Anyone growing Erythrina crista-galli tree?

[Tracy]

I saw this one in bloom today at Andy's Orchids here in Leucadia.  I didn't recognize the tree, so I asked Andy what it was and he advised it is Erythrina crista-galli.  He liked the bark on the tree which is very conducive to mounting orchids or any other epiphytes one might want to try.  I normally think of Coral trees as getting very large and having root systems that are only appropriate in a very large open space, but this variety seems to be more manageable in size from what I have read.  Anyone have longtime experience with it and can weigh in on whether the roots are shallow and prone to lifting up hardscape like the large coral tees tend to do over time?

I love the flowers which remind me of an Anthurium flower.

[Gonzer]

Used to be my favorite species of Coral until I stumbled upon E. sandwicensis. A small form here in So Cal it's petal color is unmatched.

[Tracy]

5 hours ago, Gonzer said:

Used to be my favorite species of Coral until I stumbled upon E. sandwicensis. A small form here in So Cal it's petal color is unmatched.

Another form I wasn't familiar with, the Hawaiian island Coral tree, Wiliwilli aka Erythrina sandwicensis.  When I just looked it up, it said that seed propagated plants won't necessarily be true to form on color of the plant collected from.  It also said that it can be propagated from both air layers and cuttings which obviously are true to the parent plants flower color.   I would love to see one in So Cal sometime.  I need something to hang epiphytes on, both Tillandsia and orchids!

The most common one I'm accustom to seeing is Erythrina caffra.  They get massive.  There used to be some planted along Paseo Del Norte in Carlsbad, south of Tip Top, near my previous homes.  They were in common area green spaces, so had room to spread, but even there they eventually removed them after they became so massive.  They were due west of the old Bird Rock Tropicals when they were in South Carlsbad, so I'm sure you saw them over the years.  Ironically the development next door to me in Leucadia is named "Coral Cove".  They put in what I believe is a caffra at the front entrance to the development in a small planter, which can't be more than 15' x 15'.  If I'm right, they will be replacing that tree within another 5 years, as its only been in for 3.  I'll have to suggest a Wiliwilli to them when they do have to replace it!

[Geoff]

One of my favorite Erythrina species... grew this one from seed and kept it as a bonsai for about 6 years.  Here is a shot of it after I finally decided to plant it.

Doesn't look like much, but grew rapidly after planting... here it is 4 years later

love the flowers .... pretty different than most of the Erytrhinas.

 

 

[Geoff]

one of the hardiest of the Erythinas, ,too, taking a good amount of frost down to the low 20s.  E sandwicensis, on the other hand, is a total wimp and can hardly handle 32F.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

As far as Erythrinas, yes, E caffra, falcata, X sykesii ..among others get huge. Crista- gali, X bidwilli, coralloides, and sandwicensis tend to stay smaller /more manageable but can also get big if allowed to.

E. crista gali outside the L.A. Arboretum, 5/5/2012 



The smallest, tree-ish species i can think of off hand would be those like E. flabelliformis, humeana, E. h Var. raja, or latissima ( huge leaves).  Might be more suitable for a smaller yard space, easier to keep smaller..

When in Florida, i had ball moss start growing on my larger container bound specimens ( E. coralloides, X sykesii, crista gali, and velutina) 

As far as E. sandwicensis, i thought there was a specimen located in Balboa Park.. Maybe the specimen you were referring to Gonzer?  anyway, a great, little known species for S. Cal. While the peach -colored color form is outstanding, i really hope to get the greenish flower form from seed. 

 

 

[Geoff]

when it comes to flower, though, not too many can compete with E acanthocarpa (the 'succulent' form of Erythrina)

 

[Hillizard]

 Geoff Stein (aka palmbob) has posted a very informative "Introduction to the Coral Trees (Erythrina species)": https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2594

Just like with roses, I tolerate the thorns and spines on these plants for the flowers they offer over a long blooming season.

Many palm-growing areas can handle the very hardy Erythrina herbacea, either in a pot or in-ground; and of my Erythrina collection (images below taken today), it's the species whose summer flowers appear to be easiest from which hummingbirds can feed. I'm impatient to see if/when my E. acanthocarpa (Tambookie Thorn) will bloom (I overwinter it indoors for now). My E. crista-galli has been slow to establish but I had a huge one at my last place that I kept in bounds by pollarding it each winter. And in my location my E. humanea grows like a weed but doesn't bloom dependably every year.  My E. indica-picta is now well out of dormancy and starting to display its trademark leaf variegation.

I've tried several other Erythrina species (incl. E. amazonica), but these are the stalwarts where I live.

[caixeta]

16 hours ago, Tracy said:

Eu vi este em flor hoje em Orquídeas de Andy aqui em Leucadia. Eu não reconheci a árvore, então perguntei a Andy o que era e ele avisou que era Erythrina crista-galli. Ele gostava da casca da árvore que é muito propícia a montar orquídeas ou qualquer outra epífita que se possa querer experimentar. Eu normalmente penso em árvores de Coral como ficando muito grandes e tendo sistemas de raízes que são apropriados apenas em um grande espaço aberto, mas essa variedade parece ser mais gerenciável em tamanho do que eu li. Alguém tem experiência de longa data com ele e pode pesar sobre se as raízes são rasas e propensas a levantar hardscape como os grandes tees de coral tendem a fazer ao longo do tempo?

Eu amo as flores que me lembram uma flor de antúrio.

16 horas atrás, Tracy disse:

 

Erythrina crista-galli in Argentina they are strong red , in my region , South of Minas Gerrais are bright purple ,in my opinion most beautiful.

[Tracy]

10 hours ago, Geoff said:

not too many can compete with E acanthocarpa (the 'succulent' form of Erythrina)

Spectacular flower Geoff!  Thanks to all for the feedback.  I am not committed to this yet.  I would have to make the decision to officially give up on my Alfonso mango to make room for it.  Thus far I'm quite disappointed with the droopy growth habit of the mango, and thought that after a few years, a plant from a 15 gallon might actually go beyond millions of flowers and actually yield one or two fruit (it hasn't yet).  I'm not pulling the plug yet, but it will be between another small fruiting tree and something like this that would be attractive AND a great host for epiphytes.  I have a lot to consider with all the helpful advice, so thanks again for everyone's input and photos!