Sageretia

Family. Rhamnaceae.

Origin. Asia, Africa.

Description. Sageretia is a small genus of 35 species of evergreen tropical shrubs or low trees. The stems of the plant are woody and covered with dark brown bark. The leaves are green, oval, shiny, up to 4 cm long, leathery, arranged oppositely on short petioles. Young leaves often have a reddish tint. The leaf blades have small teeth along the edge. Small greenish or pink flowers are collected in apical brushes, are of no particular interest and are often removed. Round, edible fruits up to 1 cm in diameter acquire a blue, burgundy or black tint when ripe.

Height. In indoor culture, it is regulated by pruning.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Sageretia prefers to be kept at normal room temperature during the growing season. Wintering should take place in a cool place, at a temperature of 12 - 15 ° C. Do not expose the plant to temperatures below 10 ° C.

Lighting

It is preferable to place the plant in a well-lit place with access to direct sunlight in the morning and evening hours. 

Care

Sageretia easily tolerates formative pruning and forms a dense, lush crown. When pruning, use a very sharp and sterile instrument. The plant will appreciate being outside during the warm season. The tips of young shoots should be pinched regularly.

Substrate

Well-drained soil, consisting of garden soil, fibrous heather substrate, peat, with the addition of leaf humus and well-rotted manure. 

Feeding

In spring and summer, every 2 weeks the tree is fed with complex water-soluble fertilizers.

Purpose

Great for bonsai style growing.

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

Spraying should be done once a day, in the morning, with water at room temperature. To increase air humidity, you can also use a room humidifier or place the plant pot on a tray with wet pebbles. Protect sageretia from cold drafts. 

Soil moisture

Water regularly and deeply in the summer, only allowing the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce the frequency of watering in autumn and winter according to the temperature. Sageretia may die during prolonged drought. 

Transfer

Adult plants need to be replanted every two years when the pot becomes too small or the substrate needs to be changed to a new one. When replanting, you can cut the roots to 1/3 of the length.

Reproduction

Seeds are sown in spring, but it will take several years to produce a mature tree. Cuttings can be rooted in spring and summer.

Pests and diseases

Plants rot if there is insufficient air movement.

Among the pests that can annoy trees are spider mites, aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and whiteflies. If you take a flower outside, it may be attacked by slugs and snails.