Pitanga plant

How to grow Pitanga plant growing and care:

Frost free (can survive little frost), slightly acid soil, rich soil, organic matter and better to use hummus

What is the best way to start growing propagation?
Plant / Seedling / Seed / Air layer / Cutting – start propagation in the spring (in tropical possible all year), possible to take any branches, but better to take from the top of the growth, doesn’t mean in the top of the tree just in new growing area, cut all the leaves, possible to leave 2-3 and cut them in the middle of the leaf, put in peat soil and keep it moist important to keep humidity and if grow it in close transparent box make few holes and spray with water twice a day and open the box for ventilation of the air, after there are few new leaves check if grow roots, better not to move if not sure that roots start to grow.

Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
No, easy to start from seeds, but to ensure the quality of the fruits and to grow cultivar of a tree or shrub need to start by cutting, air layering

Difficulties or problems when growing:
Invasive, aggressive, (some people hate the taste of the fruits)

Planting season:
Spring to autumn, but better in those season: spring in hardiness zone 10a, spring to summer in hardiness zone 10b, spring to autumn in hardiness 11 and in all year in hardiness zone 12+

Pests and diseases:
Aphids

Pruning season:
Autumn / winter

How to prune:
If you want to design it as tree recommend leave just one branch until the height that desire, for shrub n that the tree will be

Size of the plant:
2-7 m, 6-21 feet, when grow as shrub 2-3m (6-10 feet), can be 1m (3feet) and possible to design it as bonsai, and as tree 3-7m (10-22 feet)

Growth speed in optimal condition:
Fast growing / Medium growing

Water requirement:
Average amount of water / Big amount of water

Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun / Half Shade

Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant?
No

Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes, growing in container it’s not hard and require rich soil with organic matter, slightly acid soil, better to start with small pot 20% more than the root balls, every 1-2 years to change the soil until arrive to the desirable size of the container then every few year to change just part of the soil and cut some roots.

Blooming information

Bloom season:
Spring, possible in tropical few time a year

General information about the flower
White flower

Pollination is done by:
Bees

Edible fruits

Fruit harvest season:
End of winter to spring, hardiness zone 10a late spring to summer (rarely) possible in tropical few time a year

Fruits pests or diseases:
Fruit fly, birds

What can be done with big quantities of Pitanga fruits?
Eat raw, juice

Work requirements on the fruit:
Traps for fruit fly or net

How long does it take to bear fruit?
2-3 years

How to plant Surinam cherry seeds (Pitanga plant)

Sowing requirement:
Moist soil with sunny location in hot summer better to put some shade

Saving seeds until sowing:
Dry and Dark location

Sowing season:
Spring to summer, better to sow directly the fruits are in spring to early summer sow them directly and will be good result

Planting spacing:
40-30cm, or separate pots

Depth of Sowing:
2-5cm, (1-2 inches)

Conditions for seeds germinate:
Keep the soil moist

Watering requires for Seeds:
Average amount of water / Big amount of water, don’t let the soil dry and better humidity

Germination time:
2-4 weeks

Condition of seedling:
The same as adult plant

Scientific name:

Eugenia uniflora

Alternative names: Suriname cherry, Brazilian cherry, Cayenne cherry, Pitango