FRUIT TREE CROPS

Tropical fruit tree crops are extremely important because they provide a reliable source of food. Once established, these trees can bear fruit even when environmental conditions fluctuate. Tropical fruit trees are variable in many relevant characteristics, including method of propagation, growth habit, use of the fruit, nutritional value, and adaptation. While seldom used as staple foods, their perennial nature and nutritional contribution (frequently vitamin C and sometimes vitamin A) are of great importance. Most fruits contain carbohydrates, frequently in the form of sugars, and often as starch. Fruit crops are a welcomed and useful addition to any small farm because they require relatively little input and produce wherever they are adapted.

Seeds of the fruit trees listed below may differ from our selected varieties due to cross-pollination. The seed you receive may be extremely variable. When the trees you plant from seed bear fruit, you may select superior individuals for vegetative propagation such as grafting or air layering. Most fruit tree seed has short viability, and therefore is not always in stock; we will put you on a waiting list and send seed in season.

Does well in tropical and subtropical lowlands; grafting very common (seedlings variable); germination takes about 4 weeks; fast-growing tree, not tolerant of water-logging; delicious sweet fruit similar in flavor to cherimoya; seed contains toxic insecticidal substances. pH: 5.5-6.5.

Most widely grown Annona; sweet, flavorful dessert fruit can be used in ice cream and milk shakes; drought-tolerant; seed contain toxic, insecticidal substances. Red and Green varieties refer to the color of fruit. There is a slight difference in taste, but no difference in texture. Sugar apple is grainier in texture then Atemoya. pH: 5.5-6.5.

Soursop produces large fruits on its trunk and branches. The fruit is often used as a drink by mixing the juice with milk or water and sugar. Less acid varieties are eaten fresh. Production starts in three to five years in a seedling tree and occurs year-round. The tree is bushy, but has an upright growth habit and can reach 12-30 ft. A few degrees below freezing can kill the tree and near freezing temperatures defoliate it temporarily. pH: 5.5-6.5

Reputation for world's largest tree fruit. Heavy bearer. Large edible portion with high nutritional value. Edible, delicious seeds. Well-adapted to wet tropical conditions. Recommended minimum 50" annual rainfall. Fruits can also be eaten green as a vegetable. Highly recommended. pH: 5.5-7.5.

Very productive tree with wide appeal; Grown best in wind-protected areas with adequate yr. round soil moisture. Tolerates some extended dry season. Excellent dooryard tree due to extremely high productivity and nutrition; small to medium stature tree; and lengthy, often multiple fruiting seasons. Delicious, crisp, juicy flesh eaten fresh, juiced, canned, or dried; seed produces fruit with highly variable quality. Highly recommended. pH: 5.5-6.5

Hawaiian and Taiwanese solo non-hybrid varieties (smaller size fruits, tall plants, hermaphroditic and female trees). Also hybrid papaya seeds available from Taiwan. Protect from freeze and heavy frost. Papayas are sensitive to short periods of flooding. Best adapted to the humid tropical climates. Most of our papayas are bisexual so only one plant required for fruit set. pH: 5.5-7.0. Note: Papayas cross-pollinate widely so if you save your own seed it is difficult to be sure it will give fruit like the parent tree. ECHO buys all of its papaya seed from professional overseas producers.

Sunrise: Sweet, red flesh. The fruit is reddish pink in color, sweet with a mild flavor. Average fruit size is 567 grams. Fruit is generally pear shaped, with a small neck at the stem end.

Sunset: Sweet, red flesh. This cultivar comes from the same genetic parents than the Sunrise. It was originally developed for the smaller sized fruits. The fruit is reddish pink in color, sweet with a mild flavor. The tree does not produce as many fruits as the Sunrise.

Waimanalo: Custard-like texture, sweet, yellow flesh). The fruit is orange in color, sweet with a distinctive papaya flavor. Fruits vary in size with an average of 680 grams. A very high yielding variety, with strong disease and insect resistance.

Known-You No. 1 (hybrid): Very lg. fruits, initially compact plant, yellow flesh.

Red Lady (hybrid): Compact, almost dwarf plant with firm, delicious red flesh.

Tainung No. 1(hybrid): Ccommercial variety, taller and more productive than 'Red Lady' with fruit quality not as sweet as Red Lady.

