Carissa Macrocarpa Bonsai

A vigorous spreading woody shrub it grows up to 18 feet tall produces handsome broad evergreen foliage and equips its branches with stout y.
Carissa macrocarpa bonsai. There is little information on this plant in the bonsai literature which is surprising as it is readily available and becoming quite popular. Carissa macrocarpa spreads horizontally and then sends up shoots after about 3 to 4 years. When the plant was imported to the warm climates of california and florida it quickly became a favorite hedge and landscaping plant. You need patience with carrissa macrocarpa to gain height and it will tend to spread outwards even at height.
The fruit of the carissa macrocarpa is especially delicious and is often used to make jelly. Emerald blanket is a dwarf cultivar. It is commonly known as the natal plum and in south africa the large num num. Natal plum bonsai tree scientific name carissa macrocarpa is very popular bonsai tree because of its beautiful fragrant white flowers and tasty red fruits.
There are three common varieties of carissa macrocarpa of which natal plum is the largest. Carissa bonsai trees also known as natal plum are created from several carissa varieties. In addition natal plum is a strong plant which tolerates almost any abuse. In afrikaans the fruit is called noem noem.
The bark for carissa is fairly firmly attached normally it is not peeled off or removed. Carissa bispinosa would be better in a small garden as it can be trained easier. Carissa macrocarpa is a shrub native to south africa. Carissa macrocarpa natal plum a familiar houseplant and indoor bonsai subject in cool climes carissa macrocarpa is indigenous to the coastal region of natal south africa hence the common name.
If you want a small variety that is two feet tall or under look for nana prostrata bonsai boxwood beauty or horizontalis. Natal plum carissa sp. How to take proper care of your indoor bonsai tree bonsai is the reproduction of natural tree forms in miniature. They are all suitable for bonsai.
This art form has its origin in japan and china where it has been practiced for centuries. I would not use lime sulfur you are not trying to bleach the bark just get dirt and salt off. You could use a toothbrush and water or 3 hydrogen peroxide solution and try to scrub off some of the dirt moss and salt deposites from the trunk. An evergreen small thorny bush which develops white and pink flowers and edible dark red fruit.
Once carissa macrocarpa takes off it is a thorny beast. In zulu as well as in the bantu tribes of uganda it is called amathungulu or umthungulu obomvu.