Miracle fruit tree advice?

14 years ago

Hello,

I am new to growing anything and started with a doozy. I received my miracle fruit tree yesterday and I planted it in 50/50 Miracle-Gro peat and perlite. I keep it in my master bedrooms bathtub on the east side of my house in front of a big window and it gets plenty of filtered light. So far I have feed it with Miracle-Gro "Orchid food" 30-10-10 and keep it warm in the room at about 80-85 and I have a humidifier going and mist the plant from time to time.

The tree does have some spots on the leaves that looks to me like a bug may be eating it but I am not sure and do not see any bugs. Also it came in one big "root ball" but has two stems...is this two trees or one? (I only ordered one)

Here is a link of some pics I just took of the tree let me know what you think.

http://s913.photobucket.com/albums/ac338/AustinExp/

Thanks, Eddie

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Comments (4)

ohiojay
14 years ago
Hi Eddie,
Yes...you certainly started with a doozy! These plants can be a real nuisance for a lot of folks. I've been growing them for several years now. A very nice plant if given the proper attention.

You really need to research this plant to death in order to be successful with it. Here is a good article to begin with: http://www.quisqualis.com/31mirftjoy.html

Please keep in mind that I am in no way slamming you or anything close. But to start off with, the choice of potting soil was not the best. Most commercial soils are buffered to give a neutral PH. The plant will not be happy in this medium. They require a very low, crazy low PH, 4.5-5.5. You'll want to get straight sphagnum peat moss and mix that with your perlite. Make sure you mix the peat with water very well before planting or it will never accept water.

I would also not be giving the plant any fertilizer at this point...especially any Miracle-Gro ferts. I've read of too many people having terrible results using it. If you use anything for now, maybe get a good fish emulsion fertilizer and use that at a lower strength. I would also find a very good micro nutrient product that can be mixed with water and sprayed onto the plant...check some local hydroponics stores for this. This will help the plant take in the nutrients it cannot get from the soil due to the high PH.

I would not repot just yet. I'd wait until you know the plant is doing well and you're doing fine with the micro nutrient sprays. Don't want to shock it again so soon...unless you're feeling brave!

I think you'll be okay for now. Just keep an eye on the leaves for any sign of yellowing or the veins showing. Good luck!
austinexp
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the great info Jay.
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flfishie
13 years ago
Why is Spaghum (sp?) peat moss from Miracle Gro not considered peat? I literally just finished repotting my MF tree in a 50/50 mix of perlite and peat from Miracle Gro. I even bought the peat from a local nursery and not a big box store and that is what they gave me...grrr. Hope it survives :(

Also, before I re-potted it, it has been on my west facing back patio and a couple leave turned yellow. What does this mean?
NebraskaSam
11 years ago
How's the plant doing?