oooh! i'm intrigued! did you grow this plant from seed? and is it easy to care for?

-ming

They will get a little more full and definitely turn red. It doesn't take all that long. Be patient.

Ming,

This plant is around 10 years old and I did not grow it from seed. They take years to go from seed to fruit. It has its special requirements to grow well so I think it might fall in the moderate category or something....pretty easy if you do your homework.

ohiojay,

I am getting a little trigger happy. Thanks for the reply. I think I just read someplace where a guy was picking his when they turned red. He waited longer and the effect was twice as strong. I know the fruits are somewhat delicate. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

Thanks,
-Andy

One hypothesis for the ability of the fruit of the Miracle tree to make the bitter taste sweet is, that the effect may be caused if miraculin ( Trailing carbohydrate chains)works by distorting the shape of sweetness receptors so that they become responsive to acids, instead of sugar and other sweet things. This effect lasts between thirty minutes and two hours. Please wait until the groups of seeds all turn bright red before you pick them as they gain potencey the longer they stay on the stem.

Thanks for the reply artistmuscian!

I guess I should have been more clear in my question. I know you have to wait until they're red, but what I'm wondering about is how long after they've turned red will they start to go bad?

I got to taste this fruit when I visited Fruit and Spice Park. Man, it was weird! I don't think I will try it again. A taste I can not describe. Good luck!