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Overcoming Zone Envy

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Ed Trout
jrodriguez
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Rob Kempinski
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Post  Rob Kempinski Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:34 am

When I started bonsai I lived in a climate where Crab Apples would grow. Moving them to Florida was their death sentence.
However I found a decent substitute, Limeberry, Triphasia Trifolia.
Here is a literati ?? style showing lots of fruit. The canopies need a little work but the fruit looks scrumptious (but actually tastes lousy.)


Overcoming Zone Envy 2009_024


Overcoming Zone Envy Tripha10
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Post  EdMerc Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:39 am

Rob, beautiful fruit.

Where does one find limeberry in or around Central Florida?

Thanks,
Ed
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Post  Rob Kempinski Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:54 am

Ed, it's a fairly common hedge material in South Florida, but it is not native to Florida. They are native to Southeast Asia where I have seen photos of some big ones. The nasty thorns keep intruders out. In fact, for security purposes some landscapers recommend growing one underneath windows that are potential infiltration sites for burglars. This one came from a hedge and was very reasonable.

You need to find one of the urban collectors from South Florida and see it they will sell you one. I can send you a name via PM if you want.

Note, these are very slow growing trees - It takes forever for the trunk to thicken. This tree is well over 40 years old growing in the ground. The state of FLorida considers them invasive but tehy are so slow to grow that I wonder about that.

There are also some in Puerto Rico but not too many for sale. You have to get lucky.
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Post  redvw5 Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:15 am

Those have some beautiful berries. What do the flowers look like? At least you won't have to worry about it outgrowing the pot any time soon.

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Post  jrodriguez Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:58 pm

Triphasia Trifolia grows wild in Puerto Rico, mostly along the coast line. Like Rob stated, it is a slow growing tree. Often found in the multiple trunk style, one seldom finds a single trunk. I have come across some thick and very old triphasia, one of them which lives happily in Rob's house!!!

In Indonesia, triphasia is very common. I have seen specimens with trunks well over 12 inches. In my opinion, they must be old as dirt!!

Kind regards,
Jose Luis
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Post  Ed Trout Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:05 pm

Hi Rob,

This reminds me of persimmon bonsai, except of course the fruit color. I believe Jose Luis pointed these out to me when I was in Puerto Rico many years ago, along with many of the outstanding trees there.


Ed Trout

ps; Great photography !

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Post  Rob Kempinski Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:46 am

jrodriguez wrote:Triphasia Trifolia grows wild in Puerto Rico, mostly along the coast line. Like Rob stated, it is a slow growing tree. Often found in the multiple trunk style, one seldom finds a single trunk. I have come across some thick and very old triphasia, one of them which lives happily in Rob's house!!! Jose Luis

It's not quite ready for prime time, but do you think there is a nicer one on the continent? Very Happy Question
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Post  Rob Addonizio Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:47 am

Rob,
Nice berries. I wonder if this is in any way related to carissa, natal plum? Just curious.

BTW, love the song from your blog! Brings back memories of my childhood.... Laughing Laughing Shocked
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Post  xuan le Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:07 pm

Nice berries Rob, does your tree have berries every year? I have 2 Triphasia but they only bear berries every couple of years.

Xuan

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Post  Budi Sulistyo Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:11 pm

Hi Rob,

Triphasia is a common tree in Indonesia. We have quite a lot.

By the way, my skype is budi.sulistyo22
I have sent an invitation to you.

Budi
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Post  bumblebee Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:39 pm

Thank you for posting the pictures. I think I have a similar tree, but was told they call it "limoncilla" in Puerto Rica. Does anybody know if my limoncilla the same as the limeberry?

Libby

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Post  jrodriguez Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:30 pm

Libby,

Limoncillo (or small lemon) is the name given to triphasia in Puerto Rico. In the Phillipines is called lemoncito.

Rob,

Your tree is certainly the thickest triphasia in the continent. Once you train it it will become very beautiful. I have removed all the berries from mine. If you let them stand for a long time, it will weaken the tree.

Kind regards,
Jose Luis
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Post  bumblebee Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:55 pm

Thanks for telling me more about my little tree, y'all. Very Happy Hasn't berried up yet . I do wish I knew how to put pictures on the computer. my triphasia is twin trunks, 1 1/2 and 2 inches across and the foliage has been growing wild this summer! The branches are "weeping" in form and quite beautiful. No training at all yet--maybe next year as I just got it last March.

Now if only I could grow larches and paperbark white birches..........

Libby

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Post  xuan le Wed Aug 26, 2009 3:30 pm

To redvw5,

Here is the picture of Triphasia flower. I post this since Rob's tree doesn't have any flower left.

Xuan

Overcoming Zone Envy Tripha10

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