Malpighia

Family. Malpighiaceae.

Origin. Central America, Mexico.

Description. Malpighia grows as a large, bushy, evergreen shrub or low tree. The leaves are dark green, oblong-oval or round, about 5 cm long. The leaf blades of young leaves often have delicate pubescence, but large leaves become glossy. The flowers are unusual, with 5 round petals, corrugated along the edge, on long thin stalks, white, pink or lilac axillary, solitary or in small inflorescences of 2 - 3. After flowering, round berries are formed, which, when ripe, acquire a red tint and resemble cherries.

Height. In the natural environment up to 3 m, in culture it is regulated by pruning.

Malpighia - care at home

Temperature conditions

Maintain a temperature range of 18 to 24°C year-round. Plants will tolerate short-term frosts if kept in dry soil.

Reproduction

Malpighia is propagated by fresh seeds in the spring, air layering, grafting and stem cuttings 6 to 12 cm long; the lower leaves are removed from the cuttings and sprinkled with rooting agent.

Growing 

Regularly pinch the tips of young shoots for better branching. Perform pruning before flowering.

Lighting

A well-lit place with shade from direct sunlight on summer days. 

Substrate

Well-drained, moderately nutritious soil with a pH of at least 5.5. 

Feeding

During the growing season, feed every 2 weeks; in the fall and winter, feeding can be done monthly. 

Purpose

A beautiful flowering plant that can be grown as a bonsai.

Flowering time

All summer, long flowering period.

Air humidity

During the warm season, plants can be sprayed with water, or placed on a tray with wet pebbles or surrounded by a layer of sphagnum. You can also use a room humidifier to increase humidity. In the winter months, the tree tolerates dry air quite well.

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, water so that the top layer of soil has time to dry to a depth of about 5 cm between waterings. During the winter months, simply protect the soil from drying out.

Transfer

The plant does not really like frequent transplants, so they are carried out as needed, in the spring. Try to move the plant along with the clod of earth. 

Pests and diseases

Leaf spotting, powdery mildew, malpighia can rot in the presence of stagnant moisture and poorly drained soil.

Harmful insects can include mealybugs and aphids. 

Note

On the underside of the leaf blades there are small hairs that often dig into the skin and burn it. The juicy fruits have a pleasant sour taste and are suitable for eating both fresh and for making jams and compotes.  

Varieties:

Malpighia glabra

Tall, dense, evergreen shrub or small tree up to 6 m high with a spreading crown. Young shoots have attractive pubescence. The leaves are elliptical, oblong, the leaf blades are entire, slightly bent along the central vein, reaching a length of 2 - 7 cm. Young leaves have silvery pubescence. The flowers are bright, pink, collected in small axillary inflorescences. The fruits are round, glossy, light green, acquire a red tint as they ripen, reaching a diameter of 1.5 - 2.5 cm. The fruits of the plant are considered edible and have a sour taste. Plants can contain both buds and fully ripened fruits at the same time.

Malpighia coccigera

An attractive flowering shrub that is often grown as an ornamental plant in the bonsai style. Even in nature, this variety remains compact and reaches 30 - 90 cm in height. The leaves are dark green, glossy, with large spines along the edges of the leaf blades. The flowers are white or pink, often solitary, axillary.