North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Hilborn.E@epamail.epa.gov]

Well, I am very impressed.  I just tasted my first kaki yesterday.  It was mostly orange with just a bit of green.  I knew that I was picking it early, but this is my first year harvesting this fruit, I wanted to know the range of flavor. Regardless of the green tinge, the fruit was very sweet, crispy and juicy. The variety is Ichi Ki Kei Jiro, and although most of the fruits are starting to turn orange, they are still pretty green.

 

Can I leave these fruits on the tree through a frost?  Our typical first frost date is October 16 or so, and these fruits need some more time to fully ripen. 

 

Will they ripen off the tree if I pick them slightly green?

 

I am so impressed by this fruit, I am planning to purchase another.  I have my eye on Hana Fuyu because of its dwarf habit and earlier ripening.  Any comments on the fruit quality or productivity of Hana Fuyu?

 

Betsy Hilborn

7a NC