Hi all,

I've recently come across some information online about miracle fruit and its properties (click here for Wiki listing); I have space in my yard for a new tree, but was wondering two things:

Do any of you know where I can obtain some miracle fruit to try it before I decide if I want to cultivate it or not?

Will such a fruit tree grow in an area like Harrisburg, Pennsylvania? We have hot, humid summers (mid 80's & 90's); and cold, snowy, frosty winters (30's & 20's, sometimes teens and rarely single digits, almost never below 0).

I've been trying to find information online about how to order some of the fruit, or how to grow it and under what conditions it will grow, but I guess I'm not very good at Internet research.

Any help would be most appreciated!

Miracle fruit is a true tropical plant. They will not take frost. You can get nice plants here. http://secure.cartsvr.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=4761695&showprevnext=1

Thanks for the prompt reply, Laaz.

It sounds like I'd have to grow it in a very large terrarium (sorry, sorry... ). Realistically, in my area it would have to live in a greenhouse. I unfortunately don't have a greenhouse - if I can grow it indoors in a pot to a 5' tall tree I will do that, but it that feasible?

And does anyone know from where I can purchase the fruit itself - preferably ripe over freeze dried but I'll take what I can to be able to try it out.

Miracle fruit trees grows very slowly. You should have no problem keeping it in the house for winter for many years. Try Ebay for fresh fruit.

I have had my tree for 4 years now & it hasn't grown much at all.

Ah, thank you for the info.

When did yours begin producing fruit, or does the site you linked sell trees that already produce fruit yearly?

Yes Jenes trees are of fruiting age. Those seedlings you see on ebay will probably take many years before they will fruit.

Malcolm Manners is a good person to contact regarding Miracle fruit propagation and info.

Thanks!

Three more questions for you, Laaz, you've been a huge help - I found Malcolm's profile on the forum and in a google search found some additional information.

About how tall (and how wide in diameter) is your tree now?

Is it potted indoors or do you keep it outside?

About how much fruit did it produce in its first year after you purchased it?

My tree is about 3 ft tall. It goes in the garage when we drop below freezing. First year it produces about 100 fruit this year I got about 20 total. I am repotting it in the spring in a larger pot & new soil.

I don't know what you plan on doing with the fruit, but they are an oddity at best. They make sour food sweet, but make sweet food super sweet to the point of unbearable. Try drinking a soda or beer after eating one...

I agree with Laaz. A really cool plant where the "cool" wears off after a while. Once your family and friends try it and there's no one left to "WOW!" with them, it's sort of anti-climatic. Of course you could eat some of the fruit and then grab some fresh lemons and make sugar-free lemonade! Nothing like mainlining vitamin C!

Valydius, Logee's sells them in a 2-1/2 inch pot for $19.95. The plant sounds real cool. I've never had the pleasure to experience it. It might be a nice thing for a diabetic.

Theresa