Delonix regia -- Blooming in La Habra California!

[DoomsDave]

I'm driving, hew-doo-dee-doo, up College Avenue (no college anywhere, though) and DOINK!

Check it out!

That red blob . . . .

[DoomsDave]

Closer

(the theme from Jaws is playing . . . . )

[DoomsDave]

I'm swooning in my mobile swooning sofa . . . .

[DoomsDave]

Closeup of the blossoms, gawd, this is SO Miami!

(Salsa music with a cut to Miami Vice . . . . )

[Dave-Vero]

Here in Vero Beach, they aren't totally hardy. One of the ornamental plants you expect to lose periodically.

Poincianas seem to like humid heat. At least they thrive around the Caribbean. Wonder what their climate in Madagascar might be?

[cagary]

Dave,

What great photos! Thanks so much for posting them. What is the nearset cross street to the tree on College?

Here's a recent photo of my 5 year old Delonix regia down here in south Orange County. Its been in the ground 2 winters. Your photos give me hope! Are you trying one at your home?

[DoomsDave]

Cross-street?

Hmm. La Habra Booley.

dang

Guy who owned the house and apartment was a Cuban

Libre!

[bubba]

Dave, Great find! Look's very good and well grown!

[DoomsDave]

Dave, Great find! Look's very good and well grown!

Thanks!

I wish we could take them for granted like you guys can.

This year we had a VERY dry winter; usually they don't bloom at all, or just a blossom or two. One nice thing about the drought, I guess . . . .

[paulgila]

cool,dave!!! i'm gonna hafta try one here in "lowlando"!

[DoomsDave]

cool,dave!!! i'm gonna hafta try one here in "lowlando"!

They grow well enough, though that specimen took a hard hit in the freeze. Basically use it the way you'd use a Jacaranda that won't bloom (most of the time) . . . .

Great filtered shade, and relatively drought tolerant.

dave

[Gtlevine]

That is great Dave. My Delonix pictured below is 15 feet tall and survived some tough winters and a harsh fire. I don't know at what age or size they need to be before they bloom for the first time, but hopefully it will be soon.

Gary

[DoomsDave]

Gary!

Click on the link!

[epicure3]

dave....thanks very much for the pic. One of nature's beauts. If I had the spece, I'd plant one for sure. There is one down near Petco that blooms as well.....near the coast. For now, I wait for my spathodea to provide some color.

[Jeff in St Pete]

Beautiful tree Dave! Thanks for posting the pics. It's always a treat to see one of these trees in bloom!

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

Dave, thats a beautiful tree...looks as good as any here on the island for sure...it's on the want it list here at Jackass Flatts.

[MattyB]

Awesome Dave!!!!!! Nice find! The shape is perfect too. I've finally got two in the ground and acclimated to sun and pushin' leaves. I hope it makes it through winter.

[Palms1984]

Hello All:

I have posted new pictures in a Photobucket album of San Diego-- D. regia trees in bloom. I have

taken pictures of the D. regia trees known to me over the last two summers. I will try to set

up a link. If for some reason I can set-up the link, it is located in Photobucket.com user name:

andyplantman and password: plumeria (lower case).

My friend e-mailed me a picture of the old large D. regia at Fullerton Arboretum (There are two beautiful blooming trees there).

The tree is in full-bloom. It looks like a tree that would be blooming in Honolulu, HI or Miami, Fl. I am from Honolulu

and have seen the trees blooming there, however, I have never been to Miami, Fl. although I've seen pictures...Spectacular!!!

I would love to post the picture, although I don't think I have the right. It was posted on Broad Leaf Tropicals.

http://photobucket.com/

[MattyB]

Oh, I'd love to see the pics. Please post a link or post some pics.

[epicure3]

Hello All:

I have posted new pictures in a Photobucket album of San Diego-- D. regia trees in bloom. I have

taken pictures of the D. regia trees known to me over the last two summers. I will try to set

up a link. If for some reason I can set-up the link, it is located in Photobucket.com user name:

andyplantman and password: plumeria (lower case).

My friend e-mailed me a picture of the old large D. regia at Fullerton Arboretum (There are two beautiful blooming trees there).

The tree is in full-bloom. It looks like a tree that would be blooming in Honolulu, HI or Miami, Fl. I am from Honolulu

and have seen the trees blooming there, however, I have never been to Miami, Fl. although I've seen pictures...Spectacular!!!

