Wood apple. Love it or hate it

Aegle marmelos is a little-known plant. It originates from India, where it grows in dry places and at an altitude of up to 1,200 m. In wild, the tree can reach a height from 8 to 12 meters, but in our conditions no more than 3 meters. Some people grow it for somewhat controversial fruits, but other shape it as a bonsai tree because it tolerates pruning and shaping very well. You can literally play with pruning.

Beautiful flowers

Wood apple prefers high temperatures, but tolerates short temperature drops, even below freezing, well. If you create a dry environment and maintain it for a longer period, you will enjoy flowers from April to July. Flowers are usually cream-colored. The following year the plant produces spherical to oval fruits. Their shape somewhat resembles a grapefruit. A fully ripe fruit is yellow with a hint of brown.

Photo: Pixabay

Fruit is edible

If you cut the fruit you will see a yellow-orange flesh. It is edible and people in India consume it without any problems. However, the fruit has its typical aroma, which may not be appetizing for some people. It depends on your taste preferences. Fruit is used not only for its special taste, but also for medicinal purposes. People in India use it to stimulate acidic digestive system or for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Growing from seeds

If you want to grow from seeds, you need to be patient but getting seeds is much easier than getting a little plant. You may sow any time of the year, because you need to grow it in a container – as a houseplant. Soak seeds in lukewarm water for two days before sowing (change water every day). Sow to a depth of 1 cm. Seeds should germinate in a month.

Growing requirements

Choose a sunny location. Remember, it comes from India and loves the sun and high temperatures. The ideal temperature is around 25 °C. Soil should be well-permeable because you do not want water standing in the pot because too much water may be very harmful. Roots do not like to be bathed in water. Make drainage holes and a drainage layer (pebbles, expanded clay, etc.) at the bottom of the flower pot. Wood apple tolerates heavier soils with fewer nutrients.

Care

Try to keep the soil slightly moist, and add a general fertilizer with higher nitrogen content every two weeks. Reduce watering in winter and move it to a room where the temperature remains around 10°C.

Source: https://www.semena.cz/ostatni-exoticke-plody/762-oslizak-libezny-aegle-marmelos-semena-oslizaku-3-ks.html

Preview photo: Pixabay