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Wow, I had no idea that Alaskans had such a thirst to grow exotic fruits from seed.

Eating them is one thing, there is no challenge there (except, perhaps for the fruit of a durian which can be quite smelly), but trying to grow some of them can be difficult. Perhaps that is what makes success so rewarding. In any case, here are a few more seeds to add to the list of fruit worth trying to grow indoors during an Alaska winter.

Let's start with a relatively easy one, the mango. The trick here is to get a really ripe one as this increases the chance the seed will be viable. Each mango fruit contains one very large pit which contains the seed. This pit is covered with a fibrous material that should be thoroughly scraped from the pit to prevent rotting.

You can use a coarse brush. Some folks have better success using rough sandpaper after the pit is set aside and the fiber is allowed to dry. Either way.

Now comes the tricky part. Take the pit and note that one of the edges is sharper than the other edge. Very carefully slice through enough of this sharper edge to enable you to see the seed inside but don't nick the hedge. Wedge this cut open with a toothpick or a crumpled bit of paper to allow water inside. Then either put the seed in a bowl or yogurt cup filled with warm water. This water should be changed once a day to prevent bacterial slime build-up. Keep the seed in a warm spot for the duration.

Once the seed starts to sprout, which it should in a couple of weeks, add some compost to the water and make a muddy slurry. Over the next week or so, continue to add compost until the slurry becomes thick, finally so thick it is like normal potting soil. Then make sure the rooted seedling gets great light and temperatures in the 70s. The root will be large, so prepare to transplant it after a few weeks of growth.

OK, how about growing star fruit, aka Averrhoa carambola? You can find these delicious treats in most grocery stores these days and certainly in any Asian market this time of year. Getting seeds from one can be a hit-or-miss affair because some fruits will have 10 to 12 seeds and others won't have any. I guess you will have to eat a few to find out, though sometimes you can hold a carambola up to the light and see if it contains seeds.

(A warning is in order for those with kidney problems: do not eat star fruit unless your doctor says it is OK. They contain enough oxalic acid to interrupt renal functions in those who suffer from kidney ailments.)

Star fruit seeds are ripe when they turn brown. The fruit has to be really ripe. Look for one that is dark yellow and exhibits "bruises." These seeds lose their viability within a week after removal from the pulp so immediately after you retrieve them, brush off the sticky aril -- or coating on the seed -- with a toothbrush or course paper towel and plant them about one-quarter-inch deep in good compost or humus.

Seeds should germinate within two weeks or so and thereafter will need good light and warm temperatures.

Anything below 68 degrees might stop growth. The plant is a deciduous evergreen, and it is normal for the leaves to fold-up at night. It makes a terrific houseplant if you have a warm environment for it.

Next, cherimoya make an interesting plant. Occasionally you will find these fruits, often mistakenly called "custard fruit," in supermarkets, but in Southcentral Alaska you will probably need to go to an Asian food store.

Eat it by scooping out the fruit. The seeds are relatively large and remain viable for a long time, but you will need to soak them for a few days after which, those that do not float can be planted one inch deep in good compost or humus and placed in a warm, sunny location. They take up to five weeks to germinate, so be patient.

Finally, the aforementioned durian.

For those who don't know about this fruit, it is eaten for its tasty pulp, despite the literally overpowering rotten sock smell it emits. It is possible to grow these if you find viable seeds. Unfortunately, this may be a bit difficult in Alaska.

Nonetheless, if you come across a fruit and can stomach the smell, eat it and clean off the seeds and plant them, flat side down under an inch of compost. If they are viable they will germinate within a week.

You will have to continually move the plant to bigger quarters and give it plenty of light. As for future fruits, I am not sure your spouse or children would appreciate your getting a durian seedling to maturity, but go ahead and try.

I will keep an eye out for other exotic fruits to try and will either write additional columns, or place notice of their availability in the weekly calendar that accompanies this column.

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at home.gci.net/~jeff/gardener.

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