Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Rare Fruit Council Activities 1956-57

Rare Fruit Council Activities 1956-57

WHITMAN AND WIRKUS: RARE COUNCIL 307

show any symptoms of incompatability. In sirable for commercial planting, but this contrast, growth of all the acid Citrus has feature cannot be judged until the trials have been much more vigorous than is obtained continued for a longer time. At present we on any other stock, with the are so encouraged by the vigor the lime has showing outstanding development. Three displayed on this stock, which appears highly months after , these had de resistant or immune to the diseases which veloped to the same degree as had scions of have so plagued the Cuban lime industry, the same variety grafted 1% years on sour that it may prove practical to artificially stock, under comparable field conditions, and support the trees should much overgrowth of were producing fruit. The limes produced the scion occur, as all other stocks so far have been of good quality and normal size. tested for thelime have not been satisfactory Up to the present time, the acid Citrus under the climatic and soil conditions of and especially Tahiti lime have con Cuba. tinued to make rapid growth on this stock,

so much so that we are beginning to be LITERATURE CITED

concerned that the scions may badly over 1. Swingle, W. T. "Swinglea glutinosa" The Citrus In grow the stock, thus resulting in an unde dustry I: 448-452. (Webber & Batchelor, Editors). Univ. Calif. Press, 1943.

RARE FRUIT COUNCIL ACTIVITIES 1956-57

William F. Whitman, President ing mild flavor, anesthetizes certain taste buds 189 Bal Bay Drive causing sour citrus, for example the Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia), to appear to become Miami Beach 54, Florida as non-acid as a good orange (Citrus sinensis). Leonard V. Wirkus, Recording Secretary Those who sampled this unusual "taste-twister" were quite surprised to find that the effect 8501S.W. 53rd Ave. from a single fruit can last for hours causing Miami 43, Florida most foods to be sugarsweet, including beer! Fruits on display for the evening were avo The first meeting of the Rare Fruit Coun cados, miraculous fruit, dovyalis cil, following the presentation of its 1955-56 (Dovyalis ahyssinica X Dovyalis hebecarpa) at the Florida State Horticultural So and a governor's plum relative, the paniala ciety annual meeting in Orlando, was held (Flacourtia cataphracta). Friday evening, January 7, 1957 in the Botany At our February meeting Julia Morton gave Building of the University of Miamu Dr. an interesting talk on the baobab (Adansonia Francis Lincoln of the Sub-Tropical Experi digitata). Holding up a pod from this tree, ment Station opened the meeting by giving a she explained another name used for the talk on avocado (Persea americana) varieties, baobab is "cream of tartar tree," the taste illustrated with samples of the fruit. Among of the fruit actually being similar to that of the varieties discussed were Cook, Major, the . In Africa the foliage of the baobab MacDonald and Costa Rican Dwarf.' is used to cause excessive perspiration as an A potted miraculous fruit (Synsepalum aid in cooling one's self, and old trees which dulcificum) was exhibited to the group. This are hollow are used for storing water. Mrs. three foot plant, bearing several dozen bright O. L. Churney spoke of living in the Philip red fruit the size and shape of a jelly bean, pines prior to World War II. Here she found had been grown from seed by Wm. Whit (Garcinia mangostana) and the man. These he had gathered in 1952 during popular langsat (Lansium domesticum) to be a tour of the Canal Zone Summit Gardens, top quality fruits in the local markets. Panama. Four years later the first fruit ap During our March meeting a discussion peared and the plant has since borne several was held on the use of plastics in horticul crops annually. The fruit which has a pleas ture. In recent years clear plastic sheet has 308 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1957 been found helpful in grafting and in air ed. He also saw very large lychee trees layering. PJant material transported in sealed (Litchi chinensis) that have yet to bear their plastic bags usually retains its moisture con first fruit. Continuing into tent over long periods of time and the pos Mr. Younghans observed Haden mangos sible reduction in shipping weight can result, (Mangifera indica) growing next to apples in lower transportation charges. Packed bare (Pijrus malus) at the Experiment Station of root in this manner, nineteen grafted tropi La Molina, Lima, Peru. In Sao Paulo Sr. cal fruit trees were forwarded from Bangkok, Heitor Montenegro, with the Brazilian Dept. Thailand, to Miami, Florida, at an average of Agriculture, spoke of two-inch jaboticaba air freight cost of less than $1.00 per tree. (Myciaria sp.) and at Belem, Brazil, ripe Plants received in a weakened condition after abiu (Pouteria caimito) were sampled. A su prolonged shipment often make a more rapid perior fruited seedless abiu variety was re recovery when they are enveloped in clear ported to exist here. An excellent drink made plastic bags after being potted (Fig. 1). Three or four equally spaced sticks thrust into the potting soil help to support the bag and keep it from collapsing over the plants. The bags are tied around the tops of the plant containers, after which the plastic covered plant is placed in semi-shade to avoid ex cessive heating. Root sprouts of the bread fruit ( altilis) have been propa gated by using this method. When bread fruit sprouts are broken off with no visible root usually several months are required before the plant will have formed enough for the plastic bag to be gradually re moved. A high point of the evening was the sampling of South Florida grown northern red (Rubus sp.) variety Indian Sum mer (Fig. 2). This type of red was grown adjacent to trees and ap pears to do fairly well under warm climatic conditions. Clusters of large fruit are pro duced with a flavor superior to that of the locally more common Indian Mysore black raspberry. Kelthane has been found to give good control for red spider (Paratetranychus sp.) without causing foliar damage.

