Fruit Facts from
the
California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.
Babaco
Carica pentagona Heilborn
Caricaceae
Common
Names: Babaco, Mountain Papaya.
Related Species: Papayuelo (Carica goudotiana) Orange Papaya (C. monoica), Papaya (C. papaya), Toronchi (C. pubescens), Chamburro (C. stipulata). Hybrids of Babaco and other Carica spp. also exist.
Distant Affinity: Papaya Orejona (Jacartia mexicana), Mamao (J. spinosa).
Origin:
The babaco is presumed to have originated in the central south
highlands of Ecuador and is believed to be a naturally occurring hybrid
of Carica stipulata and C. pubescens.
It has been cultivated in Ecuador since before the arrival of
Europeans. In more recent times the babaco was introduced into New
Zealand where it is grown commercially. In Israel and other parts of
the Middle Eastern the plant is also being grown commercially in
greenhouses. Steve Spangler is credited with introducing the babaco to
southern California in the 1970’s.
Adaptation:
The babaco thrives in a cool subtropical climate, free of frost. In
California it grows in coastal areas of the southern part of the state
and with some protection as far north as the San Francisco Bay area.
With some shade it will grow in the warmer interior regions, but high
temperatues and low humidity may result in sunburned fruit and immature
fruit drop. The babaco is much more tolerant of cool, damp winters than
the papaya. It will withstand temperatures to about 28° F, although it
may lose most of its leaves. The babaco is ideally suited to container
culture and also excellent for greenhouses.
Description
Growth Habits:
The babaco is a small, herbaceous shrub, that grows to about 6 feet in
height, with an erect softwood trunk lined with leaf scars typical of
other caricas. The plant rarely branches but shoots often appear around
the base. The thickness of the trunk is associated with the vigor of
the plant.
Foliage: The
moderately large, palmate leaves have prominent ribs and veins and are
on long hollow petioles that radiate from the trunk. The average life
of a leaf is 4 to 6 months. During the cold winter months the leaves
degenerate and are gradually shed.
Flowers: Flowers form on the
newly developing trunk during the growth phase of the tree. Usually the
thicker the trunk, the more prolific the flowering
will be. The flowers, usually solitary on the end of a long pendulous
stalk, arise from every leaf axil. The flowers are all female.
Fruit:
Babaco fruits set parthenocarpically, as there are no seeds present in
the fruit. The young fruits set and grow immediately after flowering,
reaching a maximum expansion phase during October-November. At this
point the fruits reach a length of about 12 inches long and 8 inches
wide. They are distinctly five-sided, rounded at the stem end and
pointed at the apex. The onset of maturity is recognized by the
yellowing of the fruit, first in patches on the sides of the fruit and
gradually extending over the total area of the fruit during the
following weeks. Fruits ripen in progression from the lower fruits,
usually the heaviest, to those higher up the trunk. The flesh of the
babaco is very juicy, slightly acidic and low in sugar. The unique
flavor has been described as having overtones of strawberry, pineapple
and papaya. The smooth, thin skin is also edible.
Culture
Location: Babacos like a
warm location protected from winds. They will grow and fruit in shady
locations but prefer a sunny spot. The smallish plants fit nicely in
many parts of the yard, and with their broad green leaves and
vertically held fruit add an exotic touch to the landscape.
Soils:
Babacos prefer a light, fertile, well-drained soil. Although not as
fussy about cold, wet soils as the papaya, the plants perform best in
moderately dry winter conditions. Like papayas, the babaco does not
tolerate salty water or soil.
Irrigation:
Adequate rainfall or irrigation is essential during the growing phase
of the babaco. A plant that has been injured by frost is susceptible to
root rot.
Fertilization:
During the growing season the babaco needs regular applications of
nitrogen fertilizers. Feed monthly and adjust to the plant’s response.
Composted chicken manure makes a good mulch.
Pruning:
To obtain maximum quality and size of fruit only one trunk should be
allowed to grow. Shoots that form around the base of the plant should
be removed, although a second shoot is allowed to develop from about
September. At this time of the year the shoot will grow rapidly, but
will not initiate flower buds. To control the height of the tree it is
not recommended to crop one trunk for more than one or two years. The
trunk that bore the current season fruits is cut back to the stump, to
the point where the second shoot was left the year before. This second
shoot will now become the new plant.
