Yes they do Mike, no worries....we can always send you more seeds, but I think it will work for you. I have seen smaller ones with blooms but they were fed very heavily with an organic bloom food from the nursery. For the most part though, the more mature a plant is the better chance it has of blooming. So start them early, and keep it in your GH if it is too cold. They love a lota of water and full sun. The recent cooler weather we have had has slowed mine down some, and it wil soon be time for me to cut them back and prepare them for winter. :o( You have a great garden over there Mike, I have seen a lot of your pictures and it is just lovely! The Cassia would be real sight over there where you are!
across the pond~~
Deb
Candletree/bush (Cassia Alata) advice
Hehe,
Thanks loads for the advice. I planted the ones i got in a small pot just covering with vermiculite in my utility room its the warmest room in the house. Even palm seed has germinated in there.
How long does it take to come up? I have a grow light in that room too so its on half the night to top up the lack of day time sun.
Thanks Deb for the compliments about the garden. Its taking a lot of work to get it ready for winter now. I've been outside all day today. Forced into cutting the grass but its been wet all week. Autumn is so foggy sometimes.
Its kind of fun though once winter has finally killed everything to start from scratch and make something new each year.
If i get any flowers next year i'll take some pics.
Mike
Well, here is my kid in the "pond"!!
Hap
Why can't i live somewhere hot? Its just unfair. Lol
Keep burning some fossil fuel i need global warming to speed up just so i get a nice garden.
Only kidding folks don't burn me alive
Mike
It's a good thing and a bad thing!
The bad thing is it is almost always hot and humid here. Like sticking your head in a dishwasher while it is going... plus Even Today it is sticky and hot and running the A/C.
The good thing is I get to enjoy year round gardening!
Tricia
Tricia,
There are days when it gets too hot to garden during the day and I have rosacea which makes it more difficult.
During the summer, I garden early am and later in the evening and doing inside chores during the day. I do work M-F so it's really only a bother on the weekends. The year round gardening definitely makes up for it. I spent my first 16 years in Chicago and will never ever return north with the xception of perhaps summering in the Carolinas some day when I retire. I live for sun and color and would be depressed with the drabness of the outdoors during the winter up north.
Jan...
Jan, I know what you mean!
I do live in zone 9a but my area acts as 9b since I live walking distance from Galveston Bay.
It is in The Houston area but we are much warmer then Houston which Makes our plants Huge and roses on Christmas. But, I often envy folks that talk about changing seasons and snow.
Tricia
Hap!! I just love your wee Candletree in the pond, it is a little beauty!
Oh Mike, you are kidding!! You know you love the challenge of growing things, and over there your yard is a specticle because of that. haha.. Takes one to know one~~ I too can't resist a challenge. How many Nicotiana seeds do you have this year, I will trade you some Cassia seeds and 3 colors of Hibiscus Rose Mallow (Pale yellow, White, and Pink, all with dark red centers) with 6-8" bell blooms. That's just a few...I need to make a list and check what grows good there in Lincoln,GB.
Tricia, Indeed it is hot and steamy there in La Porte. I lived in Pasa(get-down)dena for 9 years, but the things you can grow there ARE pretty great. Up here in Ft Worth it is very different from there. Very hot, but a lot drier climate...I use a mister in morning and evening on days like that, and watering is a major task.
Janice~ Doesn't it rain fairly often there? It sure helps with watering..If i went to a full time away-from-home job, my yard would probably suffer a lot. We went about 100 days without a drop of rain last Summer.. I lived in Pinellas for a few months one Summer in our Motor home, and I just love the tropical plants that can grow there.
Been working outside all day today, and finally managed to get a lot of the Butterfly garden planted.. I saved a place for 1 Cassia right in the middle back of this particular bed area. From there I will work my way out to the fences, and make a section for Cacti where the sun beats down the hardest. This bed is on the South side of the house, so it should fare alright through the winter..Its nice to come in from all that and text a bit with ppl who appreciate gardening as much as I do..
:oD
debnes_dfw_tx- You mean stink -a dena LOL
I moved from there the first of Jan. Sold my house on Buchanan street in Pasadena. Bought another home here in La Porte..quiet little town ... Love it!
