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Hunza Apricots
In article , Tim Perry writes: | | Please can anyone tell me where I can buy hunza apricots in East Anglia. | I saw them mentioned here, had never heard of them before, so I looked | them up. | From what I can gather they should grow true to type from stone, | so if I could find out who sells them I can enjoy the fruit, then have | a go at growing the tree. I am told that Arjuna in Mill Road, Cambridge has them. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Hunza Apricots
Please can anyone tell me where I can buy hunza apricots in East Anglia. I saw them mentioned here, had never heard of them before, so I looked them up.
From what I can gather they should grow true to type from stone, so if I could find out who sells them I can enjoy the fruit, then have a go at growing the tree. Many thanks. Tim Perry |
Hunza Apricots
On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:31:13 +0100, Tim Perry
wrote: Please can anyone tell me where I can buy hunza apricots in East Anglia. I saw them mentioned here, had never heard of them before, so I looked them up. From what I can gather they should grow true to type from stone, so if I could find out who sells them I can enjoy the fruit, then have a go at growing the tree. Many thanks. Tim Perry Try health-food shops. Holland and Barrett used to sell them but no longer do down here. The last I bought were from GNC, but have not bought them lately. They need soaking overnight. I have not yet succeeded in growing any, but have not tried that hard! If you succeed let me know! Pam in Bristol |
Hunza Apricots
On Sep 18, 9:39*am, Pam Moore wrote:
On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:31:13 +0100, Tim Perry wrote: Please can anyone tell me where I can buy hunza apricots in East Anglia. I saw them mentioned here, had never heard of them before, so I looked them up. From what I can gather they should grow true to type from stone, so if I could find out who sells them I can enjoy the fruit, then have a go at growing the tree. Many thanks. Tim Perry Try health-food shops. *Holland and Barrett used to sell them but no longer do down here. *The last I bought were from GNC, but have not bought them lately. *They need soaking overnight. *I have not yet succeeded in growing any, but have not tried that hard! If you succeed let me know! Pam in Bristol Health food stores sell apricots dried and stoned. To get stones, he'd need fresh apricots. The snag with apricots, and tomatoes, and all those wonderful fruit that taste so good in the South of France, or in Italy, or in Spain, is that in the British Isles, they're never all *that* great, and that's when the do manage to ripen fully! Cat(h) |
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Cambridge is around 70 miles from me as the crow flies, which would be quite a run for a handfull of fruit. I have tried all the grocers in my area without any luck, except one told me to try a health food shop. Seems they might sell hunzas dried, 'though I don't know if the stone would remain viable, I'll try anyway. This person said hunzas are used in beauty products, I would not know about that, any reference to beauty and me in the same sentance would be a completely alien concept. |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from Tim Perry contains these words: Please can anyone tell me where I can buy hunza apricots in East Anglia. I saw them mentioned here, had never heard of them before, so I looked them up. From what I can gather they should grow true to type from stone, so if I could find out who sells them I can enjoy the fruit, then have a go at growing the tree. Many thanks. Norwich Market - about halfway up the second row from the left as you face it, there's a stall which sells dried fruit, herbs and spices, and lots more. They usually have hunzas. -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from Tim Perry contains these words: Thanks for the reply Nick. Cambridge is around 70 miles from me as the crow flies, which would be quite a run for a handfull of fruit. 'Course, it would help if you said just where you were innit. I have tried all the grocers in my area without any luck, except one told me to try a health food shop. Seems they might sell hunzas dried, 'though I don't know if the stone would remain viable, I'll try anyway. Hunzas are always sold dry, AFAIK. They are left to dessicate on the bush/shrub and picked dry, or so I've been told. -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from "Cat(h)" contains these words: Health food stores sell apricots dried and stoned. To get stones, he'd need fresh apricots. The snag with apricots, and tomatoes, and all those wonderful fruit that taste so good in the South of France, or in Italy, or in Spain, is that in the British Isles, they're never all *that* great, and that's when the do manage to ripen fully! Arbut, hunzas come from an even more extreme climate, and again AFAIK, always come unhalved, and with stones in. I know the winters where they come from are cold, but I don't know how hot the summers get... -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
