The Barbados Cherry Tree is one of the best producers and a fast grower with or without fertilizer and water input.
Barbados Cherry Vitamin C Content
According to Vitamin C in Barbados cherry Malpighia glabra L. pulp submitted to processing and to different forms of storage, each 100 grams of cherry has 1.79g of Vitamin C while according to the USDA, an orange has 0.0523 grams per 100 grams. I have seen statements that each cherry has 18 times the vitamin C of an orange, but by my calculations from the reputable sources above, the Vitamin C content of Barbados Cherries is about 33 times more than oranges!
There are also scholarly articles noting the presence of 5 different types of antioxidants.
Personal Experience
Planted from a one gallon container plant in 2013, the photo here was taken in January 2016. Each year this tree has trumped its former production. It produces from April to January, most heavily in early summer. The children love the plant and when we had a rooster he would jump up high and knock the ripe red berries down for his hens.
The fruits are delicious fresh from the tree.
Propagation of Barbados Cherry
I have had absolutely no success in making more of this tree!
Seeds – never sprout, maybe I should let them dry out first?
Cuttings – have died, despite proper technique
Air Layering – Currently in progress
Future Plans
I want to plant propogated versions of this tree throughout the yard with no fertilizer or water input that the chickens and kids can access.
Cons of the Barbados Cherry Tree
The only downside I see to this tree is the fact that it will die if the temperature drops below 32F. Fortunately, my tree is growing large and mature so while it may suffer a setback, I believe it could survive the upper 20’s at this point.
Conclusion
This is a go to tree for any food forest or permie that lives in a 9b+ zone. 5 out ot 5 stars.
