Today's fruit trees are far superior in many qualities over trees that have been
standards for decades. With technology and an interest in diversity, many trees
we once only knew as mangos, avocados, lychees, macadamia nuts and even white
sapotes all now have many varieties or cultivars to choose from. Flavor, size,
and color of fruit as well as tree size, growth, structure, and the ability to
bear and hold a lot of fruit are all considerations of today's hybridizers.
Just as there are many cultivars or types of apples, so too does this diversity
now exist in almost all our fruit trees. It is important for you as the consumer
to know your sources and the quality of the plant and fruit that you buy. Quality
specialized nurseries are a lot more reliable for a healthy good quality plant.
They are the only ones, also, who have the new cultivars and can give you the
personal information and guidance so your selection will meet all your expectations.
Why grow a tree if it isn't the best fruit you ever ate?
The diversity of today's cultivars allows for anyone's personal tastes or desires
to be met. One of the main focuses of many hybridizers now is to create a better
fruit on a smaller tree. Often trees may be containerized for life and still bear
fruit of high quality. These "dwarf" trees have superior fruit as well
and can be grown in the ground. When in the ground, because they are natural dwarfs,
you can get to the fruit without constant pruning to maintain its height. When
in the container it can be put on a lanai or a balcony. A potted plant can be
kept in a deed restricted community that does not allow you to plant anything.
A containerized plant also can be cold protected very easily - just drag it in!
To be assured of good quality plants and fruit, most of today's trees are air
layered or grafted. Seedlings are mostly a thing of the past. With grafting or
air layering being used to propagate a plant, you basically are making a clone.
This is why you can guarantee fruit size and the quality of each cultivar. These
propagation techniques also help a plant's ability to be containerized. It can
fool mother nature into thinking a one year old tree is a mature, full-grown 30
or 40 year old tree. Because of the mature DNA, the tree tries to fruit right
away. These same techniques allow you, as the consumer, to get fruit faster from
a tree that the size and shape can be easily maintained and still put out as much
fruit as a larger tree that is not pruned and has fruit you can't even get to.
There is a lot to consider, so shop carefully, ask questions, find out about size
and taste and quality before you plant. So enjoy the diversity that is available,
get several varieties that ripen at different times to extend your season or taste
different enough to tantalize your taste buds forever!
by
Rich Parker
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