Brush cherries -
Eugenia sp. or Syzygium sp.
General information: Eugenia is a large group
of plants, some native and some non-native, including
evergreen trees and shrubs, some of which have been
reclassified to the genus Syzygium. The evergreen leaves
are firm and glossy, and the flowers white. It is the
dried buds of Eugenia aromatica (Syzygium aromaticum)
which become the
fragrant "herb" cloves. The flowers are followed by the
production of berries, some types of which are edible.
All these traits - the attractive foliage, flowers, and
berries - help make Eugenia a popular landscape choice
in warm climate areas, such as California, Florida, and
Hawaii. Eugenia confusa (Ironwood, Red Stopper) is
native to Florida and grows to about 35 feet and is well
suited for street tree and parking lot planting. Eugenia
foetida (Spanish Stopper) is also native and grows to
about 15 feet tall.
A sub-tropical evergreen, with dark green ovate leaves
formed in pairs. In spring, may bear small white flowers
followed by red, edible fruit. With the exception of
jaboticaba, Eugenia species have red, flaking bark.
Surinam cherry is used extensively as a hedge plant in
the Southern US.
Family: Myrtaceae
Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Appreciates
a bright position, about 1500 Lux, but can tolerate low
light. If placed outdoors in summer, can usually
tolerate full sun, although partial shade is recommended
in the hottest areas.
Temperature: Never below 30F. Generally hardy
in zones 10B and 11, otherwise can sucessfully be grown
indoors. In summer, Eugenia likes the heat, while it
prefers winter temperatures between 46-68F. Eugenia does
not like draughts or a lot of variation in temperature.
Watering: Generously in summer, less in winter.
Surinam cherry does not like variations in watering,
preferring a consistantly slight moisture to being
soaked and allowed to dry out. Lesniewicz recommends
that Australian Brush cherry dry a little between
waterings, but some posts testify that it will drop
leaves if the soil dries. Eugenia needs humidity, so
misting can be beneficial. Use distilled/rain water if
your water is hard, as Eugenia does not tolerate salt.
Feeding: Every 2 weeks during heavy growth,
and every 4-5 in winter. Eugenia likes a slightly acid
soil, so the occasional use of Miracid is recommended.
Pruning and wiring: Can be pruned back hard,
as it is a vigorous grower. Shorten new shoots with 6-8
pairs of leaves to 1-2 pairs. Can be wired while in
active growth, but better shaping results are achieved
with pruning. Protect the branches, as they scar easily.
Leaf pruning can be done in summer on strong plants, but
is not generally advised, as better leaf reduction
results from timely pruning, and this plant has
relatively small leaves in the first place. It is
suitable for all styles, and for all but the largest
sizes.
Propagation: By cuttings in summer, seeds in
fall, air-layering.
Repotting: Every two years in early to
mid-spring. Bottom heat helps to encourage root growth.
Use basic bonsai soil, or an acid mix like azalea soil.
Will withstand vigorous root pruning: jaboticaba can
take up to 2/3 root loss, and while I would not
recommend the following as a normal practice, up to 90%
root removal has been performed sucessfully on Surinam
cherry!
Pests and diseases: Pests: Scale, mealy bug,
Caribbean fruit fly, aphids, red spider. Psyllids limit
the tree's usefulness in parts of California.
Diseases: No diseases are of major concern.
May drop leaves if watering is inconsistent. Not salt
tolerant.
|
