Produces Tons of Sweet And Tangy Fruit Provide your garden with exotic flare with the Jaboticaba Tree. The Jaboticaba, also known as the 'Brazilian Grape Tree,' produces tons of dark colored fruits between the sizes of grapes and plums on its bark. The tropical Jaboticaba, or Jabuticaba, is a delight to watch as white fuzzy blooms burst among the tree's older bark, covering the tree with a white sea of petals. Soon after blooming, the cottony blooms quickly become replaced by dark savory fruit. Jaboticabas start growing with light green skin before turning a dark hue of purple. The grape-like fruit almost covers the entire tree, giving it a unique look. Once the fruit is picked, it's often instantly enjoyed as a fresh snack. Jaboticabas have a sweet flavor with an acidic zing, similar to a muscadine grape. With a skin that's slightly thicker than a grape's and white flesh on the inside that's soft and juicy, Jaboticabas are a pleasure to bite into. Their sweet juice has an unrivaled flavored that's perfect for making jams and wines. Jaboticaba trees will transform your garden into a tropical paradise with their refreshing fruit and unwavering beauty. Beautiful lush, green leaves stay on this tree all year, but the show really starts once the Jaboticaba Tree starts to shed its old bark. Layers of older grey bark shed away, revealing layers of younger bark with light tan and beige hues. The colorful bark pops against other darker green hues in the landscape causing it to become the center of attention with its stunning colors. If you don't live in a tropical area place your Jaboticaba Tree in a container and bring it indoors during the colder months. This low maintenance tree thrives in both containers and in the ground. Simply give your trees some water and prepare yourself for tons of delicious fruit and brilliant colors. Jaboticaba Trees sell out fast, be sure to order yours today before they are all gone. Planting & Care The Jaboticaba tree (Myrciaria cauliflora) is an unusual fruit tree that which bears its fruit along the bark of the tree. Commonly grown outdoors in USDA growing zones 9-11 without winter protection, it is also well adapted to being grown in a container in cooler climates. This slow growing tree can reach heights of 30-40 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide if planted in the ground, but will stay much more compact if planted in a container. Potted trees will need to be brought in before night time temperatures begins to drop near 40 degrees, although they are tolerant down to 30 degrees. Choosing a Location: The Jaboticaba tree is a full sun tree but can tolerate a little shade. It needs really well draining soil and prefers a pH of 5.5-6.5. These trees are not salt tolerant or wind tolerant, so they will need some protection from these elements, especially when young. Planting instructions (in ground): 1) Dig a hole that is 3 times as wide and about 2 inches shallower than the container that the plant arrived in. The shallow hole will allow the plant to be raised slightly making the runoff area better so that the roots do not sit in water. 2) Remove the plant from the container and lightly loosen the roots so that they spread out more quickly. 3) Position the tree in the hole so that it is upright and begin to backfill the hole. Mound the soil up to the crown but do not bury the crown any deeper than it was in the container. Backfill with a mixture of native soil, compost and peat moss depending on the composition of the soil and how well it drains. For poor draining soil use more peat moss or sand, for well draining soil use more compost. Tamp down the soil as you go to remove air pockets.4) Water well when done but ensure that the soil is not saturated.5) Mulch the area well to help protect the roots and conserve moisture, this also provides a source of slow release nutrient to the planting area. Planting instructions (potted):1) Choose a container that is 1-2 times larger than what the plant arrived to you in, ensure that it has plenty of drainage holes as drainage is essential.2) Add a little soil to the bottom of the container, a quality, well draining potting mix will work fine. 3) Remove the plant from the container, lightly loosen the root system and place the plant in the container.4) Fill the rest of the container with the potting mix, making sure to leave about a 1 inch space to the top of the container for ease of watering. 5) Place the plant in a sunny area on your patio, making sure that it is protected from wind.6) When bringing indoors in the winter make sure to do so gradually and place in the sunniest spot that you have. Watering: Jaboticaba trees do not like to have wet feet, but while establishing they will need watered regularly to prevent wilting and to assist the roots with establishing. Do not flood the area, allow the soil to dry out about 2 inches down whether in the ground or in a container. Fertilizing: Since these are slow growing trees, fertilize them in the spring and summer with a well balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 formula to give them a boost in growth for the first couple of seasons. An alternate method of fertilizing would be to add a layer of compost to the top of the root system in the spring. Pruning: Jaboticaba trees need very little in the way of pruning except to remove damaged or crossing branches. They can be trimmed into a small hedge or for shaping in the late winter or early spring. Harvesting: These trees can produce fruit throughout the year but the heaviest yield will be in March to April depending on your location. Pick the fruit when it’s the size of a small plum and the color of a dark grape. Pests and diseases: Although not affected by any serious illnesses, these trees can be prone to rust or fungal issues during times of high humidity and moisture. FAQs Is jaboticaba a grape? Jaboticaba trees are in the myrtle family, not the grape family. However, they're often mistaken for the grape family since they have the same type of fleshy fruit that surrounds a central seed. How long does it take a jaboticaba tree to fruit? Jaboticaba trees are slow growers and fruit on old wood, so you might need to wait a while to enjoy the fruit. It can take around 8 years to fruit, depending on tree age and environmental conditions. Until then, enjoy the unique bark and other great qualities of this tree! How big does a jaboticaba tree grow? Jaboticaba trees grow to be around 30-40 feet tall by about 15-20 feet wide. Where can jaboticaba trees grow? Jaboticaba trees naturally grow in Brazil but can grow in the U.S. in Zones 9-11.
