Acerola fruit (forum)

Leona starts with ...
I am pleased to say that I just sampled some fruit, for the first time, from my potted Acerola...I thought it might have not been very nice tasting as it was not a named cultivar but it was so sweet and delicious!!! I have also got a Florida Sweet but it hasnt fruited yet. I cant wait to taste that since the named varieties are supposed to taste better!!!

Time: 15th December 2007 8:52pm

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Correy says...
I have an acerola cherry florida sweet in a pot as well. I have tasted it before and was pleasantly surprised. The taste is a stronger cherry taste. My tree is only young. I have had a few tiny purple/pink flowers but unfortunately nothing came of it.

It is only young so fingers crossed with the weather heating up.

Time: 15th December 2007 10:57pm

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Anonymous says...
Fingers crossed for you!

Time: 16th December 2007 9:01pm

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Scott G says...
I have a 4 year established Florida Sweet. If it was not pruned I would think it would be a 3m lanky bush. I prune it to about 1.5m for 3 reasons. (1) Because the minuscule hairs on the leaves can be irritating to some people (it is by a path way),( 2) to keep it compact and (3) I can only eat so many (they don

Time: 17th December 2007 9:34am

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Leona says...
Mine are both in pots and I intend to keep them there. The unnamed one that just fruited, came into flower following being repotted into a larger bonsai bag. It is around 1.5 metres high but i havent pruned it yet. I wish I got more fruit off it as there was only around 15 berries.

Time: 17th December 2007 2:08pm

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amanda says...
Hi All, my Acerola is producing a reasonable crop this year and they are lovely! I am thrilled. Are the cultivated from seed or cuttings? Do they produce more as they mature?

It may have been a bad spring for the stone fruit - but my sub-tropicals are flowering really well this year. Also - the poinciana trees are literally drooping under the weight of their flowers this season...beautiful!

Time: 28th December 2009 7:05pm

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amanda says...
Hooray - 2days pickings of my first crop at last! I beat the birds by picking slightly under ripe - but they are still sweet, juicy and refreshing. I thought they tasted slightly like Ribena!?

Time: 1st January 2010 6:29pm

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amanda says...
OK - thanks to Charles got the pic on at last - so what else can u do with this fruit? I now think they taste like rasberries actually. They are ripening in the bowl no problems and the smell is lovely!
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 3rd January 2010 3:11am

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Thao says...
Amanda,

The photo looks great. My Acerola is grown in the ground and has lots of flowers now as it's rained a lot recently. But I get no fruit because all young ones drops after flowering.

Time: 3rd January 2010 3:53pm

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About the Author Thao
Sydney
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amanda says...
Hi Thao - my tree now 3yrs - it's taken this long for it to get going. Give it some trace elements and dilute seaweed solution - keep the water up to it if it gets to hot/dry.

Time: 4th January 2010 12:15am

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Gardener says...
Hi, I've never heard of this Acerola tree and the fruit looks great. Is anyone growing this tree in Melbourne Victoria and if so, where can I purchase it from?

Thanks

Time: 6th January 2010 10:04am

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Hi Gardener,

I have had one tree growing in a 105 litre pot since 2002, always under black shade cloth . I bought from Daleys.

Time: 6th January 2010 2:47pm

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Gardener says...
Hi Jujube

Have you had any fruit from your tree? It sounds like a good tree to have.

Thanks for your info.

Time: 7th January 2010 10:48am

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Hi Gardener,

Yes, a couple of times. The total about 100 fruits a year. I have photos in my edible page.

Time: 7th January 2010 12:58pm

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Gardener says...
Thanks for your help, will have a look on the edible page.

Time: 7th January 2010 7:31pm

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Gardener says...
Hi Jujube

We've just ordered the Acerola from Daley's. Thanks for your help. I have just one question. Why is the tree under the black shade cloth? Is it because you want to create a warmer envirnoment or is it because the tree needs shade?

Time: 14th January 2010 10:00am

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Hi Gardener,

I was told that this tree needs a warmer environment so from the beginning I created this shade cloth to protect it and it has been that way ever since.

A couple of people that I know in Melbourne told me that their trees did not make it.

Most likely the leaves will drop in Winter. The trick is they love water so give them plenty so you could have a couple of crops a year.

Time: 14th January 2010 5:05pm

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Gardener says...
Hi JuJube

Thank you for this information. Ours just arrived this morning. We will follow your advice. Again many thanks.

