Well, one of the best is the variegated grafted chico which Capt. John Mesina, a pilot, introduced many years ago. One of the few who got hold of this chico some years back is Mariano "Ning" de Vera who has a hobby farm in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna.

     The variegated chico will fruit even if grown in a container. It will, however, fruit much more profusely when it is grown in the ground. It used to be very difficult to locate available planting materials of this fruit tree. However, Bernie Dizon who is an expert in propagation has propagated the same in big numbers. Those attending the open house (open free to the public) will be able to see samples of his propagation. The open house is at the DENR-PAWB-Dizon Botanic Fruit Garden, Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Nature Center along North Avenue in Quezon City.

    Another outstanding tree to grow in the home garden is the Abiu which is a native of South America. Grafted Abiu trees will bear fruit in just two years or even less from planting. Full-sized fruits are produced even if the tree is planted in a container such as the one in photo.

     The Abiu is a delicious fruit. While the fruit somewhat looks like the tiessa on the outside, the inside resembles somewhat that of the caimito. Some people say, however, that is has a much better taste and flavor than the caimito. It is a very fleshy because each fruit usually has one seed inside, rarely two.

     A few grafted planting materials will be available at the open house tomorrow. There will also be some fruits for tasting.

     One more nice fruit to grow in the home garden is the makopa from Malaysia which is maroon, bigger than the ordinary variety, and is tasty and seedless. Most people call it the Apple Makopa.

     Marcotted plants bear fruits in one year whether grown in containers or in the ground. When grown in ground, it can become a fairly big tree. However, if a low-growing tree is desired, judicious pruning will do the trick.

     Another fruit tree that should make a good candidate for the home garden is the pummelo, particularly the Magallanes and Nenita varieties which have superior eating quality.

     In General Santos City, Carlos Yusepeng is growing many of his fruit trees in big plastic pails. Because they are well fertilized, they produce full-sized fruits.

     Some of the fruit tree he is growing in containers are balimbing, jujube, fig tree, lemon and several others.