I would love to post the picture, although I don't think I have the right. It was posted on Broad Leaf Tropicals.

http://photobucket.com/

The link seems to just bring up the main photobucket website.

[MattyB]

I found palms1984's album on photobucket but I can't view it without a password so I think that means it's private, not public. Palms1984 don't tease us so!!!!

[Palms1984]

I found palms1984's album on photobucket but I can't view it without a password so I think that means it's private, not public. Palms1984 don't tease us so!!!!

The password is: plumeria (in lowercase).

[MattyB]

Thanks Palms1984, but I just tried it and it said that was incorrect.

[Crownshaft One]

I was able to access the pics.... fantastic photos! Good to know these are doing quite well in San Diego -- the trees look spectacular.

When you you get to the the photobucket webiste:

Username: andyplantman

Password: plumeria

[Palms1984]

I was able to access the pics.... fantastic photos! Good to know these are doing quite well in San Diego -- the trees look spectacular.

When you you get to the the photobucket webiste:

Username: andyplantman

Password: plumeria

[Palms1984]

Here are a some pictures of a San Diego blooming Royal Poinciana a mile east of Petco Park. The tree is almost in full-bloom.

[Palms1984]

I thought I would add one more picture of the Commercial St. Royal Poinciana.

[Bhavana]

Does anybody here know if Delonix Regia will perform well inland in Poway? It is very hot and most of my tropical plants die, even in the morning sun.

I bought two 4" pots of Delonix Regia from local nursery and the main trunk was broken off. It seemed foolish to pay anything for it but since I was already at the store and have not had any luck finding this tree in SD, I brought it home. First I want to give it a chance in pots, then eventually transplant it in the ground in the front of my home. Any tips from San Diegans will be appreciated.

Thank you.

[DoomsDave]

6 hours ago, Bhavana said:

Does anybody here know if Delonix Regia will perform well inland in Poway? It is very hot and most of my tropical plants die, even in the morning sun.

I bought two 4" pots of Delonix Regia from local nursery and the main trunk was broken off. It seemed foolish to pay anything for it but since I was already at the store and have not had any luck finding this tree in SD, I brought it home. First I want to give it a chance in pots, then eventually transplant it in the ground in the front of my home. Any tips from San Diegans will be appreciated.

Thank you.

I’d try one!

[Tracy]

21 hours ago, Bhavana said:

Does anybody here know if Delonix Regia will perform well inland in Poway? It is very hot and most of my tropical plants die, even in the morning sun.

I bought two 4" pots of Delonix Regia from local nursery and the main trunk was broken off. It seemed foolish to pay anything for it but since I was already at the store and have not had any luck finding this tree in SD, I brought it home. First I want to give it a chance in pots, then eventually transplant it in the ground in the front of my home. Any tips from San Diegans will be appreciated.

Thank you.

It will likely depend on your specific microclimate in Poway.  It is quite hilly in your city, with low spots pooling cold and hilltops draining that cool air.  A member of this forum grows many exotic trees in Escondido both due to his microclimate and skill.  So I would say give it a go too.  We will all learn from your experience and hopefully success. 

[Bhavana]

Thank you for the encouragement.

[DoomsDave]

1 hour ago, Bhavana said:

Thank you for the encouragement.

Delonix are pretty sturdy, tough things. Florida is a harsher place in some ways than you might think and they thrive there. If they'll make it here in La Habra (as well as in other areas, including Fullerton Arboretum) I think they'll do well in Poway, too, especially since you're further south. Most of the land in So-Cal is decent agricultural land (there's exceptions, especially on some of the mountainsides); if your place used to be an orange grove, pasture, etc., I think the Delonix should do well.

The trees are an easy grow; it's harder to get them to bloom like you want them to (covered with flowers), because they like to be dry in the winter, like in Florida (or Madagascar, their native habitat). On the other hand, there's one in my 'hood that's got a good bunch of flowers on it, and it was far from being a record-breaking dry winter.

[Josue Diaz]

Call me crazy but I think I have a decent shot of growing one in Fresno. Poway should be a much easier grow. I am able to grow Spathodea (7 years, no blooms),  and Cassia Fistula (I think they grow better here than in San Diego, but don't tell the SoCal folks that 😉) and Delonix seems to be a tougher plant so I'm hopeful. This won't go in the ground for another year. Even if it struggles in winter, I have long, hot summers that would help it recover and gain size. 

