Royal Poinciana

Hi everyone,

I am new here, but wondered if anyone could tell me if it is possible to grow Royal Poinciana in the UK (Channel Islands)? :confused: I bought a few seeds back from Barbados and have managed to get two to germinate. they have about 5 leaves on so far but i am wondering what to do next, when to re pot them and how will they cope in the winter. They are in my green house at the moment - any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Rachel

 

Welcome, Rachel! Funnily, we were having a discussion about this tree a couple of weeks ago. I would love one but I don't have room for any more trees! You may well have to keep yours in the greenhouse but there's culural info about it here ...

www.tropilab.com/delonix-reg.html

 

thank you Lady of Leisure, i will check out that website.
As this tree grows very tall, i dont know what i am going to do when its too big for the greenhouse!
I wonder if there are any growing in the UK? i have searched the net, but not come up with any.

ps, how do i upload a pic of it so you can see hows its doing?

many thanks

Rachel

 

Perhaps you will be able to keep it small by root pruning, as if it were a bonsai?

 

Hello, again, Rachel! If you go to the forum home page, go down to the bottom at Site Feedback & Information, theres a "how to" section explaining how to upload a pic.

Look forward to seeing your pics!

Just clix on the tropilab address above and you'll get the info page immediately.

 

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g291/rachelscott_2006/DSCN0061.jpg

 

Sorry trying again!

 

Rachel, how about making one into a bonsai as Liz suggested for the greenhouse and plant the other one out in your sunniest spot ... what have you got to lose? Do you have much frost on Jersey? The tropilab blurb said it has been known to live down to 25oC, but I assume that's established ones.

Good luck and keep us posted on this!

 

thanks i think i might give that a go! i will see if i can germinate a few more first

 

Whoops, I said 25oC but meant 25oF ... but think you twigged that one :confused: :D

 

Its a nice little seedling Rachel.
It'll probably make a good foliage plant for outside in summer, and in the greenhouse during the worst of the winter.
But who knows, find the right spot and one might survive, I think I would grow it on for a year at least, before trying it outside though.

 

Agree with you on that, Pete. At least one winter indoors then summer outdoors and see what happens.

 

It was a beautiful, exotic song "Poinciana" - does anyone remember it?

 

I think i will go with one year in the greenhouse then plant it out next summer, it should be big then as they are suppose to grow 5ft a year!
Just planted another 3 seeds, but they seem very difficult to germinate. I soaked loads in warm water for a few days but only 3 seem to have swelled up and the top layer has come off so i have planted those three the rest are rock solid.
i hope those three grow so i can try the bonsai thing )

 

oops didnt mean to put that red face there!