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If they are the same as most other drupes they take 18 months to germinate. This would imply a normal ripening time around September, like plums, then 18 months on to start growing in April. If I wanted to speed things up I would have to give them 2 'artificial winters' in the fridge, with a warm period between, then if I gently cracked the shells and planted then in March, I just might have a chance. I take your point, Cath, about getting the best out of them, but in truth I just enjoy the challenge. Mostly I fail, but that just makes each tiny success all the more exciting. |
Hunza Apricots
On Sep 19, 5:37*am, Tim Perry
wrote: Pam Moore;816327 Wrote: They need soaking overnight. *I have not yet succeeded in growing any, but have not tried that hard! If you succeed let me know! Pam in Bristol Thanks Pam and Cath, As I understand it hunzas are dried with the stone left in, unlike ordinary apricots. If they are the same as most other drupes they take 18 months to germinate. This would imply a normal ripening time around September, like plums, then 18 months on to start growing in April. If I wanted to speed things up I would have to give them 2 'artificial winters' in the fridge, with a warm period between, then if I gently cracked the shells and planted then in March, I just might have a chance. I take your point, Cath, about getting the best out of them, but in truth I just enjoy the challenge. Mostly I fail, but that just makes each tiny success all the more exciting. That is very true, and I have shown my ignorance re. hunza dried apricot coming with stones in. Regarding your last point, this here eternal optimist has 2 fig trees in pots, on the southish facing gable end of the house, which she cajoles, massages and serenades daily... I have currently 7 figs between them, about the size of the last knuckle in my thumb, and hard as stones. Of course, they'll never ripen, but I'm chuffed to bits - I only had 3 of those little ones last year! So, I hear you :-) Good luck with the hunzas. Cat(h) |
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Given the climate they come from, I'm hoping they will prove winter hardy, but as far as fruiting goes I guess it will be a gamble. Do you think my plan to break dormancy has a chance ? I know I could just bung them in and wait, but I'm no spring chicken, so I try to speed things up as much as possible, would be nice to see something grow before I peg out. Tim. |
Hunza Apricots
On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:37:14 +0100, Tim Perry
wrote: Thanks Pam and Cath, As I understand it hunzas are dried with the stone left in, unlike ordinary apricots. If they are the same as most other drupes they take 18 months to germinate. This would imply a normal ripening time around September, like plums, then 18 months on to start growing in April. If I wanted to speed things up I would have to give them 2 'artificial winters' in the fridge, with a warm period between, then if I gently cracked the shells and planted then in March, I just might have a chance. They grow up in the Himalayas, and survive very cold winters. The idea of 2 winters is a good one. Freezer or fridge? I have already soaked and eaten some and am now pondering on how to give them the best chance. I've grown French Mirabelles from the stones of fresh fruits, so these should have a chance, although dried. I assume the Hunza apricots have not been heat-treated? Good luck Pam in Bristol |
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I have fig trees growing in my lawn, each about 10ft tall, the fruit gets about tangerine size. The flesh between skin and seed is sweet enough, but they taste nothing like 'real' figs. My excuse is that I'm still learning, that's why I ask so many questions, one day I'll get there. At the moment I still make lots of stupid mistakes - like posting a question, and forget to say where I am. Lucky for me there are lots of more experienced and knowledgable gardeners out there who are prepared to pass on advice. |
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I have not tried Mirabelles yet, although I think it was Bob Hobden who first suggested I try them. From what I gathered from the net, and later confirmed by Rusty, hunzas are dried on the tree, so no artificial heating. As I understand it they do not travel well fresh, which is why they are traditionally dried this way. Tim. |
Hunza Apricots
On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:59:58 +0100, Tim Perry