In April Seymour Younghans gave our meeting a most interesting report on his re cent month of travels in , South America and the West Indies. At the Canal Zone, his first stop, he found Summit Gardens in a neglected state due to economy measures. During a tour of the grounds with Director W. R. Lindsay numerous volunteer seedling mangosteens 12" to 18" high were observed under mature parent trees. - Fig. 1. Plants received in a weakened condition ants and beetle-girdled guava (Psidium prolonged shipment often make a more rapid recovery when they are enveloped in clear plastic bags and placed guajava) branches were frequently encounter in semi-shade. Photo by Wm. Whitman. WHITMAN AND WIRKUS: RARE FRUIT COUNCIL 309

Fig. 2. South Florida grown northern red raspberries (Rubus sp.) variety Indian Summer. Photo by Julian Morton. from the juice of the passion fruit (Passiflora sena lansium), jujube (Zizyphus mauritiana), edulis) was thoroughly enjoyed. Also visited and Malay apple (Syzygium malaccensis) were British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, Trinidad were offered for distribution. and , after which Mr. Younghans The May meeting took place in the Dade returned to South Florida with several in County Extension Service Building, Miami. teresting pomological introductions. Dr. Ledin, recently returned from the an Dr. Ledin brought two fruits from the Sub- nual meeting of the Section of the Tropical Experiment Station, Homestead. One American Society of Horticultural Science was a superior flavored Surinam cherry which was held in Mexico, gave a resume of (Eugenia uniflora) which was well received his trip. During an afternoon tour a seven by the group. The other fruit was a dew thousand foot high plateau was visited near (Rubus sp.), under observation trials Mexico City. Observed here were both the to determine their adaptability to a warm red and golden Delicious apple, peaches climate. Seedling plants of the wampie (Clau- (Prunus persica) and other tempeiate zone 310 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1957 fruit. The Spanish peaches seemed superior Florida conditions where other varieties which to the red Ceylon peach, but unequal to the require more cold usually fail to bear. A best U. S. commercial varieties. A three day current project at Gainesville, Florida, is field trip to Vera Cruz enabled seeing numer the testing of hybrid peaches made by cross ous groves of tropical fruits. Among these ing commercial Georgia peach varieties with were commercial plantings of the mango, the red Ceylon peach. Fruits on display for coffee (Coffea arabica), pineapple (Ananas the evening were Glenn mangos, frozen "bul comosus), papaya (Carica papaya), avocado lock's heart" (Annona reticulata), red Ceylon and Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia). Mexi peaches, imbe (Garcinia livingstonei), wampi, co has 17,500 acres planted to mangos, of rose apples (Syzygium jambos) and avocado these 60% are in Vera Cruz. The predomi varieties Arue and Capac, the latter brought nating Manila Variety, a Mexican favorite, by Dr. Lincoln. makes a beautiful, dome shaped tree with Our June meeting was again held in the dense foliage. Unfortunately the fruit was Dade County Extension Service Building. Mr. observed being picked immature to meet the Whitman reported on the Rare Fruit Coun early market. cil's tropical fruit exhibit at the recent An Returning to the subject of peaches, Dr. nual Mango Forum Festival in Homestead. Ledin gave a brief history of the Ceylon He stated his thanks to the Sub-Tropical Ex peach in Florida. Back in 1880 a Bartow man periment Station, the University of Miami received seeds from Ceylon. Pliny Reasoner Experimental Farm, the U. S. Plant Introduc and his brother, hearing of this, propagated tion Garden and the many individuals who the Ceylon peach which appeared in their had donated fruit and their time to make Royal Palm Nursery catalogue of 1887. Dr. this an outstanding display. Mrs. Mary Hein- Ledin stated the tree fruits well under South lein, of the Redland Fruit and Spice Park,

