Carnival bush African Bonsai for sale | Fynblaarrooihout | Ochna serrulata
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Can Carnival bush be grown as a bonsai?
We selected Carnival bush (uniquely identified by its scientific name Ochna serrulata) for our African Bonsai product range (#AfricanBonsai) because of its beautiful (often abundant) yellow flowers. Flowering is followed by an interesting process of fruit development: flowers' sepals open and turn bright red. Fruits then develop - green initially when small, eventually turning black when ripe. This process takes place over several weeks. Carnival bush is semi-deciduous. It is a densely branched, small tree with a shrub-like growth form. Ochna serulata has medium-small, glossy, leathery leaves. All the above add to the species' attractiveness as an African Bonsai tree. It will achieve a mature bonsai look after about 4 years. As a bonsai the species will deliver a unique flower and fruiting show, and may do so even twice per season. It deserves to be included in our gallery of flowering African bonsai trees. (Search #FloweringAfricanBonsai). Figure 1 shows the distribution map for Carnival bush.
Figure 1. Distribution map of Carnival bush. Courtesy Keith Coats Palgrave 2002.
Cities per country (dots) from left to right:
Namibia -Walvisbay
-Windhoek
South Africa -Cape town
-Gqeberha (prev Port Elizabeth) (hidden)
-Bloemfontein
-East London (hidden)
-Johannesburg
-Durban (hidden)
Botswana - Gaberone
Zimbabwe - Harare
Mozambique - Maputu
- Beira
Carnival bush in flower
Carnival bush fruit
Carnival bush fruit close-up
Carnival bush African Bonsai shapes and size
Our size and shape information is based on observation in nature, experience gained by growing Carnival bush at our Treeshop nursery and descriptions found in authoritative handbooks.
We observed that Carnival bush has an informal, bushy form with a low branching structure. (Photo to follow.)
The Table below gives approximate height that Carnival bush bonsais may achieve in different containers sizes:
Container size | 2-6 Liter | 25 Liter | 80 Liter
Bonsai tree height | 30cm | 60cm | 100cm
How do I care for my Carnival bush African bonsai?
Carnival bush responds well to pruning and you can easily develop a dense foliaged shrub. It is best to place the tree in full sunlight during its growing period (from just before budding up to late autumn). Provide for good air circulation around the tree. We recommend that you reduce watering in autumn to force the tree into rest. You can (and should) take it inside if your winter temperature falls below zero.
Water needs depend on climatic conditions and leaf mass. The species is quite water wise. Generally, it requires moderate water in summer and less in winter.
Feed your Carnival bush African Bonsai with a flower stimulating fertilizer in spring when budding is imminent, and again in mid-summer. More on this topic on our blog post. (To follow)
Carnival bush is not pest prone. The best way to control pests is to keep it in in a sunny, well-ventilated spot. Keep your tree healthy and avoid the use of pesticides.
Carnival bush African Bonsai stock for sale
#CarnivalBushAfricanBonsai
To enquire, please fill out our contact form. Remember to provide stock numbers (printed in yellow on image) for the products you are interested in.
Stock available in small pots (2-6 Liter)
Stock available in medium pots (25 Liter)
Work in Progress
Stock available in large pots (80Liter)
Work in Progress