Testimonials Shop News Specials Catalogue Contact Forum Blog My Account My Edibles
Rare Fruit magazines
Rare Fruit magazinesKyogle Shop Opening hoursBare root catalogueTropical apple pack
Forum Rules | Updates

<< Back to Daleys Fruit Tree Forum

Wanted: Soap Nut Tree

    29 responses
Sarah starts with ...
Hi, We have been trying to locate a Soap Nut tree ( also known as Ritha Nut and Chinese Soapbery) in Australia and haven't been able to find one. Does anyone know where we could buy one from?? We live in the subtropics and have heard that they grow well in that climate.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2		 
About the Author

SE Queensland
21st February 2011 8:24am
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
fruitist says...

http://www.soapnuts.co.nz/Plant-a-SoapNut-Tree%7C%7Clearn-how-to-grow-your-own-soap/Soapnuts/Grow-a-Soapberry-Tree-SAPINDUS-saponaria.html

On the left panel is the seeds link. Click on it. The saponaria sopecies is one of the 2 species permitted by ICON. The real mccoy mukorossi from India not permitted.

I think I have seen another of its close relatives in FNQ, one of the rarest plant and considered a holy grail by plant collectors.

BJ, if you are thinking of buying the 5 pack saponaria, please let me know.
About the Author

 
21st February 2011 9:40am
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...

There is a very large old Sapindus mukorossi in the syd Botanic garden. It is located just inside the Henry Lawson gate!
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
21st February 2011 10:06am
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
fruitist says...
Hi Micarle, thanks for the info. Any chance to look around under the tree and collect some seeds for a poor collector? Or the Friends have got some seedlings?
About the Author

 
21st February 2011 10:18am
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...
I'm in my office as we speak, sitting next to the head arborist!!! He seems to think it has never had any nuts on it?? Could it be diecious?? I will go out now and see what i can find!!
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
21st February 2011 10:21am
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
fruitist says...
Flowers are either male or female but both on the same tree. Very hot in Sydney, same here in Brisbane.
About the Author

 
21st February 2011 10:24am
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
fruitist says...
Or someone with itchy skin, dirty clothes and lice infected dandruffed hairs been collecting the fruits.
About the Author

 
21st February 2011 10:32am
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
speedy says...
I checked that tree last year for any signs that it may have fruited or flowered.
...couldn't see any.
It could be worth attempting to graft to another Sapindus species to secure it
in case another individual can be found to exchange pollen with.
About the Author
Speedy
Northern Vic.
24th February 2011 10:30pm
#UserID: 2305
Posts: 250
View All Speedy's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...
Yeah i've had a good look around for some seed, but there isn't any. I also spoke with the horts and arb team they have all seen it flower and there are old flower stems on the tree atm but no seeds!. i'm saving some cash to set up a heated/fog bench in a glasshouse so i can do some prop..
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
25th February 2011 10:04am
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
Original Post was last edited: 25th February 2011 10:08am
fruitist says...
Thanks Speedy and Micarle for your info and help. I will ask my FNQ friends to see if they have the trees.

Micarle, when you set up your heated bench in the glasshouse, please don't forget to propagate some Lindera glauca cuttings.
About the Author

 
25th February 2011 2:26pm
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...
Mate i haven't forgoten!!!!!!!
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
25th February 2011 3:06pm
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
BJ says...
There are some seeds on the eBay now...
About the Author
Theposterformerlyknownas
Brisbane
3rd April 2011 8:32pm
#UserID: 3270
Posts: 1552
View All Theposterformerlyknownas's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...
I think Tradewinds have three different ssp
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
4th April 2011 6:44am
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
krazykangaroo says...
You can't import them so you have to find a seed supplier in Aus.
About the Author
krazykangaroo1
Casterton, vic
4th April 2011 11:41am
#UserID: 4362
Posts: 44
View All krazykangaroo1's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...
You can import some, Just not all of them!
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
4th April 2011 1:05pm
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
epiphany says...
As an aside, are the seeds you sometimes find in the soapnuts you can buy online for laundry purposes, etc, viable? I sometimes find them when I use them...
About the Author
epiphany2
Melbourne
4th April 2011 1:31pm
#UserID: 703
Posts: 84
View All epiphany2's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
kert says...
A cheap fogger would be humidifier/inhaler used medically for croup available at better pharmacies for $25.
About the Author

