Sesbania punicea

I used to grow these for summer sales at my nursery back in the '70s. The modern equivalent is that garden centre innovation - 'Patio plant'. Anyway. a February sowing resulted in flowering plants about 12 - 15" high on a single stem in July. I think it is a stunning plant and despite being somewhat short lived, is a very worthwhile shrub or small tree.

I've not grown it for many years, but feel that it should do well here as a true garden plant as opposed to being something that needs to be 'hoiked' indoors for the winter. LOL, the next time you have a few seeds to spare, there's a rather nice species of Bilbergia with very showy, large bracts that would look superb in your garden!

 

Hi, DaveP. I'll get some off to you shortly.

Is it true the germination rate is high?

Thank you ... my others are having a rest from flowering now but have sent up new ones. I just hope they will survive the summer. We almost hit 30 degrees today! I think I'll put them back in my shadey pergola where they were originally to root.

 

That's a fabulous tree L of L. You have really opened up a new dimension for people on this forum. I do hope we are going to get some sort of feedback from the people growing these wonderful things - telling us how they do in the UK.

 

I went out for an early morning wander and went back to the trees ...





Good luck to all of you ... and my goodself ... in germination with the seeds!

 

Hurray ... my first two Sesbanias are up ... well, one up, one peeping out. This is from my first attempt, nothing in the second two lots yet ... I'll probably end up with a jungle of them! :D

 

Hi LoL, they are looking good mine too have germinated, very exciting. Also, the Albizia are now 3" high and the Jacaranda 1" high.

 

Hi, Blackthorn. You are doing real well with everything ... You'll soon have your Portuguese garden there.

 

LoL, 8 out of 8, about 2ins high with first true leaves.

 

I shan't say it again, strongy ...

 

Thank you LoL, but I reckon it's down to the high quality seeds you send out

 

strongy, not surprisingly, we get all over the show with various plants/shrubs/trees and this one pops up everywhere it seems ... our beautiful Sesabanias.

Now, t'other half has directed me to ask you the following questions regarding this tree ... this could be relevant also for the Thevetia as well, actually ...

* What compost are they in?
* What do you feed them and how often?
* What size pots are they in now and how often have you transplanted them?
* How often are they watered and with what type of water?
* What temperature controlled environment are they in?
* Do you talk to them?
* What music do you play to them and at what decibel level?

Thank you for your response and perhaps you may have some other secrets you can share with us. :rolleyes:

 

1. Slurry.
2. Cheese and Pickle sandwiches.
3. 3cm and 25 Times.
4. When they are dry and with wet water(English).
5. Not temperature controlled -it's a glasshouse!
6. Yes Iv'e told them -could be worse - you could be in Portu...
7. Flower Power 110 db with feedback with a Chorus pedal and Delay.


You'll have to wait for a sensible answer!

 

He KNEW we were playing the wrong kind of music ... eagerly await more input.

 

* Peat.
* Sangral soluble fertilizer once a week.
* 7in now, previously 5in and 31/2in
* Twice a day in tap water
* Glasshouse, fully vented day, 1/2 vented night.
* No I am not Prince Charlie!
* If they can hear my mp3 it's too loud.