When to Plant Grumichama in Cairns, Tropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Tropical
In October the Tropical zone normally runs 34°C by day and 23°C overnight, with about 53 mm of rain over 5 or 6 wet days. Averages 1991 to 2026, 37 postcodes, SILO.
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This Grumichama guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Nov to Mar
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Grumichama, the Brazilian cherry, is a slow growing evergreen tree of 2 to 5 m with glossy leaves and sweet dark cherry like fruit in late spring (Daleys).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Tropical
- Jan P
- Feb P
- Mar P
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
Daleys reviews from Atherton report two crops a year, Yungaburra a 4 m tree, and Townsville and Topaz grow it too. Harvest October to December. Planting months are our estimate: the start of the wet season. Give rainwater and a deep soak in heat.
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How to Grow Grumichama in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Fertile, free draining soil with compost and mulch (Daleys). Acid sand suits it better than limestone (Morton).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun to light shade; shelter from wind (Daleys review).
- Keep away from
- Limestone or alkaline soil (Morton), Windy sites (Daleys review)
Tropical Growing Tips for Grumichama
Recommended Varieties
- Black grumichama seedling (Daleys)
- Dwarf black, cutting grown (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Fruit fly
- Birds
Pro Tips
- Two crops are possible on the Tablelands (Daleys review)
- Rainwater in alkaline areas (Daleys review)
Pests and problems for Grumichama in Tropical
Harvesting Grumichama
When ready: Fruit turns from red to glossy black and softens, about 30 days after flowering (Morton).
How to harvest: Pick by hand daily as fruit blackens; half ripe fruit suits jam and pies (Morton).
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Grumichama
When do you plant grumichama in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Grumichama in Cairns?
Daleys reviews from Atherton report two crops a year, Yungaburra a 4 m tree, and Townsville and Topaz grow it too. Harvest October to December. Planting months are our estimate: the start of the wet season. Give rainwater and a deep soak in heat.
How do I know when Grumichama are ready to harvest?
Fruit turns from red to glossy black and softens, about 30 days after flowering (Morton).
What are the best Grumichama varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Black grumichama seedling (Daleys), Dwarf black, cutting grown (Daleys).
Are grumichama salt tolerant?
No. Grumichama are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.