What else do you grow?

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saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1292268026	Reply with quote #1

Hello everyone. A thread of this sort may have been started somewhere here before now. If so, then maybe it can be diverted to the thread most pertinent. I've been wondering about what other types of unusual fruits everyone grows? I'm especially interested in what folks are growing in the colder zones - say Z7 & colder (Not neccassarily exclusively. Don't want to completley exclude the warmer zones, or even some greenhouse oddities, of course. i.e. Anyone ever grow pineapples in a greenhouse up north?) I'm mostly curious about some of the lesser known (to most folks) stuff such as Kiwi, Pomegrantes, Che, Jujubes, Asian Persimmons, & whatever else that might fall into a similar category. You know, the odd stuff that will survive mostly outside of a greenhouse but not the typical stuff such as apples, pears, & peaches. Myself, I've started a couple varieties of pomegranates, one type of lycium species (Goji berries) & a couple varieties of prickely pear. I also grow some thornless blackberries & a couple cultivars of elderberries. I guess berries are a bit more typical but not everyone goes out of their way to grow some of them like they might grow fruit-bearing trees. So maybe berries & similar (especially the uncommon stuff) can be included too :-) . I hope you don't mind this digression from figs Jon. Just thought it would be nice to hear more about "what else" everyone gorws. Just set me straight if I'm out of line here :-]. __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

The_celt

Registered:1291260537
Posts: 874

Posted 1292270933	Reply with quote #2

sour and sweet cherrys and maulberrys are like weeds too I need a bigger yard I want an almond tree but not cold hardy enough __________________ http://sumosteaks.com/

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1292275012	Reply with quote #3

Figs (obviously) Nanking cherries (2 in-ground) AU Rosa plums (2 in-ground) Stella cherry (1 in-ground) Blueberries (5 in-ground) Pineapple guava (1 potted) Grapes (2 potted) Thornless blackberries And a wide assortment of heirloom peppers, tomatoes, ramps and other things we like to eat, but hardly find in in a suitable format anywhere.... __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1292279212	Reply with quote #4

Figs, in ground and containers Grapes in containers until Spring Hey Jason, I planted 2 Thornless Blackberry shrubs near my blueberry garden. Within one year, those blackberries took over my Blueberry garden. It took me 3 years to finally get rid of them! I hope yours are planted in containers! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

hblta

Registered:1277578212
Posts: 711

Posted 1292283933	Reply with quote #5

asperigus, pawpaw, persimon, raspberries, black raspberries, black berries, haskap berry, plums (santa rosa, shiro, burbank) cherry, several types of unknown grapes, black walnuts, jerusalum artichoke, red currant, black currant, josta berry, rhubarb, mulberries. next year planting chinese chestunts, hazelnuts, hicans, heartnut, saskatoon berries, more pawpaw, more haskaps, more blackberries, apricot, maybe another plum or two. plans for kiwi some year, asian pear, more grapes, pecans. grant z5b __________________ ************* Grant Kitchener Ontario Canada Z5b

Dan_la

Registered:1189771593
Posts: 1,438

Posted 1292285791	Reply with quote #6

Blue Ribbon Sugar Cane (large chewing old time variety) Carlos Muscadine Grapes Scuppernog Muscadine Grapes Nagami sour Kumquat Meiwa sweet Kumquat Nippon Orangequat Keifier Lime Meyers Lemon Ponkan Mandarin Sunburst Tangerine Washington Navel Orange Louisiana Sweet Orange Red Navel Orange Hamlin Sweet Orange Calamondin Orange Ruby Red Grapefruit Blood Orange Owari Satsuma Brown Select Satsuma Florida Home Pear Southern Bartlett Pear Biscamp Pear Orient Pear Tanashi Persimmon Hacihya Persimmon Suruga Persimmon Fuyu Persimmon Fuyu Imoto Persimmon Saijo Persimmon Kiowa Blackberries Three varieties of Peaches...........removed last month....for more fig trees. Candy Pecan Elliot Pecan Melrose Pecan Sumner Pecan Cape Fear Pecan Native Pecan 100+ different varieties of figs Dan

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292293069	Reply with quote #7

Like Jason we are growing the Nanking Cherries. Cherries have not done well here (Zone 7b), so I'm interested in how well your Stella Cherry is doing Jason. I would also recommend trying Goumi. It is a cherry like fruit. We have two different varieties now, but our first was self-fertile for many years. I think they are very cold hardy (check the catalog description first though). Our children like these very much fresh, and I make some really good sauces and desserts with these. Here's what we grow though: Blueberries (lots!) Figs Apples Pears Goumi Nanking Cherry Grapes Elderberry Pecans Persimmons Paw Paws JuJube Raspberries Plums Apricots And lots of garden vegetables year-round with winter hoop tunnels. Best wishes and happy holidays to all. John North Georgia Piedmont Zone 7b

