D2203 GOLDEN YELLOW PAPAYA. (Papaya Amarilla) Carica papaya. A palm like tree that bears the papaya fruit whose enzyme is able to digest 35 times its weight in lean meat. Excellent source of vitamin A and B. Papaya is very good for soothing an upset stomach. It is a healthy addition to bacon and eggs for breakfasts because it neutralizes that "heavy" feeling from the bacon. Winter hardy only in Zones 9-11. Houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information and Recipes Click Here
2203K GOLDEN RED PAPAYA. (Papaya Oro Rojo) Carica papaya. From Mexico. Similar to the Golden Yellow Papaya above but flesh of fruit is more red in color. Juice of any Papaya makes one of the best marinades because it tenderizes meat better than just about anything else and it is all natural. Winter hardy only in Zones 9-11. Houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information and Recipes Click Here
2203KC BIG RED PAPAYA, BIG PAPA. (Papaya Roja Grande) Carica papaya. From Mexico. Big Papaya approaching the size of water melon. Flesh of fruit is orange to red. Another candidate for a great, healthy, Cuban Batido. See recipe at the "Click Here" option below. Winter hardy only in Zones 9-11. Houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information and Recipes Click Here
K2003 TANGERINE. (Tangerino) Citrus reticulata. The familiar slightly flat-shaped roundish dark orange citrus fruit available everywhere at Christmas time, but seldom seen at other times of the year. It makes a beautiful houseplant and can attain a height of 20 ft. when grown year round outdoors in zones 10-11 or Houseplant. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00 For Picture Click Here For Picture Click Here
D2205 MOUNTAIN PAPAYA. (Papaya de la Montaña) Carica pubescens. A hardy papaya from the mountains that will stand cold and disease better than Golden Papaya. Very attractive foliage. Zones 9-11. Houseplant. Packet of 5 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information and Recipes Click Here
KC227 CUCUMBER TREE. Averrhoa bilimbi. A curious small tree with stiff horizontal branches. Enticing small, bright-green leaves. Mauve scented flowers are followed by a bounty of 2 inch (5 cm) long "cucumbers" borne directly on the trunk and mature branches. They are pleasantly tart.. Zones 9-11. Houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50
D2208 STAR FRUIT. (Carambola) Averrhoa carambola. A beautiful evergreen tree with delicate foliage that folds up at night. Bears the delicious "star fruit" you see in supermarkets. Easily grown indoors in bright light. Zones 9-11. Houseplant. Packet of 4 seeds $4.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D2209 CHINESE HACKBERRY. (Almez Chino, Ramón, Almeza) Celtis sinensis. Tree grows to 10 m in cultivation. Fruits are rich orange: stone pitted. Zones 6-8. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00
D2212 TREE TOMATO. (Tomate de Árbol) Cyphomandra betacea. Egg shaped reddish-yellow fruit, eaten raw or in jam. An exotic fruit and plant. Most like the fruit stewed and served as a side dish. Garden Annual. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95
KC226 STRAWBERRY GUAVA. (Guava) Psidium littorale (Formerly listed as P. cattleianum. Can be grown indoors in containers or as a tree outdoors to 25 ft. The fruits are very versatile. Makes great juice, jelly, mousse, Guava butter and Guava pudding. Zones 8-11. Houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture Click Here
9618E SOURSOP. (Guanábana) Annona muricata. This very attractive tropical tree bears sweet/tart fruits weighing up to six pounds that are used for making sherbets and refreshing drinks. Very attractive foliage. Zones 10-11. Houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50
SO523 CUSTARD APPLE. (Anona Blanca, Cherimoya) Annona reticulata. A short deciduous tree that produces large fruits with a juicy sweet taste. Zones 10-11. Houseplant. Packet of 3 seeds $2.10
