Origin and Common Names
Boswellia brichettii (Chiov.) Chiov. is a species of flowering plant in the family Burseraceae, native to Ethiopia. It is commonly known as the Ethiopian Frankincense tree.
General Appearance
The Ethiopian Frankincense tree grows up to 10 meters tall and is characterized by a slender, slightly twisted trunk with rough and papery bark. The leaves are composed of alternate, rounded or ovate leaflets with a glossy, dark green color. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, white to pink in color. The fruits are small, round and green, turning to brown when they are ripe.
Uses
The resin extracted from the Ethiopian Frankincense tree is highly valued for its aromatic properties. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly for treating inflammation and respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. It is also used in the production of incense, perfume, and cosmetics.
Light Requirements
Boswellia brichettii thrives in areas with full sun exposure and can also tolerate partial shade. In the wild, it grows in areas with a lot of sunlight penetration. Therefore, it is essential to provide the plant with enough sunlight if grown indoors.
Temperature Requirements
The typical temperature range for growing Boswellia brichettii is between 15-40 degrees Celsius. It is a relatively hardy plant with the ability to tolerate high temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. Low temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius are a problem, and the plant won't grow optimally under such conditions.
Soil Requirements
Boswellia brichettii prefers soil that is well-drained and has good moisture retention abilities. Clay loams and sandy loams are ideal soils to grow the plant. The soil should also be slightly acidic with a pH between 6.0-7.5. It is also important to add organic matter to the soil to improve its fertility and water-holding capacity.
Cultivation methods
Boswellia brichettii (Chiov.) Chiov. is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree commonly found in East Africa. It requires well-drained soil and prefers warm and dry conditions. It is usually grown as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks. Propagation is through seeds or stem cuttings. The seeds should be dried, cleaned, and soaked in water overnight before planting. For stem cuttings, select healthy stems and cut them at an angle of 45 degrees. Treat the cuttings with rooting hormone before planting.Watering Needs
Boswellia brichettii (Chiov.) Chiov. requires moderate watering during the growing season. Water the plant deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering during the winter months, but do not let the soil dry out completely.Fertilization
Boswellia brichettii (Chiov.) Chiov. benefits from regular fertilization during the growing season. Apply a balanced fertilizer every four to six weeks, following the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, you can use organic fertilizers such as compost or manure.Pruning
Boswellia brichettii (Chiov.) Chiov. may require occasional pruning to maintain its shape and size. Pruning should be done during the dormant season in late winter or early spring. Remove any dead or diseased branches and any crossing or rubbing branches. Cut back any branches that are growing too long or out of shape. Always use clean and sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.Propagation of Boswellia brichettii
Boswellia brichettii, an evergreen tree, can be propagated through various methods including seed-propagation, cutting, and grafting.
Seed Propagation
The ideal time to sow Boswellia brichettii seeds is during the rainy season. The seeds should be collected from matured fruits and should be cleaned and dried before sowing.
The seeds can be sown in nurseries in seedbeds containing sand, loamy soil, or a mixture of both. The seedlings will germinate within 15-20 days. At this stage, they can be transplanted to individual pots and grown for about 2-3 years to attain a height of at least 50cm before being transferred to the field.
Cutting
Cutting is another propagation method for Boswellia brichettii. Stem cuttings of about 10-15cm long and 1cm diameter should be collected from the mother plant during the rainy season, and treated with rooting hormone. These cuttings should then be planted in polybags containing sand, loamy soil, or a mixture of both and placed under shade. The cuttings will form roots within 6-8 weeks.
Grafting
Grafting can be used to propagate Boswellia brichettii. The two most common grafting methods used are approach grafting and budding. Improved clones with enhanced qualities can be achieved through grafting.
For approach grafting, scion should be collected from the mother plant, along with a rootstock of a closely related species. The scion is then grafted onto the rootstock. After about 60-90 days, the rootstock can be cut to allow the scion to grow independently.
Budding involves taking a bud from the selected mother plant and grafting it on to a rootstock.
Both grafting methods require careful handling to ensure success.
Disease Management
Boswellia brichettii is a relatively disease-resistant plant, but it is still prone to certain diseases that can cause harm to the plant and reduce its capacity to produce resin.
One of the major diseases that affects Boswellia brichettii is stem canker, which leads to the wilting and death of the tree. Stem canker is caused by various fungi species and bacteria, which typically enter the plant through wounds or injuries on the stem or branches. To manage the disease, it is necessary to prune and remove infected branches and apply a fungicide to the wounds. It is also vital to maintain proper tree hygiene and minimize any physical damage to the plant.
Another common disease is leaf blight, which is caused by a fungus and results in the development of leaf spots and discoloration. The fungus can infect the leaves through natural openings or injuries, and hence maintaining proper tree hygiene, pruning, and removing infected parts can help minimize the disease's impacts. Fungicides are also effective in managing leaf blight, and early detection can prevent the spread of the disease.
Pest Management
As with diseases, Boswellia brichettii is relatively resistant to pests, but it is still susceptible to some insect damage. One of the primary insect pests is the ambrosia beetle, which bores into the bark and disrupts the flow of sap. The beetle can cause die-back of individual branches and eventually lead to the tree's death. Managing the beetle requires preventive measures such as maintaining proper tree hygiene, removing any infected branches, and using pesticides. Traps can also be used to control the beetle population.
The shoot tip borer or weevil is another common pest that affects Boswellia brichettii. The insect lays its eggs on new shoots, and the larvae penetrate and feed on the tissue causing stunted growth and dieback symptoms. Pruning the affected shoots and removing infected plant parts can minimize the pest's impact, and insecticides can be used to control the weevils' populations.
It is crucial to monitor the plant regularly and detect any signs of damage or disease early to prevent any further spread. Good cultural practices such as crop rotation and maintaining proper tree hygiene are also essential in preventing attacks from pests and diseases that affect Boswellia brichettii.
