castanospermum Australe Help please
water, soil, light, food....??
Thanks
Diane
The following thread was started by Diane on July 20, 2004 at 11:16 am PST
Seems I am mistaken on the subject matter and local of this forum.... was led to believe that it was Austrailian... Sorry!
But if you know about my Bean tree I sure could use some guidance!
Thanks
Diane
The above followup was added by Diane on July 20, 2004 at 3:48 pm PST.
Hi Diane, I'm in New Zealand, and have in-laws in Australia who have this tree growing wild right around the house in subtropical rainforest, so I'm probably as close as you'll get to a local.
THis tree is a serious pain in the neck. Young trees die for no obvious reason. This is particularly annoying for me as it has now been declared an 'unwanted organism' by our Biosecurity people, and cannot be imported. There are some fine specimens i this country though. I had about 10 seedlings, but only about 3-4 left.
It is a legume, so should provide all the nitrogen it needs by irself, assuming it is not grown in a sterile medium without rhizobia populations, and assuming you don't have a growing media with a high nitrogen drawdown index.
In nature it grows in the Australian subtropics, which usually means they are pretty hardy. Air temps between about -2 to 48C, soils often hard clay, with deficiencies in N and P.
They grow mainly in rainforest, so I'd expect for growing inside it would need highish humidity.
Alos, be aware the seeds are very poisonous (one seed can kill a cow), not sure about the rest of the plant, but treat with caution.
The above followup was added by Ben on July 20, 2004 at 4:09 pm PST.
Ben,
thanks for the info!
It's in regular potting soil and seems to be doing quite well, off to the side of an east window. It's about 2 feet tall and reminds me of a Ficus benjie in alot of ways. Love the way the new leaves are so tender and "New" looking. Must be GORGEOUS in the wild!
Hope I don't kill it with kindness?
Diane
The above followup was added by Diane on July 21, 2004 at 8:32 am PST.
Hi All,
I too have come into ownership of an indoor seedling of the Castanospermum Australe (slightly dwarfed version the info tag says). It was nothing more than a little twig when I first got it 10 months ago. Now it is approaching 2 feet. But I am concerned that it is stunting now. One of the beans has apparently started to rot, I'm not sure if its a result of someone else watering it and letting it sit in excess. Either that or someone ripped it partially out, not realizing what it was. I have it on my desk at work and the local plant co. we have comes around and waters all the 'company' plants. (I now have a sign on it that says 'do not fee me'). I'm worried the whole tree is going to start going downhill now that one of the beans has rotted. Is there something I can do to help it?
The above followup was added by Karen on August 28, 2004 at 1:49 pm PST.
G'day, I've grown plenty of Morton bay 'black' beans from seed down here in Melbourne. The trick is to have very fresh seed. I think the seed dies within a month of falling to the ground. You've missed seed season this year I'm afraid (it was about a month ago).
No idea why they are called black beans, as they are neither black, nor (AFAICT) significantly related to black beans used in asian cuisine.
The above followup was added by Nathan Hurst on November 08, 2004 at 2:32 pm PST.
I am looking to purchase the Morton bay 'black' beans, Does anyone know where I can get roughly 500-2000 seeds?
The above followup was added by JImmy on November 10, 2004 at 7:12 pm PST.
You can purchase these seeds online at Email info@palmplantations.com.au Web www.palmplantations.com.au
The above followup was added by Loretta on November 13, 2004 at 11:10 am PST.
Hi - i bought a potted one of these from some markets in Canberra a few weeks ago. The company call them Aussie Bean Ball Tree - a good fortune tree. A little pot cost $10 and it is about 30cm high and just a stunning plant. I was told to just water it once a week with a good soaking and a slow release fertiliser every 6 months. And that they are very easy to grow and adapt the light where they are positioned. The company is Goozeff Seeds Pty Ltd in Nowra NSW (02) 44210731.
I had no idea they were poisonous.
The above followup was added by nicole Cotta on December 22, 2004 at 7:47 pm PST.
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The above followup was added by Richard on February 01, 2005 at 10:17 pm PST.
I too have one of the little trees. I'm in Texas. At first you could almost see it grow, but it has slowed down now. I just noticed one side of the little beans has started to rot. Will the tree survive?
The above followup was added by Nancy on July 06, 2005 at 1:37 pm PST.