Barbados cherry slow to grow

Cajunrider

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,538
Reaction score
12,877
Location
Louisiana
USDA Zone
9A
My tree seems to be healthy but the growth is so slow. In the last 6 weeks each branch just has two tiny new leaves about half an inch long. Is that normal? I was hoping for more growth than that.

Note that the leaves with the brown tip were there when I received the tree from the seller.
The tree is in a shallow pot with just 2 inches of soil. Should I move it to a deeper pot?
I also suspect that I may have scales but I'm not sure.
20190423_180902.jpg
 
Last edited:

Leo in N E Illinois

The Professor
Messages
11,337
Reaction score
23,251
Location
on the IL-WI border, a mile from ''da Lake''
USDA Zone
5b
The pot looks more than big enough, 2 inches deep, looks like 4 x 4 wide.

Scale will definitely slow growth of the tree. I would treat the Malpighia, and all the trees within a couple feet of it. Young scale can travel, and are likely spreading. A ''gift that keeps on giving'', spray 'em all.
 

Anthony

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,290
Reaction score
8,388
Location
West Indies [ Caribbean ]
USDA Zone
13
Looks like what was called - Malpighia punicifolia
and not what was called Malpighia glabra.

Needs ground growing for trunk size and can be finicky.

Seek information from the East Indies.
Good Day
Anthony
 

Carol 83

Flower Girl
Messages
11,120
Reaction score
27,114
Location
IL
I have a few, can't wait to be able to get them outside. One is putting on a few flower buds. Don't let it dry out, otherwise they aren't too picky.
 

JoeR

Masterpiece
Messages
3,948
Reaction score
3,451
Location
Sandhills of North Carolina
USDA Zone
8a
They seem to grow in phases. Super hot and humid summers are when they explode. Right now I would think it’s fine, normal, for it to be in one of the stalled phases as it’s still coming out of winter. The sooner it gets hot the sooner it will start growing good again. When happy they can put on a lot of growth in short time.
 

JoeR

Masterpiece
Messages
3,948
Reaction score
3,451
Location
Sandhills of North Carolina
USDA Zone
8a
Looks like what was called - Malpighia punicifolia
and not what was called Malpighia glabra.

Needs ground growing for trunk size and can be finicky.

Seek information from the East Indies.
Good Day
Anthony
What are the characters that distinguish punicifolia and glabra?
 

Anthony

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,290
Reaction score
8,388
Location
West Indies [ Caribbean ]
USDA Zone
13
Joe,

Was Malpighia Glabra -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata

https://www.google.com/search?q=malpighia+emarginata&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjb48rTv_zhAhVCrVkKHfruDhAQ_AUIDigB&biw=1093&bih=500


Malpighia p.
I see Malpighia punicifolia is npw called - Dwarf Bardabos Cherry
Look at the keaf and the bark closely.

malpigia p.jpg

IBC Russel Coker's effort.
I believe Mellow Mullet knpws him.
malpig18  russel coker.jpg

This was Malpighia glabra [ now emarginata ]
It is a shrub and fruit are edible / very tasty

west indian cherry 1 IBC.jpg
 

Cajunrider

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,538
Reaction score
12,877
Location
Louisiana
USDA Zone
9A
Joe,

Was Malpighia Glabra -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata

https://www.google.com/search?q=malpighia+emarginata&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjb48rTv_zhAhVCrVkKHfruDhAQ_AUIDigB&biw=1093&bih=500


Malpighia p.
I see Malpighia punicifolia is npw called - Dwarf Bardabos Cherry
Look at the keaf and the bark closely.

View attachment 240520

IBC Russel Coker's effort.
I believe Mellow Mullet knpws him.
View attachment 240521

This was Malpighia glabra [ now emarginata ]
It is a shrub and fruit are edible / very tasty

View attachment 240522
The one with edible fruit is the one I want.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
Mine grew relatively well all winter and are flowering. Too easy.

Scale is likely IMO.

20190330_085427.jpg

Mine are still in plugs.

Hydro in the drip tray.

Sorce
 

Anthony

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,290
Reaction score
8,388
Location
West Indies [ Caribbean ]
USDA Zone
13
@sorce ,

a bit odd, these shrubs are normally problem free.
They do like full sun [ edible cherry shrub ] and
morning sun / after 2 p,m sun for the smaller berry types.

As you normally do, factor in our Sunlight intensity and
on your side you may need full sun exposure.

The folk in the East Indies have mastered the small berry type,
Can get it like the bonsai on the stone seen before.
Good Day
Anthony
 

JoeR

Masterpiece
Messages
3,948
Reaction score
3,451
Location
Sandhills of North Carolina
USDA Zone
8a
Mine grew relatively well all winter and are flowering. Too easy.

Scale is likely IMO.

View attachment 240532

Mine are still in plugs.

Hydro in the drip tray.

Sorce
I’ve never had a problem with scale on any of mine, but to be fair the only trees I’ve had with scale were citrus. Glad to hear they’re doing good though!
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
I’ve never had a problem with scale on any of mine, but to be fair the only trees I’ve had with scale were citrus. Glad to hear they’re doing good though!

Doing great!

I even shipped one...sent a pot and used some "live plant" packing and felt that was kinda cruel to a bonsai person...so in went a live plant!

Sorce
 
Top Bottom