Re: Albizia julibrissin
At 04:58 PM 8/1/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>At what age does this tree start blooming? I have a healthy 15-year old
>tree, about 10 feet tall and just as wide that has never bloomed. It is
>in full sun, barely touched by frost the last few years but coming
>through without apparent effect in cold winters. It is in the lower
>garden and would be a beautiful sight from the deck above if it bloomed.
>In the meantime, it forms a lovely umbrella-like canopy over two garden
>chairs and a driftwood table. I don't feed it but perhaps it is lacking
>in something in spite of its robust appearance. Suggestions please?
>
>Diane Pertson
>Otter Point Haven otterpt@macn.bc.ca
>Nature Notes from Vancouver Island
>http://zapbc.com/nature.htm at
>Parksville & Qualicum Beach Online http://zapbc.com
Diane:
In our hot humid summers, Albizia julibrissin becomes a weed. It may need
to get 15 feet tall to bloom, and it seems to take about 7 - 8 years for a
one-foot whip to get to blooming size. When it does, though, it will bloom
profusely. Cutting an established tree back to the ground will work for a
while, then it will rapidly re-grow in 4 years back to small tree size.
Seeds will need to get a nick filed in them to help germination.
Richard F. Dufresne
313 Spur Road
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-674-3105
