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Richard
02-28-2008, 01:19 PM
(excerpt from upcoming newsletter publication)

The Babaco (Vasconcellea ×heilbornii; syn. Carica pentagona) is a papaya-like plant first introduced into North American gardens by Steve Spangler, founder of Exotica Nursery in Vista CA. It is native to the mountainous regions of equatorial America. The Babaco is widely available in Southern California nurseries during summer months.

The plant is incredibly easy to grow in temperate climates. Nursery stock will survive in pots or planted in the ground with regular applications of humic fertilizers. In my experience, modest applications of GroPower 8-6-8 Citrus and Avocado Food seem more than sufficient.

In the wild, the plants grow for several years to a height of 15 feet or so, and then break off near the base due to the inability of the stalk to support growth at that height. In cultivation, the plant is grown for 2–4 years to a height of about 5 feet, then cut back near the base for regeneration. The removed stalks can be cut into ~1 foot sections, coated with RootToneŽ or another rooting compound, and grown into additional plants which will bear viable fruit in 2 years. It is quite cold-hardy for a tropical plant, living through 3 nights of 27 deg-F temperatures in the “freeze of 2007”. When loaded with fruit, the plant does need lateral support to avoid tipping or breaking during a wind storm.

The Babaco is a naturally occurring hybrid between the true mountain papaya (Vasconcellea pubescens, syn. Carica pubescens) and the Chamburro (Vasconcellea stipulata, syn. Carica stipulata). It has no seeds, and can correctly be thought of as a “mule”. Its propagation in the wild has been carried out by repeated hybridization and the ability of broken stalks to regenerate in organically rich soils.

The fruit of the Babaco begins forming in the spring with the introduction of pseudo flower buds. In southern CA, the first buds fall off but by May begin to take hold and generate fruit. By late summer, the fruits are large, green, and quite solid.

The fruit turns almost completely yellow when ripe. In the wild, the natural climes are warm enough for the fruit to ripen by November. However, in coastal or coastal-influenced southern CA, the desired number of degree-days will not be accumulated until the following March or April. Ripe fruit will fall from the plant, taking out the guess-work of harvesting. Piles of peat around the plant will guarantee a soft landing and benefit the culture of the Babaco.

The ripe fruit is less sweet than the Caribbean and Strawberry Papayas of the genus Carica. The taste is reminiscent of pineapple and hence the name “Pineapple Papaya” would be an excellent choice when marketing this fruit adjacent to its more common cousins.

In my opinion, the ripe fruit is excellent eaten fresh. As a fruit drink it is loved by people of all ages and is outstanding in sorbet. (My wife points out that the possibilities for rum drinks are endless.) The nutritional content of the fruit is quite high – even compared to some of the more popular “healthy” fruits currently taking the market by storm. In recent years, the MinuteMaidŽ division of the Coca-ColaŽ Company has introduced a line of tropical fruit drinks containing Passion, Mango, etc. Given the relative ease and low-cost of Babaco production, it would make a fine and enterprising addition to their product line.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=7818

More photos can be found here: Banana Gallery - Richard's Papaya Album (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=790&ppuser=1558)

D_&_T
02-28-2008, 01:39 PM
sounds good, we are going to large greenhouse to winter plants we would like

Lagniappe
02-28-2008, 10:08 PM
Does the Babaco produce papain ?

Richard
03-04-2008, 02:04 PM
Does the Babaco produce papain ?

Papain is a protease in the juice of unripe papaya that is used especially as a tenderizer for meat and in medicine (as in the topical debridement of necrotic tissue). -- from Webster's online dictionary.

I don't know if Babaco produces this protein. Note that common papaya is in the Genus Carissa, while Babaco is in the Genus Vasconcellea.

Richard
03-31-2008, 06:23 PM
With the arrival of spring in Southern California, nurseries are beginning to stock Babaco plants, typically near the banana plants and in the same size pots. Elsewhere in far-flung places like Salinas, Texas, and Tennesee -- there are people who have or will receive babaco cuttings very soon now. And so my inbox is full of questions about how to grow them.