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292293185	Reply with quote #8

p.s. Just to be clear, Nanking Cherries (a bush cherry) do VERY WELL here, it's just the standard tree varieties we have had trouble growing.

nhardy

Registered:1241204265
Posts: 102

Posted 1292293331	Reply with quote #9

I'm in zone 5b. In containers: 2 Figs * 1 Pomegranate, Eversweet * Strawberries ^ Sweet potatoes Banana, Dwarf Novak ** * overwintering in the garage ** overwintering in the basement ^ overwintering in the garage to protect the containers In the ground: Tomatoes, Jetstar, Sungold, etc. Pimento peppers 1 Jonathan apple, semi dwarf Black raspberries, Jewel, John Robertson & Mac black, etc. 4 Blackberries, Triple Crown & Black Satin 3 Blueberries, Chippawe & Bluegold 1 Grape, seedless Concord for pies! On order 2 dwarf apricot trees, one for me and one for the neighbor for cross polination. What a neighbor!! Everything with stars are not zoned for my area but still I'm trying to grow it anyway. __________________ StL 6a (My biggest problem is humidity with the heat during the summer here.) Potted Violette de Bordeaux - EL, 2009 Roots pruned 2016 Potted Mary Lane - Durio, 2010 Roots pruned 2016 Potted Celeste - Freedom Tree Farms, 2014 OTP Roots pruned 2016

rafed

Registered:1252876934
Posts: 5,308

Posted 1292294273	Reply with quote #10

Jon sent me a banana tree this past Summer. I have a Santa Rosa plum, nothing yet. Two Jujubes Have grown a coconut palm once and a pineapple Took down the grapes and planted kiwi instead. Some citrus trees in pots Then there's my dads veggi garden.

hblta

Registered:1277578212
Posts: 711

Posted 1292295480	Reply with quote #11

Hi Nhardy, Can you tell me how the pommegranate does for you? Has it overwintered successfully? fruiting yet? just wondering because it is one plant I have been thinking of trying. Grant Z5b __________________ ************* Grant Kitchener Ontario Canada Z5b

genecolin

Registered:1248866064
Posts: 1,542

Posted 1292295631	Reply with quote #12

I'm nowhere near zone 7, but here in zone 9 here is my list, Fig Loquats Mulberries Muscadines Grapes Pomegranate Satsumas Blackberries but the thing that has grown the best for me is FRIENDSHIP. "gene" __________________ From the bayou, "gene" zone 9 Houma, La.

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1292296724	Reply with quote #13

John, My in-laws (aunt) in PA have several goumi trees. The berries are smaller than a nanking! Do they have varieties that have larger berries?! I've already lots three Montmonrency cherries, all from Johnson's in Ellijay, where my plums and Stella came from. When the first two bareroot Montmorencies went south, I figured it was just me (yet my AU Rosa plums, planted at same time, are over 12' tall now). So, I bought a 7gal potted Montmorency, picked it up in person so they wouldn't need to ship and it keeled over also. That was about the time I decided that damned Montmorency cherries weren't for me. As much as I want pie cherries, screw it .... The Stella is 1st year whip, and didn't do a whole lot this year. It is all budded out and looks like it could grow a good 5-6 feet in 2011. Based on others growing them around Atlanta I've talked to, I'm not expecting fruit till 2012, assuming the world doesn't melt down or something. ;) The Nanking cherries are hit or miss. I trim my trees back to about 18" tall after fruit drops. In the 2nd year one tree put a respectable little load, the other had 3 berries which the birds quickly ate. 3rd year, I could have filled a 5gal bucket with all the fruit. This year (4th year) they I got about a handful, even though they managed to flower really, really well (beautiful to look at), and I went out of my way to mingle branches between the two trees to spread pollen. __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

Bass

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Posts: 2,428

Posted 1292297599	Reply with quote #14

I'm constantly trying to grow different things, and I always get rid of things that either need spraying or additional care. So far I got rid of the Apple tree that I had grafted 8 different varieties on it. As well as my multi grafted plums. Several potted fruit trees had to go to make room for other stuff. Here's my current collection of fruit. Jujubes 15 varieties Persimmon 12 varieties Pawpaw 5+ varieties Che Quince Mulberries 5 varieties Pomegranates 5 + varieties Figs 250 varieties Peaches Apricots 3 varieties Asian pears 4 varieties pears 4 varieties Grapes 3 varieties Raspberries black raspberries Black berries 4 varieties Gooseberries 3 vareities Bananas 2 varieties Guavas 3 varieties strawberry guavas lemon strawberry guavas Pineapple guava oranges mandarine persian lime pineapple Hardy kiwi wineberry Atemoya June plum Mango Avocado Pitanga Goji berry __________________ Pennsylvania http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138

