flowering Eucalyptus in Florida - anybody growing E. phoenicea, E. miniata

[humgarden]

Anybody in Florida (or the Gulf states) growing Eucalyptus phoenicea or E. miniata? How about Eucalyptus erythrocorys,E.woodwardii,E. curtisii,E.melliodora, Corymbia gummifera,intermedia,teticornis?

I'm in Houston,Tx.,barely Zone 9a . With 30-40 freezes a winter, it's unwise for me to try growing Eucs, but some have lignotubers and come back from the b ase after freezing to the ground.Here's what I think I know: Corymbia ptychocarpa will grow in Florida and Houston,Tx . It will come back from the lignotuber after taking a good hard 20 degree freeze - I saw that first hand .Corymbia citriodora grows in Florida,but would be difficult in Houston because it's so cold (however there may be a little hope because it has a lignotuber). I know Eucalyptus robusta grows here and in Florida and has survived 20 degrees here.. I know there are at least several species of big eucs like camaldulensis,grandis,europhyla,macarthii, deglupta and so on that grow in Florida, but I am interested in trees that I can use in a nectar producing / bird habitat forming/ ornamental sort of way ( if that makes any sense). Everybody knows that C. torelliana grows in Florida and is very floriferous, So I need to find out If it will grow here.It's a little off-topic , but there is a landmark scientific study written in Australia showing that C. torelliana will cross with a good number of other corymbias -yes even Ptychocarpa and the great ficifolia - to a very limited extent.

I was told that E. erytrocorys will grow in Texas. I have only one surviving 10" seedling left to try. I could get no E. woodwardii seeds to germinate after 2 attempts.I Have some 6" Corymbia gummifera seedlings that I will try to set out. I have Eucalyptus phoenicia seeds that appear to be trying to germinate , E. miniata seeds look less promising so far. I have E. erythrocorys and woodwardii seeds sown in peat under lights. E. woowardii seeds are really difficult to germinate and damp off. Same with Corymbia ptychocarpa - difficult to germinate and really hard to keep from dying from 'damping-off'.

I remember reading on another form that someone was able to grow C. ptychocarpa and citriodora, and E. phoenicia and miniata (?) in deep south (?) Florida, for a couple of years , but all were broken up by a hurricane and were growing back from the bases. If that is true, that is the only report I have ever heard of E. phoenicia and miniata growing in the Southern U.S.. I was very surprised and amazed that anyone got that far with them. I have also read about someone growing E. curtisii in Texas. I have read an obscure report that someone grew E. melliodora in Florida.

Tom in Houston,Tx., Z9a.

[Xenon]

Aren't there a bunch of publicly planted Eucalyptus along I-45? I've seen a lot of Eucalyptus in Galveston too. I remember the road to Bush International Airport being lined with Eucalyptus interspersed with pine as well. Not aware of the species though. Most of Houston fits comfortably in Zone 9, with the metro area/heat island being 9b/10a past 10 years...

Hope this helps,

Jonathan

Edited January 2, 2011 by Xenon

[fastfeat]

Tom--

I doubt E. erythrocorys will do well in high-rainfall, high-humidity areas. (I'd guess that many species from Western Australia would be similarly poorly adapted.) E. erythrocorys likes alkaline soil and heat. Though it grows well in coastal SoCal, it also thrives in the low desert of Palm Springs and likely Phoenix. Cold hardy to maybe 27F with some age.

I'd seriously consider trying E. grandis. It performs well in heat, humidity, swampy soils. Plus it grows very quickly, would likely make a sizeable recovery post-freeze. Heavy flower production for bees too.

Edited January 2, 2011 by fastfeat

[humgarden]

Aren't there a bunch of publicly planted Eucalyptus along I-45? I've seen a lot of Eucalyptus in Galveston too. I remember the road to Bush International Airport being lined with Eucalyptus interspersed with pine as well. Not aware of the species though. Most of Houston fits comfortably in Zone 9, with the metro area/heat island being 9b/10a past 10 years...

Hope this helps,

Jonathan

Those in the freeway interchanges are definately a specific clone of E. camadulensis. Those towards the airport appear the same. There are also camaldulensis growing sporadically around town and down the coast in towns southward.

Haven't seen the ones in Galveston. I was told to check out Moody Gardens also.Really very little info to go on . It was a miracle I stumbled on a planting of E. robusta and C. ptychocarpa out by Hobby Airport several years ago. Owner/planter knew very little about the species he had planted. Thanks.

[humgarden]

Tom--

I doubt E. erythrocorys will do well in high-rainfall, high-humidity areas. (I'd guess that many species from Western Australia would be similarly poorly adapted.) E. erythrocorys likes alkaline soil and heat. Though it grows well in coastal SoCal, it also thrives in the low desert of Palm Springs and likely Phoenix. Cold hardy to maybe 27F with some age.

I'd seriously consider trying E. grandis. It performs well in heat, humidity, swampy soils. Plus it grows very quickly, would likely make a sizeable recovery post-freeze. Heavy flower production for bees too.

Have to agree with that , sure makes sense.....Gee, it's just so hard to get excited about E. grandis.

Thanks Ken.