Kei apple

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:

Kei apple