You may remember my previous posts about Solanum quitoense. Just before the Fling at the end of June, my decision about whether or not I should pick and try one of the gorgeous orange fruits adorning my plant was made for me by the plant that drops the fruit as it ripens. The interweb said that the fuzz should be rubbed off the surface of the fruit. I learned that this is best done using a paper towel as the fuzz likes to remain in ones skin. Not as irritating as Opuntia glochids and not as long lasting, they're still not fun.
The interweb also said that these are eaten by squeezing the inner parts, seeds and all into one's mouth and discarding the outer skin. Do you see the similarity to tomatoes, their cousins in the solanum family? Here one has been cut vertically; the other horizontally.
The fruit is said to have a citrus flavor similar to lime with a touch of rhubarb. I noticed a distinct kiwi flavor as well.
You can read more about the growth and uses of this interesting fruit here.
The other big news is fauna rather than flora related. For several years, I've purchased tadpoles to put in my pond hoping that someday I might have frogs. Once I unintentionally brought a frog home in a water plant. Poor lonely thing lasted a few years. The exciting news is that for the last few weeks, I've seen a couple of little frogs mostly hopping as fast as possible to get back to the safety of the pond when I approach. Today, one of them stayed in place long enough for me to run back in the house and get my camera. Here's the little guy and to the right is Remmington (one of the koi) coming over to see what's going on.
Isn't (s)he lovely? I haven't heard any singing from the two but maybe it's the wrong time of year or maybe they're too young. Having never had frogs in town, I know nothing about them.
Kisses are only twenty five cents apiece but you have to catch him first!
Ain't life in the garden grand?