Hi Texas gardeners.
My name is Rodica and I live in Phoenix, Arizona.
Last Saturday we had our fall swap in Tucson and we took advantage that the gathering was around noon to do some plant shopping at the various nurseries in Tucson.
At MVG a bunch of us got stopped in our tracks at the site of this magnificent tree in full bloom.
It was Golden Wonder Sienna and let me tell you it was quite a site.
After we got over out initial shock we started investigating for seeds and to our profound distress there were none to be found.
I saw some postings regarding this tree on your site some time ago and I was wondering if somebody has any seeds to spare? The manager ot that nursery said that he will try to save some for us but I can not take a chance that he might forget.
I can pay for them or send someting else in exchange.
Thanks for reading this message and maybe for helping us.
Boy, do we need help..........
Good gardening
Rodica
Golden Wonder Senna
If you mean "senna" I have lots of seed pods, but I think they need to dry on the tree before gathering the seeds. Mine are no longer blooming, but are covered with pods. They were absolutely beautiful this summer. If no one else jumps in with dried seeds, I'd be glad to send some when they dry. I think there'd be enough for your entire group! Sandi
Sandi,
Thanks for responding so promptly.
Sorry, I meant Senna not Sienna.
We do need some seeds when they get dry if you have no probem sending them to me. I can hardly wait to try. I know several people that will be in heaven knowing that we will have some seeds.
Please D-mail me when you need my address.
I hope I can be of some help with something that you need too.
Good gardening
Rodica
I think that you are talking about a variety that has huge yellow flowers this time of year. This is the third year for my tree, I got one from Monrovia in Calif. in a five gallon, we ordered it from the nursery. This is the first year that it has had lots of flowers, I will save the seeds, but many cassia's do not come true from seed. Monrovia says that their stock is cutting grown. It could take years for the seed to grow into a flowering tree....but it would be worth the wait. Unlike most of this species, this is a slow growing tree.
Hi Butterflybyrob,
Thank for taking yout time to answer to my cry for help.
You figured it right. That is the tree I was talking about. I have no idea if it will come true from seeds but if you do not mind please send me some so I can share with my friends. We are patient people and we do not mind (some of us anyway) the wait.
Please let me know when you need my address and I will D-mail it to you.
If there is anything that you need, and I might have it , please let me know and I will send it to you.
Best wishes
Rodica
Rodica,
I have 2 small senna trees myself...I love them! One of them still has a few leftover blooms and is covered with seed pods as well, but they haven't dried out yet. Let me know if you still need some in the future. Happy Gardening! :)
Melanie
Melanie
I know a lot of us want seeds for this tree, so if is OK with you, please let me know when you have some available just in case I have not received some from the other people that offered.
This confirms once more how generous gardeners are.
Thanks all of you for your offer to help us.
Good gardening
Rodica
Melanie..How long have you had yours? San Antonio is cooler in the winter than we are. Monrovia has zone 9 on their stock, I would love knowing that it can take cooler winters....thanks
I got mine earlier this year, butterfly....so in all honestly, I'm waiting to see how they will do in our winter as well. It worries me a bit...since I really enjoy the both of them. Here is the link to their info. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60780/index.html
And you are right, our winters are chilly with some ice. Especially since I live at the base of the Hill Country.
Rodica, I'll definitely keep you in mind for alot of seeds if ya need more. DMail me soon to remind me, lol...sometimes I need that little push to get my thoughts back to what is important. :)
Melanie
Thanks Melanie. I will D-mail you at the begining of December.
Good gardening
Rodica
A friend took me to Martha's Bloomers in Navasota last week, beautiful nursery. They had some Golden Wonder in five gallon, with huge seed pods. They came from Conroe growers in New Waverly. The plants are about 2 feet, so they do bloom younger than I thought.
I've been wondering - do you senna growers see butterflies and larva? I'm debating on adding one to my garden. The senna at the school where I teach is pretty - but it must be a butterfly haven for me to give a corner of my garden to. It's probably not this senna - those flowers look really large and beautiful. I saw Martha's Bloomers on my way home from the central Texas RU, but at that point, had so many plants and seedlings that I just couldn't justify stopping. Maybe I really did have room in the car!
To be quite honest...I haven't seen nary a single butterfly on my senna trees. Even when they were covered in yellow blooms all summer, I never saw one. I guess my flying flowers found the salvias, lantanas and butterfly bushes just too extra tempting. :)
Melanie
Thanks Melanie! I know the books say senna is a host plant for some kind of b-fly (have to go get the book!). They are beautiful bushes with the prettiest yellow flowers. If those larva are good at hiding like most of them- we may never see them. I'll keep reading up on the host plants and if I find out - I'll post here.
The sulphur's love the cassia, their favorites are the corymbosa, candlestick and bicapsularis...I have them on my Golden Wonder. The cool thing about the caterpillar's is they are yellow when they eat the flowers and green when they eat just foliage.