I love it here in La Porte YEAH!!
I lived by Ft Worth years ago in Glen Rose much drier climate and colder! I think I like your climate better! Tricia
No, it doesn't rain nearly as much as we need. We are on constant watering restrictions. The occasion hurricane helps a bit to replenish the water reserves. LOL Fortunately, my town is a bit more progressive than some and I have reclaimed water for gardening purposes. I get 25,000 gal a month for 8.00 then a surcharge per gallon after that. I have accidentally left it on continuously for 8-16 hours and never gone over the 25000 gallons.
Jan...
So it sounds like we should all swap houses as everyone seems to want different weather!
Something i saw on the news today about global warming having an effect as we are now into our 5th record breaking month in a row. Mainly for heat or sun. It has been surprisingly warm even yesterday i was in my tshirt outside! (probably means nothing to the southerners)
Deb
I have your name on my bit of paper listing all my current trades but no plants listed. Was i supposed to send or do something?
i have to write all my trades down as i have no memory at all.
If you want Nicotiana anyone just say i have enough seed here to cover the whole of the UK. At one point i had a bucket full. (if you know how small the seed is then you will be impressed!) Lol
Speak soon
Mike
Mike,
If I sent you seeds, how would I label the package to deal with customs, etc. I know you inquired some time ago about albizia but I haven't had alot of free time lately. I still have a few packages of cassias here ready to send out but have to get them to the post office and keep forgetting. I had gotten a postal box due to my son misplacing my mail but it's too inconvenient so I am going to go back to home delivery and it will be easier to mail envelopes out.
Jan..
Definatly Mike, I AM impressed. Nic seeds are like dust.. How do we trade now? I know dollars aren't any good there, nore a SASBE.. I want to take some of those off your hands for sure. Tell me something I can get for you that you have been wanting, and I will get it for ya.
:oDeb
Hi all,
I think i might post a thread in international about trading across the pond, I get asked alot. I only know how to from my end (its exactly the same as sending something to the next town except a different address)
Hopefully someone who knows the details from your side of the pond can explain how to do it. As i only know bits ive been told.
Here is my current trade list and i'm after anything i don't have aslong as you know the latin name (i collect seed as much as i collect plants)
I think the list is upto date as i'm allways adding and sowing stuff.
Mike
Latin name English/Common Type
Abutilon x hybridum giant mix Flowering maple giant mix Half hardy perennial
Allium christophii Hardy Bulb
Amaranth Summer poinsettia Annual
Amaranthus pony tails Annual
Angelica ursina Hardy Perennial
Anigozanthos flavidus red Red kangaroo paw
Antirrhinum dwarf bedding mixed Snap dragons Annual
Antirrhinum jamaican mist Snap dragons Annual
Antirrhinum nanus frosted flames Snap dragons Annual
Antirrhinum nanus frosted sunset Snap dragons Annual
Antirrhinum nanus tequila sunrise Snap dragons Annual
Asclepias asperula Spider milkweed Half hardy perennial
Asclepias curassavica scarlett Butterfly weed Half hardy perennial
Baptisia australis False indigo Hardy Perennial
Brachyscome Swan river daisy Annual
Buxus sempervirens Box hardy shrub
Calceolaria yellow alpine? Slipper flower Hardy Perennial
Calicarpa Beauty berry Hardy shrub
Callistemon pallidus Lemon bottlebrush
Calycanthus floridus Sweet shrub hardy shrub
Canna musafolia Half hardy perennial
Capsicum annuum golden bell Sweet pepper vegetable
Capsicum baccatum achard hot pepper (long and large hot pepper from reunion (capsicum baccatum), eaten green and red) vegetable
Capsicum baccatum friars hat 8ft tall won't cross with annuum vegetable
Capsicum cabri hot pepper (small very hot pepper kind annuum from reunion) vegetable
Capsicum cayenne (organic) vegetable