Fig. 3. Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense) as grown at the Sub-Tropical Experiment Station. This is a commercial fruit in Ecuador where its juice is extracted to make a delicious beverage. Photo by John Noonan. WHITMAN AND WIRKUS: RARE FRUIT COUNCIL 311

artistically arranged the fruits which required ably when treated with gibberellic acid. The seventy feet of table space. full potentials of this remarkable new chem ical plant stimulant are yet to be explored. A cooked breadfruit from a large Key West Wm. Whitman appointed Dr. Ledin and Rose tree was brought by the Roscoe Glenns. As mary Wirkus as a committee to compile a Mrs. Glenn served this she described how it cross reference list of the plants and fruits had been baked for forty minutes in aluminum that have been exhibited and/or distributed foil at 450° F. Dr. Ledin stated that sweet at the Rare Fruit Council meetings. A most puddings can be made from the fully ripe striking fruit on display for the evening was fruit. Wm. Whitman reported on a bread the jambo (Syzygium javanica). This growing at 1887 Brickell Avenue beautiful, shining, bell-shaped fruit appeared near Biscayne Bay. This tree, brought from as if it had been molded from translucent Spanish Wells, Bahamas on April 15, 1951, rose tinted wax (Fig. 4). It was produced is presently sixteen feet high and has not fruited. This is believed to be the largest known unprotected breadfruit tree growing on the mainland of Florida. A breadfruit grown by Wm. Whitman, across the bay from Miami, has borne fruit since 1954.

Naranjilla (Solarium quitoense), also known as the "Golden Fruit of the Andes," were brought from the Sub-Tropical Experiment Station by Dr. Ledin (Fig. 3). This round, prickly-fuzzed, orange, two-inch fruit, which is related to the tomato, is grown commer cially in Ecuador for its juice. Although nearly a dozen fruit were required to fill a small glass with the tart greenish juice, Dr. Ledin and volunteers were able to extract enough for everyone to enjoy a sample of this delicious beverage. Mixed with , the juice was first tried full strength and later mixed with equal parts of water. As the naranjilla is extremely susceptible to root- knot, it has been found to do better when grafted on other nematode resistant Solanums, such as the "Brazilian Tree" (S. macranthum). Fig. 4. These beautiful wax jambo fruits (Syzygium In July a combination picnic and meeting javanica) are believed to be the first grown in Florida. was held on the extensive grounds of the Photo by John Noonan. Wirkus residence. A main course of charcoal broiled chicken was supplemented by mem by a tree brought from Trinidad by Mr. ber donated spiced tropical fruits. This de Younghans in 1953 and is believed to be the lightful semi-informal gathering will be re first instance of the wax jambo fruiting in membered as one of the highlights of our Florida. organization. During the meeting that fol The Rare Fruit Council held its August lowed, Douglas Knapp, Assistant Dade Coun meeting at the Simpson Park Garden Center. ty Agricultural Agent, spoke on the use of Mr. W. Ray Richardson was installed as the gibberellic acid for stimulating plant growth. new corresponding secretary, relieving Sey Preliminary observations have shown a notice mour Younghans who had done an excellent able increase in leaf size and stem length for job in that capacity since the Council's in most plants. Grafts that are dormant and ception. Mr. Gerard Pitt brought a large jack- have refused to spring have responded favor fruit (Artocarpiis integrifoUa) from the Hobbs 312 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1957

