Origin of Popowia buchananii
Popowia buchananii, also known as Nchaa in Igbo language, is a species of flowering plant in the Annonaceae family. It is native to tropical West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.
Common Names of Popowia buchananii
Popowia buchananii is commonly known as Buchanan's Popowia, African custard apple, and Nigerian custard apple. In Nigeria, it is also called "Udara" or "Agbalumo" in some regions.
Uses of Popowia buchananii
The fruit of Popowia buchananii is edible and consumed by local populations. It has a sour-sweet taste and is often used in making refreshing drinks, jams, and marmalades. The seeds are high in oil content and can be used for making soap or as a lubricant for machinery. The bark and leaves of the tree have medicinal properties and are used to treat various ailments including fever, diarrhea, and stomach ache.
Appearance of Popowia buchananii
Popowia buchananii is a slow-growing evergreen tree that can reach up to 25 meters in height. The tree has a straight trunk and a rounded crown of dense foliage. The leaves are large, glossy, and dark green in color. The fruit is a spherical berry that is about 5-7 cm in diameter with a leathery skin. The flesh is white and juicy with small brown seeds embedded throughout.
Light requirements
Popowia buchananii typically grows well in dappled shade or partially shaded areas. These conditions are ideal for the plant, considering it is not a full-sun plant. If exposed to direct sunlight, the plant may struggle to thrive and may result in stunted growth or death.
Temperature requirements
The plant thrives best in warmer conditions with temperatures ranging between 20°C and 30°C (68°F - 86°F). The minimum temperature requirement for the Popowia buchananii plant is 10°C (50°F), and it cannot tolerate temperatures below freezing. In colder temperatures, the plant's growth rate slows, and the leaves may drop off.
Soil Requirements
The ideal soil for Popowia buchananii is rich, well-draining, and moist. Due to the plant's tropical nature, it grows best in soils that are rich in organic matter, such as compost. A well-draining soil with appropriate moisture retention will prevent water-logging of the plant's roots, prevent root rot, and promote plant growth to full maturity. Though the plant can adapt to a wide range of soil pH, it prefers a slightly acidic soil pH of between 5.5 and 6.5.
Cultivation Method for Popowia Buchananii
The Popowia Buchananii plant is a tropical plant that prefers warm, humid climates. It grows best in areas that have temperatures between 68°F (20°C) and 86°F (30°C). The plant needs to be grown in a well-draining soil medium that is rich in organic matter. The plant should be grown in a partially shaded area, as it is not tolerant to intense sunlight.
Watering Needs of Popowia Buchananii
The Popowia Buchananii plant requires moderate watering. It should not be over-watered, as it may lead to root rot. The soil should be kept slightly moist but not waterlogged. The plant should be watered once every week during the growing season, and then reduce the frequency in the winter.
Fertilization for Popowia Buchananii
The plant requires regular fertilization during its growing season. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer with a 1:1:1 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Feed the plant every two weeks, or according to the instructions on the fertilizer label. Avoid over-fertilization, as it can damage the plant.
Pruning Popowia Buchananii
Pruning the Popowia Buchananii plant is necessary to maintain its shape and size. The plant should be pruned in the late winter or early spring, before the new growth starts. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to remove any dead, damaged or diseased stems or branches, and cut them back to healthy wood. To control the size, prune back the tips of the stems, but be careful not to remove too much of the plant at once.
Propagation of Popowia buchananii
Popowia buchananii (Engl.) Engl. & Diels can be propagated through various methods depending on the availability of resources. The plant's propagation may be through seed collection, vegetative propagation or air-layering, and stem or root cuttings.
Seed collection
Popowia buchananii can be propagated through seed collection especially when the plant has produced mature fruits in abundance. To collect seeds, the fruits are allowed to ripen before they are harvested. The seeds inside can then be manually extracted, washed and planted in a nursery for germination. It's crucial to remove the pulp surrounding the seeds to enhance germination prospects of the seeds. The ideal planting medium is a mixture of sand, loam, and peat, taken in equal quantities. Seeds should be sown just beneath the surface of the soil.
Vegetative propagation
Popowia buchananii can be propagated vegetatively by taking stem cuttings from the parent plant. Cuttings are taken from the actively growing plant and rooted in a pot containing sandy soil and kept well watered. A rooting hormone can be used to promote the formation of the roots. Humidity is essential during the first six weeks of the cuttings establishment, after which they can be transferred to new pots to continue growth.
Air-layering
Air-layering is a method where a portion of a mature stem is induced to form roots while still attached to the parent plant before separating it. The process is carried out by wrapping a moist sphagnum moss around the stem section to be airlayered and covering it in plastic wrap. This is primarily done where it's impossible or impractical to propagate through stem cuttings. After six months, the roots will have grown, and the layer may be cut from the parent plant, potted in sandy loam and kept in a shady area to continue growth
Root cuttings
Root cuttings are yet another method that can be used to propagate Popowia buchananii. Root cuttings are removed from the main stem, preferably from the roots' ends, and added to a pot filled with well-drained sandy soil. If the cuttings are taken in the dormancy period, the plant should be stored in a cold frame naturally on the ground for a few months to trigger growth. Alternatively, hormones could be used to promote rooting before transferring them to pots.
Disease and Pest Management for Popowia buchananii
Popowia buchananii, commonly known as false soursop, is a tropical tree that belongs to the Annonaceae family. Like any other plant, Popowia buchananii is prone to different diseases and pests if not taken care of properly. Here are some of the common diseases and pests that might affect the plant, as well as ways to manage them:
Diseases
1. Anthracnose: This is a common fungal disease that affects Popowia buchananii. Symptoms include leaf spotting, defoliation, and fruit rot. It thrives in warm and moist conditions. To manage anthracnose, use copper-based fungicides and practice good sanitation by removing infected plant debris and leaves.
2. Root Rot: Poor drainage and overwatering can cause root rot in Popowia buchananii. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, wilting, and stunted growth. To manage root rot, ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering. Additionally, use fungicides that are labeled for root rot control.
3. Powdery Mildew: This is a fungal disease that appears as white powdery patches on the plant. It is favored by high humidity and moderate temperatures. To manage powdery mildew, use sulfur-based fungicides and maintain good airflow around the plant by pruning dense growth.
Pests
1. Scale Insects: These insects are sap-sucking insects that appear as bumps on the leaves and stems of Popowia buchananii. They secrete a sticky substance that attracts ants and promotes the growth of black sooty mold. To manage scale insects, use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils to suffocate them.
2. Mealybugs: These insects are also sap-sucking insects that appear as white cottony masses on the plant. They excrete honeydew that attracts ants and promotes the growth of sooty mold. To manage mealybugs, use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils, or introduce natural predators like ladybugs or lacewings.
3. Thrips: These insects feed on Popowia buchananii leaves, flowers, and fruit. Their feeding causes scars and deformations on the plant. To manage thrips, use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils, or introduce natural predators like minute pirate bugs or lady beetles.
