The Tropical Fruit Forum

There seems to be a good deal of interest in Psidium striatulum on the Forum right now, which is great because I think it is a fruit more people should grow, as I am. Since my Psidium striatulums fruited within the past few weeks, I have seeds available to fellow Forum members.

The price is $7.00 for 20 seeds. Free shipping for orders in the United States. No international shipping as I do not have the time to deal with onerous customs paperwork.

20 seeds should more than guarantee that you get multiple healthy plants.

I am not interested in trades, since I already have too many plants.

I do not have an indefinite number of seeds, but enough for several people to order.

You can see photographs of my plants' fruits on the Psidium striatulum thread: https://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=21523.msg504823#msg504823

Weeding is not just for plants, it is also for libraries, and I am weeding out a few extra books from my fruit growing library.

USPS Media Mail shipping is included in the price for these books. I will consider shipping them internationally if there is no interest among any American buyers with the international shipping cost to be covered by the buyer. A couple of these books are of a reasonable weight and will not cost an exorbitant amount to ship internationally, but The Encyclopedia of Fruit & Nuts is extremely heavy and shipping from the United States overseas would likely be prohibitively expensive. Its shipping is expensive enough within the United States.

I only accept PayPal.

These books will be securely packed and promptly shipped once payment is received with a tracking number provided after they are shipped.

I only have one copy of each of these books, so it is first come, first served.





The Encyclopedia of Fruit & Nuts was edited by Jules Janick and Robert E. Paull and published in 2008 by CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International). It is a hardcover, no dust jacket as issued, that measures 9x11.25 in. (226x284 mm.) with xviii+954 pages plus 20 pages of plates. The ISBN-13 number is 9780851996387. The text is in English, and it is a text-heavy book, illustrated by botanical line drawings and a color plate section of photographs. For whatever reason, CABI did not give this book a table of contents, but my photographs of various pages should give you an idea of the book's contents and how they are arranged.

Book description from the rear cover: “This major reference work provides comprehensive coverage of botanical and horticultural information on temperate, subtropical and tropical fruits and nuts of economic significance. Coverage is also given to palms, cacti and common fruit often thought of as vegetable crops. Containing almost 300 entries, topics covered include history and origins, ecology, breeding and genetics, distribution, uses and nutritional composition. Arranged alphabetically by family and species, each entry is followed by a selected bibliography to aid further reading on the topic. Entries are illustrated with figures, tables and graphs as well as colour photographs accompanying the major fruit crops. Drawing on the expertise of over 100 international specialists, this encyclopedia will be an invaluable and informative reference source for students and researchers in horticulture, pomology, botany and plant ecology.”

Condition: This book is in overall good condition. The hardcover boards have some corner bumping, particularly at the base of the spine, which has caused creasing and small surface tears, as well as there being a 1.25 in. (30 mm) long surface cut on the edge of the spine and rear cover, but the boards have no stains or other major damage. The binding is strong and intact. The interior is clean and unmarked with no writing, highlighting, or underlining and has no tears, dog-eared pages, stains, mold, or other major damage. The page edges have no remainder mark, foxing, stains, or any major damage.

The price for this book is $150 $135. SOLD

My opinion: An excellent book. The reason I’m selling this copy is because I have another copy. Although somewhat geared towards agricultural professionals, it is not a difficult read, no different than Julia Morton’s Fruits of Warm Climates, which I would put it on par with as far as essential fruit books to own. The major fruits get more coverage, and you are not going to find any obscure Eugenias in it, but at nearly 1000 pages, there isn’t a more comprehensive fruit book that has ever been published. Its comprehensiveness is matched by its original price tag of $390, though CABI let it go out-of-print a few years ago, content to sell eBooks at an even higher price. Although this copy is not in perfect condition, it is still a great reference copy from a reliable seller at a price lower than other comparable copies.



Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics: An Inventory was written by Franklin W. Martin, Carl W. Campbell, and Ruth M. Rubertι and published in 1987 by the United States Department of Agriculture. It is Agriculture Handbook No. 642. It is a softcover that measures 8.5x10.875 in. (215x275 mm.) with 247 pages. No ISBN number. The text is in English, and it is a text-heavy book, illustrated by black-and-white photographs. Photographs of a few pages will give you an idea of the book's contents and how they are arranged.

Book description from the inside front cover: “The edible fruits of the Tropics are many in number, varied in form, and irregular in distribution. They can be categorized as major or minor. Only about 300 Tropical fruits can be considered great. These are outstanding in one or more of the following: Size, beauty, flavor, and nutritional value. In contrast are the more than 3,000 fruits that can be considered minor, limited severely by one or more defects, such as very small size, poor taste or appeal, limited adaptability, or limited distribution. The major fruits are not all well known. Some excellent fruits which rival the commercialized greatest are still relatively unknown in other parts of the Tropics and should be promoted. Introducing new fruits into a country is often difficult, however, and must be done legally. Obtaining information on the fruits and their sources is a first step, and this publication provides much of that information. This publication also lists minor fruits as completely as can be done with the present state of knowledge.”

Condition: This book is in good condition. “Weed Science Lab” is written on the front cover, but there are no other signs that this was a library book. The softcovers have the aforementioned writing, light soiling to the rear cover, a light cup ring to the front cover, and light edgewear, including very light creasing to the front cover along the spine and at the fore edge corners, but the softcovers have no tears or other major damage. The spine is not creased; the binding is strong and intact. The interior is clean and unmarked with no writing, highlighting, or underlining and has no tears, dog-eared pages, stains, mold, or any major damage. The page edges have no remainder mark, foxing, stains, or any major damage.

The price for this book is $45 $40.

My opinion: Still a nice resource, despite it being an older book. A few names and taxonomic relationships have been changed over the years, but I was surprised how much is still unchanged today, at least 99%. The minor fruits get a short shrift, with those just getting a scientific name, common name, location, and use. The major fruits get terse but valuable descriptions. The value of this book is in browsing and discovering new plants to add to one’s collection, something I’ve done many times. I’m not adding much to my collection currently or for the foreseeable future, which is why I’m willing to let this book go. Although this copy is not in perfect condition, print copies of this title are very rare, and it is still a great reference copy from a reliable seller at a price lower than any other copy online.



Tropical Forests and Their Crops was written by Nigel J. H. Smith, J. T. Williams, Donald L. Plucknett, and Jennifer P. Talbot and published in 1992 by Comstock Publishing Associates, a division of Cornell University Press in Ithaca, New York. It is a hardcover that measures 6.5x9.625 in. (164x244 mm.) with xvi+568 pages. The ISBN-10/ISBN-13 numbers are 0801427711/9780801427718. The text is in English, and it is a text-heavy book, illustrated by black-and-white photographs. Photographs of the table of contents and a couple of pages will give you an idea of the book's contents and how they are arranged.

Book description: “The tropics are the source of many of our familiar fruits, vegetables, oils, and spice, as well as such commodities as rubber and wood. Moreover, other tropical fruits and vegetables are being introduced into our markets to offer variety to our diet. Now, as tropical forests are increasingly threatened, we face a double-fold crisis: not only the loss of the plants but also rich pools of potentially useful genes. Wild populations of crop plants harbor genes that can improve the productivity and disease resistance of cultivated crops, many of which are vital to developing economies and to global commerce. Eight chapters of this book are devoted to a variety of tropical crops―beverages, fruit, starch, oil, resins, fuelwood, fodder, spices, timber, and nuts―the history of their domestication, their uses today, and the known extent of their gene pools, both domesticated and wild. Drawing on broad research, the authors also consider conservation strategies such as parks and reserves, corporate holdings, gene banks and tissue culture collections, and debt-for-nature swaps. They stress the need for a sensitive balance between conservation and the economic well-being of local populations. If economic growth is part of the conservation effort, local populations and governments will be more strongly motivated to save their natural resources. Distinctly practical and soundly informative, this book provides insight into the overwhelming abundance of tropical forests, an unsettling sense of what we may lose if they are destroyed, and a deep appreciation for the delicate relationships between tropical forest plants and people around the world.”

