Origin and Common Names
Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori, also known as the Smooth Turraea plant, is a member of the Meliaceae family and is native to East Africa. The plant is commonly found in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Uses
The Smooth Turraea plant has several uses in traditional medicine practices. The bark and leaves are used to treat various ailments such as fever, malaria, dysentery, and skin infections. The plant also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it useful in treating conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, the plant has insecticidal properties, and the crushed seeds are used to repel grain weevils and moths.
General Appearance
The Smooth Turraea plant is a small to medium-sized tree that reaches up to 8 meters in height. The tree has thin, smooth, light grey bark and a dense, rounded canopy of evergreen leaves. The leaves are pinnately compound, with 5-9 leaflets that are glossy, dark green, and ovate to elliptic in shape. The tree produces small, cream-coloured flowers that are clustered together in panicles. The flowers are followed by round, woody fruits that are orange to yellow-brown when ripe and contain several seeds.
Light Requirements:
Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori typically thrives in full sunlight. The plant requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight every day to maintain healthy growth and development. However, excessive exposure to direct sunlight can be harmful, so it is essential to provide the plant with some shade during the hottest hours of the day.
Temperature Requirements:
The plant requires warm temperatures to grow and develop properly. The optimal temperature range for Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori is between 25°C and 35°C. When exposed to temperatures below 20°C or above 40°C, the plant may suffer and its growth may be stunted.
Soil Requirements:
Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori prefers well-draining soil that contains a high percentage of organic matter. The ideal pH range for the plant is between 6.0 and 7.5. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged, as excessive water can lead to root rot. Adding organic compost to the soil can help improve soil fertility and drainage.
Cultivation Methods
Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori can be grown in a variety of soil types, but it prefers moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. It can be propagated either through seed or vegetative means such as cuttings and air-layering.
This plant requires full to partial sunlight exposure for proper growth. In areas that experience temperatures below 45°F, it should be grown indoors. However, caution is advised as the Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori is prone to susceptibility to pests such as mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites. Proper cultivation methods, including the usage of insecticides, are advised to prevent infestation of these pests.
Watering Needs
Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori requires regular watering to maintain adequate moisture levels in the soil. The soil should be watered thoroughly, but not to the point of waterlogging. A good way to check whether the plant requires watering is to insert a finger into the soil up to around two inches. If the soil feels dry to the touch, it is an indication that the plant requires watering.
It is worth noting that overwatering is one of the common issues that affect the growth of this plant. Overwatering leads to root rot, which ultimately results in the death of the plant. Therefore, the soil should always be allowed to dry out between watering to minimize the risk of overwatering.
Fertilization
To enhance consistent growth and encourage blooming, Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori requires regular fertilization. A well-balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients is recommended for this plant. The fertilizer should be applied once every three weeks, especially during the growing season. However, the frequency of application may be adjusted depending on the plant's growth rate and health.
It is important to note that the Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori is adversely affected by excess fertilizer. Therefore, moderation should be practised when applying the fertilizers to prevent scorching of the plant's leaves and roots, which may, in turn, affect its blooming and growth abilities.
Pruning
Proper pruning is essential for maintaining the health and growth of Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori. It is recommended that the plant be pruned to remove dead or diseased branches regularly. Additionally, trimming should be carried out to maintain an appropriate shape and promote the flowering of the plant.
Pruning should typically take place during the growing season to encourage the growth of new shoots. When pruning the plant, sharp and disinfected pruning tools such as shears should be used to prevent the spread of plant diseases.
Propagation of Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori
Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori is a shrub/tree species that can be propagated by different methods including seeds and vegetative propagation.
Seed propagation
The seeds of T. nilotica var. glabrata Fiori can be collected from mature, dried fruits. The collected seeds should be cleaned to remove the pulp (if present) and air-dried in a shade. For better germination, the seeds should be scarified (mechanically or chemically) to enhance water absorption by the seed. After scarification, the seeds can be sown in seedbeds or pots filled with a well-draining and fertile soil mix. The seeds can be covered with a thin layer of soil mix (1-2 cm deep) and gently watered. The germination period for the seeds is about 2-4 weeks. The seedlings can be transplanted to their permanent location after they have attained a height of about 20-30 cm.
Vegetative propagation
T. nilotica var. glabrata Fiori can be propagated vegetatively through stem cuttings, root cuttings, and layering.
Stem cuttings: Select healthy and disease-free stem cuttings from the parent plant. Cuttings should be about 10-15 cm in length with at least 2-3 nodes. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end in a rooting hormone powder. Plant the cuttings in pots filled with a well-draining soil mix, water them, and keep them in a shaded area. After 3-4 weeks, the cuttings will start to root and can be transplanted to their permanent location.
Root cuttings: Take healthy and disease-free root cuttings from the parent plant during the dormant season. The cuttings should be about 10-15 cm in length and should have at least two nodes. Plant the cuttings horizontally in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix and water them. Keep the pot in a shaded area and ensure that the soil is moist. After 4-6 weeks, the cuttings will start to develop roots and can be transplanted to their permanent location.
Layering: Select a low branch of the parent plant and make a 5-10 cm cut on its underside. Apply some rooting hormone to the cut area and bury it in the soil. Secure the branch in place using a stake. Keep the soil moist and wait for the roots to develop. After 4-6 weeks, the rooted branch can be cut from the parent plant and transplanted to a permanent location.
Disease management
The plant Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori is susceptible to several diseases that affect its growth and overall health. Some common diseases that might affect the plant include:
- Leaf spot: This disease is caused by fungal pathogens that cause the leaves to develop dark spots and eventually fall off. To manage leaf spot, remove and destroy all infected plant debris, monitor watering to avoid leaf wetness, and apply fungicides as necessary.
- Powdery mildew: This fungal disease causes a white powdery growth to develop on the leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant. To manage powdery mildew, avoid overcrowding the plant, increase air circulation, and remove and destroy infected plant debris. You can also apply fungicides to manage the spread of the disease.
- Anthracnose: This fungal disease causes dark sunken spots to develop on the leaves and stems of the plant. To manage anthracnose, remove and destroy infected plant debris, avoid overhead watering, and apply fungicides as necessary.
It is important to monitor the plant regularly for any signs of disease and take immediate action to manage them to prevent severe damage to the plant.
Pest management
The plant Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. var. glabrata Fiori is also prone to several pests that might affect its growth and overall health. Some common pests that might affect the plant include:
- Aphids: These pests feed on the sap of the plant and cause stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and distorted plant parts. To manage aphids, remove them by hand, increase air circulation, and apply insecticidal soap.
- Spider mites: These pests feed on the underside of leaves and cause yellowing and wilting of the plant. To manage spider mites, increase air circulation, remove and destroy infected plant debris, and apply insecticides as necessary.
- Mealybugs: These pests cover themselves with a white waxy coating and feed on the sap of the plant. To manage mealybugs, remove them by hand, increase air circulation, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Regular monitoring of the plant for any signs of pest infestation is important to prevent severe damage to the plant. Implementing good cultural practices such as proper watering, fertilizing, and pruning can also help to prevent pest infestation.