On 8/25/2024 at 11:22 AM, Bhavana said:

Does anybody here know if Delonix Regia will perform well inland in Poway? It is very hot and most of my tropical plants die, even in the morning sun.

I bought two 4" pots of Delonix Regia from local nursery and the main trunk was broken off. It seemed foolish to pay anything for it but since I was already at the store and have not had any luck finding this tree in SD, I brought it home. First I want to give it a chance in pots, then eventually transplant it in the ground in the front of my home. Any tips from San Diegans will be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

Taking into account hilltop / slope = where cold air will drain off / typically stays warmer, vs. the bottom of a hill / in a colder, flatland area where cold air can accumulate / hang around on the coldest mornings in the winter micro climate- level nuances Tracy pointed out,  i too see no reason why D. regia ....and any of the other Delonix sps couldn't be grown in Poway.

Withstands our hostile ..uncountable days at / above 100-110+F days during the summer / occasional dips into the highest 20s ( 26-30F in my own neighborhood ) and lack of consistent rainfall w/ out much issue here in / around Phoenix. Can be observed almost anywhere just to our south in both Baja where it rains much less than here -in most areas-, and from -at least- Hermosillo south in Sonora

Here at least, the main advise given is  get them in the ground as early as possible, and protect younger specimens for the first 3 years or so ..if / when needed.. once planted.

After the 4th year or so, trunk diameter should be big enough to withstand cold w/out needing protection, even if the top fries a bit during a rare cold spell ..This happened w/ some neighborhood trees this past winter. Other nearby shrugged off those colder mornings this year ..and last year w/ out any issue.  I need to check on them soon.

As a general rule, it can take 5-8 years for seed-started specimens to start flowering. Obviously, that time frame can be drawn out a little longer in more summer heat starved areas of the state. 

Being a tree of the dry tropics,  dry and warm-ish winter induced dormancy / partial dormancy  will also promote better flowering vs. wetter and cooler winters / allowing trees to stay evergreen all year. 

In the garden, that means no ( older, established specimens ) or very little ( younger/ just planted specimens ) water after October ..esp. if it looks like the winter ahead will be cool / wet. 



In all honesty, anyone living from roughly Sacramento south, who admires this tree, should be trialing it -if they have the space to.. I'd bet a dollar it will grow  -w/out too much trouble-  in many areas far outside the " prime " spots in S. Cal. / S.D. county / hot desert areas like Palm Springs / El Centro.

Same w/ the other showy Delonix sps  ..D elata, pumila, decaryi, leucantha,  and floribunda, or boiviniana,  for example..

Seed grown decaryi and pumila i have  have done fine here, in tiny pots i don't always keep well watered since starting back in 2018.

Despite our awful summer, D. pumila  hasn't flinched  -at all-,  all summer, since being planted back in April.  We'll see how it looks as the winter ahead breaks come late February. 

Impressive, older specimens of both sps. in several gardens in S. Cal now as well.

[T in Vista]

Mine’s been in the ground for about 7-8 years from a kinda scrawny 5gal. It probably only see’s 2-3 nights of real frost each winter. I live on a slope and don’t get those cold pockets of air that settle in areas just a 1/4 mile away in lower sections of my neighborhood. The other stuff I planted around it seem to like it also. I did have a significant section of die back one winter that never recovered but the tree rebounded well and  filled in well over the next 3 years. Mine doesn’t really grow upwards as much as it does  horizontal.

[Sega]

On 8/29/2024 at 11:40 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

In all honesty, anyone living from roughly Sacramento south, who admires this tree, should be trialing it -if they have the space to.. I'd bet a dollar it will grow  -w/out too much trouble-  in many areas far outside the " prime " spots in S. Cal. / S.D. county / hot desert areas like Palm Springs / El Centro.
 

I'm in the Sacramento area and am growing a couple. I have one that will be going into its 2nd winter outside this year. Started it from seed in 2021 I believe and had it in a pot for two years. Like the pride of barbados they don't seem to do well in pots in my experience. I planted it in May 2023 where it quickly took off from about 2ft to well over 5ft. At the end of September I transplanted it after cutting a large tupelo tree near it. It went through transplant shock and dropped all of its foliage within a week. It recovered with new foliage before the cold season. I protected with a frost sheet and some Christmas lights. Minimal die back on the trunk. I may have pruned back too much and brought it down to about 4.5ft. It's probably over 7.5ft now. Has a lot of low lateral branches I will prune off in the spring. Lower trunk already has some good girth. Maybe 1.5 inches or 2. I will protect it even more this winter.

