Ice Cream Bean - free to good home!

Phil starts with ...
If anyone in Melbourne would like a 3ft tall Ice Cream Bean plant for free they're welcome to it. It really needs to go to a milder climate than I have here (snowing today) and should do well in a frost free area in the city. Pick it up if you're passing through. Attractive plant with pulpy fruits which taste like vanilla icecream. Thanks, Phil (Woodend/Mt Macedon, Vic).

Phil says...
Thanks Lynne
It's currently in an 8" pot already and have moved it into the glasshouse where it spent last winter with no ill effects. I'll hang on to it for whenever it suits - am just near Hanging Rock.

Anonymous says...
Phil, if you still have the ice cream bean, would you be able to please email me your contact details? cclynne@gmail.com
Also, would you like a damson plum tree? Plums are sweet enough to eat fresh but can be stewed. It's currently in the ground.

Gardener says...
Hi Phil

Just wondering if Lynne has collected your ice-cream bean tree?

We're chasing one.

Thanks

Gardener says...
Thanks Phil, but the picture you were kind enough to send, doesn't look the same as the picture on Daley's site. Are we looking at the same bean? Confused? Daley's said that it has white pulp. Does yours taste like ice-cream? Thanks

Gardener says...
Phil, that would be great. How can we go about getting hold of the seeds and reimbursing you for any costs?

Thank you so very much.

Gardener says...
Phil, this is very kind. Thank you.

fruitsafficionado says...
Phil, could I ask also for some pods?
I have been looking into this ice cream bean plant for a little while, and want to give a crack at growing it.

Gardener says...
Hi Phil

Great to hear about the pods. Waiting in anticipation.

Thanks

Violet_Cactus says...
Those Ice Cream Bean Trees would have to be one of the toughest plants around.

Mine is doing well in Melbourne.

It always looks sad in winter then comes back into full leaf in spring and looks amazing throughout summer.

For two years during this drought I had mine planted at our holiday house, where it received no extra watering because we hardly ever visited. It received no pampering at all during the winters.

In hard-baked clay soil, this tough tree survived. It didn't grow much, but it survived.

I've since dug it up, potted it and brought it back to our home garden in the Melbourne suburbs where it is currently looking lush and happy in rich potting soil with regular watering.

Has had no pods yet, but I don't blame it.

So, anyone wanting to grow them in Melbourne, particularly in frost-free areas, I say 'go for it'.

John Mc says...
Hey Marg,
Watch out the Lorikeet's don't get a taste for it. They've destroyed every bean on a very large tree near me. They don't touch the seeds, they're after the ice cream between the seeds.

BJ says...
I've got a number of inga seedlings growing under my tree - maybe 50 of the little buggers. I was going to dig them up and throw them out, but if anyone wants one, let me know and I'll stick a few in a post pack for you... They are all around 10cms tall.

Sarah says...
Hi BJ, yes I'd love to have a couple. I have a spot or 2 I'd like to try out. Will pay for post/packing too. Thank you!!!
sarah.73.sarah@hotmail.com

Sarah says...
Hi BJ, yes I'd love to have a couple. I have a spot or 2 I'd like to try out. Will pay for post/packing too. Thank you!!!
sarah.73.sarah@hotmail.com

BJ says...
Inga is the Ice Cream Bean tree. Fair sized tree, fairly quick growing, great for shade. A bit like a Tamarind if I had to compare size and form. Great nitrogen fixer I'm assured...

I'll email folks tonight about the seedlings.

Nick says...
Do you have any left BJ? My email is: niksmaster2008@hotmail.com.

Thank you

zady says...
Hi BJ, if you have any left I would love to get some. Happy to pay post and packaging.

zadysundancer@hotmail.com

thanks

zady says...
Congratulations on your new addition to the family BJ!

Adrian says...
Hi mate is the tree still there cause would love to get it if it's possible still.

Nick says...
Can I also have some seeds, I had a seedling from Phil but it died (dried out too much I reckon) while I was on holidays :(

BJ says...
The day before the possums eat them all.
When they start to look thick and change colour a little more toward yellow-green they are ready. Though there are many diffferent types with different colours on ripeness...