Barbados Cherry: Tart tropical cherries you'll love

Barbados cherry, popularly known as acerola, is a small tree or bushy shrub that produces glossy green leaves. The tree produces a small cherry fruit in a bright purple color. Cherry Malpighia trees are rather unusual outside of the warm climate, but are worth growing because of their unusual fruits.

Acerola fruit is soft, juicy and juicy with a sweet and sour cherry taste. This fruit is extremely rich in vitamin C and can easily meet your daily needs.

These delicate fruits are often grown for the production of acerola juice or jam and are easily squeezed. Because of this, you are unlikely to find it at your local supermarket. However, if you grow it at home, you can ensure at least one source of this unique and unusual fruit for your enjoyment.

So let's explore the best ways to grow and care for this uniquely tropical tree!

Get a Barbados cherry tree

Good products for growing Barbados cherries:

Brief instructions on care

Barbados cherry trees are beautiful semi-tropical evergreens with sweet and sour fruits. Source: Rogerio da Silva

All about Barbados Cherry

Evergreen, the Barbados cherry produces beautiful, lush green foliage. Source: Starr

Acerola cherry, also called Barbados cherry, is a bit confusing at first. There are three different botanical names assigned to them.

The main crop is Malpighia emarginata and produces fruitful harvests of sweet acerola fruits. At one point it was classified under the botanical name Malpighia punicifolia, but has since been reclassified.

A secondary species, Malpighia glabra, is also called Barbados cherry. This species is mostly decorative because it blooms strongly but bears very little fruit. The fruit tastes identical to that of the fertile Malpighia.

Other common names for this species are West Indian cherry or wild crepe myrtle.

West Indian cherries are native to the West Indies, the tropical lowlands from Mexico to South Texas and other neighboring areas in South America and Central America. It requires warm tropical conditions to bloom and keep it in good shape as an evergreen.

While it can reach heights of up to 20 feet, it is often grown as a much shorter tree or shrub. Its sweet and sour fruits are extremely rich in vitamin C and are sometimes used in commercial vitamin production as well as for juices or preserves.

The Barbados cherry is an evergreen beauty that blooms during the summer months. Each flower is pink and approximately 3/4 in. In diameter. The flowers develop in groups of three to six flowers. When the flowers fade, pollinated flowers ripen into delicious cherries in less than 25 days.

In contrast to many other types of cherry, Malpighia species can bloom and develop products from late spring to autumn. The fruits have a bright red or deep red color. They are juicy and have a delicate apple-like taste with a slight tartness.

Overall, Barbados cherry trees are bushy, large and have spreading branches that sprout from a short trunk. The leaves of the cherry trees are shiny, green and thick. They have a narrow oval shape that narrows gracefully.

The root system of this tree is flat and spreading, making the tree susceptible to strong winds. However, you can stand upright and still recover as long as the roots have not been damaged by falling.

Plant acerola cherry trees

Malpighia species like this M. glabra produce stunning flowers in pink or white. Source: KHQ Flower Guide

If you are in a warm climate, you may want to grow this tree yourself! Let's go over what you need to know before planting it.

When to plant

While seeds are unreliable at best, planting in a warm seedling tray in the fall can result in a very young tree that you can plant out in the spring. It is best to wait until they are older to plant your transplants, as they will have more time to establish themselves before being exposed to the weather. Yearling seedlings are ideal for this purpose.

Make sure the soil is warm before planting and your region doesn't get frost. If this is the case, you should keep your Malpighia as a shrub in a container and take it home when the cold snaps in.

Grafted, established trees can be planted in much of the southern United States in the spring.

Where to plant

Acerola cherry trees can successfully grow in containers with a diameter and height of at least 20 inches. This is the best method for those who are not in a warm, frost-free area.

Make sure the place where you plant your tree is sheltered from the wind, but has full sun conditions. When planting in the ground, place them at least 10-12 feet apart and at a similar distance from underground pipes or buildings. This ensures that they have enough root spreading area.

