Cassabanana (Sicana odorifera) Update

I brought some of my Cassabanana seedlings to the greenhouse and moved the others to a west-facing window at home.  For some reason they were beginning to wilt under the grow lights.  I keep my lights on 24/7 which most plants seem to be alright with.  Apparently Cassabanana is not one of those plants and enjoys a rest.

What I find most interesting is that both plants seem to be growing at a similar rate.  The greenhouse is warmer, sunnier and more humid.  This window sill has snow on the other side, only gets afternoon sun, and is dry.  I figured they would go crazy in the greenhouse but they really haven't.  The window sill one is actually a bit longer (less light) but both appear to have about a similar number of leaves.  I know many gourd/melon plants start out growing relatively slowly then just take off.  Maybe I'll see a difference in a few weeks.

I hope I actually see some fruit out of these plants.  They need about three months of warm weather to set fruit and ripen properly.  They should be well established and ready to flower by the time I set them outside.  We do have about 4 good months of warm, humid weather.  I just don't know if it will be enough for a tropical vine.  I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Pomegranate Seedlings Update

These seedlings just don't stop!  This picture is actually a few days old and they've grown even more.  I should transplant them soon, but I've had some interesting job developments and I'm currently putting my transplants/seed starting on hold (although it kills me because I've just received a bunch).  If you just want to sprout something to raise your germination self esteem then this is the plant for you.  It's my dream to one day grow my own pomegranate.  For some reason this is one of the most charming fruits to me.  Beyond the fruit, the trees are lovely and so are the blooms.  Instead of the logical compromise of a dwarf pomegranate tree, I felt like a challenge.  Maybe in a few years my first pomegranate will be within reach.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Seedling Update

My pomegranate seedlings have been growing quickly.  Today I noticed they are already starting to branch!  You can see clearly that the middle/back seedling is starting to branch from the seed leaves.  This is crazy!  I've never seen any plant do this so quickly and not even from the adult leaves.  I expect these pomegranate seedlings will really take off in the next few weeks.  Hopefully at some point I'll actually get them to fruit.  The local greenhouses have a dwarf variety which fruits regularly so I'm willing to bet thees will too.  Pomegranates are also grown as ornamentals and can even be crafted into bonsai.  I hope to try out the bonsai option some time in the future.

Happy Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

Cassabanana Update (Sicana odorifera)

Just a short post. I absolutely love the leaf patterning of these little guys. I really need to split them into individuals pots. The roots are going to be a nightmare to untangle!

Pomegranates Sprouting (Punica granatum)

Pomegranate's are one of my favourite fruits.  A few days ago I realized that this is one of the few plants I haven't tried to grow from seed.  After eating a large fruit I saved about a dozen seeds.  I made sure to clean each one well, washed them, then let them dry for about a week.  Next the seeds were soaked for about 24 hours and planted in a general mix at about 23C.  Within about a week, these sprouts are coming up.  Allegedly pomegranates are easy to sprout so I expect to see most of them germinate.

The local greenhouses have the dwarf cultivar which only grows to 2m (6') or a max of 1m (3') or so in a container.  The fruit of these dwarfs is about the size of a golf ball.  Although I intend to keep my plants in pots, I wanted something that gets bigger and would produce larger fruit.  Maybe I'll actually see some in a few years.  Only time will tell.

Cassabanana Seeds Sprouting (Sicana odorifera)

I received my Cassabanana seeds a few months ago but decided to wait a few months before sowing them.  I stored them in the fridge for about two months and amazingly I've had 100% germination!  I soaked them for five days before planting.  I actually forgot about them and was worried they'd end up drowning but I guess it ended up being perfect. They were soaked at room temperature then kept at about 24C. The roots are already almost to the bottom of the pots (about 15cm) so I get the feeling these are going to be some extremely quick growing plants.

Here you can see them two days ago, just starting to break the surface:

Today you can see that 9/10 are fully vertical with open leaves and 1 is still on the way up (hidden in the farthest pot behind another seedling). I'm thinking these will need to be transplanted within two weeks at most.  I might have to pot them up at the local greenhouses just to make sure they have enough room.

Now I have no idea if I'll ever get fruit from these.  They need a long growing season and although we have warm, humid summer in south-western Ontario the season isn't long enough.  I'm hoping I'll see some by starting them this early so hopefully I'll have at least one fruit by the end of the summer!

Germinating Cassabanana (Sicana odorifera)

Source: http://zoom50.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/sicana-odorifera.jpg

    This is one interesting melon.  The fruit can reach over 60cm in length and may be black, brown, orange or deep purple.  The centre of each fruit contains a large number of seeds.  These are surrounded by fleshy melon that tastes similar to cantaloupe.  The vines themselves are vigorous perennials that grow up to 15m.  They can be grown as annuals in climates with cold winters (like mine).  They thrive on heat and may grow relatively slowly until summer comes.