Registered:1252379847
Posts: 1,162

Posted 1292299421	Reply with quote #15

Good thread... Avocado and mango should not grow here in Tallahassee (too cold) but I am testing the theory with excessive cold protection and TLC. We harvested our first two pineapples (after 15 months) this summer. In Ground Florida Avocado :: Y1 pot. Y2 ground (2010). 1st frost killed top. 8' Blueberry :: Premier, Tifblue, O'Neal, Climax, Brightwell, Bluegem, Star Figs :: Hardy Chicago, Stallion, Kilmartin Unknown Kent Mango :: Y1 pot. Y2 ground (2010). 1st frost damaged leaves. Covered Red Lady Papaya :: Y1 pot. Y2 ground (2010). Cold killed leaves. 6'6" Hale-Haven Peach :: 2011 final spring before compost bin Methley Plum :: 2011 final spring before compost bin Wonderful Pomegranate In Pots Florida Avocado Blackberry Blueberry :: Premier, Tifblue, Powderblue, Brightwell, Winsor Figs Mango :: Kent, Keitt, and Valencia Meyer Lemon Naranjilla Pineapple Strawberry :: Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Pineapple Crush Alpine, White Soul Alpine, Yellow Wonder Alpine JD __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1292301048	Reply with quote #16

Figs Fuyu Persimmon Saskatoon Asian Pears Plums Blue Berries Raspberries Red Currant Grapes Took out all apples, peaches, hachiya persimmon, some pears and hazelnut to make room for fig trees. We always have more than enough fruits to share with friends except for figs as over 90% are grown in pots. This year the in ground figs especially from Desert King & Osborne Prolific have been bountiful.

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1292301826	Reply with quote #17

Just as I suspected. We're not just fig nuts we're fruit nuts! Guess I better get more specific about what I'm growing: 1) Mullberry: 1 unk var that volunteered in my yard. 2) Thornless Blackberry: Arapaho, Triple Crown, & 1 unk. 3) Thorny Blackberry: Kiowa 4) PawPaw: 1 seedling + many wild ones down on the creek. 5) Pomegrantes: 2 unk var 6) Goji Berry: Several seedlings 7) Apples 8) Grapes 9) Sugar Apple (Annona) 1 sm. seedling 10) Elderberries: Johns & Wildwood Cellars Hybrid 11) "Wild" Black Currants: Sevearl rooted cuttings 12) Ginseng: wildcrafted in KY, grown in pots 13) Peaches 14) Pineapple: Attempting to grow from tops. 15) 50+ small fig trees and continuing to grow in varieties. Many things on my wish list that I look forward to trying. Bass, is Pitanga the same thing as Suriname Cherries? I used to find loads of suriname cherry growing in FL - both red & black fruited varieties. I would stand by a bush and eat them until I had my fill :-) . Many people don't care for the flavor but I really like them - especially the black ones. __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

Bass

Registered:1188959030
Posts: 2,428

Posted 1292303565	Reply with quote #18

Bill, Yes Pitanga is the same as Suriname cherries. Jon is the expert on them, hence Pitanga Diego. __________________ Pennsylvania http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138

strudeldog

Registered:1278124225
Posts: 747

Posted 1292303739

Reply with quote #19

Much of my planting are young and not producing yet, and hoping I can still list some of these things after this winter.

21 Cultivar Blueberries

9 cultivar Bunch grapes

8 cultivars apples

7 cultivar pears European and Asian

7 cultivar Muscadines

7 cultivar Kaki Persimmon (doubling that this year)

6 cultivar Blackberries

4 cultivar Pomegranate

4 cultivar Pecan

4 cultivar Pawpaw

4 cultivar Kiwi

3 cultivar Raspberries

2 cultivar Jujube

2 cultivar black walnut

2 culivar Carpathion walnut

1 cultivar cherry

Trazel nuts

Nanking Cherry

Mulberry

Mayhaw

Heartnuts

Gooseberry

Chestnuts

Butternuts

6 cultivar Citrus in pots

__________________
Phil N.GA. Zone 7 Looking for: De La Reina, Del La Senyora, Martinenca Rimada, Parfum De Cafards, Ponte Tresa, Sangue Dulce, Emalyn's Purple, and on and on

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292304041	Reply with quote #20

Hi Jason. I several different varieties of cherry trees and had no luck with any of them. They didn't produce but a few and died in a few years. I keep our Nankings trimmed to 5-6 feet and they produce pretty well most every year. I do have a larger variety Goumi, but I will have to check the tag to tell you the variety (sorry), but I will check and get back to you. Great thread Saxonfig. And yes you are right. Probably nearly all of us a Garden nuts, not just fig nuts, but I do like figs pretty well I must admit. Also, we grow mushrooms.

satellitehead

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Posts: 3,687

Posted 1292333623	Reply with quote #21

i have been looking into a nearby foraging class for mushrooms to go hunt them out, but i've been thinking about in-home growing. i've also been thinking about ramping up my ramps production along with some gourmet mushrooms to sell to local restaurants. maybe i could make a business out of it? that could be pretty damn cool. __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

satellitehead

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Posts: 3,687

Posted 1292340888	Reply with quote #22

John, I was confusing Goumi with Autumn Olive! Autumn Olive is fairly similar to Serviceberry (aka "sugarplum"), only a different color. I have some photos of the fruit, but a quick trip to Google Images search will provide pictures. __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

