Re: tree-line!!
- To: "medit-plants"
- Subject: Re: tree-line!!
- From: G* B*
- Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 13:03:43 +0200
> I'm a great fan of flowering trees and we have a mild climate so I
>have been trying to determine which will grow here readily. But I have
>noticed that some of them vary greatly in flower production.
> Particularly pertinent right now is the Jacaranda tree. When
>treated "right" it puts out a wonderful display of blue tubular flowers.
>It's a thirty to forty foot tree so a heavily blooming specimen is a sight
>to see.
> We just returned from a short trip to Los Angeles and they are
>blooming right now. They always look great down there. And they usually
>look great in Santa Barbara.
> They are also blooming here and this year they look great. Some
>years they look very skimpy and look like they are struggling. I don't know
>what happened in the last six months to give the great bloom we're getting
>this year. It is probably the frequency, timing and amount of rain! But it
>certainly appears that we are on the "tree-line" for them and unless things
>are just right, they will have a poor bloom! ---Chas---
Hi All
Chas, I think you'll find the dry winter you had is the main determinant of
Jacaranda blooming. Its one of those ones from a summer rainfall area &
needs a dry winter to set the flowers properly. You'll probably find the
drier conditions further south of you in LA aid this compared to what you
get.
They flower here in Capetown as well & we had a great show this last summer
due to the previous abnormally dry winter we had. Not going to be a great
show this coming summer though as we're lovely & wet now. Pretoria is known
in SA as jacaranda city & in October is a real picture.- Dry, mild winters &
summer rains. I find bougainvillea follows the same principal & while we can
grow & flower it here OK it never achieves the mass of flower you'll find in
dry winter areas. We can grow mangoes as well but never get anything useable
off them.
Has anyone had any experience with the Flamboyant - Delonix Regia - along
the same lines. I've only ever known & loved it from the tropics. Saw it
used & abused as a street tree in Graff Reinet in the heart of the Karoo.
Summer rain but a very hard spot, so I thought I'd try one here as a totally
inappropriate extravagance. I planted it in my most wind sheltered spot I
have as part of a line which includes 4 Castanea sativa. Sods law applies
now, the Castaneas have stood still & looked sick with the Delonix thriving.
This is its 3rd winter. does anyone know if I'm likely to get any flowers
out of it ?
Regards
Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
