Flacourtia indica is optimal for animal food or medicines in some regions. Thus, in may places it is a crop.
This potentially makes an excellent bonsai for beginner’s as it is quite resilient, has small glossy leaves, a gnarled or rough trunk, and it also has fruit! Additionally, it thrives in the Philippines as our tropical climate provides it with optimal growing conditions. Hobbyists can work with the plant to easily dwarf and have shallow roots, that is just gravy for the hobbyist.
Important note: Both male and female plants are required to produce fruit.
Flacourtia indica specifics
- Core Identification & Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Flacourtia indica
- Common Name: Governor’s Plum, Ramontchi, Indian PlumLocal/widely used names.
- Family: Salicaceae
- Varietals:
- Habitat/Range: Africa and tropical and temperate parts of Asia
- Morphology & Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Bushy shrub or tree or to 15m in height
- Leaves: Small oval leaves
- Flowers:
- Fruit/Seed: Edible fruit about 1 inch thick and reddish in color. Flesh is yellow white. Seeds dispersed by birds
- Stem/Bark: Pale and greySpiny trunk and branches with thorns similar to a lemonsito, the thorns also seem to be an irritant causing a stinging pain
- Growth: Slow
- Bonsai Notes
- Sun Exposure: Full sun 4-6 hours daily
- Water Use: keep moist, moderate water
- Soil Mix: Well draining, Limestone (anapog), Akadama, Pumice, Lava Rock
- Fertilizing: balanced fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the active growing season (spring through autumn). Reduce or stop feeding during the dormant period or after a heavy repotting.
- Styling and Maintenance
- Pruning: Regular pruning is essential. Maintain a small dense shape.
- Defoliation: Partial or full leaf pruning can be used to reduce leaf size, making the tree appear more proportional as a miniature.
- Wiring: Branches can be wired year-round, but be carefull as bark damage might occur.
- Propagation: Grown from seeds or cuttings.
Gallery images
Firstly, we are uploading pictures of our plants to show the parts of a plant that may help in identification. Secondly, we only have so many plants and my photography skills are not actually skillful. Finally, if it would help to see another angle or view, view us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture perspective.
