Natal Plum

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.