Origin
Drypetes capillipes, also known as Buntis or Buntisan, is a small tree that belongs to the Putranjivaceae family. It is commonly found in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Indonesia.
Common Names
Buntis or Buntisan are the most common names of Drypetes capillipes. In the Philippines, it is also known as Bagtik, Bulak, and Amugis.
Uses
The leaves and bark of Drypetes capillipes are often used in traditional folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as cough, diarrhea, and fever. Some indigenous people also believe that the plant has properties that can boost lactation in nursing mothers. The wood of the tree is durable and resistant to termites, making it a popular choice for construction and furniture making.
General Appearance
Drypetes capillipes is a small tree that can grow up to 8 meters in height. The leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong-shaped, measuring between 10 and 20 centimeters in length. The tree produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that are followed by small, round fruits that turn red when ripe. The bark is grayish-brown, rough, and fissured.
Light Requirements
Drypetes capillipes requires bright, indirect sunlight to grow. A location with shade or dappled sunlight is also suitable. Direct sunlight can cause leaf scorching and growth problems in this plant.
Temperature Requirements
As a tropical plant, Drypetes capillipes thrives in warm to hot temperatures. The ideal temperature range for growth is between 20 to 32°C (68 to 90°F). Temperatures below 10°C (50°F) can cause damage to the plant, while temperatures over 35°C (95°F) can cause wilting and leaf drop.
Soil Requirements
The soil for Drypetes capillipes needs to be well-draining and fertile. The plant prefers acidic to slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. The soil should contain organic matter and have good water-holding capacity. The plant can tolerate compacted soil, but good drainage is essential to avoid root rot.
Cultivation and Care of Drypetes capillipes (Pax) Pax & K.Hoffm.
Drypetes capillipes (Pax) Pax & K.Hoffm. is a tropical plant species that belongs to the Putranjivaceae family. It is commonly known as the African Drypetes and is native to West and Central Africa. The following are some of the best cultivation and care practices to follow when growing Drypetes capillipes.
Planting and Soil Requirements
Drypetes capillipes thrives in well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. When planting, the hole should be dug wider and deeper than the root ball, and loose soils should be used to ensure that the roots have enough room to spread out. Once planted, the soil around the plant should be well-compacted to avoid air pockets.
Watering Requirements
Watering is essential for the growth and development of Drypetes capillipes. It requires moderate watering that allows the soil to remain moist but not waterlogged. During the dry seasons, the plant should be watered more frequently. However, care should be taken to avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot and other diseases. It's recommended to check the soil moisture content before watering.
Fertilization
Drypetes capillipes requires adequate nutrients to produce healthy foliage and flowers. A balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10:10:10 (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) should be used during the growing season. The fertilizer should be applied around the base of the plant, and care should be taken not to get it on the leaves or stems. Overfertilization can lead to leaf burning and other growth problems.
Pruning
Pruning is essential to maintain the shape and size of Drypetes capillipes and to remove any dead or diseased stems and branches. It's recommended to prune the plant during the dormant season when the plant is not actively growing. Regular deadheading of spent flowers also encourages the plant to produce more blooms. Sterilized pruning tools should be used to avoid the spread of diseases from one plant to another.
Propagation of Drypetes capillipes
Drypetes capillipes (Pax) Pax & K.Hoffm. can be propagated through various methods including seeds, cuttings, layering, and grafting. Different techniques are preferred depending on the desired outcome and the availability of resources.
Propagation by Seeds
Seeds is the most common method of propagation for Drypetes capillipes. The seeds are collected from the plant when they turn brown and are fully matured. They can be directly sowed in the soil or in seed trays filled with a mixture of fertile soil, sand, and peat. The seeds typically germinate after a few weeks of sowing.
Propagation by Cuttings
Cuttings can be taken from the mother plant in spring, summer, or early fall. The cuttings should be approximately 6 to 8 inches long and should include a few leaves and buds. Before planting, the cuttings should be soaked overnight in a rooting hormone. Afterward, they can be planted in a mixture of sand and peat. Once planted, the cuttings should be kept in a humid and warm environment until they develop roots.
Propagation by Layering
Layering involves growing new plants from an existing plant while it is still attached to the parent plant. A low branch can be bent down to the ground, buried in the soil, and held securely. After a few months, that branch develops roots, and it can be separated from the parent plant and planted in a separate container with fertile soil, sand, and peat.
Propagation by Grafting
Grafting is a method of asexual propagation that involves attaching part of one plant, usually a stem, onto another plant, the rootstock. To propagate Drypetes capillipes by grafting, the scions should be taken from healthy and disease-free plants. The rootstock should be taken from related plant species and should be chosen for their hardiness, vigor, and resistance to diseases. The cuttings should be joined in the fall, and the grafted plant should be kept in a warm and humid environment.
Disease and Pest Management for Drypetes Capillipes (Pax) Pax & K.Hoffm.
Drypetes Capillipes is a plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is a native plant of Nigeria and Cameroon. The plant is known for its medicinal properties and is used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments such as diarrhea, fever, and malaria.
Common Pests Affecting Drypetes Capillipes
Here are some of the common pests that might affect Drypetes Capillipes:
- Aphids: Aphids cause damage to the plant by sucking the sap out of the leaves. A heavy infestation can lead to yellowing and distortion of leaves. To manage aphids, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Spider Mites: Spider mites are tiny pests that suck the sap out of the leaves, causing them to yellow and curl. To manage spider mites, you need to spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Caterpillars: Caterpillars are the larvae of moths and butterflies. They feed on the leaves of the plant, causing holes and damage. To manage caterpillars, you can handpick them off the plant or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural pesticide.
Common Diseases Affecting Drypetes Capillipes
Here are some of the common diseases that might affect Drypetes Capillipes:
- Anthracnose: Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects the leaves and stems of the plant. The symptoms of anthracnose are yellowing and wilting of leaves, and the plant may eventually die. To manage anthracnose, you can use fungicides like copper oxychloride.
- Leaf Spot: Leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes circular spots on the leaves of Drypetes Capillipes. These spots can be brown, yellow, or black. To manage leaf spot, you can remove the infected leaves and spray the plant with a fungicide like thiophanate-methyl.
- Root Rot: Root rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots of the plant. The symptoms of root rot are yellowing and wilting of leaves, and the plant may eventually die. To manage root rot, you need to improve the drainage of the soil and avoid over-watering the plant.
By managing pests and diseases, you can help keep your Drypetes Capillipes healthy and thriving. It is also important to maintain good plant hygiene, such as removing dead leaves and debris, to prevent the spread of diseases.