[Silas_Sancona]

12 minutes ago, Sega said:

I'm in the Sacramento area and am growing a couple. I have one that will be going into its 2nd winter outside this year. Started it from seed in 2021 I believe and had it in a pot for two years. Like the pride of barbados they don't seem to do well in pots in my experience. I planted it in May 2023 where it quickly took off from about 2ft to well over 5ft. At the end of September I transplanted it after cutting a large tupelo tree near it. It went through transplant shock and dropped all of its foliage within a week. It recovered with new foliage before the cold season. I protected with a frost sheet and some Christmas lights. Minimal die back on the trunk. I may have pruned back too much and brought it down to about 4.5ft. It's probably over 7.5ft now. Has a lot of low lateral branches I will prune off in the spring. Lower trunk already has some good girth. Maybe 1.5 inches or 2. I will protect it even more this winter.

  That's what i'm talking about!  Nice..  esp. considering the last couple winters had been cool / wet, esp. out there.  Fingers crossed this coming winter stays mild so you'll have a good start next spring..  Definitely post some updates later.

Would mirror your observations regarding what these seem to do in pots.  At least the seedlings i have atm that are now ending their 2nd summer..  Plenty of heat here to get them up,  keeping them watered and fed  but they just don't want to move all that much..

W/ the Tipuana croaking this summer, i may drop one of the seedlings in it's spot sometime after mid Feb next year and see what it does.  Rest i'll probably bump into 5gals..

Dwf. Poinciana i'd start from seed would act in a similar way -like you'd mentioned-.  Always found that a bit weird because the nurseries sell 5gals that have some size to them. Makes me think they might be placing them under semi- greenhouse conditions thru at least the first winter.  

That or i'm doing something wrong, lol.

 

[Sega]

I always overwintered mine inside. I would bring them in the evening then put them outside in the morning. I have one Royal poinciana I started from seed in March/April 2020. It was in a pot until two months ago. Never grew over two feet tall. Had it in a 15 gallon pot, fertilized, kept in full sun and nothing. The trunk got thicker, rougher but it always died back down to a foot and wouldn't wake up until late May and have fully formed new foliage until mid to late June. It basically looks like a bonsai. Last year to took a pic to compare the sizes of the older potted one with the one that was only a year older but just planted in the ground. It's still small in the ground. Getting bushy. I'm contemplating even trying to protect it this winter or just focusing on my other tropicals like the much larger Royal poinciana that is going into its 2nd winter.

Either way I've gone from having like 30+ potted trees, plants that I used to bring inside every evening in the winter and put out every morning. Did that for 4 winters. I decided I didn't want to do that anymore and just planted everything everywhere. I only have a Jacaranda, plumeria and ataulfo mango left in pots but I'm done with potted plants.

[Than]

On 8/25/2024 at 9:22 PM, Bhavana said:

Does anybody here know if Delonix Regia will perform well inland in Poway? It is very hot and most of my tropical plants die, even in the morning sun.

I bought two 4" pots of Delonix Regia from local nursery and the main trunk was broken off. It seemed foolish to pay anything for it but since I was already at the store and have not had any luck finding this tree in SD, I brought it home. First I want to give it a chance in pots, then eventually transplant it in the ground in the front of my home. Any tips from San Diegans will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Mine doesn't seem to mind heat at all. It has seen 42 C / 108 F this summer.

[hbernstein]

Ah yes, the Poinciana in Cali thread. Here in S. Florida, their large shallow root systems over limestone create their own "special" topography, their weak wood breaks in storms or just like that, they never heal and callous completely from branch breaks so every one of them, as they get older, will develop deep trunk rot that will ultimately destroy the tree, fast-growing seedlings will volunteer everywhere, seeds will continue to germinate several years after ripening, and they drop an AMAZING amount of constant twiggy debris. 

Nevertheless, if grown away from urban lights, after a dry Winter and Spring, they are absolutely spectacular. arguably one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the world.