All-around Champion: Brazilian Cherry (Grumichama)
Brazilian Cherry (Grumichama, Eugenia brasiliensis)
We San Dieagans can grow many many fruit trees thanks to the year -round mild climate, from tropical fruit such as mango, banana, subtropical fruit such as citrus, cherimoya to temperate fruit with low-chill requirement such as apple, peach, apricot. However, it is very difficult, if not impossible to grow cherry in the coastal San Diego. Luckily, there are many cherry-like fruit trees that can grow and produce here. A few examples are Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora), Barbado cherry (Malpighia emarginata) , Capulin Cherry (Prunus salicifolia) and Brazilian cherry. The all around champion of these cherry-like fruits in my opinion is the Brazilian cherry or Grumichama.
The plants I have are evergreen bushes approximately 7 feet tall with shiny dark evergreen leave. The new leaves are brightly red which add drama to the rather ornamental plant. The plant typically blooms in the spring in San Diego. The flowers come in group of 4-petaled white blooms. The fruit matures quite fast, usually ready to eat in 4 to 6 weeks after flowering. The fruit is dark red and very cherry-like in both the look and taste, maybe a bit smaller than the Bing cherry. Unlike true cherry it will bloom again a couple of times throughout year with smaller number of fruit. I enjoy picking up the cherry every day and eat them out of hand during the multiple fruit seasons. There is typically a seed in the fruit, although 2 or 3 are also present in some fruit. The fresh seeds sprout easily and can be used to grow more plants.
The plants are very easy to take care. I have not seen any disease or insect problems in the 10 years I have grown the bushes. The trees appear to love full sun exposure in the coastal San Diego. I fertilize 2-3 times a year with 20-20-20 fertilizer and water 2-3 times a week with sprinklers. They are still growing taller and wider every year and produce more each year even after 10 years.
A plant with shiny leaves, pretty flowers, multiple harvest of delicious fruit and easy to take care. I am surprised that it is not more widely grown.
We San Dieagans can grow many many fruit trees thanks to the year -round mild climate, from tropical fruit such as mango, banana, subtropical fruit such as citrus, cherimoya to temperate fruit with low-chill requirement such as apple, peach, apricot. However, it is very difficult, if not impossible to grow cherry in the coastal San Diego. Luckily, there are many cherry-like fruit trees that can grow and produce here. A few examples are Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora), Barbado cherry (Malpighia emarginata) , Capulin Cherry (Prunus salicifolia) and Brazilian cherry. The all around champion of these cherry-like fruits in my opinion is the Brazilian cherry or Grumichama.
The plants I have are evergreen bushes approximately 7 feet tall with shiny dark evergreen leave. The new leaves are brightly red which add drama to the rather ornamental plant. The plant typically blooms in the spring in San Diego. The flowers come in group of 4-petaled white blooms. The fruit matures quite fast, usually ready to eat in 4 to 6 weeks after flowering. The fruit is dark red and very cherry-like in both the look and taste, maybe a bit smaller than the Bing cherry. Unlike true cherry it will bloom again a couple of times throughout year with smaller number of fruit. I enjoy picking up the cherry every day and eat them out of hand during the multiple fruit seasons. There is typically a seed in the fruit, although 2 or 3 are also present in some fruit. The fresh seeds sprout easily and can be used to grow more plants.
White flowers with red new leaves
Fruit is ripe when it is a dark-purple color
The plants are very easy to take care. I have not seen any disease or insect problems in the 10 years I have grown the bushes. The trees appear to love full sun exposure in the coastal San Diego. I fertilize 2-3 times a year with 20-20-20 fertilizer and water 2-3 times a week with sprinklers. They are still growing taller and wider every year and produce more each year even after 10 years.
A plant with shiny leaves, pretty flowers, multiple harvest of delicious fruit and easy to take care. I am surprised that it is not more widely grown.
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