Jaboticaba, Brazilian Grape Tree

On May 18, 2014, LJGardens2 from Lake Jackson, TX wrote:

I'm giving this tree a positive at this time, since I've had it growing in local soil now for about two years, with obvious growth showing, but no fruit yet. I'm in zone 9a, south of Houston, Texas. I recently acquired fruit as well, from which I salvaged the seeds and planted. Hoping to report on any success in germinating them soon.

On Dec 4, 2012, memoimyself wrote:

This is mostly in response to AlicePolarbear's questions.

We used to own a ranch in south-eastern Brazil where we had at least 20 large jabuticaba trees (about 12–15 metres tall, whatever that is in feet). The plants were endemic to the region, so I can tell you what their native habitat is like and you can hopefully draw a few useful conclusions.

I should confirm right away that they are indeed very slow growing, even in their native habitat.

Here are some of the characteristics of the native habitat of jabuticabas (less often spelled 'jaboticaba' in Portuguese):
(a) average annual temperatures around 20–22º C; average winter lows around 13º C, with rare extreme lows reaching about 3–5º C; average summer highs around 30ºC, with rare extr... read moreeme highs reaching approx. 35–39º;
(b) *extremely* wet summers with torrential rains between mid-November and mid-March, and then *extremely* dry winters, often without a single drop of rain between late May and early September and relative humidity often between 10 and 20%;
(c) shallow, acidic, often gravelly and mostly infertile soils rich in iron.

Jabuticabas may bloom after a short rainy spell, but to properly set fruit they need abundant water, which means that, if left to their own devices, they will only bear fruit once a year when the summer rains have started in earnest. Some people get their trees to bear more than once, or to set fruit during an unseasonably dry spell, by watering them almost continuously (well, we're talking about a small garden hose for a fairly large tree).

If a tree blooms but then doesn't get enough water, fruit will tend to be less abundant, smaller, less sweet and have thicker skins.

Jabuticaba trees are not normally fertilized in Brazil, but then in over 30 years I never once saw a commercial jabuticaba orchard. They grow in people's backyards and farms, often spontaneously, and when they bear fruit it truly is an 'occasion' that brings families and friends together to gorge themselves on the delicious fruit.

Most Brazilians do not eat the skin, and many people just pop the fruit in their mouths while perched on a tree branch high off the ground and then spit out the skin and stone. The fruit's harmless looking whitish pulp will actually leave permanent purple stains on fabric, and I mean *permanent*.

A single mature tree provides enough for a dozen people to eat until they're blue and for 20–30 jars of jelly. Trees may take 40 years or more to reach their mature size, but often start bearing when they're still fairly small (50 cm tall or so) and only about five years old.

On Feb 27, 2011, AlicePolarbear from Fresno, CA wrote:

Grew one in mid-city Los Angeles. It grows slowly and looks as if it might make a lovely topiary given its small fine-cut leaves, although I left mine to do as it pleased. It took a number of years for my Jabo to grow to about 8-10 feet, and when it finally started to flower and fruit, it really took off. I read somewhere else that skins should not be eaten due to high tannin content. I didn't know that, and just ate them skins and all. The insides, which pop out easily, remind me of lychee. I didn't usually bother spitting out the seeds although more genteel folk might wish to do so.

I just bought one via online nursery for my new home in Fresno, CA. (Central Valley, winters mild enough to grow citrus commercially, summers significantly hotter and drier than conditi... read moreons on mid-city L.A. (humidity apx 10% in Fresno, with avg, July temps around 110F) I would appreciate any tips for growing in these conditions since I 'd like to get it in the ground. (add humidity somehow? Partially shade from the sun? Anything else I ought to know?)

On May 17, 2010, FloridaAthenian from Bradenton, FL wrote:

After weeks of researching I am finally the proud owner of a young Jaboticaba tree. It's a beautiful delicate plant and I can't wait to see it bloom and fruit. I know it's a slow grower that doesn't usually bear fruit until much later and I'm curious as to how I can tell how old my tree is. I bought a 15 gallon one at our local Rare Fruit Tree sale and it's about 5 feet tall.

On Mar 22, 2008, tmccullo from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

I have been wanting one of these trees since I traveled through Brazil and spent time on a ranch in the state of Goiás. They had a tree that was about 10 foot tall and was loaded with fruit. We finally found a 3 foot tree at of all places, Lowes. I have no idea how old the tree is but I can't wait for it to have fruit. I remember how popular the fruit was in Brazil having it in several different fruit drinks.

On Apr 10, 2005, Kameha from Kissimmee, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I love the taste of this fruit. Some compare it to muscadine grapes but I think it is much better. It makes quite an interesting specimen in the landscape due to the fact that it flowers and bears fruit directly on the trunk and branches. It takes 8 or more years for one to fruit but it's worth the wait. Jaboticaba trees have attractive foliage and nice peeling brown bark. It's moderately hardy-mature trees tolerating temperatures as low as 24-27 degrees. Very easy to germinate from seed!

On Dec 30, 2003, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote:

I have grown this plant in So Cal... slow grow, but after 6 years finally produced a few 'grapes'. Wow, are those fruites great. Grapes, growing right off the stems of the bush. Needs more sun than I gave it here. Have seen them produce hundreds of fruits elsewhere in So Cal.