GeorgiaFig

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Posts: 584

Posted 1292342118	Reply with quote #23

Hi Jason. We tried Autumn Olive but didn't like it, and a Forestry neighbor also said it was an invasive species, so we took it out. The Goumis have done very well though. I have two varieties. The first I just can't remember the variety and I don't have any records unfortunately, but the second is definately a Red Gem http://www.onegreenworld.com/index.php?cPath=1_28 I like the Red Gem but the kids like the other one. The Red Gem is larger, and to me better flavored but both are good. We get our mushroom plugs from Fungi Perfecti http://www.fungi.com (I think) Growing in a stump is really easy. Hope you are well my friend, and happy holidays. John

nhardy

Registered:1241204265
Posts: 102

Posted 1292358476	Reply with quote #24

Grant, We just got the pomegranate in the spring. It was 9 in. tall from Durio. It was 37 in. tall when I put it in the garage last month. So no flowers or fruit this year. I picked Eversweet because I read it takes 5 month to fruit mature after it flowers on new wood. I really wanted the dwarf parfianka for it's size and taste. But I read it takes 6 to 7 months for the fruit mature. I'll have to prune the Eversweet, but that should be no big problem to keep it dwarf in size. I wish I was a little further south to be able to plant in the ground a cold hardy variety. Bass has posted pictures of his havested fruit from his cold hardy varieties. I saw an episode of Gardening by the Yard on pomegranates & thought it would be fun to try to grow if I could overwinter it. I thought about trying to grow an avocado, papaya or an olive tree. But had second thoughts on how big they get. I tried to grow a lemon & an orange, but no luck overwintering them in the house. I'm trying to overwintering a gardenia in the basement underlights. So far so good. __________________ StL 6a (My biggest problem is humidity with the heat during the summer here.) Potted Violette de Bordeaux - EL, 2009 Roots pruned 2016 Potted Mary Lane - Durio, 2010 Roots pruned 2016 Potted Celeste - Freedom Tree Farms, 2014 OTP Roots pruned 2016

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1292360600	Reply with quote #25

Bass; Thanks for the clarification on the syn of Pitanga. I'm assuming you grow yours in your HH. Do they fruit pretty well for you in the green house? I also see from your list above that you grow quite a few other tropical/sub-tropical fruits. Would you mind telling us a little more about how well some of those do for you? Such as the Annona, Mango, Guavas, etc. I'm kinda curious about the tropicals since I plan to build a greenhouse of my own (hopefully by the end of next summer). I definately want to try some Annona varieties. In FL I grew a sugar apple from seed and really liked it. And if I can get a Mango tree to fruit in a GH I am on it! What variety is your Mango Bass? I had two mango cultivars & two mature seedling trees in my yard in FL. One of the cultivars was Kent but I never did figure out the variety of the other one but it was just too good to not be a cultivar. I always wanted to grow some outstanding varieties such as Mallucca & Nam Doc Mai. I sampled those 2 & they were great! Both were completly fiberless if I recall correctly. Hey Jon. Which varieties of Pitanga would you reccommend for greenhouse culture? __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

svanessa

Registered:1189292564
Posts: 905

Posted 1292370348	Reply with quote #26

Lisbon, Meyers, Eureka Lemon Blood Orange Wash Naval Orange Sour Orange (Seville for making marmelade!) Clementine Lime Ross, Fuerte and Bacon Avocado Loquat Anna Apple Peach Plum Katy Apricot Unk Olive (sm black fruit) Pomegranates Raspberries blackberries 12 varieties of wine grapes from Spain, Portugal and Italy (Nebollio (sp?), Sangiovese) and of course 100+ varieties of figs, 35-50 will go in ground this spring. Planning on: Fuyu Persimmon Walnut Nicoise and Kalamata olive and appropriate pollinator maybe another nut tree...pecan or macadamia Pitanga passion vines allspice love to have cherries but it's too hot here. then there's the veggie garden... Sue __________________ Sue Zone 9B, 1946' Ramona, CA San Diego County

pitangadiego

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Posts: 5,447

Posted 1292375325	Reply with quote #27

Figs, figs, figs, and more figs. Bananas and more bananas. Still make room for oranges, kumquats, limes, lemons, grapefruit, blood oranges, che, sugar cane, apples, asian pears, loquats, white sapote, pitangas, grapes, passion fruit, inga, pluots, plums, cherries, apricots, peaches, mulberries, strawberry guavas, tropical guavas, macadamias, papayas, star apple, cherimoya, cherimoya/atemoya hybrids, etc Tangerine, Mango, Boysenberries, Pecan, etc. Jujube, avocado, Guyaneese guava, acerola, etc. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

