The carob tree is a typical tree of Mediterranean Spain. It is common to find them in open fields, but also in many traditional orchards. The farmer has found very important uses for it, and we as gardeners can also enjoy it, the dense shade provided by its branches and its decorative value that only increases as it ages.
We are also talking about a plant that survives the typical Mediterranean drought, which can easily last more or less six months, starting as early as spring, as well as the floods caused by torrential rains in late summer.
What is carob?
The carob tree is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean basin. It can reach 10 meters in height if given the opportunity and if it grows in isolation, although when it is in a garden the most common is to see specimens of, at most, 5-6 meters. The cup is rounded, composed of green paripinnate leaves.
Its trunk remains thin when it is young, but over the years it can measure up to approximately 60-70 centimeters thick. In addition, it is very robust, although over the years it tends to twist. Its roots are strong and long, extending up to 40 meters from the trunk., two qualities that allow them to search for and capture groundwater.
Image - Flickr / S BV
As for the the flowers are small, without petals, and light green. They sprout from flower stems on old branches, and do so in spring. The fruits are carob beans, hard dark brown pods that can measure about 30 centimeters. Inside we will see that they contain a rubbery pulp that protects the seeds.
Well, this pulp is edible, sweet in taste. The "disadvantage" is that it begins to bear fruit about 7 years after planting, but once it starts, it can produce up to 200 kilos of pods, which are harvested at the end of summer.
His scientific name is Ceratonia siliqua, but it is known much more by its common names: carob, common carob, carob, garrofera, black carob, carob, carob. It is important to differentiate it from the American carob tree, belonging to the genus Prosopis, which is a tree that often has thorns, and which also has bipinnate leaves that are much finer than the Ceratonia siliqua.
What is?
Basically, the Mediterranean carob tree has been used and is still used today as fodder, to provide shade, and the pulp also as food. A relatively recent use is to work it as a bonsai: as it grows slowly, it is possible to get almost perfect carob bonsai.
The seeds are not edible. They are very, very tough. But they do serve one thing: plant them. Getting a tree like this will take time, but it is an experience that will help us learn how it grows and how to care for it.
Finally, the wood is very hard and resistant, so it is appreciated for making furniture and handicrafts.
Carob tree properties
Pulp it is antidiarrheal, and satiating and therefore can be used to lose weight. In addition, the locust bean extract from the seeds is used as an emulsifier and thickener.
Carob varieties
Different varieties are distinguished, such as these:
- matafelera: with dark red pods.
- MushyFruit: with red-brown fruit, and with white and very abundant pulp.
- Negrete: with black pods and thick pulp.
- Red: which has small pods and white pulp.
How do you take care of yourself?
Image - Wikimedia / Daniel Capilla
Really, this is a tree that only needs to be cared for if it is young and/or in a pot, or if the climate is not the most ideal. In their places of origin, for example on the island of Majorca, the most beautiful specimens are those that are on the ground, growing on their ownwithout anyone worrying about them. Now, it is a mistake to think that it is an all-terrain species.
Therefore, it is important to know where it has to be placed, how often to water it, and what soil it needs, among other details:
Climate
We start with what I think is the most important: the weather. The carob tree can be a very easy plant to care for if the weather conditions are right., I mean, yes:
- the four seasons are differentiated,
- A minimum of 350mm of precipitation falls per year,
- there are frosts, but only up to -7ºC and occasionally
- the maximum temperature does not exceed 45ºC
Location
outside always, since it is a seed. In addition, you have to give it direct sunlight, otherwise it will not be able to grow.
On the other hand, let us remember that it has long roots, so it is important that it is planted at least ten meters from where we have pipes.
land and irrigation
Image - Wikimedia / Emőke Dénes
It grows in limestone soils with good permeability (that is, they absorb water and filter it at a good rate). If you have it in a pot, you can use a universal substrate as long as it has perlite in its composition, like this one from here.
As for irrigation, it will be done moderately. While it is young it will be watered a couple of times a week in summer and from time to time the rest of the year; but once it is planted in the ground it will suffice to water it occasionally from the second year on.
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It can be fertilized in spring and summer, for example with liquid or powder organic fertilizers. The guano (for sale here), manure, earthworm humus (for sale here), or even compost will help you be healthier.
Pests
It's very tough. The only problem (which is not really such) what I have seen is that, especially in summer, the ants can use its trunk and branches as roads.
Diseases
Susceptible to fungal attack when over-watered and/or when the soil does not have good drainage. The species that affect it are the following:
- Aspidiotus sulphureus
- Pseudocercospora ceratoniae (Cercospioris of the carob tree)
- Rosellinia necatrix
The most common symptoms are: root rot, leaf fall, appearance of white mold at the base of the trunk, death of branches. To prevent it, it is crucial to ensure that the soil drains water well, and if it is not the case, take steps to make it so. For example, installing drainage pipes or creating slopes.
And of course, you should also avoid excessive watering.
Multiplication
The carob multiplies by seeds in autumn, after having harvested its fruits. They are planted in a pot with peat mixed with a handful of perlite, and left outdoors. They will germinate throughout the spring.
What did you think of the carob?