Midyim Berry - A complete guide to growing
Image from smallgreenthings.com.au
Midyim Berry is one of the most delicious bushfoods you can grow. Small, purple-dotted berries coat the small shrub in late summer to early autumn. It's a dense plant that has a romantic look in terracotta pots or in hanging baskets.
Origin
Midyim Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis) has become a common plant in nurseries across Australia not for its fruit, but for the beautiful copper bronzed leaf tips and wild-look which gives gardens an almost romantic looks.
Originating from northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland, it's subtropical origin doesn't stop it growing in cooler climates. They have been actively planted across frosty regions in Melbourne, and have long been used by Aboriginal Australians as a food source.
Thomas Welsby description of the plant in relation with the Aboriginal Australians on Fraser Island., Wild Food Plants of Australia p. 35
"It springs up and grows like a wheat field .... one can go through acres of the scrub with its white, sweet-tasting berry until stopped by lagoon or salt water. It is the most sought-for berry or fruit on the island. Children will collect it by the tin-full, and even the elders will join with gusto in its eating. "
Image from smallgreenthings.com.au
Good for:
- Beginners
- Pots
- Balcony
- Frost
Water
Drought Tolerant
Sunlight
Full sun (part-shade with less fruiting)
Size
1m high
2m wide
Planting
Planting in pots
Midyim Berry is a low-maintenance plant which makes it ideal for pot planting. Whilst full-sun conditions give it the best chance of heavy fruiting, part-sun on a sunny window will also produce fruit.
Use a high-quality, premium potting mix without fillers. Under watering and over watering is the most common challenge with growing Midyim Berries in pots.
Ensure they are well draining as sitting in water may cause root-rot
Planting in soil
Midyim Berry makes a fantastic ornamental shrub that also produces delicious, sweet berries. It naturally occurs in sandy soils so growing in coastal regions causes no challenges.
When planting, aim to not disturb the roots. It can be grown under tall garden trees, or as a stand-alone barrier shrub. It can be used as a small hedge, and is terrific habitat for insects and birds.
Trimming lightly after harvesting the fruit to keep the plant bushy and well maintained.
Maintenace
Watering
Midyim Berries are generally drought tolerant but do experience problems with overwatering. Water only when the soil becomes dry, and make sure the soil is well-draining.
Every two weeks to every month, we suggest adding a seaweed solution into the water to assist with a plentiful harvest.
Harvesting
The sweet, tangy berries of the Midyim Berry are produced from late summer to autumn in most climates. Fruiting generally occurs after 2 years, with peak fruiting starting at around the 5 year period.
1 plant can yield over 1kg of berries with correct care, so fertilizing, pruning, and correct watering are key to a large bounty.
Fertilizing
Midyim Berry require photosynthesis from the leaves to produce nutrients, plus the roots interact with soil microbes to transfer nutrients from the soil, into their roots.
It's best to fertilize immediately after harvesting with a premium-grade fertilizer, and water frequently with a seaweed solution to improve soil microbial health.
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