Ben_in_SoFla

Registered:1288532559
Posts: 134

Posted 1292377189	Reply with quote #28

Where do I begin.... zone 10, South Florida, used to have lots of citrus... picked fruit and loaded my wheelbarrow, my son used to distribute limes in his red wagon to the neighbors.. FL dept of AG removed them.. long and sad as well as infuriating story dancy tangerine, honey murcott tangerine navel oranges persian lime mineola tangelo mulberry - black, removed it as it got too big bananas - removed as it got too big and the whole 'hood got sick of eating bananas. currently grow key lime in big pot dancy tangerine loquat pineapples, lots, second and third generation from Hawaii, Maui Gold variety figs - 6 varities here and 20 other varieties in Gainesville (North Florida) lychee - var mauritius lychee - var brewster sugar apple papaya - from hawaii second and third generation mamey (sapote) var 'pantin' aka 'key west' mango - nam doc mai (awesome- best mango I've ever eaten) mango - carrie... commercial variety, so so plant, might it remove to make room Opuntia ficus indica - prickly pear cactus, originated from Sicily __________________ Ben, North Central Florida Zone 8B - 9

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292377583	Reply with quote #29

Looking at everyone's lists, I notice that I forget to list a lot of the things we are growing. I guess we are always trying something new. I really envy those of you who can grow bananas. My family used to own a banana plantation, and we love bananas, but only the ornamental kind can be grown here outside unprotected, and they get cut to the ground every year. My wife has been very successful with beautiful ornamental pomegranates, so I am field testing some cold hardy fruiting types. So far the plants are doing well, but we will see if they have time to ripen when they fruit next year. My guess is it's going to be a pretty close call, but fun either way, and beautiful flowers either way. It actually gets pretty cold here in the North Georgia Piedmont sometimes, down to the mid-teens the last few nights and we have had a little snow. Nonetheless, our long, hot summers produced some outstanding figs last year. Some of my favorite things to grow are cabbage during the winter and potatoes in the Spring. I have about 50 heads of cabbage in the field right now. My family is from Eastern Europe, so we couldn't live without the cabbage and potatoes, and the figs of course. Best wishes to all. John North Georgia Piedmont Zone 7b

noss

Registered:1244523274
Posts: 2,122

Posted 1292381847	Reply with quote #30

I have mostly figs, but also have some garlic chives that have survived for 35 years on their own, out back, in the same pot and without any care whatsoever. I hear they are considered invasive in some states. Guess we know why, but I've never had them cast around that took over in my yard. I have some lemongrass in a pot, too. Come March, I want to have an Owari Satsuma and a Meyer Lemon put in. I'd love to have someone graft me a couple of trees from the Satsuma tree down the street from us. It's been in the ground for at least 30 years, with almost no care and produces bumper crops of fruit every year. I think it's going to come apart, though because no one has pruned it for many years, now, which is a shame for such a productive tree. Makes me feel sad. The house is abandoned now. To my taste, Satsumas are a perfect orange type and are easy to peel. The have a more orangey flavor than tangerines. Tangerines taste like perfume, to me. noss __________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.

pitangadiego

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Posts: 5,447

Posted 1292385805	Reply with quote #31

Sacks on fig, I only grow seedlings. I have had 2-3 named varieties which were way over-hyped and not worth the bother, in my opinion. I enjoy them very much, but not sure I would devote greenhouse space to them on a pounds of fruit per volume of bush basis. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1292386838	Reply with quote #32

John, is it possible to airlayer Goumi trees also? Are they typically on their own rootstock, or are they grafted? __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292391890	Reply with quote #33

Hi Jason. I have never done airlayering with the Goumi, but it is possible. Not difficult but a little slow I think. I may try it though just to see. They really aren't hard to grow though, I can tell you that, pretty much grow like weeds. They are nitrogen fixers so you don't need to fertilize them, but you do need to prune them back good every year to keep them at a good picking height. Overall it's a nice edible/unusual for the orchard, and said to have many health benefits too. One other plus: It's the first fruit to ripen. I can't remember when exactly but VERY early, well before anything else in the Spring. I would give the Goumis a thumbs up. Downsides: Some thorns (depending on variety); small fruits (but tons of them; I use a hand held cranberry rake to pick and have many gallons of fruit); need to prune every year after the plants reach about 5 to 6 feet or they will quickly be 10 feet and hard to pick.

