Origin
Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. is a plant species endemic to Madagascar, an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa.
Common Names
The plant is commonly known as "Fara kimanjaka" and "Fara kisendra" in the Malagasy language.
Uses
The fruit of Eugenia poliensis is edible and has a sweet taste. The Malagasy people use the fruit as a food source. The plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat skin diseases and stomach problems. The wood of the plant is hard and durable, and it is used to make furniture and tools.
General Appearance
Eugenia poliensis is a small tree or shrub that can grow up to 7 meters tall. It has a dense, rounded crown and dark green, glossy leaves that are oblong in shape. The tree produces small, white flowers that are followed by small, round fruits that turn from green to a deep red when ripe. The fruit has a diameter of 1 to 2 cm and contains a single seed.
Light Requirements
Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. prefers to grow under bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can lead to stunted growth and poor fruiting. In their natural habitat, these plants often grow under the shade of larger trees.
Temperature Requirements
This plant is native to tropical regions and requires warm temperatures to thrive. It prefers temperatures between 20-30°C (68-86°F) during the day and 16-22°C (60-72°F) at night. The plant is sensitive to cold temperatures and cannot tolerate frost. It is best to keep it in a warm and humid location to mimic its natural environment.
Soil Requirements
Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in nutrients. The soil pH should be neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.5). The plant prefers soil that is moist but not waterlogged. To ensure proper drainage, mix sand or perlite into the soil. A layer of organic mulch around the plant can help retain moisture and add nutrients.
Cultivation of Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr.
Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr.is a tropical plant that originates from Madagascar and prefers a warm and humid climate. It thrives in well-drained soils with a pH range of 6.0 - 7.0. The plant can grow up to 30 feet tall and requires ample space to spread its branches.
The best time to plant Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. is during the wet season when the soil moisture is high. The plant can be propagated by seeds, air layering, and stem cuttings.
Watering needs
It is essential to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering can lead to wilting and stunted growth. The frequency of watering depends on the climate, soil type, and stage of growth. During the dry season, the plant may require watering twice a week, while during the wet season, watering once a week may be sufficient.
Fertilization
Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. requires regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and fruit production. A balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is suitable. Fertilization should be done every three to four months and should be applied at the base of the plant.
Pruning
Pruning Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. is essential to maintain its shape and health. Pruning should be done during the dry season when the plant is dormant. The dead and diseased branches should be removed, and the lower branches pruned to promote fruiting. The plant should be pruned to allow adequate sunlight and air circulation.
Propagation of Eugenia Poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr.
Eugenia Poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr., commonly known as the Njangsa tree, is native to Central and West Africa and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. This evergreen tree can grow up to 30 meters tall and has a dense foliage of shiny and leathery leaves. The tree produces small greenish-white flowers and round fruits that have a hard shell and contain up to three seeds.
Propagation methods
Eugenia Poliensis can be propagated through both sexual and asexual methods. However, the tree is most commonly propagated through seeds. Here are some popular propagation methods:
- Seeds: Njangsa seeds are planted in a mixture of soil and compost, with a depth of about 1-2cm. The seeds can be sown directly into the ground or in pots. The soil should be kept moist, but not watered too much to avoid rotting. Germination occurs within four to six weeks, and the seedlings can be transplanted to their permanent location when they reach a height of 20cm.
- Cuttings: Woody stem cuttings can also be used to propagate Eugenia Poliensis. Cuttings should be taken during the early part of the growing season, and the leaves should be kept moist and out of direct sunlight until the roots have formed, which takes about three to four weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted to a permanent location.
- Layering: Another common propagation method for this tree is layering, which involves bending a branch to the ground and covering it with soil. Once the stem has produced roots, it can be separated from the parent plant and transplanted.
- Grafting: Eugenia Poliensis can also be propagated through grafting onto a rootstock of the same family. This method is more commonly used in commercial cultivation than on a small scale.
Propagation of Eugenia Poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr. requires some patience and care, but once established, these trees are relatively easy to maintain and care for.
Disease and Pest Management of Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr.
Eugenia poliensis Aubrév. & Pellegr., commonly known as Bois-mangue or Mangavé, is susceptible to various diseases and pests. Here are some of the common problems that gardeners might face when growing the plant, along with ways to manage them.
Diseases
Leaf spot, caused by the fungus Cercospora eugeniae, is a common disease that affects Eugenia poliensis. Symptoms include circular to irregular brown spots with yellow halos, which gradually enlarge and coalesce, leading to defoliation. To manage leaf spot, remove and destroy infected leaves, improve air circulation by pruning, and avoid overhead watering to prevent splash dispersal of spores.
Powdery mildew, caused by various fungi in the order Erysiphales, is another disease that can affect Eugenia poliensis. Symptoms include a white powdery coating on leaves and stems, distortion of new growth, and leaf yellowing. To manage powdery mildew, increase air circulation and sunshine exposure, prune to promote open branching, and apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate products as fungicides.
Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a serious disease that can affect Eugenia poliensis, causing stem cankers, fruit rot, and defoliation. Symptoms include brown to black sunken lesions on stems, leaves, and fruit, which may ooze pinkish spore masses under moist conditions. To manage anthracnose, remove and destroy infected plant parts, prune to improve sunlight penetration and air flow, avoid overhead watering, and apply copper-based fungicides.
Pests
Scale insects, such as the brown soft scale (Coccus hesperidum), are common pests that can infest Eugenia poliensis. Symptoms include yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and honeydew secretion, which can attract ants and cause fungal growth. To manage scale insects, prune and destroy heavily infested branches, spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to suffocate and disrupt their feeding and reproduction, and introduce beneficial predators such as lady beetles or lacewings.
Caterpillars, such as the green fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci), can also feed on the leaves and fruits of Eugenia poliensis, causing defoliation and fruit damage. To manage caterpillars, handpick and destroy them, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad products as microbial insecticides, and use physical barriers such as insect netting or sticky tapes.
Root-knot nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, can cause root galls and stunting of Eugenia poliensis, leading to reduced vigor and yield. To manage nematodes, rotate crops with non-host plants, soil solarize by covering the soil with clear plastic and exposing it to sunlight, apply organic amendments such as compost and biofumigants to increase soil biodiversity and suppress nematode populations, and use resistant cultivars if available.
