Large loquat variety? (forum)

Brian starts with ...
Hello. I was wondering if anyone could please name this variety of Loquat?
It was large, about the size of a small pear. It was bright yellow, very sweet and full-flavoured. It wasn't the variety that you commonly see in people's gardens. It was similar, only the fruit was significantly larger. Can anyone name this variety?
Thanks!
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 31st August 2009 10:25am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 31st August 2009 10:29am

About the Author Brian
Thirlmere, NSW
#UserID: 2730
Posts: 7
View All Brian's Edible Fruit Trees

kert says...
It could bee Bessell's Brown.

Time: 31st August 2009 1:57pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
sydney
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Jimmy says...
enormity? yes, it's a real variety !!

Time: 31st August 2009 5:26pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Jimmy
 
#UserID: 2548
Posts: 511
View All Jimmy's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Wish it were MY tree....!! ;-) drool...

Time: 31st August 2009 5:29pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

culebra says...
i could really go for some of those right now!

it will be a fair few years before my seed grown trees bear fruit.

Time: 31st August 2009 8:56pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author culebra
Melbourne
#UserID: 2458
Posts: 82
View All culebra's Edible Fruit Trees

mike says...
hi Brian:
I'm quite sure that the Loquat variety is called Big Jim. I got mine from a nursery in southern California.
this variety is the largest fruit of Loquat variety.

just for reference below a link to a pic with the owners mom holding a bunch of large fruit.

http://www.papayatreenursery.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1206&g2_GALLERYSID=a7011fd7292341518f3c7c91c7c1a967

Time: 1st September 2009 2:52am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author maverick
california
#UserID: 2738
Posts: 3
View All maverick's Edible Fruit Trees

Brian says...
Thanks Kert!
I'll probably end up going with Bessell Brown. Although, in the descriptions I've read of it, I'm entirely not convinced it's actually the one I tried. ;-)

Time: 1st September 2009 10:03am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 1st September 2009 10:06am

About the Author Brian
Thirlmere, NSW
#UserID: 2730
Posts: 7
View All Brian's Edible Fruit Trees

Brian says...
Hi Mike. Thanks!
I'm pretty sure the picture I orginally used was of the variety Big Jim. However, I don't know that we have one with that name here in Australia. Certainly the fruit is exactly the same.
I posted that fantastic picture you gave the link to here so everyone could see what a beauty it is.
I wonder if you would get the same quality of fruit if you grew Big Jim from seed???
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 1st September 2009 10:09am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brian
Thirlmere, NSW
#UserID: 2730
Posts: 7
View All Brian's Edible Fruit Trees

Janet says...
Can you get a photo of the large loquat that you saw on the tree?

Time: 1st September 2009 2:06pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Perth
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

mike says...
hi Brian:
I truly doubt it that you'd get the same quality of fruit if you grew Big Jim from seed. Like everything you always get better fruit and consistency true to parent.
mine was grafted. as I mention I bought it from that nursery.



Time: 2nd September 2009 3:23am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author maverick
california
#UserID: 2738
Posts: 3
View All maverick's Edible Fruit Trees

Brian says...
Hi Janet.
No, sadly. The tree, a large tree, was on a block with an old house, which was entirely cleared to make way for a new house.
However, in the photo above, the woman is holding a bunch of large loquats, which, are essentially identical to the ones I originally described. Identical!

Time: 2nd September 2009 10:27am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brian
Thirlmere, NSW
#UserID: 2730
Posts: 7
View All Brian's Edible Fruit Trees

Brian says...
Hi Mike.
Thanks for that. I probably couldn't get a hold of a seed anyway :-(
I checked the (smaller loquat) variety at our local nursery just yesterday. I was surprised to see that they didn't appear to be grafted trees. I'll check at another nursery over the weekend.
Cheers!

Time: 2nd September 2009 10:36am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brian
Thirlmere, NSW
#UserID: 2730
Posts: 7
View All Brian's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
I am thinking that the best way to get a good loquat (especially in WA) is to get a cutting of someone else's and graft myself. I spied a lovely big tree up the road from Tas 1 trees in swan valley - it's not much farther up and on the opposite side of the road. Tas 1 trees has seedlings from a superior plant in the area - maybe the bloke there might do grafts if the demand is there? Otherwise an advert in the Quokka might be the go.

In the meantime - I am giving his seedling tree a go - I might get lucky!?

Time: 2nd September 2009 11:16am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

Brian says...
Hi Amanda.
Absolutely. I would definitely give a seed a go. I had great luck growing the smaller variety from seed. However, as Mike above rightly pointed out, it is a longterm and potentially risky strategy. It's just that the smaller loquat has a terrible seed to flesh ratio.
If I knew where the larger variety was growing, I would certainly try my luck with a cutting. I wouldn't worry about grafting, as long as I had a clone of the original. I would be more than happy getting that to grow.

Time: 2nd September 2009 11:42am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brian
Thirlmere, NSW
#UserID: 2730
Posts: 7
View All Brian's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Thanks Brian - I have lots of room to experiment - so lucky in that respect. From my research - loquats are very hard to grow from cuttings tho'? That's probly why all available are seedlings or grafts.

