Miracle Fruit Tree (forum)

Chris starts with ...
Hi,

I purchased a Miracle Fruit Tree (Synsepalum Dulcificum) about 6 months ago and I had a few questions (remember I've taken on the difficult task of growing it in a pot in the Northern suburbs of Sydney).

I think I'd like to move it to a bigger pot soon, but I don't know which potting mix to buy. What should I buy and where from? (we basically just have bunnings here and that's it)

Secondly, how often should I be watering it?

Thirdly, how much sunlight does it require? I've had it in partial shade, but I might move it to my brother's balcony which only gets afternoon sun.

Thanks for any advice you have.

Time: 6th December 2009 2:20pm

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Original Post was last edited: 6th December 2009 2:23pm

About the Author Chris22
North Sydney
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Lincoln says...
Hey Chris,

I've got a Miracle plant growing in Sydney (inner west) and apart from the wind (I live on the water) it's going fine. Doubled in size over the 12 months i've had it.

I read a while back that Miracle plants like high PH soil so I grabbed a bagged of azelea mix. I've repotted twice now and it bounces back fine.

I've got it in a 15 x 15 x 20cm pot. It's about 35cm tall now and isn't close to rootbound.

I water mine every second day though like I say, the wind is knocking it around, so every 3 days would be right for you.

I'm expecting it to fruit for the first time this coming april (sept / april is fruit time aparently).

Hope that helps.

Time: 6th December 2009 2:38pm

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About the Author Lincoln
Sydney
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HappyEarth says...
Hey Chris,

1. Buy azaelea potting mix - should be able to get this from bunnings

2. They like a lot of water so water regularly, especially in summer. Maybe twice a week depending on weather

3. Leave it in partial shade.

Why not bring it indoors during winter and out of the wind? It makes the perfect indoor plant and will fruit prolifically for you.

Rich
www.happyearth.com.au

Time: 6th December 2009 9:51pm

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About the Author HappyEarth
Wollongong
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Lincoln says...
Happy -

That's great news about being an indoor plant. I figured being a native of Africa it was going to need all the sunshine it could get.

Time: 7th December 2009 9:36am

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About the Author Lincoln
 
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Chris says...
Thanks HappyEarth and Lincoln, that helps a lot.

I actually was thinking about moving it inside for the winter and possibly putting a bag on it to keep the humidity.

One more thing. The plant about a month ago started having some leaves dry out on the tips and some of the new leaves have a red tinge in the middle. I've attached a pic to help here.

Is this normal or is it because I've watered too much/too little or could it be in the wrong spot or sunburn or could it be a soil/bucket issue? (a roof is what is creating the shade you see there and it's always in the shade there)

Should I be doing something different here or is it ok?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 7th December 2009 1:50pm

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About the Author Chris22
North Sydney
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Chris says...
Hey just thought I'd say that your advice to keep it in partial shade and water it more often has paid off! I've been watering every 2 days now and I don't know if it's just the warmer weather, but it's definitely growing and the leaves are MUCH softer and greener. Thankyou!!!

I'll be buying some Azalea mix tomorrow and a bigger pot, any ideas with fertilizer?

Time: 19th December 2009 12:31pm

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About the Author Chris22
North Sydney
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Greenjay says...
If any one has seed that theyre willing to spare email me at jordenrucker@ymail.com

Time: 5th September 2010 1:00pm

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About the Author Greenjay
Williamsport
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David says...
Hi all Just called into the local bunnies on the off chance the dwarf mangoes had arrived only to find a pallet with half price fruit trees on it, mostly citrus, but also 5 miracle fruit trees one with my name on it, thankyou very much marked down from $44.95 down to $21.

Time: 28th January 2012 10:36am

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About the Author David
Brisbane
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chillilover says...
Damn my local bunnies are very stingy. They'll only reduce the price on plants which are almost dead.

Time: 28th January 2012 10:38am

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About the Author Chillilower
sydney
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David says...
This is the second time in as many weeks that i have scored a winner ,you just have to be johnny on the spot, to get the goodies.

Time: 28th January 2012 10:45am

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About the Author David
Brisbane
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Danny says...
Does anyone have problems with fruit set on their miracle trees? I'm getting heaps of flowers but no fruit set :(

Time: 29th January 2012 10:53pm

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Perth
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Peter says...
Danny,
the flowers should self-pollinate. Mine did set fruit in a shadehouse, where hardly any insects get in there. Maybe the high humidity in there helped.
Some people believe that shaking the shrub gently helps the pollen to move around and increases the chances to get to the stigma. Not sure about that, but cannot hurt to do that for a while, to see what happen. I would mostly focus on increasing humidity - a nice layer of mulch and shade cloth around the plant. These will help to keep the humidity up for a bit longer after each watering. Mine only gets morning sun and it takes the whole day until the moisture is finally gone.

Time: 29th January 2012 11:08pm

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About the Author Peter36
Perth
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Danny says...
My miracle tree is in a pot under shade cloth. It is quite dry here so maybe humidity is the problem.

Time: 30th January 2012 11:37am

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Perth
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