The California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) is the largest amateur fruit-growing organization in the world. We specialize in fruit not native to nor grown commercially in any given area; but our breadth of knowledge and experience covers the environmentally sound culture of any and all edible plants. What we have learned is exchanged on this website, in our magazine The Fruit Gardener, on field trips and at meetings of our 23 chapters (not all in California!). There we get to go face to face with noted international horticultural researchers, commercial growers, and representatives from institutions of higher learning… not to mention our passionate fellow hobbyists. In addition, we run the annual Festival of Fruit, have photography contests, grant college scholarships, and hold our famous scion exchanges. Come on in! The fruit is fine.
Please note: We are a non-profit organization. We are not a business and do not sell fruit or fruit trees. We do hold annual scion exchanges at our chapters’ January or February meetings, where CRFG members can exchange scion wood and learn how to graft it to their own fruit trees. The chapters also host public meetings to educate those interested in learning how to grow and propagate fruit.
24 Comments
Ralph · December 29, 2016 at 3:00 am
My name is Ralph and I live in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I am trying to locate and purchase several (many) miracle fruit plants.
Ronald Naka · May 8, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Did you get the miracle fruit Plant
Anne Frazee · January 28, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Wow! I didn’t know a website exists with this amount of information on rare fruit trees. My husband and I love to garden and love learning as we go. You are such a find!
Paul Eckerson · May 8, 2017 at 2:21 pm
I retired early and started growing and grafting stone fruit trees. Google can’t answer my question. Or provide the information I’m interested in. What’s the best rootstock for starting a cocktail stone fruit tree? Are then any schematics available of cocktail trees? I’d love to share and swap scions. I’m in Lincoln NE. It is warmer in the winter here than it was when I was a kid that’s for sure. My information would be appreciated. A
Cindy Stevens · March 14, 2019 at 5:40 pm
Hi Paul,
I just found this site looking for someone that had some more info on Pawpaw trees and other native fruits and nuts. We live on a standard suburban lot (about .25 acre) and have blueberries, a “5 apple tree”, 2 “fruit cocktail trees”, 2 draws banana trees, 2 pear trees , 2 almond and 2 hazelnut trees. We have also have a beautiful herb garden and at least a half a dozen types of lilacs. I started to play around with grafting a decade or so ago. I live in Upstate New York and live in the Flower City. Our lilac festival draws millions each year. I had some luck grafting fruit trees so I used a sharp knife and a meat tenderizer along with duct tape and just last year we saw our first primrose/ sensation/ Josie bloom. It has a pale yellow center with dark purple and stark white petals. The biggest surprise, it’s a rebloomer! I can’t wait to see what happens this spring. I guess to close, you really don’t need a schematic. I will tell you that I grafted two plants the exact same way, however, only one produced almonds. So you never really know! Good Gardening!
Andrew Dove · June 14, 2017 at 1:36 am
Hello! My name is Andrew Dove, I am a community gardener in culver city. I’m curious of when the next meeting is. Also, is there a newsletter I can sign up for?
Thank you.
Ronni Kern · June 14, 2017 at 3:42 am
Andrew, the West LA chapter meets in Culver City. You can find info on the chapter under Chapters up in the top menu. Its meetings are announced on its website and on its Facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter you would have to become a member. Details re how to do that are on the website.
Jagruti maniar · September 1, 2017 at 1:38 am
I found this site from George who is working at Walter Anderson nursery and mentioned this is the best site to learn about rare fruits. I love it . Also. A fruit creek.
Love to have more info.
Dena Bergstrom · October 7, 2017 at 9:40 pm
I am a member out in Marin County. I heard there might be an organization in the midAtlantic area that centers around rare fruit growing . What can I say,” I’m bi coastal in Ca and Va. I’m always promoting ur organization in both coasts .
Gilbert Gia · April 8, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Thank you for making your website information publically available. It is unmatched.
Eric · August 18, 2018 at 7:09 pm
Hi folks
I’m looking for Jan Boyce and gem scion wood or tree. Pls help direct me to who I might need to contact.
Ty
Eric
Ronni Kern · August 19, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Eric, I would suggest calling Atkins in Fallbrook. They seem to be the go-to place for Avocados these days. https://www.facebook.com/AtkinsNursery/
Carol Bee · September 26, 2018 at 10:08 am
Just found you! Heavens, I feel so happy. Could you help me find a tomato tree that grows in Ecuador and other S. American climes? For true ceviche, the fruit is an absolute necessity. In the Peace Corps in 1965 and should have brought a few back for the seeds but…that was only 20 yrs ago on a visit. Duh on me. Thanks, will sign up. Hope you have something in N.CA. in CO but could do a drive.
Carol Bee
Ronni Kern · September 26, 2018 at 10:17 am
Carol, what you are looking for is a tamarillo. The fruit have just been legally certified for importation into the US https://www.notyouraverageamerican.com/tree-tomato but it is discussed at length in our Fruit Facts Wiki https://crfg.org/wiki/fruit/tamarillo/ You should be able to find seeds at least online.
Alfredo · December 2, 2018 at 7:34 am
Hi my name is Alfredo, I live in El Paso , Texas and trying hard to make and plant outdoors a avocado tree , I’ve accomplished a few to make then grow up to 6ft but the weather is crazy in this area , I’m trying right now growing one on a pot and is about 2 ft and growing great but is winter time any suggestions on how to give proper care ?, I will appreciate your help . Thanks
Ronni Kern · December 2, 2018 at 11:11 am
Alfredo, we have a couple of semi-active affiliates in Texas and one in Arizona. You would probably get the most pertinent information from one of them. Check for contact info under Chapters.
Caleb · January 12, 2019 at 8:02 pm
How do you start a chapter? I live in California, and there isn’t a chapter anywhere near me.
rita salse · June 4, 2019 at 8:19 am
Please let me know when your next meeting at Cal Polly will be.
Thank you,
Rita salse
Ronni Kern · June 4, 2019 at 9:31 am
Rita, please check with the Central Coast chapter’s website for information on their meetings http://www.crfg-central.org/
Paul Eckerson · June 4, 2019 at 11:08 am
I’m retired and enjoy grafting and trying new fruit. I have traveled the world and have discovered many interesting fruit all the way from Darian to little awesome bananas and Goji berries. I have about 30 varieties in my garden and busy with the invasive species of pears . Not a fan of ornamental fruit trees in an age of starving people. As a kid fruit trees were common now people consider them “messy” and pay $2 a pound + for fruit covered in pesticides. Looking forward to next year’s scion exchange.
Tom Ver Hoef · June 22, 2019 at 11:03 am
I have African Marula tree seed if anyone wants it for free. (called the golden fruit of Africa)
Wilberto · July 13, 2019 at 11:00 am
Greetings from Puerto Rico,
I have been planting figs here and they are doing great but I am having problems buying trees instead of cuttings. TRees are very expensive from individuals, do you know where can I buy trees from nurseries?
Bill Grimes · July 14, 2019 at 11:32 am
Wilberto,
I don’t know but let me ask some of our Puerto Rican members. Honestly, we usually just root cuttings from whatever variety we want.
Bill Grimes
christin anderson · July 5, 2022 at 12:55 pm
I live in West Marin County , in a Zone 8 inland valley. I have started Guava Tamarillos from seed and now they are 2 feet tall . I just planted them in a very large pot outdoors from my greenhouse. I hope to have fruit by Fall. I know I must protect them from winds and frost. I am wondering if I can feed them Max Sea and if they will bare fruit by November. I started them in March in the greenhouse.
Anyone growing this plant in Marin County?