Delonix královská

Royal Poinciana

Royal Poinciana (lat. Delonix regia) - belongs to the Delonix genus from the legume family (Fabaceae). Originally it was classified in the Caesalpinia family (Caesalpiniaceae). The Delonix genus includes approximately 10 species. It originates from Africa, from Madagascar, and is among the most beautiful tropical trees in the world. In the wild, it grows in tropical areas of Africa and Asia. In Madagascar, it grows in the northern and western region called Antsiranana.

What does the Royal Poinciana look like? Take a look at the attached images and honestly, you haven't seen such a tree before. In its natural environment, it grows to a height of 6-8m. The flowers are red to crimson. They are orchid-like in type. They are about 15cm in diameter and have 5 petals, one of which is yellow or white. The leaves of this tree are 20-50 cm long, elliptical in shape. They are alternate and bipinnate. Together with the striking flowers, they form a well-developed umbrella-shaped crown. The fruit of the Royal Poinciana is a pod up to 60 cm long. The pods are dehiscent and flattened.

Among the natives, the Royal Poinciana is called the Flame Tree. Its pods are used as a rattling musical instrument.

In our conditions, we grow the Royal Poinciana as a very attractive houseplant or a well-shapeable bonsai. We can also place it outside during warm weather. With proper care, it grows to a height of 2-3m.

The Royal Poinciana has a very attractive appearance as a bonsai. And it also shapes well.

Growing Royal Poinciana

We can grow Royal Poinciana anytime throughout the year. It's most suitable to pre-grow it in a mini greenhouse, where humidity is also regulated. In a mini greenhouse, you can also pre-grow seeds of other exotic plants, or in spring, seeds of vegetables and flowers. Investment in a mini greenhouse is not one-time, it's a very practical and useful thing. If you cover the pot with germinating seeds with, for example, a plastic bag or PET bottle, the seeds may rot. Mini greenhouses have adjustable humidity.

Sowing Royal Poinciana

Before sowing, scarify the seed surface with a file. Prepare a pot or mini greenhouse. Prepare substrate intended for sowing. You can heat it in the microwave. This is done to kill spores of molds and fungi. You can also add Previcur product to the substrate. Royal Poinciana seeds also germinate excellently in coconut fiber - try coconut pellets.

Thoroughly moisten the surface of the substrate or tablets with a sprayer. Keep the substrate moist throughout the germination period. Regulate the temperature in the mini greenhouse. It should be around 25°C. During winter months, help maintain the temperature by placing it on a heated windowsill. Don't forget to humidify the air.

Delonix germinates in approximately 2-3 weeks. If you forget to scarify the seed surface with a file, germination may take longer (up to 1.5 months). Once the seedlings grow to the height of the mini greenhouse, approximately 15-20 cm, transplant them into a separate pot. Prepare a drainage layer of sand in a larger pot and add soil mixed with peat on top of it in a 1:3 ratio. Water regularly but not too abundantly. You can mist the plant. During warm months, you can gradually harden it off and let it grow outdoors.

Always place it on the sunny side - windowsill, garden. Water regularly. Protect from wind, heavy rain and direct sunlight. Delonix does not tolerate lower temperatures. Beware of frost - it will dry out and die. Move it indoors in time, bring it inside at the beginning of September. The smaller the temperature fluctuations, the better. Don't leave it outside at 5°C and then immediately transfer it to a room at 25°C. The older the plant gets, the more you can try to harden it off and extend the outdoor period. However, success may not be guaranteed. Don't risk losing your plant unnecessarily. Once the plant is older, it will manage overwintering at around 10°C, so you don't have to put a "large" tree in your living room.

Once delonix reaches a height of 3m, it needs to be pruned to maintain a nice shape and strength even in our conditions. We regularly repot delonix and adjust the size of the container according to its growth.

Place delonix in a sunny location. It will also thrive in partial shade. Protect it from wind, direct sunlight and heavy rain.

Delonix blooms in June. The tree is covered with a flood of magnificent flowers. Younger plants may bloom later, even in September. Over time, they will bloom earlier. In tropical areas, they can bloom as early as April or May. The flowers are huge, up to 15 cm, while the leaves are smaller.

Delonix finishes blooming in autumn. The flowers and leaves wilt and fall off. Delonix completely changes its appearance for overwintering. From an attractive tree to "semi-dry" branches. After shedding leaves, reduce watering. If you decide to grow it as a houseplant, prune it regularly. When growing Delonix as bonsai, perform regular shaping cuts.

Tip: You can not only scarify Delonix seeds with a file. You can also improve germination by soaking them in warm water overnight. To keep the water warmer for longer, let the seeds swell in a thermos.

Are you interested in growing Delonix? It's a beautiful plant and you'll definitely get to test your cultivation skills. Growing it is easier than keeping it thriving. Definitely try coconut coir tablets. Don't forget to nick the seeds so they germinate faster and don't have time to catch mould. Give them a sunny and warm location. Care for them for several seasons - at least 3, depending on the plant's strength. Keep them warm, repot regularly, and you can fertilise with Kristalon. Only prepare hardening off and overwintering once they become stronger saplings.

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Author: Hana Michalíková