I have tried several attempts and have friends who have tried to propagate Erythrina bidwillii and find it very difficult using our normal methods of propagation. I have talked to a local nursery grower and he indicated the same problem.
I know my photo is of Erythrina cristi galli but don't have one of bidwillii.
Looks like the plant is a hybrid, so even if you set seed on it, you might not get the same plant. I've never propagated this plant but was going to suggest that you'd need two different seedlings to cross pollinate and get seeds. That was before I learned it is a hybrid.
Natural History Notes: This tree is named in honor of the English gardener and rancher John Carne Bidwill. It is a hybrid of Erythrina herbacea crossed with Erythrina crista-galli.
(from http://arboretum.arizona.edu/taxa/Erythrina_x_bidwillii.html )
LariAnn
lariAnn, According to what I read, the seeds are sterile. I have tried hardwood and softwood cuttings in gh and during all seasons. in soil, soilless mix, perlite, etc. Just read that using erythrina rootstock and grafting would work, which seems like a lot of work. I have grafted Camellia before, but not something I want to do a lot.
Thanks,
Barbara
Barbara, I have had the same luck as you - none! I have tried water rooting, perilite, peat moss and sand, regular potting soil and also vermiculite. I have tried combinations of all these ingredients, with no luck. I've tried rooting the cuttings in the greenhouse, in the shade, in a terrarium - you name it, and no luck.
Kayjones- you are no help at all. LOL My next effort is going to be hydroponics. Haven't tried that on softwood, new growth. Good luck. If you find a good way, please let me know.
Barbara
If I find a way, Barbara, I will certainly let you know. I have also tried to trade for a plant, but no luck.
Barbara, read this information:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Erythrina+x+bidwillii
Kay, the info on propragation is not correct.
It states, "Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter." The seeds of the bidwilli are sterile. They must be referring to the christa-galli seeds.
Erythrina are easiest to propagate from relatively large cuttings. Small, green cutting are tough to root. In S America large limbs are used as 'living fences'; 5' branches are planted as fence posts and they root and grow into trees. They are also referred to as Instant Trees. Use last years growth for cutting to root. I have had much better luck this way.
Are you taliking about bidwilli? If so, I will give it a try. I can root christi-gallii.
For bidwillii I have used both hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings. Green cuttings I have had no luck with. I have also grafted it on crista-galli rootstock.
How successful has the grafting been? I have grafted Camellias before, which are relatively easy. What did you use when you used hardwood/ semi-hardwood cuttings-soil-less, vermiculite, sand, etc.? And what rooting material do you use? I appreciate the help.
I use a soiless media (I mix my own), usually a liquid or gel rooting hormone, and bottom heat. Grafting works very good as long as it is done in warm months or when the plants are growing.
Wanted to show off my Erythrina crista-galli-I live in Zone 8a. At first, it died back to the ground every year and now the trunk is large enough that only the small branches die back. It made it through snow 2 times last year. Even when it died to the ground every year, I treasured it. It brings me joy every time it blooms. Now, when it blooms, it is spectacular and the flower spikes extend over 4 feet long and it is covered with blooms. It appears, I have created a micro climate in my yard.
Bward, is the woody trunk in your picture the plant you are talking about, or is the plant that looks like seed pods hanging down the one, or are they the same plant?
Either way, it is nice to see that finally someone is showing a full grown plant. I hate it when we just get a bloom picture. I want to see how the plant turns out after it has grown.
Including the bloom. (I realize that it might take up too much room in here to post two separate pics. Plus time consuming)
Jeanette
No- the picture with trunks and seed pods are cristi-gallii.
Hey Barbara and Hey Kay Jones!
I must have tried 500 cuttings of Bidwilli by now. To date, I've had two that took.
Those two were semi-hardwood, stuck in a large pot of potting soil about mid-summer. They were kept in the greenhouse all winter. Late the next summer, I noticed they had rooted. I've never been able to do it again.
Kay (the other Kay)
Kay, trying to find someone with info in propagating our favorite plant.
Barbara
Bward,
I live in Poplarville, MS and bought the bidwillii from the Flower Bed nursery (just south of Purvis) a couple of years ago. $30. I was surprised at the high price and the manager said it was because it was very hard to root cuttings. I wanted a coral bean but have small children and was worried about their poisonous seeds. Bidwillii is sterile, no seeds, he said. I guess that "hard to propagate" is the price I pay for safety. It's been a very healthy plant and gotten quite big--almost 6 feet.
Clanross, I also use the same nursery. I enjoy his nursery but at time pricey. After seeing his prices, went on line and found the bidwillii for $7.00 each. The owner is knowledgeable and I try to buy from him when I can.
This message was edited Aug 9, 2009 6:06 PM
Oh, Barbara - can you get me one, too?
Kay, I will look at my records and see if I have were I purchased them. It has been over a year ago.
This message was edited Aug 16, 2009 8:51 PM
Thanks - don't need one that badly.
