Erythrina caffra - Kaffir Coral Tree

Stunning display

Thanks! :>)

I'm surprised this pic came out as clear as it did...as the sun was going down.

Some times you get a better photo then I do.

I use a lot of my digital camera's different settings...sometimes it works and sometimes not. lol! :>)

Lol I don't understand them I get confused so I stick to my phone camera. lol

My Erythrina has put on about 60cm in two weeks! If I can just keep it free of spider mite I may get it to flower this year.......

Sixpence:

Yes, a camera photo is pretty easy...not very many setting.

:o)) men are like wizz kids with technology not like woman must be a man thing lol.

Meanie:

I believe it. Some Erythrina species can easily put on 15ft/4.6m of growth during one summer on trees in the ground.

I'm hoping that spending the winter in the garage has taught it how lucky it is!!
I'd be happy if I could get it to fifteen feet tall!! To tender to go in the ground though....

Meanie:

Erythrina crista-galli is an extremely hardy tree...it's the hardiest of the Erythrina species. There's large trees as far north as Washington D.C. in the U.S. The temps there can go below 0ºF/-18ºC. in winter. The only issue you may have: this tree generally needs high heat to bloom well.

Everywhere I read people have lost them over the winter - I think that it's the combination of cold and wet.
Unless it's a great summer, it'll be in the conservatory - I'm determined to get it to bloom!

Meanie:

I don't have any experience myself with this tree in a cold climate. All the info. is from material I've read. I think you're correct...this tree doesn't like cold, wet soil.

I hope it blooms for you this year! :>)

Fingers crossed!

I'll have my fingers crossed for you. :>)

Kew grows E.crista-galli under glass.I have never seen it outside.

Rbtkew:

I'm so surprised it doesn't grow outside in London!

I'm pretty sure that Andrewr had one outdoors but lost it. I'm led to believe that Delonix is kinda right - an online acquaintance in Argentina has two mature trees taking a lot of frost. However, he loses young plants unless they're heavily protected. Not worth the risk here. So mine will be under glass this summer with loads of humidity. I'm looking at a high potash feed regime, and a new large (75litre) pot.

Meanie:

Plant/Tree hardiness is a very tricky thing...many times it doesn't make sense. However, there's usually some common factors. Most likely the trees in Argentina are only occasional subjected to frost and maybe daytime temps rebound to somewhat warm temps. Warm temps after freezing nights can make the difference between life or death in subtropical trees. Cold and wet soil makes a huge difference in plant survival, also.

There's an area in northern San Diego County called the San Luis Rey River bottom where the cold air drains from the high Cuyamaca Mountains (called the valley of death to tender tropical/subtropical trees/plants). Many times in winter the temps go down to freezing or below, however, the day temps quickly rebound to 70ºF/21ºC or much warmer after such cold mornings. Erythrina crista-galli grows well in the San Luis Rey River Valley.

I think that is the issue over here. A mature tree would probably survive over here, but it's getting them to that maturity that's our problem. Mine has come through the winter in the garage unscathed, so it can clearly take cold - weeks on end of freeze though would be the end of it!