Miracle Fruit Berries
Our miracle fruit bush has been flowering and fruiting all summer. I really think the secret to growing miracle fruit successfully is keep the soil acidic, and protecting the plant from cold weather. We kept our plant in our bathroom next to the window next to our bathroom all winter, and it has grown beautifully. We've been freezing the berries right after we pick them, and they keep really well that way. They don't last very long in the refrigerator, and their taste-twisting effect diminishes rapidly after picking. If anyone in the area ever wants to try a frozen miracle fruit berry, send me an email.
I've tried to plant seeds several times, but with no success. No matter what I've tried (scoring, treating the seeds with hormone, etc.), the seeds have just rotted in the pot. Lake Jackson citrus expert John Panzarella has had similar experience. According to his website, fruits that fell off in the pot did germinate, so I decided to try a little experiment. Boy #1 and I went out there this weekend, picked a handful of berries, and planted the the whole berries in plain potting soil amended with a little garden sulfur. We put them in the greenhouse and rigged up drippers to the pots. Plants cost $40-$50 at JRN Nursery, and even more by mail order. Hopefully we'll see some little miracle fruit plants germinating in a few weeks.
We also decided to try one of our pomegranates this weekend. The fruits have been looking big and red, and we just couldn't resist trying one. We selected a big fat red one from our Red Silk/Unknown pomegranate tree and cut into it. The arils weren't fully colored, but at least there was some coloration (unlike this time last year). The fruit was very sweet, but without much flavor. Even though it was clear that they were not yet ripe, that didn't stop Boy #1 from chowing down on them. He just loves pomegranates, and I'm sure he'll gladly eat every one we get, fully ripe or not.
I've tried to plant seeds several times, but with no success. No matter what I've tried (scoring, treating the seeds with hormone, etc.), the seeds have just rotted in the pot. Lake Jackson citrus expert John Panzarella has had similar experience. According to his website, fruits that fell off in the pot did germinate, so I decided to try a little experiment. Boy #1 and I went out there this weekend, picked a handful of berries, and planted the the whole berries in plain potting soil amended with a little garden sulfur. We put them in the greenhouse and rigged up drippers to the pots. Plants cost $40-$50 at JRN Nursery, and even more by mail order. Hopefully we'll see some little miracle fruit plants germinating in a few weeks.
We also decided to try one of our pomegranates this weekend. The fruits have been looking big and red, and we just couldn't resist trying one. We selected a big fat red one from our Red Silk/Unknown pomegranate tree and cut into it. The arils weren't fully colored, but at least there was some coloration (unlike this time last year). The fruit was very sweet, but without much flavor. Even though it was clear that they were not yet ripe, that didn't stop Boy #1 from chowing down on them. He just loves pomegranates, and I'm sure he'll gladly eat every one we get, fully ripe or not.
2-year-old Miracle Fruit Bush
Boy #1 picking berries.
Planting whole berries.
In the greenhouse. The waiting begins....
Pomegranate tree by driveway.
Me looking like I'm about to murder the pomegranate
Pale pink arils. Sweet, but not quite ready.
