Green Dragon is a wax jambu (wax apple) variety with crisp, juicy, bell-shaped green fruit that is sweet and refreshing. (Syzygium samarangense 'Green Dragon')
Shop this plant: Green Dragon Wax Jambu Tree – 3 Gal
Quick Care Summary
- Sun: Full sun, at least 6-8 hours a day, for the best flowering and fruit.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is essential.
- Watering: Wax jambu loves water.
Sun
Full sun, at least 6-8 hours a day, for the best flowering and fruit.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential. South Florida's sandy and limestone soils work well if water never stands; plant on a slight mound in low areas and mix in compost at planting.
Watering
Wax jambu loves water. Water 2-3 times a week during dry spells and fruiting; never let it dry out completely.
Fertilizer Schedule for South Florida
Young trees: a balanced fertilizer with minor elements (such as 6-6-6 or 8-3-9) every 6-8 weeks from March through September, starting small and increasing as the tree grows. Mature trees: 2-3 applications a year (spring, early summer, late summer). Skip fertilizer from November through February. On alkaline South Florida soil, add chelated iron and manganese if new leaves are pale with green veins.
Pruning
Prune lightly after harvest to shape the tree, remove dead and crossing branches, and keep it at a pickable height.
Cold Protection
Damaged below about 30°F; cover with frost cloth on cold nights.
Container vs. In-Ground
It can be kept in a 15-25 gallon container for several years with a fast-draining mix and regular pruning, but grows and fruits best in the ground.
Spacing
Plant 15-20 ft from other trees and at least 10 ft from buildings.
Flowering and Fruiting Timeline
Grafted or air-layered trees can fruit in 1-2 years. Main crops in late spring and summer.
Harvest
Pick when fruit reach full size and the color lightens; they do not ripen after picking. Eat fresh and chilled.
Common Pests and Diseases
Start with organic, low-impact fixes: good airflow, clean-up of fallen fruit and leaves, and soaps or oils before anything stronger. Always follow label directions.
Scale and mealybugs
How to identify: Small bumps or white cottony clusters on stems and leaf undersides, often with sticky honeydew and black sooty mold.
Organic-first treatment: Prune heavily infested twigs, spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, and control the ants that farm them.
Anthracnose and leaf spot
How to identify: Dark sunken spots on leaves and fruit, worse in rainy weather.
Organic-first treatment: Prune for airflow, clean up fallen leaves and fruit, and use copper fungicide during wet periods if needed.
Fruit flies
How to identify: Small punctures in ripening fruit that turn soft and rot from inside.
Organic-first treatment: Harvest on time, pick up dropped fruit daily, and bag developing fruit with mesh or paper bags.
Root rot
How to identify: Wilting despite moist soil, yellowing leaves, dark mushy roots.
Organic-first treatment: Prevention is the cure: plant high in fast-draining soil, never let water stand, and cut back watering in cool months.
FAQ
What does wax jambu taste like? Crisp and watery like a mild apple-pear.
Does it need a lot of water? Yes, regular water during fruiting gives the juiciest crop.
Related Reading
- Why Too Much Fertilizer Can Hurt Your Fruit Tree More Than None
- Cold-Hardy Fruit Trees for Florida Freezes (and How to Protect Tender Ones)
- Which Fruit Trees Are the Lowest Maintenance in South Florida?
Ready to grow your own? Get the Green Dragon Wax Jambu here.
