Kei apple growing shrub to small tree of the genus Dovyalis also known as Dovyalis caffra or Kai apple, Kei apple perennial deciduous also used as ornamental drought tolerant hedging plant, can grow in mediterranean, subtropical, tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone 9+.
Leaves green oval next to every leaf there is thorn
Flower color green, the size 0.5-5 mm, female and male flowers grow on separate tree
Kei apple fruits
Fruit color, orange, dark purple, red, the inner part of the fruit color is lighter, the fruit sour can be really sour to slightly sour with sweet, the taste remind Apricot, the size of the fruit 2-4 cm.
Kei apple for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
Requirements for Kei apple growing and care:
Well drained soil, need male and female tree, some cultivars can have only female
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed / Vegetative Reproduction
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
Yes, to get fruits
Difficulties or problems when growing:
Thorn
Planting season:
Winter. Spring, summer
Pests and diseases:
Very rarely aphids but not cause any problem to the tree and move away
Pruning season:
Autumn / Winter
How to prune:
Open the inner branch because of the thorn
Size of the plant?
3-6 m, 10-20 feet
Growth speed in optimal condition:
Medium growing
Water requirement:
Small amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun / Half Shade
Is it possible to grow as houseplant?
No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes
Blooming information
Bloom season:
Spring
General information about the flower
Green flower in the size 0.5-2 mm
Pollination is done by:
Flies, Bees
Edible Fruits
Fruit harvest season:
Summer, autumn
Fruits pests or diseases:
Birds, sometime fruit fly
What can be done with big quantities of Kei apple fruits?
Eat raw, jams, juice
Work requirements on the fruit:
Nothing special
How long does it take to bear fruit?
2-3 years
Scientific name:
Dovyalis caffra