Re: Sesbania punicea
I love this plant and used to grow masses of it years ago. it flowers
so well only a matter of 6 - 8 months from seed, it is barely worth
keeping for too many years - especially since it self sets so easily.
I did try to root it from cuttings once and found only non-flowering
laterals with a small heel would root with a certain degree of
reluctance. Apical cuttings simply refused to root, but I must admit
I did not try that hard. I came to the conclusion that seeds were so
quick, there was little point in going to the bother of rooting it.
Val from Ireland very kindly sent me a small plant together with some
other bits and pieces last year. True to form, although everything
else thrived including Caesalpinias which seem to love conditions
here, the Sesbania decided that despite all care afforded, it wasn't
going to stay. We used to be able to get the seeds from Thompson &
Morgan, but they seems to have stopped carrying it. Pity, because it
makes an impressive 4 foot garland of scarlet, wisteria like blooms in
no time at all.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
