Dovyalis caffra

Dovyalis caffra - Kei Apple - Mchongoma

Description: A thorny tree/shrub tolerating dry conditions once established. The fruits are small yellow apples.

Uses: Used as a secure boundary hedge. Fruits are edible but seldom used.

Propagation: Remove seed from very ripe fruit, wash and dry. Sow fresh as seed does not store well. there are 30 000 viable seeds per kilogram. Germination takes place in 18 - 22 days.

Management: After planting out, tend to keep weeds away and water at least once a week. Trimming is the easiest way to make a tidy hedge.

As with most seed I looked for a boy or someone to collect the fruit for me - I could easily pick it myself but this provides income for someone. The prepared seed is saleable too.

Seedlings of Mchongoma are sought after because they make a secure hedge and many people try to make an income from selling seedlings. Like all nursery production, there are always challenges and the biggest challenge is actually getting paid! There are always hard times in Tanzania and especially in the rural villages, there may be a drought and nobody has the cash to buy seedlings.

The hedge is even more secure if it is plaited instead of being trimmed; but those thorns a large and sharp - the branches are prodded into shape using small forked sticks.