Frost Protection:
Babacos prefer frost-free conditions, but the smallish plants can
easily be tucked into protected areas such as next to a building under
the eaves or a favorable spot in the patio. Otherwise they can be
protected by plastic sheeting, etc. draped over a frame around the
plants. Potted specimens can be moved to a frost-secure area.
Propagation:
Since babacos are seedless, they must be propagated asexually. Wood for
propagation is taken from the parent plant by cutting the entire trunk
diagonally about 1 foot from the ground (or back to the second shoot),
and making 1 foot cutting lengths from it. This should be done after
fruiting but before the next flush of growth. The cuttings are then
dipped in a fungicide bath and the rooting end dipped in a rooting
hormone. The cuttings are then set vertically in a low-moisture medium
such as sand or sandy loam to form callouses. With the first sign of
roots and the beginnings of new leaves, they can be planted out, about
8 inches below ground level. Within 15 months these new plants are
producing fruit.
Pests and diseases:
It is important to start with virus-free material. During moist spells
fungal diseases can affect the leaves, but this is seldom a problem in
California. Other diseases include powdery mildew and Phytophthora root rot. The major pests affecting the babaco are the two spotted mite, Tetranychus uraticae and the strawberry mite, Tetranychus atlanticus.
Control can be difficult since most miticides are phytotoxic to babaco
leaves. Predatory mites do give reasonable control. Slugs and the
California brown snail can damage the fruit and must be controlled. The
plants are attractive to deer who will consume most of the foliage and
young fruits.
Harvest:
Commercially grown babaco fruit is picked at the first sign of yellow
coloration. Fruit picked at this stage will ripen fully off the plant.
In home plantings the fruit can be left on until almost fully yellow
but may sometimes fall and bruise. To harvest, the fruit stalk can be
snipped off with a clipper, or the fruit can be removed by lifting the
fruit and then pulling away it from the stalk. Ripe fruit takes careful
handling.
The fruit is best eaten fresh when fully ripe. Being
seedless the whole fruit can be eaten, including the skin. A little
sugar enhances its flavor. Pieces of the fruit can also be added to
fruit salads. Babaco fruits make a quick and interesting drink when
processed in a blender with a little honey or added sugar. With the
addition of ice cream or frozen yogurt it becomes a tasty milkshake.
The fruit also makes an excellent preserve, and can be made into a pie
when mixed with other fruits.
One of the most attractive
features of the babaco is its excellent keeping quality. Even without
cool storage the fruit has a shelf-life of four weeks. Fruit that has
been damaged will still keep a long time, since the damaged part will
not spread to healthy tissue. Cool storage extends the life of the
fruit. Optimum storage temperature is 40° F.
Commercial Potential:
The babaco is grown commercially in Ecuador and as an export fruit in
New Zealand. There is limited production in southern California where
is is sometimes found in Farmers’s Markets and specialty markets. The
fruit has several factors in its favor and with adequate promotion
could find a wider marketing niche. The fruit is attractive when sold
in a yellow ripe stage, and stores well even after it has been cut. In
addition the plants are highly productive and not culturally demanding.
Prunings are used for cuttings which become producing plants within a
year. The compactness and productivity of the babaco plants makes it a
good candidate for greenhouse production.
Cultivars
There
are no recognized babaco cultivars at this time, although improved
varieties are possible with proper selection. Hybrids with Carica pubescens produce edible fruit, but nothing as good as the babaco.
Further
Reading
Badillo, Victor M. Monographia de la Familia Caricaceae. Universidad Central de Venezuela. 1971.
Morton, Julia F. Fruits of Warm Climates. Creative Resources Systems, Inc. 1987. p. 346.
National Research Council. Lost Crops of the Incas. National Academy Press. 1989.
Tankard, Glen. Tropical Fruit. Viking O’Neil. 1987. pp. 22-23.
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© Copyright 1996-2001, California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.
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