    I'm planning on starting them inside for the winter, then planting them out in the spring.  In the fall I'll cut back the vines, dig them up, and bring them inside for the winter.  I have no idea if they'll survive this kind of trauma, but I figure why not try?  I expect to have fruit by fall next year.

    The seeds should be soaked for a day or less prior to sowing.  Plant them about 2cm deep and they should begin sprouting relatively quickly (within less than a week).  People recommend starting them 1 to 2 months before you plan on planting them outside.  I however will probably plant them immediately upon receiving them because that's how I roll.

    I saved my carnivorous plant for last in honour of Halloween.  It's a pitcher plant of the species Nepenthes rowanae.

Germinating Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)

Source: http://www.travelinlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_0087.jpg

    Hurray, another fig!  Now what attracted me to this fig?  Could it have been the incredible roots?  Maybe it was the lovely smooth bark.  Then again it has edible figs and can easily be trained into a bonsai.  Seems like a great combination of traits to me.  Clearly I just had to have one.  Also yes, I do expect to have one get this big and take over a greenhouse somewhere...

    The tree in the photo above is actually located in California.  Ficus macrophylla are rated for USDA zone 9b and can grow to a height of 60m with a similar spread.  Once again I intend to use my ficus method for germination.  I'll just fill some plastic take out containers with a seed starting mix.  Then I'll sprinkle on the seeds, put the lid on, and leave in a southern window until they sprout.

    Tomorrow I'll break with tradition and actually post about something hardy in my zone (USDA zone 6), Black Iris (Iris chrysographes).

Germinating Velvet Pink Banana (Musa dasycarpa formerly Musa velutina)

Source: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/musa_velutina2.jpg

    The lovely Musa dasycarpa really stands out for me.  There are other bananas with pink flowers, but this one also has bright pink fruit!  Better yet the fruit is very sweet and edible, although filled with seeds.  This species is also more cold tolerant that other bananas.  It's definitely not the hardiest but can survive temperatures down to -12C (USDA zone 8a).  It even stays relatively small and only grows to about 2m in height.

    This species was originally referred to as M. velutina.  It was thought to be discovered in 1875 but it turns out it was actually described 8 years earlier in 1867.  The first person to discover/describe the plant generally gets the naming rights, so the proper name is Musa dasycarpa.

    This is the second species that I've tried previously but couldn't get to germinate.  I think the issue was heat.  I have found a lot of conflicting information on germinating these bananas.  I'm going to try using moist compost and planting each seed about 1/2 cm deep.  Allegedly they like temperatures between 21C and 25C with a day/night fluctuation.  People keep recommending this but if they're not getting results I don't know why they still try it.

    There are other theories that seeds from bananas that ripen in warm weather germinate quickly (2 weeks) with heat. Those that ripen in cooler weather germinate more slowly (2 months) and heat doesn't help.  The seeds I ordered would have been collected in the summer.  I've always had luck germinating bananas with heat so that's what I'm going to try.  Wish me luck!

    The next species up is Pride of Madeira (Echium fastuosum).

Germinating the Strawberry Fig (Ficus auriculata)

Source: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2276410498_ac3cf490ca_b.jpg

    So I'm sick today. I have a really sore throat and runny red eyes. There's been a cold going around for weeks and I think I finally have it. I'm going to take it easy today so hopefully I feel a bit better by tomorrow. At least I have my blog to keep me busy. :)

    This is one of two plants I ordered, that I've tried to germinate previously.  For some reason the last time I tried, I didn't get a single sprout.  I'm not entirely sure what happened but I'm thinking I didn't keep them wet enough.  Figs are definitely one of my favourite genus of plants.  The species are very diverse, vigorous, adaptable, respond well to pruning and almost always make attractive plants.  I love that Ficus auriculata has huge leaves and produces large numbers of figs that taste similar to strawberries.  If it isn't obvious already, figs are also some of my favourite fruit!

    I have found the easiest way to germinate any species of fig is to fill an old sushi or Chinese food tray with soil and sprinkle the seeds over the surface (seeds are extremely tiny).  Most figs need light to germinate so be sure to put them in a south or west facing window.  Keep the seeds relatively moist but not wet.  They can take a tonne of water when older but damping off can be a problem for seedlings.  Then just put on the clear lid that came with the food tray and wait.  Within less than a week the first sprouts should appear with a very high germination rate after a week.  Room temperature is fine for the first few weeks, but ideally give these plants some heat and they'll grow like crazy!

