Flavorella Curse Lifted!

19 years ago

Definitely I have more than 100 fruits that were formed on my Flavorella tree. This is really a big deal for me because it is the first fruit sets the first time in 6 or more years. My Flavorella tree was purchased from MidCity Nursery, authorized retail outlet of Dave Wilson Nursery and although it bloomed the year I planted it, no fruit sets until now. I posted several ideas on how to make it set fruits with Andy and others explaining as to why it just doesn't set a lot of fruits, all of which are valid based on actual observations, from elongated pistil combined with low temperature to non-attraction of bees. And in my case I added that it was cursed because of its peak bloom that coincides with our heaviest downpours for the past 6 years.

Flavorella is a plumcot, and quite problematic as to what type of pollenizer is best for it. We have discussed various theories as to why it doesn't set fruits. Dave Wilson have stopped producing this wonderful tasting plumcot, even Andy Mariani owner of Andy's Orchards (http://www.andysorchard.com/index.shtml) have pulled out a lot of his Flavorella trees due to disappointing fruit sets several years in a row. Even a single fruit from this tree is enough to make some of us hobbyists very happy. So this year's fruit sets is truly beyond expectations.

Only lately, we have began finding suitable pollenizers of Flavorella. It has been proven to set fruits with Royal Rosa Apricot and now more reliably with Joe's Italian and Goldkist apricots. Brian and Tony in Southern California were the first persons to give me a hint about Goldkist and Joe's Italian and so grafted them last winter. Only the Goldkist grafted successfully and bloomed at the same time with my Flavorella. Now I have more than 100 fruit sets and already perfectly spaced without the need for thinning.

Here's this season Flavorella fruit sets as indisputable proof.

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topmost branches have fruit sets too

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the culprit: Goldkist apricot

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Inca heirloom plum grafted also to Flavorella (but is not the pollenizer)

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Golden Nectar plum grafted on Flavorella to cross pollinate with Inca Plum

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Comments (8)

juniorpilot
19 years ago
Joe:

How sweet it is. Make that, "How sweet and tart it is" in honor of Flavorella's sweet/tart delicious combo flavor.

My experience with Flavorella and Goldkist matches yours.

It has been said that timing is everything. In No. and So. CA, Goldkist's timing of its blooming exactly coincides with Flavorella's timing and that was the trick we all missed until now. So naturally this match made in heaven broke your curse.

Flavorella can now come out of the doghouse and take its rightful place next to Santa Rosa at the top of the tart/sweet hall of fame.

Tony
ediej1209 AL Zn 7
19 years ago
Oh, wow, that looks like it was worth the wait! Congratulations!!
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joereal
Original Author
19 years ago
Thank you people for wishing me well! Keep fingers cross that no natural calamity will happen and able to eat tree ripened fruits on these. Will post report here, and if I didn't misplaced the camera, will surely take the pics before finishing the fruits.
joereal
Original Author
19 years ago
The updates are found on the other recent thread in the link below:

Here is a link that might be useful: Updates - Taste test results.
sautesmom Sacramento
18 years ago
Joereal:

How is this year's crop?

I am thinking about seeking out some scionwood of Flavorella to graft since I have a Royal Rosa apricot. Is it worth it???

Carla in Sac
fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
18 years ago
Carla:

This is a patented variety so looking for scion wood is not a good plan unless you have inside access at Dave Wilson Nursery. Flavorella is a very unique fruit but not one of my favorites...too tart, not sweet enough. I'm probably going to cut mine out after harvest this year.

Perhaps the fruit would be better in another environment. And others might like it the way mine are. But given how early it blooms and how hard it is to get fruit set, I'd look elsewhere.

The Fruitnut
carolync1
18 years ago
I'm sorry to hear that Dave Wilson has stopped producing Flavorella just as the secret to its success comes out. Maybe it's time for them to offer it in a grafted combo with Goldkist and maybe another early-blooming apricot. Or maybe with Fruitnut's favorite Aprium, Honey Rich.
rcnaylor
18 years ago
Congrats Joe. You amaze me with your industriousness on having so many types of fruit in your yard.

I've got 13 fruit trees.

Keep up the good work to encourage some of us lazier type gardeners to have something to aspire to. ;)

And, also, if you'd ship a little of that SoCal climate out this way, we'd appreciate it.