Commiphora PSEUDOPAOLI

Commiphora PSEUDOPAOLI - Pseudopaoli commiphora, Commiphora.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Commiphora is a genus of multi-stemmed succulent plants in the family Burseraceae, uniting more than one hundred species of deciduous shrubs or small trees distributed across Africa, Arabia, Pakistan, India, and Madagascar.

The base of the trunk, which grows up to 4 m (13.1 ft) in height, often has a caudex. The spiny stems branch abundantly and have thin, often peeling bark. Dense green cotyledonous leaves, simple or consisting of 3 leaflets of lanceolate or cordate shape, reach from 1 to 5 cm (0.4-2.0 in) in length. Leaf blades often have finely serrated margins and pubescence on the upper side.

The plants are dioecious - male and female flowers appear on different specimens. The flowers are gathered in axillary panicles, white, pink, or red, with 4 petals. When leaves or shoots are damaged, a very pleasant aromatic milky sap is released. The aroma ranges from heavy resinous to fresh citrus.

After flowering, rounded or slightly elongated fruits form, containing only one seed; however, inside the seed there may be two embryos, which is discovered only at the germination stage.

Commiphora pseudopaoli is a spiny shrub or small tree up to 6 m (19.7 ft) tall. The bark peels in thin paper-like strips. The bare branches bear 3-7-foliolate leaves on long petioles.

Propagated exclusively by seeds. Seeds are pre-soaked in warm water with growth stimulants added for 2 hours, then sown in a loose substrate to a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in), moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light but not in direct sun at a temperature of 23-27 °C (73-81 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. Drying out of the sowings must be avoided; constant substrate moisture is required.

The first sprouts appear within 2 weeks to 2 months. After several true leaves appear, pricking out into individual pots is carried out.

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Commiphora requires the brightest place in the home. Direct sunlight should fall on the plant in the morning and evening for at least 3 hours daily. On summer days, it needs shading. During the dormancy period, when the plant sheds its leaves, lighting is not of great importance. Year-round warm maintenance at a temperature of at least 15 °C (59 °F) is necessary.

During the period of vegetative growth, abundant watering is required, with the soil drying out in between. In the leafless state, watering is reduced to a minimum, but the root ball must not be allowed to dry out completely. The plant is drought-resistant.

Air humidity is not of particular importance, but the plant can be sprayed during morning hours to prevent pest infestations. In winter, the air should be dry. A room with good air circulation is preferred.

To grow Commiphora with a thick trunk and a developed, robust root system, it is necessary to provide ample space; the use of shallow containers and early exposure of thickened roots is not recommended. Taproots feel good in deeper containers. Some species form thickened roots, which is important for their survival in the early years until a thick trunk is formed.

Repotting is carried out as needed. Well-drained limestone and sandy soil is preferred. The soil should be loose with sufficient organic matter in the form of leaf humus, turf soil, and peat. It is beneficial to add pieces of lava, brick, or coarse gravel to the substrate.

Repotting is often combined with pruning of the crown and roots, which stimulates branching and promotes trunk development. With age, very sharp spines form on some species from dried shoots.

From spring to autumn, it is desirable to feed regularly every month with a complex mineral fertilizer.