Say hello to all my friends in their ivory towers.

Now, John :-) I know you have issues with the UC system, even being a graduate of that system, but let's be nice. Your ultimate revenge my friend, will be in the success of your venture. Let's stay above the frey :-)

Patty S.

Patty,

That sounds like so much fun! I wish I lived in california! Will you bring back pictures? Sounds like its going to be an enjoyable day.

Have fun!

Kristopher

Sure, Kristopher. I'll have my iPhone with me, and take lots of photos :-)

Patty S.

Okay, had a great time, got to taste a few really outstanding cultivars. Snapped a few photos that you can see here:

Some of the cultivar highlights:

1. EncoreLS - Unreleased mandarin developed by University of California. Late maturing (March) and will hang extremely well on the tree well into summer. Very easy to peel. Excellent flavor, it is very rich and unique. "LS" stands for low seed, and it is a low-seeded version of Encore. Will be available soon in the CCPP budwood collection. This cultivar will be added to my collection as soon as budwood becomes available.

2. Rojo Blanco pummelo hybrid - A very delicate, pigmented pummelo hybrid that melts in your mouth, very soft, smooth vesicles, delicate membranes, and very sweet. Also a later variety, ripens from Jan to May. Available in the CCPP budwood collection. Will be going in my collection.

3. Thermal Tarocco - Similar to Bream but actually I think better tasting, sweeter. Not as pigmented, but sort of speckled. Also available as budwood in CCPP.

4. Powell Navel orange - One of the several Australian navel oranges brought to University of Calif. for evaluation. The latest of the navels, and exceptionally good. It is a licensed cultivar but it is available through CCPP, worth adding to a collection if you're looking for a very late sweet orange.

5. Ellendale Tangor (mandarin) - a natural tangor found in Australia. Rich, very juicy. Deep orange. Very nice mandarin hybrid. Taste reminds me a little bit of the Page mandarin. Monoembryonic, and is used in hybrid trials for good reason, as it has many excellent qualities.

Patty S.

Thank you for the report Patty!

Great info and update Patty - thank you! I was hoping to go but could not get down to Riverside this week - maybe next year.
With those new selections coming, i will need to play musical chairs in my yard.... or get yet another house! - (ugh)