What Month Does Natal Plum Bloom? A Detailed Guide to Its Blooming Period
Nowadays, growing flowers indoors is becoming more and more popular, and the varieties of flowers and plants are also increasing. Today we are going to talk about a plant with high ornamental value that is little known——the Natal plum.
The Natal plum, also known as the American cherry, large-flowered Carissa, large-flowered false tiger thorn, and so on, is an evergreen shrub of the genus Carissa in the Apocynaceae family. It is native to southern Africa and is now cultivated in both tropical and subtropical regions. The Natal plum flower has five neat white petals that are ovate and somewhat slender. It stays evergreen throughout the year and has high ornamental value, and is often used for bonsai viewing.
The Natal plum generally has to grow very large before it blooms, with the crown needing to reach a diameter of more than 1 m. Once it blooms, it will continue to bloom every year thereafter. Its blooming period is in late spring and early summer, roughly around May, and it can bloom until mid to late June. The flowers are white, and the floral fragrance is elegant and can last a long time indoors.
The Natal plum is very easy to grow. Natal plums used for making bonsai can be propagated by sowing, cuttings, or layering, all of which root easily. The making method mainly uses pruning, with wiring as a supplement. Wiring is generally carried out in summer. Because its branches are soft, some side branches and thinner trunks can be pulled with palm rope or hemp rope, while thicker branches and trunks need to be wired with metal wire. Also, because the branches naturally form layers, thin branches only need careful pruning to take shape.
The Natal plum likes a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight, but its adaptability to the environment is not strong, and it fears both drought and waterlogging. During the growing period, care is needed, and it should often be placed outdoors in a spot with sufficient light. When the high-temperature season arrives in summer, it should be shaded to prevent scorching sun exposure. At the same time, it should also be watered frequently to keep the soil moist, but waterlogging must not occur, and the leaves should be misted frequently. Apply a fully decomposed, thin liquid fertilizer once every 15 to 20 days.
The above is some little knowledge about the Natal plum. When cultivating the Natal plum, you must water it frequently and take care of it carefully; otherwise, even the most beautiful flowers will find it hard to bloom on time.