John Hatch grows Abiu very successfully in full sun at Glasshouse Mountains and got one of his original trees off Sippy Orchards. The fruit usually weigh around 700gms. He only has seedling trees but he says you need two for good pollination. Other requirements are no westerly winds and no frost. His trees get a little pink wax scale and negra scale plus fruit fly.
Bruce Chadfield lost his grafted trees but has 2 very healthy 3 year old seedling trees growing in the sun.
Richard Poli I had one and it died – bought some fruit when last in Cairns and raised the seeds – they germinated well and I planted them out but only one survived and even that is somewhat sick. Next door planted one beside his dam several years ago. It flourished and was about 2 mtrs+ high, then this year I suspect with the dry weather it too has died so I dare say if they are going to survive down here they are going to need plenty of mulch and water.
Dennis Coulter I planted one in 1994. No fruit until either at a Field day or in the newsletter someone said you had to have two. I planted a second one in 1998 or 2000, can’t remember unless I look up my records. Anyway, both trees fruited for the first time this year and I picked one off the youngest tree and two or three off the elder one. I am waiting with baited breath for the next crop, they were beautiful. One had fruit fly a bit, which is not bad since I never get any fejoias without fruit fly. Both trees are only about 7 feet high, the older one is slightly more bushy than the younger. Could be soil or climate problem. I gave both blood and bone and dynamic lifter plus for a number of years, but nothing much in the last 12 months because of the lack of rain.
Bill Tunstall I have bought a number of specimens over the years, several being grafted trees, but lost them even though I mollycoddled them. Later I planted some seedlings and two of them have grown to about 4 metres in height. Both have flowered and are in close vicinity of each other but I have only had very few fruit from them. They would be about 6 – 8 years old. About three year ago I planted more seeds which I brought back from North Queensland. They sprouted well in the pots and then I planted them out. Now they are about 2 metres high, quite bushy and have flowered once without fruiting. They are very healthy looking trees and I intend to keep them fairly low. I know that they are quite susceptible to chemicals and tried to feed them mostly with organic fertilizer. I have had a little trouble with scale and mealy bug, but at the moment they look reasonably clean. What I would like to know is how to get them to set fruit, and also what is a good fertilizing scheme for them.
John Coffey Although I do not confess to being a dedicated gardener following all the rules and correct care guidelines, all my fruit trees do flower and fruit well except one. That one is the Abiu. The tree I have is approx 12 years old, purchased from a nursery that I have purchased all my trees from and grows well. However all that has ever happened is the tree bursting into flower every year but failing to set any fruit at all. I live in Moorooka where there is primarily clay base but the garden is regularly mulched, fertilised, watered and has good drainage etc. Over the years I have tried -more then less fertiliser, lots of water, minimal water, pruning hard then letting it go wild. I do tend to keep it to a height of 3mts. Nothing seems to help me get even one fruit to develop.
Aubrey Blankley found this article in the Courier-mail under Garden and Outdoor living show on (Growing exotic fruit trees is worth a try) dated September 1, 1993 and thought it might be of interest to you. “This is a beautiful fruit and I first tasted it at Nambour so I know it grows that far south. It is a native to Brazil and Peru and the fruit is shaped a little like a persimmon. The tree is a small evergreen, growing to around 5m to 8m tall, and it prefers a tropical and sub-tropical climate. It will not tolerate frost. Abiu should be given regular applications of fertiliser at the same rate and quantity as for citrus trees. Regular application of poultry manure fertiliser can be used instead if preferred. Little or no pruning is required Regular mulching is also important. The fruit will be ready for harvest between January and September, depending on the variety or location. Some trees can have up to three crops during this period. The fruit should be fully ripe before eating as it contains unpleasant milky latex just under the skin and this can stick to the mouth and lips. It is best to wait till the fruit drops to the ground so you know it is fully mature and can be eaten safely”
Luc I am letting them go several days longer on the tree then roll them in my hands with a little pressure and let sit another day or 2 at room temp. refrigerate for a few hours, spoon out – didn’t notice any latex.