Delonix regia, Flamboyant

I sowed a few ancient seeds of delonix regia last week and they are already busting out of the compost. All that sanding must have done some good, then. I won't have facilities to look after these during the winter effectively so if anyone wants a swap......

 

Every year when I trawl the seed sites looking for "interesting thing" I drop one of those in my basket, but before I checkout I look up a) germinating conditions and b) growing conditions (and Cut&Paste to a Spreadhseet so I don't have to repeatedly look them up again the following Spring & Summer!!).

Anyway, Delonix regia always goes in the basket .. and then comes out again on the basis of "HTF am I going to look after that?"

"It can grow as tall as 59ft" - apart from "Has one NEVER grown to 60ft?!!" that's quite a lot to look after ...

"Although probably beyond the means of the average greenhouse owner to flower in this country" about sums it up for me, although that site goes to say "it is nevertheless well worth growing for its most attractive foliage - a mature leaf may have from 800-1000 leaflets"

UK forums seem to think that it is neigh on impossible to keep alive over winter :(

But that apart I'd be happy to have a go and swap from something. Are you going to @shiney on Saturday??

 

I'd settle for some nice feathery foliage. Flowers are pretty impossible as I'm not expecting to ever get one anywhere near maturity. I reckon I could try to overwinter one on a windowsill but not many more. It'd be pining for the steamy tropics for 6 months of the year.

Kristen, if I can keep them going you are most welcome to have one but sadly, I'm not going to Shiney's this year. But what about all those other meets we thought we might have?

 

I know they make good Bonsai and I am sorely tempted but I have so many little trees now. It's getting silly. They are beautiful though.

 

Managed to overwinter one once, it died the following winter, its not just a matter of heat, its lack of light in our dull winter months.
If you want a plant that looks similar foliage wise, but easier to look after go for Jacaranda, I've even managed flowers on this once or twice.

 

There's always one sucker out there!!

Quite tempted myself though...............

 

Gave up when they got to 10ft high, nowhere to keep them, they need min of 8/10c nights and a lot of light.

 

Heh, heh, I'd be quite pleased with myself if I got them to 2'.

 

Madahhlia - thats a very kind offer - but I am afraid I must decline.

Having bought some plants on Wednesday - I am returning to my ruthless self discipline and not getting anything else - well for a while.

Its a beautiful looking tree, but like the others - I have a problem with tropical trees in that they need winter protection but get too big for the greenhouse. Also I am never sure how long they take to flower. I understand that some trees can take a long time.

Having said that, seed is cheap and its great fun to try new things. I currently have several three inch high, second year Ravenala, which I know will get too big soon. I am about to throw my spares away - so anyone is welcome to one.

 

yes please. In shuffling pots around for the Winter, whilst rebuilding conservatory, a number of things got neglected - including all my Travellers Palms :(

 

Hi Kristen - will do