If my seedling no good - all not lost - I will graft a good one onto it when I track one down! :)

Time: 2nd September 2009 11:49am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

Phil says...
I've had some success getting roots forming by airlayering loquats, took around three months but worked ok.

Time: 2nd September 2009 3:31pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Murwillumbah
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Thanks Phil - this is done in-situ tho'? The tree I am thinking of sampling is 450kms away! Would I have to go back to "pick" it? (I don't know anything about air layering I'm afraid :0( .....

Time: 2nd September 2009 4:51pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

Phil. says...
Yes, you need access to the tree at the beginning and the end of the process. Can work well with trees you spy hanging over the neighbours fence!

Time: 2nd September 2009 8:31pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Murwillumbah
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Brian says...
That's a great point Phil, about air layering. I forgot about that technique. It might come in handy for some other garden issues I'm tackling right now. Thanks!

Time: 3rd September 2009 1:40pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brian
Thirlmere, NSW
#UserID: 2730
Posts: 7
View All Brian's Edible Fruit Trees

blackthumb says...
Hi all. Amanda, how did you go growing your loquat from seed? I am hoping to do the same. Intending to re-locate some south to my kids place near Murdoch Uni and keep some here if I get it right. If you succeeded what did you do. If you didn't same question LML

Time: 19th October 2010 11:49am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author blackthumb
Geraldton W.A.
#UserID: 4433
Posts: 1
View All blackthumb's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Hi blackthumb - I am on the coast up near Drummonds Cove and have had no luck with growing loquats :-( I found out recently that they are "ultra" sensitive to salinity - so between our bad Gero scheme water and the salty wind they just didn't cope.

(I won't have a go again until we move south) If you want a head start - then Joe at Tass1 (or Tas1?) trees/nursery - in the Swan Valley - has plants. Depends where u are in Gero, I guess, and if you have access to rain water? (silly question huh - what rain!!??)

It's nice to see someone from Gero on here at last! :)

Time: 19th October 2010 6:25pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton Mid West WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

micarle says...
These fruit are from my seedling tree, not planted by me but it was here when i moved in. The tree is quite old about 50 years i think! As you can see the fruits are not yet fully ripe but if i don't collect some at this stage i miss out! The Bowerbirds and possums's get the lion's share! I'm not sure if its just me but i have always thought they tasted a bit like a mild passionfruit??
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 19th October 2010 7:52pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author micarle
 
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees

kert says...
Cycling one day I spotted a great looking loquat . After removing a lot of fruit(It was clearly a hazard to pedestrians) I grew some seeds . Eleven years later I have fruit which while equal to the original, seems a long wait. My reading is that this is par for the course.

Time: 20th October 2010 10:08am

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
sydney
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

BJ says...
Down near the train line I spotted a loquat tree with fruit about the size of chokos. It is in a yard where it apppears to get little love, but grows and fruits well, and I would be certain its a seedling. I planted a few seedlings, and when they come up I'm definately going to talk to the owner about taking a few scions for grafting.

Time: 20th October 2010 10:28am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
Brisbane
#UserID: 3270
Posts: 1552
View All Theposterformerlyknownas's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Oh BJ - here I was getting all excited thinking u were the WA BJ!
Sounds like the loquat of my dreams - maybe u should see if u can get a taste test in first? U know - quality control n all that :))


Time: 20th October 2010 11:28am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton Mid West WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

BJ says...
Yes, all fruit is gone for the season now, so taste test will be next year. Who knows, it may just be a huge mass of seeds making it that size, but I'd still graft it for ornamental value alone. There are a number of seedling trees along the train lines here, with variable fruit (often on the same tree), but one tree has beautiful sweet, almost peachy, syrupy fruit. Skin was a bit thick, but I found no fruit fly. I will graft this also for fun.

Time: 20th October 2010 11:43am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
Brisbane
#UserID: 3270
Posts: 1552
View All Theposterformerlyknownas's Edible Fruit Trees

Jason says...
BJ, sounds like you have some awesome train line Loquat's there, I've never seen one with large fruit at all, I guess golf ball size is about as big as I've seen them.

Kert and anyone else that's grow them to fruiting size from seed, what kind of size are the trees when they fruit?. I was kind of hoping one of mine will fruit next year it can be any older than 7 years old although getting to a decent size now

Time: 20th October 2010 10:29pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Jason
Portland
#UserID: 637
Posts: 1217
View All Jason's Edible Fruit Trees

j says...
I have thames pride growing at home but Glowinski doesn't think much of its fruit.

So what current named variety in australia has the biggest, sweetest fruit on it?

Time: 21st October 2010 8:07am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 21st October 2010 8:08am

About the Author J
 
#UserID: 2954
Posts: 397
View All J's Edible Fruit Trees

denise1 says...
There is a large variety in New Zealand, still quite rare. The fruit are up to 85mm long. The skin is thick and so they wont bruise and they last on the shelf many days up to maybe ten days. They are white inside. I will try breeding them to get better taste and maybe even bigger fruit. The tree is incredibly resistant to pear or fire blight, hence grows quite easy from cuttings.

Time: 3rd July 2018 2:40pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
#UserID: 6832
Posts: 688
View All denise1's Edible Fruit Trees