Ingevald

Registered:1200844977
Posts: 312

Posted 1292394681	Reply with quote #34

Hello, Here in northeast Kansas (zone 5, usually the warmer side of this zone) I am growing a variety of interesting fruits. Figs are the obvious fruit that I am growing and all except one are in containers. I am growing the following. Pomegranates (in containers) Banana - experimenting with one in a container, stored inside over winter Hazel nuts Persimmons, American Elderberry Highbush Cranberry Cranberry (the bog type) Pecan, northern strain Roses Peach Pawpaw, named varieties and wild seedlings Mulberry Pears Apples Plum, hybrid types (mostly crosses with p. Americana) Grapes Black raspberry Native blackberry Medlar Blueberries - in containers, but kept outside all year Pie (sour) Cherry Buffalo Berry Nanking Cherry Black Walnut Choke Cherry Sand Cherry Currants June Berry (aka Saskatoon) Gooseberry Ingevald

goldie

Registered:1287693665
Posts: 61

Posted 1292406112	Reply with quote #35

Wow, I'm impressed with everyones' lists. I have only the ordinary, but have always wanted to branch out, so this thread is very interesting to me. 3 apple 1 pear thornless blackberry blueberry alpine strawberry strawberries, everbearing and early grapes 2 varieties 1 lonely fig, soon to have siblings vegetables I am especially interested in the Goumi trees. Do they grow from seed? or do you need to buy a tree? self fertile? Full sun? Have really enjoyed hearing about what others grow West of Atlanta,7b

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292420364	Reply with quote #36

Hi Goldie. I must confess that I have wasted a lot of money trying unusual edibles. The "Sea Berry" project went on for years and wasted hundreds of dollars, and in the end they all died without producing one berry. Goumi has been a winner though. Just so everyone knows, they are not true cherries, and while they taste cherry like, and we think quite good, these aren't traditional cherries. We love that they are so early fruiting and abundant though. The children eat lots of them fresh right off the bush (so do we) and I pick them with a hand held rake (I said cranberry earlier; but maybe a lingonberry rake?) and then wash them (no need to seed or stem), cook them, and strain out the seeds and stems in one of those cullender things, and you have lots of cherry sauce to use and can. We pour the sauce over angel food cake (terrific!), make preserves, and I make "cherry" pies that taste like a cherry pie but have the texture of a lemon pie because the "cherries" have been strained. Excellent though. You can grow from seed or air layer, but they sell for less than $20 at Raintree Nursury or One Green World. They are partially self-fertile but you get more fruit with two varieties (you get a lot with one though). Full sun. Our first was a seedling from Raintree (the childrens favorite) but my favorite is the Red Gem from One Green World. Here's the Raintree link: http://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/producttype.cfm?producttype=Goumi Goumis are extremely cold hardy, but will grow very well here in Georgia too. Best wishes. John North Georgia Piedmont Zone 7b

Sage721

Registered:1245720962
Posts: 11

Posted 1292424118	Reply with quote #37

Very impressive lists... And very jealous of those of you who live in warmer climates. And those who have room for a greenhouse, for that matter (someday!) Figs (10 cultivars, some named, others unk... all potted for now) Plum (santa rosa, 'lost the tag like a fool') Peach (july elberta) Nectarine Asian pear (Korean Giant) Euro Pear (Bosc primary w/ 5 grafted limbs from local finds) Apple (seedling rootstock, hope to graft this spring) Jujube (Li) Hardy Kiwi (Anna, Arctic Beauty male) Loads of veggies, always experimenting with new (to me anyway) stuff

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1292437085	Reply with quote #38

Jon, I like what you did with my username he he. I tried coming up with a re-make for yours but I got nothin'. So you're saying my greenhouse space might be better used for a more valuable selection. Maybe so. I can already see that no matter how big I build it, it's not going to be big enough. Jason & John, You guys are making me want to try some Goumi here in Z6. From the sounds of things they should do fine here -? Do they grow true-to-seed. If so, does anyone have some seed they'd like to share :) ? Ingevald, You reminded me about the northern Pecan tree I have in my yard. I had forgotten to list it. It gives me plenty of nuts but it seems to be off & on about developing full kernals. I also become bored quickly when shelling them. But they are very good when the shells are full. Anyone have a shortcut to shelling alot of pecans at a time? __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292441392	Reply with quote #39

Hi Bill. The Goumi is very cold hardy, coming from the Russian East. We are growing it here in Zone 7b so it takes heat well too, but the catalog description says it will survive negative 25 degrees F. Kentucky Zone 6 never gets that cold, and it should be safe up through northern zone 5 (southern Michigan). You can grow from seed. I have never tried, but it is said to be a slow hit and miss process. For under $20 at either Raintree or One Green World I would just buy one and you will have fruit much sooner, possibly even a few to taste the first year, the second year for sure, and in 3 to 4 years you will be getting some respectable crops. Also, while you may get a good seedling, you may not. I like the Red Gem because of it's size and mild flavor. The seedling we have is good too but slightly more astrigent until dead ripe. The Red Gem is sweeter, bigger, juicier, and milder. There are now some other named varieties I haved tried, but they look good also. Best wishes. John

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1292447590	Reply with quote #40

Thank you for more details on the Goumis John. What a funny sounding name. I assume it's pronounced something like "goomy" -? I'm sure my 5yr old would like that word for the name game song he's been playing with lately. You know, 'Goomy-oomy-bo-boomy'....... LOL . Sounds like I'll have to start with Red Gem on your reccomendation. I'll also have to do some searching on other varities, just to see what else is out there. I'm gonna have to get creative with finding ways to make this hobby fund itself :-} ! __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

goldie

Registered:1287693665
Posts: 61

Posted 1292459323	Reply with quote #41

Sacks on Figs.....couldn't figure it out on my own- but funny! Thanks for the info on Goumis..I do need to know how to pronounce it also- I have a seven year old. I'll have to find some room for some. have you ever tried to grow one from a cutting?

