How Our Garden Grows

Acerola blossoms

Barbados Cherry
More commonly called acerola (ah-say-rol-a) in the islands
(Malpighia emarginata )

     Unlike cherries that we typically consume in the US, this fruit tree (or shrub) blooms and fruits at the same time. We're used to seeing a tree full of blossoms, then green fruit, then finally the ripening fruit that is harvested almost entirely at once. These little gems will take about 3 weeks to harvest all of the fruit from one blossom cycle.

     We have 3 of these in pots. We move them onto the lanai when the temps go below 40 because they are very sensitive to the cold weather, even for a short period of time. Our first tree was sent to us by Tony's dad from a nursery in Cabo Rojo. I found a nursery in Miami that also had them, so on one of my many trips to SoFlo for work, I bought 2 more.

     Heavy rainfall induces this tree to bloom (sometimes 4 times in a 12 month period) and it'll bloom for several days, even over 2 weeks. As it's finishing up blossoming, some of the fruit is ripe and ready to eat. The fruit is sweet when fully ripe, but the majority of what you're seeing is 3 seeds that aren't edible. The pulp makes up only about 25% of the visible fruit.

     Another interesting fact about acerolas: this fruit has WAY more Vitamin C than oranges! A 4 ounce navel orange gives you 100% of the USDA's recommended Vitamin C. Acerolas (same 4 ounces, but it would take 15 or so cherries) provides 2800% of the Vit C and less calories and carbs!!

Cherries ready to eat!

More Cherries

More of Thursday's garden findings....

Marigold seedlings (planted 9/15)

Bat Face Cuphea

beach morning glory - not on the beach
but our original plant was taken from our
favorite beach at Playalinda on Cape Canaveral.
It's now spread all around all 3 a/c units and this
group of flowers are on the hill by the meadow!
It's so beautiful when they all open in the morning.