The Tropical Fruit Forum

I was in a category 4 storm in Fiji years ago. It was interesting how mango trees, especially, let their branches get blown off but the main trunk survived while other trees just got completely blown over.  I like the idea of the radical pruning to save the tree, probably about the last preparation when it’s fairly certain you’re about to get clobbered. 🤞🤞🤞
Peter

Is the flowering for both of those crops induced by a dry period or does the spring crop seem to flower without the ‘dry’?
Peter

Jakfruit often has latex inside the fruit.  While champedek has sticky latex on the outside of the fruit I have never seen it present on the pulp.
Peter

Wonderful.  Hopefully it will be inspiring to others in the area.
Congratulations.
Peter

Many cacao are self fertile.
Peter

I’m not sure I would go with criollo for CA.  Personally I’d try and get something from Peru where cacao is grown at higher altitudes for more cold resistance.  Maybe a higher growing porcelana.  Those guys have trouble getting a good fermentation because it’s too cold there.
Peter

How does it seem in Borneo right now?  Are there a lot of rare fruits available, how about different durians?  What sort of stuff are you running into and how has this trip compared to others in Borneo?  It sounds to me like you must be in Sabah.  What about Sarawak? 
I’d appreciate more insight into your current experience in Borneo.
Thanks
Peter

That’s great to hear, I’m really glad that has worked for You.
I have a hybrid from Perak Malaysia called Bungah Merah. I’m not really sure what all is in this hybrid, maybe some dulcis, graveleons, zibethinis??  Anyway, I’ve been grafting it successfully onto zibethinis and sharing it around.
Peter

With a small pot still you can make some pretty good brandy.
Peter

I didn’t bring the Wani that I have and will double check it’s origin but I got it from somebody very reliable.
We ate the Wani at the botanical park in Tenom and it was pretty good. I also noticed in nearby markets piles of local mangoes were sometimes labeled manis, (sweet) so customers would know as there is good demand for sour mangoes as well.

Good to have current information for these places. Lindsay advised me not to go to Sarawak early this year as her sources reported a poor season. The problem is that I’m trying to book a nice flight with miles and it’s best to do well ahead. Somewhere should be good once I get over there!
Peter

Hi Benjamin
I am hoping to go next year and I’m trying to figure what time would be best. I was there 5 years ago in August and it was pretty good. But a different good season would interest me. How are you picking this time to go?
Peter

Sure, we grow it. But by ‘nobody’ you mean those living in unsuitable areas?
Peter

Jay, when I was with Lindsay and Richard in January we sat and ate a LOT of cherapu. That cherapu and the ones we produce have, to me, much less of an issue than abiu or caimito and many jakfruit.
We experience slightly sticky hands and lips sometimes but no big deal.
I walk a lot of people around my farm and the reaction is positive, often comparing to persimmon. There’s no way the latex sticks to anyone’s teeth here! 😂
Peter