Condition: This book is in good condition. Ex-library with some library markings: a spine label, library stamps on the top page edge, and library stamps and barcode remnants on the inside covers. The dust jacket is missing (though there seems to be some dispute whether this book originally had one). The hardcover boards have light rubbing at the corners but no tears, creases, stains, or any major damage. The binding is strong and intact. The interior is mostly clean and unmarked with no writing or highlighting but with some pencil underlining in the mango section (as well as the aforementioned library markings) and has no tears, dog-eared pages, stains, mold, or other major damage. The page edges have the aforementioned library stamps but no remainder mark, foxing, stains, or other major damage.

The price for this book is $15. SOLD

My opinion: A great look at the ecology and anthropology of tropical fruits. It is not a growing guide in any way, which is why I am willing to sell it. However, the very detailed chapters on cacao and avocado (nearly 70 pages combined on various aspects of history, breeding programs, uses, etc.) are worth the purchase price alone to those interested in those fruits. Many other major fruits are also discussed at length. Although this copy is not in perfect condition, it is still a great reference copy of an interesting out-of-print book from a reliable seller at an affordable price.

I am selling off some of my extra plants. Some of these are relatively common plants, others are a little harder to find. With the exception of some Osmocote fertilizer, these plants have been grown organically. Some of the plants do not look perfect but all are healthy. Just about all these plants are root-bound and need to be up-potted, which you should do once they become acclimated to your growing area.

These plants have all been grown in a partly sunny location. They should be introduced to full sun conditions gradually to prevent any leaf burn or other damage.

These plants will be shipped using USPS Priority Mail with the shipping costs based on the size, weight, number of plants ordered, and buyer location. I will do what I can to save you money on shipping costs by making these plants as compact as possible for shipping without damaging them. They will not be shipped bare root; they will be shipped in their container with potting soil, as pictured. I do not ship internationally. Buyers in California, Arizona, and Hawaii purchase plants at your own risk; I am not responsible if they are confiscated.

Payment through PayPal.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Scientific Name (Common Name) – Number of Seedlings Available – Seedling Size (Pot Height Not Included) – Seedling Age – Price Per Plant
Also included is where I purchased the seeds.


Eugenia uniflora var. Dasyblasta (Dasyblasta/Smooth Pitanga/Surinam Cherry) – 1 – 17” tall – 2 years – $35
Seeds purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.


Myrciaria floribunda (Rumberry/Guavaberry) Group Pot – 5 plants in 1 pot – 2"-6" tall – Sold as a Group – $75
Myrciaria floribunda seeds are notorious for having a poor germination rate, something that has been discussed on this Forum by myself and others. When I purchased these seeds in late 2020, a few came up quickly that winter and a few more came up gradually in the spring and summer of 2021. Most of them, about a dozen seeds, did absolutely nothing, so I took them out of their seed starting tray and placed them in this group pot. I kept it watered but generally paid no attention to it. In the fall and winter of 2022, four seeds germinated, and at the end of April of this year, a fifth seed germinated. Over two years after first being planted! So, this pot contains those five plants plus all the other seeds I threw in there in 2021 (6 to 9 ungerminated seeds) which may or may not still be viable. It goes to show that you should never give up on Myrciaria floribunda seeds. I ended up with a decent germination rate after all; it just took over two years.


Myrciaria floribunda (Rumberry/Guavaberry) – 1 – 5” tall – 2 years – $22
Seeds purchased from a Tropical Fruit Forum member.