wrote: I like to call myself optimistic, most of my pals say I'm just nuts. This year I grew Pawpaws, Goji, Bananas, Avocado, and Loquats. I doubt if any will survive the winter, let alone ever bear fruit, but at least I did manage to germinate them. I have fig trees growing in my lawn, each about 10ft tall, the fruit gets about tangerine size. The flesh between skin and seed is sweet enough, but they taste nothing like 'real' figs. My excuse is that I'm still learning, that's why I ask so many questions, one day I'll get there. At the moment I still make lots of stupid mistakes - like posting a question, and forget to say where I am. Lucky for me there are lots of more experienced and knowledgable gardeners out there who are prepared to pass on advice. Tim, how did you grow the goji berries? Did they fruit? I bought some plants but no fruit yet. I don't know what to expect but understand they are hardy. I have twigs with leaves so far! I have a fig in a pot which had about 6 good fruits last year, better than the semi-dried ones I've seen in the shops I've had none at all this year. A friend has one in the ground and has had 17 this year. Pam in Bristol |
Hunza Apricots
On Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:00:33 +0100, Tim Perry
wrote: Freezer or fridge ? I don't know, but the freezer hits -20, would that be too cold ? I might try some in fridge, some in freezer! I know they grow in cold mountain areas. They probably dry from dehydration rather than sun!!! Pam in Bristol |
Hunza Apricots
On Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:00:33 +0100, Tim Perry
wrote: Freezer or fridge ? I don't know, but the freezer hits -20, would that be too cold ? For those interested, this is a Wikipedia entry about the Hunza valley. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunza_Valley See the entry about climate. Pam in Bristol |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from Tim Perry contains these words: Rusty Hinge 2;816474 Wrote: 'Course, it would help if you said just where you were innit. Hunzas are always sold dry, AFAIK. They are left to dessicate on the bush/shrub and picked dry, or so I've been told. You are right of course Rusty, I'm in the Dereham area, so Norwich market is the best choice. I don't go there very often, but my son does. There's a health food stall in Wymondham market which usually has them too (I found on Friday) but before you rush out to get some, they're out of stock ATM. Given the climate they come from, I'm hoping they will prove winter hardy, but as far as fruiting goes I guess it will be a gamble. No gamble. They'll survive winters far harder than this climate can throw at them. Do you think my plan to break dormancy has a chance ? Well, if the ones I've planted take as long as you suggest they might, I may be tempted to try it myself. I know I could just bung them in and wait, but I'm no spring chicken, so I try to speed things up as much as possible, would be nice to see something grow before I peg out. Well, I'm no spring chicken either, and on an eighteen month waiting time, I'll be seventy when they sprout... -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from "Cat(h)" contains these words: That is very true, and I have shown my ignorance re. hunza dried apricot coming with stones in. Regarding your last point, this here eternal optimist has 2 fig trees in pots, on the southish facing gable end of the house, which she cajoles, massages and serenades daily... I have currently 7 figs between them, about the size of the last knuckle in my thumb, and hard as stones. Of course, they'll never ripen, but I'm chuffed to bits - I only had 3 of those little ones last year! My fig tree was kept in a pot for a year and then planted three years ago in a sunken bath, with a trail of rubble in the bottom for drainage, a bit of man-made fibre carpet on top of that, and loads of lovely soil over the top. Until it grows higher than the 'Ablutions Block' it gets sun from morning to mid-afternoon, and has produced figs for those three years. Given a big enough pot, you should have figs next year. Just protect the little ones from frost and they will survive the winter - I've had two crops this year - one from the overwintered little ones, and another, just coming on to ripening (had about five so far) which will produce about thirty figs. So, I hear you :-) Good luck with the hunzas. I'll nick a bit of that good luck, if you don't mind. I've just planted fifty stones... -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from Pam Moore contains these words: They grow up in the Himalayas, and survive very cold winters. The idea of 2 winters is a good one. Freezer or fridge? I have already soaked and eaten some and am now pondering on how to give them the best chance. I slice them round and peel them off the stones and eat them dry(ish) as The Good Lord intended... The stones from the last bag have been soaked and put into cellular trays under potting compost. Worked last time. I've grown French Mirabelles from the stones of fresh fruits, so these should have a chance, although dried. I assume the Hunza apricots have not been heat-treated? No, they are as Nature prepared