:woohoonaner:

The bottom 2-3 inches of the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone -- which is how I ship them because the rooting compound also contains fungicide. The cutting should be planted a depth equal to about 1/3 its length. The plant is not shy about rooting and new leafs should start to push out the top in a few weeks or so -- depending upon the local temperature. You can water it with 1/4 teaspoon of SuperThrive added to a gallon of water one time only. After that, water the cutting without a supplement until it starts pushing out new leafs.

In either case, the Babaco can be planted either in the ground or in a pot. You can transplant/root it outside now if the daytime temperatures are above 65 F and the nighttime temps do not dip below 50 F. If you are in USDA zone 9 or higher, you can grow the plant outdoors year-round. It is native to the highlands of central America in zone 10-11. It tolerates frosts but is killed by a hard freeze.

If you wish to (or have to) grow it in a pot, a 25 gallon size is sufficient and 50 gallon is unnecessary. For a 25 gallon pot you will need a little over 3 cubic feet of soil for a cutting, and a little less than 3 cu.ft. for a transplant from a 1 gallon pot. If you are going to purchase soil, consider 3 parts citrus mix with 1 part fine-grain cured compost (e.g., Kellogg's N-Rich). Another option is Kellogg's Patio Mix straight out of the bag. Allow room for 1.5 inches of mulch on top of the soil but 1.5 inches below the rim of the pot.

Just like your bananas, the base of the Babaco trunk will rot if left soggy for too long. However, don't fret: the Babaco is hardier than bananas in this respect. If you potted your plant -- it cannot stay soggy.

The plant wants full sun, but in areas (hello Arizona) that get over 95 F with low humidity it needs 25% shade during the heat of the day. Remember, this plant is not a Carica and is native to highland areas -- not frying hot lowlands. Another location thought: steady seasonal hot winds for multiple hours will permanently bend the plant, especially if it is loaded with fruit. A stake won't help because any strapping will cut deeply into the trunk. Instead consider a location where a fence will back up the plant during that season. If the plant does bend -- oh well, your fruit will still grow to maturity.

If planting in the ground, excavate a hole 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft. Make sure it drains. Remove all rocks larger than a golf ball. If your soil is not too sandy or not heavy clay, then just mix 3 parts of your soil with 1 part fine-grained cured compost. If your soil is too sandy, use 3 parts potting soil and 1 part your soil. If your soil is heavy clay, use 1 part your soil, 1 part citrus mix, and 2 parts fine-grained cured compost. Form a basin around your plant and water. Then apply at least 2 inches of mulch over the entire area.

If your bananas like what you feed them and they produce a lot of fruit, then feed that to your babaco plant. Don't start feeding your transplant or rooting until it is pushing out new leafs. I am using a granular Citrus-Avocado food (GroPower brand) rated 8-6-8, or a tropical plant granular rated 8-1-12 (when it is available). In either case, I use 1/4 cup per month for the potted plant and 1 cup per month for the plants in the ground.

My plants in the ground receive 5 gallons of water every 4 days during my summer months.

The growth habit of the Babaco is somewhat like a palm in that as leafs mature they will drop from the plant and new leafs will be generated. Expect leaf drop. Healthy leafs are green and a bit red-veined. In zone 9 when it gets cold there will be extra leaf drop and basically, any time the plant is shocked you will also get leaf drop (so Jackson -- don't go out there in your underwear). The plant is doing fine so long as new growth is pushing out the top.

For details about fruit maturation, see post #1 below.

lorax
04-01-2008, 05:26 PM
Does the Babaco produce papain ?

It does, as do most other members of the Vasconcella (which used to be part of Carica, which is now restricted to just the common Papaya.) In Babaco, the papain action is responsible for the slightly effervescent (fizzy) quality of the fresh juice.

In addtion to what other people have mentioned, it makes a terriffic substitute for apples in crisps, pies, and crumbles.