Tolerates rainfall from 30" to 160". Can be grown up to 5000+ ft in frost free areas. Tolerates wide range of soils (clay,sand,limestone). Flesh has texture and color similar to whipped chocolate pudding; sweet, mild flavor. Set hard green fruit on counter top until it becomes very soft before eating. pH: 6-7.

Tolerates mild freezing weather, suitable for subtropical and high altitudes. Tolerates wide range of altitudes. The fruit has a fuzzy peel that can be eaten or removed; eaten fresh, in pastries, or in jam; seed viable for eight days only; available February through April. Can grow in more temperate areas, but doesn't produce fruit. Used as an ornamental. pH: 5.5-6.5.

Tasty fruit is high in vitamin A; quality is variable, some fruits have an unpleasant aftertaste; makes an attractive hedge; cold-tolerant. An advantage of this fruit shrub is it can grow in poor soil and also has a wide temperature adaptation. pH: 6-7.5.

Extremely fast growing tree, easily 10 feet in a year when young. Bears small 1 cm. diameter red berries that fruit nearly all year. Good fruit for children. Widely adaptable tree tolerating very dry, poor soil conditions. Excellent firewood. May be greater interest as a fuelwood species than fruit crop. pH: 5.5-6.5.

Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa - Yellow: Produces fruit with great juice yield; hand-pollination from a different vine required if pollinator not present; tropical and thus much less tolerant of frost than purple variety. Soil pH: 6.0-8.0.

Purple Possum variety has purple fruit. This variety germinates poorly, therefore cuttings work best. If you visit ECHO's farm you are welcome to take cuttings with you, but we don't send them overseas. Passion fruit cuttings are not hardy and would not survive shipping. No seeds available for 'Purple Possum' variety. Soil pH: 5.5-7.5.

Also known as the strawberry guava because of its strawberry-like flavor; fruit may be red or yellow. This species can become invasive if not properly maintained. Soil pH: 5.5-6.5.

Edible fruit is eaten raw or made into jelly; seed is a source of edible oil. Rapid growing trees producing fruit in 2-4 years from seed. It can reach a height of 12m (40 ft). Guavas are tolerant of flooding, drought, salt, and alkalinity, and poor soils. Yield best in areas that receive 40-80 inches of rainfall (16-32cm). Soil pH: 5.5-7.5.

The tree is erect and reaches heights no more then 25 ft (8m) tall. The fruit is ripe when it turns yellow. The texture of the fruit has been compared to a hard boiled egg yolk and the flavor is sweet, similar to a sweet potato. Its origin is northern South America. It requires a tropical or subtropical climate that performs well in areas with long dry seasons. However moderate moisture is needed at time of fruiting. It can be grown in soils considered to thin or poor for most fruit trees. Seeds have a short viability and can sprout within 2 weeks if planted immediately with the outer hard seed coat removed.

Berries have a subacid flavor; used to make juices, jams, jellies, flavoring for ice cream or sherbet. A thorny perennial plant that can reach eight feet in height. It is susceptible to root knot nematodes. The crop prefers short days within a long growing season, cool, moist growing conditions, and well-drained, fertile soils. This fruit grows on the ECHO farm which has a very low elevation (3-4m), but it prefers higher elevations. However recent crops Cannot tolerate frost or temperatures above 85ËšF. Soil pH: 6.5-7.0.

This is a leguminous tree (height: 25m/80ft) that is best adapted to semi-arid conditions. Tamarind pulp taken from the pods is used often in Indian cooking and can be made into a tasty drink. Young trees are suseptible to frost but mature trees can withstand -3 degree Celsius (28 degrees F). Soil pH: 5.5-6.5.

Deciduous, cold hardy tree. Grows up to 15m tall. Prefers sandy, well-drained soils. Fruits may be eaten green or mature, but will not ripen if picked green. Prolific bearer; thorny. The thorny branches can be utilized to be part of a living fence.

Prolific bearer; thorny; cold, drought- and flood-tolerant. Leaves excellent forage. In semi-arid regions it is an excellent tree for erosion control, shade, shelter, windbreak, and reclamation of nutrient-depleted soil. The thorny branches can be utilized to be part of a living fence. Can grow to be 15m. Fruits are popular where the tree grows naturally. The fruit has an apple-like (crisp) texture.