Carob

Family. Legumes.

Origin. Mediterranean.

Description. Ceratonia or carob tree is a large evergreen tree, reaching a height of 15 m. The leaves are green, compound - consist of 5 - 10 pairs of rounded segments up to 5 cm long. Flowers without petals, small, collected in racemose inflorescences about 5 cm long. After flowering, they form oblong pods with seeds. The pods can reach 15 cm, each seed weighs about 0.18 g and it is possible that this plant gave the name to a jewelry measure of weight - a carat, which is equal to the weight of a carob seed.

Height. In the natural environment it is usually 9 - 12 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Normal room temperature is suitable, the plant tolerates short-term frosts. In autumn, the tree is transferred to a cool room with a temperature of 6 - 8 ° C.

Lighting

Well-lit location, possible direct sunlight early in the morning and evening.

Care

Excess nitrogen fertilizers affect the formation of buds. Nitrogen is fixed in root nodules, so adult plants need additional feeding with potassium and phosphorus, but not nitrogen. Without regret, trim side shoots in early spring. If it is necessary to control the size of the carob tree, side shoots can be shortened to 20 - 40 cm in length in mid-summer.

Substrate

A very hardy and undemanding species. It can grow on fairly poor soils, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils with a slightly alkaline pH; does not tolerate soils with an acidic pH.

Feeding

Apply low-nitrogen fertilizers monthly during the growing season.

Purpose

Landscaping of large and bright rooms.

Flowering time

From spring to autumn. 

Air humidity

Spray periodically if the indoor air becomes too dry.

Soil moisture

During flowering, the carob tree needs a lot of water. During the winter dormancy period, watering is reduced.

Transfer

Repot each spring as growth progresses into larger pots. For larger tub plants, replace the top layer of soil with fresh soil each year.

Reproduction

Ceratonia reproduces by seeds. Fresh seeds can be sown immediately into the substrate in the spring, while dried old seeds need to be pre-soaked in warm water for a day. 

Pests and diseases

Leaf spots, viral diseases.

Harmful insects can include aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.