, in a wonderful 10a environment.

16
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 18, 2024, 06:28:55 PM »
Quote from: NateTheGreat on November 18, 2024, 04:25:51 PM
Will you still be selling plants in preparation?

I recommend you not stop looking for a place of your own. No knowing when this could end. But what an experience it will be!

Also funny that you'd be able to run a bobcat but not a bicycle. Depending on how much there is to clear, you could consider a handheld brush cutter. I have the EGo one. Especially if the terrain is uneven. And you don't want to be compressing the soil if you can avoid it.

I am on the fence about selling plants. I do have lots I'd like to clear the yard of, smaller 1g plants especially, but I have had very little action with people coming up to SB. Would be able to blow this stuff all out if in OC or SD. I do not have the time or energy to pack and ship plants right now.

17
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Wtb uncaria tomentosa (cats claw)
« on: November 18, 2024, 03:37:50 PM »
Now that I look at what you're talking about, I don't have that. I have a fruit which was sold to me as "cat's claw" and has sharp spines along a vine, and grows an orange fruit with small thorns coming out of it that rub off. It is tasty, but I have neglected the vine a lot and haven't looked for it in awhile.

18
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 18, 2024, 01:56:29 PM »
Quote from: Bush2Beach on November 18, 2024, 01:21:35 PM
Thanks Kevin. Just had to write all that because I care and want it to work out and have seen and discussed alot with others over the years about how best to make it work and feel good on both sides. It seem’s to be a tricky equation and things change over time. I think the best thing we can do either way is just keep planting and sharing the joy of rare fruits and do our best to keep the plantings going good and hope it works out for the best in the end. Your current garden is a gift to the new owners and hopefully valued as such.

My current garden is mostly going to get yanked. I can't let it get destroyed by neglect and gophers. Some stuff I just don't care to put the effort into replacing, but my read has been that *most* mountain buyers are happy enough with the oaks surrounding them and don't even wander around the yard, just garage to sofa and that's about it. What IS a gift, is all the effing mulch and amending I've done to the soil. If someone does want to start gardening, it is seriously ready to go. Now to restart the same work over at my new joint!

19
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 18, 2024, 11:26:39 AM »
Quote from: Bush2Beach on November 16, 2024, 01:41:16 PM
It’ll be fun! Stoked for you & your new project!!

I saw your original post here, which was great to read and all very important. I am indeed trying to set things firmly between the owner and I. More details to come, and photos, I'm going to visit on Wednesday.

20
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: How's Your SoCal Lychee and Longan Trees Doing This Year?
« on: November 17, 2024, 05:30:59 PM »



It ain’t much, but it’s honest work. This Brewster I think is 3 years in ground. I always ask to mulch and remove grass, or fertilize, and no luck. This is the best year for growth so far.

21
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Will regular jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) set fruit without pollinators?
« on: November 17, 2024, 01:26:09 PM »
Vibrate the flower with an electric toothbrush and you'll see pollen flying off the flowers. I get good fruit set with only one tree, but my bees do visit it periodically, so, hard to say.

I also got fruit before having bees. I think each flower pollinates itself fairly effectively. Fruit set with only a single flower open often.

22
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 15, 2024, 11:34:45 PM »
Quote from: Greater Good on November 15, 2024, 05:19:39 PM
10a is mango climate. Get your seeds planted for grafting!



I’m ready for it!

Quote from: mbmango on November 15, 2024, 06:46:51 PM
Exciting! I can't fathom what 100 acres would feel like.

It’s not flat by any means, it’s a steep walled canyon, I’d guess maybe 5 or so are planted out with avo, and a good number of other trees, 60’ white sapote, lychee, longan, jabo, pitanga etc. It all just needs TLC, that’s where I come in. I am also tasked with opening up new planting areas so I am shopping for a bobcat and brush hog  ;D

23
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Champa nursery
« on: November 14, 2024, 06:27:53 PM »
Quote from: TrashStar on November 14, 2024, 05:19:33 PM
I tried sending an email but it said it’s full. I’ve tried calling with three different lines and nobody ever answers. I tried calling early in the morning as well to no avail.
If anybody knows anybody at Champa, I would appreciate it very much if they could on my behalf drop a word. I have no idea what else to do from here.
Thanks


Honestly, I kind of hate the way Champa does business sometimes. Their online stuff presence is terrible and I think they should not have set it up. I would call your CC company and have them do a chargeback.

24
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 14, 2024, 04:09:46 PM »
Quote from: spaugh on November 14, 2024, 04:00:08 PM
Nice Kevin.  The commute sucks but seems like a good place to live.  Maybe you can get a Suron on something like an e bike to cruise around on.

No motorized 2 wheeled vehicles of any kind allowed, which is wacko, but whatever. It is what it is. I'll miss my KTM but haven't been riding it much anyways. I need to learn more about the rules and stuff, but it's just about the only property I've found that can accommodate all my trees, and let me pursue plant stuff more in depth. I will finally get to set up a proper greenhouse and cultivation area, and that's really nice to imagine.

The only issue will be winds. Regularly 50-60mph winds in the canyon, so I'll have to figure out where I can put my plants amongst the avos for decent sun and also wind protection. The same is true for greenhouse, but I think a steel hoophouse with substantial anchors may do it?

25
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: My Yard 2022
« on: November 14, 2024, 03:49:12 PM »







My new location will be in Hollister Ranch, on a 100 acre lot, with 20gpm well, in SOLID 10a zone, with a 17,000lb producing avocado orchard on property. The barn is rough, but has a living unit built into it. The owner of the property found me by way of my newspaper article and wants me there badly. He has also been collecting "rare" fruit trees for 40 years or so, and was excited by my collection. I'll be doing 10 hours of work a week for him to offset the rent a bit, and expanding his orchard, with a focus on rare stuff.

It's exciting for me, despite the drawbacks of the ranch - it's a 40-50 min drive to Santa Barbara where I work. The gates are airtight and I am uncertain if I'll be able to have guests. Have to sell my motorcycles, etc...

A new stage in my life, for sure.

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