Cassia grandis in So Cal

[tejas1978]

I sprouted a few seeds and they are doing very well so far, but yet to hit winter. has anybody in SoCal had any luck with this species? If so any info would be greatly appreciated. 

[Silas_Sancona]

On 8/19/2020 at 10:42 AM, tejas1978 said:

I sprouted a few seeds and they are doing very well so far, but yet to hit winter. has anybody in SoCal had any luck with this species? If so any info would be greatly appreciated. 

I've heard this sp. is slightly more tender than Cassia fistula, which survives brief cold exposure down to the high 20's once older.  That said, a fairly well known garden guide web site lists C. grandis down to 25F ( 9b)  -If- that is accurate, surviving exposure down to say 27-26F is likely referring to a specimen which has attained more mature wood, not a 1-3 yr/old " Youngin " ..as i like to call seedling/sapling-aged trees at that age. Only thing, besides winter cold exposure that might be challenging there is cold/wet soil conditions during winter, maybe the more mild, year round temperatures right on the coast.. Proper siting/ planting in well draining soil might help overcome the cold/wet winter soil conditions. Plenty of places -away from the coast- that should be plenty warm during the growing season, i'd suspect anyway.

 This -and most of the other " tropical " Cassia sp. that are rare -if not ever- encountered in S. Cal.  are on my list to try myself out there later. Thinking where ever Royal Poinciana stands a good chance, or has already done well, at least a couple of these species should have a decent chance of surviving.  Wish someone in Hawaii would graft/ air layer and sell the " Queens Hospital White" form of Cassia nealiae ( C. fistula x javanica ). Imagine seeing a bunch of those growing around S. Cal..

[tejas1978]

Thanks for the reply @Silas_Sancona I pretty much have the same thoughts as you do on this one. I live semi-inland, about 15-20 mi from the nearest beach and where I would be putting it is a well drained slope in my backyard. I already have Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Markhamia lutea, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon and Ceiba speciosa that are doing quite well after being planted 2 yrs ago so fingers crossed on the Cassia. I will probably hold off till next spring to plant it.