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Suriname cherry is an exotic plant native to South America, which can grow equally successfully both in the garden and indoors. It is widespread in its homeland - Suriname and in many other countries; some gardeners know the culture in Russia.
What kind of plant is this
Suriname cherry is one of the types of fruit trees belonging to the Eugenia genus of the Myrtaceae family. Another name for this crop is pitanga or Brazilian myrtle. It is grown as an ornamental plant and as a fruit tree for its edible berries.
Biological description of the plant
Suriname cherry pitanga is an evergreen tree up to 7 m high or a shrub with drooping branches. A variety with low growth vigor has been bred for indoor growing. The upper side of the leaves of the plant is dark green, the lower side is lighter, young leaves and shoots have a bronze or reddish color.The leaf blades are shiny, opposite, oval-lanceolate in shape, their length reaches 5 cm. They have a light resinous aroma, which is felt if you rub them in your hands.
The flowers are small, approximately 1 cm in diameter, with 4 petals, arranged singly or collected in inflorescences, which are located in the axils of the leaves. The blooming flowers are creamy white, with a large number of long stamens. A variety of cultivated varieties blooms from late March to early May and can produce 2 harvests per season. The plant pollinates and sets fruit easily even under artificial conditions. You can see what Surinamese cherries look like in the photo.
Description and taste of fruits
The fruits of Suriname cherries are small (only 2-4 cm in diameter), ribbed (on average 8 ribs) berries. As they ripen, their color changes from green to yellow-orange, orange, red or burgundy. Their skin is thin, the pulp is juicy, tender, and in color and structure it is similar to an ordinary European berry. The taste of Surinamese cherries is harmonious, sweet and sour, with some bitterness, the aroma is a little reminiscent of pine. The berries contain 1-2 inedible bitter seeds. Ripe fruits come off the stalks easily, you just have to touch them.
What are the benefits of Suriname cherries?
The composition of its fruits contains some proteins (0.8 g), fats (0.4 g) and carbohydrates (7.5 g), organic acids and fiber, but 90% is water. Vitamins are represented by ascorbic acid, retinol, compounds from group B, minerals - calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, sodium. The calorie content of Surinamese cherries, like all fruits, is small - only 33 kcal per 100 g of product.
If you eat the berry regularly, it will have a general strengthening and immunomodulatory effect on the body, normalize cholesterol levels, and prevent the thinning of blood vessels and their blockage with blood clots. Due to the fiber contained in this berry, it will be useful for those who have intestinal problems. Minerals will help strengthen bones, nails, hair and teeth, prevent the development of anemia, even help restore vision, and strengthen the nervous and cardiovascular system. Not only pitanga berries are useful - you can make teas from the leaves, which are useful for colds.
It is not recommended to use it for people with individual intolerance, gastritis and stomach ulcers. Pregnant women can eat pitanga, but in limited quantities; children - only from 3 years of age.
Area of application of fruits
Pitanga cherries are used mainly for fresh food, but you can also make sweet preparations from them: preserves, jams, sweet pastes, compotes, wine, juices, filling for pies. To eliminate the inherent bitterness of these fruits, they need to be kept in sugar for some time.
The use of pitanga in cosmetology
Eating berries has a good effect on the skin - it retains youth and freshness longer, becomes clean and smooth, and damage heals faster. Surinam cherry is included in industrial skin care products; you can add its juice to creams prepared according to home recipes.
Where do Suriname cherries grow?
The plant, both wild and cultivated, is found in a number of countries in South America - Suriname, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, etc. Cultivated varieties are also grown in Venezuela, India, the Philippines, Colombia, South China, and Israel.The plant is not very popular in Europe, although there are many people who would not refuse to try its exotic fruits. In Russia, it grows in the southern regions, in dry climates, as it is a heat-loving crop.
Features of growing Surinamese cherries in the garden
This plant, unusual for Russians, is quite resistant to unfavorable growing conditions, is undemanding to the soil, and tolerates short frosts and long droughts well.
Selecting a location and preparing the soil for planting
The culture grows best in sunny areas protected from wind and drafts. Although cherries are undemanding to the soil, they still need to be prepared: clear the area of plant debris, dig up the soil and apply organic or mineral fertilizers.
How to plant Suriname cherry trees
Seedlings are planted in a permanent place in spring or mid-autumn. The place where the tree will grow is chosen to be sunny, with a slight shadow formed during the hottest time of the day. Ash and a source of nitrogen - humus - are poured into the planting hole - Suriname cherry grows normally only on fertilized soils with a neutral or slightly acidic soil reaction. If the selected area is wet, add a layer of drainage material to the bottom of the hole, because this plant does not tolerate wet roots. The depth of seedlings should not be lower than the root collar.
Caring for Surinamese cherries
Pitanga or Suriname cherry begins to bear fruit in the 2nd year. It does not require special care: it needs to be watered, especially in the heat, and to retain moisture, mulch the soil around the plant with hay, straw or agrofibre. Plants need to be fed once a month with complex fertilizers.You can use both organic and mineral fertilizers. Formative pruning is carried out in the spring; if necessary, you can remove excess growing branches in the summer.
The plant can bloom and bear fruit twice a year; 3 weeks pass from the end of flowering to the ripening of the berries. In the fall, before the onset of cold weather, you need to cover the soil on the tree trunk with fallen leaves, straw, hay, and spruce branches.
Propagation of Suriname cherry
The pitanga plant reproduces well from seeds, which have a high germination rate. It is enough to plant a fresh seed in fertile soil and it will sprout. The germination process takes approximately 1.5-2 months. The young seedling is planted in a permanent place in October.
How to grow Surinamese cherries at home
This exotic plant can decorate not only the garden, but also the room, so it is quite possible to grow it at home. To do this, you will need a fairly large container, fertile soil and a good young seedling. The pot with the planted plant should be placed in a sunny place. Care is approximately the same as for cherries growing in the garden: frequent watering during the day and moderate in winter, spraying on the leaves in the heat. The houseplant needs to be transplanted into a new container the following spring after planting, and then do this every 2 years. The branches should be trimmed in the spring, at the beginning of the new season.
Diseases and pests
Due to improper watering, the tree may develop root rot. Control measures are to replant in new soil, after cutting off the roots and sprinkling the cuts with coal powder. Among the pests, the plant can be affected by aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, mites, and slugs. They are destroyed with suitable insecticides and acaricides.
Conclusion
Suriname cherry or pitanga is an exotic and rare plant, but interesting for many gardeners. It is undemanding in terms of growing conditions and decorative; it can be used to decorate both a garden and a residential building, and at the same time get a harvest of tasty and juicy fruits, the taste of which is somewhat reminiscent of the familiar ordinary cherry.
