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Natal plum - carissa sp.
General information:
An evergreen, small thorny bush which develops white and pink
flowers and edible, dark red fruit. There is little information
on this plant in the bonsai literature, which is surprising,
as it is readily available and becoming quite popular. In addition,
Natal plum is a strong plant which tolerates almost any abuse.
It can be grown under almost any conditions (except freezing
cold), but when grown under optimum conditions of high heat and
humidity, growth is extremely rapid and the rooting of cuttings
an almost sure success.
Lighting:
Likes plenty of light, at least four hours of direct sunlight
daily.
Temperature:
Needs warmth in winter. Prefers night temperatures between 50-65F
and day temperatures of 68F or higher. Can successfully be grown
indoors, but the use of a nearby fan to reduce the liklihood
of fungal infestation is recommended.
Watering:
Moderate. When grown indoors, use of a moisture tray to maintain
humidity is recommended.
Feeding:
Every two weeks during growth, using Miracid. Reduce feeding
to monthly during winter.
Pruning and wiring: Do major pruning in mid to late spring, after
flowering. Do not prune all the green foliage off a branch, as
this will cause the branch to die back. Otherwise, buds back
with vigor. Continue to prune as necessary during growth. Carissa
grows rapidly, especially in hot climates, so pruning may be
frequent. These trees make good informal uprights or cascades.
Older branches can be brittle, so use caution when wiring. Check
wiring often, due to the rapid growth of the plant.
Propagation:
Roots readily from cuttings, especially lignified ones. Will
root when placed in a glass of water.
Repotting:
Lesniewicz recommends transplanting in fall or winter only, but
posters to RAB indicated that repotting in mid-spring to midsummer
is OK. Keep root pruning to a minimum. Use fast draining soil.
Limit water until the plant is firmly established to reduce risk
of root rot.
Pests and diseases: Prone to fungal infestation. Spider mites and
scale are occasional problems. On the whole, a very strong plant.
Some species suitable for bonsai:
- Carissa grandiflora: Natal plum.
- Carissa macrocarpa: Natal plum, Christ's thorn.
Compiled by Sabrina Caine
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