Grow Your Own Barbados Cherry Tree

Enjoy the taste of homegrown cherries with our Barbados Cherry Tree! This live plant, also known as Acerola Cherry, is perfect for planting outdoors and offers a rewarding fruit-bearing experience. Imagine harvesting your own sweet cherries right from your backyard.

The Acerola Cherry plant flourishes in rich, well-draining soil, ideally slightly acidic or neutral. For optimal growth, planting requires soil rich in organic matter. Ensure your cherry tree receives about 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, although it can tolerate partial shade. During the first two years, water the plant thoroughly. After that, it becomes drought-tolerant.

To maximize fruit yield, fertilize your cherry tree twice a year for the first two years, then annually thereafter with an organic fertilizer. Prune the tree after harvesting in the fall to maintain its desired shape and remove any matured, yellow foliage. Remember to wear gloves during harvest, as the leaves and stems of young trees may have fuzz that can irritate the skin. The Barbados Cherry Tree produces about 47-50 kg of fruit per year when mature.

Benefits of Growing a Barbados Cherry Tree:

• Perfect fruit tree for a small yard.
• High-yielding fruit plant even from a young age.
• The red, tart Barbados cherry has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How big will the Barbados Cherry tree get? A mature tree can reach a height of 8-10 feet, making it ideal for smaller gardens.
2. What kind of soil is best for the Barbados Cherry plant? A rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter is ideal. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH.
3. How often should I water my new cherry tree? Water thoroughly during the first two years, especially during dry periods. After that, watering is less frequent as it becomes drought-tolerant.
4. When is the best time to plant a Barbados Cherry tree? The best time to plant is in the spring or fall, avoiding extreme temperatures.
5. How long does it take for a Barbados Cherry tree to produce fruit? You can expect fruit production from a juvenile stage, typically within 1-2 years after planting.