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292465740	Reply with quote #42

Hi Bill and Goldie. On funding your hobby, some people make some money selling plants, etc., but for most of us this hobby funds itself in a different way: 1) You really can save a lot of money growing your own produce (which means not having to buy as much at the store); 2) The health benefits of home-grown organic produce are enormous, and you could save thousands, and even hundreds of thousands on medical bills over a lifetime by eating more home-grown organic produce (with all the anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, soluable fiber, etc., and none of the pesticides, e-coli, heavy metals, etc.); 3) You get great exercise gardening, further contributing to your health; and 4) You can't buy the joy of seeing your own figs, etc., grow and fruit, a peace and happiness that further contributes to your health and quality of life. So even if you never make a penny in cash, you are saving big bucks over the years. And if your spouse doesn't buy any of that (all of which I sincerely believe is absolutely true), ask them to think of all that things you might be getting in trouble with if you weren't busy out in the garden! ;-) John

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1292483973	Reply with quote #43

I like that philosophy John. Especially the part about "selling" this hobby to my wife ;) . She's grown accustomed to my many interests & hobbies I've had over the years though. Gardening is one passion that has been a constant for me through all my other interests that may have come and gone over the years. I have no question about the immeasurable health benefits of cultivating our own plants, enjoying the fresh clean produce, and the pleasure & satisfaction that comes from it all. Not to mention the great sense of occomplishment we get when we have a successful harvest. To me, nothing else compares to it. -Is it spring yet :-] !? __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292521032	Reply with quote #44

Hi Bill. My job can sometimes be very stressful, and my fig trees, orchard, and garden are the perfect remedy. I always feel a great sense of peace and happiness, even after a very tough day, when I walk through the garden to see what is happening today and dream about what it will be like in the future. So what I am saying, is that this hobby has also saved me a LOT of money I would have had to pay for a Counselor! ;-) It's also fun to be able to talk with others here about their gardens and projects. Most of my neighbors couldn't care less. They are nice people of course, but when I take them vegetables, I'm pretty sure they don't have any idea what to even do with them. So it's great to know that there are still lots of people out there who care about gardening, good health for their families, etc. And one final thought: Most of our neighbors don't know it yet, but soon, they will need a garden too. Think about it. Throughout human history, except for the last few decades, everyone had a garden. And when they need to learn, we will be there my friend, ready to help. And Spring will be here before you know it. Best wishes. John

scott_ga

Registered:1189222943
Posts: 302

Posted 1292686036	Reply with quote #45

I really have more figs than anything. I used to have bananas which would get really big 12+ feet, but winter storage was tough. John, I think the secret to cherry trees in Georgia is to grow North Star (naturally dwarf sour cherry) on the north side of the house, preferably sheltered from the summer sun. Plant the rootstock deep so that it is not exposed (most of these are on rootstocks that will be attacked by borers, but they won't attack the cherry itself). The cherry will eventually root, but the tree will stay dwarf. Mine fruits every year. Figs (too many) Pomegranates (three types if they make it through the winter) Loquat Sour cherry (North Star) Antique apples Pears Blueberries Orange tree (inside in the winter) Scott __________________ Scott North Georgia Zone 7b

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292707358	Reply with quote #46

Thanks Scott. I tried a North Star almost 10 years ago. It did better than the other varieties and fruited for a year or tow, but the extreme drought we had at the time probably killed it. So I will try a North Star again. I truly appreciate the suggestion as cherries are one of our favorites and it's definately worth another try. Happy holidays. John North Georgia Piedmont Zone 7b

OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1292728493	Reply with quote #47