them. I'll post some more up-to-date pics soon - the holly tree which shaded the fig, hunza and vines has been cut down to size (a tad less than knee-height!) and the Lonicera nitida grubbed-up, so an Indian summer might ripen a few grapes. Figs will be fine, and the hunza is still reaching for the sky. It's in a big planter and underplanted with cranberries. Next year, mayhap? -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from Tim Perry contains these words: I like to call myself optimistic, most of my pals say I'm just nuts. This year I grew Pawpaws, Goji, Bananas, Avocado, and Loquats. I doubt if any will survive the winter, let alone ever bear fruit, but at least I did manage to germinate them. Avocado may survive. Auntie Beeb (GQT) reported an avocado tree in a garden in London, and that bears fruit. Whether it ripens they didn't say. (Or if they did, I've forgotten.) I've grown passionfruit this year and have four nice little vines. When I get the plastic to cover the 'greenhouse' I shall set them loose in it. Well, maybe two of them. I spread last year's compost heap a few weeks ago and there are dozens of small tomato plants. I'll see what can be done to retard these (in pots) until the spring, when I can put them out to bask in the Tropic of Norfolk. I have fig trees growing in my lawn, each about 10ft tall, the fruit gets about tangerine size. The flesh between skin and seed is sweet enough, but they taste nothing like 'real' figs. What do you mean by 'real' figs? You won't get the pips in this country unless global warming entices over the little wasp which fertilises them. Mine taste like figs to me - juicy, pink, chin-dribblingly luscious... My excuse is that I'm still learning, that's why I ask so many questions, one day I'll get there. No you won't. None of us does... At the moment I still make lots of stupid mistakes - like posting a question, and forget to say where I am. Just don't think you're alone in that. People have posted from places like Antarctica and Arizona - I exaggerate a bit, but not a lot. Lucky for me there are lots of more experienced and knowledgable gardeners out there who are prepared to pass on advice. But beware! None of us is infallible! -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from Pam Moore contains these words: Tim, how did you grow the goji berries? Did they fruit? I bought some plants but no fruit yet. I don't know what to expect but understand they are hardy. I have twigs with leaves so far! I didn't bother to try, as I didn't rate them. If anyone has any more positive assessment, I might change my mind innit. -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
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I'm dead envious about those figs, mine don't so much have seeds in, more like brown and white gritty bits. I don't know what variety it is 'cos they were grown from a cutting I nicked from mums garden, she's 95 now and don't do too much outside, but she got hers from a scrounged cutting, so who knows what it is supposed to be. I don't feel so ancient now I know I'm 10 years younger than Rusty, cheers for that. Today the greengrocer gave me a Lychee to taste, very sweet and a bit like a grape, of course I had to plant the pip - just can't resist doing that. Well, it's got 2 choices. Tim. |
[quote=Rusty Hinge 2;816699]
I've grown passionfruit this year and have four nice little vines. When I get the plastic to cover the 'greenhouse' I shall set them loose in it. Well, maybe two of them. Mine taste like figs to me - juicy, pink, chin-dribblingly luscious... [color=blue][i] Fifty hunza stones, hmm, I'll know who to talk nice to if mine fail then. I grew 3 'Banana Passion', Passiflora mollissima, from seed, got no flowers yet, but the biggest is up about 4ft. I suppose they should come inside for winter but I have no space left so they will have to take their chances outside. Still envious about those figs, maybe I should graft a modern cultivar onto one, just to see if that improves the situation. |
Hunza Apricots
The message
from Tim Perry contains these words: Still envious about those figs, maybe I should graft a modern cultivar onto one, just to see if that improves the situation. Any Brown Turkey will do. There are clones of mine all round the village now. -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
Hunza Apricots
