I guess maybe this could go on the trees & shrubs forum, but I checked there and there are few mentions of any tropical trees, so I'm putting it here.
It's taken 5 years (3 in ground) from seed, but at long last it finally has a few buds... see below:-)
I've seen those blooming and they are gorgeous! I bought a small tree, how tall is yours? I'm trying to get an idea of how much longer mine has to go before it blooms, lol.
Cala, the part of it that has the buds is at about 12 feet. I took the picture from the roof lol. The entire tree I would say is maybe 16-18 feet tall.
I've got to find someway to tie the top part over because it's grown crooked this year due to a worthless arizona ash tree that was too close. I'm thinking of using flat nylon strap type rope and leaving it until next spring/summer. I'm fairly sure it would work since the tree remains flexible even after the stems get pretty thick. Anyone know anything about tying up trees lol?
The flower!:-)
It was open in the rain today... strange furry things that I haven't seen on any other flower are at the base of the petals in the center of it. I'm very pleased, even if there is only the one.
This message was edited Oct 23, 2004 4:22 PM
Such a pretty and unusual flower. It would be great if we could grow something like that up here, but I don't think it is going to happen without a greenhouse...LOL! Gorgeous!!
It's beautiful. To tie up your tree, cut some lengths of garden hose or rubber tubing about 2 ft long. Run a nylon rope thru the tube or hose and put the hose part against the tree. It will keep the rope from damaging the trunk of the tree.
Chris,
I'm just curious... How large is your lot? How many acres? I envy you for all of the endless space you seem to have. That's the awesome part about living in Texas. I heard you guys are getting a Bill Miller's. Wow! Little Floresville with a Bill Miller's. I'm afraid I won't recognize it when I go back.
I love this tree that you posted pictures of. I got some seeds and as I struggle with trying to figure out where I'm going to put it... It occured to me, "Ah!...I'll just plant it in Chris' yard". Too bad I wouldn't be able to enjoy it.
Do you offer this tree any protection? I would guess not considering the it's size.
When I was living in Texas I wanted to make a bumper sticker that read "Say no to Arizona Ash". I absolutely hated those trees. What a bad rap for Arizonans! (They're not that relentless/pesky). Only joking!
Hugo, my lot is not large at all, I would say not even 1/4 acre. I just have things stuck in every possible spot hehe:-)
I did cover/move the tree in (during the time it was in a pot) when it was smaller, but now the only effect seems to be that a few tips die, if even that much.
I would love t see a full shot of the tree if you could get one. I kind of want to get a feel for the full effect. They seem to grow pretty fast hu?
Chris, this Chorisia has a fabulous color. Now that it has bloomed, every year it will have more and more blooms. I'm really impressed that you grew it from seed. I have a Chorisia that has never bloomed and it doesn't grow very fast either. I think it may be planted above a huge boulder. It's maybe about 16 feet tall.
Beside the tree itself, the other thing I wanted to comment about was growing exotic and unusual trees from seed. I've got some of various sizes and ages--but mostly small and young. It's fun to try things that are not available at the local nursery. I've got my fingers crossed for this winter because earlier this past Spring and Sumer, I planted into the ground a whole slew of things. I figure if they make it through this winter, they are on their way. I also have some things that are a few years older and they are doing great (of course, I have some failures too--but I won't mention those "-) ). Here is a list of things:
First winter in ground-
Colvillea racemosa
Delonix regia
Bolusanthus speciosus
Peltophorum africanum
Peltophorum pterocarpum
Xanthostemon chrysanthus
Stemmadenia galleotiana
Older in ground-
Schotia brachypetala
Schotia afra
Delonix decaryi(i)
Tabebuia impetigenosa
Tabebuia chrysotricha
Spathodea campanulata
Spathodea campanulata aurea (rooted cutting)
In pots on an outdoor balcony-
Radermachera ignea
Markhamia zanzibarica
Calliandra calothyrsus (sp?)
Uvaria rufa
Caesalpinia cacalaco
Butea monosperma
Seedlings in planting flats-
Some more Delonix regia (these are from seed from Malawi that someone brought back)
Caesalpinia pluviosa v. peltophoroides (called Sibipuruna in Brazil)
Tabebuia roseo-alba
Deplanchea tetraphylla (check out the images I posted in the PDB)
Some other things I will be sowing soon-
Peltophorum dasyrachis
Erythrina poeppigiana
Beside all of this, I'm going to pick up a Cassia leptophylla at a local nursery that I've been eyeing. I have no idea where I'm going to put all this stuff if everything survives, but it's still fun. Hey, I could have worse bad habits!
-Ron-
Wow Ron, that's an impressive list. I have a Delonix regia in a pot; I tried one in the ground but it didn't last once it got too large to cover well. I've started a few more seedlings this year and I'm planning to try a few in the ground again.
I also have Delonix decaryi, but it's a slow grower for me. It spends winter outside in it's pot unprotected though, so I think it's definitely hardier that D. regia.
Let me know how yours did once spring gets here...
That is GORGEOUS!!!
