Grumichama Not Growing (forum)

Dorota starts with ...
I have had one Gumichama plant for over a year now and find it very slow growing - every other tree grew, but this one is still the same size? I water and fertilise with liquid fish & kelp.

What am I doing wrong?
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Time: 20th September 2007 8:03am

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About the Author Dorota
Brighton, QLD
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Leona says...
They are very slow growing by nature.

Time: 20th September 2007 8:48pm

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About the Author Leona
Perth
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PeterG says...
Mine took off last year after being in the ground for 4 years and being very well looked after, as it sounds yours is. Once it got a few branches going the growth seemed to multiply quickly. Mine is covered in fruit at the moment and a lot of new growth this year. I love the colour of the foliage and wait until yours flowers, they have a delicate little white flower. Keep patient with it, it is one of my favour trees now - I remember being in the same boat as you a few years ago when I thought mine was never going to start growing and I felt like digging it out. I have noticed that mine doesn't like long dry spells. It is my indicator plant as to when things have been dry for too long and need a water. It seems to like a good watering if you haven't had rain for 1-2 weeks.

Time: 23rd September 2007 7:48pm

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About the Author PeterG
Eureka
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Paul Ridding says...
Hi. I am thinking about planting a few Gumichamas shortly. Any tips with watering and fertilising? how much, how often? What sort of soil do they like.
Thanks. Paul

Time: 24th September 2007 11:43am

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About the Author Paul Ridding
Kendall, NSW
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Dorota says...
Thank you Peter and Leona, I will just have to be patient with my tree. It is very deeply mulched, even after three weeks without waterring the soil was still moist. The tree looks healthy, leaves are shiny and it has some new growth this spring. Paul, I was adviced to mulch fruit trees as much as you can and don't let anything else grow in 1m diameter. I was also told not to use too much blood&bone as this might leave traces of heavy metals in fruit. I am setting up a worm farm, this is the best fertiliser for fruit and veg.

Time: 25th September 2007 8:37am

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About the Author Dorota
Brighton
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denise1 says...
My grumichama seedlings alwa/Users/bernardking/Desktop/images-7.jpegys look sad in the leaves.It takes ages to grow. But Now my tree is fruiting for the second year, the fruit are way sweeter and tasty than any tree ripened normal cherry that I have ever tasted. This is one unusual fruit that I can totally recommend. Even as an ornamental tree it is outstanding. I guess that they would also be really sweet growing in semi-shade as the fruits hidden in the dense foliage also get really sweet.

Time: 11th February 2013 7:27am

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About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
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amanda says...
I have one growing in semi shade (and one in mostly sun) denise1 so should be able to compare in a year (once they have settled in to their new homes) the one in semi shade did fruit recently tho - and the fruit ripened no problems and tasted great....
Only a small crop as it was just transplanted.

I agree denise - I reckon they are a lovely fruit and a beautiful looking plant too...really think some selective breeding, for larger fruits, would be great too!? :)

Time: 13th February 2013 10:31am

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Original Post was last edited: 13th February 2013 10:31am

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snottiegobble says...
Amanda, do I have a black or yellow grumichama? The yellows are supposed to grow a lot bigger!

Time: 15th February 2013 1:32pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
South of Bunbury
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amanda says...
Black, SG...sorry! :) Have never seen yellows in WA and can't import the plants anymore :( Mike - does yellow seed come true to type do u know?

Time: 16th February 2013 11:13am

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snottiegobble says...
Thanks Amanda, I wonder how much room the roots need! I have never heard of them being grown in pots, have you?

Time: 17th February 2013 5:57pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
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BJ says...
They will grow in pots, and they have a shallow and not very extensive roots system, so tend to dry out fairly quickly. If in pots try using a saucer underneath to kee the water in if you are near Perth - taking it away when it is wet.

Time: 18th February 2013 9:05am

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
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amanda says...
Sorry SG - missed that - thanks BJ :) My two big ones were in 35L tree sacks - but they were very ready to go up to a 65L one as their roots totally filled the bag as they grew...I struggled with keeping them in sacks in the heat in Geraldton...so agree with BJ there...they actually like a fair bit water I have realised...a deep soak seems to bring on new flushes of growth...?

Time: 20th February 2013 10:25am

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kim says...
I have a tiny grumichama seedling (approx. 10cm tall), will this need to be protected during winter or will it survive Perth's winter ok outdoors? thanks.

Time: 3rd April 2013 6:56pm

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About the Author kim14
perth
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Anonymous says...
Amanda, not wanting to hijack this thread, but I wonder if your bags were similar to some we were discussing in the bonsai bag thread?
MJ

Time: 5th April 2013 11:15am

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amanda says...
Hi Anonymous - the bags I used are one's I actually bought from Daleys..? I call them tree sacks? Didn't know they were called bonsai bags?
They worked great - I especially like the good drainage on those bags - they had little holes up the sides of the bags too..?
Nothing got soggy and all did well...
I wouldn't let direct sunlight hit them tho - they get a bit sweaty inside then..
Hope this helps?

Time: 5th April 2013 1:33pm

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Anonymous says...
Thanks Amanda
Did the roots circle and get rootbound like in a regular pot?
MJ

Time: 5th April 2013 4:16pm

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mtyr says...
My grumichamas took 8 years to fruit. Bur when they did, they are sort of OK, not much more.

Time: 5th April 2013 5:48pm

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About the Author mtyr
Blue mts
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Anonymous says...
Hi mtyr,

Are they sort of OK in taste or volume? I'm curious about having a tree, but got a bit disheartenend when Daleys couldn't send them to WA.

Bye
MJ



Time: 5th April 2013 7:07pm

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denise1 says...
The first good crop on my tree was a bit insipid, even a bit soapy. The second crop was very sweet and tangy. Certainly worth going a distance to eat them. and as good or better than noermal cherries.

Time: 5th April 2013 7:09pm

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About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
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amanda says...
After 2 to 2.5yrs in the sacks - yes that did start to happen with some - it was time to bag them up to a bigger size - but luckily we moved here in time for me to finally get them in the ground...
Some types (like the jaboticabas) were fine...as they don't seem to form a vigorus root system - the wampee's however - formed a big root ball..!
The grumichamas needed new sacks as I was having trouble keeping them moist enough in really hot weather...

Time: 5th April 2013 7:38pm

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Anonymous says...
Did you get the grumichamas from Daleys, Amanda?

Interesting about the root stuff, Amanda. It answers my question, so thank you!

MJ

Time: 5th April 2013 7:45pm

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mtyr says...
The taste is just Ok ,which is what I was trying to say.

Time: 6th April 2013 10:54am

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About the Author mtyr
Blue mts
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amanda says...
Yes I got them from Daleys some time ago now...I hoping that this coming summer they will be settled enough for a proper crop at last..
I love them - but my husband isn't fussed on them...
But then - he's not a fruit addict so don't be put off by that ;-)


Time: 6th April 2013 12:22pm

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