Pitangatuba ‘Big Elongated Fruit’ Star Cherry Live Plant – Eugenia Selloi Seedling 3-6” Tall

Overview

Bring the exotic beauty and delicious flavor of the pitangatuba live plant to your home garden. This remarkable seedling, scientifically known as Eugenia selloi, is often referred to as the Star Cherry or Pitangatuba, renowned for its distinctive and highly sought-after ‘Big Elongated Fruit’. Originating from the rich biodiversity of tropical regions, this plant offers not only an attractive evergreen foliage but also aromatic, succulent fruits. Ideal for those looking to expand their edible landscape, this particular variety stands out with its impressive fruit size, reaching up to 7cm long and 5cm wide, making it a truly special addition for fruit enthusiasts and collectors alike. Cultivating a pitangatuba live plant means investing in a long-term source of unique, flavorful produce.

Our eugenia selloi plant is a seedling, offering you the joy of watching it mature from a young starter plant into a fruit-bearing tree. While initially slow-growing, it has a charming tendency to flower quickly, with some plants producing blooms when barely a foot tall. The lush, dark green, leathery, and more rounded leaves contribute to its ornamental appeal, even before it begins to fruit. This plant is a fantastic choice for gardeners in suitable climates who appreciate both the aesthetic and edible qualities of tropical fruit trees.

The fruit of the star cherry fruit tree is a true delight, characterized by its thin skin and thick, fleshy pulp. It boasts a very pleasant, acidic flavor that is perfect for eating raw or transforming into juices, sherbets, and jellies. Grown organically, this seedling is ready to thrive in your garden and provide a bountiful harvest in just a few years. Experience the satisfaction of nurturing this unique tropical gem and enjoying its exquisite produce.

Key Benefits

The pitangatuba live plant offers a multitude of benefits for the discerning gardener, combining ornamental beauty with delightful edible fruits. Its unique characteristics make it a standout choice for tropical and subtropical landscapes.

• Ornamental Appeal: The eugenia selloi plant features attractive evergreen foliage with dark green, leathery, rounded leaves. Its delicate flowers add to its visual charm, making it a beautiful addition to any garden or patio, even when not fruiting.
• Delicious & Unique Fruit: This specific ‘Big Elongated Fruit’ variety produces aromatic, succulent fruits up to 7cm long. The thin-skinned fruit has a thick, fleshy pulp with a pleasant, acidic flavor, perfect for fresh consumption or culinary creations.
• Versatile Culinary Uses: The fruits from this star cherry fruit tree are highly versatile. Enjoy them fresh, or use them to make flavorful juices, refreshing sherbets, and delectable jellies, adding a tropical twist to your recipes.
• Early Fruiting Potential: Despite its slow growth rate, the Pitangatuba is known for flowering quickly, with 2-3 year old plants potentially flowering when quite small. This means you could enjoy fruit sooner than with many other fruit trees.
• Adaptable Sun Exposure: This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, offering flexibility in choosing its planting location. Young plants particularly benefit from some protection from intense afternoon sun, supporting healthy growth.
• Moderate Hardiness: Suitable for USDA Zone 9 and above, this tropical fruit tree can be grown outdoors in warmer climates, providing a resilient and rewarding gardening experience for those in appropriate zones.
• Organic Growth: This plant is grown organically, ensuring you receive a healthy start for your garden that is free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This commitment to natural cultivation supports overall plant vitality and ecological balance.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your pitangatuba live plant is a rewarding experience, leading to beautiful foliage and delicious fruit. Understanding its specific needs will ensure a healthy and productive tree. For optimal growth, ensure it receives adequate sunlight. The Pitangatuba prefers full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, especially for young plants, providing some afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch and stress. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best fruit production. When establishing your plant, gradually acclimate it to direct sun exposure if it has been in a shaded environment.

Watering is crucial for the eugenia selloi plant, especially during its establishment phase. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Good drainage is paramount to prevent root rot. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In containers, ensure pots have drainage holes. For outdoor planting, consider amending heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. The ideal soil for this star cherry fruit tree is well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral in pH.

The Pitangatuba is hardy in USDA Zone 9 and above, meaning it can tolerate temperatures down to about 20-30°F (-6 to -1°C) once established. Young plants are more vulnerable to cold and should be protected if temperatures are expected to drop below 40°F (5°C). Fertilize your tropical fruit tree with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for fruit trees during the growing season (spring and summer). Follow the product instructions for application rates. Watch out for common pests like aphids or scale; treat promptly with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap if detected. With proper care, your ‘Big Elongated Fruit’ Pitangatuba will flourish and reward you with its unique produce.

Size & Details

You are purchasing one pitangatuba live plant seedling, typically 3-6 inches tall (pot height not included) when shipped. This young eugenia selloi plant comes in a 2.5-inch square pot, providing a healthy root system ready for transplanting. While young, this particular variety, known for its ‘Big Elongated Fruit’, offers significant growth potential.

Mature plants can reach a height of 5-10 feet (1.5-3 meters), forming a beautiful, evergreen tree suitable for gardens or large containers. The growth rate is generally slow, but the plant is known for its ability to flower quickly, with fruiting often beginning within 2-3 years. This star cherry fruit tree is an excellent long-term investment for those seeking a unique and rewarding edible plant. It is grown organically, ensuring a robust and naturally healthy start for your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Pitangatuba plant get? A: This pitangatuba live plant seedling is 3-6 inches tall upon arrival. Mature trees can reach a height of 5-10 feet (1.5-3 meters) in suitable conditions, making it a medium-sized fruit tree suitable for many garden spaces.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The eugenia selloi plant you receive will be shipped in a 2.5-inch square pot, providing a secure and healthy environment for its root system during transit and initial growth.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Pitangatuba is primarily an outdoor plant, hardy in USDA Zone 9 and above. In colder climates, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during winter, treating it as a tropical fruit tree that needs protection from frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This star cherry fruit tree thrives in full sun to partial shade. For best fruit production, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Young plants benefit from some protection from intense afternoon sun to prevent stress.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: While not extremely difficult, the Pitangatuba does require consistent care, especially regarding watering and cold protection. It can be a good choice for beginners who are willing to learn about tropical fruit tree care and live in an appropriate climate.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your big elongated fruit pitangatuba seedling will arrive as a healthy, well-rooted starter plant in its nursery pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safety during shipping. We recommend unpacking and watering it promptly upon arrival.
• Q: How long until it fruits? A: This specific variety of tropical fruit tree is known for flowering quickly. You can typically expect your plant to start producing fruit within 2-3 years after planting, given optimal growing conditions.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this plant can tolerate? A: The Pitangatuba is hardy in USDA Zone 9, meaning established plants can tolerate temperatures down to about 20-30°F (-6 to -1°C). Young plants, however, are more sensitive and should be protected from temperatures below 40°F (5°C).
• Q: Can I use the fruit in cooking? A: Absolutely! The aromatic and acidic fruit of the eugenia selloi plant is excellent for eating fresh, making juices, sherbets, and jellies. Its unique flavor adds a delightful tropical touch to various culinary creations.
• Q: Will the plant I receive be identical to the parent tree? A: As this is a seedling grown from seed, it will not be genetically identical to the parent tree. However, it is from the ‘Big Elongated Fruit’ variety, and will produce similar characteristics and fruit quality.