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South African Native Plants

Natal Mahogany Tree

20 years ago

Has anyone heard of this tree? And does anyone have any "experience" in caring for it? Much needed advice as I have purchased a 7ft tree. All I know is that it likes alot of water and it will grow much taller than it already is. I have posted it on other forums but nobody seems to know much about it. It is from Natal.

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Comments (9)

thad_huffman
20 years ago
This Trichella dregeans should be very easy to take care of with plenty of water & sun....Thad
cjhin
20 years ago
Could also be Trichelia emetica. This is the Natal Red Mahogany. Will be frost sensitive while
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I have never seen a Natal Plum growing as a tree, and the tallest one I have ever seen was my Grandfather's, which was about head-high when it was 20 years old, growing in the desert with lots of heat! Most are about hip-high after a few years, growing in zone 9. I don't know if you could grow one very well in zone 5, and I doubt you would get fruit. You do know they have leaves and need sun all year long, yes? And they do not do well with cold at all. Even I have difficulty growing mine in Sacramento, because they keep getting nipped/killed by frost when our weather reports are wrong, and I don't get them covered. I have replaced 3 plants that died this way (well, 2 and one that looks REALLY bad right now :( we'll see if it grows again when it gets warmer) But if you still want to try, I would love to know where you get seeds, because Natal Plums are one of my favorite fruit, and it's getting harder all the time to find anything other than the ornamental "Boxwood" variety. Carla in Sac
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I love the scent of those flowers - 1 of my faves! 1 thing you might try to ensure the transplanted shrub survives is to cut it back a lot, so more energy gets directed to the roots. Not sure what Superthrive is, but you might try watering the transplanted shrub w/that as well - I always use Maxicrop seaweed extract on my transplants & it seems to help. I fill the planting hole w/ it before putting the plant in & give it a good drench afterwards as well. You might try using rooting hormone (like Rootone) to dust the ends of the cuttings before planting. Purdue has a page saying that it propagates best by air & ground layering & that cuttings root better when branch is partially cut through 2 months before planting. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carissa.html Floridata's page also says it's mainly propagated by cuttings... Here is a link that might be useful: Carissa @ Floridata This post was edited by carolb_w_fl on Fri, May 24, 13 at 10:46
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nanw_4wi
19 years ago
I've heard of it and have been trying to find one, but don't know too much about it.

Here's a link to some info I found.

The Bernecker's website has a little info on it, too.

May I ask, where did you find yours?

Here is a link that might be useful: Trichelia - Natal Mahogany
us2infinately
17 years ago
I love it. I have a 30+ foot tree, (6) trunks. It takes a lot of water. It is growing like mad toward the top of my atrium. It is from Africa. Fairly new to USA. Do a google search, using images. I bought it from a boutique nursery. I can go on for days about it. Keep it moist, I mist mine daily from top to bottom. I use Bamboo culms to maintain the trunks erect.
ddgrl13
15 years ago
I just bought a natal mahogany 6 1/2 ft tall /5 trunks in a 14" diameter by 12" high container
should i put in bigger pot even if I do not need it to grow much?
Does always keeping it moist cause pest problems? or root rot? ...i heard aphids
kolkhi
15 years ago
Can anyone tell me where I can purchase a 6-7 ft tall natal mahogany for indoor use? I live in Oklahoma. Thank you.
slane318
7 years ago
I grow the natal mahogany should you be interested. Contact me at slane318@gmail.com
HU-434184296
5 years ago
I just tossed both of my natal mahoganies..I loved them . they grew tall without a lot of sun BUT always infested with aphids..sticky leaves..I would have had to spray them weekly and not willing to do so. I kept them wet and away from any other plants. They were great but none of my other numerous plants have had aphids and I got sick of fighting them. Sad but glad to be free of them.
genna48
2 years ago
I've had one for about 10 years. It likes alot of water, as in, keep the bottom of container drip pan wet all the time. It grows very fast and gets top heavy quickly but has no problem being cut back. I left it outside in Oreogn for 6 months and it didn't bother it at all.

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