Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)

Golden rain tree
Koelreuteria paniculata

The sun illuminating these ... they look like Japanese lanterns. (adjusted contrast of first photo)

Is the orange the bloom? This is certainly unique and a fun tree. Are you growing this htop?

No, these are the seedpods which are large when compared to the bright yellow blooms, The blooms have red also which one does not notice unless really up close to the blooms. They are very tiny and occur in large clusters. I am not growing one, but I sure wish I had planted one when I first landscaped my yard. I have no space large enough for one now.

A bloom and the clusters ... the clusters against the deep green foliage are really much brighter than in this photo.




This message was edited Friday, Jun 4th 1:18 AM

I have seen this tree described in a couple of my garden books. What is the difference between this and the golden chain?

The golden rain tree is much different (as shown in the photo attached to the comment below), the racemes hang downward, the blooms are more dense and the leaves on the golden rain tree are more elongated.

Golden chain tree raceme:

http://www.suresoft.ca/Gallery_12/DSC_5492.html

Golden rain tree raceme which is more "airy" and sort of floats above the foliage, but does arch downward somewhat:

http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/34013/

golden chain tree bloom:

This message was edited Friday, Jun 4th 12:44 PM

Comparison of the blooms:


This message was edited Friday, Jun 4th 12:43 PM

Wow, htop, that really shows the difference. You are such a wealth of information. Thank you.I see a lot of the golden chain here but not the golden rain. Is the golden rain a larger tree or smaller like the golden chain?

I figured side by side images of the 2 would make it easier to compare the 2 blooms. I believe the golden rain tree grows larger than the golden chain tree. I see more golden rain trees here and some are rather large.

Just so I do not cinfuse you, there are 2 trees commonly called "golden chain tree". This is the one I am describing:

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/2194/index.html

Here is the other one:

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/38312/index.html

This message was edited Jun 4, 2004 12:23 PM

I have recently aquired a branch with about 30 to 40 seed pods of what I believe is a "Golden Raintree"
I would appreciate the best advice I can get from anyone as to the best time and method of propigation and planting of these seeds.
I think the trees are beautiful, and want to plant the seeds to grow at least one tree.
I live in Central Texas.
Thanks:
Corliss

I have never tried to grow them from seed but from what I have read, the propagation is difficult because of seed dormancy. After the seedpods are brown and dry, remove the seeds. The seeds need to be scarified (the outside coating being scratched or nicked to hasten germination). To do this, rub them lightly between two pieces of fine sandpaper being careful to abrade only the outer coating so that the embryo within the seed is not harmed. Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for at least 24 hours. IMPORTANT: Then, let the seeds dry out for at least 24 hours.

The seeds need a period of moist coolness before they will germinate. Applying moist cold is called stratification. Mix the seeds with damp peat moss and place in a small plastic bag tied with a twist tie or a sealed glass jar. After rootlets appear (may take up to 60 days and only about half will germinate), take the bag or jar out of the refrigerator. Plant them in small pots and put them under grow lights or in a cool, bright window (air temperature inside should be about 70 degrees) until the temperature outside reaches at least 70 degrees. Then, the plants can be moved outside. I would let the plants grow to a pretty good size before planting them in the ground which means that they will have to be transplanted into larger comtainers. Good luck with the seeds.