With its eye-catching, pea-sized berries, the coral berry is considered a so-called ornamental fruit plant and has a certain visual similarity to the snowberry, which grows as a bush in the garden. Coral berries are considered moderately difficult to care for, but in the right location with the necessary attention they are also extremely decorative.
How do you properly care for a coral berry?
Caring for the coral berry (Nertera granadensis) includes regular, economical watering with lime-free water, occasional repotting and dividing, no mandatory pruning, pest control, reserved fertilization during the growth phase and overwintering at around 10 degrees Celsius in a bright room.
How much water does the coral berry need?
The coral berry (Nertera granadensis) cultivated as a houseplant should be watered sparingly about every two to three days in summer. During the winter rest, the coral berry likes it to be a little drier. You should always water this plant over a saucer or close to the surface of the substrate. If the flowers are doused with water, it could be difficult for the bright orange fruits to form. In addition, if possible, lime-free or decalcified water should be used for watering.
How can a coralberry be repotted without affecting its growth?
The coral berry is transplanted either in early spring or in late summer (when the berries have fallen). You can use ordinary potting soil as a substrate. When repotting, you can also divide the coral berry and propagate it in this way.
When and how should a coral berry be cut?
Since the coral berry grows as compactly as a bobhead or star moss without any training pruning, pruning measures do not normally have to be carried out. Wilted plant parts or leaves covered with gray mold should definitely be removed as quickly as possible, otherwise a coral berry can die surprisingly quickly.
Which pests can become a problem with coral berries?
An aphid infestation on the coral berry can become threatening, especially if the plant is overwintered too warmly.
Is the coralberry usually affected by diseases?
Basically, the coral berry is not prone to symptoms of disease as long as it is not doused with water when watering or overwintered under incorrect conditions.
How is a coral berry optimally fertilized?
When fertilizing, the following things should be taken into account:
- fertilize only during the growth phase between spring and autumn
- Provide liquid fertilizer sparingly only every two weeks
- after repotting in fresh potting soil (which is usually already pre-fertilized), take a fertilizer break
Coral berries that are overly fertilized grow particularly vigorously, but produce few or no flowers or berries.
What should you consider when caring for coral berries in the winter months?
The ideal winter quarters for the coral berry should be as bright as possible with a uniform temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius.
Tip
Similar to the blue lily, the coral berry should also receive sufficient morning and evening sun, but should be protected from direct sunlight at midday if possible.