Ceiba (Erythrina crista-galli)

The flowers of the Erythrina crista-galli are red

La Erythrina crista-galli It is a tree of tropical origin and appearance but it turns out to be tremendously interesting for gardens with a warm and temperate-warm climate. Its strange flowers of a magnificent coral red, and its parasol glass that provides a pleasant shade, not to mention its easy cultivation, are something to take into account.

And, although it has thorns and needs space, it is a plant that is well tolerated pruning. In addition, as it does not require much maintenance, it will be easy for you to enjoy the beauty of its flowers, leaves ... and finally, the entire plant 🙂. Next I present it to you.

Origin and characteristics

The ceibo is a tree of tropical origin

Our protagonist it is a deciduous tree autochthonous of the northeast and center-west of Argentina, east of Bolivia, south of Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay belonging to the genus Erythrina. It is the national tree of the latter country and of Argentina. It is popularly known as the coral tree, bucaré, ceibo, cachimbo, coral flower, pico de gallo, French Cuban pine nut, sananduva, seibo or gallito.

It reaches a height of between 5 and 10 meters, being able to reach 20 meters rarely. Its root system is composed of a taproot about 60cm long which establishes a symbiotic relationship with bacteria, which are responsible for facilitating the absorption of nitrogen that they then fix to the soil, and roots that extend horizontally for several meters.

The trunk is tortuous, that is, it does not grow straight, but rather inclined and as if doing "eses". Its crown is made up of thorny branches, which develop in such a way that they form a more or less rounded, parasol-shaped crown. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences of red color, and sprout in spring. The fruit is a legume about 20cm long, dark brown in color and contains cylindrical brown seeds inside.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend you take care of it as follows:

Location

The ceibo is a tree that must be outside, in full sun. As we said before, it needs space to be able to develop normally, so it is advisable to plant it at a minimum distance from pipes, walls and others of 4-5 meters.

Earth

It will depend on where you are:

  • Garden: grows in fertile, well-drained soils.
  • Flower pot: fill with universal growing medium or mulch mixed with 30% perlite. But beware, it is very important that the container has holes for drainage and that it is transplanted every 2 or 3 years; And even so, it must be borne in mind that it is a plant that, sooner or later, will have to be planted in the ground since it cannot always live in a pot.

Irrigation

View of an adult coral flower tree

Image - Wikimedia / Pablo-flores

The frequency of irrigation will vary depending on the year: in summer it will be about 3-4 weekly irrigations, and the rest of the year from 1 to 2 a week. Use rainwater or lime-free water whenever possible, and do not wet the leaves or flowers, otherwise they could burn and / or rot.

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In spring and summer you will appreciate receiving some organic compost every 10 or 15 days: compost, guano, mulch, wood ash, bone meal (for sale here), etc.

Horse manure, a highly recommended fertilizer for nectarines
Related article:
5 homemade fertilizers for your plants

Multiplication

La Erythrina crista-galli multiplies by seeds and cuttings in spring. Let's see how is the step by step:

Seeds

It is the following:

  1. First, put them in a glass of water for 24 hours. The next day, discard those that have been floating as they most likely will not germinate.
  2. Then, fill a pot with universal growing medium and water thoroughly.
  3. Next, pour the seeds on the surface, avoiding piling up. Ideally, in fact, if the pot is about 20cm, put a maximum of three seeds, separated from each other.
  4. Next, sprinkle with copper or sulfur. This will prevent the seeds from spoiling due to fungi.
  5. Finally, cover them with a thin layer of substrate, water again and place the seedbed outside, in semi-shade.

If everything goes fine, will germinate in about two weeks.

Cuttings

It is the fastest and most efficient way to get new specimens, which by the way will be smaller, and with less vigor, than those obtained by seed. For this, what you have to do is cut a branch of semi-hard wood that is about 40cm long, impregnate the base with rooting hormones (preferably liquid, like the ones they sell here, since they are in contact with the cutting for longer than those that are in powder), and finally plant it in a pot with vermiculite.

Placing the pot outside, in semi-shade, it will emit its roots after about a month.

Rusticity

It is a tree for hot or temperate-warm climates. Resists up to -7ºC, but only as an adult and only if they are short-lived frosts.

What uses is it given?

The coral flower is red and curious

Image - Flickr / jacilluch

Ornamental

Planted as an isolated specimen, it is a magnificent plant that provides good shade and will be beautiful every spring.

Wood

Although it is weak, porous and not very durable, it is used to make moldings.

What did you think of Erythrina crista-galli?


4 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Nicholas said

    Very good info, I like the red ceibo but its pink cousin fascinates me hehe?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Nicolas.

      We are glad to know that you have found the information we have provided good 🙂

      Greetings.

  2.   Edu said

    Hi there! I brought several ceibo flowers that I found on the floor of a park, thinking that the seeds were inside to plant them. What disappointment and how ignorant! LOL! The question goes: Where are the ceibo seeds to check again if I get some to plant? I already appreciate comments and suggestions. Very good note. Greetings.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Edu.

      Do not worry. Look, the seeds of the ceibo are inside a kind of legume, elongated, with an arched shape and brown when mature 🙂

      Greetings.