Overview
Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The plant is commonly known as the bell-shaped Vangueria.General Appearance
The bell-shaped Vangueria is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall. The bark is grey and rough with numerous small cracks. The leaves are oval-shaped and can grow up to 7 cm long and 4 cm wide. The flowers are bell-shaped and have a greenish-yellow color. The fruit is orange or red when ripe and has a berry-like appearance.Uses
The bell-shaped Vangueria has a variety of traditional medicinal uses. It is used in the treatment of various ailments, including malaria, asthma, and stomach problems. The bark is believed to be effective in treating diarrhea and dysentery, while the fruit is used to treat digestive issues. In addition to its medicinal uses, the fruit of the bell-shaped Vangueria is edible and is used to make jams, jellies, and sauces. The wood of the tree is also used for fuel, tool handles, and other wood products. Overall, the bell-shaped Vangueria is a valuable plant with a range of uses for both medicinal and culinary purposes.Growth Conditions for Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc.
Light: Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. requires full sunlight to partial shade for proper growth and development. It can tolerate shade, but flowering and fruiting may be decreased.
Temperature: The plant grows well in warm to hot temperatures, preferably in the range of 20-30°C. It can tolerate frost to a certain extent, but prolonged exposure to below-freezing temperatures can result in damage to the plant.
Soil: Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. prefers well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. The pH range of the soil should be between 5.5-7.5. It can tolerate a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clayey soils, but the soil must not be waterlogged as it can result in root rot.
Water: The plant requires moderate watering, and the soil must be kept moist but not waterlogged. During the dry season, the plant may require more frequent watering.
Fertilizer: Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. requires organic fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The fertilizers should be applied during the growing season, preferably in the spring and fall.
By providing the appropriate growth conditions, Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. can grow and develop into a healthy plant that produces beautiful flowers and delicious fruits.
Cultivation Methods
Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. is a hardy plant species that can withstand various growing conditions. It is best grown in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH level. Plant the seedlings early in the spring or late in the fall when the temperatures are mild. The plant tolerates both full sun and partial shade but prefers partial shade.
Watering Needs
The plant requires a moderate amount of water to thrive. Water the plant once a week during the growing season and reduce watering in the colder months. Avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot, which is detrimental to the plant's growth and development.
Fertilization
Fertilize the plant during its active growing period, which is usually in the spring and summer months. Use a balanced fertilizer applied at half the recommended strength. Overfertilization can lead to the development of weak and spindly shoots.
Pruning
Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. responds well to pruning and can be pruned to maintain its shape and size. Cut back any dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth. Remove any crossing branches to avoid damage to the plant's structure and allow adequate airflow in the canopy.
Propagation of Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc.
Vangueria infausta Burch. var. campanulata (Robyns) Verdc. is propagated by both sexual and asexual methods.
Sexual Propagation:
The plant produces small and round fruits containing seeds that can be collected once they have matured. The seeds need to be cleaned, dried, and stored in cool, dry places. Before planting, the seeds need to be scarified or stratified to break the seed coat dormancy that inhibits germination. Scarification can be done mechanically by making a small cut on the seed coat or chemically by soaking the seeds in a diluted sulfuric or hydrochloric acid solution. Stratification involves keeping the seeds in a moist environment at a specific temperature for a certain period of time before planting. The seeds can be directly planted in soil during the warm seasons of spring and summer or indoors in containers during the colder seasons of fall and winter.
Asexual Propagation:
The plant can be propagated asexually by stem cuttings and layering. Stem cuttings can be made by cutting a 4-6 inch section of a stem with a sterile blade and removing the leaves from the bottom. The cutting can then be dipped in rooting hormone powder and planted in soil or water until roots develop. Layering involves bending a lower branch of the plant down towards the soil and wounding a small part of the stem before burying it in soil while still attached to the main plant. The buried section should be kept moist until roots develop and the new plant can be separated from the original plant.
Disease Management
One of the common diseases that might affect Vangueria infausta var. campanulata is anthracnose. This disease is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and can lead to leaf drop and twig dieback. To manage anthracnose, prune and burn affected branches, avoid overhead irrigation, and apply a fungicide according to label instructions.
The plant is also susceptible to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that appears as a white powdery substance on leaves and stems. To treat powdery mildew, prune heavily infected areas, increase air circulation, and use a fungicide according to label instructions.
Vangueria infausta var. campanulata may also develop leaf spots caused by the fungus Cercospora. To manage leaf spots, remove and dispose of infected leaves, avoid overhead irrigation, and use a fungicide according to label instructions.
Pest Management
One of the common pests that might affect Vangueria infausta var. campanulata is the fruit fly. Adult fruit flies lay eggs in the fruit, which then hatch into larvae that feed on the flesh. To manage fruit fly infestations, pick up and dispose of any fallen fruit, maintain good hygiene practices, and use a baited trap or insecticide according to label instructions.
The plant is also susceptible to red spider mites, tiny arachnids that cause yellowing and stippling on leaves. To manage red spider mite infestations, increase air humidity, prune heavily infested leaves, and use a miticide according to label instructions.
Finally, Vangueria infausta var. campanulata may be attacked by mealybugs, small insects covered in a white waxy substance. Mealybugs feed on plant sap and can cause distorted growth and reduced plant vigor. To manage mealybug infestations, use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil according to label instructions, prune heavily infested areas, and increase air circulation.
