Seeing Double in Puerto Rico

[Cindy Adair]

My clustering Euterpe oleracea was on the farm when I bought it and the fruits are way too high for me to reach.

However some had freshly fallen so I grabbed them and decided to let them soak in water in the fridge. This was three days ago and only six fruits have turned the couple of tablespoons of water dark red already. 

I saw photos online of processing, but don't happen to own one of those fancy machines.

From a brief survey it seems miraculous health claims from this fruit have at least been controversial.

The seeds germinate quickly on the ground as well.

Today I went to take a photo of the tree and realized that I have two!

I recently cleared some new areas and lo and behold saw the second Euterpe cluster in this photo framed by one of my Peach palms (Bactris gasipaes on the right) and my largest PR hat palm (Sabal causiarum the left). There is the tip of a coconut frond on the bottom right in the same photo.

When I looked through the camera viewfinder I had to walk to the area, even with rain threatening, to see if I was correct or just seeing a new angle of the Euterpe I knew existed. Still finding surprises after 1.5 years here!

I have at least two small solitary Euterpe edulis trees, but not ready to fruit yet.

Who grows this genus and/or knows anything more about assai fruit processing/uses? My first information about this supposed "cure all" came from colorful posters in a hospital staff and visitor cafeteria in VA year ago.

 

 

[Palmaceae]

Beautiful palm! They do not do well here in SW Florida, wish they did.

[BPK Palm Addict]

Awesome Cindy. Please post more pics. 

[Cindy Adair]

17 hours ago, Palmaceae said:

Beautiful palm! They do not do well here in SW Florida, wish they did.

Thanks! Too cold where you are or other issues?

[Cindy Adair]

16 hours ago, BPK Palm Addict said:

Awesome Cindy. Please post more pics. 

Thanks. I'll get photos of my E. edulis (orange crownshaft) and E. sp. "red stem" (from Ecuador seed) when/if they show some color!

[Palmaceae]

3 hours ago, Cindy Adair said:

Thanks! Too cold where you are or other issues?

I think it a combination of cold and soil type. I believe Meg tried to grow them and had issues with Euterpe.

[Cindy Adair]

I know Meg does an excellent job growing.

Wonder if warmer temps like the keys work or if this genus just need my acidic probably rich soil?