Time: 15th January 2010 2:38pm

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amanda says...
Hi Gardener - they will take hot, full sun and wind once they get going too... mine handles our fierce summer really well (not that u get that - but just to add to Jujubes comment about warmth..)

Time: 15th January 2010 3:01pm

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Gardener says...
Thanks Amanda. We will re-pot the tree tomorrow in some decent potting mix. It is sitting in full sun at the moment.

Time: 16th January 2010 10:35am

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amanda says...
Hi Gardener - are u going to keep it in a pot?
I don't know about full sun in your climate then....I don't want to give you bad advice. I don't grow any fruit trees in pots.

Time: 16th January 2010 11:44am

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Gardener says...
Amanda, I would love to plant the tree in the ground. We live in Melbourne, Vic, and I am frightened that if the Acerola is in the ground it may die because it is not warm enough (I think). One of the other people in the forum keeps it in a pot and it is still living and fruiting nicely. If anyone in Melbourne Victoria is reading this and has an Acerola in the ground, I would love to hear about it. Thanks Amanda for your concern.

Time: 17th January 2010 7:59am

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amanda says...
Hi all, I get really itchy skin from the leaves on my acerola - does the Florida sweet have this problem too?
Does anyone else have this problem?

Time: 28th February 2010 7:13pm

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Lester says...
Thanks for sharing. Have you tried scratching.

Time: 4th March 2010 11:21am

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amanda says...
What me or the tree?? Do all acerolas have the irritant hairs? does anyone know? thanks

Time: 4th March 2010 12:07pm

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BJ says...
From the Acerola page:

'A word of warning the foliage of the plant is covered in minute, irritating stinging hairs that can produce an allergic reaction, so when pruning your trees wear a long sleeved shirt and a pair of gloves.'

So I'd assume it is just a general Acerola thing.


Time: 4th March 2010 12:14pm

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
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amanda says...
Thanks BJ! bit of a bummer - harvesting the lovely fruit comes at a price!?

Time: 4th March 2010 12:18pm

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BJ says...
Yes, that warning has put me off having one in my small patch as I hate the thought of having to cover up whilst working and puttering in my garden.

Time: 4th March 2010 12:26pm

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John Mc says...
This forum is indispensible for intimate knowledge like this.
I've been in two minds getting one. I really didn't think they were sweet enough for my liking. Looks like I may be wrong. There's a nice one at my local nursery, unfortunately been there over a year, could be two years, might be a little pot bound. Might go over and check it out tomorrow.
Thank you fellow fruities, I may well have never had the opportunity to ever try this one.


Time: 4th March 2010 7:48pm

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amanda says...
Hi John Mc - the fruit is actually quite good - it's crisp, juicy and sweet (but not full on sweet - has a tang) To me - it tastes like rasberries (shop bought ones) and apple. My husband cannot tolerate any kind of sour and he likes these (if that's any help)
The plant is tough. The mice love the fruit. No bugs bother it here. I haven't ever pruned mine - but when I do I will lift the canopy and try to encourage fruiting more towards the outside to avoid the itch problem. It's a bad itch but it doesn't last long. I hope this helps in some way.
I would grow it again when we move - it's a lovely "forage food" (as it doesn't not keep)

Time: 4th March 2010 10:03pm

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John Mc says...
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for that great description. It was nothing like the description I got from the nurseryman when I originally asked about it. I got the usual sour, only good for jams etc. Nothing mentioned about the itch, is the itch anything like the sandpaper fig? It's annoying but goes away reasonably quickly. The itch won't put me off.
I have the same taste buds as your husbands, hard to hack the sour fruits. Enter the miracle fruit berries, very handy for bland and sour fruits.

Time: 4th March 2010 11:17pm

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John Mc says...
Bought one today. Yay
No name brand, unknown cultivar. I take it that if there is only a species label you take it by default to be a seedling?

Time: 5th March 2010 1:49pm

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amanda says...
I love this tree...4th or 5th flush of fruit this summer..no dramas. Just what to do with the surplus?
Maybe guava/acerola jelly? Are these trees always like this?

John - I don't know - mine a seedling. Maybe the all are?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 12th April 2010 2:33am

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Michael says...
Lucky you Amanda. I have a plant growing in a pot but no fruit yet. I would love to have even just one flush of fruit.

Time: 13th April 2010 11:14pm

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amanda says...
Hi Michael - it took 3yrs to get to this stage....it likes the hot summer I think.

