Multiple-step OLE DB operation generated errors. Check each OLE DB status value, if available. No work was done.
Retail Price: USD
Sale Price: USD
Plum Bonsai Care Tips
General Information: The Natal plum (botanical name Carissa macrocarpa cv.) is a semi-tropical evergreen plant bearing fragrant, star-shaped white flowers and, following pollination, dark red edible plum-shaped fruits. It is native to the Natal Province of South Africa.Lighting: Your Natal plum bonsai should be placed indoors where it will receive bright light. It will benefit from two or three hours of morning or late afternoon sun such as would be received through a window with an eastern or western exposure. Since bonsai needs higher humidity than the normal house provides, place it near other leafy plants, or next to an open container of water, or in a decorative tray filled with pebbles and water. (Do not allow the water to touch the bottom of the planter, however, or the tree will be overwatered). Misting the leaves frequently will also be beneficial.
Night temperatures of 50° to 65°F and daytime temperatures of 68°F and higher are ideal for the bonsai.
Watering: The soil should be kept evenly moist but not soggy. Allow the top ½ inch of soil to dry between waterings. In warmer weather, your bonsai may need to be watered daily. Lightly apply water to the soil until water runs out the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. An alternate method of watering is to place the pot in a pan filled with 1 to 2 inches of water for twenty minutes or more until the soil surface looks and feels moist. Reduce frequency of watering in cooler weather. Never allow the soil to dry out completely, but if it does, immerse the entire pot in water for five minutes or until the soil is thoroughly wet. Do not use water from a water softener.
Pruning: To prune, pinch out ends of new growth about once every six weeks while they are gorwing. In pinching and pruning you are trying to maintain the shape of the bonsai and to create more bushiness. Since natal plums produce flowers on new growth, allow some branches to grow out unpruned. After flowering, these branches may be pruned back or, if fruit is desired, allowed to remain until after the fruit declines. Early spring, before new growth starts, is an ideal time to prune back all branches by 1/3 to maintain the shape of your bonsai.
Fertilizing: The plant should be fertilized every six weeks between spring and mid-summer, using regular houseplant food at half strength.
Pests and Diseases: Natal plum bonsai are susceptible to aphids and spider mites. Check often for them on the new growth and on the undersides of the leaves. If insects are present, spray with an insecticidal soap following label instructions.
Toxicity: Natal plum fruit is edible when ripe (red in color). Do not
Spray your plant with any toxic insecticide if you plan to eat the fruit. The leaves and other parts of the plants are not edible.
More Bonsai Trees & Plants
Looking for more Bonsai Gift Ideas? Try one of our related selections, all direct from the grower!
 Podocarpus The Dwarf Podocarpus has pine-like foliage that has been trained to resemble the styles of large specimen trees. |
 Powder Puff Bonsai For bright splashes of color and an exuberant flower form, Powder Puff is an ideal choice. |
 Rosemary Bonsai Rosemary is an evergreen plant with narrow, aromatic dark green leaves that are the source of the herb rosemary. |
Hosting provided by 
Keyword: Bonsai Trees
Read or Write Reviews for Bonsai-Express.com