Natal Plum shrub

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
pennypan015 Louisville, KY(Zone 6b) Jan 30, 2007

I transplanted to Ky from Calif 30 years ago and I remember one of favorite plants was the natal plum. I noticed someone from Oklahoma on your site had good success with a natal plum. Is there any chance they could survive here? I'm technically a 6b zone but sub zero temps are very rare here.

Post #3138969
Quote
vcb1 Melbourne Beach, FL(Zone 10a) Jan 30, 2007

pennypan, you'd have to bring it indoors for the cold season. Take a look at the plant files entry: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/37046/index.html and you'll see they like warm climates. They grow beautifully here where I am and they get fruit that some folks make jelly from. They do have wicked thorns as I'm sure you remember. I started a few from cuttings last summer and the small babies are doing great!

-- Vicky

edited cuz I can't type!

This message was edited Jan 30, 2007 5:46 PM

Post #3138988
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jan 30, 2007

I think sometimes people put in a zipcode report if they successfully grow a plant even if they have to bring it in for the winter. Personally I won't put in the zipcode report unless the plant survives outdoors year-round, but I know a lot of people don't make that distinction because I've seen several reports of tropicals being successfully grown in very cold climates. There's no way someone from zone 6 could grow this in the ground (for more than one year at least!) They don't like temps much below freezing, a bad winter here where we get temps in the low 20's at night can zap them. But I don't think they grow especially fast, so you could probably keep it in a pot for years and have it do fine as long as you protect it in the winter.

Post #3139135
Quote
JRush Guilford, CT(Zone 7a) Jan 31, 2007

I am also in zone 6, & my Natal lives outdoors in Summer, & comes indoors once the temperatures dip into the lower 40's. You can keep the plant a manageable size by root pruning. Right before you bring it outdoors, un-pot the plant, & snip off about 1/3 of the thickest roots. The finer roots enable the plant to take in moisture, but the larger roots can be clipped. Then re-pot in fresh soil with some compost added, place in a bright spot outdoors (not direct sun right away) The plant should be good to go for another couple of years before requiring root pruning again. Mine is almost Bonsai-ed - a very shallow pot., It must be watered more often this way, but it is lovely. I trim the new growth the give it shape & make it bushy & full.
Hope this helps - Time to get yourself a Natal Plum!
Julie

Post #3143440
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP