How to Grow Jaboticaba in the US

Planting

• 1

  Select a planting site that is sheltered from heavy winds and is free of standing water after a rain. Jaboticaba fruits best with at least 6 hours of sun each day and prefers a deep, well drained soil, whether sand or clay. The optimal pH is between 5.5 and 6.5

• 2

  Dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball and break up any heavy clods of dirt. Mix compost with the planting soil at a ratio of 1 part compost to 4 parts soil.

• 3

  Refill the hole halfway with the soil mixture and place the root ball into the hole so that the top of the roots are even with the level of the surrounding soil. Gently loosen the roots on the outside of the root ball and backfill the rest of the soil around the roots. Tamp the soil by hand while backfilling to make sure there are no air pockets against the roots. Water thoroughly.

• 4

  Plant a second tree within 50 feet of the first to ensure good pollination and fruit set.

Care

• 5

  Maintain a layer of mulch over the root zone about 2 to 3 inches deep.

• 6

  Apply a balanced "tree and shrub" fertilizer at half the recommended rate listed on the container once per month.

• 7

  Water the tree whenever the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. Proper irrigation is particularly important when the tree is flowering. Insufficient moisture causes flowers to desiccate and fall off prematurely, ruining the crop. Excessive moisture during flowering promotes a fungal pathogen that causes a "rust" on flowers and fruit -- circular spots that turn from yellow to dark brown and render the fruit inedible.

• 8

  Harvest the fruit when it begins to soften on the tree and the full, dark purple or black color has developed. Fruiting can be at any time of year and can occur up to four times each year, but jaboticaba trees in southern Florida usually fruit twice each year. The timing of fruiting is based more on rainfall patterns than climate. No pruning is needed for fruit production.