Rainbow Bush Info: How To Grow A Variegated Elephant Bush
The Rainbow Bush is one of the most popular species of trees in the world. They are native to Africa and they have been cultivated since ancient times. The tree grows up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide with a trunk that reaches 12 inches thick. Its branches reach 6 feet long and 4 feet wide.
The leaves are small, greenish-yellow flowers that bloom from April through June.
The Rainbow Bush is very easy to grow and it produces a large amount of fruit every year. When the fruits ripen, they turn into a bright orange color and taste sweet. The fruit contains seeds which contain many nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The berries contain no sugar or oil but they do provide fiber to your diet.
How To Grow A Variegated Elephant Bush
In order to successfully grow a variegated elephant bush, you will need to take the following steps:
1) Pruning – You must prune your tree regularly so that it doesn’t become overgrown.
If not pruned properly, the branch could fall off and injure yourself or others. Make sure that all branches are at least 3 feet above ground level when growing your tree.
2) Pollination – The Rainbow bush produces both male and female flowers which need to be pollinated by the wind in order to reproduce.
If the flowers are not pollinated, the tree won’t produce any fruit.
3) Watering – Make sure to always water your tree well and give it enough water in order for it to grow healthily.
4) Feeding – You will need to feed your tree with a special fertilizer once every month.
5) Planting – It’s important to remember that the tree should only be planted in areas with full sun.
It can grow in most types of soil as long as it has been prepared well with fertilizer, peat moss and sand.
How To Care For Your Variegated Elephant Bush
The Rainbow bush can be grown without much effort but there are some steps you can take to make sure you grow a strong and healthy plant.
1) Pruning – It is best to prune your tree once every month during the spring season.
Make sure to cut back all of the dead branches as well as suckers that grow from the base of the tree.
2) Pollination – If you want your plant to produce delicious fruit then you’ll have to make sure the flowers are pollinated or else they won’t develop into delicious berries.
You can either buy a beeweaver to buzz around your tree to pollinate the flowers or you can take the cheaper approach of buying a small goat to eat the leaves and fertilize the tree naturally!
3) Watering – The Rainbow bush needs to be watered at least once every 2 days during the spring and summer months.
It doesn’t need as much water during the fall and winter but make sure it still gets some.
Sources & references used in this article:
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The vascular plants of Majuro atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands by NG Odenwald, CF Fryling Jr, TE Pope – 1996 – LSU Press
The Complete Guide to Growing Windowsill Plants: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply by NV Velde – Atoll Research Bulletin, 2003 – repository.si.edu
Planting Designs for Cactus & Succulents: Indoor and Outdoor Projects for Unique, Easy-Care Plants–in All Climates by DM Murphy, AW Duea – 2011 – books.google.com
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