Growing Duruka/Saccharum edule (forum)

Jo starts with ...
I am wondering if anyone knows if you can grow Duruka (fijian name)or PitPit(SE Asian name)/Saccharum edule in QLD.
I wouldn't even know where to start looking for it or even if we are allowed to grow it because of sugarcane regulations(it can carry some sort of sugar cane fungus-I think).....boy its tasty though!!

Time: 7th January 2008 7:19am

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About the Author Jextro
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Anonymous says...
Saccharum edule is a known host species for sugarcane smut disease and is probably not permitted in QLD. Suggest you enquire with Dept of Primary Industries or quarantine authorities for confirmation.

Time: 12th January 2008 9:56pm

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Jude says...
I too have been looking for a Saccarum edule plant. I bought a plant labelled Pitpit / Darooka (Saccaram spotaneum) from Isabell Shipard's Herb Nursery near Gympie a couple of years ago. It appears to be very similar. The shoots were described as an edible delicacy. Mine has yet to flower.


Time: 19th January 2008 3:35pm

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About the Author Jude
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Jo says...
Jude, I found out from the DPI that Saccarum edule is not permitted in QLD because it can mess with the sugar industry (it can carry sugar cane smut).
So I doubt you'll actually be able to buy it anywhere.
Cheers
Jo

Time: 21st January 2008 12:46pm

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About the Author Jextro
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Rev says...
of course its here.
you just have to befriend the right people.
2 hints. they have a good sense of humour and fuzzy hair.
you can also get nice pieces of domestic cane cultivars for chewing. I saw a lovely variegated one looked like a striped bamboo.

Looks like Cane smut is here now anyway
was bound to arrive sooner or later

Time: 2nd February 2009 12:11am

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About the Author Rev
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Suren says...
Hi,
We are the largest growers of the Duruka in Fiji and export the fruits to Australia/NZ/USA/Canada in brine as it is not permitted to be grown in Australia. If you need to place an order I am quite happy to arrange for the product but as you say it is a delicacy and fruits once a year only (in May.
If you also know the techniques to package the product in Nitrogen sealed packs I am interested to discuss further.
bet regards
Suren

Time: 16th May 2010 6:28pm

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About the Author Suren
Sydney
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Rev says...
There would be rules about movement of sugar canes, but only within designated areas. Like with bananas
If you are outside the zones then therd be no restrictions

for example im sure thered be no rules against growing it in sydney

Time: 22nd June 2010 4:06pm

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About the Author Rev
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Rev says...
i know where a plant is
i looked at it the other day and the top looks to be swelling
looks like its due to flower

Time: 22nd June 2010 4:07pm

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About the Author Rev
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Rev says...
Does anyone know about Highland pit pit? from PNG
Setaria palmifolia

i keep reading its edible, but how? published info is thin on the ground for PNG vegetables

Time: 13th July 2010 7:25pm

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About the Author Rev
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Rev says...
also
i looked it up and it doesnt appear theres any restrictions in qld in moving pit pit

Time: 14th July 2010 12:19am

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About the Author Rev
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Jude says...
When I lived in PNG in the 60s and 70s I regularly bought two varieties of pitpit - Saccharum edule and Setaria palmifolia from the markets. In both cases, what is eaten is the fleshy unopened flowering shoot of a coarse grass. We generally cooked pitpit in the same way as sweet-corn, by steaming or baking in their outer leaves. S. edule was often steeped in coconut milk and boiled and this made it a real delicacy. I have since tried to grow both varieties, but without success.

I have a copy of R.J. May's book, 'Kaikai Aniani - A Guide to Bushfoods Markets and Culinary Arts of Papua New Guinea' (1984) which has the following entry on Highland Pitpit ..."NEW GUINEA ASPARAGUS, HIGHLAND PITPIT. This is a coarse grass which is cultivated and occurs wild. Cultivated varieties are found in most markets around the country. Many varieties exist, some with broad, dark green leaves, some with red. The soft inner shoot of the plant is eaten, and in the market the bundles of these long thin greens may be mistaken for the enclosed infloresences of Saccharum edule (also called pitpit). Strip the outside leaves and steam or bake. the cooked vegetable tastes something like corn-flavoured asparagus. The soft inner shoot may also be eaten raw."

The book has an excellent photo showing the two varieties side-by-side. The S. edule shoots are red-tinged and much larger and plumper.

Time: 27th July 2010 6:31pm

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About the Author Jude
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trikus says...
Asian lady sells it around Mission Beach .

Time: 28th July 2010 6:51pm

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Tully
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peter says...
Suren, we can help with nitrogen packing technology. Please let us know the volume of business you can do for us to quote on the technology. Please provide your contact details.

Time: 7th December 2010 8:00am

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Original Post was last edited: 7th December 2010 8:08am
About the Author peter32
 
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viju says...
now duruka is available from Mackay and
sold in Brisbane. Contact Mr. David lal on (07) 32738724 now for a very limited
time price $27kg incl postage delivered
at you doorstep next day and you have to
pay him by depositing money into his
nominated bank a/c. first.

Time: 24th June 2011 10:24pm

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Mike says...
It is listed as one of the plants available at Shipards Herb Farm at Nambour.I understand they are a well known outfit.

Time: 25th June 2011 9:56am

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duruka says...
dont let it flower it wont be edible then. when the leaf area is fat harvest it and the fruit inside is edible. Cut it from just below where the leaves are. its like peeling the onion. I am from fiji and we used go grow it. we used to roast it with the leaves still on the open fire. the leaves steam cook it. We also peeled the leaves off and cooked it in coconut cream or make curry out of it.

Sally

Time: 4th October 2011 11:41am

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sai says...
I strongly recommend that duruka is planted far away from sugar cane because it is an alternate host of Fiji leaf gall disease which is caused by a virus and is classed as a serious disease in Australia. It sure tastes delicious though especially in coconut cream....cheers!!

