🍇 Scarlet Jaboticaba Tree (Plinia sp. ‘Escarlate’) — 4″ Starter Plant 🌿

The fastest-fruiting jaboticaba in our collection — grown slow, grown right

Start your tropical fruit journey with one of the most beautiful and rewarding trees we grow — the Scarlet Jaboticaba (‘Escarlate’). This rare cultivar is widely regarded as the earliest-fruiting jaboticaba, making it an ideal introduction for growers who enjoy nurturing tropical trees from a young age and watching their structure, trunk, and fruiting wood develop over time.

Our 4″ starter plants are approximately 12–18 months old, healthy, and vigorous for their size. While still young, they already carry the genetics that make Scarlet one of the most exciting jaboticabas available.

---

🌿 Quick Facts (At-a-Glance)

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Plinia sp. ‘Escarlate’
Common Name	Scarlet Jaboticaba
Sale Size	4″ container (young starter plant)
Approximate Age	12–18 months
Mature Size	20–30 ft unpruned in-ground
Managed Size	6–12 ft when container-grown and pruned
USDA Zones	9–11 outdoors • greenhouse/container elsewhere
Light Preference	Filtered or dappled light strongly preferred
Cold Tolerance	Sensitive to frost; protect below ~32°F
Soil / pH	Moist, well-draining, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5)
Growth Habit	Slow and compact when young; upright with age
Foliage Type	Evergreen in subtropical climates; brief leaf drop under stress
Fruiting Habit	Cauliflorous (fruit on trunk and older wood)

---

🍈 Fruit & Fruiting Characteristics

• Flavor profile: Sweet and tropical with a delicate tang, often compared to muscadine grape and lychee
• Texture: Juicy, gelatinous pulp with thin, edible purple skin
• Display: Fruits form directly on the trunk and mature branches, creating a dramatic edible display
• Fruiting timeline: Scarlet is the fastest-fruiting jaboticaba we grow, but from a 4″ plant, plan ~4–6 years to reach fruiting maturity under ideal care

We intentionally set conservative expectations so growers are pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed.

---

🌱 GreenDreams Growing Experience (Why Scarlet Is Special)

We’ve grown jaboticabas in Florida’s subtropics for over a decade, and Scarlet consistently outpaces every other cultivar in both growth rate and fruiting readiness once mature.

While jaboticabas are slow by nature, Scarlet shows:

• Faster trunk thickening
• Earlier development of fruiting wood
• More frequent flowering cycles once established

Each year of proper care brings fuller foliage, stronger structure, and a tree that’s clearly moving toward productivity.

---

🌾 Our Proven Growing Method (The Foundation)

Preferred Growing Medium (50/50 Rule):

• 50% peat moss (or coconut coir)
• 50% perlite or fine pine bark

This mix is:

• Acidic
• Highly aerated
• Moisture-retentive without becoming soggy

🚫 Avoid sand, native garden soil, or heavy potting mixes in containers — jaboticaba roots suffocate easily in compacted media.

---

💧 Watering Requirements (Non-Negotiable)

Scarlet Jaboticaba is a heavy water user.

• Containers: Daily watering is ideal during warm weather
• Soil: Should remain evenly moist at all times — never bone dry
• Best method: Drip irrigation or watering at the soil level
• Mulch: Apply 2–3″ of pine bark or wood chips to stabilize moisture

Consistent moisture is the single biggest driver of healthy growth and early fruiting.

---

☀️ Light & Placement (Clarified)

This is one of the most important sections.

🌤 For Young Trees (4″ up to ~30-Gallon Size)

• Filtered or dappled light is best
• Avoid direct afternoon sun
• Ideal locations:
  • Shaded patios
  • Screened enclosures
  • Under high, light tree canopy
  • Greenhouses

Direct sun at this stage often causes:

• Leaf scorch
• Yellowing
• Growth stalling

🌳 For Mature Trees (30-Gallon or Larger)

• Once fully established with a large root mass, Scarlet can tolerate full sun
• Even then, filtered light often produces healthier foliage and more reliable fruiting
• If transitioning to more sun, do so gradually over months, not weeks

---

🪴 Container Growing & Transplanting (Thorough Guidance)

Container Culture (Strongly Recommended)

Containers allow:

• Perfect pH control
• Heavy watering without waterlogging
• Easier cold protection
• Better long-term performance in Florida soils

Step-Up Container Plan

4″ → 1G → 2G → 3G → 7G → 15–30G

When to Transplant

Do not rush transplanting.

Most 4″ Scarlet Jaboticabas:

• Do not need transplanting for 6–12 months
• Prefer staying slightly snug

Transplant when you see:

• Roots circling the bottom
• Water running straight through
• Drying too quickly between waterings

How to Transplant

• Do not disturb the root ball
• Plant at the same depth (root flare just above soil line)
• Pack soil firmly
• Return to filtered light while recovering

---

Pruning

Although we heavily prune many fruit trees, jaboticabas are an exception.

Scarlet Jaboticaba does not respond well to hard pruning.

Why Heavy Pruning Causes Problems

• Jaboticabas prefer to refill on existing branches
• Hard pruning triggers a stress flush of very tender new growth
• That new growth is extremely sun-sensitive
• Combined with direct or near-full sun, this often leads to:
  • Yellowing
  • Leaf burn
  • Growth shutdown

What We Recommend Instead

• Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches
• Avoid cutting back healthy wood
• Allow time, moisture, and filtered light to let the canopy naturally fill in

This approach leads to:

• Healthier foliage
• Stronger trunk development
• Earlier, more reliable fruiting

---

Seasonal Habits (Florida & Similar Climates)

Season	What to Expect
Spring	Strong growth flush; highlights structural development
Summer	Steady growth; water demand highest
Fall	Continued slow growth; prepares fruiting wood
Winter	Evergreen; brief leaf drop possible after cold stress

Scarlet does not go dormant. Leaf drop is stress-related, not seasonal.

---

Troubleshooting (Quick Reference)

1️⃣ Yellow Leaves — High pH or sun stress → Use acidic mix + filtered light

2️⃣ Leaf Burn / Curl — Too much sun → Increase shade + moisture

3️⃣ Slow Growth — Normal for age → Patience, water, warmth

4️⃣ Root Rot — Poor drainage → Use airy mix + drainage holes

5️⃣ Leaf Drop — Shipping or cold stress → New growth follows within weeks

---

FAQ

How old is this plant?

Approximately 12–18 months old.

When will it fruit?

Typically 4–6 years from this size under good care.

Container or ground?

Both are possible, but containers perform best.

Can it handle full sun?

Only once fully mature (30-gallon or larger), and even then filtered light is often better.

How often should I water?

Daily or as needed to keep soil evenly moist.

---

Shipping & Care Disclaimer

• Best shipping: Florida, Southeast & Texas
• Nationwide shipping available with buyer discretion
• Small plants dry quickly — water immediately upon arrival
• Ships UPS Ground every Monday from Florida

---

📍 Also Available Locally

GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

Open: Tue–Fri 9AM–5PM • Sat 8AM–3PM

---

🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services

We do more than sell plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.

🌳 Consultations & edible landscape design

🌾 Installation & project management

🚚 Bulk compost, mulch, biochar & soil

🌱 Wholesale & regenerative solutions

Let us help you grow your edible paradise — starting with Scarlet Jaboticaba 🌿