Carissa (Carissa) - belongs to the genus Kutrovye, which include several dozen varieties of dwarf trees and shrubs. As a rule, the growing area of a plant occupies a fairly large area. Carissa is found in Asia, Africa and Australia.
Description of the plant
The branches of the plant have thick, two-toothed thorns. They serve as a kind of protection, their length can reach about 5 cm. The arrangement of the leaves is opposite, the leaf blades are small oval, grow 3-8 cm long and are colored light green. Thanks to this feature, they stand out against the background of other greenery.
The duration of flowering can last throughout the season. The flowers of the plant resemble jasmine, but do not have the ability to exude the same dizzying scent. The five-petalled inflorescences are small, formed in the leaf axils and are pink in color.
Flowering ends with the formation of purple or black fruits that look like a plum. Their diameter is 1.5-6 cm. The sizes are determined by the parameters of the tree itself. Their value lies in the tender and juicy pulp, which smells like strawberries. Karrisa is often grown as a cultivated plant in many garden plots and produces a good harvest along with other fruit trees.
Popular types of carissa
There is a huge variety of varieties of carissa, each of which is characterized by a high ability to bear fruit. For example, the varieties "Fancy" and "Torrey Pines" ripen large and juicy fruits, and "Gifford" is one of the most productive varieties.
The breeders attached great importance to the branching property when breeding a plant. They set themselves the task of developing dwarf varieties of carissa, which will be used in landscape design as hedges or sculptures. The representatives of dwarf species include "Grandiflora". The plant is distinguished by its attractive appearance, short stature, abundant flowering and is considered one of the most popular varieties for growing at home, since it does not require special care.
Carissa care at home
Location and lighting
Karissa is a prominent representative of the Kutrovy family, therefore it is considered a light-loving plant. For growing in an apartment, the optimal room for a flowerpot will be a room with windows on the south side. If there are none, then you can put it on the windowsills of the east or west direction. Placing on the north side adversely affects the development of the plant, the growth of internodes is disrupted, which begin to stretch intensively.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for growing carissa in the summer is 18-25 degrees.In winter, it is advisable to keep the plant in cool rooms at a temperature of 14-18 degrees, which will ensure long and abundant flowering with the onset of the season. If additional artificial lighting is used, flowering and fruiting can be achieved throughout the year.
Karissa has the ability to tolerate temperature fluctuations well and withstand short-term drops of up to 3 degrees. The plant feels great on glazed balconies or loggias. Flower pots can be kept there from spring to late autumn.
Watering
It is necessary to observe regular watering, but avoid waterlogging of the soil. Karissa can go without water for a long time and is resistant to drying out of an earthen coma. Watering is required in moderation so as not to provoke soil acidification and decay of the root system. Water for irrigation is used only soft and settled during the day.
Air humidity
This parameter does not play a big role for carissa, since the tree easily withstands dry winter air, which is formed under the influence of heating devices located in the apartment. However, in order to improve the decorativeness of the plant, it is sprayed from time to time with warm water, and the foliage is cleaned of dust.
Pruning
It is necessary to regularly prune the plant, since carissa is characterized by rapid growth and rapid overgrowth of shoots. Novice growers will have to try hard to cope with the strong branching of the tree and achieve a beautiful and neat crown shape. If we neglect the formative pruning, then after a while the carissa will fill the entire window sill. In this case, with its long thorns, it will cause inconvenience to the owners.
The soil
The carissa plant prefers a slightly alkaline environment. Sandy and humus soil types are often chosen as soil for planting. The roots are resistant to salinity. For cultivation, a purchased soil mixture or a self-prepared soil composition is used, which includes turf, peat, sand, humus and leafy soil. Each component is taken in equal proportions. A thick drainage layer is created at the bottom of the flowerpots to prevent root rot in case of stagnant water after irrigation.
Top dressing and fertilizers
For regular fruiting and flowering of carissa, it is necessary to fertilize every few weeks throughout the year. The most optimal and balanced fertilizer is considered, which contains a high amount of phosphorus, which ensures the maximum duration of flowering. Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied very carefully, as they stimulate the growth of foliage and shoots. In order to prevent chlorosis, iron chelates are sometimes added to water for irrigation.
Transfer
Every year, with the onset of spring, young carissa trees need to be transplanted. Adult specimens are transplanted only once every few years. If you keep the plant in one place for a long time, then its growth slows down and the leaves become smaller. In order for fruits to form, artificial pollination must be carried out under conditions of home cultivation.
Reproduction of carissa
Karissa can be propagated both by seeds and by cuttings. Seed germination occurs within two weeks, but the first shoots then stop growing. A plant grown by a seed method begins to bloom only in the second year of life.
For cuttings, small pieces of apical shoots are chosen, on which three internodes were located. Rooting of cuttings is slow, but if they take root, then you can expect flowering next year. The ideal conditions for the development of roots are equipped mini-greenhouses, which are filled with a soil mixture consisting of peat and perlite. In water, as a rule, cuttings rarely develop roots.
Diseases and pests
Karissa is resistant to any disease. One of the most common diseases is the defeat of the plant by root rot, which is caused by excess moisture.
Among the pests there are spider mites, thrips and scale insects. If traces of infection are found, the tree is carefully washed with warm water, and the leaves are treated with special compounds.
Home-grown carissa fruits are equally tasty and healthy. They can be used for food, prepare salads, jellies, add to cocktails. However, the fruits are considered edible only after they are fully ripe, and all other vegetative parts of the plant are poisonous, therefore, when consumed, they can cause a serious dispatch.