In article , Tim Perry writes: | | I like to call myself optimistic, most of my pals say I'm just nuts. I can't see why. If you don't try something new, you will never be innovative. | This year I grew Pawpaws, Goji, Bananas, Avocado, and Loquats. I doubt | if any will survive the winter, let alone ever bear fruit, but at least | I did manage to germinate them. Merkin pawpaws or real ones? Loquat is borderline hardy and makes a good foliage plant. The problem with avocados is that they are big trees - even in Kew, they don't really get to fruiting size, and they are a bit tender for the UK. The bananas we eat are seedless, so yours will be a foliage plant. | I have fig trees growing in my lawn, each about 10ft tall, the fruit | gets about tangerine size. The flesh between skin and seed is sweet | enough, but they taste nothing like 'real' figs. No damn sun - that's the only reason - if we get a decent summer, figs grown here taste fine :-( Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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I'll try one with Brown Turkey, the other with Brunswick, 'cos it's supposed to be a little earlier than Turkey, and see how it goes. Back to the Passion flowers, I tried to grow P, alata, but not one seed grew. Both that and P. mollissima produce edible fruit, but the flowers give a better show than P. edulis, and P. caerulea although pretty does not give edible fruit. P. vitifolia and P. actinia both need a large greenhouse. Anywho, I'll have a bash at growing Hunzas, and if they don't do well, I'll just blame Rusty. If my boy has the patience to show me how, I'll post some photos later. Tim. |
Hunza Apricots
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Pawpaws are Asimina Triloba, I thought they would have a better chance here than Carica Papaya. Loquats used to grow in my gran's garden in London, and in my uncles garden at Epsom, Surrey. Although I'm further north, Norfolk, I thought that a little global warming might swing it. The bananas I have growing are Musa paradisiaca, aka M. sapientum, and M. acuminata. Both do bear edible fruit ( seeded ), if you can get them to survive. I just grew them for fun, having no expectation of fruit. I cannot resist trying to grow something new, my other half dreads taking me shopping because I'm always on the lookout for new exotic fruit to try. Of course, the seed must be planted, just for fun. |
O.K., I've got my Hunza apricots, so the trial begins.
Also picked up some South African plums, black, very sweet, and the size of peaches. They make Victorias look very mean and weedy. Remind me of the old fashioned Bells, but twice the size, so I shall also give those stones the same treatment as the Hunzas. Although I accept that the plums are unlikely to grow 'true to type'. If they do grow I will graft scions of each onto existing mature trees to save time - can't wait for the seedlings to mature to full sized trees - healthwise I'm living on borrowed time as it is. So, fingers crossed, please. Tim. |
Hunza Apricots
In article , echinosum writes: | | Those big black plums are grown in places like southern spain, and in | Chile (centred on Santiago, at least 800km N of the region with an | English-like climate). When properly ripe (so rare to find them like | that here, but I've been in Chile in late summer/autumn a couple of | times and got fully ripe ones) they are one of the most delicious | fruits on the planet. But I really think you have no chance in even a | 2003-strength Norfolk summer. Well, I wouldn't rate them that highly - but that is a matter of taste! The UK supermarket versions of most imported fruit are pale shadows of what they can be, for the reason you give, and that they need to be picked underripe for transport. | If you want a super-delicious plum that can be grown in England, | needing a good summer to ripen it, try Coe's Golden Drop. Or Cambridge gage, or .... Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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When I see the names of the plum varieties grown in Chile, http://www.chileanfreshfruit.com/plume.shtml I discover that none of them is on Brogdale's list. If you want a super-delicious plum that can be grown in England, needing a good summer to ripen it, try Coe's Golden Drop. |
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They are the only nursery in the country listed on RHS plant finder with P salicina. But one or two others do seem to be selling eg "Methley" but describing it as P domestica. Since Reads is in Norfolk, you may have a chance! They are very early flowering though. Elsewhere on the web I read they do need protection to keep the fruit. http://www.fruitforum.net/poor-mans-fruit-walls.htm |
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Thanks, that's very interesting, I'll take a look. I'm sure I can find a suitable spot to plant one. I was truly amazed by the size of those fruit, and even asked the grocer if they had been mis-labelled. As all my land is on a south facing slope, it tends to get the best of whatever sun there happens to be, and the slope helps to conduct the cold frosty air downhill away from my trees, so there are no frost pockets. I may be lucky, and won't know untill I try. Tim. |
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except to buy diesel. My favourite plum WAS a Belle de Louvain, but now I'm not so sure. But it was mainly the size of the fruit that I was commenting on, and how meagerly a Victoria looks by comparison. Tim. |
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