KC183 KING'S FRUIT. Ambarella. Spondias dulcis. Has smooth grey bark with bright green foliage oddly clustered at branch ends. Produces small greenish-white flowers in large clusters. Orange-colored fruit has an apple-flavored yellw pulp. It is said that this exotic tropical fruit was a favorite of Spanish royalty. Winter hardy in the tropical zones of 10 - 11, but is easily grown in containers indoors in northern climate. Packet of 3 seeds $2.75 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
8564 PASSION FRUIT. (Granadilla, Maracuja) Passiflora edulis. A vigorous plant that does well on fences or a trellis. The passion fruit from this vine is a common staple in the tropics and is considered a delicacy. Zones 8-11. Packet of 10 seeds $1.50 For Picture Click Here
8587 BANANA PASSION FRUIT. Granadilla, Curuba. Passiflora mollissima. A beautiful vine with large 3-lobed leaves followed by edible yellow fruits 4" in length. Zones 8-11. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00
KC8560 PASSION MELON. Granadilla Gigante. Passiflora quadrangularis. A beautiful vine with large 3-lobed leaves followed by edible yellow fruits 4" in length. Zones 8-11. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00
8566 CASSABANANA. Cassabanana, Girón, Curuba. Sicana oderifera. Long slender orange fruits 1-2 ft. long borne on a long trailing vine over forty foot long. Very fragrant, sweet fruits that are eaten raw, cooked or preserved. Also used as an insect repelling room perfume. Eating the fruit is said to prevent tonsillitis. Annual. Packet of 2 seeds $2.00
8509 KIWI FRUIT. Actinidia chinensis. A very hard vine that can produce up to 300 pounds of fruit on a single vine. Rich in potassium and vitamin C. Cold hardy and very easy to grow. Must have strong trellis to hold up the fruit! Free recipes. Zones 3-8. Packet of 10 seeds $1.50
8581 ISSAI KIWI. Actinidia. Small 1" fruits with a very sweet taste. The vines will grow vigorously and bears loads of small fruit that is great for salads, desert or jelly. Zones 4-8. Packet of 6 seeds $2.00
SO111 PURPLE KIWI. Actinidia purpure. A very hardy kiwi that bears purplish fruit with a slightly tart taste. A different approach to kiwi that has a unique quality and flavor. Packet of 5 seeds $2.50
2392 ARCTIC KIWI, SIBERIAN GOOSEBERRY Actinidia Arguta. A strong-growing vine with dense, dark green foliage. The fragrant but inconspicuous white flowers appear in early spring. The fruit, which ripens in late summer or fall, is about 3/4"-11/4" long. It tastes much like the commercial kiwi fruit, to which it is closely related, but is somewhat sweeter and has smooth skin. The seeds are very small and not noticeable, so eating the fruits is somewhat like eating large seedless grapes. Most selections should be hardy to around -30° F. In the native Asian habitat of this species the vines typically grow wild in trees, where they are known to climb as high as 100'.. Packet of 25 seeds $2.95
SO456 JAPANESE PERSIMMON. (Placaminero Japonese, Caqui) Diospyros kaki. A very popular fruit tree from the Far East that has gained popularity in the U.S. Easy to grow from seeds. Can be raised inside in tubs in the north and outside in mild climates. The fruits are large, up to 3 inches across and very sweet. Zones 7-9. Packet of 6 seeds $2.50
D2217 AMERICAN PERSIMMON. (Placaminero, Caqui) Diospyros virginiana. A hardy tree that delivers large volumes of fruit at an early age. Fruits do not ripen until after frost in most areas. A slice of persimmon pie is a treat to be savored. Zones 4-9. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
D2218 GRAPE MAHONIA. Mahonia. Evergreen shrub with tough pinnate leaves. Flowers are yellow in dense terminal racemes followed by grape like black-blue berries that can be made into jelly. Zones 6-9. Packet of 20 seeds $1.95
SO154 CASHEW NUT. (Anacardo) Anacardium occidentale. A tropical tree that is famous for its delicious nuts. It is a very fast grower and well reach 40 ft. quickly in warm climates It is a very handsome tree that can be raised in greenhouses for its tropical appearance. Extreme southern portions of Zone 10 and all of zone 11. Packet of 3 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D2219 RUSSIAN OLIVE. (Aceîtuno Ruso) Elaeagnus angustifolia. Although its fruits are used in drinks and to make preserves, it is more sought after for its white shoots and silver undersides of leaves. Zones 3-8. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