Myrciaria glazioviana (Yellow Jaboticaba) – 2 – 10-15” tall – 2 years – $30 for the 10" plant, $35 for the 15" plant
Seeds purchased from Farwell Fruit Farm.


Plinia rivularis (Guaporeti) – 2 1 – 7-10” tall – 2 years – $30
Purchased from a reputable eBay seller. Due to a lack of rain in my area, I had to water them with city water for a while. That caused the tip burn to the leaves. The new growth does not have that issue since I have been able to resume watering them with rainwater.


Psidium guineense (Brazilian Guava) – 1 – 20” tall (pruned down to that size) – 2 years – $40
Seeds purchased from Trade Winds Fruit.

I am growing several varieties and species of Plinias, Myricarias, and Eugenias. For almost every species or variety, I have at least two plants, the heir and the spare as one might say. But as one can see in the news, spares can sometimes become troublesome. In my case, the trouble comes from the amount of space growing two of everything takes; my "ark" just isn't big enough right now.

So, my question is can I expect to get good fruit production if I only keep one plant of each of my Plinia, Myrciaria, and Eugenia species? I know that different varieties of the same species should have no difficulties with cross-pollination, but what about cross-pollination among different species? Will a Plinia nana and a Plinia rivularis be able to pollinate each other? How about a Eugenia repanda and a Eugenia involucrata? Or a Myrciaria floribunda and Myrciaria glazioviana? There are conflicting reports both online and on the Forum, particularly about Eugenias, so I would appreciate if anyone has a definitive answer.

Griffith Review, an Australian journal, has an article about blueberry breeding and production in Australia in their latest issue, Number 78. The article is titled "Big Blueberry" and is by Nicole Hasham. The parts I found very interesting were about Ridley Bell of Mountain Blue Orchards and his decades-long breeding program for creating improved blueberries. Hopefully, someday (probably once his patent expires), his Eureka variety will be available for home growers in the US.

Here is the link: https://www.griffithreview.com/articles/big-blueberry/

The CCPP (Citrus Clonal Protection Program) at UC Riverside decided to celebrate reaching the program's landmark 1000th variety by adding a landmark tree to their collection: the Mother Orange Tree at Bidwell's Bar. I am somewhat surprised it had not already been added to the CCPP's collection for its historical significance, even though the tree is just a type of Mediterranean sweet orange. But, it is certainly a survivor. The variety is labeled as "Bidwell's Bar."

Link to the press release: https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2022/06/08/you-too-can-grow-californias-oldest-living-orange-variety

My day job is in e-commerce, which is just a buzzword for saying I sell things online. Not plants, usually, except for extra plants I have offered here on the Forum and on eBay. But because I sell online, I recently received an alert about the impending US Postal Service rate increase, which looks like it might affect many people who sell plants (among other things).

Here is the summary provided about that rate increase:

USPS rate changes effective April 3, 2022

As a part of 2022 rate increases announced by USPS late last year, new fees will take effect for some USPS products and services starting April 3, 2022. Below is an overview of the USPS shipping services increases.


Non-standard fees:

Additional fees will apply when package dimensions exceed USPS sortation specifications and require manual sorting. These fees will apply to Retail Ground, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select Ground, and First Class Package Service.

Packages that exceed 22 inches but are not greater than 30 inches in length: Add $4.00 per package
Packages that exceed 30 inches in length: Add $15.00 per package
Packages that exceed 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches): Add $15.00 per package
A maximum of two non-standard fees may be assessed for a package.


Dimensional non-compliance fees:

An additional $1.50 fee will apply to packages greater than 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) or 22 inches in length for Retail Ground, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Parcel Select Ground when:

Dimensions provided are inaccurate
Dimensions are not provided

I talked to the postal clerk at my local post office about these increases. She was not 100% percent positive how these fees would be applied, but was 99% sure that some of the plants I had shipped in the past would have had these fees applied to them, since they were in long, skinny boxes about 36" long (Forum members who have ordered plants from me in the past know that my taller plants are shipped in boxes that look like square poster tubes).

