Surinam (pitanga) Cherry Tropical Live Plants

The Surinam cherry is a bush or small tree to 25ft in height. Plants can be trained as small bushes or hedge but can take on a more tree-like growth pattern. Flowering may occur several times a year, with a single moderate sized tree having thousands of flowers. Fruiting is generally profuse with hundreds or thousands of fruits per cycle and trees sometimes fruiting 2-3 times a year.
The Surinam Cherry is a sub-tropical evergreen featuring striking red flaking bark, with small, glossy, firm, dark green ovate leaves formed in pairs. New leaves will be copper colored. In spring, it may bear small, fragrant, white flowers followed by red, edible fruit that are up to 2 cm in diameter. The taste of the Surinam Cherry ranges from sweet to sour; depending on the level of ripeness
Hardiness
It is adapted to both subtropical and tropical climates and is hardy to 22F when full grown.
Growing Environment
bannerPlants like full sun and are drought tolerant, needing only moderate rainfall. Fruits develop and ripen in just 3-4 weeks from flowering. In subtropical and tropical climates the tree needs little care and seems to grow in most soil types. Irrigation is necessary in areas with minimal or seasonal rainfall.
Propagation
Almost always by seed, little attention is given to selection of superior varieties. Red type and black type forms usually come true to seed.
Uses
Eaten fresh, often with sugar, or processed into preserves.
Temperature:
The Surinam Cherry can be successfully be grown indoors as well. In summer, Eugenia likes the heat, while it prefers winter temperatures between 46-68F. It needs to be indoors in winter temps drop below 30 degrees. Eugenia does not like draughts or a lot of variation in temperature and will drop its leaves under such conditions.
Lighting:
Place your Surinam Cherry in Full sun to part shade. This Bonsai appreciates a bright position, but can tolerate lower light conditions if necessary. If placed outdoors in summer, it can usually tolerate full sun, although partial shade is recommended in the hottest areas.
Watering:
Water your Surinam Cherry generously in summer, and less in winter. This Bonsai does not like variations in watering, preferring consistently slight moisture to being soaked and allowed to dry out as it will tend to drop leaves if the soil dries. Eugenia needs humidity, so misting and keeping your Bonsai on a humidity tray can be beneficial; to do this, keep your Bonsai pots elevated on pebbles ensuring that the roots do not sit in water which will prevent root rot while offering increased humidity. Use distilled/rain water if your water is hard, as Eugenia does not tolerate salt.