Everything You Need to Know About a Cherry Bush
Throughout this article we will examine the Surinam Cherry bush, which is also frequently referred to as a Brazilian Cherry, Cayenne Cherry, Florida Cherry, or Pitanga. Regardless of which name is being used, they are all referring to the same cherry bush. This plant is frequently found throughout Florida, especially near the Keys and produces edible fruit that can range from relatively tart to fairly sweet.
This gorgeous bush is classified as Eugenia uniflora. They vary in size and can be relatively small up to over twenty-five feet in height. However, most are typically around five feet in height when trimmed regularly. In terms of exposure to sun, this bush does best in full sunlight or in partially in the shade. Any Surinam cherry bush blooms white developing in the late winter to mid spring. During the winter the leaves turn into a red color, making it a beautiful addition to the winter holiday decorations.
There are two different types of these bushes, one of which produces bright red and more tart “cherries” while the other is known from the production of dark red (black) sweeter fruits. This plant is great for those in a variety or regions due to its adaptability, being able to grow in almost any type of soil. Any area with extended periods of dry seasons should also be able to successfully grow this plant with irrigation. However, tropical and subtropical areas are able to yield this plant without much extra care.
During the first few years of this plants life you are not likely to see fruit development. However, somewhere between two to five years later the cherry bush will start producing the infamous fruits. Most of the fruits are ripe after three short weeks with a size near one inch in diameter. Be sure to only remove the fruit when they fall off with a gentle touch or you will not be satisfied with the results. Furthermore, when producing fruit, the bush may need to be picked up to two times a day.
There are a variety of ways to use the fruit produced by the cherry bush. Not only are these “cherries” able to be eaten as is, they can also be made into preserves or consumed with sugar added. Be sure to include them when you create your next fruit salad. Furthermore, there are recipes available to crate a Surinam cherry pie, upside down cake, jelly, and much more. Believe it or not, some people recommend using these cherries to create ice cubes by adding water, molasses, and sugar. Add these cubes to your next fruity drink. You should be creative and include these fruits in a variety of dishes to see the results. Whatever you do, be sure to remove the seeds first.
However, it is important to note that this plant may attract everything from bees to birds. Furthermore, it is frequently invasive and has a tendency to spread like a weed when animals grab the cherries and seeds and drop them in other areas. It is recommended that these fruits should not be fed to your pets because of diarrhea often induced by the fruit. Furthermore, the seeds are not suggested for consumption.
Not only is the bush a great addition to your next family meal, but also it proves to be beautiful next to any house. Once the plant is mature and begins producing fruit, the cherries should be ripe within three to four weeks and ready for picking. Again, it may be necessary for you to pick the cherries up to twice in one day. All in all, this bush is a great addition to any household.