Because these new fees are not an increase in the base shipping cost, they flew under the radar when they were first announced a few months ago. I did not notice them immediately. But, these new fees could have a substantial effect on plant sellers and collectors, since a great many plants are shipped in boxes which require manual sorting - i.e. in anything other than select types of flat-rate boxes. And, according to my postal clerk, even some of those require manual sorting and would be subject to these new fees.

This fee increase might be something for people here on the Forum to keep in mind when buying and selling plants once it comes into affect in April.

I have a copy of Palmeiras Brasileiras e Exσticas Cultivadas available for sale if anyone is interested.

Palmeiras Brasileiras e Exσticas Cultivadas was written by Harri Lorenzi, Hermes Moreira de Souza, Jesus Tadeu de Medeiros Costa, Luiz Sιrgio Coelho de Cerqueira, and Evandro Ferreira and published in 2004 by Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora Ltda. in Nova Odessa, Brazil. It is a hardcover (no dust jacket, as issued) that measures 8.625x12.125 in. (220x307 mm.) with 432 pages. The ISBN-10/ISBN-13 numbers are 8586714208/9788586714207. The text is entirely in Portuguese and is fully illustrated in color. The page layout is the same as Harri Lorenzi's other books. It is stamped with the number 005956 on the flyleaf.

This book is in good condition. The hardcover boards have some rubbing and small scratches to the surface and small corner bumping which has caused small creases, but the boards have no tears, stains, or other major damage. The binding is strong and intact. The interior is unmarked with no writing, highlighting, or underlining and has occasional soiling and small corner bumping to some pages but no tears, dog-eared pages, water stains, mold, or other major damage. The page edges have some soiling but no remainder mark, foxing, stains, or other major damage.

The price for this book is $80.

USPS Media Mail shipping included in the price. I will consider shipping it internationally if there is no interest among any American buyers with the international shipping cost to be covered by the buyer, but the book is rather heavy and shipping from the United States overseas would likely be fairly expensive.

I only accept PayPal.

This book will be securely packed in a box and promptly shipped once payment is received with a tracking number provided after it is shipped.

I only have one copy, so it is first come, first served.

        

Thank you to any Tropical Fruit Forum members who bid on my previous auctions.

While in spirit I believe the claim that a rare fruit grower can never have too many plants, I have too many plants and need to clear out some space (which I will probably end up filling with other plants). So I am offering some of my extra plants for sale on eBay.

These auctions end starting at 10:30 pm, Eastern Time, on Sunday, July 4.

I will not be listing any plants for sale next week, and I may take a break for the rest of July and August until the weather gets a little cooler. I do not want these plants frying during shipping.

All the pertinent details are in the listing descriptions. But, in short: no sales to Arizona, no sales of citrus plants to the citrus states, no international shipping, and I will offer a combined shipping discount for multiple plants purchased. All the auctions begin at $0.99 plus Priority Mail shipping.

Citrus Χ sinensis, Moro Blood Orange: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789353615
Citrus Χ meyeri, Meyer Lemon: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789370011
Citrus Χ aurantiifolia, Key Lime: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789325461
Citrus Χ limonia, Rangpur Lime: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789376989
C. reticulata Χ sinensis, Murcott Orange/Honey Tangerine/Tangor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789335017
Psidium longipetiolatum, Araηγ arbσreo/Arazα serrano/Mountain Cherry Guava: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789322130
Psidium striatulum, Narrow-leafed Guava: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789385317 (last one available)
Pouteria sapota, Mamey Sapote: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789333029 (last one available)
Syzygium jambos, Rose Apple: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789387660 (last one available)
Eugenia uniflora, Surinam Cherry/Pitanga: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789390655
Passiflora edulis, Purple Passion Fruit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124789347237

I would appreciate it if you would take a look at my auctions, and if you are so inclined, place a bid or two. Thank you.