2016 Annual Report for FW16-003
Establishing Profitable Durian Crops in Hawaii
Summary
Summary:
At the start of this project we anticipated a fairly standard rate of progress and expansion of growth for the various durian varieties. There were and continues to be many unforeseen challenges that the PI and project participants did not anticipate. The most difficult start to the project was the loss of 4000 trees to USDA inspection. Even with permits in place, fungicide use and numerous checks by knowledgeable personnel, inspectors still found some pathogens which caused the trees to be destroyed. Plans for alternative packaging systems from USDA will help us to be successful with obtaining additional varieties in the first half of 2017. Another problem has been to secure enough fruit. As the popularity of fruit has increased much faster than anticipated with a demand unable to be met by existing growers. The cost of individual fruit has risen from an average of $30 per fruit to $50. per fruit. Growers are no longer are willing to sell wholesale. The cost of seedling trees has gone from $25 to $65 while grafted trees are selling for $300.00 on Oahu and $150 on Hawaii island. The trees from the project are still selling for less than $3. in the Philippines and $.75 in India.
For now, the project continues to graft and clone as many locally sourced trees as possible as well as plan to import again early 2017. Trees in stock are being slowly distributed as grafts on durian take longer and are notoriously difficult.
The focus of the project in early 2017 will be to obtain additional varieties, distribute to the additional locations (locations' already established) and focus on obtaining fruit from the next harvest period in order to do taste tests.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Objectives/Performance Targets:
Objectives from original application:
|
Original Objective |
Current state |
Future plans |
|
Establish 12 varieties of durian trees on 5 islands with 6 collaborators. |
9 varieties obtained and planted at "mother" location in Kona. Propagation for other varieties is underway. Cloning these 9 is also underway. |
Continue cloning and distribution to other islands. |
|
Determine which varieties are suited for Hawaii¹s different microclimates. |
Polling of growers statewide has given some us some idea of best varieties in specific areas |
continuing polling and finding other durian growers. |
|
Purchase fruit for sensory evaluations and mainland shipping tests |
much more difficult to purchase a quantity of fruit than anticipated. Even when trying to buy retail most growers want to control any sales or just enjoy themselves. |
continue to find other growers and communicate with known growers to make evaluations possible |
|
Host durian taste test at 3 locations on Oahu, Kauai and Kona. |
Locations have been set at Choice Mart in Kona and Whole Foods in Wailuku Maui and Honolulu. |
It continues to be a problem to secure enough fruit of even one variety. Discussions with growers for the next season continues to be underway. |
|
Determine cost of production and wholesale & retail pricing |
Basic information gathered from 2 locations |
continue to gather data from other growers and other locations. |
|
Develop extension publication with marketing guide. |
About 40% complete |
Continue to track growth patterns and gather data |
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Accomplishments/Milestones:
Timeline status:
|
Original Objective |
Current state |
Future plans |
|
Month 1 Establish project website |
some sections have been added and mentioned on htfg.org & hawaiifriuit.net |
We are currently designing updated sites where the durian project will be featured |
|
Month 2 Obtain bare rootstock trees for importation to Hawaii. |
The loss of 4000 trees was a considerable setback for the overall project. |
Nine varieties obtained singularly are planted out in kona and in the processed of being cloned. |
|
Month 3 Six collaborators to establish 3 each of 12 varieties on 5 islands for a total of 360 trees. Plant trees at 6 locations on 5 islands |
The loss of these trees have caused a year long delay. So far we have 10 varieties planted at the "mother" location in kona and only 1 variety planted at 3 other locations. |
The PI plans to bring in groups of trees from India and Philippines. The USDA has suggested different fungicides and packaging so there should no or very little loss of plan material. This should happen in April/May of 2017 |
|
Month 4-20 Monitor growth rate of trees, Mulch, fertilizer and water, Discuss project at monthly HTFG meetings |
Each planted tree is monitored and discussions take place at monthly meetings. In some cases with other durian growers. |
continue as planned |
|
Month 18 Purchase ripe durian for sensory evaluations and hold tasting events on Oahu, Kauai and Kona. |
It has been difficult to find quantities and varieties to sample but we are trying to arrange for next season
|
Working to obtain enough fruit for sampling. Store arranges have been made at 3 locations. |
|
Month 20 Discuss project at Annual HTFG conference |
The project has been discussed at the annual conference and wil be discussed at the 2017 conference |
Durian speakers planed for the 2017 conference in Hilo |
|
Month 21 Update websites Write Extension publication
|
continue as planed |
continue as planed |
|
Month 22 Hold outreach meetings for each HTFG chapter on each island travel |
continue as planed |
continue as planed |
Month 23-24
Final report continue as planed continue as planed