Tropical apricot?

[Tropheus76]

Has anyone heard of these, Dovyalis hebecarpa x Dovyalis abyssinica? It is not a mamey or relative of them. I read a book on preparedness and she mentioned having Tropical Apricots in Tampa. Googling it says it is a hybrid created here in FL. 

[nullzero]

Yes, I have one growing in the ground. Its a fast and vigorous grower, I like the look of the plant. No fruit as of yet, but I don't think it will be very long for that.

[Mike T]

I have a florida apricot that is still small.They are not all that rare by all accounts.

[gunnar429]

Yes, I have one growing in the ground. Its a fast and vigorous grower, I like the look of the plant. No fruit as of yet, but I don't think it will be very long for that.

In FL or CA?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Nullz,

glad to see the FL apricot looks good, I took the cuttings from my friends tree....the fruit is decent, and easy as heck to grow...nice tart sweet flavor, and doesn't have fully formed seeds...and also has reduced thorns, compared to other Dovyalis.

I have a batch of these left in one gallon pots, I need to plant at least 4 of them at the new location!

[nullzero]

gunnar,

Growing in FL, its just rain irrigated growing in sugar sand. I fertilized it a little, but I tend to go on the lighter side since its so vigorous.

Adam,

Can't wait to hear the updates once the plants are in the ground. I wonder how they will do with the slight frosts you get up your way? I was thinking of using this for more of a juicing fruit. Maybe mix it with the fresh coconut water .

[FlyingFoxFruits]

thanks Nullz,
I believe the tree can survive a freeze no problem, and can even survive a hard freeze by resprouting from the roots.  So if temps go below 28F, i'd probably cut them back and pile compost over them, and then cover with frostcloth

[nullzero]

thanks Nullz,
I believe the tree can survive a freeze no problem, and can even survive a hard freeze by resprouting from the roots.  So if temps go below 28F, i'd probably cut them back and pile compost over them, and then cover with frostcloth

That sounds like a good plan, since it grows so fast and it fruits heavier on the newer branches? According to this pdf; http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/extn_pub/fruitpubs/tropical-apricot.pdf

[FlyingFoxFruits]

yes, my buddy lives where it gets super cold, and he's kept his plants alive through many freezes this way...after the worst freezes it won't fruit for a year or two....but always comes back, something like guava.

thanks Nullz,
I believe the tree can survive a freeze no problem, and can even survive a hard freeze by resprouting from the roots.  So if temps go below 28F, i'd probably cut them back and pile compost over them, and then cover with frostcloth

That sounds like a good plan, since it grows so fast and it fruits heavier on the newer branches? According to this pdf; http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/extn_pub/fruitpubs/tropical-apricot.pdf

[fruitlovers]

Nullz,

glad to see the FL apricot looks good, I took the cuttings from my friends tree....the fruit is decent, and easy as heck to grow...nice tart sweet flavor, and doesn't have fully formed seeds...and also has reduced thorns, compared to other Dovyalis.

I have a batch of these left in one gallon pots, I need to plant at least 4 of them at the new location!

I have a cultivar of tropical apricot, originally from Florida, called Prodigal. It is completely seedless and tree has very few thorns. I like the fruits, though quite tart. I use them in juices. Gives the juices a very nice tropical taste when mixed with other fruits.
BTW, there is a whole section on the tropical apricot in the Morton book. They've been around a long time. Attempts to commercialize this fruit were not at all succesful. Too tart for most people out of hand. The tree is extremely heavy bearing, like other dovyalis species. Birds here also tend to peck them at peak ripe stage.