tasted first babino, possible.
As this hybrid produces seeds I will grow them all on and see what comes out. Seedlings will be hopelessly different, I would be surprised if this is closer than F3 to babaco, based on the time frame for NZ Vasconcelleas. Still, there is always that slight chance of finding a good one. If a male comes from this seed I will certainly cross it back to the babaco and see what happens then. Maybe a third cross with V. monoica down the line a bit, monoica has an almost good flavour too.
Controlled hybridising work is almost impossible with this genus without pure forms to start with, and as they are no longer allowed outside the Andean region we are stuck with what we've got. Anyone else still playing around with them?
Updating my previous trials, I have 3 babaco seedlings about to be planted, as well as 5 Vasconellea seedlings from old plants from Southern India mountain country as a totally different gene stock to the NZ forms. The Indian plants may be from the early imports over a century ago, which means they might be selected for better fruit. Should be fruting in a year or so.
The following thread was started by Ben on March 24, 2008 at 9:47 pm PST
Ben,
Thanks for the great report. I'm certain that you're a very busy fellow, so no pressure, but if you ever have the time and inclination to post some photographs of your plants and fruit, please do so. I think that everyone would love to see what some of these unusual hybrids look like.
Is there any formal breeding/hybridization work being done on these species in South America? I'm pretty sure that there is no such activity going on in California -- we're just trading around the same old stuff.
You've mentioned in the past that the Vasconcella craze in N.Z. died out some years ago, so I wonder whether you're one of the few people left in the world doing work with these plants.
The above followup was added by Ashok on March 25, 2008 at 0:20 am PST.
Ben,
Do you think you could post me a few seeds of these papaya relatives you have. I've ordered seeds from the Internet, but the seeds that came are of questionable quality.
Very recently, after a long time searching, I finally managed to purchase a small plot of land to my liking. The bore hole is ready and I will begin planting soon. One of the things I want to experiement with is papayas and its relatives. Specifically, I would like to try grafting to see its effects on tropical papayas.
Tropical papayas survive our winters but with considerable damage to the leaves. My suspicion is that the roots stop working when the soil temperature drops below a certain point. I would like to see if, using a more cool tolerant relative as a rootstock, will alow the tropical papaya stock to reach Spring in a better condition.
At present, I only have Jacaratia spinosa plants to experiment with. They are already quite large and should start to bloom soon. Unfortunately, they seem to be as tropical as papayas, if not even more so...
--Sérgio
The above followup was added by abiu(.pt) on March 25, 2008 at 9:39 am PST.
Sergio,
I recently got some mountain papaya seeds from a friend in Colombia. I would be more than happy to send you some. They do quite well here in San Jose, where winters get slightly colder than in the Algarve (where I'm originally from). E-mail me if interested, and tell me where to send them to,
The above followup was added by Nuno in San Jose on March 25, 2008 at 2:49 pm PST.
Ben,
I am interested in somebodyelse experiences in breeding/hybridization of vasconcella/papaya plants as I live in an area too cold for growing tropical papaya (their roots rot in the winter even inside greenhouses). I hope you can contact me for exchange your experiences so that I can try. Have you some material (seeds for example) to send to me? I have 3 varieties of vasconcellas seeds I can send to you Let me know
Fabio
The above followup was added by Fabio on March 26, 2008 at 0:34 am PST.
Ben, as you are experimenting already on yourself...it is a mirage for a lot of us...also in the "Old" and the "New" Word...to find a hibrid of mountain papaya with sweetness characteristics!
:-)
Here some my results with the seeds of Rainbow and Toronchi hibirds you generously sent me years ago:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/552718985lywBrh
Obviously, If there would be any chance to try others new hibrid, like "babino"...I would be happy!...
;-)
The above followup was added by Francesco on March 26, 2008 at 4:18 am PST.
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The above followup was added by Francesco on March 26, 2008 at 4:23 am PST.
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The above followup was added by Francesco on March 26, 2008 at 4:24 am PST.
Hi Ben
I bought a hyrbrid from Subtropica called Pabachi. It hasnt fruited yet. Is this the same as your Babino?
The above followup was added by Virgil on March 26, 2008 at 1:13 pm PST.
I don't know, but I want one! I spoke to the subtropica guys a few years ago, and they said they were planting hybrid seed from their own polination work. This must be one of them.
How do you feel about a trade; one cutting for one cutting?
The above followup was added by Ben on March 26, 2008 at 1:41 pm PST.
Certainly, sounds good to me. Its having a bit of a sulk after being moved recently but I can probably take a cutting in Spring...
The above followup was added by Virgil on March 30, 2008 at 12:23 am PST.