Time: 17th October 2011 1:01pm

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About the Author sai
Lautoka, Fiji
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MaryT says...
I have a plant from a friend, yea! And I'm nowhere near a cane field. However, I'm wondering how I can grow it on a concrete carport? Would it be happy in a pot? Will it die from cold though our winter is mild with no frost?

Found this amusing post on the net about PNG Pit Pit. Good information re cooking as well, with pics.

P.S. Link: http://agoddessinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2009/11/one-of-things-i-wanted-to-do-while-i.html
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 26th February 2012 7:58pm

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Original Post was last edited: 26th February 2012 8:18pm
About the Author MaryT
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John Mc says...
It'll be fine there Mary and in Sydney it will be fine in a pot as well. I've got it growing at my place only an hour's drive north of Sydney. It certainly doesn't perform as well as it does in the tropics, but it survives and grows slowly. My ordinary sugar cane, green and red vars. are doing well after two seasons in the ground.

Time: 26th February 2012 8:13pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
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MaryT says...
Thanks, John Mc - you have sugar cane growing an hour from Sydney? Are they edible? I have fond memories of chewing on sugar cane as a child. :)

Time: 26th February 2012 8:21pm

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micarle says...
MaryT i have the purple sugarcane growing in the ground and i get down to zero most winters, tough plants

Time: 27th February 2012 5:52am

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About the Author micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
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MaryT says...
Thanks, micarle; sugar cane at zero - I learn something from this site everyday. Mike also gave me a sugar cane that's sprouting; I am surrounded by his generosity.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 27th February 2012 7:12am

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About the Author MaryT
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Jill says...
I am really interested to get a plant of Daruka (pit pit) and would appreciate anyone giving me some info on where to get it. I grew up in Fiji and really enjoy the local Fiji food.

Time: 19th August 2012 12:15am

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About the Author Jill5
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AAK says...
Hi Suren, can you give me details about exporting it to Los Angeles?

Thanks

Time: 6th April 2013 4:28am

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About the Author AAK1
Los Angeles
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Hakwa says...
Hi,
We have a farm in Sigatoka Fiji and we are the largest producers of Duruka in Fiji. We vacuum pack, seal and sell in the export market and domestically in Fiji.
My email : ceocmda@gmail.com

Regards

Time: 12th April 2013 7:40am

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About the Author Tau
Crows nest
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Atul says...
Hi Hakwa,
If vacuum packed and treated to quarantine requirements it can be exported to various countries.
Please advise if you interested and I can approach the quarantine and find the requirements....cheers

Time: 15th April 2013 11:57pm

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About the Author Atul
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emnau says...
we grow pit-pit tweed heads nsw for twenty years. ex-png. Microwave, butter, maggi sauce. many p.i.'s have in their gardens

Time: 14th May 2013 10:31am

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John Mc says...
Isn't only the flower edible?, no or little sugar in the stalk?

Time: 14th May 2013 1:46pm

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Mike says...
Flowers only John Mc and my ones are 4m tall and ready for picking right now.You were the source,thanks.

Time: 14th May 2013 4:24pm

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V says...
Emnau, can I please get some cutting/stems from you to try to grow pit-pit. I am located in western suburbs of Brisbane. Thanks

Time: 22nd May 2013 11:12am

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About the Author V
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Sashi says...
Are you able to send me some seeds so I can grow them?

Time: 19th September 2014 3:53am

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About the Author Sashi
USA
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Mike Tr says...
They grow from cutting or sections really like sugar cane, rather than from seeds.

Time: 22nd September 2014 7:25am

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About the Author Mike Tr
Cairns
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Kissi Klink says...
Pitpit is widely grown in Cairns, Australia. Being a tropical plant it survives here but only bears in the month of May every year.

Time: 28th July 2016 12:10am

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About the Author Kissi Klink
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Mike Tr says...
March as well.

Time: 28th July 2016 11:23am

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Cairns
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prem says...
please contact me

Time: 24th October 2017 10:23am

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About the Author prem
campbelltown
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Tau says...
Peter, please contact me on
0430836605

thanks
Tau

Time: 25th October 2017 9:39am

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About the Author Tau
sydney
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Tau says...
Hi Prem,
you can contact me on 0430836605

thanks
Tau

Time: 25th October 2017 9:42am

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About the Author Tau
sydney
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Atul says...
Hi Mike Tr and Kissi Klink,
Can you put me in touch with one of the growers. I am looking at getting some in the next season.

Regards
Atul

Time: 25th October 2017 1:59pm

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About the Author Atul
Stanhope Gardens
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Mike Tr says...
I hacked mine out last year but spread some cuttings around. Some people who grow red pit pit didn't have the green kind like mine.I can keep an eye out.

Time: 27th October 2017 4:03pm

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About the Author Mike Tr
Cairns
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Samin says...
Hi just wondering how we can get fresh daruka in Sydney. Have been looking for it .

Time: 12th May 2018 9:12am

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Prestons
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Amram says...
There is fresh daruka from Queensland being sold in Sydney. Look for it in Sydney Market or Indian shops

Time: 14th May 2018 9:06pm

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About the Author Amram
Stanhope Gardens
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OneataVasu says...
https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/forum/growing-durukasaccharum-edule/#comment: DDuruka is from Sorghum, ancient grain (Africa). 1st recorded 1500s when Italy received seeds from Africa - 'Broom Corn'. The Grain & Legume Nutrition Council (Australia) looking into growing it in Qld, maybe to replace sugar cane as it uses less irrigated water and may have better health benefits as a grain cf wheat, corn etc.

Time: 26th October 2018 2:33pm

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