natal plum tips?

Bone-sigh

I just bought some natal plum nursery stock...and I was wondering if any one has gained some insight, as to their care as bonsai, that has the experience of growing them. And if anyone in Florida grows them and has some thoughts, that would be great too.
Thanks to anyone who can respond!

-Ryan

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Jerry Meislik

Natal plum likes bright light and well drained soil. Repot it every year or two as it gets really fine roots that will block up the soil. Wire the branches as they just get woody as they are very stiff once they are older.
Makes a nice bonsai.
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

Bone-sigh

I read somewhere that they don't like to have their roots pruned...but then I also read that they can root from cuttings in plain old water. What gives? It seems like a plant that can have cuttings root in water alone wouldn't be fussy about losing some roots when repotted? Any answers to that?

P.S.-Jerry, thanks much for the tips!

-Ryan

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TreeBay

1. Don't let it freeze
2. Don't eat the foliage

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/37046/

Regards,

Matt

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Jerry Meislik

They root pretty well from new hardwood cuttings in soil and placed in a baggie.
I can't comment on using water for rooting.
I think they are touchy in that they have a hard time regenerating hair roots. So do not remove too much of their hair roots when repotting.
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

ozzerbon

Carissa macrocarpa [Natal plum], is one of the more easy of trees to establish using the glass of water for cuttings experiment, and almost root as fast as do most if not all of the Salix family. C.macrocarpa originally is of South Africa

All parts of the tree/shrub are poisonous, apart from the flesh [only] of the edible fruits, so care should be taken, and it exudes fine white sap when cut.

The strongly scented flowers are a good solid white, star shaped and very similar to Jasminum uniform, and if you have perfect conditions for growing this species, then the flowers are followed by egg-shaped green fruits, that ripe-en to a rich dark red.

The leaves will reduce to about one quarter, and as far as I’m concerned the “Y” shaped thorns [which are very sharp] should never be removed.

Miniature trees can be created successfully, but wiring must be done continually until the bark turns from green to a light and pale brown. Once the trunk [and branches] harden, the wood becomes brittle, but slow [years] persistent bending and you will get the shape that you desire in the end. Branches die back for no reason, so pruning is a slight problem, and they do not like to be relocated, especially if you are growing them indoors [like I do].

Deeper pots are more desirable for young trees, and neglect pruning the roots if that is possible, as they don’t seem to like that either.

I love them, with their wonderful rich green rounded foliage, which on a healthy tree looks as tho’ it has been polished.

Success….Nigel

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TreeBay

Hi Nigel - I put your post in the Wiki under Natal Plum

Regards,

Matt

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ripssurf

is it possible to get a pic of a natal plum in training?

best,

jeff

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ozzerbon

Hi ripssurf,

Yep, a tad amount of patience and I shall do some new pics early next week....Ok!

Nigel

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