Star Cherry

[Kevin Jones]

While eating a Star Cherry - Pitangatuba fruit today I noticed the seed already had a root sprouting from it.
Is this common for Eugenias or Pitangatubas?
Curious if anyone else has noticed this.

Kevin Jones

[Kevin Jones]

Here's a couple of photos of the fruit and seed.
I noticed another fruit today was also sprouting.

Kevin

[fruitlovers]

Haven't noticed that in other eugenias.

[Kevin Jones]

Also... when I shook the fruit, the seed rattled inside as though it were loose.
 I ate a Cedar Bay Cherry this evening and noticed it's seed had a (much smaller) root stub started as well.

Recently I ordered Eugenia seeds from Miguel in Portugal and they arrived already sprouted.
He said he ate the fruit and spit the seed into the shipping container.
Quite fresh and grew quickly.

I know Ice Cream Beans do this too.

Kevin

[fruitlovers]

Also... when I shook the fruit, the seed rattled inside as though it were loose.
 I ate a Cedar Bay Cherry this evening and noticed it's seed had a (much smaller) root stub started as well.

Recently I ordered Eugenia seeds from Miguel in Portugal and they arrived already sprouted.
He said he ate the fruit and spit the seed into the shipping container.
Quite fresh and grew quickly.

I know Ice Cream Beans do this too.

Kevin

Ice cream beans all sprout inside the pod. Eugenias don't usually do that. They contain a chemical that keeps them from sprouting inside the fruit. Yes eugenias sprout very fast. But sprouting in the mail, once the seed is cleaned, is different than when there is a layer of pulp around the seed.

[bsbullie]

Here's a couple of photos of the fruit and seed.
I noticed another fruit today was also sprouting.

Kevin

What was the texture of your fruit.  From the picture, that fruit looms a little firm and almost dry.  All of the pitangatuba I have seen and eaten, when fully ripe, have been almost delicate to the touch, and extremely juicy and softer fleshy texture.  Mo way would you have been able to feel or hear any seed rattling in them.  They have almost been semi translucent.

These are a few pictures of what I have seen as representative ripe pitangatuba.   These aren't mine but from a friend and fellow forum member.

[Kevin Jones]

It was very juicy. Very little fiber.
I would say it was perfectly ripe.
Here it is still on the plant...



Also... I was looking at FruitLovers website last night and noticed the photo of Star Cherries shows a fruit with a loose looking seed.

My plants came from Adam in Florida.

Kevin

[bsbullie]

It was very juicy. Very little fiber.
I would say it was perfectly ripe.
Here it is still on the plant...



Also... I was looking at FruitLovers website last night and noticed the photo of Star Cherries shows a fruit with a loose looking seed.

My plants came from Adam in Florida.

Kevin

In no way doubting its a pitangatuba,  just that the description was odd based on all the fruit I have seen.  If a fruit is very juicy, fkeshy and softer, difficult to see how you would really be able to hear or feel the seed rattle.  I was more thinking about growing conditions and care...

[Kevin Jones]

I must say my personal experience is limited to about a half a dozen fruits grown this summer.
They are being grown in 5 gallon pots, in full sun, in my back yard.

Kevin

[bsbullie]

Your picture of the fruit on the plant look much more like I would expect so maybe it was just the actual picture of the picked fruit that made it look to not have the semi translucency.   I am still a little baffled about the rattling although if you are getting fruit, and fruit tastes good, I wouldn't worry.

What are you fertilizing with, hiw often and how often are you waterinv?

[Kevin Jones]

I don't know if I would say they taste good. Very sour.
I'm hoping they will get better with time.

But they are very fragrant.

I bought them last year from Adam in Florida and overwintered them in my greenhouse.


I'm using Espoma Organic Holly Tone Evergreen and Azalea Food and daily watering with municipal water.

Kevin

[bsbullie]

Not familiar with that specific fertilizer.  Watering sounds ok.  Yes, they are lretty darn tart.  Since they dont come true to seed there is some variability and I have had a few that have been a tad sweeter.  I have also seen color ranging from yellow to an orangey color.  Not sure if the taste will sweeten up with age. 

Would love to make a gelato or sorbetto out of them one day

[Kevin Jones]

I have some Barbie Pink Guavas that are ripening up at the same time.
They could use a little acid.
They would probably be good with the Star Cherries.

Kevin