Bush Plum

Bush Plum Care

Carissa Spinarum

What is the plant

It grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, 0.5 to 3 metres in height. The leaves are glossy green, opposite, narrow ovate to lanceolate and 1–5 cm in length. The branches bear thorns of 1–3 cm length. White, star-shaped flowers ~1 cm across are followed by ovate green berries, 1–2 cm in length, which turn black or dark purple when ripe.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

min 6°C

Hardiness zone

3 - 9

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Be sure to water the young trees heavily every week during the first growing season to help promote growth. Then, water regularly. It's best to water the plant deeply at the soil line, then let the soil dry out (though not completely) and water again.
Pruning
Avoid pruning plums in winter, as it increases the risk of infection by silver leaf disease to which plums and other Prunus species are prone. The best time for pruning is usually spring for young trees and mid-summer for established ones.
Fertilizer
The fertilizer 10-10-10 is an all-purpose fertilizer that meets the needs of plum trees throughout the growing season. A plum tree that is three years or younger needs no more than 1/2 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer once in mid-April and once in early June.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Provide bright light.
Soil
They prefer a soil with a pH that ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. It is always a good idea to have your soil tested before planting any fruit tree to be sure that they pH is appropriate.
Temperature
These plants are known for being fairly hardy when it comes to experiencing drought or cold temperatures.