Capsicum Golden cal wonder pepper vegetable
Capsicum red bird pepper (one of the hottest in the world) vegetable
Cassia alata Candlestick senna Half hardy tree
Centaurea macrocephala Hardy Perennial
Cerinthe major purpurascens Hardy Annual
Chrysanthemum coronarium primrose gem Chrysanthemum Hardy Annual
Cleome dark pink Spider flower Annual
Cleome rose queen (pink) Spider flower Annual
Cleome serrulata Dwarf spider flower Annual
Cleome solid pink Spider flower Annual
Clitoria ternatea alba
Coriandrum sativum Coriander Herb
Cynara cardunculus Hardy Perennial
Datisca cannabina Hardy Perennial
Datura / Brugmansia Angels trumpet Annual
Datura wrightii Devils trumpet Annual
Dianthus superbus crimsoniana Dianthus Hardy Perennial
Dracena indivisia atropurpurea Cordyline red
Echinacea paradoxa Hardy Perennial
Echinacea purpurea magnus Hardy Perennial
Echinacea purpurea t&m hybrids Hardy Perennial
Eruca vesicaria Rocket vegetable
Eryngium pico Sea holly Hardy Perennial
Eryngium varifolium Sea holly Hardy Perennial
Godetia rubicunda shamini Godetia Annual
Gourd bottle Bottle gourds vegetable
Grevillea banksii alba White banks grevillea Half hardy shrub
Grevillea banksii fosterii Red banks grevillea Half hardy shrub
Grevillea pteridifolia Golden grevillea Half hardy shrub
Grevillea venusta Byfield grevillea Half hardy shrub
Heliotrope dwarf marine Cherry pie Annual
Hesperaloe parviflora red Red yucca Hardy shrub
Hibiscus hardy red Half hardy perennial
Hibiscus radiatus Hibiscus Half hardy perennial
Hibiscus syriacus Rose of sharon
Hibiscus white d.p. Half hardy perennial
Ipomoea purpurea heavenly blue Morning glory Annual
Iris variegated Iris Hardy Perennial
Jacaranda (mimosaefolia) tree with blue/purple flowers Green house shrub
Lathyrus latifolius Everlasting sweet pea Hardy Perennial
Laurentia shooting stars Isotoma/ Solenopsis Annual
Leonotis leonurus staircase Half hardy perennial
Lobularia maritima procumbens 'avalanche' Alyssum Annual
Lupin gallery blue Hardy Perennial
Lupin gallery pink Hardy Perennial
Lupinus arboreus plummy blue Tree lupin blue Half hardy shrub
Melica altissima atropurpurea Hardy Perennial
Mesembryanthemum apricot tutu Annual
Mesembryanthemum magic carpet mixed Annual
Mesembryanthemum mixed Annual
Mirabilis jalapa Half hardy perennial
Nasturtium climbing & mixed Annual
Nepeta parnassica Hardy Perennial
Nicotiana sylvestris Tobacco Annual
Ocimum basilicum Basil sweet green Herb
Oenothera caespitosa Tufted evening primrose Hardy Perennial
Osteospermum pluvaris glistening white Ostespermum Annual
Pansy mixed Annual
Papaver pink with purple throat Poppy Annual
Passiflora capsularis Passion flower Tender perennial
Penstemon Hardy Perennial
Petunia multiflora pink lady Petunia Annual
Rheum palmatum tang Ornamental rhubarb Hardy Perennial
Ricinus communis zanzibarensis Ricinus Annual
Ricinus crimson spire Ricinus Annual
Rudbeckia x hirta hybrida cherokee sunset Cone flower Annual
Salvia forskaohle Salvia Hardy Perennial
Scabiosa butterfly blue Hardy Perennial
Scabiosa ritz blue Scabious Hardy Perennial
Schinus terebinthifolius False pepper tree (Brazilian pepper-tree / Christmas berry-tree) bright red berries which have a flavour both sweet and spicy and are used as spice or substitute for pepper Half hardy tree
Silene colorata dwarf pink star viscaria Hardy Annual
Spathodea campanulata (gabon tulip tree) wonderful orange flowers Half hardy tree
Stock dwarf ten week mixed Annual
Stocks Brompton mixed Hardy Biennial
Stocks Night scented starlight scentsation Hardy Annual
Stocks virginia mixed Annual
Sweet pea mix Annual
Tecoma stans (trumpet) (lovely small tree with beautiful yellow flowers) Half hardy shrub
Venidium fastuosum jaffa ice monarch of the veldt Annual
Veronica mixed colours Hardy Perennial
Vestia lycioides Hardy shrub
Viola mix Annual
Washingtonia robusta Mexican fan palm Half hardy shrub
I would say to pack them up as you would to post anywhere, and take it to your Post Office to have it weighed, stamped and sent. If you are trading the other person will do the same, and it should break fairly even.
