Agri Leader

Only Barbados cherries will grow in Florida

RODOLFO ROMAN
Published: September 5, 2012

Cherries are a delightful treat. Head on over to any bakery and more than likely a bright red cherry will sit on top of a cake or dessert catching your attention.

But, unfortunately for Floridians, we are unable to grow true cherries, which belong to the rose family and are found in northern parts of the country. They need a chill effect, which isn't found in the Sunshine State.

However, Florida is home to the Barbados cherry, which is not a true cherry, but rich in vitamin C, said home gardening adviser John McLaughlin.

"Both the Barbados cherry and the common sweet and sour cherries are classed as drupes — the former lacks the distinctive taste of the latter," he said.

The Barbados cherry tree, which can grow between 15 to 20 feet, is native to southern Mexico through Central America, northern South America and is also found in the Caribbean.

The tree arrived in Florida thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the late 19th century to assess their suitability for use in the country, McLaughlin said. The tree is found in the central and southern part of Florida. Unlike the true cherries, the Barbados cherry is susceptible to cold damage.

Cherry growth runs roughly from April to early November, and production may vary from 20 to 80 pounds or more per tree.

In Barbados, consumer interest grew for its vitamin C content, which is about 2,000 mg for a ripe fruit.

Barbados cherries are sold in containers and may be purchased at plant nurseries. But a drive to a nearby nursery could be averted because the tree is easy to grow. To grow a Barbados cherry tree, apply minimal tree fertilizer in late spring and fall and prune in early fall to remove dead wood, McLaughlin said.

"The plant is quite easy to propagate from cuttings," he said. "Seeds may not come true and frequently do not germinate," he added.

"It is highly drought tolerant and requires little fertilizer and grows well on poor soil such as Miami-Dade limestone. On soils with a pH of 6.0 or below, incorporate lime to adjust pH to 6.5-7.0.

"Two problems are first root knot nematodes, which can be a problem on more sandy soils, especially the acid sandy soil of Central Florida. Incorporating some organic matter into the soil and mulching can help control the build-up of a large number of root knot nematodes."

"Barbados cherry, apart from being a source of fruit, makes an attractive landscape plant with dense foliage and showy pink flowers," he added.