The Miracle Fruit plant

[John in Andalucia]

Does anyone have any germination experience to share about this plant? I have just boxed up 100 fresh seeds in my usual palm seed germination boxes, and would like to hear if anyone has grown these from seed, or has any cultivation tips.

[gcyao]

  John in Andalucia said:

Does anyone have any germination experience to share about this plant? I have just boxed up 100 fresh seeds in my usual palm seed germination boxes, and would like to hear if anyone has grown these from seed, or has any cultivation tips.

John,

The seeds germinate easily when fresh. They have a very short viability. Where did you get your seeds? Were they packed moist?

Birds love to eat the berries, which, if not protected, are soon gone when ripe. Then I find seedlings volunteering everywhere. They are suppose to prefer acidic soil, but they do well enough in my sand and cocopeat mix. They grow best in bright shade, though they can tolerate some sun, as well as deep shade. They get iron-chlorosis easily and supplemental iron helps.

[John in Andalucia]

  gcyao said:

  John in Andalucia said:

Does anyone have any germination experience to share about this plant? I have just boxed up 100 fresh seeds in my usual palm seed germination boxes, and would like to hear if anyone has grown these from seed, or has any cultivation tips.

John,

The seeds germinate easily when fresh. They have a very short viability. Where did you get your seeds? Were they packed moist?

Birds love to eat the berries, which, if not protected, are soon gone when ripe. Then I find seedlings volunteering everywhere. They are suppose to prefer acidic soil, but they do well enough in my sand and cocopeat mix. They grow best in bright shade, though they can tolerate some sun, as well as deep shade. They get iron-chlorosis easily and supplemental iron helps.

Hi George,

I bought them from a lady on eBay in Sarawak. They arrived in moist cotton wool and zip-lock bags. Is it preferable to remove the seed from the thin shell? The seeds pop out easily and are very green, and soft enough to "bend", so I'm quite happy so far. Any ideas on germination time? I read that the germination rate is as low as 25% and that a dusting of root hormone can increase this.

[Laaz]

They should come up almost 100% if fresh. They are also prone to damping off if kept too wet when young.

[John in Andalucia]

  Laaz said:

They should come up almost 100% if fresh. They are also prone to damping off if kept too wet when young.

That's encouraging to hear, thanks. I'll post back here with some photos when they start sprouting. Looking at the type of seed they are, I shouldn't be surprised if they start to germinate within a week to 10 days.

[Central Floridave]

I've got a couple miracle fruit plants. My biggest is around 6 feet high. Everytime I eat a fruit I spit the seed in a community pot. They germinate very easy during the summer. They like shade and acidic soil. Very slow growers. Not cold tolerant, but mine have seen the lower 30s (F) with no damage in a very protected SE corner of my house. They like a lot of water but seem to be fairly drought tolerant. Heavy mulch and I occasionally use acidic formula fertilizer.

[Al in Kona]

I only have one plant of the Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) growing in the garden in a mostly sunny situation. Many seedlings are growing up under and around this plant from seeds that have fallen. This plant is a very slow grower. About a year ago I trimmed it back some and now it stands at about 1m (3ft.+). The small bright red fruit appear sporatically from time to time.

Try this out: Cut a lime or lemon in several pieces, first tasting one piece just to see how sour it is. Wait a few minutes or rinse mouth to nuetralize the lemon taste. Next place one or two red ripe Miraclle fruit in mouth eating the fruit but not the seed (make sure it covers all areas of your tongue). Now you are ready to eat the remainder of the lime/lemon. The miracle is that now that sour lime tastes like a very sweet orange!

Here's our Miracle fruit plant . . .

[Peter]

Al, after reading about the Miracle Fruit for years I finally got the chance to try one this past weekend at Cagary's place. I had a berry, then tried a lemon, tomato, kiwi and a tangerine and they were all fantastic. The lemon was sugary,sweet, with just a hint of tartness; the tangerine was sublime, as was the kiwi, and the tomato had an intense, tomatoey flavor with no acid. As I was eating them, my friend was googling and discovered that if you drink a stout beer, such as Guiness, it tastes like a chocolate milkshake, and cheese tastes like frosting. Very cool.

[ariscott]

Which reminds me.... I'd better plant mine in the ground this year....

Regards, Ari

[John in Andalucia]

Some interesting stories, thanks everyone. They're beginning to feel like magic beans!

[John in Andalucia]

A quick update, to say that some of the seeds are germinating now after just six days. Photos will be added here when they have a leaf or two.

[Central Floridave]

close up photo of the fruit

[www.dadluvsu.com]

After reading, on Central Floridave's recommendation, "The Fruit Hunters" I have been aching to get my hands on seed or fruiting plant...

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Bill,

If you wanna get your hands dirty, I know where some seedlings are. Maybe fruit too.

Jerry

[palmmermaid]

They have a really nice one at the Fruit and Spice Park. If you try the fruit, you can keep the seed!

[John in Andalucia]

Well I've germinated all I'm going to get. 34 out of 100. There should have been more, but I threw them all in one box - as per my palm seeds. Not a good idea. Fungal attack is fast, and Synsepalum dulcificum can rot quicker than you know. The seed is like a pea or bean, and very tender. I removed all mine from their thin endocarp shells so as to treat them to a fungicide dip after they began to succumb. I now have them potted up, and they are starting to sprout after just 2 weeks.