For ppl who request seeds without trade, I don't mind just telling them to pay it forward when the plant seeds to share the extras with whoever asks them.
When someone is sending me something from inside the US, I have them tell me how much and I send the dollars in a folded thank you note.
That's how I do it
It is different with dealing with out of country trades. I have purchased seeds on Ebay from out of country only to have them confiscated after reaching the states. They don't catch them all but they do get some.
I send things to a friend of mine in Scotland quite often. I have sent many different kinds of seeds, and oxalis triangulus rysomes (green), and root of tiangulus oxalis (purple)... Never had any problem.. I usually send other things with them, like a CD or something. When declairing I just write "CD" on the label. I'm not going to list EVERYTHING, lol.. Like i said, never had any problem.. I have sent seeds all over the world this way. If I send you a package with a CD, you can keep it or toss it. LOL
Mike, what kind of music do you like?
Deb
You could always take cuttings this fall and root them over the Winter.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/371/index.html
Tami
Ok, from hard wood cuttings......we will have to try t that way. Thanks Tami!
Deb
I cut a softwood cutting of cassia and stuck it in water. It rotted.
So should I cut a hardwood cutting and put it in water or in soil? Thanks!! Karen
Deb and Karen,
I have never rooted cuttings of the candletree. But I would root it like a Angel Trumpet. I put mine in rootone and then in perlite. It would be worth a try to keep from buying it every year.
Tami
Rooting is great but the seeds of The Candlestick are SO VERY easy!
They come up real quickly. Tricia
except mine that have been nearly 4 weeks now! Lol
Think i've killed them.
Mike
How warm/cold is it where you have the seeds germinating Mike? I wonder if you put a reptile heater mat or a seed germination heater..underneath your germinating seeds I wonder what would happen... Also make sure there is a tiny slit on the seed... of course you knew that.
Cassia like it warm, I may have to use a mat to germinate mine in January...I just happen to have a rep mat I am going to try using. Top of the refrigerator is warm too, but don't forget about them drying out on ya.
Another thing.. where did you get the seeds? They must be fresh, if not planted within 6 months they go bad. I have seen ppl pull them off before the pods turn brown and split open. That can make a huge difference too.
Deb,
I just planted some from last years collection and did not have any problem with germination. I will toss out the ones from last year in about 6 weeks because I will have a ton of them ready to pick by then.
Hi i got them in a swap with other things that where ok. So i guess there ok seed but you never know. Lol
I've got them in my utility room as the boiler is in there so we dry clothes in there if its cold or wet outside. They get looked at atleast twice a day as all my seeds are in there and i'm sad. Lol
Whats the tiny slit bit about?
Do you mean i need to make a slit?
I just got some sandy compost in a small pot and covered them with vermiculite and watered them in. Then left them in the utlity room in a plastic propagator.
Mike
I recently used Cassia seeds that someone sent me a couple years ago.. they came up right away... They seem to last a long time just like most seeds.
I live in such a tropical area everything comes up here LOL
It is burning up outside today and very muggy as normal.
Mike,
It's called nicking a seed to speed up germination. You take either a file or small clipper like a nail clipping and gently nick the seed till a bit of the inner seed can be seen. Then you can soak them overnight in warm water and plants as usual. This is a common procedure for germination hard shelled seeds like morning glories.
Jan...
Ok no worries i do it with some stuff just wasn't sure when you said "slit" i Have a few more seeds so i'll take your advice and do that with them.
Thanks loads
Mike