    Tomorrow I move onto the Fishtail Palm (Caryota urens).

Germinating Pandanus fascicularis (Screw Pine)

Source: http://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/04/2500/2091.jpg

    Unlike the name suggests, Pandanus fascicularis is not a pine at all.  If you have ever looked up Pandanus before, you'll know it develops these fun, completely straight above ground roots.  The trees tend to look like they'be been propped up by sticks.  That alone was enough to spark my interest in this plant.    I wanted to show the entire plant so unfortunately the picture I chose doesn't show the root potential.  Google it!  It's delightful, I promise.They are already commonly grown as houseplants so I figured why not give them a try?

    The seeds I ordered are for Pandanus odoratissimus.  This doesn't appear to be an actual species and upon looking it up, may refer to P. tectorius or P. fascicularis.  I found out P. tectorius is usually grown on small ocean throughout the Pacific.  P. fascicularis on the other hand is grown inland in regions of India.  The seed supplier is from the same region of India so I feel it's safe to assume this is the species.

    At first I was disappointed.  I can be kind of picky and had my heart set on P. tectorius ever since seeing it on the show Survivor (don't judge me :) ).  I was very happy to find out that the species I have may be even better!  The leaves are edible and can be chewed on or used to flavour food (be careful of the barbs though).  The male flowers are beautifully scented and used to create perfumes.  Even the fruit is edible although I'm unsure if it's palatable.  Overall, I'm very excited about this purchase!

    Each seed should be given it's own pot because in some cases three plants can sprout from the same seed (sometimes up to 8).  Pandanus sp. do not like wet roots!  They can rot very quickly so ensure the starting mix is well drained.  This being said, soaking for 1-5 days seems to improve germination, but change the water daily.  Room temperature appears fine, but I would recommend 25C+ if possible.  This is because germination can take a long time and will be sped up with some heat.  Expect the first sprouts within a month but they could take up to half a year.

    Next up is the Strawberry Fig (Ficus auriculata).

Germinating Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum syn. Cyphomandra betaceum))

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBZ8iw6n2XNe5cw00T3BILBop0u0XCtEOyRKkClPjGQeV0_DQaWlTE6ZiTVsbgpqaDjkSTH9p7JRWbYS99QtpnspqJjQUHvxwE18anTfloKwljkutgH4iWUlrDegBWJQ_pYE-U-9JMO8/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG

    Now for a plant that most people should know, the tamarillo.  I've wanted these seeds for three main reasons:  I love tamarillo fruit, I'm fascinated by fast growing plants, and I am partial to plants with big leaves.  I'm actually surprised I've waited so long to get these seeds.  I was hoping to find some in local grocery stores and markets but I haven't seen any recently.

    The plants are short lived and may only last 5 years or so.  Tamarillos seem to appreciate cooler temperatures with an ideal median of about 18C.  They're adaptable but I'm a little worried it may get too hot for them here.  I tried to grow a Chayote which likes similar temperatures is it was often wilting by the end of the day in the summer.  I think tamarillos will prove more adaptable and be alright as long as enough water is available.

    This is an extremely easy plant to grow from seed.  Room temperature is completely fine and plants may even sprout at 15C or lower.  You can start it like you would any garden vegetable, so just use whatever method has worked for you to sprout tomatoes, lettuce, etc.  A general potting mix with consistent moisture and bright light are perfect.

    Next comes the Screw Pine (Pandanus fascicularis).

Jackfruit Update (Artocarpus herterophyllus)

Just a quick update about my Jackfruit seedlings. They're growing well and seem relatively healthy. I have noticed a little visual damage to some of the leaves that may be the result of insects. The plants don't seem to be negatively affected, at least not yet.

These seeds came from irradiated, refrigerated fruit and the seed leaves were actually damaged (they ended up rotting). I figure the seed on the left was damaged more, as is evident from the multiple stems which usually happens after damage to the main stem. I don't ever expect to get fruit from these, but they'll be nice plants nonetheless. How many people living in Canada have their own Jackfruit trees?

Passiflora edulis Seedlings (Yellow Passion Fruit)

This summer I have been obsessed with tropical fruits. I've tried to start many seeds from these fruits. Some of them have been a complete failure and not sprouted at all or died immediately afterwards. These include Sweetsop, Cherimoya, Longan, Lychee, and Papaya. As far as I know all of these seeds were from irradiated fruit.

I also tried some seeds from those dried sugary Dates without luck. My experience thus far had told me that nothing would sprout. Luckily I'm addicted to germinating seeds and planted some from a yellow passion fruit anyway. Within less than a week the first sprouts were poking out of the soil. Like most of my seeds, they started in a south-facing window in a grocery store sushi container.

