Cherry of Rio Grande is a delicious subtropical fruit with a sweet, cherry-like flavor. The fruit is oblong to obovate, 3/4 to 1 inch long, with a persistent calyx at the apex. The skin is thin and dark red or purple in color. The juicy flesh has a good, subacid flavor. It contains none or 1 to 2 white, rounded seeds, about 1/4 inch in diameter. The fruit matures in April to June, about 3 weeks after the flowers open. Fruiting may occur in the second year after planting under favorable conditions but it often takes longer.
In the spring the cherry of the Rio Grande is one of our early flowering tropical fruits and often blossoms in the first part of March. The flowering season extends over several months, and in some years flowers are still being produced in the early part of May.
Benefits:
Studies have demonstrated that the fruit has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Other members of the Eugenia genus contain high amounts of vitamins A and C, B-complex vitamins, as well as a small amount of iron, magnesium and potassium. The fruit is eaten fresh and made into jellies, jams or juices. The fruits also freeze quite well, so they can be picked at maturity and frozen for later use.
Sunlight:
Cherry Blossom Trees need lots of sunlight and soil that is rich and fertile, check the growing zone recommended for Flowering of Cherry. Experts suggest choosing a spot in the garden or yard that provides at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering:
Once established, cherry trees shouldn’t generally need watering, except during long dry spells or in the early stages of fruit development. Newly planted trees should be watered regularly for at least the first year. Plants in containers dry out much more quickly than those growing in the ground.
Soil:
Cherry trees grow best in deep (at least 4 feet), well-drained loam soils. They will tolerate less desirable soil, but may do poorly on excessively sandy, heavy or wet soils.
Fertilizer:
Cherry trees are light feeders and prefer a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 .Use a fertilizer that’s low in nitrogen late in the winter or in the early spring. About a month before your trees flower is the best time to fertilize.