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Welcome to Condor Ridge Ranch, growers of Calimoya™ cherimoyas!
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Calimoya™ brand cherimoyas are grown in the Santa Barbara foothills of the Santa Ynez mountain range. The rare east-west coastal orientation of this mountain range, and the unique coastal climate currents that surround the Channel Islands off the Santa Barbara shore creates a distinctive sub-tropical micro-climate that cherimoyas love.
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Entering The Orchards
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From the Pacific coastline one approaches the orchards along a two-mile-long, winding road that quickly rises to an elevation of 800 feet. Native California oaks and giant sycamores cluster in the canyons below.
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The orchards of Condor Ridge Ranch afford a breath taking view of the Pacific Coastline. On clear days the Channel Islands are in sharp focus off the coast.
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Passing Through The Gates
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The Cherimoya Groves
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Looking east from the packing house and into the valley bowl, are the slopes of the Calimoya™ orchards. A short hike into the groves, and one finds oneself in the midst of a cherimoya jungle, where native birds, honeybees and migrating monarch butterflies are welcome visitors.
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Rex, our supervising watchdog, humanely discourages raccoons and crows. This lush and balmy jungle environment is a carefully controlled part of
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the Calimoya™ orchards: it provides the optimal climate for cherimoya trees to leaf, flower and fruit.
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Soil Conservation And Irrigation
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The Calimoya™ orchard covers over 22 acres of mountain hillside. The slopes are gentle, and a cover of rose clover carpets the rich, loamy soil. This lovely ground covering both conserves and contributes to the soil’s precious biodiversity. Under each tree, a deep mulch bed is watered through an extensive irrigation system developed to maximize water conservation; to ensure the trees receive the optimal amount of water rations; and to control hillside erosion. From Fall until late Spring the cherimoya jungle is deep in foliage and set heavy with fruit.
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Hand-Tending The Orchard
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In summer the orchard takes on a new look. Growers skillfully prune each tree to shape a root and limb structure that will promote the healthiest fruiting. In mid-summer, small flowers and delicate leaves emerge, decorating the trees in a fragrant lace. The heady aroma signals to the Calimoya™ growers that the trees are ready to be hand-pollinated. In the Andes a nocturnal beetle does the pollination work, in California we do it by hand, using great care and the most advanced botanical science.
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Our unique microclimate, the south facing coastal location, and ultimately, the dedication and care of our growers is what makes Calimoya™ cherimoyas so singularly delicious.
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Grove attendant picking ripe fruit with the help of Rex in the background.
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Other Exotic Groves:
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On Condor Ridge Ranch we also grow 100 different varieties of fruits from around the world. Calimoya™ also maintains an experimental grove of Lichees and Longans, which are part of a joint project with the University of California. We are always introducing new exotic fruits, so visit us regularly and we will update you on our latest crops of sub tropical fruits.
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Visit Calimoya.com regularly. We have introduced more exotic subtropical fruits to you our loyal and appreciative customers!
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Calimoya™!
A unique destination for culinary adventurers
and explorers of the exotic.
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