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They Grow Japanese Citrus In New Jersey
Vivek and Seema Malik have been successfully producing exotic fruit varieties in New Jersey since 2016 when they took their first box of the Japanese citrus called “yuzu” to a chef at a high-end restaurant. Now they nurture 800 trees of yuzu, sudachi and 14 other specialty citrus varieties that they sell to chefs and individuals.
The Maliks discovered yuzu in one of their favorite dishes at a Japanese restaurant.
“It is extremely flavorful - lemon, mandarin and grapefruit mixed together, Seema says. “The scent of yuzu is very specific, and it is even used in cosmetics.”
After finding the fruit at an Asian store, they saved the seeds to grow their own trees in pots that they moved inside every winter for 11 years. The 12th year they were rewarded with fruit - and a desire to grow more. Working with their local agriculture extension office and learning to graft onto trifoliate orange - a cold-hardy shrub - they were able to speed up the process. Now their 13-year-old daughter, Simran, grafts all their trees for them.
The Maliks developed proprietary techniques that include moving all their potted trees into a greenhouse for about 4 mos. during the winter. Yuzu has been grown for centuries in Asia, most common in the mountains of Japan, and the trees can handle some cold but don’t do well with heavy snow and temperatures in the single digits and below.
By February, the yuzu trees are in full bloom in the greenhouse.
“The millions of flowers are very fragrant,” Vivek says. “Once fruit sets, we move them out in mid-March; they like the cool temperatures.”
Harvest begins around the end of July and continues through mid-November. With their other varieties, the Maliks have fruit to harvest year-round.
Yuzu should still be available in early November ($17.95/lb.) Check out the website to see what other fruits and specialty items are in stock.
Vivek emphasizes that Bhumi Growers is not a nursery and does not sell trees.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Vivek and Seema Malik, Bhumi Growers, (ph 833-248-7787, info@bhumigrowers.com; bhumigrowers.com).


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2021 - Volume #45, Issue #6