Running into mixed messages while reading about whether mulberries can be grown indoors or not. Does anyone know if they require their cold periods to live and function, or will they be healthy but simply not make fruit? I’d love to grow a berry bush or a similar sized ornamental shrub inside, but I do not have access to an outdoor space to give it chilling time. Has anyone done this before?

  • blackbrook@mander.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    1 day ago

    Just gonna toss out holly and elderberry for consideration. Would need to hand pollinate the holly for berries (maybe the elderberry too).

    • cloudforms@piefed.blahaj.zoneOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 day ago

      It looks like those (and unfortunately most of the common indoor fruits) are incompatible with pets. Appreciate the suggestion though

      • acockworkorange@mander.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        13 hours ago

        You could join me in my experimental jabuticaba bonsai endeavor. Mine is growing well, but no signs of flowering yet.

        • cloudforms@piefed.blahaj.zoneOP
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          10 hours ago

          Those trees are wild looking. Hadn’t heard of those before. I hope it blooms for you! Any idea whether or not they’re toxic to pets?

          • acockworkorange@mander.xyz
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            9 hours ago

            The fruit is not toxic to dogs, but the peel and seeds are not digestible, so if it’s a small dog eating a significant amount, it could cause gastric distress up to intestinal blockage. I couldn’t find info on leaves, or cats. Birds will regularly nibble on them.

            It’s worth noting that eating a lot of the pulp will make it harder for you to poop, just like guava or certain cheeses.

            • cloudforms@piefed.blahaj.zoneOP
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              2
              ·
              edit-2
              9 hours ago

              Good to know. That is one of the most interesting looking trees i’ve seen in a while. I hope you post updates about it.

              • acockworkorange@mander.xyz
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                3
                ·
                9 hours ago

                As soon as I see buds. It’s grown to over 1.5 times the size from when I got it, so at least there’s that.

  • dgdft@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    1 day ago

    They’ll grow assuming you get a suitable variety, just not fruit much if at all.

    The issue here is comparative advantage: the #1 factor in the plant growing well is going to be your lighting. Unless your residence is a houseplant paradise, good lighting is probably a limited resource you could put to better use with a more traditional indoor plant.