Estate tree on the corner of Main Highway and Battersea Road, Grove. This is one of three trees originally planted in South Florida, the other two being on the Malcom Matheson Estate and the Fairchild Kampong. The fruit was opened and sampled by Council members who claimed it the best they had ever tasted in Florida. Plans are already underway to vegetatively propagate this out standing Artocarpus for future distribution. Mr. Newcomb presented some beautiful speci mens of Hylocereus. H. undatus, the common night-blooming cereus has a red skin and white flesh, filled with many tiny black seeds. Its flavor is sweet and refreshing. Hylocereus guatemalensis has a darker red skin, very showy, and dark red flesh, but it is less tasty than the white-fleshed . This vine is smaller and more manageable than H. undatus, otherwise it is quite similar. Mr. Whitman demonstrated a Cuban orange-peeling ma chine, which in a few seconds peels off a thin, continuous strip of skin, leaving a white rindless, oil-less orange for juicing or eating out of hand.

Fig. 6. Duku (Lansium domesticum). Through the coopera tion of R. Soeparma Satiadiredja and Harsono Hard|ohu- tomo nine different Atje Soleiman plant portraits were ob tained by Wm. F. Whitman from . Photo by Wm. Whitman.

The September meeting was held at the Bal Harbour residence of Wm. Whitman. Beautiful Indonesian water color paintings of the tropical fruits of the Far East added a unique touch to the Whitman home. These fruit portraits were the recent work of the celebrated Sudanese artist, Atje Soleiman, who twenty six years ago made the color illustrations for Dr. J. J. Ochse's book "Fruits and Fruitculture in the Dutch East Indies" (G. Kolff & Co., Batavia, 1931). The eight exquisitely detailed paintings consisted of one water color on each of the following fruits: rambi (Baccaurea racemosa), breadfruit, gan- daria (Bouea macrophylla), champedak (Arto carpus champeden) (Fig. 5), rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), duku (Lansium do mesticum) (Fig. 6), (Fig. 7), and () (Fig. 8). These were obtained through the kind co operation of R. Soeparma Satiadiredja and

Fig. 5. This champedak (Artocarpus champeden) is an Harsono Hardjohutomo, both of whom are other illustration of the exquisite detailing in the paintings with the Bureau of Horticulture, Republic of Atje Soleiman. Photo by Wm. Whitman. WHITMAN AND WTRKUS: RARE FRUIT COUNCIL 313 or Indonesia. During the past four years Wm. . His collection of Far Eastern Whitman has concentrated on pomological in fruits enabled a comparison of the living troductions from Thailand, Indonesia and the plants with the flawless perfection of Solei- man's work. Fruits on display for the eve ning were a fine flavored (Musa $p.) by Sam Mauro, variety unknown, a Bradley cherimoya (Annona cherimola?) by Robert Newcomb and preserved lychees by Fred Stone. Red northern raspberry plants, variety Indian Summer, were distributed. It is hoped those who received this worthwhile berry will keep the Council posted on its performance.

The October meeting took place in the Education Building of the South Miami Meth odist Church. Considerable interest was shown by those present in the approaching annual meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society, which is being held in the Miami area for the first time since the inception of the Rare Fruit Council. Dr. Ledin read the program of the Krome Memorial Sec tion, dealing at length on the many interest ing to be delivered. What is believed to be the first Florida grown fruit of the Cuban seedless sugar apple (Annona squa-