I grow figs in containers and everything else in the ground in this cold part of Zone 5. I also grow: - Grapes (Some plants fruited in 2010) - Peaches (one plant 'Reliance' fruited well in 2010). The 2nd one 'Red Heaven' went to heaven in the cold 2008 winter. - Apricot (2 plants, both fruited well in 2010 because a mild 2009 winter did not kill the fruit buds) - Sweet Cherries, Sour Cherries (like NorthStar for birds) and sweet-sour cherry Evan (known as Bali in some parts of US) - Red and White Nanking cherries. - Plums (some of the plants are cold hardy ones from Manitoba) - Apple, multi-graft (planted again in 2009). It is from HD but OK. - Pears (two plants) almost destroyed by Jack rabbits in one year with deep snow (& lack of food) - Rasberries (10+ varieties). The Ann variety surprised me as being prolific & everbearing, bearing fruit until frost !! Do believe it. - Strawberries (Seascape overbearing) - Honeyberries - CHUMs (Cherry-Plums) - Illinois overbearing mulberry - Weeping mulberries (2) . These are for my two grand-children, one each, but they do raid each others. They love it. - Blackberries - Gooseberries - Saskatoons (My grandchildren told me they like to eat these just to keep me happy!) The other plants that I try to grow but they don't want to grow big and just survive with small size. Survival is enough this far cold North. I hope some year they may surprise me. - BLueberries (no fruits after - Pawpaw - Oriental persimmom - Black walnut - Chestnuts -Now the fruit that should be in the above list, is "Goumi" !!!. I did not it existed before reading this thread.. I googled it in Canada and found many posts from Canadians complaining about the lack of sources in Canada even though it originated in another cold country. Any suggestion to get it here/there somewhere without going through that Phyto-stuff? These pictures below of Goumi plant (minus some sub-pictures there) is a 1000.00 words: http://www.google.ca/images?hl=en&biw=990&bih=697&q=goumi&rlz=1R2SKPB_enCA383&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=YG0NTamsN9Kynwe4qYSNDg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CCsQsAQwAQ However, the fruit plants that I really work with are the fig plants. These other ones I plant them and they take care of themselves, summer and winter, and the squirrels take care of most of their fruits. Surprisingly I have not seen the squirrels go after rasberries. __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

Oxankle

Registered:1207103242
Posts: 227

Posted 1292779639	Reply with quote #48

Hello, Guys and Gals: I've been away for a while and darned if you don't come up with a really good thread!!!! Pecans, black walnut, mulberries and paw paw will naturalize here. I have probably a hundred and fifty native and grafted trees. Unfortunately if not tended, fertilized and sprayed they are unpredictable. This year the squirrels took every nut; I got none, so you can see it was a small crop. Black walnuts here are not worth the trouble of shelling--little meat and hard work. Mulberry is fine if you like them; they grow well, as do paw paw. Blackberries are native here and the thornless varieties do well but are a garden crop. If untended they die out. The wild ones become a pest. \ Elderberries are also naturalized here--they grow along the roadsides. In addition to those naturalized nuts and berries (and of course the figs) I have; Plum (Wild plums here are small and useless) Apple Peach Asian pear grapes (The seedless varieties developed by the U. of Ark.) Wild grapes are abundant but they make no useful fruit. Some of the U. of A. grapes, especially the red seedless, are as good as any you can get at the grocery. Domestic pear (two varieties) Japanese persimmon (Tana Nashi and Saijo) Saijo is said to be the better one but mine are just whips, planted in late Fall 2009. Jujube--an unknown variety planted by the original owner of this home. I live next to a peach and apple grower, so could have an abundance of those if I were willing to make the effort--growing those here take real work as borers and drought take the peaches, scale and smut get apples. Worms and chewing bugs get the fruit, too, so my most successful apple is the Arkansas Black. It will put on fruit and give a decent crop even if ignored. You have to be willing to cut out a bad spot or two on an apple, but they are hardy, delicious and good keepers. Oh, I forgot; a peach tree may have a crop ready to pick tomorrow and be stripped by coons before daylight on the day you plan to pick. Cherries: I kinow where there is/'was a cherry tree fifteen feet high and that wide about twenty miles from here but I have not been able to get one to survive. Ditto on the gardening comments; a big garden is a pleasure to work, the produce is fresh and delicious. The wife enjoys both watching it grow and the picking and eating. I grow a few flowers and roses for her too. Goumi? I had better check that one out. I'm coming eighty, but I just might have time to get one to bearing size if I get right on it. Oh; I forgot that hickory trees grow well here too, and are native. I don't bother with the nuts since pecans are available. I have a few large trees but cut them for firewood along with the black locust (the honey producer). Ox

paulandirene

Registered:1264433694
Posts: 398

Posted 1292795832	Reply with quote #49

Crandall blackcurrant Newtown Pippin apple Hauer Pippin apple Arkansas Black apple Wonderful pomegranate Thompson Seedless grapes Pecan tree dug out of my father in law's yard Stella cherry [didn't thrive, removed it a few months ago] Lilacs, chinese pistache, green ash Russian Willow, grown from a off of the tree that my great-great grandfather planted in Montana in the 1880s

GeorgiaFig

Registered:1272917158
Posts: 584

Posted 1292806776	Reply with quote #50

Hi Ox. Hope you have many, many more good healthy years, but the Goumi fruits quickly. If you are starting with a decent sized plant (we got ours from Raintree Nursury and One Green World Nursery) you might get a little fruit to taste even the first year, but the second year for sure, and then you will start getting some nice crops after that. Very best wishes. John North Georgia Piedmont Zone 7b

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