Okay, I admit that I've killed one or two small plants before of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, but now I just purchased a medium-sized one, and I was wondering if anyone else grows this one. I can put it in my portable greenhouse with my other tropicals. It gets down to about 50 in there and heats up to around 80 or 90 during the day. I'm not sure if this is too much heat for this tree or not though. If I leave it outside, it has been dropping down into the low 40's here at night, and I'm not sure that is good for this size of a tree. I read somewhere that it needs heat in the winter. I can always bring it inside at night and put it outside during the day. Is anyone familiar with growing this one? Thanks for your help.
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Clare, I killed my Nyctanthes arbor tristis I purchased
from Logees. Didn't keep it alive for more than a month or two.
Isn't it native to India? Might try googling India climate and see
what kind of conditions it would grow in naturally.
Logees shows minimum temp of 60.
Jackie
Thanks, Jackie. I killed the two that I got from Logee's too. In our defense, those were pretty small plants! LOL! Logee's shows a minimum of 60 for everything! LOL! PlantFiles indicates a low of 35, but I don't want to risk that low with this new plant: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/95610/index.html I've been searching the web, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of growing information on this tree. That's a good idea about researching India's climate. Thanks for your help:-)
Clare, You're welcome. Let us know what you find out
Jackie
Hi Clare, I purchased one a few months ago. The vendor told me that anything below 50 would hurt the plant. Although it may survive for a short period with lower temperatures (conditions I have here in S FL in the winter) in the long run it will die. I have noticed that it likes plenty of humidity too. I have mine in a partial sun spot. Now that Wilma left me with no shade the strong sun burns everything even at this time of year.
I get a few nights here and there in the 40's and sometimes even in the 30's, so I will have to cover it well during those nights. I also got a Magnolia coco which I will keep in a pot so I can bring in on those cold nights.
Thanks so much for that info., Jnana. That is good to know. I'll make sure that my greenhouse stays above 50. I better turn the heat up because I noticed last night that it dropped to 47. My portable greenhouse is fairly humid too so, as long as it stays about 50, it should be all right. Thanks so much. I feel better now about its care. I had a M. coco too and lost it one winter when it stayed outside for the winter. I think it too doesn't like temps below 50. I didn't have the portable greenhouse back then. I'm so sorry about your Wilma damage, Jnana.