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Related
Species:
Water Apple (Syzygium aqueum), Blue Lilly
Pilly (S. coolminianum), Water berry (S. cordatum), Jambolan, Java
Plum (S. cumini), Water Pear (S. guineense), Malay Apple (S. malaccense),
Java Apple (S. samarangense).
Distant affinity:
Eugenias (Eugenia spp.), Guavas (Psidium spp.),
Jaboticaba (Myrciaria spp.).
Adaptation:
Rose apples flourish in tropical or near-tropical
climates, but the tree is proving to be hardy enough (to about 25°F)
to be grown as an ornamental as far north in California as San Francisco.
A beautiful specimen is thriving in the rather cold, windy rare
fruit section of Quail Gardens in Encinitas. The rose apple is too
large to make a suitable container plant.
DESCRIPTION
Growth Habit: The rose apple is
a highly decorative evergreen large shrub or small tree growing
to about 20 feet with low spreading branches and pale-brown bark.
It is wide spreading and often will be wider than its height.
Foliage: The lanceolate leaves
are 4 to 9 inches in length by 2 inches wide, shiny and pink when
they first emerge, fading to pale green. When mature they are slightly
leathery and dark green. They are narrow and elliptic in shape and
gradually taper to a point. The foliage is produced in a dense,
luxuriant mass that hides all branches from view.
Flowers: Rose apple flowers are
large and showy, white to pale cream and sweetly scented. They are
2 - 4 inches wide and consist mostly of about 300 conspicuous stamens
to 1-1/3 inches long. There are usually 4 or 5 flowers together
in terminal clusters. The flowers are a rich source of nectar for
honeybees.
Fruit: The fruits are 1 - 2 inches
wide, almost round or a little longer than wide. When ripe they
may be greenish or dull-yellow flushed with pink. The skin is smooth
and thin, and the firm flesh yellowish, sweet and rose scente. The
texture is crisp, almost crunchy when the fruit is ripe and freshly
picked. They contains one to four medium hard, round seeds, which
rattle around inside the fruit. The seed as well as the roots are
regarded as poisonous. Seedless, thick-fleshed fruits have been
experimentally produced by treating opened flowers with growth regulators
such as naphthoxy acetic acid.
CULTURE
Location: The rose apple needs
a warm, sunny location that is not subject to significant frosts.
It should also be kept in mind that the tree will occupy considerable
space. The tree is moderately resistant to winds and tolerates cool,
coastal conditions.
Soils: A deep, loamy, well-drained
soil is best for the rose apple, but it also flourishes on sand
and limestone with very little organic matter. In India it grows
along streams. It is a favorite dooryard tree in the Peruvian part
of the Amazon, where the trees are planted high enough to avoid
the frequent floods.
Irrigation: The tree will
tolerate semi-arid conditions, but prolonged dry spell are detrimental.
It should have frequent irrigation when the weather is warm, and
kept on the dry side when it's cold.
Fertilization: The rose apple's
needs are unknown. If planted in a deep loamy soil it will thrive
with very little other requirements. In less fertile soils a light
semi-annual feeding of a balanced fertilizer, such as 6-6-6 NPK
may be in order.
Pruning: Pruning of rose apples is not usually
necessary. In some countries it is pruned drastically to promote
dense growth and used as hedgerows around coffee plantations. Frost
Protection: The rose apple will take several degrees of frost but
does best when planted in a protected spot on the south side of
a wall or building. Young plants can be given overhead protection
and covered when significant frosts are expected.
Propagation: Most rose apple trees
are grown from seed. The seeds are polyembryonic and produce one
to three sprouts, but seedlings are not uniform and there is considerable
variation in fruit quality. The poorer fruits are dry and tasteless.
Various vegetative propagation methods have been satisfactory. Treated
semi-hardwood cuttings were moderately successful, while air-layering
and veneer grafting of spring-flush scions have been successful
to a greater degree. Fruiting takes about four years.
Pests and diseases: The rose apple
has very few serious diseases and insect problems, although in humid
climates the leaves are subject to a sooty mold from aphid excretions.
Root rot caused by Fusarium spp., and mushroom root rot (Armillariella
tabescens) can attack the tree.
Harvest: Rose apples bruise quite
easily and are highly perishable. They must be freshly picked to
be crisp. The fruit is only moderately interesting eaten out-of-hand,
and is more often used in jellies and jams or preserved in combination
with other fruits of more pronounced flavor. It is also cooked with
sugar to make a dessert. When cooked with custards or puddings,
they impart a rose flavor. The flowers can also be candied.
CULTIVARS
Insufficient tests have been made with strains from the
West Indies, Mexico, and Guiana to tell if there are any significant
differences. There are no known varieties. |
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AVAILABLE FROM:
Alan’s Tropical Fruit Trees
Largo, FL
J.D. Andersen Nursery
Fallbrook, CA
Atkins Nursery, Inc.
Fallbrook, CA
California Tropical Fruit Tree Nursery
Vista, CA
Exotica Nursery Inc.
Vista, CA
Jene’s Tropicals
St Petersburg, FL
Laguna Hills Nursery
El Toro, CA
Roger & Shirley Meyer
Fountain Valley, 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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