culov

I am new to this board and I want to send a salute out to everyone in southern california as well as everyone on this board. I was wondering if anyone has had success growing Mamey in Orange County? I live in La Habra and during the winter it get down to the mid thirties.

Richard

Contact Orange County CRFG Chapter for experiences of their members. My two cents: Green Sapote (Pouteria viridis) would be a better choice.

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cherokee_greg

welcome

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Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA
http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

Eric

Welcome aboard, Culov ! I'd Def go with Richard on the Mamey thing. That guy Really knows plants (& California). It's a very friendly & info-packed site, here. If ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask!

LilRaverBoi

Welcome to the site! I'm sure you'll enjoy it here and learn a lot!

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stumpy4700

Welcome

Abnshrek

Welcome & Happy Growing :^)

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culov

Thanks for the warm welcome. I want to clear something up, went I said it gets in the mid thirties those are record lows. The average lows of the year in La Habra is in Jan. and Feb. in the high forties but it seems a lot colder because during those months I wake up to frost/ice on the car front window and on the roof of the house. My tree is 4' tall and it is in a 15" pot. I plant to nurse this baby for a couple of years until it flowers - if it ever flowers. I have it in the front of my house so on those nippy nights I'll move it inside the garage. Those are my plants, any tips or advice would be nice.

Richard

I don't think you'll need to move it inside -- there are mamey sapote growing in coastal-influenced areas from San Diego to Santa Barbara, and a few in the Bay area as well. La Habra is a good location because the summers are warm enough for the fruit to sort of ripen. If you can get the green sapote then grow it as well because I think you'll like the fruit better.

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CValentine

Welcome culov!

From Zone 8a, Killeen, Texas!! ~Cheryl

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culov

Finally the quest is over! Mamey Sapote grow and fruit in Southern California.

soundofthemusic1

Welcome from Georgia!

It must be nice to live in southern California; you can grow so many different kinds of fruit trees. This is the first time I hear the name of Mamey Sapote. Is it ripe yet?

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Richard

Is this one at your place, or ?

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culov

Hi Richard,

No, I wish it was mine. It's from a fellow Cuban that's growing it for 13 year in Orange County. The tree has two fruits and it's flowering like crazy. He expects a lot more fruits to set this year. He told me it's been flowering for years but last year was the first time a fruit had set. This is a record tree I have never seen or heard of a Mamey Sapote fruiting in California. Check it out!

Richard

Oh its going to town!

People in the CRFG say its 10 to 15 years to fruit, so I guess thats another supporting data point.

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culov

It sure is! The Mamey Sapote is not even on the CRFG Fruit Facts. My local chapter arrived at a consensus, some time back, that it could not fruit in California - embracing conventional wisdom. Here are two references that wikipidia cites: Sapote, Mamey Sapote - Pouteria sapota they both claim that the tree has been found to be too tender to fruit in California. This tree has evolved, adapted and survived our climate. I got frustrated asking the so call experts about the Mamey Sapote in our zone so I when straight to the source: the Cuban community. Within 5 minutes they directed me to a fellow Cuban who had one in his back yard. This tree is 20' and 13 years old.

culov

This is the tree from the sidewalk.

Richard

I would guess the music coming from the house also helps.

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legneref

Concerning tropical fruit trees in Riverside, California: I've lived in Riverside for the past 50 years and have learned that there are many distinct microclimates even on one property of only 3/4 acre. Many tropical species are under constant winter stress from occasional low winter temperatures that for some species stimulates fruit production, while for others restricts their ability to produce fruit. Also, the typical cool period in springtime can cause decline of tropical species: dwarf bananas especially. Trial and error plantings in one's backyard eventually locates suitable areas for different species. Leichy requires afternoon shade, Cherimoya requires overnight wetness (or fogging) to set fruit as pollen is formed in the evening while pollination is only possible the following morning. The Philippine species of mango do very well even thru' cold winters but fruit will not set well during wet springs. Several species of Sapote are well adapted after they are over five years old. Colonel Beaumont variety of macadamia is the most prolific bearer in Riverside, but they are rarely available anymore. Coconut will not survive prolonged cool springs, but pineapple plants will survive the required 1.5 years to fruit if kept moist. The quality of yard-grown pineapple is especially good. Most available mandarins, oranges and grapefruits typically give excellent yields, altho' all citrus is now under threat of eradication due to the invasion of the Asian citrus psyllid. The scientific community that used to be on top of such invasions is vastly understaffed due to cutbacks in support from government and growers as well as the elimination of strategic laboratories that were located in foreign areas. Over the past 20 years funding has rather been diverted to genetic engineering.

The above examples are just a few of the many tropical and subtropical species I am familiar with for Riverside, and I will be happy to discuss others as well at discoverfl@live.com.

Dr. E. F. Legner, Professor Emeritus, University of California

Richard

Don't be shy! Introduce yourself with a new thread here: Member Introductions - Bananas.org

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