Quandong ( Santalum acuminatum )

[edself65]

Any of you growing Quandong  ( Santalum acuminatum )?

thanks,

Ed

[edself65]

http://www.nectarbrook.com/quandong/tree.html

[jason (palo alto)]

It is illegal to import to the US due to it being a parasitic plant. It is really hard to start from seed and then to keep alive as a parasitic. If anyone is growing Quandong in the US then they've really lucky. Some have had luck with the related Sandalwood. In theory you might be able to graft Quandong on. Though you have the pesky business of obtaining suitable scions.

[edself65]

Thanks Jason! I did not know that!

Ed

[jason (palo alto)]

Yeah, even though there is no real need to worry about parasitic plants the USDA pretty much blanket prohibits them all:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/organism/downloads/parasitic_plant_genera.pdf

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Ed,
How did u come across this fruit?

I do wonder if anyone grows it in USA?  Is it on fruit and spice parks list?

Seems like the plants from Australia are hard to get.

[fruitlovers]

I think this santalum species is already in Hawaii. We also have 4 native santalum species. I've only tried to grow paniculatum. I don't think these santalums are truly parasitic, they just borrow a few resources from other plants, they don't really weaken the other plants.

[nullzero]

Here is a helpful Aussie fruit list; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushfood#Fruits

[BMc]

That's a good but pretty tiny list. These are the ones easily sourced and popular. Lots of things like dozens of Syzigium sp and Garcinia sp not on there. If you really want to get a feel for what is out there, you can get a feel by having a look at this book, which is huge yet fousses only on the tropical rainforest in Queensland. http://nokomis.com.au/fruits.html - no taste descriptions though Next on my list to track down are some of the native uvaria and psudovaria sp.

Dried Quandong is fantastic, but expensive. I dont think it grows well on the east coast here, mostly in the central strip up to central NT and in the west. Another arid zone fruit that seems to adapt well to wetter areas is citrus glauca, formerly Eremocitrus glauca. Super tough gormet lime. You can stick in a pot and leave it to survive on rainfall alone, ditto for ground planting.

[jason (palo alto)]

If you really want to get a feel for what is out there, you can get a feel by having a look at this book, which is huge yet fousses only on the tropical rainforest in Queensland. http://nokomis.com.au/fruits.html - no taste descriptions though

I want that book! But then I looked at the price. 
Know anywhere I can get the book without selling a kidney?

[MarkoS]

Just saw a shortened US version of the book by the same author is due to be release in June 2013.

http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Rainforest-Fruits-Field-Guide/dp/0643107843/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366863277&sr=8-2&keywords=Fruits+of+the+Australian+Tropical+Rainforest][url]http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Rainforest-Fruits-Field-Guide/dp/0643107843/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366863277&sr=8-2&keywords=Fruits+of+the+Australian+Tropical+Rainforest[/url]

[Mike T]

The word quandong can caue confusion as many nth queensland Ealeocarpus such as E.angustifolius are the familiar quandongs to most Australians and several have edible fruits (usually bright blue).A workmate parents planted a field of Santalums in WA about 10 years ago.They are still runty and tiny.

[luc]

Any of you growing Quandong  ( Santalum acuminatum )?

thanks,

Ed

Seeds germinated and died Ed .