I was impressed with the fruit too. I know they are crazy expensive here @ $2.99 a pound, but it is possible to find seeds, rare, and grow one that way. I have spent $30 in Sumo fruit so far and haven't found a single seed. Some people have found one or two. I realized I am better off just buying another tree than buying them at the store. I have a long wait ahead of me.

Why do you say you won't get your hands on one? I have one I bought from Harris citrus 3 years ago. It's actually called shiranui and they have some 3 and 5 gallon trees on their website. Used to have smaller 1-2 year trees for $20 plus $13 shipping but looks like they are out. Of all the normal good online sellers they seem to be the only one with them right now. I know the California clone program sells budwood too.

My favorite citrus fruit, I hope to have a Shiranui tree one day. They are rarely available in stores here and very expensive fruit.

Mike is right. I have one in my daughter’s bedroom at the moment ;)

I purchased a 3 gallon Shiranui in November and am expecting another 5 gallon tree to be delivered sometime today. Both from Harris. I just couldn't see paying all that money at the store when I could grow my own.

$4.99 a pound is what I found here. So, my guess is that each fruit costs about $2.

Hi Nancy all of the above even I have a Shiranui and I live on a iceberg. Harris carries them and they will even ship to Canada . Nancy you have to add this one to your beautiful collection a must have !!!

Brian

Gosh Brian! I didn’t know Shiranui and Sumo were the same. And I have a beauty already growing from Harris. Might get another to improve my odds of getting fruit. Also might grab as many Sumo fruits I can at Sprouts to fit in my suitcase.

Thanks everyone! The Sumos at Sprouts are $2 a piece but worth every cent. LA Times wrote a story several years ago explaining why Sumos aren’t available for home growers. Glad to know that’s no longer valid. If anyone’s interested Harris has 5 and 3 gal now and will have smaller in the spring.

Sumos also go by Dekopan.

We have them here for $3.5/pound.

Does anyone know if a sumo tree can be ordered in California ? I know the largest grower of them in in California's Central Valley.

Oh Sunshine! Don t worry! I will send you some cuttings for your friendship trees in spring so you gonna get a shiranui tree too!

Almost one pound.

I think I have good news my local nursery said they might be able to get a Sumo for me in March !!!

I just bought one as the local home center is dumping all their trees for 5$ each. I may go get another!

For $5 ? I would not have such self restraint nice guy. :)

I know right?! The pots and dirt cost far more! I’m not sure how difficult these are to get decent fruit from, but only risk time and hope...

Junk4us I really hope that you get your hands on a Shiranui tree this March . Bought a couple of Sumo's this morning they were very good sweet with the right amount of tartness. . Sunshine your friendship tree is gorgeous. Brian

Thanks Brian! You, Amy and Maggy are going to be the tree's ffriends this coming season :)) I will open a separate thread about the tree and can update everyone regularly on it's growth in the future. If any other canadian citrus forum friends want to contribute buds for grafting, we will do grafting after the summer is almost over. Three varieties in spring and more varieties at the end of summer.

Sunshine, what are the advantages of bud grafting over other kinds of grafting?

Bud grafts grow better and more rapidly in the beginning stages, especially with a good light and warm conditions. I think when you bud graft, the amount of nutrient and water distribution to a bud is larger and more rapid than for a twig graft, keeping in mind that the joined materials are just establishing the route to supply the cells with water. By the time the water and nutrition reaches the top bud on twig graft, it has to go to the lower buds and the entire twig also, to keep all the cells happy, the nutrients available have to sustain more area of graft. With bud graft while the graft is healing, it starts to rapidly grow cells and shoot out a branch with more energy. It is like a hose shooting water rapidly and when you make several holes along the hose, the pressure of the water will not be the same as it was without holes. That is how I understand it.

Shiranui is certainly on my list for this season . Sunshine i can contribute buds for your multi graft project

That is awesome, Devsense, thanks for your offer, will let you all know on the new thread. The number of non grafted branches on it is now 4. But we can make the most of them by bud grafting in more places. Exciting!!!