How to plant

Most seedlings are shipped in pots. To plant these potted acerolas, dig a hole at least 3 to 4 feet in diameter and a similar depth to loosen the soil. Add plenty of rich compost to provide soil nutrients along with a healthy dose of agricultural lime and work it into the soil.

In the middle of your hole, create a hill from your modified soil that will hold the tree at the depth where it was just planted. Do not plant it deeper, as this may damage the tree trunk or graft joint (if applicable). Fill it with your prepared soil and then apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the base of the tree. Leave a gap between the mulch and the trunk.

Potted cherry Malpighia species should be planted similarly, but in a large pot with a modified bottom. Again, make sure that it is an alkaline soil, or provide agricultural lime to change it.

Barbados cherry care

Unripe cherries like these ripen very quickly on the tree. Source: Starr

To get the unique apple-like taste of this unusual cherry tree, you should offer it optimal growing conditions. Now let's go the right way to take care of your trees.

Sun and temperature

Bright, direct sunlight is best for these trees. They need warmth and moisture to stay healthy and to grow flowers and fruits. 8-12 hours of direct sunlight is great, but at least 6-8 hours.

The Barbados cherry comes from tropical or subtropical regions and is very sensitive to frost. Older trees may be able to withstand short-lived temperatures in the range of 28 to 30 degrees. Seedlings can easily die at these temperatures, so keep them warm.

They perform best in USDA growing areas 9b-11, where it rarely drops below 40 degrees and reaches roasting temperatures all summer.

Irrigation and humidity

Young trees need to be watered regularly. As your Malpighia glabra or Emarginata matures and develops deeper roots, it will gradually become more resistant to drought conditions. Nevertheless, you should provide water for this in times of drought. You can do this with a soaking hose for a slow, gradual application of moisture.

While it tolerates moisture, no tree likes too much moisture in its soil. Make sure that the soil easily drains off excess water to avoid conditions such as root rot.

ground

Loamy soil types are best suited for your tree. However, it can tolerate a clay-clay mixture if it flows away well. Even hard-packed clay that drains off excess water is acceptable if you're planning a change.

The pH of the soil for your soil should be between 6.5 and 8. If in doubt, work some agricultural lime into your soil as it is more tolerant of alkaline than acidic. Alkaline conditions also improve the tree's yield.

Add some compost or dung to give your floor lots of good organic material. It can also help improve your floor's moisture retention. Therefore, limit your work in the planting hole to just enough to immediately satisfy your young tree. If necessary, you can cover it later with additional compost.

Fertilize

Fertilize your tree once just before hibernation ends, then twice in summer and once in autumn. This provides him with many nutrients from which he can produce cherries or new leaves.

In the southern United States, the typical ratio for growers of these trees is 10-10-10 fertilizer in the very early spring. Use a 5-5-5 or a more specific fertilizer dose for the two summer and autumn feedings.

Feed according to the age of your tree and the instructions of your fertilizer manufacturer. Do not use acidic fertilizers for plants like rhododendrons or citrus fruits. Instead, opt for a fertilizer for fruit or vegetable development.

clipping

Immature acerola cherries are green to yellow. Ripe ones are scarlet. Source: Starr

The cut can be made at any time of the year, but is best done when the plant is no longer bearing fruit. It will take time to recover after pruning before the weather conditions change, so determining the time can be a little difficult.

Barbados cherries can be kept in shrub form. For this growth method, keep the height reduced to your preferred maximum height and have side shoots formed and filled. Try reducing excess vertical growth just above a leaf or stem node to allow new branching.

With a tree format, keep the basal sprouts in check and only create one trunk. You can tower over the branches to keep them at maximum height, but allow some canopy development. Make sure that you expose the canopy to a lot of light in order to achieve good fruit development.

Regardless of your cutting technique, use either sterilized pruning shears or sterilized hand shears. If you have a solution of 1 part bleach in 9 parts water on hand, you can sterilize again between cuts.

