Malpighia

The genus Malpighia includes 35 species of trees and shrubs. Natural habitat: Caribbean coast, tropical rain forests, riverbanks. They are mostly thermophilic plants, so they are rarely found in mountainous areas. At home, some malpighias are grown as fruit crops, for example, naked Malpighia (Malpighia glabra) and pomegranate-leaved (M. punicifolia). Their fruits are known as "Barbadian cherries" and are famous for their high content (15-100 times more than in oranges) of ascorbic acid. In indoor culture, the purple - bearing malpighia (Malpighia coccigera) is known-a shrub with a height of no more than 1 m with glossy, leathery small leaves that have prickly protrusions along the edge. Mostly malpighia is grown by lovers of the ancient art of bonsai - the plant is valued for its unpretentiousness, ease of formation and small foliage, and most importantly for the fact that malpighia does not require cool winter maintenance. Blooming malpighia fascinates everyone who sees it. The tiny tree is covered with numerous pink flowers and buds and really looks very much like a cherry or almond.

The genus Malpighia includes 35 species of trees and shrubs. Natural habitat: Caribbean coast, tropical rain forests, riverbanks. They are mostly thermophilic plants, so they are rarely found in mountainous areas. At home, some malpighias are grown as fruit crops, for example, naked Malpighia (Malpighia glabra) and pomegranate-leaved (M. punicifolia). Their fruits are known as "Barbadian cherries" and are famous for their high content (15-100 times more than in oranges) of ascorbic acid.

In indoor culture, the purple - bearing malpighia (Malpighia coccigera) is known-a shrub with a height of no more than 1 m with glossy, leathery small leaves that have prickly protrusions along the edge. Mostly malpighia is grown by lovers of the ancient art of bonsai - the plant is valued for its unpretentiousness, ease of formation and small foliage, and most importantly for the fact that malpighia does not require cool winter maintenance. Blooming malpighia fascinates everyone who sees it. The tiny tree is covered with numerous pink flowers and buds and really looks very much like a cherry or almond.

Cultivation

In temperate climates, malpighia is grown only as a domestic crop. It is unpretentious, resistant to dry air, can put up with a very small amount of soil. As a substrate, a mixture of turf, garden land, sand, a small amount of clay and leaf humus is used. From mid-February to October, the plant is fed with liquid universal fertilizers 2-3 times a month, and the rest of the time 1 time a month. For the first time, malpighia blooms on the 5th or 2nd year, but then blooms annually, 3-4 times from spring to autumn. About a month passes between blooms, then once again, many buds appear on the branches and trunk from the ground itself. The root system of malpighia is small, so for its cultivation, small pots of medium depth or wide low bowls are needed, if the plant does not remain unattended for a long time. Drainage is desirable, but not required.

Location

Malpighia is suitable for well-lit eastern and western windows with bright sunlight, but on southern windows in summer, if there is no ventilation, the leaves can get burned. I really like the plant in the summer on an open balcony.

Temperature

For growing malpighia, room temperature is desirable. It is permissible to lower the temperature in winter and at night to 15 °C, and for a short time to 10-12 °C.

Watering

The frequency and abundance of watering depends on the location of the plant and the size of the container in which it is planted, as well as on the air temperature. In ordinary deep pots, water moderately in winter and summer. When the temperature decreases, the soil is maintained in a slightly moist state. In low "bonsai" bowls in the summer, the soil dries out very quickly, so sometimes you have to water by immersion, that is, until the soil is completely saturated with water, or spray the surface of the substrate several times a day.

Transplant

Transplanting with a complete replacement of the soil for adult plants is carried out once every 2 or 3 years, and young plants are more often transferred to a larger pot when the old one becomes too small. Replacement of soil is also performed in case of poor quality or root diseases.

Care

The plant is easily formed by pruning. In bushy specimens, the shoots can be woven into a single trunk and secured with twine or wire. Dried leaves and flowers are removed carefully so as not to scratch your hands.

Reproduction

Malpighia is propagated by cuttings throughout the year. Cuttings should be treated with growth stimulants for better root formation and placed in a pot with moist vermiculite. To maintain the high humidity required for rooting, the pot is placed in a greenhouse or plastic bag. It will take a long time for the roots to form. Cuttings cut at one time can partially take root in 1-2 months, and the most persistent ones - in six months.

Diseases

Malpighia is a hardy, rarely ill plant and is practically not damaged by pests.

Acquisition

Malpighia is a rare plant, but it can be found in greenhouses and flower growers ' clubs. It is best to buy very young plants, because they can be formed at will.