Richard
04-03-2008, 01:45 PM
For those who care about taxonomy changes, I've received the following updates from the taxonomy police:

Babaco = Vasconcellea × heilbornii; syn. Carica pentagona

with Vasconcellea × heilbornii = True mountain papaya (Vasconcellea pubescens, syn. Carica pubescens) X Chamburro (Vasconcellea stipulata, syn. Carica stipulata).

I have inserted these updates into post #1 below.

:2182:

mskitty38583
04-05-2008, 03:16 PM
thanks richard! the info has come in handy. before i read this info i went ahead and planted it. gulp,gulp..(every cutting i have ever recieved i dip into the hormone) i moistened the cut end and dipped it in rooting harmone. i planted it in well draining nana dirt and then watered it. glad im a plant freak! it is now sitting in an area that gets great afternoon sun. just a note, when i opened up the package,i smelt the cut end and i got the faintest smell of pineapple. oh it smelled yummy! im so excited to see it grow.

Richard
04-05-2008, 09:39 PM
:woohoonaner:

so it got a double dose of rooting hormone, once from me and then from you. Given the nature of the plant, it probably will sprout double roots ;)

mskitty38583
04-05-2008, 10:50 PM
works for me!:bebe:

mskitty38583
04-09-2008, 06:36 AM
hey richard...just wanted to let you know i have new sprouts at the top of my babaco.they are maybe 1/4 in. tall. will post a few pics later. just thought youd like to know. btw...thanks again!:nanerwizard::gif_rojo::2722::D

Richard
04-09-2008, 11:19 AM
oh yeah ... that's great! This plant is not shy about growing.

:dreadlocksnaner:

mskitty38583
04-09-2008, 02:55 PM
i hope not, i have high hopes for this plant. lol!

Pavlina Nikolova
08-02-2009, 11:23 AM
Hi!
I registered at bananas.org today, because I wish to find information for Babaco and hit at this forums.
I`m from Bulgaria and I`m sorry for my bad English.
Here, in Bulgaria, don`t have any Babaco yet, but I wish so much to have that tree. I want to tell me were I can buy Babaco from. And what is the price?
Thank you!
Greeting! Have a nice evening!!! :banana_ba

Jack Daw
08-02-2009, 01:02 PM
Hi!
I registered at bananas.org today, because I wish to find information for Babaco and hit at this forums.
I`m from Bulgaria and I`m sorry for my bad English.
Here, in Bulgaria, don`t have any Babaco yet, but I wish so much to have that tree. I want to tell me were I can buy Babaco from. And what is the price?
Thank you!
Greeting! Have a nice evening!!! :banana_ba
Yep, Slavic name it is. :D
Welcome to the org, Pavlinka, please look into the section about introducing yourself ( Member Introductions, Social Announcements & Good Wishes - Bananas.org (http://www.bananas.org/f11/) ), you will surely find what your heart desires very soon. ;)

ewitte
08-07-2009, 06:23 PM
I found Babaco down here but my wife didn't really like.

Richard
08-07-2009, 07:00 PM
Excellent in smoothies, ice cream, or make sorbet from it. If the person tasting it thinks it will taste like ordinary papaya, they will be disappointed. On the otherhand, if you prepare them with the idea it is "Pineapple Papaya" then there is much greater acceptance. Sliced banana and babaco is a favorite combo of mine!

Pavlina Nikolova
08-08-2009, 06:34 AM
Hello again!
Thanks for the warm welcome and for the information, Jack Daw! And ... yes - Slavic name it is. :)
Nice and that ewitte and Richard also joined in the topic.
Meanwhile, I found this site here: Tropical Plants (http://www.junglegardens.co.uk/PlantOrders/index1.html). Do you know anything about this? Is it safe?
Thanks in advance!
Once I find the search will notify you immediately. :D
Have a nice day!!! :)
Greetings!!!

Richard
08-08-2009, 10:25 AM
I noticed that site says "(Sorry we do not accept International plant orders)". I believe you are in Bulgaria?

lorax
08-08-2009, 10:50 AM
Hey Richard! They've found a new variety of Babaco here in South Ecuador - apparently a hardier "tree" with personal-sized fruits, that's resistant to Fusarium wilt and other fungal and nematode problems...

