Caesalpinia is a genus of flowering plants in the Legume family. The species range in size from medium shrubs to small trees. They make the landscape come alive with color. Their large bright flowers provide vibrant color for long periods. The shades of yellow, fiery red, and orange contrast with the feathery foliage.
The generic name honors the botanist, physician, and philosopher Andrea Cesalpino (1519–1603).
Growing Conditions and General Care
Caesalpinia requires bright light, no less than 8 hours of direct light per day. However, the plant may suffer from the heat on the southern side, so shading is required. Suitable for western and eastern windows. With a lack of light, it is very difficult to achieve flowering.
A too-fertile substrate is not necessary. A simple mixture of leaf and sod land with the addition of sand is suitable. Preferably loose soil can be used for commerce based on a peat mixture with the addition of perlite or vermiculite with a neutral acidity (pH 6.5 to 7.5). Good drainage and a hole in the pot are needed.
Caesalpinia requires regular, abundant watering, approximately 1 to 2 times a week in the summer. In winter, the plant is humidified less often. The soil between the watering should be slightly dry. It is better to provide rare but abundant watering compared to frequent but small portions. Abundant watering stimulates the development of a deep root system. The plant tolerates drought quite easily, but the substrate must not dry completely, especially for young shoots. With insufficient watering, the formation of flowers is difficult.
The plant is fed approximately once every two weeks, from spring to autumn. In early spring, nitrogen should prevail in the period of growth in fertilizers. In the future, for better flowering, use top dressing with a high content of phosphorus and potassium.
As the flowers wither, they must be removed. In spring, pruning is necessary, but flowers develop on the shoots of the current year, so if the crop is cut off late enough, it will not bloom at all.
It is very useful to take the plant on a balcony or in the garden in the summer. The plant has an interesting feature of folding leaves at night. Some species are successfully grown in bonsai culture and look very impressive.
Propagation
Caesalpinia can be propagated by semi-woody cuttings rooted in a mixture of peat and sand, covered with a plastic bag. However, the soft green non-fading cuttings can be rotten.
Pests and Diseases
Caesalpinia is sufficiently resistant to pests. It is affected most often by a spider mite. The lack of flowering can be associated with insufficient lighting, leading to the strong stretching of shoots.
Source: whatflower.net
Links
- Back to genus Caesalpinia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin