Description of Dovyalis celastroides auct.
Dovyalis celastroides auct. is a small, spiny shrub that belongs to the family Flacourtiaceae. It is commonly known as the Ceylon gooseberry or Ketembilla. The plant is native to Sri Lanka, India, and some parts of Southeast Asia. The plant bears fruits that are edible, juicy and tangy in taste.
General Appearance
The plant can grow up to a height of 4 meters and is often found in tropical and subtropical areas. It has a simple, alternate leaf that is about 3-8 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide. The leaves are smooth and glossy. The plant bears small flowers that are greenish-yellow in color and bloom in clusters. The fruit is small, round, and yellow-orange in color with a glossy skin. It is about 2 cm in diameter and has a tangy, sour, and acidic taste.
Common Uses
Dovyalis celastroides auct. has some medicinal properties and is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Its fruit is used as a laxative and to improve digestion. The plant is also used to treat ulcers and diarrhea. The fruit is often used in cooking and can be consumed fresh or made into jams and jellies.
In some cultures, the leaves of the plant are used to make a tea that is said to have a calming effect on the body. The plant is also cultivated for its ornamental value due to its shiny green leaves and the bright yellow color of its fruit. The plant's spiny nature also makes it useful as a hedge or barrier plant.
Overall, Dovyalis celastroides auct. is a versatile plant with various uses. Its unique tangy taste and ornamental value make it a popular choice among gardeners and cooks alike.
Growth Conditions for Dovyalis celastroides auct.
Light: Dovyalis celastroides auct. prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate shade, but it may affect its growth and fruiting.
Temperature: Dovyalis celastroides auct. can grow well in a wide range of temperatures. However, it prefers warm temperatures between 20°C to 30°C. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 5°C, but frost may damage the plant.
Soil: Dovyalis celastroides auct. prefers well-drained soil with high organic matter content. It can grow in a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. However, it does not tolerate waterlogged soils. The pH of the soil should be between 5.0 and 7.5.
Water: Dovyalis celastroides auct. requires moderate water. It should not be overwatered as it can lead to root rot. It can tolerate short periods of drought, but extended periods of drought may affect its growth and fruiting.
Fertilizer: Dovyalis celastroides auct. requires regular fertilization to promote its growth and fruiting. Fertilizers high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be used. Organic fertilizers can also be used to improve soil fertility.
Propagation: Dovyalis celastroides auct. can be propagated by seeds or cuttings. Seeds should be collected from ripened fruits and sown in well-prepared soil. Cuttings should be taken from mature stems and should include a few leaves. They should be treated with rooting hormone and planted in well-draining soil.
Pruning: Dovyalis celastroides auct. requires regular pruning to promote its growth and fruiting. The plant should be pruned after fruiting to remove dead and diseased branches and to maintain its shape and size.
Pests and Diseases: Dovyalis celastroides auct. is susceptible to various pests and diseases, including mealybugs, scale insects, and root rot. Regular monitoring and appropriate measures should be taken to prevent and control these problems.
Cultivation
Dovyalis celastroides auct. is a hardy plant that can thrive in a range of soils, from sandy to clay-based. It prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. The plant needs full access to sunlight which makes it ideal for outdoor cultivation. It should be planted in an area with plenty of space as it grows relatively large.
Watering Needs
Water the plant generously during the first year of growth, especially during dry spells. Once established, you can reduce the watering to once in two weeks. Always check the soil moisture before watering, to ensure it’s not too dry. A good sign that the plant needs watering is when the leaves start to wilt or lose their gloss.
Fertilization
Your plant should be fertilized four times a year. A general-purpose, balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 provides a good composition of the essential nutrients it needs to grow. Apply the fertilizer once in early spring, mid-spring, early summer, and mid-summer. Always add enough fertilizer to meet the needs of the plant but avoid over-fertilizing as it can harm the plant.
Pruning
Pruning is essential as it promotes the growth of new leaves and branches while maintaining a good shape. It would be best to prune the plant during the winter dormant season as it will not interfere with plant growth. Remove any dead or diseased limbs, as well as any limbs that rub against each other, as they can cause wounds that attract pests. Cut the branches to suit your desired shape and to encourage bushy growth.
Propagation of Dovyalis celastroides auct.
Dovyalis celastroides auct. is a dioecious plant, which means that it has separate male and female plants. The plant is propagated from seeds, cuttings, or grafting.
Propagation from Seeds
The seeds of Dovyalis celastroides auct. are small and should be extracted from ripe fruit. Preparing the seeds for planting involves washing them and removing any residual flesh or pulp. The seeds should be soaked in water overnight to soften their hard seed coat before planting. Sow the seeds in a well-draining potting mix and maintain a warm, humid environment until germination. For best results, the seeds should be sown immediately after extraction.
Propagation from Cuttings
The plant can also be propagated from cuttings. Take semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy, disease-free plants during the growing season. Prepare the cutting by removing the leaves on the lower half of the stem and dipping the cutting in rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix and provide a warm and humid environment. After a few weeks, the cutting should start to form roots, and the new plant can be transplanted.
Propagation by Grafting
Grafting is the process of joining a bud or a scion of one plant onto another plant, which is the rootstock. For Dovyalis celastroides auct., grafting is usually performed to produce plants that have higher yields and better fruit quality. The preferred rootstock is usually Dovyalis abyssinica, which is a related plant from the same family. The two plants should be joined at the cambium layer using a cleft grafting technique. Once the graft union is established, the plant should be grown in a warm and humid environment and provided with regular care until it is ready to be transplanted outdoors.
Disease Management for Dovyalis celastroides
Dovyalis celastroides, commonly known as Sand Apple or Kei Apple, is a relatively disease-resistant plant. However, the following diseases may affect the plant:
- Leaf Spot: Leaf spot is caused by fungal pathogens and is characterized by the presence of small, circular spots on leaves. To manage leaf spot, remove and destroy affected leaves and promote proper drainage and aeration of the soil.
- Anthracnose: Anthracnose is another fungal disease that turns leaves of the plant yellow and brown and causes fruit rot. As a management strategy, practice good sanitation by removing and destroying affected plant parts and promote good airflow around the plant.
Pest Management for Dovyalis celastroides
While Dovyalis celastroides is relatively free of pests, the following pests may infest the plant:
- Fruit Fly: Fruit flies are common pests and can damage the fruit of Dovyalis celastroides. To manage fruit fly infestations, use sticky traps and apply appropriate insecticide sprays.
- Scale Insects: Scale insects can be detected by the presence of small, circular, cotton-like masses on the leaves and stems of the plant. To manage scale insect infestations, prune and destroy affected plant parts and apply appropriate insecticide sprays.
It is important to note that using chemical control methods as a form of pest and disease management should be the last resort. Cultural measures, such as proper sanitation and maintaining the plant's health, should be practiced to prevent pests and diseases from infecting Dovyalis celastroides.