Propagation

The Barbados cherry can be propagated from seeds or from cuttings. It is also sometimes grafted onto alternative rhizomes.

Seeds are often unreliable methods of propagation. Most have a germination rate of 50% or less, some only 5%. It is far better to reproduce from cuttings.

Choose a healthy 6 to 8 inch long stem, preferably a semi-hardened one. Avoid green new shoots or particularly old growth. Carefully pull off a few strips of bark from the cut end and dip them in water and root hormone. This enables him to develop roots more easily.

Store your cut in a bright, indirectly lit place. Moisture the cut to keep it moist by either using a humidifier or by placing a bell or cover over the cut. Treat them like other new plant cuttings. New growth will usually appear within 2 months. It can then be transplanted.

Harvest and store

The fruit of Malpighia emarginata is about the size of a normal cherry. Source: Starr

One of the complex things about these fruits is their short shelf life. Let us go through reliable harvesting and storage methods for your plant.

harvest

Acerola cherries form green, hard nodules early on. Over time, they gradually turn yellow and then turn red. They can be harvested as soon as they are completely red and slightly soft to the touch.

Pick your fruits by hand, but carefully. These bruises are incredibly easy. It is best to wear gloves, as the fluff that forms on the leaves and stems can be slightly irritating to the skin.

storage

Ripe fruits only last a few days. Do not expect a storage period of more than 3 days from harvest to consumption. Be very careful when handling them, also to wash them. They squeeze incredibly easily, and a crushed cherry doesn't last as long as an intact one.

For long-term storage, they can be juiced and the juice can be frozen. They also make an excellent canning jam. Some dehydration experiments have worked, but not reliably.

Troubleshooting

Ripe acerola cherries are not long-lasting and should be harvested quickly. Source: Rogerio da Silva

If you are in a sufficiently warm climate, this tree grows easily. But what if it doesn't? Let's talk about it.

Growing problems

The trees are very sensitive to it low temperatures. A young plant can easily die at temperatures below 30 degrees F. If you have cold winters, grow your tree in containers.

Underwater is not a big problem, however Over watering The trees can cause root rot. Ensure good drainage wherever your tree is and check soil moisture before watering.

Pests

Root node nematodes are actually one of the biggest problems most people face. For some reason, they find the root system of a healthy tree extremely tasty. Apply useful nematodes to your soil so that they can get rid of the harmful nematodes.

Aphids and White flies are both opportunistic pests that often have juicy leaves to suck the juice out of them. Aphids can also target blooming flowers. Use a neem oil or horticultural oil spray on your tree to make sure it is less targeted.

Scale insects and Mealybugs are not uncommon. Most of them gather around the leaf base or on the joints of stems and branches. These are also prevented from moving in by regular use of neem oil. Remember not to spray neem on your tree in excessive heat.

Finally some forms of Fruit flies I love the acerola cherry fruit. Yellow sticky traps indicate that they have arrived. Remove any fallen leaves, debris, or cherries to prevent them from spreading. Have your tree harvested regularly to prevent cherries from falling.

Diseases

Two forms of leaf spots caused by Anthracnose and Cercospora Mushrooms can be found on Malpighia trees. Both can be treated with a copper-based organic fungicide.

Ripe but not harvested fruits develop quickly Brown rot. Remove the rotting cherries and discard them.

frequently asked Questions

Q: can you eat barbados cherry?

A: Yes, Barbados cherry can be eaten fresh. It can also be mashed, juiced or made into a delicious jam.

Q: How does Barbados cherry taste?

A: Acerola cherries taste a little bit like sweet and sour apples. There is a light hint of acidity and a clean, crisp aftertaste. Barbados cherries have a soft texture with an oddly shaped triad of seeds in the middle.

Q: How big is a Barbados cherry tree?

A: A Barbados cherry tree can grow up to 20 feet tall. Many are shortened to a shorter, manageable height and grown as hedges or large bushes.

The green thumbs behind this article:
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener