Cola verticillata (Thonn.) Stapf ex A.Chev.
Cola verticillata (Thonn.) Stapf ex A.Chev. is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae, native to West and Central Africa. It is commonly known as the "whorled cola" or "crazy cola" due to the unique whorled arrangement of its leaves around the stem.
General Appearance
The plant grows up to 20 meters tall and has a long, straight trunk with smooth bark. The leaves are dark green and glossy, with a whorled arrangement of 3-5 leaves per node. The flowers are brownish-yellow and appear in groups on the tree's trunk and branches. The fruit is a woody capsule that contains seeds wrapped in a sweet and sour pulp.
Common Names
Cola verticillata is known by various names in different African countries. It is called "Oji" in Nigeria, "Omi" in Cameroon, "Kolatier" in Cote d'Ivoire, and "Esi" in Ghana. The plant is considered an important cash crop in many African countries and its seeds are used to produce the popular beverage, cola.
Uses
Cola verticillata has several medicinal properties and is traditionally used to treat various ailments such as coughs, flu, and malaria. The bark of the tree is used to make a tea which is believed to have a stimulating effect on the body. The seeds of the plant are the main ingredient used in the production of cola. Cola drinks are popular in many countries due to their caffeine content which provides a stimulating effect. Furthermore, the seeds of the plant are also used in traditional ceremonies and as a symbol of hospitality.
Overall, Cola verticillata is a unique and useful plant, with a wide range of applications across Africa and beyond.
Growth Conditions for Cola verticillata
Cola verticillata, commonly known as the Whorled Cola, is a tropical tree species found predominantly in West Africa. The tree requires specific growing conditions to thrive and produce high-quality nuts, which are used to produce cola drinks.
Light Requirements
The Whorled Cola grows well in areas of high light intensity, and it requires full sun exposure to optimize growth and nut production. It is not shade tolerant and grows poorly in shaded areas or areas with low light intensity.
Temperature Requirements
The Whorled Cola grows best in a tropical climate, where temperatures range between 20°C and 30°C. Temperatures outside this range cause the tree to produce fewer nuts or no nuts at all. The tree, however, can withstand occasional drought and high humidity, which are prevalent in the West African region.
Soil Requirements
Cola verticillata prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils with a pH value of between 5.5 and 6.5. The trees grow well in soils with high organic matter content and deep, loamy soils. They do not thrive in compacted soils or soils with poor drainage, as they are susceptible to root rot and other soil-borne diseases.
Whorled Cola trees also require regular watering, especially during the growing season, to ensure that their water requirements are met. Fertilizers, particularly those rich in phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen, also improve the tree's growth and nut production.
Overall, providing the right growth conditions for Cola verticillata is crucial to achieving optimal growth, nut production, and the highest possible yield of the cola nut. Farmers and plantation owners should, therefore, carefully consider the above growth conditions to help make informed decisions when planting and maintaining the trees.
Cultivation Methods for Cola Verticillata
Cola verticillata, also known as Thonn's cola, is a tree that is native to tropical Africa. It thrives in a range of soil types, but it prefers well-draining, fertile soils. The plant requires a lot of sunlight and warmth to grow and produce fruits. If you live in a warm climate, you can grow this tree outdoors. However, if you live in a cooler climate, you can still grow it indoors in a container.
Watering Needs
When watering Cola verticillata, you should ensure that the soil is moist, but not waterlogged. It would help if you watered the plant regularly, especially during drought periods, but do not overwater it, as it can cause root rot. To ensure that the soil does not get waterlogged, you should plant the tree in well-draining soil.
Fertilization
Cola verticillata requires regular fertilization to thrive. You can fertilize it using a balanced fertilizer that contains a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You should apply the fertilizer during the growing season, which is from spring to fall. To avoid over-fertilization, you should follow the instructions on the label carefully.
Pruning
Pruning is an integral part of Cola verticillata's care. Pruning helps to keep the tree healthy, maintain its shape, and promote the growth of new branches. You should prune the tree during its dormant season, which is in the winter. You should remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Additionally, you should remove any weak branches or branches that are crossing paths with each other. To prevent the spread of disease, you should sanitize your pruning tools before and after pruning.
Propagation of Cola verticillata
Cola verticillata (Thonn.) Stapf ex A.Chev. is a tropical tree found in West Africa, commonly known as "Cola nut" tree. Propagation of Cola verticillata can be carried out either sexually (by seeds) or asexually (through vegetative propagation).
Propagation by seeds
Propagation by seed is the most common propagation method for Cola verticillata. The recommended time to collect the seeds is during the dry season when the fruit has already matured. The seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat before sowing. The seeds can be sown directly in the field or in pots filled with a mixture of soil and compost.
The optimum temperature for seed germination is between 20 and 35°C. The seeds usually germinate between 10 and 30 days after sowing. The seedlings can then be transplanted into individual bags or directly into the field after they have developed about 4-6 leaves and reached a height of 15-20 cm.
Vegetative propagation
Vegetative propagation methods for Cola verticillata include stem cuttings, grafting, and marcotting.
Stem cuttings can be taken from mature trees during the rainy season. The cuttings should be about 15-20 cm long and should be taken from the current year's growth. The cuttings should be treated with a rooting hormone before being planted in a rooting medium. The rooting medium should be kept moist to aid in the formation of roots. The new plants can be transplanted after the roots have developed and the plants have reached a height of about 20-30 cm.
Grafting can also be used to propagate Cola verticillata. The scion should be taken from a mature tree while the rootstock should be a one-year-old seedling. The scion should be grafted onto the rootstock using the whip and tongue method. The grafted plant should be kept in a moist environment until the graft union has healed. The new plant can be transplanted after it has grown about 4-6 leaves.
Marcotting involves the rooting of a branch while it is still attached to the parent plant. A branch is wounded and then wrapped with damp sphagnum moss and a plastic sheet. The branch should be kept moist until roots develop. The rooted branch can then be cut from the parent plant and transplanted separately.
Disease Management
Cola verticillata is susceptible to several diseases which include:
- Anthracnose: It is a fungal disease which results in leaf spot, defoliation, and twig blight. The infected plant parts should be removed and burnt to manage the disease. The application of fungicides such as copper sulfates and chlorothalonil can also be effective in controlling the disease.
- Phytophthora root rot: It is a water-borne disease that affects roots, causing them to rot. To manage the disease, the soil should be well-drained, and the infected plant should be removed and destroyed.
- Leaf spot: Leaf spot is caused by fungal pathogens which result in lesions on the leaves. It can be managed by removing and destroying the infected plant parts, promoting good air circulation, and ensuring that the plant is not overcrowded.
Pest Management
Cola verticillata is also susceptible to various pests which include:
- Mealybugs: Mealybugs are sap-sucking pests that cause yellowing and wilting of leaves. They can be controlled by the application of insecticides such as imidacloprid and spinosad.
- Scale insects: Scale insects also suck the sap out of plants and cause yellowing and wilting of leaves. They can be managed by removing and destroying the infected plant parts and the application of insecticidal soaps and neem oil.
- Spider mites: Spider mites cause the leaves to become stippled and appear yellow or bronze. They can be managed by the application of insecticidal soap or neem oil and ensuring that the plant is well-hydrated.
