| Learn about the Miracle Fruit | |||
DESCRIPTION Growth Habit: Miracle
fruit is an evergreen bush or tree growing to 18 ft.
in its native habitat, but rarely to 5 ft.
otherwise. It grows well in container.According to a report from the University of Florida, the Miracle Fruit grows well in a container. For information about growing fruit in a container, click here. Foliage: The plant has deep green, elongated leaves which grow in a spire-like habit. Both regular and large-leaf and a hairy-leaf form are known. Flowers: The small 1/4 inch white flowers of miracle fruit are produced in flushes through many months of the year. Fruit: The fruit is a small bright red, ellipsoid berry approximately 2 to 3 cm long and containing a single seed. Although not sweet itself, when a single fruit is eaten and the fleshy pulp allowed to coat the taste buds of the tongue and inside of the mouth, an extraordinary effect occurs. The fruit will now allow one to eat a slice of lemon or lime without wincing. The marvelous aroma and inherent sweetness of the citrus remains but the sourness is almost completely covered. The effect remains for some 30 minutes or more. CULTURELocation: As an indoor plant, provide the plant with bright light such as a well lit window. In the summer the plant can be moved with care to a warm, lightly shaded spot.Soils: An acid soil is a must for miracle fruit. They prefer a soil acidity of pH 4.5 to 5.8. This can be achieved by planting in equal parts Canadian acid peat and pine bark. Also peat and perlite mixes are said to give excellent result. In the basic soils of California, the plants slowly die back until virtually only the stems remain. Allow the roots of the plant to fill the container before transplanting into a larger one. Irrigation: Be sure that the soil is well draining as the plants do not like to sit in wet soils. Coming from a tropical climate they need extreme humid conditions. When indoors, especially during the winter months, a small clear plastic bag put around the plant and supported by wood or a wire frame is helpful in maintaining humidity. Also, placing the plant container on a tray with stones on the bottom and filled with water to the top of the stones will add humidity to the local area. Misting the leaves with good water also helps. Fertilization: Use a water soluble fertilizer such as Miracid and follow the label directions. Use sparingly with frequency dependent on the growing season, fertilizing more frequently during the summer months Pruning: In general, there is no need to prune the miracle fruit plant. Propagation: Propagation of miracle fruit is usually done by cuttings or seed. As the seed viability is short, plant the cleaned seed immediately just below the soil line. When shipping cleaned seeds for others to plant, package in a small plastic bag and enclose a slightly moistened toweling. Seed that are allowed to dry can be shipped for at least two weeks but rapidly loose their viability. Diseases and Pests :
Watch for spider mites, mealybugs and other indoor
potted plant pests. Waterlogged plants may succumb
to root rot. CULTIVARS
FURTHER READING & REFERENCES
Synsepalum dulcificum This is an oval to pyramidal shaped bush. Simple, alternate 3-5 leaves clustered at branch tips. At maturity it will reach seven feet. Inconspicuous, brown 1/2 in flowers. Red, 1 in football-shaped fruit, sweet, pleasant tasting. It fruits when only 1 ft tall. Miracle fruit produces small red fruits several times each year. The “miracle” is that if lemon or other sour fruit is eaten after the miracle fruit, the sour fruit tastes sweet. A natural chemical in the fruit masks the tongue’s sour taste buds so that lemons taste like lemonade or lemon pie, or lemon candy. The fruit has a unique glyco protein that inhibits tastebuds' perception of sour taste for half an hour to a couple of hours. Enhances flavor of grapefruit, strawberries, and makes beer taste like a malta soft drink. Has been used as an appetite stimulant for persons taking chemotherapy medicines. Freezes whole for preservation. Prefers acid soil such as Canadian Peat Moss, minor nutrients. Seed to fruit in 2 to 5 years. Flower to fruit in 30 to 45 days. The sweet sensation lasts from 20 minutes to 4 hours. Miracle fruit must have acid soil, is frost sensitive, and requires partial shade. It is an excellent choice for a containerized tree, which gives it the added benefit of mobility. Fill a container with a 50:50 mix of peat moss and perlite; this combination will create an acidic environment with good drainage. Additional websites of interest |
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Adaptation: Originating from hot, wet tropical
lowlands, the plant is intolerant of frost and
should be considered a container plant except in
southern Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and most
tropical settings.