Lagniappe
08-08-2009, 11:05 AM
Hey Richard! They've found a new variety of Babaco here in South Ecuador - apparently a hardier "tree" with personal-sized fruits, that's resistant to Fusarium wilt and other fungal and nematode problems...

How does one go about getting seeds of this one? I mean, does anyone we know have a source?

Richard
08-08-2009, 11:29 AM
Hey Richard! They've found a new variety of Babaco here in South Ecuador - apparently a hardier "tree" with personal-sized fruits, that's resistant to Fusarium wilt and other fungal and nematode problems...

Cool! Is it the Chamburo (Vasconcellea × heilbornii nothovar. chrysopetala), or yet another seedless Vasconcellea?

lorax
08-08-2009, 12:25 PM
Nope, it's another sp - V. candicans. Rest assured, Pete, I'm looking for at least one myself. I'm in the final leg of the paperwork for an export licence, and once I've got that, I'll be happy to send one along.

Although, no seeds - this is a sport variety, you'll have to make do with a cutting.

Richard
08-08-2009, 01:17 PM
So a V. candicans (http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?418400) cultivar that doesn't taste like cardboard! Thats very interesting.

lorax
08-08-2009, 04:25 PM
Yes, apparently this one's got a much higer brix rating than even standard Babacos, and if possible a little more effervescence. As soon as I find one, I'll report back to y'all - this appears to be a candicans x heilbornii - so you get the hardiness of the candicans and the flavour of the heilbornii.

Pavlina Nikolova
08-10-2009, 01:12 PM
Hello, Richard!
Many thanks for your reply to Babako`s topics. I understand that working for a license for transmission in Europe? Do you understand that plants generally have to send? If so, we can process in another way, if you agree, of course.
Many want Babako and really difficult to find here in Bulgaria. Until now all my attempts have failed. Furthermore, I wait 2 months to the contract and then more time for delivery. But you could send me a package plant in a personal item. Without a license, just as a package to a friend. For its part, I will send you the required amount of a bank account that will give me and I will give you my address.
Send me the answer to buteo_buteo@abv.bg or PM. I hope you agree.
Thanks in advance!
Have a nice day!!! :)
Regards:
Pavlina

Richard
08-10-2009, 02:35 PM
But you could send me a package plant in a personal item. Without a license, just as a package to a friend.

The license I am talking about is not an export license. It is a license to ship plant material. This is needed for both personal and commercial shipment of certain plants to European countries. I am happy to pursue it because it will mean I do not need a phytosanitary certificate for my shipments.

And ... there are probably people who will send you plants in a personal shipment without any license or permit. I will not do it because:

The spread of pests and diseases is a serious worldwide problem -- see this thread: http://www.bananas.org/f9/why-i-use-synthetic-pesticides-8688.html#post84548
The county I live in scans nearly all shipped packages (in and out) for plant material. Illegal shipments are discarded, plus you get to pay a fine and risk losing your nursery license.

Pavlina Nikolova
08-14-2009, 05:59 AM
I did not know that the plant items are prohibited in the absence of a license. I thought it was allowed personal items to include plants. Now I understand why not send me.
And when you receive a license, you will begin to send plants in Europe, right?
Greetings!

ccamp
07-11-2010, 09:47 PM
After reading this post, I am interested in trying to grow some babaco. I can't seem to find it anywhere near me. Anyone having success with this fruit in South Florida? ALso, does it have the same problems as papaya with fruit fly?

sunfish
04-18-2011, 08:06 PM
Babaco buds

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=41932&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=41932&ppuser=2868)

Dalmatiansoap
04-19-2011, 02:44 PM
Nice
:nanadrink:

sunfish
05-11-2011, 07:24 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=42661&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=42661&ppuser=2868)

sunfish
06-04-2011, 03:36 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=43266&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=43266&ppuser=2868)

sunfish
08-28-2011, 04:13 PM
My Babaco

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45373&ppuser=2868><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45373&size=1 border=0></a> :08::woohoonaner::goteam::lurk::birthdaynana::waving::drum::08:: 0517:

venturabananas
09-02-2011, 11:44 PM
Anyone know what influences when Babaco sets fruit? My makes flowers all the time, but only occasionally sets fruit. Is it a temperature thing, or something else?

sunfish
09-03-2011, 11:24 AM
Anyone know what influences when Babaco sets fruit? My makes flowers all the time, but only occasionally sets fruit. Is it a temperature thing, or something else?

Maybe sun is the answer don't know. Last year I had flowers no fruit,you got fruit. This year you have flowers no fruit,I have fruit ?

venturabananas
09-04-2011, 10:19 AM
Mine finally started setting fruit over the last month, after making flowers but no fruit for months. Could be sunlight. It was partly shaded by a neighbor's plant, but now that the sun has moved to the south more, it is not getting shaded at all. Or, who knows?

Darkman
09-12-2011, 07:38 PM
Yes, apparently this one's got a much higer brix rating than even standard Babacos, and if possible a little more effervescence. As soon as I find one, I'll report back to y'all - this appears to be a candicans x heilbornii - so you get the hardiness of the candicans and the flavour of the heilbornii.

Are there any updates on this and what happened to Lorax?

john_ny
09-12-2011, 08:55 PM
Lorax was banned by Jared, for improper activities, while overseeing the production of the magazine, There was a thread explaining this, but now I can't find it. It might have been removed.

caliboy1994
10-16-2011, 09:52 PM
I think they sell them at my local nursery. Probably going to plant one next spring. I just hope they'll be able to handle the heat here in the valley...

Richard
10-21-2011, 01:43 AM
I think they sell them at my local nursery. Probably going to plant one next spring. I just hope they'll be able to handle the heat here in the valley...

The heat is ok, but they need protection and/or support during Santa Ana winds. Being succulent in form, a 30+ mile/hour wind will bend the plant sideways.

caliboy1994
10-21-2011, 10:46 AM
The heat is ok, but they need protection and/or support during Santa Ana winds. Being succulent in form, a 30+ mile/hour wind will bend the plant sideways.

I could always just plant it in a protected spot. How much room do they need when planted in the ground?

sunfish
10-21-2011, 11:07 AM
I could always just plant it in a protected spot. How much room do they need when planted in the ground?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=46413&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46413&ppuser=2868)

Richard
10-21-2011, 03:42 PM
I could always just plant it in a protected spot. How much room do they need when planted in the ground?

3-ft x 3-ft for 3-5 years, then they start branching much like a plumeria.

sunfish
11-25-2011, 11:18 AM
Found a seed in the Babaco fruit.Will it germinate ?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=46943&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46943&ppuser=2868)

Dalmatiansoap
11-25-2011, 12:04 PM
Found a seed in the Babaco fruit.Will it germinate ?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=46943&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46943&ppuser=2868)

only one way to find that out ;)

sunfish
11-25-2011, 12:57 PM
Already in the geminator

sunfish
05-08-2012, 08:39 AM
<a href="http://s950.photobucket.com/albums/ad348/musanamwah/Today/?action=view&amp;current=003-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad348/musanamwah/Today/003-3.jpg" border="0" alt="003-3"></a>

venturabananas
05-08-2012, 11:42 AM
Tony, seems like everything you have flowers before my plants do. Must be enough difference in low temperatures, or you're just better at growing things! My babaco still looks sad from winter (doesn't have very many leaves), no flowers, but still has 5 fruit hanging that set last year.

I did have a major success (for me) with babaco this winter, though. After over-potting a small one and then having the roots and base of the trunk rot off when the weather cooled down, I chopped all the dead stuff off, potted it in pumice, and put in on heat mat. It rooted and I've potted it up 2 or 3 times now. Looks like it'll stay in the land of the living.

sunfish
05-08-2012, 12:14 PM
Tony, seems like everything you have flowers before my plants do. Must be enough difference in low temperatures, or you're just better at growing things! My babaco still looks sad from winter (doesn't have very many leaves), no flowers, but still has 5 fruit hanging that set last year.

I did have a major success (for me) with babaco this winter, though. After over-potting a small one and then having the roots and base of the trunk rot off when the weather cooled down, I chopped all the dead stuff off, potted it in pumice, and put in on heat mat. It rooted and I've potted it up 2 or 3 times now. Looks like it'll stay in the land of the living.

It's been pretty cool here so far this year. Just noticed today that this one is putting out leaves on the middle of the trunk.:goteam:

DoctorSteve
10-28-2012, 10:29 AM
Tony, did that babaco seed ever germinate?

sunfish
10-28-2012, 10:31 AM
Tony, did that babaco seed ever germinate?

No it did not. :(

DoctorSteve
10-28-2012, 11:03 AM
That's a bummer, maybe next time.

sunfish
10-28-2012, 12:03 PM
That's a bummer, maybe next time.

I don't grow Babaco anymore. Making room for better tasting fruit. :):08:

venturabananas
10-29-2012, 12:35 AM
I like the flavor of Babaco, but this plant doesn't like me. I had one that fruited for a couple of years and then just rotted away from the roots up, inexplicably to me. Had another that did the same thing, but in a pot. I was able to get it to root again once I chopped off the mush, but now after several months of looking good, it's back to looking sad. I may have to admit defeat on babaco and move on.

Darkman
11-02-2012, 08:08 AM
What is the perfect climate for Babaco?

caliboy1994
07-28-2013, 10:17 PM
I attended the San Fernando Valley CRFG chapter's meeting the other day, and picked up a babaco plant and two fruit. Here is the plant that I picked up:

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/musamaniac/Other%20plants/20130728_170038_zps40caf0e7.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/musamaniac/Other%20plants/20130728_170048_zps5b43b830.jpg

And here is the fruit:

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/musamaniac/Fruits%20and%20stuff/20130728_110823_zps9a3de522.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/musamaniac/Fruits%20and%20stuff/20130728_113929_zps9e0a3a0b.jpg

How I rate it:

Taste - It's sort of like a combination of papaya, apple, and pineapple. The papaya-like musk is present as well. There is almost no sweetness though, and my sweetness-craving taste buds were not fond of that. Overall, it's nice, sub-acid, and refreshing. I feel that it would be better put in something like a smoothie, salad, or dessert than simply eaten out of hand. 6.5/10

Texture - It's similar to a honeydew melon or papaya, except softer, juicier, and a bit slimy towards the center. It's really tender, I like the texture a lot. 7.5/10

Aroma - Now this is what blew me away. The aroma is similar to the taste, except with an almost perfume-like sweetness added in. I actually left these on my car seat when I was transporting them home, and then after the car seat smelled of babaco. If there's a cut on the fruit, the aroma they it gives off becomes even stronger. If you put a lot together, it will make your kitchen smell really nice! 9/10

I feel like someone who enjoys sub-acid flavors a lot would like it more than I do. Overall, an excellent fruit and a welcome addition to my plant collection.

Oh, and I also decided to make a smoothie with it. Chopped it up and added some banana, coconut water, and vanilla yogurt, and then stuck it in the blender. It complemented the banana flavor quite nicely and added some sub-acid flavor to it.

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/musamaniac/Fruits%20and%20stuff/20130728_111415_zps8b8318b8.jpg

Delicious! :)

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/musamaniac/Fruits%20and%20stuff/20130728_111732_zps9f7be031.jpg

sunfish
07-28-2013, 10:21 PM
think they taste like terrible but I'm not a Connoisseur

Richard
07-28-2013, 10:32 PM
Caliboy has the right idea.

sunfish
07-28-2013, 10:42 PM
Fresh peach taste better

Richard
07-28-2013, 10:44 PM
Fresh peach taste better

I agree.

caliboy1994
07-29-2013, 01:42 AM
There are very few fruits that do not go well in smoothies. :)