Miracle Fruit: 1.5 years from seed to flower

[vipinrl]

Mr. George (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?action=profile;u=838), was kind enough to send me a few dozen Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) seeds in October 2013.
The seeds germinated in November 2013. I kept 2 seedlings with me and shared the rest with relatives and friends.
When I visited my uncle's home last week, I found his Miracle fruit plant loaded with tiny flowers! I was excited and checked my plants suddenly after reaching home. But...  !
What I read online is that the Miracle fruit tree will take 3 to 4 years from seed to fruit. Is it normal to flower in 18 months?

[vipinrl]

x

[Chandramohan]

I have Miracle fruit plants which have flowered in 18 months. Fertilise with high P:K: soluble Fert, like "GreenCare" every two weeks.

[vipinrl]

I have Miracle fruit plants which have flowered in 18 months. Fertilise with high P:K: soluble Fert, like "GreenCare" every two weeks.

I added some NPK and micronutrients in the hole while planting.
Interesting thing is that my uncle never gave any fertilizer to his plant.
But there are 2 differences:
1. My uncle planted in full sun and I planted in partial shade.
2. Uncle water his plant twice in a day and I water once in a week .

[Chandramohan]

Miracle needs full sun. Applying high PK fert gives fruits for a longer season.

[fyliu]

Wow. Mine's 4 years old and no flowers yet. I mistreated it the first few years in small containers though.
How big a pot is your uncle's plant in?

[vipinrl]

Wow. Mine's 4 years old and no flowers yet. I mistreated it the first few years in small containers though.
How big a pot is your uncle's plant in?

Plants of both of us are in ground.

[Tropicaliste]

Would you recommend application of phosphorus and potash to induce fruiting? Mine flowers but never fruits and I've tried pollinating on a brush.

[Chandramohan]

Yes, I use a soluble fert with 13:27:27.  In 2013 when I started using this in August, I got fruits from Sept to Jan. So in 2014 I did not use this fert and I hardly got any fruits. So in Dec I started applying and now since Feb I am having fruits.

[Chandramohan]

A photo of my plant.

[Chandramohan]

Sorry

[KennyT]

Hi Chandramohan,

May I know the age and height of the miracle fruit when taking this picture.

[Chandramohan]

Hello Kenny, My tree was about seven years old. I bought it as a four year old from a nursery.

[vipinrl]

Today, my uncle informed me that a fruit in his 18 month old Miracle fruit plant is ripe and he is going to experience the 'miracle' tomorrow.

[vipinrl]

Finally, one of my Miracle fruit plants flowered (1 year and 8 months from seed to flower) .