Full List of Fruits Capuli cherry
Introduction of Capuli cherry Nutritional Value of Capuli cherry Uses of Capuli cherry Methods of propagation Fertilization
Capuli Cherry
Scientific name - Prunus capuli
Capulin cherry popularly known as capulin, capuli, tropic Cherry they belong to the sweet cherry and plum species. Capulin cherry is most sought after in the valley of Mexico from Sonora to Chiapas and Veracruz. Cultivation of Capulin cherry dates back to the period when harvesting of Cherry was one of the most sought after occupation. They are grown in abundance in South America and are readily available in the Andean Market. This picked up the trend and was soon introduced to the Californian market during or in the mid of 1920's.
Capulin Cherry is a semi deciduous tree that has a short stout bark and it is known to be one of the fastest growing tree as it grows to the height of 10ft in 12 to 18 months. When they are full grown plants they are known to be almost 30feet tall or even more.
Capulin Cherries are very attractive with racemes grown with them, racemes are unbranched indeterminate type of inflorescence having short flower stalks called as pedicels. A singular stalk bearing the flower is known as raceme while a bunch or the representation of all the stalks is addressed to as racemes. A single raceme can bear upto 15 or 20 fruits at a time but in the process of maturity and ripening more than half of them fall off the stalk.
The Capulin cherry looks similar to that of a Northern cherry, growing to the size of 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter it blooms into a deep glossy maroon to dark purple in color fruit, with a thin, tender skin. The pale green, firm, juicy flesh is sweet and it also possess a touch of astringency similar to wild cherries in the forest. The trees of Capulin cherry begin to bear fruit only 2 years after they have been planted. On the other side once they begin to bear fruits, they produce large quantities of Capulin Cherries. It is a mystery solved by known that the trees with gray bark seem to produce larger fruit than those with darker bark.
Nutritional Value of Capuli cherry
| Moisture | 76.8-80.8 g |
| Protein | 0.105-0.185 g |
| Fat | 0.26-0.37 g |
| Calcium | 17.2-25.1 mg |
| Phosphorus | 16.9-24.4 mg |
| Iron | 0.65-0.84 mg |
| Carotene | 0.005-0.162 mg |
| Thiamine | 0.016-0.031 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.018-0.028 mg |
| Niacin | 0.640-1.14 mg |
| Ascorbic Acid | 22.2 32.8 mg |
Capulin Cherries are largely produced and consumed in Southern America, they form as a staple part of the inhabitant of the lands of America. Capulin cherries are produced in abundance in these lands and are also packaged and exported to various parts of the world. These cherries can be consumed raw right out of the tree or can be used in preparing confectionaries and chocolates. Capulin cherry jam is treated as a delicacy, and this fruit also makes sumptuous milkshakes. These cherries are in high demand for preparing wines. They also possess medicinal properties the leaves, fruits and barks of these trees are used to cure many ailments.
Apart from its obvious edible use capulin cherry seeds are used to make soaps and paints; these seeds have semidrying oil suitable for making the mentioned products.
The heartwood of this tree is used for making furniture, interior paneling, cabinets, and general carpentry. Mature, old roots are used for carving tobacco pipes, figurines, and other fine wooden objects.
This ornamental plant has many uses to it apart from being the source of livelihood for its harvestors.
Capulin cherries pod requires 2-3 months of cold stratification and are best sown in in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. These seeds need a lot of attention and maintenance as they could be prone to infestation or even mice attacks, they require to be monitored constantly to ensure a healthy crop. The germination process is very slow and it takes about 18 months for the seed to germinate. During the first stage of their growth process they need to be handled tenderly in a greenhouse or cold frame post which they will planted out in the open in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Capulin Cherries are very receptive and reactive to nitrogen fertilizer when they first begin to blossom. Over the period the tree requires minimal care and can absorb nutrition from annual mulch of compost. If taken extra care during the germination process and seedling process capelin cherries grow to be attractive fruit with moist and tender skin and succulent pulp. The skin of the fruit is firm enough to protect the cherries from bruising.
