{"id":964,"date":"2015-07-05T12:52:27","date_gmt":"2015-07-05T10:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fancyplants.de\/de\/?page_id=964"},"modified":"2019-07-21T18:37:12","modified_gmt":"2019-07-21T16:37:12","slug":"ceratonia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.fancyplants.de\/en\/exotichome\/nwhspec\/ceratonia\/","title":{"rendered":"Carob Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua<\/i>)<\/h1><\/span>
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Overview<\/h2><\/span>
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This member of the Legume family (Fabaceae<\/i>) orinigates in Middle East and is also called Locust Bean tree or St. John’s-bread tree. As fruit is a longish pod produced which contains a smooth and aromatic fruit pulp. In that are numerous seeds embedded. In ancient times the seeds were used as weight unit for diamonds because they have a constant average weight of 200 mg. The word carat<\/i> derives from the French le carat<\/i>, which in turn derives from the Italian carato<\/i>, which in turn traces back to the Greek word keration<\/i> (that means approximately ‚little horn‘, as an allusion to the pod shape). Hereof the botanic genus name Ceratonia<\/i> is derived from.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Description<\/h2><\/span>
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In the meantime, Carob trees are widespread in the Mediterranean region, adapted to nutrient-poor and arid soils and reach the size of apple trees. The Carob tree has a expansive crown and a corky bark. The tree produces pinnate leaves, consisting of two to five facing leaves. The fresh budding is at first smooth and red, becomes later leathery with deep green colouring a though.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Culture<\/h2><\/span>
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The culture is not difficult. A propagation from seeds is unproblematic. In the longer term the Carob tree can be grown to a little tree as pot plant. Only sparse water and fertiliser supply. The plant reacts sensitive on waterlogging, therefore mix the soil with ample sand and small stones water-permeable. In summer keep the plant outdoors, in winter overwinter the plant at a cool an light, but frost-free place. The carob tree tolerates only short slight frost.<\/p>\n

Blossoms are only produced by older trees and thus are to be expected after seven years at the earliest.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Experiences<\/h2><\/span>
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The Carob tree is undemanding. Good germination. Thereafter rather leisurely growth. Because of the very rough leaves Carob trees have only a low water demand. Also extended dry periods are survived without any problems by quite young plants, also in winter.<\/p>\n

2010<\/h3>\n

The overwintering of my 2009 from seeds raised plant was without any problems. From the icemen to the first frosts in autumn the plant stood outdoors, where it showed a constant growth.<\/p>\n

2011<\/h3>\n

The plant shows also this year a constant growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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