Cecropia Peltata Growth Rate

[Nick C]

I've always heard these guys grow fast but I wasn't expecting this lol Less than 5 months difference grown in New Jersey.

May '21

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Oct '21

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[Finca La Isla]

Sure they’re fast.  In the wild they are pioneer species like balsa, papaya, and others that initially dominate disturbed areas in the forest or other openings.
Peter

[elouicious]

Borderline invasive species in some areas, Although you shouldn't have to worry about that with the NJ cold!

[CGameProgrammer]

I've heard mixed things about this fruit's palatability. Has anyone tasted it?

[Jabba The Hutt]

I've heard mixed things about this fruit's palatability. Has anyone tasted it?

Yeah, ours is fruiting. Tastes like a super watered down fig...like sugar water with not too much sugar and a somewhat herbal aftertaste.

[W.]

I've heard mixed things about this fruit's palatability. Has anyone tasted it?

Yeah, ours is fruiting. Tastes like a super watered down fig...like sugar water with not too much sugar and a somewhat herbal aftertaste.

I saw a YouTube video of a tour of a South Florida fruit collector's property. Cecropia was one of the many fruits tried by the people in the video. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps there is some flavor variation from tree to tree. Or, just variation in people's palates. That is why, when I am considering getting a new fruit plant, I either try some of the fruit or peruse reviews of those who have tried it.

[Jabba The Hutt]

I've heard mixed things about this fruit's palatability. Has anyone tasted it?

Yeah, ours is fruiting. Tastes like a super watered down fig...like sugar water with not too much sugar and a somewhat herbal aftertaste.

I saw a YouTube video of a tour of a South Florida fruit collector's property. Cecropia was one of the many fruits tried by the people in the video. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps there is some flavor variation from tree to tree. Or, just variation in people's palates. That is why, when I am considering getting a new fruit plant, I either try some of the fruit or peruse reviews of those who have tried it.

I doubt there is much variation in cecropia fruit, I have tried fruit from 2 trees now exact same taste. It's more of a texture as the taste is very faint, not unpleasant just leaves a lot to be desired. You would have to try it to know what I mean.

Awesome tree and fruit just wish the taste was on par.

[pineislander]

Very sweet like honey, no acidity, medium juicy not dry or dripping juice. I might eat one or two but really just consider it a novelty. The trees usually propagated here in south Florida are layered clones and since this is a male or female dioecious species no one propagates any males, never even seen one here. The fruits we get from female trees are seedless. It would be best to never grow any males and prevent spread. These quickly grow too tall to harvest easily so most older trees have been chopped frequently. These are not trees for a small space. I've noticed that fruits are best here in very early summer when humidity is low and once we get into the rainy season the fruits tend to get overripe and ferment on the tree. Large leaves fall constantly and are very rot resistant, they pile up around the tree.

[W.]

Thanks for the reviews Jabba and pineislander. It was not one I had planned on getting due to its size, an opinion the two you have reinforced. I wonder how Nick C in New Jersey is going to fare with his plants?

[Galatians522]

I've heard mixed things about this fruit's palatability. Has anyone tasted it?

I have not eaten a lot of them, but my thought was that it tasted like honeydew melon with the texture of a fig.

[Finca La Isla]

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So here is cecropia established on a landslide surface along with other pioneer species on my farm in Costa Rica. The closer specimen is surrounded by some young balsa. There’s another cecropia behind and to the right. In short order they can reach a height of 40-50’ but there won’t be much spread.
I don’t think any nursery carries them. Occasionally somebody will ask me to propagate some so they can plant them for the sloths. Some here simply refer to cecropia as the sloth tree.
Peter

[Nick C]

Thanks for the reviews Jabba and pineislander. It was not one I had planned on getting due to its size, an opinion the two you have reinforced. I wonder how Nick C in New Jersey is going to fare with his plants?

Only time will tell. Just moved them indoors for the season.

[W.]

From the sound of it, those Cecropias will be hitting your ceiling before the end of winter.

[Nick C]

I grew this tree from seed probably around February of last year and dug it up at the end of the season to overwinter. Tree was likely around 6 ft mark. Anybody with experience growing cecropia know if this thing will likely flower this season ?

[Jaboticaba45]

It very well could...I have seen trees smaller than that fruit, but they were rooted cuttings.
As for taste, it is a mid fruit, but looks very interesting.
Sweet but weird texture as it's very slimy.
I put a few in a bag and a few hours later they basically turned to water.

[Nick C]

It very well could...I have seen trees smaller than that fruit, but they were rooted cuttings.
As for taste, it is a mid fruit, but looks very interesting.
Sweet but weird texture as it's very slimy.
I put a few in a bag and a few hours later they basically turned to water.

It’d be cool to even just see it flower. When I dug it up last year I chopped it in half so I’m thinking this thing will easily hit the over 10’ mark this season

[Nick C]

No flowers this year but grew pretty big