Worth knowing:
The Flamboyant, also known as the Flame of the Forest or the Royal Poinciana, has become a world-wide spread plant that can be found in the Tropics and the Caribbean as well as on the Canary Islands and in South Europe. With its massive crown it is a great shade provider that is often found at the side of a road or in parks. After six to eight years, the Flamboyant forms scarlet and orange coloured blossoms that shine like a sea of flames, creating a spectacular sight. Its long double pinnate leaves consist of thousands of roundish pinnae, and also the up to 40 cm long seedpods are remarkable. The Flamboyant can easily be cultivated as a tub plant.
Natural Location:
The Caribbean Islands and Madagascar, where the Flamboyant was first recognized by the dutch botanist Wenceslaus Bojer in 1824, are its original habitat.
Cultivation:
Seed propagation indoors is possible throughout the year. To increase the germinability, you should place the seeds overnight in warm water for priming. Then plant the seeds about 0.5 cm deep in moist potting compost and cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the earth from drying out. Don’t forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on your potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 20°C and 25° Celsius and keep the earth moist, but not wet. The germination takes about two to four weeks.
Place:
The small seedling should be kept in bright spot, but sheltered from strong sunlight during the first six to twelve weeks. Later on your Flamboyant can also be moved to a full sunny, but wind-protected place.
Care:
To grow a beautiful and dense Flamboyant, you should prune even a younger plant. From beginning of May until end of October your tree needs fertilizer for tub plants every two to three weeks. Instead of choosing a bigger pot or tub in the beginning, it is better to shift up every two years to ensure a healthy growth. Blossoms will come up after six to eight years.
During the winter:
The Flamboyant is not frost-resistant and shouldn’t be kept in places with temperatures below 3° Celsius. During winter it casts the leaves and will sprout again in late spring. To shorten the leafless period, it is best to keep your plant in a bright spot with a temperature of up to 20° Celsius for hibernation. The brighter and warmer its place, the more water it needs in accordance.
Picture credits:
- © © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
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