Doctor grows tropical fruits in Van's cold climate

Dr. Mehmet Tatlı, an assistant professor at Van Training and Research Hospital and University of Health Sciences, has successfully cultivated over 60 types of plants and trees in his 300-square-meter garden in the Edremit district of Van.

Despite the region's cold climate, Tatlı has managed to grow exotic and tropical species, including kiwi, pepino, golden berry, goji berry, and Paraguay peach. He has also successfully utilized grafting techniques to combine different varieties on single trees; for example, he grafted a Paraguay peach onto an apricot tree, resulting in a branch that produces peach fruit. Other successful grafts include multiple varieties of plum and cherry on single trees.

While some plants like figs are already bearing fruit, others such as kiwi and persimmon are still in the developmental stage. Tatlı noted that three different varieties of goji berry have fully adapted to the local climate of Van.