Fig. 7. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) color drawing mosa) was brought by Wm, Whitman from by Atje Soleiman, who did similar work twenty-six years his grafted tree in Bal Harbour (Fig. 9). ago for Dr. Ochse's book "Fruits and Fruitculture in the Dutch East indies." Photo by Wm. Whitman. Prior to this introduction of both graft wood and grafted plants had failed to survive in spite of Cuba's proximity to Florida. The flavor was found to be slightly inferior to seeded varieties, probably due to the presence of abortive seeds, appearing like thin, minute

Fig. 8. Durian (Durio zibethinus) water color by In do- nesian artist Atje Soleiman is a good example of his excel- Fig. 9. Cuban "seedless" sugar apple (Annona squamosa). lent work. Photo by Wm. Whitman. Photo by Wm. Whitman. 314 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1957

piece of bran flakes. In spite of this, the shipped from his native Thailand many vege- novelty of a sugar apple with no seed re tatively propagated fruits including their moval problems appealed to all. Mrs. New- commercial mango variety "Oakrong," rambai comb brought samples of a delicious frozen (Baccaurea racemosa) variety "Namtansai" puree made by putting carambolas (Averrhoa meaning "white sugar," langsat variety "Utta- carambola) through a Waring blender. Dr. radit" and Malay apple variety "Mameau." Biebel served canned Cuban guana bana R. Soeparma Satiadiredja, previously men (Annona muricata) nectar and guava nectar, tioned, forwarded Indonesian plants. Among both of which are refreshing drinks. Eight these were grafted rambutan varieties "Simat- green sapote plants (Calocarpum viride) were jan" and "Lebakbulus," both of which are distributed. The Council thanks John Stermer illustrated in Dr. Ochse's book of 1931. of who furnished the seed! Each year some of our tropical introduc During the past year a number of plant tions come into bearing, probably for the first introductions have been received from the time in Florida. For these we are indebted Far East, Formosa, the Philippines, Hawaii, to our plant exchange friends in the far cor Central America and South America. Anchern ners of the globe. May the South Florida Chompoophot, Kasetsart University professor fruits received by them bring equally as much and former University of Florida student, enthusiasm and interest as their's have for us!

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN LYCHEE MARKETING

Gordon Palmer, President Lychee fruit grows in clusters on large and magnificent evergreen trees reaching 50 feet Florida Lychee Growers Association tall and as much across. The Brewster fruits reach the size of large dark red Palmer Nurseries, Osprey in color. This variety blooms in the winter The lychee, the ancient and favorite fruit and the fruit ripens over a four to six week of the Far East with origins dating back period beginning early in June. The harvest 3500 years in Chinese prehistory, was intro starts slowly for a week or ten days, then duced into Florida in the 1880's. It was not rapidly increases to a peak for another week however until the late 1940's that it began or ten days during which peak period as being grown here as a commercial crop. In much as % of the whole annual crop ripens 1951, the Florida Lychee Growers Associa for marketing. After the peak, production tion was organized as a marketing coopera drops rapidly and gradually tapers off. The tive and today it represents some 90 growers fruit cannot be picked early to ripen off the who control all but a small fraction of the trees, and once ripened on the tree, it must lychees being produced in the state. be immediately picked or it will be subject to rapid spoilage. Ripe fruit will ordinarily The variety of the lychee now being grown keep 7-14 days so that there can be no delay commercially in Florida is known as the in its marketing. In fact, shipments to northern Brewster. Of the many varieties which have points are made by air freight, ordinarily the been planted experimentally here, to date it same day that the fruit is picked. seems to be the one best adapted to our The Association has been marketing lychees climate and soil conditions. Orlando marks for the past 5 seasons, the smallest crop hav about the northern limit of its cold tolerance ing been 7500 pounds in 1954 and the largest and from there south to Homestead, lychee 25,000 pounds in 1955. The 1957 crop groves are spotted here and there across the amounted to 14,500 pounds. Prices have state — the greatest concentration of plantings ranged from a few sales at a low of 50c per being in Sarasota County. The south-central pound to $1.00 per pound, f.o.b. airport of Florida area is the only place on the North delivery in Florida. For the past two seasons American continent where the lychee is now the price has held consistently at 75c per being grown on a commercial scale. pound, f.o.b. Shipments are made direct on

Top View