Acha Cha

BJ says...
At this time of the year? Pop in soil, then wait around 8-12 months and you'll have a plant. You can direct sow them if you can keep the ground weed free for that long. The plants tolerate clay and flooding, but the seeds mightnt be so hardy.

VF says...
Does anyone know what nutrients these little plants prefer - Would like to speed up the growth rate some how? (And they say Jab.'s are slow?! They're powering along compared to the Achacha.)

BJ says...
The name of the game with nearly all garcinias is patients. Much more than any other plants. Up to 4 years they are painfully slow, then they really get going. That is a good thing though as it keeps many smaller and saves pruning, which many garcinias hate in their young years. I've found some respond well to the big slow release tablets you stick in the ground around the drip line. Balanced is best for them, as too much nitrogen will give soft leaves that are too easily burned.

Doug says...
Without saying too much about my personal life, I have had a water bed for the past 30 years. Perhaps some 12 years ago when I really got stuck into trying to grow tropicals in wintry eastern Melbourne I started putting seeds in bags at the bottom corners of my bed. Voila. Constant 20°C + temp led to quick-start mangoes, starfruit, lychees and longans. Time for this year's mangoes I thought and ashamedly discovered 2 achachas with long roots seeking freedom that I had completely forgotten about. They are today liberated but I don't know how they will go. Gave them a drenching of Powerfeed and hope for the best.