*^*The official fruit photo thread*^*

[catscratch]

I'm super happy to have a couple of fruit pics.for the thread as the first tree was planted last spring and the second this spring. I really didn't think a would have anything for several more yrs.
Dolgo crab that I left a couple on just to see what they were like. It put on more but I took them off (the ones a hail storm didn't take off for me).

Tigertooth jujube planted this spring. I'm beyond happy to find this one fruit. I figured it would take yrs and yrs to see something on this tree.

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[Native Hunter]

I know what the pawpaw are (nevery seen one in real life though), but I've got ask; what are the little spiky things?

LOL, we had a funny conversation about those in another thread. Someone though I might have got them from a nursery on Mars.

Those are Kousa Dogwood (Japanese Dogwood) fruits. I bought a couple of them a few years back just because I like to experiment with novelty things, and I had read the fruits were edible by humans. This was the first year I had fruit.

You cut the fruits in half and eat the centers. The closest thing I can think of to describe the taste is cantaloupe - except that they are even sweeter than any cantaloupe I have ever tasted. Since I am not a big fan of cantaloupe, I've not eaten a great deal of them, but honestly a lot of people would probably really like them.

Pic below shows what they look like on the inside. I didn't try eating the outside, but I guess if a guy wanted more fiber in his diet, it wouldn't taste any worse than Fiber One.

 

[catscratch]

I guess I don't know what a pawpaw is
Looks interesting, I wonder if they'll grow in Kansas...

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[Brushpile]

Sequin/Chinese Chinkapin.

Kieffer Pear.


Korean Giant Pear.

 

[Native Hunter]

I guess I don't know what a pawpaw is
Looks interesting, I wonder if they'll grow in Kansas...

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The Arbor Day Foundation lists Kousa Dogwood to be hardy in Zones 5-8, so if you want to try one, that should give you a starting point.

As for Paw Paws, Kansas is a great state. In fact, one of the most famous named cultivars (Sunflower) was selected from a wild paw paw growing near Chanute, KS.

 

[catscratch]

The Arbor Day Foundation lists Kousa Dogwood to be hardy in Zones 5-8, so if you want to try one, that should give you a starting point.

As for Paw Paws, Kansas is a great state. In fact, one of the most famous named cultivars (Sunflower) was selected from a wild paw paw growing near Chanute, KS.

Ok, I need sources. Who sells these things so I can start adding new stuff to my list?

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[Native Hunter]

Ok, I need sources. Who sells these things so I can start adding new stuff to my list?

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Lots of places sell run of the mill (seedling paw paws). I got some from Wildlife Group and they were not that expensive. They also grew well. If you want grafted (named cultivar) paw paws, that is a different story. There are several different sources, but none of them will be cheap. I did see one place in Tennessee that had grafted paw paws pretty cheap, but you had to buy 10 of them - all the same variety.

As for the Kousa, I saw seedlings one time very cheap from one of the state run nurseries, but that was 2 or 3 years ago, and I don't remember which state it was. You might do some google searching and find some good deals.

If you buy a single Kousa from a private nursery, expect to pay quite a bit. I just looked and it was ridiculous. I wouldn't pay those prices. I did find them on the Arbor Day web site for $13, but everything else was crazy.

So, just putting in a good hour of searching on the Internet is going to be your best bet.......

 

[catscratch]

I just did an information search for Kousa and found nothing on their fruit (seems to be an ornamental). Do critters like it? I'm all for sharing with the critters.

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[Native Hunter]

I just did an information search for Kousa and found nothing on their fruit (seems to be an ornamental). Do critters like it? I'm all for sharing with the critters.

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I don't know because this is the first year I've had fruit. They might look at it and run away...

My recommendation is to forget about Kousa as a wildlife plant. There are just too many other good choices. There is no way it could be any better than a good apple, pear, etc., etc.... I would further recommend that when you buy paw paws just to go with seedling trees. The grafted varieties cost too much, and if you get seedlings from a good source, I doubt you would ever know the difference.

Also, be sure to provide mid day sun protection for young paw paws for at least the first two years. After they get settled in well they are fine in full sun, but you will most surely lose them early on without sun protection.

Good luck - you should have no trouble finding some seedling paw paws. Get ready for a long wait because they do grow slow.

 

[catscratch]

How many yrs before they fruit?
By protection, are you referring to a shade cloth or tarp on their cage type of thing for a couple of yrs?
I will still look at the Kousa as a "pretty plant" for the wife. If it can double then I get bonus points (or at least permission).

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[Native Hunter]

How many yrs before they fruit?
By protection, are you referring to a shade cloth or tarp on their cage type of thing for a couple of yrs?
I will still look at the Kousa as a "pretty plant" for the wife. If it can double then I get bonus points (or at least permission).

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LOL on the Kousa and the wife and the bonus points!

Yes, there are several ways to provide mid day protection from sun. Since it is only for a couple of years, lots of things will work. Something I've done is use a garbage bag over the top of the cage and just duct tape it where it hangs down on the side. Be sure to punch holes in it so rainwater will go on down to the plant.

If it is a really hot, dry spot, you can let the protection go down a little further on the sides of the cage to give more sun protection.

I hear of people saying they get fruit from paw paw seedlings really fast, and I don't doubt that. But, for me that hasn't been the case. The fastest small crops maybe in 4 years but I do mean small. I was really meaning the vegetative growth. They are a small tree even when mature, so don't expect them to take off like a pear whip. I can't say they are "easy" to get growing, but once they establish they are generally trouble free. I did have one tree where some pest was actually eating the limb tips (not leaves but wood) but that is a rare case.

 

[Maya]

Sequin/Chinese Chinkapin.

Brush, that thing looks like a sea urchin up here in New England.

 

[Merle Hawggard]

Westfield Seek No Further from my yard tree. Looks ugly, but it was wonderful.

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