All the Caesalpinia are bushes or saplings ideal for small gardens that rarely exceed 6 meters in height. They have very ornamental flowers and leaves very similar to that of the flamboyant (Delonix direction). In fact, in some regions they are known as the "false flamboyant". The genus includes more than 100 species distributed in tropical and subtropical climates, but fortunately there are some that support light frosts once adult.
We will tell you everything about the two best known species: the Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Caesalpinia gilliesi. Both can be grown equally well from seed. In addition, they have a fast growth and, if the weather is good, they can bloom from the second year of age.
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
We start with the most tropical, but also with the one that is practically identical to flamboyant: the Caesalpinia pulcherrima. It can be found in the tropics of the American continent. It grows to a height of 4 meters, with bipinnate leaves and red flowers.
In cultivation it needs a warm climate, but it must be said that it is a little more rustic than our beloved Delonix direction. While the latter will hardly support very mild frosts, at the Caesalpinia pulcherrima it doesn't cost that much. Therefore, in climates such as the warm Mediterranean, where there are rarely frosts, it is a species that could be tried and surely with success.
Caesalpinia gilliesii
La Caesalpinia gilliesii It is originally from Argentina. Its leaves are also bipinnate, but the flowers are yellow. It grows to a height of three meters. It has a very interesting peculiarity, and that is that if the climatic conditions accompany it, it can flourish as early as the first year of age.
This is a plant that resists light frosts (some experts comment that it holds up to -4º), therefore, it can be had without problems in climates with cool winters.
To achieve a high percentage of germination of Caesalpinia seeds, it is important to get fresh seeds, of the year. Once obtained, they will be subjected to the germination treatment known as thermal shock; that is, they will be placed in a glass of boiling water for one second, and later in another glass with water at room temperature for 24 hours. After that time they will be sown in preferably individual seedbeds.
They are fast-growing plants that, in addition, can be kept in a pot all their lives due to their small size and their easily controllable growth.
Could it easily adapt to average temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius?
Hello Mephistos.
Yes, without problem.
A greeting.
Hello, I have a caesalpinia tree that I want to transplant to another place, when I have to do it, at the time? Thank you.
Hello Josefa.
The ideal time is in spring, when the temperatures begin to rise.
A greeting.
Hello. If I plant a flamboyan in a flowerpot or pot, does it flourish? Thanks
Hi Ive.
It costs him a lot. The flamboyant is a tree that needs to be able to spread its roots, and that is something that in a pot it cannot do.
Still, it is not impossible. If it is changed from pot to a larger one every 2 years, and it is fertilized in spring and summer, it could flower one day.
A greeting.
hello I have since the year
after a goatee has not flowered me is normal
Hi Peter.
Yes it's normal. Sometimes they take a little while to bloom.
A greeting.
Germination in the month of August without any treatment and within a week, very fast growth but… There is! Snails love it and they destroy your lovely little plants faster than they do lettuce. It is therefore necessary to disperse the specimens around the four corners of the garden to avoid further damage.
Yes, or protect the plants with mosquito netting 🙂
Hello friends. I want to get one or a little more of your seeds. I know that this plant can overcome even cold temperatures of 6 and more degrees below zero. Years ago I got a bean with seeds and since I did not know how to sow them I kept them in a desk drawer where they remained until about 8 days ago when I read that by soaking them with hot water and then sowing, I did so but with warm water as I supposed that hot water would ruin its germination power if it was preserved. As a substrate I used the same sand where I saw them grow healthy and flowery. Obviously they like sandy soil, close to beaches. I saw them very well in a Central European country a few years ago.
Hello I swear.
Caesalpinia seeds germinate quite well. But if you see that they take a month or more, and since they are 'old', it would be highly recommended to subject them to thermal shock. This is a pre-germination treatment that consists of introducing the seeds in a glass of boiling water for 1 second -with the help of a strainer-, and then 24 hours in another glass with water at room temperature. After that time, they are planted in pots.
If you want to get seeds, you can do it from amazon for example.
Greetings.