5 replies to this topic

[YoshiTrainer]

Joboticaba is a common name for fruits from Plinia/Myciaria trees. They come in various colors, shapes, sizes, textures and the trees themselves vary from Sp. to Sp. One thing they almost all have in common is they are cauliflorous, meaning they bloom and fruit from the trunk. Mature trees turn white with blooms covering their trunks then green fruitlets form and eventually the tree's trunk turns purple with fruits. Google it, the pictures are spectacular! This tree is a slow grower which makes it great for potted culture and bonsai. Bonsai jabos in bloom look amazing! I think it can handle zone 8, slightly acidic soil, they do love water. The fruits have a tough skin with a clear salmon/gold tinged, firm flesh. They are sweet and taste a lot like white grapes but with something more. My trees are still young at 10+ years old but they produce a handful or two of fruits per season.

In the picture you can see Plinia phitrantha with a couple almost ripe fruits, a dried flower and a fresh bloom.

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Edited by YoshiTrainer, 19 May 2021 - 12:28 PM.

[Skywatcher]

That's a really interesting tree Yoshi. I was not familiar with it and it looks like it does well here, in zone 9. I have grown Bonsai tree's for over 40 years. I have several that I started when I was 19, that are 50 plus years old now.

I have not started a new tree for some time, but this looks like one I could be kind of excited to try....

 

Could you share a picture or two of your 10 year olds? I'd like to see what form they take naturally.

[YoshiTrainer]

I'll get photos for you in the morning Sky. Mine are a bit crowded together in pots so perhaps not the best examples of natural form. Think Crepe Myrtle for shape and if you haven't already, check the web. Tthere are a ton of pictures available of mature and bonsai specimens that are amazing!

Congratulations on the bonsai collection! It can require such patience to produce a vision with decades of work.

Have you tried Natal Plum as a bonsai specimen? They have beautiful white flowers which attract hummingbirds, edible red fruits and some nasty but unique thorns. Most the fruits are bland but on rare occasions you'll find a bush w/pretty good fruits.

[YoshiTrainer]

It a little hard to get a clear picture when it is green on green. :) 1rst pic is the best I could do of the tree. Second pic might give you a better idea. The tree is about 6 years old? in a 2.8gallon and desperately needs repotting. The last pic is the first ripe fruit of the season.

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[Skywatcher]

Thank you Yoshi. Those are actually helpful. My internet search gave me images in the best of conditions and bonsai that has been sculpted for years. I like to know how something grows "au natural" to help me see the tree's inclinations, which helps figure how to reshape and when..............

[YoshiTrainer]

You are welcome Sky, I hope to someday sees where this leads you.

Good luck!