Time: 14th April 2010 12:38pm

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Michael says...
According to my books on fruits 1 Acerola has the same vitamin C content as 5 oranges. I love eating oranges but I rather eat 1 Acerola than 5 of them.

Time: 14th April 2010 8:44pm

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gus says...
Amanda that tree looks great. Think I will have to get one myself. Do you think I would have any dramas sticking it next to a fence?

Time: 16th April 2010 9:11pm

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About the Author gus2
Innaloo
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BJ says...
That is a superb looking Acerola. I'm worried about it getting too big, as I've seen the one at Mt Cootha, and its nearly a proper tree. I may have to put one in anyway and prune it religiously, because yours looks so good Amanda...

Time: 16th April 2010 10:40pm

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amanda says...
Thanks guys - gus - should be ok - u may have trouble picking fruit on fence side (as it does have little itchy hairs under the leaves - see above posts)
Wow BJ - I had no idea they got that big! I am going to prune mine shortly to open up the centre a bit to make picking easier. It cops very strong wind where I have mine - and copes very well...it does lean a bit and tends to carry more fruit on sheltered side. Big branches can get heavy and a bit brittle - so pruning probably good idea.

Hope this helps.

Time: 17th April 2010 2:24pm

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Kath says...
Hi there, just wondering-I pruned my acerola-trying to espalier it- but the leaves all dropped off over winter-the branches are still 'bendy'-as opposed to 'dry & snappy'. Have I killed it or are they deciduous? Any tips? thanks in advance, Kath

Time: 8th September 2010 1:44pm

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About the Author KathK
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HappyEarth says...
They may lose there leaves under extreme stress such as a cold winter. Easy to tell if its alive though ... scrap away a bit of the bark with the finger nail and if there is any hint of green then its still alive and will probably re-shoot.

Rich
www.happyearth.com.au

Time: 8th September 2010 2:07pm

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Kath says...
Thanks for that Rich, there IS some green so fingers crossed-it's just that my pears, apples & stone fruit are already flowering-maybe it's still in shock from my pruning & will still shoot! I hope!!

Time: 8th September 2010 2:21pm

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Gillian O'Brien says...
This is so helpful. Mine has been in a pot for two years, and gets flowers but they always drop. I once saw one fruit on it when I was walking past, but I thought I'd leave it one more day to ripen, and a possum (I presume) got it overnight :(

I won't give up, and I'll try to particularly keep the water up when it flowers, see how that goes.

Thank you!

Time: 5th January 2011 11:26pm

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About the Author GillianO
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ringelstrumpf says...
Back in Brisbane I had an acerola tree. It was a grafted on of unknown variety. But I cannot recommend this tree enough it beard one year from planting, the kids loved it and the tree looks very nice, something for the front yard. Absolutely trouble free.

Time: 6th January 2011 6:33pm

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David says...
Dont know why but my acerola has just dropping all its leaves, not sure if its because of lack of water(been dry 3 wks), or root rot, bark is still green so will wait and see, pity soooo productive.

Time: 5th June 2012 9:52pm

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BJ says...
David, your dry? Our ground is still quite wet, as the rain only let up on Sunday. My Acerola tends to drop a few leaves now when that nasty wind kicks in. But if you've got 100% leaf drop, thats a worry. I didnt think root rot was a problem as they like moisture, so maybe being too dry has something to do with it? Witrh any luck its just a winter thing and it will go back to its feral ways nearer spring.

Time: 6th June 2012 8:52am

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Michael D says...
My acerola bought from Daleys started fruiting towards the end of last year and hasn't stop fruiting . It took two years before it got it's first fruit . At first I didn't like the taste expecting more of a cherry flavour . However the taste grows on you and now I'm totally hooked .The longer you leave it on the tree the sweeter it gets but the birds may get to it before you .

Time: 6th June 2012 2:07pm

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John Mc says...
Dsvid, same thing happened to me once. The Florida sweet lost all it's leaves so I took some cuttings as backup just in case and sure enough, it didn't recover, luckily the cuttings are now fruiting and growing well in a different spot.

Time: 6th June 2012 3:09pm

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amanda says...
Hi David - I would be interested if it's too dry...mine puts up with intense heat, hot winds and often lacks water, in sand, and it's never done that...? I find it a really tough plant actually...
Maybe it is just a winter thing..? The other thing to check is to dig down gently to the roots and see if they are ok/healthy..?
Curious. Hope it survives ok.

