The Island's fruit growers are re-forming an organisation in an attempt to better the quality and quantity of all fruit trees in Bermuda.

Having recently taken part in a two-part seminar on Bermuda's citrus tree problem, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, several gardeners agreed they wanted better citrus trees and some unique ones.

"Basically we would like to use this organisation to improve the quality and quantity of all fruit trees we have in Bermuda. The citrus trees are the reason that prompted the resurrection of this association because they have been dormant for so long,'' chairman John Holder said.

He added that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries had two courses on citrus "going through the whole ordeal on citrus, all the diseases that pertain to the trees and to looking after citrus trees.

"At that point in time the building was jammed pack which meant there was a serious interest. All the weekend gardeners, or as I call them weekend worriers, were interested in getting information about the citrus trees to make them better.

"They asked what the next move was and inquired about coming together on a regular basis. We checked around and found out that there was a citrus organisation at one time headed by Jordy Walker.'' Mr. Holder said the original association focused on citrus but later branched out to include other fruit bearing trees "which is what we want to do so we can include everyone.'' He added: "Bermuda's citrus trees just went backward, they were not blooming and flowering as they use to and I think it may have been a neglect more than everything.'' However, Agriculture and Fisheries plant protection officer Terry-Lyn Thompson said Bermuda's citrus trees were most likely infected by various viruses.

"We have brought the association up from the depths of despair and we have had the complete support of the weekend gardeners who want to know more about their trees and want more trees -- they wanted to do something,'' Mr. Holder said.

"Right now we have volunteers in the group collecting information and we are trying to make changes to the constitution so we can understand it. We would like to encourage anyone to join.'' Mr. Holder said: "Our aim is to get more fruit trees into Bermuda which are disease free, anything from paw paw, mango whatever people desire we will get in here as long as we know that they can do well in this climate. Most people want more exotic fruit trees like nuts.

"There is no sense in buying a tree that only flowers in the Antarctic so we need things that are sub-tropic. To find out what different kinds of trees can flourish here we have to find out information from nurserymen.

"There are a lot of men and women on the committee that have dealt with nurserymen overseas and we hope to use their knowledge.'' Mr. Holder also said the organisation will have to get a permit from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to bring certain trees in for members and non-members.

"We're still in the planning stages of getting the organisation together and in order.

He added that Roderick Ming is on the steering committee and he is a member of the Florida Fruit Growers Association which is a great asset and "he has shared his information. He has vast knowledge at his disposal and he is always experimenting with different things in his own yard.'' "Somewhere down the road we would also like to resurrect the citrus show where gardeners once displayed their fruits like avocados, paw paws and any other fruit.

"They use to have a show in the Horticultural Hall at Botanical Gardens in conjunction with the Bermuda Poultry Society. This is the type of thing we are aiming to do.'' Mr. Holder also said he would like to see a local fruit display at the Agricultural Show. "Maybe in years to come people can actually start selling unique fruit trees from their own stock, sharing their knowledge and the trees.

"We would like to get these shows started up but we can't do anything until we get the trees.'' Miss Thompson agreed that this organisation will be good for people who are keen on growing citrus and other fruit trees "to collaborate on any new information and ideas which would basically promote healthy trees on the Island.''