Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Pride of Barbados, 1 by DaleTheGardener

DaleTheGardener wrote:
Lin, it is Thunbergia alata. It didn't work out. Like all Thunbergia it grew massive amounts of foilage and very few flowers. I replaced it with a grape vine, a very tasty black seeded muscadine.

Back to the topic...

Steven, I have grown Caesalpinia to flowering size in 9 months, but, we have very warm conditions. You should start your seed as soon as you can, give the plant as much full sun and warmth as possible. Nick the seed lightly, I use a file from the shop. Soak in water until the seeds swells, start with very warm water, try to use melted/heated snow or rain water. Change the water once or twice a day until the seed gets fat, then plant it about 1/2" deep and cover the container with clear plastic. Remove the plastic as soon as you see sprouting. I have learned to pinch the plant every 6-8" to make it bushy (and more flower clusters) or let it go unpinched for a column form. I would suggest you start with a small, deep container (like a rose pot) and move it up to a larger one every couple months. It can take alot of heat. If you place it outside in the summer try and place it near a south facing wall, temp below 60* will slow its growth. I have seen it bloom in a #1 (1 gal) container at local nurseries, but, the flower cluster were small. It should put on a good fall show in a 10" container.

Here is a palm that I have seeds from. It does well in containers, called the Xmas palm, Adonidia, has bright red fruit (dates) around the winter soltice.