who grows eleagnus/Russian Olive for fruit? (forum)

ringelstrumpf starts with ...
I read about elaegnus and it seems to be a wondrous plant family, goumi is one of them. While I think it is difficult to get a goumi here, you get other elaegnus varieties for ornamental use. I am a bit reluctant to buy, because you don't get the cultivators bred for eating, the fruit might tast awful, there may not be a lot of fruit and ornamental plants might be mislabeled.
Any experiences with eleaegnus /russian olive?

Time: 24th August 2011 6:17pm

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About the Author ringelstrumpf
Mountains
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John Mc says...
I planted an advanced elaeagnus ebbingei last autumn. I bought it because it was quite advanced and covered in flowers. Unfortunately they've all fallen off so I'm going to have to wait till next year to see what they taste like. The plant appears to be very hardy, I've planted it in a drier area and it's doing great.

Time: 24th August 2011 8:37pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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ringelstrumpf says...
Diggers oofers a e. angustifolia, but not in the edible section:
http://www.diggers.com.au/shop/product/WRUO/Russian%20Olive.aspx


Time: 24th August 2011 10:20pm

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About the Author ringelstrumpf
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IanM says...
I am also chasing a Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia, as Diggers inform me they are no longer stocking this species. I have tried many nurseries without success.

The trees have apparently fallen out of favour with the "anti-exotic brigade" in recent times because of the potential for birds to spread them into the bush. I have yet to see a Russian olive in the bush, and that seems about as likely as spotting an exotic orange tree in the bush. I think people are confusing the common name "Russian olive" with African olive, which belongs to a completely different genus and plant family. Russian olive is not related to olives and despite its name, really only comes from the southern part of Russia. It is mainly found from Afghanistan and Kazakhstan down to Turkey and Iran. It is most at home as a Mediterranean species.

In any case, to satisfy the "anti-exotic brigade" I intend to grow mine as bonsai specimens and remove the fruits each year.

I will accept cuttings if seed is not available. In fact I have a feeling that cuttings may be a more reliable method of propagating these trees.

Time: 9th September 2016 9:22am

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About the Author IanM
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Joel15 says...
I am growing a few Elaeagnus species but haven't had fruit yet. The large angustifolias and ebbingeis we used to sell at my work always dropped their flowers, but they wouldn't of had pollinators. My angustifolia has a lot of suckers that I can seperate and share and am planning on doing cuttings of the others. Will propagate from my Goumi when it's large enough too.

Time: 17th September 2016 8:56am

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About the Author Joel15
PARKSIDE,5063,SA
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IanM says...
Hi Joel15, thank you for replying. The suckers may be a good way to propagate angustifolia if you don't mind separating them. I would happily take some off your hands and reimburse you or maybe exchange with something that you are chasing. I'm just wondering how I can contact you?

Time: 19th September 2016 9:29am

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Joel15 says...
Hi Ian, you can contact me at blastworshipper (at) gmail.com. I'll have a look at the suckers today and see if I can get some for you.

Time: 21st September 2016 10:27am

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About the Author Joel15
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