D2220 HONEY LOCUSTS. Gleditsia tricanthos. This tree is cultivated for its golden fern-like foliage. The pulp is sweet and thus the name. The pods are often fermented to make beer or to feed to livestock. Zones 4-7. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50
D2225 RUSSIAN MULBERRY TREE. (Morera Rusa) Morus alba. This tree is grown for its abundance of fruit as well as its ornamental value. Its most important use however, is probably its leaves as a source of food for silkworms. Zones 4-8. Packet of 50 seeds $1.95
D2226 BLACK MULBERRY. (Morera Negra) Morus nigra. A heavy fruiter like the Russian Mulberry but is preferred because it grows only a third as tall and is easier to harvest. Great pies and wine can be made from the fruit. Zones 5-9. Packet of 50 seeds $1.95
D2228 COMMON OLIVE. (Aceîtuno) Olea europaea. A most useful tree that can be grown in any temperate climate. It also can be grown in containers. The tree itself is attractive and usually becomes gnarled with age. It bears the olive of commerce that reach up to 1" in dia. and are filled with oil. The flowers are tiny and yellow, the foliage a light grey-green. Zones 8-10. Packet of 5 seeds $2.50
D2249 CAROB TREE, ST. JOHN'S TREE (Algarrobo) Ceratonia. An evergreen tree that grows to 50 ft. Grows well in dry soils. The edible pods can be made into flour, which makes delicious candies, cakes, pastries and drinks. Zones 10-11. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
1A030 CHINESE JUJUBE. (Azufaifo Chino) Zizyphus. The tree has a weeping ornamental growth pattern. The fruits are smooth and round like an apple and can be eaten right off the tree. Very high in vitamin C. Very fragrant flowers. Zones 6-10. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
D2265 CARISSA. Grandiflora. Makes a great border shrub and is sometimes used as a hedge. It is a vigorous grower. Has red fruit. The source of Carissa jelly, sauce and pudding. Tropical, warm greenhouse. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95
D2267 POMEGRANATE. (Granado) Punica granatum. A very decorative ornamental that has a pleasant tasting fruit. It has vermilion red flowers and small glossy leaves. Zones 8-10. Packet of 20 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture information Click Here
D2277 CHOKEBERRY. (Amelanquier) Aronia melanocarpa. A very nice little bush that gives off loads of fruit and is easy to raise. Zones 4-9. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D2285 STRAWBERRY TREE. (Fresa de Árbol) Arbutus. A beautiful evergreen tree that is very attractive. The strawberry shaped fruits make a stimulating wine. Zones 7-9. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D2289 HAWAIIAN SOLO PAPAYA. Carica. A very desirable sweet strain of papaya that has a sweet firm pulp of pink/orange color. The Solo name is derived from one fruit being a meal in itself. An average fruit will weigh up to 1 1/2 lbs. Best grown outside in warm climates, but can be raised inside. Zones 9-10. Packet of 6 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information and Recipes Click Here
D2291 WAIMANOLO PAPAYA. Carica waimanolo. A compact variety that can bear fruit when only 4 ft. tall . Has sweet flavored orange/yellow fruits. The flowers are small white and very fragrant. The average fruit is 2 lb. The best variety for growing inside. Zones 10-11. Packet of 6 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information and Recipes Click Here
D2294 HORSERADISH TREE, DRUM STICK TREE. Moringa oleifera. The roots of this attractive fern-like tree can be used to make horseradish. The seeds can also be eaten roasted. Grows to about 30 ft. but can be container raised inside. Zones 10-11. Packet of 5 seeds $3.50
D2297 PEPINO TREE. MELON-PEAR. (Pepino) Solanum muricatum. A scruby plant growing to 3 ft. that produces fruit that resembles a cream colored egg. The fruit has a slightly sweet taste, very good for salads or stews. Annual. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
