Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Governor Plum (Flacourtia indica)— schedule & NPK
Also called Batoko Plum, Indian Plum, Ramontchi.
More about governor plum
About Governor Plum
Flacourtia indica · also called Batoko Plum, Indian Plum · edible
Governor Plum is a thorny, fast-growing African and Asian fruit tree bearing small, tart, dark-red to purple plum-like fruits eaten fresh or made into jam and wine. Drought-tolerant and highly adaptable to poor soils, it also makes an effective thorny hedge. Not listed as toxic to pets by the ASPCA.
Growth habit: Thorny deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree
What fertiliser governor plum actually wants — and why
Governor Plum feeds in two distinct phases — balanced to build the plant, then high-potassium the moment flowering starts to set and fill a heavy crop.
Balanced (even N-P-K) at planting for roots and frame, then switch to a high-potassium ("high-potash") tomato-style feed once the first flowers open — potassium is what sizes and ripens fruit, not nitrogen.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for governor plum: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed governor plum, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For governor plum:
Apply a balanced granular fertiliser (NPK 10-10-10) in spring and again in early summer. Established trees are light feeders and do not require heavy supplementation. Excessive nitrogen promotes vegetative thorny growth at the expense of fruit. So: a balanced feed or compost at planting, then a high-potash liquid every 1-2 weeks from first flower through harvest across the main season (spring through early autumn).
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when governor plum is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for governor plum
Follow the crop-feed label rate for governor plum — these are calibrated for hungry vegetables. Consistency through fruiting matters more than strength; erratic feeding causes problems like blossom-end rot.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water governor plum first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the governor plum watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding governor plum
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for governor plum:
- Vigorous dark-green leafy growth but few flowers or fruit (excess nitrogen).
- Lush foliage hiding the crop; soft growth prone to pests and disease.
- Salt crust on the soil and scorched leaf edges in containers.
Signs you are under-feeding governor plum
- Pale, yellowing lower leaves and stunted growth.
- Small fruit, poor set, and a quickly exhausted plant.
- Blossom-end rot and weak cropping from erratic or insufficient feeding.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full governor plum care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
In containers, fertiliser salts build up fast — water governor plum thoroughly so excess drains from the base each time, and flush pots with plain water every few weeks to prevent a damaging salt build-up.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for governor plum
Organic options
Garden compost or well-rotted manure dug in before planting, plus a liquid comfrey or seaweed feed once fruiting starts. UK: comfrey feed or organic Tomorite; US: Espoma Tomato-tone or Neptune's Harvest. Builds soil and feeds in one.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A balanced feed at planting then a high-potash tomato feed in fruiting — UK: Growmore at planting then Tomorite (Levington) or Phostrogen; US: a balanced 10-10-10 then Miracle-Gro Tomato or a bloom booster.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising governor plum — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does governor plum need?
Balanced (even N-P-K) at planting for roots and frame, then switch to a high-potassium ("high-potash") tomato-style feed once the first flowers open — potassium is what sizes and ripens fruit, not nitrogen. Governor Plum feeds in two distinct phases — balanced to build the plant, then high-potassium the moment flowering starts to set and fill a heavy crop.
How often should I feed governor plum?
Apply a balanced granular fertiliser (NPK 10-10-10) in spring and again in early summer. Established trees are light feeders and do not require heavy supplementation. Excessive nitrogen promotes vegetative thorny growth at the expense of fruit. Apply a balanced granular fertiliser (NPK 10-10-10) in spring and again in early summer. Established trees are light feeders and do not require heavy supplementation. Excessive nitrogen promotes vegetative thorny growth at the expense of fruit. So: a balanced feed or compost at planting, then a high-potash liquid every 1-2 weeks from first flower through harvest across the main season (spring through early autumn).
What strength of feed for governor plum?
Follow the crop-feed label rate for governor plum — these are calibrated for hungry vegetables. Consistency through fruiting matters more than strength; erratic feeding causes problems like blossom-end rot.
What does over-feeding governor plum look like?
Vigorous dark-green leafy growth but few flowers or fruit (excess nitrogen). Lush foliage hiding the crop; soft growth prone to pests and disease. Salt crust on the soil and scorched leaf edges in containers. Staying on a high-nitrogen feed once governor plum starts flowering is the classic error — you get a huge leafy plant and a disappointing crop. Switch to high-potash the moment flowers appear.
Should I flush the soil of governor plum?
In containers, fertiliser salts build up fast — water governor plum thoroughly so excess drains from the base each time, and flush pots with plain water every few weeks to prevent a damaging salt build-up.
Keep reading
- Governor Plum care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water governor plum — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise nasturtium officinale
- How to fertilise english walnut 'chandler'
- How to fertilise english walnut 'franquette'
- All 11687 fertilising guides in the Growli library