Tree: Blossoms with Long Pink Petals

Hi,

I found this tree in Jamaica, but Jamaicans tell me that this would not be any tree they know of. It blooms only during the Christmas season, and also loses at that time all leaves. The leaves grow again after the blooming has ended. The blooms are larger than a fist, but seem to have only a very slight or no fragrance.

Can anyone identify this extremely beautiful tree?

 

Hi Sven,

Happy New Year

No idea what the tree is, but i'm sure someone will have a go at it

Any luck with the seeds I sent you?

 

Could it be Bombax ellipticum?

 

Yes! Well done, Pete! You name is nearly correct: it is Pseudobombax ellipticum. When I researched the Internet with the name given by you, I came accross that name. Thanks a lot!

Zigz, happy new year to you as well, and especially! Some of the seeds germinated, some did not. But the problem of non-germination is something I currently encounter with nearly any seed I am planting, it makes me very frustrated and feeling helpless. I even added a lot of spent coffee ground on top of the soil containers to give plenty additional nutritions, and potassium as well. Nothing. In no container, whatever soil combination and enrichments I am combining, nothing germinates anymore. Strange. Has there been a nuclear world war without my knowledge?

PS: didn't I send seeds to you as well? How did they perform?

 

Hi Sven,

Sorry, only just seen your reply.

I never got the seeds from you Must have got lost in the post, thats a shame.

Does the Jamaican border control irradiate incoming post by any chance, X rays might be a possibility. Does seem odd that not many germinate.

It's very frustrating when you can't get them to grow. Have you tried putting the seed in damp tissue paper?

Another thing you could try is mixing them in with wallpaper paste. Good luck