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Related
Species:
Sweet Cherry ( Prunus avium ), Western Sand
Cherry ( P. besseyi ), Myrobalan Plum ( P. cerasifera ), Sour Cherry
( P. cerasus ), European Plum ( P. domestica ), Beach plum ( P.
maritima ), Japanese Plum ( P. salicina ), Nanking Cherry ( P. tomentosa
), Common Chokecherry ( P. virginiana ) and others.
Distant affinity:
Almond ( Amygdalus communis ), Peach ( A.
persica ), Apricot ( Armeniaca vulgaris ), Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica
), Apple ( Malus spp.), Pear ( Pyrus spp.) and others.
Adaptation:
Capulins are adapted to a subtropical to subtemperate
climate. In its native and naturalized areas it is grows naturally
at elevations between 4,000 and 9,000 ft. It is frost tolerant,
withstanding 19° F with some damage to the smaller branches. In
California the tree grows and fruits in many regions of the state.
Capulin cherries are photo period insensitive and do not require
winter chill to bear fruit. The trees are not recommended for containers.
DESCRIPTION
Growth Habits: The semideciduous
tree is erect and somewhat umbrella-shaped with a short, stout trunk
and rough, grayish bark. It is very fast growing and reaches a height
of 10 feet in 12 to 18 months, eventually attaining a height of
30 feet or more. In mild climates the tree does not shed its leaves
in winter. Capulin cherries are quite attractive, both when in bloom
with dangling racemes covered with masses of flowers and after fruit
set when the racemes are thick with green, light red or deep red
ripening fruit.
Foliage: The alternate, aromatic
leaves are about 4-1/2 inches long, slender, with serrated edges.
They are deep glossy green above and pale grayish-green beneath.
New leaves are often rosy.
Flowers: The flowers appear in
early spring and are borne on slender racemes with one or more leaves
at the base. Individual flowers are about 3/4 inch wide with white
petals and a conspicuous tuft of stamens. Cross-pollination is not
required.
Fruit: As many as 15 or 20 fruits
sometimes develop on a raceme, but half or more fall before reaching
maturity. Depending on climate and variety, they ripen from mid-May
to midsummer. Resembling the northern cherry, the fruits are 1/2
to 3/4 inch in diameter and deep glossy maroon to dark purple in
color, with a thin, tender skin. The pale green, firm, juicy flesh
is sweet and agreeable with a touch of astringency similar to wild
cherries in some cases. The pit is rather large in proportion to
the size of the fruit. The trees will produce fruit 2 to 3 years
after planting, and under the right conditions will set more than
one crop per season. For reasons unknown trees with gray bark seem
to produce larger fruit than those with darker bark.
CULTURE
Location: Capulins should be planted in full sun. Stake
young trees carefully to protect from strong winds.
Soil: The trees
are not exacting in their soil requirements and grow well on any
reasonably fertile site. They can thrive in poor ground, even clays,
but seem to prefer dry sandy soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Irrigation:
Capulin cherries are somewhat drought tolerant, but they grow better
and produce better fruit with regular watering, particularly during
the period between flowering and fruiting. Fertilizing: Capulin
cherries respond well to light applications of nitrogen fertilizer
when the blossoms first appear in spring. In reasonably good soils
the trees may need no more than an annual mulch of compost.
Pruning:
The trees need very little pruning to remain productive, although
some pruning is useful to keep them at a desired height and to facilitate
fruit harvest. They will take radical pruning and can be grown as
a fruiting hedge.
Propagation: Capulin cherries are
easily propagated by seed but the fruit quality of seedling trees
is quite variable. Seedling plants are typically used as rootstock
for desired cultivars using tip, wedge or cleft grafts. The plants
can also be propagated from hardwood cuttings for growth on their
own roots.
Pests and Diseases: In California
capulins are relatively free of many of the pests and diseases that
afflict regular cherries and other stonefruit trees. Bacterial gummosis
is an occasional problem, and some varieties are prone to die-back
for unknown reasons. Pests include mites, pear slugs and scale.
Deer will browse on the foliage when the plants are small. Birds
are attracted to the fruit, but are less of a problem than they
are with regular cherries.
Harvest: Like other cherries,
the fruits are ready to harvest when they has developed full color
and yield to gentle pressure. The skin is thin and tender but sufficiently
firm for the fruit to resist bruising. The fruit will keep under
refrigeration for 4 to 6 weeks in an uncovered container. The ripe
fruits can be eaten out of hand or made into jams and preserves,
or even made into wine.
Commercial Potential: Although common in
the markets of Guatemala and the Andean regions, and useful as a
backyard fruit, capulin cherries have yet to achieve any commercial
success in this country. This could change if varieties could be
developed with eating qualities on par with cultivated cherries.
There is some evidence that this is an achievable goal. Ripening
before most major northern cherries, the fruits could fill a marketing
niche.
CULTIVARS
Ecuadorian Very large, round fruit up to 1-1/2 inch in diameter.
Light green, sweetish flesh, free of astringency when ripe. Drooping
tree, outbears many other cultivars.
Fausto Large fruit, 2/3 to 1 inch
in diameter. Flesh green, flavor rich and sweet. Ripens late, August
to September in Vista. Tree upright abut drooping, a reliable annual
bearer. Has good commercial potential.
Harriet Large, flattened globe-shaped
fruit, 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter. Skin deep purple-black. Flesh
green, more or less free of astringency, flavor good. Seed relatively
small, Tree is a genetic dwarf, somewhat of a shy bearer.
Huachi Grande Large to very large,
roundish fruits 1 inch or more in diameter. Very mild flavor, lacking
the astringency of other capulins. Ripens early to midseason. Appears
to require high temperatures to develop best flavor. Tree a very
heavy producer, tends to over produce in heavy clusters.
Lomeli Large, roundish fruit, 1
to 1-1/8 inch in diameter. Flesh fairly astringent, flavor good.
Seed small. Tree a heavy producer, often yielding more than 200 lbs.
of fruit. Bears fruit in clusters. Performs very well in cool coastal
locations.
Werner Small fruit with very good
flavor. Tree a light producer, appears to bear better on certain
rootstocks. Extremely vigorous, can grow 15 ft. or more in one year.
Named for Andrew Werner of Santa Cruz, Calif.
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AVAILABLE FROM:
J.D. Andersen Nursery
Fallbrook, CA
California Tropical Fruit Tree Nursery
Vista, CA
Exotica Nursery Inc.
Vista, CA
Ong Nursery
San Diego, CA
Oregon Exotics
Grants Pass, OR
Pacific Tree Farms
Chula Vista, CA
Papaya Tree Nursery
Granada Hills, CA
Ben Poirier
Fallbrook, CA
Tropical Oasis Farms
Cucamonga, CA
Montoso Gardens
Maricao, Puerto Rico
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