Re: Cussonias

I would assume that almost all of the various
Cussonias will have similar rooting tendencies; at
least C. paniculata and C. spicata will both form
large caudexes early on, if grown from seedlings, I am
not sure if they will also form one if propagated from
cuttings.  The main tap root does get  very large, but
is not all encompassing like a Banyan Tree, so if you
have at least 3 feet clear, I wouldn't worry too much
about moving it.  As a container plant in a 15 gallon
can or oak wine barrel, I can foresee that the roots
will eventually burst the pot, so I wouldn't plant one
in an expensive ceramic pot I didn't want damaged over
time.  I suspect the tap root enlarging is a useful
means of storing water in times of drought, and also
seems common to plants that prefer to grow amongst
rock outcrops, aren't these referred to as Koppes in
South Africa?

I have never seen any other species of Cussonia
offered by nurseries here in California, although I
had seen at least several other species being grown at
Kirstenbosch, some even more vine like than trees. 
You might find more info on the particular species if
you browse the www.plantzafrica.org, or is it com? 
They may be able to list more info on what C.
transvalensis will do, but I suspect it will be
similar in ultimate size to C. paniculata, and prefer
sun and well drained soils and as frost free as you
can manage.  C. paniculata is pretty frost resistant
here, perhaps going deciduous in a hard freeze, but C.
spicata will lose all leaves at 32F, and I lost the
trunk to the ground at temps of 24F.  Still, it had
rebounded to 4 foot in height by the end of summer the
year after, so I am willing to risk planting this out
even though it isn't that hardy here. (Let's see if I
remain so sanguine if I lose my triple trunk C.
spicata which is now 18 feet tall in a bad freeze!)
--- Charl de Winnaar <dewinnaar@attglobal.net> wrote:




		
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