Seedling Advice Needed for PNW
So far I have dozens of Bauhinia variegata, Bauhinia purpurea, Caesalpinia gilliesii, and Chorisia speciosa as well as a few Michelia Champaca and Jubaea chilensis (but no Cananga odorata - yet).
Catch is now that I have my little tropical tree farm I don't know if they need any special care in our PNW spring/summer to get them to the 1 gallon plus container stage (they will go out into the big world in April).
Has anybody had outdoor success or learned any tricks with these varieties in the PNW? One of my concerns is that we are too cool and wet for many of these to get large and that they will just languish in our spring and summer (some of the Bauhinia are already slowing in growth and getting crispy leaves - and yes I am watering them). Maybe they need to stay in my soon-to-be-constructed greenhouse to get the heat.
Advice always appreciated.
The following thread was started by Boyd from North Van on February 15, 2009 at 9:31 pm PST
Boyd I grew C. gilliesii from seed, but have yet to see it flower even though the plant is several years old now. I lost one in the ground early on but it wasn't planted in an ideal location - very hot and sunny is what it likes. The one I still have was left in the greenhouse, which gets quite hot, last summer and it still didn't flower. I was hoping to see at least one flower before possibly killing it outside. I've decided to plant it in the ground this spring in the warmest/sunniest place I can provide and I will make sure the drainage is excellent too. If I get any flowers, I'll post a pic.
Don't know if you read this earlier thread, but there is a pic of mine last summer and of C. japonica, which I think may be a better choice for this area.
The above followup was added by Linda Denman Island, BC 8b on February 16, 2009 at 7:39 am PST.
Linda, i suspect there is another reason instead of the heat and sun that it does not flower for you. mine flowered even during last summer which was colder and much wetter/greyer than usual and i also replanted it earlier that year...if you want to see many and longlasting flowers they do need dry weather. the flowers easily rot when it's very rainy weather...
The above followup was added by Kristof p (Belguim) on February 16, 2009 at 9:05 am PST.
Thanks, Kristof. Your experience with it is encouraging. Perhaps it resents being in the pot... will find out this summer. Hopefully I will have some nice pics to show. :-)
The above followup was added by Linda Denman Island, BC 8b on February 16, 2009 at 9:15 am PST.
that could be the problem. when mine was stil growing in a pot it also did not flower!
i've took a look at the picture of your Caesalpinia and it's about the same size as mine is so size/age is not the problem i think.
this is also quite a hardy tree, mine took two weeks of moderate frost during the night and a couple of subzere days this winter (lowest -8.5°C) and it's still in very good conditions. in some parts of my country some trees see -10°C every winter without a problem.
The above followup was added by kristof p (Belguim) on February 16, 2009 at 11:26 am PST.
Interesting, now I just need to find a spot in the ground for it....Although it's very drought tolerant, I've read that there are more flowers with regular watering.
The above followup was added by Linda Denman Island, BC 8b on February 17, 2009 at 7:32 am PST.