The plant I ship is about 7-12in tall. Pre-bonsai

Description

A bushy shrub up to 20ft. Acerola's often form small multi-trunked trees. Trees without adequate pollination can set seedless fruit. Flowers usually appear after periods of rainfall or irrigation. Flowering may occur any time during the year (depending on local rainfall and climate patterns), and can last year-round. After flower set, fruit soon follows and will ripen in just 3-4 weeks. Fruits lose their flavor and nutritional content very rapidly upon harvest. Ripe acerola's should be picked and eaten within a few hours to preserve taste. As a result, the tree is not cultivated for commercial production of fresh fruits.

There is some confusion regarding the botanical name, with the name M. glabra often used for the acerola. There is a closely related species, the true M. glabra, having smaller fruits and larger leaves. The common acerola, with its larger fruits is generally classified as M. punicifolia.

Hardiness

Plants can stand temperatures down to 28F and possibly a bit lower.

Growing Environment

Acerola's prefer to grow in warm to hot climates, with temperatures reaching 85-90F. Trees grow well in slightly acidic soil. Trees often require little or no care. Will take long periods of drought once established. They also make good container specimens.

Propagation

Often by seeds which unfortunately can have low germination rates.

Germination Info

Seeds are generally very slow and difficult to germinate, usually requiring from 6 to 12 months at minimum. Seeds should be kept in moderately moist soil at 70-85F. Plant seeds at 1/4-1/2" deep. Do not overwater. Use well-drained soil. Germination rates widely vary and germination is sporadic.

Uses

Eaten fresh or juiced for drinks. Commonly used in parts of South America to flavor ice creams, drinks, and cocktails. Acerola's are used in many commercial vitamins and nutritional products, mainly for their vitamin C content

 

Acerola also contains vitamin A and various B vitamins, including B1, B2, B5 and B6. The fruit contains minerals: calcium, magnesium and potassium, but also antioxidant molecules such as polyphenols, and more particularly flavonoids, including quercetin. Carotenoids and anthocyanins, other molecules with antioxidant properties, reinforce the beneficial effects of acerola.

 

Thanks to these molecules and in particular to its high vitamin C content, acerola is an excellent ally against fatigue. This fruit with antioxidant and anti-ageing properties boosts the body's natural defences and stimulates the immune system.

The benefits

Acerola contributes to a normal energy metabolism and helps the immune system to function properly. The vitamin C contained in this fruit helps to reduce fatigue.

 

Furthermore, acerola contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system to ensure normal psychological functions.

 

Acerola also plays a role in the normal formation of collagen to ensure the normal functioning of bones, cartilage, teeth, gums, skin and blood vessels. In addition, acerola promotes the absorption of iron.

Pictures depict grown up plants and its possible applications.

Height of the plants is measured from the base of the root ball.

Fertilizer that I include as an option is an excellent choice for professional growers or nurseries if you grow plant in a pot. I personally use it for all my plants. It has polymer coating to allow slow release during 8-9 months evenly. You don't have to worry about repotting the plant for about 1 year or worry about burning plant with your regular over the counter fertilizer. You need about 3-4oz per 3 gal pot or 4-5oz per 5 gal pot.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS 

Total Nitrogen (N)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15%

8.0% Ammoniacal Nitrogen

7.0% Nitrate Nitrogen

Available Phosphate (P2O5)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9%

Soluble Potash (K2O)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12%

Magnesium (Mg)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3%

0.8% Water Soluble Magnesium (Mg)

Sulfur (S)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.9%

5.93% Combined Sulfur (S)

Boron (B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.02%

Copper (Cu). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.05%

0.05% Water Soluble Copper (Cu)

Iron (Fe)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.46%

0.08% Water Soluble Iron (Fe)

0.005% Chelated Iron (Fe)

Manganese (Mn)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.06%

0.05% Water Soluble Manganese (Mn)

Molybdenum (Mo)**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.02%

Zinc (Zn). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.05%

0.017% Water Soluble Zinc (Zn)

Derived from: Polymer-Coated: Ammonium Nitrate,

Ammonium Phosphate, Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium

Sulfate, Sodium Borate, Iron Phosphate, Iron EDTA,

Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Molybdate, Zinc Sulfate;

Copper Sulfate, Zinc Oxide