sydney
4th April 2011 1:31pm
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...
For germination???
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
4th April 2011 3:20pm
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
BJ says...
The eBay supplier is in Lismore...
About the Author
Theposterformerlyknownas
Brisbane
4th April 2011 3:24pm
#UserID: 3270
Posts: 1552
View All Theposterformerlyknownas's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
kert says...
Not for germination, Micarle ;use a vaporizer for cuttings eg blueberries.
About the Author

sydney
5th April 2011 8:46am
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply | Edit |
Delete
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
micarle says...
Oh yeah i see what your saying!! I'm going to put some cutting on bottom heat very soon! I think they should strike very easy, see what happens
About the Author
micarle
Kurrajong Heights, NSW
5th April 2011 9:58am
#UserID: 3141
Posts: 250
View All micarle's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
amanda says...
Jantina did u ever track down any soap nut seeds? Did anyone?
I jsut tried them for the first time and they actually worked...!?
How great would it be to be able to grow them ourselves and be free of commercial washing powders..?
About the Author
amanda19
Leschenault (160kms south of Perth)
10th October 2012 11:02pm
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
Jantina says...
I gave up on those Amanda because all the info seemed to indicate that it needed a much more tropical climate than I can provide, sigh, we can have a lot but maybe not everything!
I think there is another tree someone told me about but no luck tracking down seed yet.
How goes the new place? happy with your decision to move?
About the Author
Jantina
Mt Gambier
13th October 2012 12:07pm
#UserID: 1351
Posts: 1272
View All Jantina's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
Rabindra says...
Hello ,
If you like we can send you seed and you can try for its germination. We can send you plant too but its late. It will be easy to send the newly germinated plant inJuly.Please suggest.
Thanks
About the Author
Rabindra
Nepal
23rd November 2012 1:12am
#UserID: 7448
Posts: 1
View All Rabindra's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
Jowna says...
Hey guys!
Been reading all your comments - I'm after a soap tree too! Just tried out their pods as detergent and I'm tickled pink! I live in the nt and have plenty of acerage to plant some, just need to get my hands on some seeds of seedlings while I'm in NSW so I can take it home - takes 2-3 wks to post from the easy coast back home!

So.... Any sellers? :)
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1		  
About the Author
Jowna
Darwin
10th November 2014 10:47am
#UserID: 9920
Posts: 1
View All Jowna's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
Ki says...
I would also love to grow a soapnut tree so can we source seeds or seedlings in Australia and if so where and from whom?
About the Author
Ki
Tamborine Mountain
24th February 2017 4:10pm
#UserID: 15626
Posts: 2
View All Ki's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
Corins says...
Hi guys, any luck on Soap nut, tree or seeds?? Im desperate for one also.
Cheers
About the Author
Corins
YARRAWONGA
28th August 2017 3:59pm
#UserID: 16771
Posts: 2
View All Corins's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
Ki says...
After one disastrous attempt to buy seeds from overseas which were destroyed by Quarantine I asked them which ones were allowed to be imported. These are Sapindus Saponaria and I bought 2 packets very inexpensively from Trade Winds Fruit online. I haven't germinated them yet but fingers crossed in some years I may be harvesting my own Soapberry.
About the Author
Ki
Tamborine Mountain
31st August 2017 2:54pm
#UserID: 15626
Posts: 2
View All Ki's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(1) LIKE this Question (0)
People who Like this Answer: BroJoe1
Corins says...
Keep us posted!!
About the Author
Corins
YARRAWONGA
1st September 2017 9:06am
#UserID: 16771
Posts: 2
View All Corins's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)
BroJoe1 says...
Hi Ki

I am a (committee) member of the Tamborine Sustainable Gardener's Society, but I live a Logan Village.

Did you get and germinate the soapnut seeds?

Do they have a thick shell like the Indian soapnuts, which may need to be scarified (pierced)?

best wishes
About the Author
BroJoe1
WATERFORD,4133,QLD
18th November 2017 6:51pm
#UserID: 13263
Posts: 1
View All BroJoe1's Edible Fruit Trees
Reply |
Report
 | Remember to LIKE this Answer(0) LIKE this Question (0)

REPLY to this forum
Email: Password:
display Name: Suburb:  
Pictures: Add Another Picture
Body:
 
Remember to include a picture if possible

<< Back to Daleys Fruit Tree Forum