Fruits on Carissa macrocarpa, the natal plum

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Fruits on Carissa macrocarpa, the natal plum
« on: July 14, 2011, 10:31:24 AM »
I am wondering about the pollination of Carissa macrocarpa - we always have plenty of fruits on our natal-plums, maybe due to the large numbers of specimen. But customers, who own only one or two of them, are not happy with the quantity of fruits. Does anybody knows, why?  
« Last Edit: July 14, 2011, 10:54:34 AM by Flora Mediterranea »
Maria Sansoni
MGS member/Branch head; has nursery in the south of Germany specialising in Mediterranean plants

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John

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Re: Fruits on Carissa macrocarpa, the natal plum
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2011, 11:23:14 AM »
I have read that poor fruit set is not unusual and that hand pollination may be necessary. It is suggested that they are pollinated by night flying insects so there may be some issue with location or temperature. Presumably in the warmth of a glasshouse in Germany they are pollinated by local insects, perhaps moths.
Here's a picture of Carissa grandiflora which I took outside MacDonalds at the Dead Sea resort on the MGS trip to Israel in March this year. It has more rounded petals than C. macrocarpa.
« Last Edit: July 14, 2011, 12:09:59 PM by Alisdair »
John
Horticulturist, photographer, author, garden designer and plant breeder; MGS member and RHS committee member. I garden at home in SW London and also at work in South London.