Author Topic: Oysternut - UPDATED June 2015 - seeds available for trade in a couple of weeks (Read 14981 times)

Soren · « **on:** September 28, 2012, 03:13:24 AM »

I got a few old oysternuts vines growing (Telfairia occidentalis or Telfairia pedata), but have recently sown some more seeds which was left after mailing to members here and on the yahoo group. As seen on the photo, the seedlings have just emerged but are rapid growing. The farmers usually sow directly in the drip line of a tall tree and train it to reach the branches of the tree. The seedpod is huge and the seeds large, long, flat and taste like sunflower seeds when fresh or almonds when roasted. The perennial vine reaching a height of up to 30 m.

Two oysternut seedlings

I will have oysternut seeds towards end of June 2015 - let me know if interested in a trade.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2012, 04:46:12 AM »

Soren, how long do the oyster nut plants take to fruit? Here is a photo of your seeds upon arrival. Strange looking seeds. Look like big soup crackers.

Soren · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2012, 04:54:05 AM »

Oscar - good question. It should be less than a year for what I know, but my older vines have passed that ages without flowering yet. The seeds I mailed you were bought at the local markets out of town, and I only put the name Telfairia pedata not to totally confuse customs as I am not sure which of the two species it is.
Here the farmers sow the seeds directly, and a small seed should give a male plant while a bigger a female plant - but the African snails do love the vines so you should protect them for the first month or so... I have lost one so far in the bag.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2012, 05:10:26 AM »

Quote from: Soren on September 28, 2012, 04:54:05 AM

Oscar - good question. It should be less than a year for what I know, but my older vines have passed that ages without flowering yet. The seeds I mailed you were bought at the local markets out of town, and I only put the name Telfairia pedata not to totally confuse customs as I am not sure which of the two species it is.
Here the farmers sow the seeds directly, and a small seed should give a male plant while a bigger a female plant - but the African snails do love the vines so you should protect them for the first month or so... I have lost one so far in the bag.

Soren, what is the other species it could possibly be? BTW, customs here only wants to know genus name mostly. So if unsure of species name you can say Telfaria sp. No African snails here as yet, though many on other side of this island. Main problem here are slugs. Ok thanks for advice and for seeds!

Soren · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2012, 05:17:58 AM »

Either Telfairia occidentalis or Telfairia pedata - there is a third species but it is rare and not cultivated.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2012, 05:21:21 AM »

Is there a difference in how the pods of occidentalis and pedata look?

Soren · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2012, 06:15:14 AM »

Yes - there are several characteristics to key them on. Have an old book on "Gardening in East Africa" from the colonial days, which might be of some assistance.

Soren · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:03:13 AM »

Hi Oscar - found some interesting info in "Vegetables in the Tropics" (H.D. Tindall)

fruitlovers · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:19:36 AM »

Thanks for the scan.

Soren · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:57:00 AM »

will pass that on to the girl on the reception who actually did the work

luc · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2012, 01:49:31 PM »

Quote from: Soren on October 05, 2012, 06:03:13 AM

Hi Oscar - found some interesting info in "Vegetables in the Tropics" (H.D. Tindall)

Makes me wanna try them again Soren , don't know why my plants died , maybe overwatered them. Do the seeds have a long life , long enough to ship to Mexico ?
Do you wanna trade for a good not smelly Mabolo . BTW all the Mexicans who tried this loved them . Still have fruit on the trees .

Soren · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2012, 02:10:18 AM »

Hi Luc,
Can't remember when I mailed you seeds the first time - back in 2007-2008? Even if the mail is now longer in transit it should be possible by packing them for germination which should take 3 weeks or so... However; they are currently out of season for what I know; will follow up and get back to you.

blooberri · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2013, 01:58:31 PM »

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can buy oyster nut seeds in the US? I have looked for it online everywhere, but have not been succesful. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

fruitlovers · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2013, 12:09:06 AM »

Quote from: blooberri on July 01, 2013, 01:58:31 PM

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can buy oyster nut seeds in the US? I have looked for it online everywhere, but have not been succesful. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

It's kind of like trying to buy a giraffe in the US.

Maybe giraffes are easier to find?

You will have to get seeds from someone like Soren in Africa. Maybe some day i can offer these seeds. BTW the seeds you sent me did come up Soren, just need to find a good tree i don't mind sacrificing to plant them next to.

Soren · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2013, 01:32:06 AM »

Quote from: fruitlovers on July 02, 2013, 12:09:06 AM

Quote from: blooberri on July 01, 2013, 01:58:31 PM
Hi,
Does anyone know where I can buy oyster nut seeds in the US? I have looked for it online everywhere, but have not been succesful. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

It's kind of like trying to buy a giraffe in the US. Maybe giraffes are easier to find? You will have to get seeds from someone like Soren in Africa. Maybe some day i can offer these seeds. BTW the seeds you sent me did come up Soren, just need to find a good tree i don't mind sacrificing to plant them next to.

You need tall trees; but the vines will not cover much of the crown (unlike passionfruit).

Soren · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2013, 09:22:34 AM »

Flowers and vine of Oysternut

nullzero · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2013, 11:13:37 AM »

Very pretty looking.

Tomas · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2013, 03:44:13 PM »

Hello Soren,

Very cool! How tall is it? It's a little hard to see.

Tomas

Guanabanus · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2013, 04:55:14 PM »

Nice! I take it they don't like a lot of shade, so aren't planted next to the trunks of trees?

Soren · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2013, 01:32:22 AM »

Quote from: Guanabanus on August 26, 2013, 04:55:14 PM

Nice! I take it they don't like a lot of shade, so aren't planted next to the trunks of trees?

They can take full sun, but is usually planted in the dripzone of tall trees as they grow very tall.

KarenRei · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2013, 04:37:02 AM »

Low-light-tolerant vine which produces a tasty nut? I've got to get me some of these....

Roy-Ind · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2013, 05:54:04 AM »

Soren
Some small & some big seeds of Telfairia occidentalis - fluted pumpkin, oyster nut or
Telfairia pedata (syn. T. africana, Fevillea pedata, Joliffia africana) - oyster nut, queen's nut, Zanzibar oil vine to me please.

Thank you

Roy

Fruittylife · « **Reply #22 on:** September 27, 2013, 03:30:53 AM »

Hi I would really love some seeds... thanks,

Soren · « **Reply #23 on:** September 27, 2013, 04:07:48 AM »

Are looking for seeds, they should be in season by now.

micah · « **Reply #24 on:** September 27, 2013, 12:42:25 PM »

Hi Soren,
I was wondering how do you harvest the oyster nut...does It fall when ripe? Or does the tree need to be climbed?
I had some vines growing trained onto a java plum tree....it was massive...only problem...the new house built nearby was to close to the java tree line so they had to go...as we were cleaning out the area I noticed flowers on the vine...I was so close...I think it was 3 years old...
Seeds available? Maybe I try again?

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Author Topic: Oysternut - UPDATED June 2015 - seeds available for trade in a couple of weeks (Read 14981 times)