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Jaboticaba Sabara

Jaboticaba Sabara

$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
Jaboticaba Sabara Tree Information
  • Taste
    • The Jaboticaba Sabara fruit is renowned for its unique flavor, often compared to a Muscadine grape with a sweet, slightly acidic, and faintly spicy profile.
    • It features a juicy, gelatinous, whitish pulp that encases 1-4 seeds, offering a refreshing taste that intensifies as the fruit ripens, sometimes with a subtle resinous undertone.
    • The tough, purplish-black skin is edible but astringent due to high tannin content, so many prefer to squeeze out the pulp and discard the skin and seeds.
  • Best Growing Environment
    • This tree thrives in warm, humid, tropical to subtropical climates, ideally suited to regions mimicking its native Brazilian habitat, such as Minas Gerais and São Paulo.
    • It prefers rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) high in organic matter, though it adapts to a variety of soil types, including sandy or loamy conditions, if properly tended.
    • Protection from strong winds and salt exposure is crucial, as it is not tolerant of salty air or soils, making inland or sheltered locations optimal.
  • Botanical Name
    • The botanical name for the Jaboticaba Sabara is Plinia cauliflora (syn. Myrciaria cauliflora), placing it in the Myrtaceae family alongside guavas and eugenias.
    • The "Sabara" designation refers to a popular cultivar known for its prolific fruiting and slightly faster growth compared to other jaboticaba varieties.
  • Common Names
    • Known widely as Jaboticaba or Jabuticaba in Brazil, it also carries regional names like Guaperu, Guapuru, Hivapuru, and Ybapuru.
    • In English-speaking areas, it’s sometimes called the Brazilian Grape Tree due to its grape-like fruit and cauliflorous growth habit.
  • Average Height
    • In its natural environment or when planted in the ground, the Jaboticaba Sabara typically reaches 10-25 feet (3-7.6 meters) tall, with a dense, rounded canopy that can spread as wide as it is high.
    • When grown in containers, it remains more compact, often staying under 10 feet (3 meters), making it suitable for patios or indoor cultivation in cooler climates.
  • Growth Rate
    • The tree is notoriously slow-growing, with seedlings taking 6-15 years to bear fruit depending on conditions and propagation method, though grafted Sabara plants may fruit in as little as 3-6 years.
    • Annual growth is modest, often just a few inches, which contributes to its appeal as a manageable ornamental or bonsai plant despite the wait for fruit production.
  • Sun Requirements
    • Jaboticaba Sabara prefers full sun to partial shade, thriving with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal fruiting, though it can adapt to dappled light under a canopy.
    • In hotter climates, afternoon shade can prevent stress, while in cooler regions, maximizing sun exposure supports its slow growth and fruit development.
  • Cold Hardiness
    • It is hardy to brief, mild frosts down to around 25-28°F (-4 to -2°C), but prolonged cold or temperatures below this can damage or kill the tree, limiting outdoor growth to frost-free zones.
    • In colder areas, it’s best grown in pots and brought indoors when temperatures drop below 30°F (-1°C), ensuring protection from freezing conditions.
  • Water Requirements
    • The tree demands consistent moisture, with a shallow root system requiring regular watering when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out, especially during establishment and fruiting seasons.
    • It tolerates occasional standing water but dislikes prolonged flooding or drought; in dry climates, supplemental irrigation is essential to maintain soil humidity.
  • Planting Guide
    • Plant in spring or early summer in a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball, using a mix of compost, peat moss, and well-draining soil, ensuring the crown sits 2-3 inches above ground level for runoff.
    • Space trees 10-15 feet apart if planting multiples, though Sabara is self-fertile; cross-pollination with another jaboticaba can boost yield. For containers, choose a pot with drainage holes and start with a 10-15 gallon size.
    • Water thoroughly after planting and mulch with organic material to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, avoiding salty or alkaline amendments.
  • Fertilizing Times of Year with Recommended Fertilizer
    • Fertilize three times annually: in early spring (March), mid-summer (June-July), and early fall (September) to support growth and fruiting, avoiding winter applications when the tree is dormant.
    • Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer like 10-10-10 NPK, applying 1-2 ounces per year of tree age (up to 8 ounces max), or an organic option like Espoma Holly-tone (4-3-4), ideal for acid-loving plants like jaboticaba.
    • Supplement with chelated iron in high-pH soils if deficiency signs (yellowing leaves) appear, and flush soil periodically with water to prevent salt buildup from fertilizers.
  • USDA Zone
    • Jaboticaba Sabara is best suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 9b-11, where it can grow outdoors year-round without frost protection, thriving in warm coastal or southern regions.
    • In zones below 9b, it requires container cultivation with indoor wintering or frost protection to survive, making it adaptable but climate-sensitive.