Erythrina Crista-galli

Believe it or not its only in a 12ins pot.

Must move it up if its still around next year.

 

The plant I had a few years ago was also in a 12" pot and kept indoors, just about frost free between October and mid-May, when the buds started swelling in late April I cut it back to a healthy bud on each stem removing dead wood and sometimes to shape it a little. Once the weather warmed it was placed outside in the 'sun-trap' and watered when the compost started to dry and it flowered for 3 years until it met with the clumsy council worker!!!

 

I think most of us are aware of the above variety of this gorgeous shrub. but after ordering some other seeds from a US company through Ebay (I've put a thread in the Retailer Feedback section) I had a quick look through their website and found these 3 other varities which are new to me and oooohh so tempting..;

http://www.smartseedstore.com/erythrina_arborescens.html

http://www.smartseedstore.com/erythrina_coralloides.html

http://www.smartseedstore.com/erythrina_indica_picta.html

 

Bilbo - E.indica is super tropical. My man in San Diego threw his out in the end as although they get the heat they lack the rainfall to go with it. One of it's common names is the Sunshine Tree!

My poor tree was dug up a few weeks ago and is in my Dads greenhouse, but still no sign of life.

 

Bilbo - many thanks for the link.

As well as the lovely pictures of Erythrina - it looks a very useful seed site.

 

I can see what longk is saying about indica, but they are all interesting looking and possibly worth a try in a large pot.
I think crista-galli can actually grow into a pretty large tree in ideal conditions, but can still flower in a pot.

So any of those three might just lend itself to pot growing in a similar way.

 

My crista-galli has a short trunk of about 5inches in diameter. Now we find out how hardy it was.............

 

I unfortunately lost my crista-galli seedling from last year through the winter, the whole stem down to the base went soft?! I got the seed late last year (June/July) and although it attained a good 3ft in height by the end of September I don't think it developed a decent enough stem/trunk.

I've started some much earlier this year (February) and have two seedlings which are currently about 8" tall and ready to be potted on...

 

If you want to try an Erythrina for pot growing have a go at E. herbacea, I had a couple of good plants for a few years.
This was a while back.
I repotted at the wrong time of the year and lost both.

I must try it again sometime.

 

Here's this year's Erythrina seedling, coming on nicely, now about 12" tall

 

Crikes! I've forgot mine in my Dads g/house!!

Looking good Bilbo!

 

Update on my Erythrinas, I've got two plants growing well in 5lt pots, one is about 30" tall and the other pushing on for 4ft, the taller one also has flower buds developing and is developing a nice woody lower stem which should increase its chances of getting through the winter

It is the first time that I've had one develop flowers in its first year from seed, I've had them flower in their second year but not this quick..

 

Never thought they could flower in their first year Bilbo.
Well done.
Where are you keeping them?

I've got one budding up on the allotment, but its taking its time due to the weather.

 

Hi Pete, they are in my large "blow-away" greenhouse near the door which has been fully open for about 6 weeks now, due to the rather rubbish summer weather I've not risked putting them out to brave the elements; particularly the winds at times, the temperatures are certainly warm enough again now though. I suppose they've liked the bit of protection given from the greenhouse whilst gradually hardening off

 

Ness botanical gardens grow one of these but it has to come back from the ground each Spring so it never reallybgets much bigger each year!