I moved them outside into partial sun and they kept doing well. I managed about 75% germination and had to cull the extra seedlings. One really hot day I accidently let them dry out. I figured I'd lost them for sure, but soaked them in the hopes of saving a few. To my surprise they all survived! A few days later I transplanted the largest into the pots below. They have since started putting out new leaves and seem quite happy.

This variety is not hardy at all. There are some cultivars that will die down to the ground in my area but you'll never see the fruit for sale. I'll have to bring these plants in for the winter. Hopefully I'll have some flowers by next year!

Jackfruit Seedlings (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

It took an extremely long time, but I now have two healthy young jackfruit seedlings growing! As far as I can tell it took longer than expected because the original seed leaves were damaged during irradiation and refridgeration of the fruit.

I'm thinking the plant on yhe left suffered even more damage. It sent up a bare stem with no leaves whatsoever. At least I've ended up with an odd bushy seedling that probably wouldn't have existed otherwise.

These are the only seeds I've successfully sprouted from irradiated fruit. The papaya sprouted but stop growing and eventually withered.

Horned Melon

I recently came across a horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) in a grocery store. I've seen them before but after reading up about it, I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to try. I didn't end up getting it. A while later Jame brought one home. Curiosity got the better of me and I ended up trying it.

I've got to say that I'm really not a fan. It tastes like an extremely acidic cucumber with harder seeds. Although fun to look at, it really wasn't fun to eat!

I still recommend trying it. Just go in with low expectations and you won't be disappointed. Then you can grow your own with the seeds. Apparently they're as easy as the related cucumber, and the melons could be fun decorations for fall.

Jackfruit Sprouting (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

One of my jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seeds is sprouting! It was collected from irradiated fruit and soaked for about 24 hours before planting. Allegedly they germinate quickly, but this one took well over a month. Another seems to be putting up a stem, so hopefully I'll end up with two!

Happy Halloween, Fruit, Food & Community Garden

Hey everyone, happy Halloween! I've been missing in action but I'm still alive. ;)

Today was the November work party for Cottonwood Community Gardens. I've been assigned kiwi duty so I spent most of my time there. The pruning has been finished for the most part so we've constructed as woodchip path through the area beneath the kiwi arbour and added some compost to fertilize for next year.

I also tried three new fruit today. The first one is called a Fuyu Persimmon. I've noticed dozens of these mid-sized trees across the city which appear to have mini pumpkins dangling from them (the one in the picture has less pronounced ridges than most). These are in fact a hardy variety of persimmon which is only ripe when it has a soft, mushy texture. It tastes like a cross between a pumpkin/squash and a mango. Not too sweet or fibrous, basically just right.

I also tried some tomatillos both raw and fried with butter. Very interesting. Sort of like a sweeter unripe tomato with a lemon twist. These were followed by some small 'grape kiwi' that were about the size of cherry tomatoes. They were delicious and taste just like the larger kiwi but don't have a hairy covering so you can eat them right off the vine. I had both a male and female plant back in Ontario but never ended up getting any fruit.

To finish off the day I'll be making some banana bread. I didn't have baking powder/soda so I'm trying to use yeast and I'll just let it sit for an hour or so. Hopefully it works and I don't end up with some banana brick! I'll upload the recipe and a picture if it turns out.

BTW Does anyone know what this fruit is? EDIT: Barry Parker has determined it's a Common Medlar (Mespilus germanica). Apparently they're one of the few fruits to ripen in winter. It is related to the Loquat which is also hardy in Vancouver.

Also what variety of Ficus is this? I'm thinking a Ficus carica hybrid. I've seen both green and brown figs in Vancouver but nothing with leaves like these. EDIT: Identified by College Gardener as Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera).

Cottonwood Community Garden: August Work Party

The last Sunday of nearly every month, anyone with a plot in the gardens is asked to come out to a Work Party. Keeping the gardens up and running requires a lot of time and effort and everyone needs to lend a hand.

I volunteered for kiwi duty. Unfortunately only myself and one other person were able to make it today. Both of us are new to kiwi care and unsure of the required maintenance. We ended up just going around removing weeds, young raspberry bushes/locust trees, and trimming off the dozens of branches reaching over the side of the trellis. We decided not to touch the ones growing vertically over the trellis. Some will be trained for next year and others removed. It seemed safer than risking damage to the plant. There are two varieties and the fruit won't be ready until October/November.

A young mouse also payed us a visit near one of the compost bins. It seemed really timid but instead of running like a normal mouse it just froze. Perfect for a photo! This photo is a bit low quality but the pose is great.

Now for another Vancouver surprise, the giant slugs. This one even comes with an orange racing strip! The coffee cup is an extra large for comparison.