3102 JUNEBERRY, SASKATOON SERVICEBERRY. Amelanchier alnifolia. Low water requirements, grows at altitudes as high as 10,000 feet. A deciduous shrub that seldom exceeds 15 feet in height and occasionally suckering to form a slowly spreading clump. An easily grown plant, it prefers a rich loamy soil and thrives in any soil that is not too dry or water-logged. The largest yields, and best quality fruits, are produced when the plant is grown in a sunny position, though it should also do reasonably well in semi-shade. The plants are fairly lime tolerant and they will also grow well in heavy clay soils. They are very cold-hardy and will tolerate temperatures down to at least -20°c and probably much lower. Flowers in Early Spring, these white flowers are produced before the plants come into leaf, and are usually produced so abundantly that the whole plant turns white. They look particularly beautiful at this time. By late June, or more commonly early to mid July, the plants will usually be carrying large crops of fruits. These fruits are about 15mm in diameter, they are soft, sweet and juicy with a taste that reminds us of apples. Small enough to be eaten without problems, though they can add a slightly bitter almond-like flavour to the fruit if they are crushed whilst eating. The fruit can also be cooked in pies etc., when dried it is quite sweet and can be used in the same ways as raisins. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95
3115 SUCCULENT HAWTHORN. Crataegus succulenta. An attractive shrub growing about 20 ft with some of the largest fruits in the crataegus genus with specimens up to 1 3/4 inches in diameter. This fruit has a sweet, juicy and pulpy flesh that is excellent raw or for making jellies. Attractive flowers in Spring and a nice lawn specimen. Hardy to zone 4. Seeds are slow to germinate, but well worth the wait! Packet of 10 seeds $2.50
Note about seed germination: Most species of seeds have hard casings to protect the seed "embryo". For most of these "hard" seeds, the outer shell must be scarred, scratched or softened in some way. Some species take up to a year to germinate and will need help in the beginning to get the shell softened. Most varieties of slow germinating seeds will turn black and rot if there is not sufficient heat in the soil (75 to 90 degrees F. for most species) or if the soil dries out or is allowed to remain too wet, which will encourage the growth of one or another of the varieties of fungus or mold. It is important to speed up germination and to get the plants growing as soon as possible in order to avoid potential problems. Anyone who has soaked dried beans before cooking is familiar with the process of softening up the shell. When the outer shell is softened it allows the contents to expand. Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) can help in softening up these outer shells. It is available in many drug stores, but for those who have difficulty obtaining a small amount, we offer 1 teaspoon packets for $1.00. Soak the seeds in a solution of one teaspoon of the Saltpeter to one quart of warm water for at least 24 hours. Do not allow the seeds to dry out but sow them immediately using the remaining solution to water the soil or other growing medium. Soak several species of seeds at once in smaller containers of the same solution and have the containers of growing medium or soil ready for planting as soon as the soaking period is complete. SS100 Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) one teaspoon packet $1.00
or, for the very best results, try our product: Speed SproutTM
Simply drop seeds into Speed Sprout pouch, and seal, After sprouting begins, just plant seeds with Speed Sprout contents into soil. Put several seeds into each pouch, depending on size of seeds. The pouch will accommodate up to 20 bean-sized seeds. Keep pouch warm. Placing the seed pouches on a heating pad, set to low heat (80 to 85 degrees F.) will help many kinds of tropical seeds to germinate much faster.
Speed Sprout will:
SS110 Speed Sprout $3.95 per packet