Have you ever come across a Mulberry tree in your nearby park and wondered if it gushes out water like the one in Montenegro? No, not every Mulberry tree has the phenomenon.
Follow along to learn in detail about the basic care requirement of the Mulberry and burst the myths around it.
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Can You Grow Mulberry Tree In Montenegro?
With over 60 species from around the world, the Mulberry (Morus spp) is a deciduous tree that can suitably grow in Montenegro.
Belonging to the Moraceae family, the plant needs warm temperatures and mild humidity.
And the coastal region of Montenegro, with a Mediterranean climate, has it all.
Further, this European country’s inland and northern region provides optimal conditions for varieties of Mulberry like White Mulberry (-20°F) and Red Mulberry (-10°F).
Does Water Flow From Every Mulberry Tree in Montenegro?
Most of us might have heard about a Mulberry tree in Dinosa, Montenegro, gushing water out of its trunk once every year.
Some believe the spring water is forced up through the tree’s trunk by the pressure of the water underground.
While some mention it as the tree’s own sap.
Regardless of the actual reason, the Dinosa Mulberry Tree in Montenegro is now gaining a lot of popularity, and tourists witness the rare site.
How To Grow and Care Mulberry in Montenegro?
Growing mulberry in Montenegro is similar to how you grow them in another part of the world.
You get the healthy Mulberry saplings and plant them in proper potting soil, provide optimum light, temperature, water them, and look after their basic care.
1. Light & Temperature
Mulberry trees require plenty of sunlight on warm days and cold nights to produce sweet fruits.
However, do not let Mulberry out exposed during cold winter, as they do not survive when the temperature is below freezing point.
Also, low light causes leggy growth, smaller pale foliage, stunted growth with leaf drop, and sparse canopy.
When growing indoors, you may use artificial grow light. And for the outdoor Mulberry, use winter protection like burlap cover to protect the plant from frost and snow.
2. Watering & Humidity
A mature Mulberry tree is not finicky about watering needs as they are moderately drought tolerant.
Similarly, the humidity of 65 to 80 % is ideal for the Mulberry, and most parts of Montenegro suffice the needs.
That said, excess air and water moisture does not do good to the Mulberry.
Firstly, soggy soil and high humidity invite pests and diseases to the plant.
Secondly, leaves, roots and eventually, the entire plant suffer from the suffocated roots.
To prevent over or underwatering, you may opt for bottom watering. And try using a dehumidifier if your indoor Mulberry is suffering excess humidity.
3. Soil & Fertilizer
The Mulberry tree can tolerate a wide range of soil, from sandy to loamy to clay. The only condition is proper drainage and optimum nutrition, and ph 6.0 to 7.5.
If the soil is heavy, you can simply add sand to amend it. You can also opt for a commercial Mulberry tree soil mix in Montenegro, like Fox Farm Organic Soil, Espoma Potting Mix, and Organic Plant Magic.
Further, in the initial 3-4 years, apply a light dose of balanced fertilizer in the spring to help in plant growth and root establishment.
Later when the plant start flowering and producing fruits, add a dose of phosphorous-rich fertilizer to promote better size fruit.
Pro Tip: Using excessive amounts of fertilizer can harm the tree and may results in excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruiting. Also, the chance of chemical burn damaging you roots and and entire pplant persists.
4. Occasional Pruning
When in good health, prune the Mulberry once every 2-3 years to encourage new growth. By removing old wood, you promote the growth of the young branches and fruit production.
Generally, prune the tree during the winter, when the plant is dormant and not actively growing. This reduces stress on the tree and minimizes sap loss.
But sometimes the plants are heavily infested by pests like Mulberry leaf roller, thrips, and white fly and neem oil fail to work. In such a case, you have to prune the infected branches to halt the infection.
Pro Tip: Do not remove more than a third of the Tree’s canopy at a time as it may stress the tree.
5. Potting & Repotting
Mulberry trees are usually planted directly in the ground rather than in a pot, given their dense networking fibrous roots.
But if you wish to grow them in a container, choose a large pot over 12 inches wide and deep to provide enough space for the roots.
Ensure that the pot has enough drain holes. If not, drill a few.
As the plant continues growing, the tree will outgrow its container. And when the plant is root-bound, the roots will start poking out of the drainage hole, growth will be slow, followed by yellow leaves.
For that, you need to repot the plant in a pot larger than the original one. Or, normally repot the Mulberry tree every 2-3 years for better growth and vigor.
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Inspect Regularly Fungal Diseases!
Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust are common in Mulberri in Montenegro.
These diseases can cause leaf discoloration, defoliation, and overall weakening of the tree.
Needless to worry, you can manage them with proper sanitation and good air circulation. In severe conditions, you may have to use fungicides,