Time: 6th June 2012 4:02pm

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David says...
Thanks for your kind input, obviously the conditions here are nothing compared to what you have to put up with

Time: 6th June 2012 7:16pm

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amanda says...
Not for much longer David ;-) Anyway - here is an extract from the Wiki link (the origins of this plant are a good clue also)
"M. emarginata prefers dry sandy soil and full sun and it

Time: 6th June 2012 9:28pm

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David says...
Thanks again

Time: 6th June 2012 9:44pm

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Michael D says...
Acerola are really good in pots. I get three crops from them each year . Here are some of my pickings from the second crop this year so far.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 15th March 2013 2:29pm

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Well done Michael! Mine has not been given me a fruit in the last 2 years. I must work harder and water more often.

Time: 15th March 2013 2:44pm

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Mike says...
I'll try tp paste an acerola document into here.

BARBADOS CHERRY
(Malpighia emarginata)



A tree of Barbados cherry

Family: Malpighiaceae

Synonyms: Malpighia glabra,

Other names: Acerola, West Indian cherry, careja-do-para

Barbados cherry, which is also known as acerola in Central America, has the highest vitamin C content among all the cultivated fruits. This fruit contains 65 times more vitamin C than an orange.

Barbados cherry is a native of West Indies or Central America. It has become naturalized in Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico after cultivation, and is commonly grown in dooryards in the Bahamas and Bermuda, and to some extent in Central and South America.

Description
A large, bushy shrub or small tree attaining up to 6 m high; branches more or less erect or spreading and drooping, minutely hairy, and a short trunk,10cm in diameter.
Leaves elliptic, oblong, obovate, or narrowly oblanceolate, somewhat wavy, 2-7 cm long, 1-4 cm, obtuse or rounded at the apex, acute or cuneate at the base; bearing white, silky, irritating hairs when very young; hairless, dark green, and glossy when mature.



Flowers of Barbados cherry Ripe fruits ready for harvesting

Flowers sessile borne on short-peduncled cymes; sepals 5, pink or lavender, spoon-shaped and fringed.
Fruits round to oblate, cherry-like but with 3 lobes, bright red (rarely yellow-orange) with thin skin, easily bruised. The pulp is juicy, acid to sub-acid occasionally nearly sweet, with a delicate flavour and apple notes.
The fruit is very high in Vitamin C, up to 4,000 mg per 100 g fresh weight, but typically around 1,500 mg C. Green fruits have twice the Vitamin C level of mature fruits.
Seeds 3, small, rounded, each having 2 large and 1 small fluted wings, thus forming what are generally conceived to be 3 triangular, yellowish, leathery-coated, corrugated inedible "stones".
Utilization
The fruit is edible and widely consumed by local people in native area. It is cultivated elsewhere for its high vitamin C content.
It is commonly used in parts of South America to flavour ice creams, drinks, and cocktails. The fruits are used in many commercial vitamins and nutritional products, mainly for their vitamin C content

Acerola juice is as common and popular in Brazil as orange juice is in North America.
In Brazil, a handful of fresh fruit is eaten as a natural remedy for fever and dysentery. It is also used there as an anti-inflammatory, astringent, stimulant for the liver and renal systems, diuretic, and to support heart function as well as to heal wounds. It is employed as a nutritive aid for anaemia, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, liver problems, rheumatism, tuberculosis, and during convalescence.
Cultivation
Barbados cherry plants can stand temperatures down to 28F and will take long periods of drought. They prefer to grow in warm to hot climates, with temperatures reaching 85-90F. Trees grow well in slightly acidic soil. Trees often require little or no care
The plant is propagated by seeds. The germination is usually low.
Plantings of Barbados cherry are increasing worldwide, with Brazil leading the way. The increased plantings are a direct result of increased use of this fruit for a natural source of Vitamin C for nutritional supplements.

CULTIVARS

The following cultivars are offered by nurseries in USA.

B-17: A common variety. High in vitamin C and subacid to acid.

Dwarf: A low-growing cultivar, to about 2 ft. tall. Grows well in a hanging basket. Can take colder weather than others, to 22

Time: 15th March 2013 3:13pm

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John Mc says...
I've been trying to get hold of a cv called California Honey from another supplier. Apparently it's one of the sweetest, from what I've read.
I do wonder if the name "Florida Sweet" got slightly twisted in the importation process, to be called California Honey?

Time: 15th March 2013 6:50pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
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BJ says...
I think the term 'florida sweet' got twisted from the get-go. 'Florida blech' probably wouldnt sell as well I guess...

I found a bowl full ripe and ready on/under the tree today and cant say I am any more impressed than I was in the past. Oh well, its a good 'medicinal' fruit.

Time: 15th March 2013 10:06pm

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
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JohnMc1 says...
That last lot of rain we had brought the Acerola's out into full swing. Water brings on flowering, the continuing rains have brought out continuing flowers.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

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Picture: 2

Time: 23rd April 2014 1:57pm

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sternus1 says...
I must be doing something wrong with mine. I have two that produced flowers after the rain, but dropped them all when it stopped. Maybe they are in spot that gets too dry too quickly? They're fairly well sized, probably about 1m and a half each and quite bushy.

Time: 23rd April 2014 2:47pm

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About the Author sternus1
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Julie says...
Does anyone have seed of Acerola they could spare? Ebay only has one seller from Germany.

I have a north-facing aspect where they might do OK. Also a Hills hoist I plan to cover in clear plastic to make a greenhouse to protect plants in winter.

Time: 24th April 2014 9:31pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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JohnMc1 says...
Heaps Julie. I'll see if I still have your addy.

Time: 24th April 2014 9:40pm

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BJ says...
I think the seeds have extremely low viability I actually don't know anyone who has grown from seed, but cuttings are really easy...

Time: 24th April 2014 10:28pm

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
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Julie says...
BJ, can't send cuttings to WA (can't send much at all!), but could maybe get away with sending seeds. From what I've read, a lot of the plants for sale were grown from seed.

John, I'll email my address in case you've lost it. Getting cooler here, so perhaps not the best time of year to sow. Any idea how long germination might take? I've had success sowing some things in autumn - they popped up the following spring.

Time: 25th April 2014 1:42am

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About the Author Julie
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JohnMc1 says...
Julie, I'll send as many seeds as I can. They will be from fresh fruit picked over the W/E.
I thought they had a bad germination rate as well. If you can, get a heated propagating tray ready. In the early days, I've germinated hard to germinate seeds by wrapping them in an electric blanket with a thermometer sticking out the side. The seed was in peat inside plastic bags, worked well.
It's a damn pity we can't send you some cuttings, they strike very easily.

Time: 25th April 2014 7:55am

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Julie says...
I have a small propagating mat that just fits inside a polystyrene box. I use it a lot, usually in late winter/early spring. Perfect!

Time: 25th April 2014 7:17pm

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Linton says...
Malpighia glabra fruit, Barbados Cherry, in markets so I was able to try some. They seem to be popular in Asia where they are very common and are even sold at the airports.

However they are no substitute for a real cherry. But they do have a pleasant unique flavour all of their own.

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Time: 27th December 2014 7:05pm

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About the Author Linton
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The poster formerly known as... says...
Wow, they are super under ripe. No way I would eat those. Gotta be soft and dark red. Even then they only just manage to keep a place in the yard due to incredible productivity and bullet proof nature.

Time: 27th December 2014 8:56pm

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ivepeters says...
Seem to flower most after a lot of rain.

Time: 27th December 2014 9:09pm

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sternus1 says...
I like em'. I agree with BJ though, they aren't knock-your-sicks-off awesome but you can't beat them for productivity and hardiness.

Never picked them that green before.

Time: 27th December 2014 9:54pm

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About the Author sternus1
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JohnMc1 says...
So true ive, a good water will almost instantly bring the tree into flower.. The taste doesn't change much from green through to fully red ripe. The vitamin C content drops as the fruit ripens, so if it's the vit C hit you're after, pick them on the cusp.

Time: 28th December 2014 8:28am

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The poster formerly known as... says...
I'll disagree. The fruits are horribly sour and awful when greenish red or even red with patches of yellow white. Only when they are dark red do they get sweet enough for my taste.

Time: 28th December 2014 8:51am

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ivepeters says...
They are probably used in cooking, I don't touch them if their not maroon .

Time: 28th December 2014 9:25am

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About the Author ivepeters
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sternus1 says...
They are quite tart and bland if not very ripe. I've found that when they're perfectly rip, the skin has a somewhat leathery appearance.

At this point there's actually something of a cherry note in them close to the skin.

I think they taste like nectarines.

Time: 28th December 2014 4:58pm

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