Delonix regia - Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant in San Diego, CA

Would I be able to grow it here???

Alexandramou:

It's highly unlikely, unfortunately. :>(

It is stunning. It's no wonder so many people love it. :o)

Are they fragrant?

Delonix,
Why?

Lindalooloo:

Thanks! Yes, it a very common tree in the tropics...it grows in subtropical climates, however, is a little more temperamental.

Meanie:

The flowers are not fragrant.

Alexandramou:

Here's some information on Delonix regia. Delonix regia doesn't do well (at all) in climates which receive winter rains (with the exception a truly tropical or very hot subtropical climate like s. Florida). Young trees are especially susceptible to rotting and dying in cool or cold winter rains. Large D. regia trees have survived temps down to around 26ºF/-3.3ºC. for very brief periods (an hour or so) with branch die-back...in very dry or desert climates. D. regia is much more difficult to grow than Plumeria...if you don't see hundreds of plumeria trees (in the ground) in your neighborhood...I wouldn't attempt a D. regia. However, the tree can be grown in a pot, even though, it doesn't bloom. Hope this info. helps! :>)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delonix_regia

OK. I will just have to enjoy your pictures.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! This tree is pretty impossible to grow outside a warm subtropical and tropical climate.

Wow! What a beauty.It is one of my favorite ornamental tree.

Camillia:

Thanks! :>)

Yes, it's my favorite flowering tree. The Gulmohar (Royal Poinciana) has been becoming very popular over the years. It really should be much more widely grown because it's extremely drought tolerant. It also can be very fast growing.

Yeah you are right.It should be more widely grown.

Camillia:

It's funny, because years ago this tree was not thought to grow at all in southern California. lol! :>)

Its really funny :)

Camillia:

Many years ago "they, the plant experts" used to say that Royal Palms (Roystonea regia) could not grow here also. There's many, many large Royal Palms growing in southern California.

Royal Palms are actually field grown here in San Diego.

Here's a few photos of the many thousands of Royal Palms in the area.

http://www.growsonyou.com/Delonix1/photos/Roystonea

Wow, it is stunning. It actually reminds me of rhododendron flowers. Not at all like the other plant that I was speaking of. Personally, my favourite flowering tree is probably jaqaranda....because of the colour.

Thank you! :>)

The flowers are very different from rhodoendron flowers. Although, it's very difficult to see the details of these flowers because of its brightness.

You would love Southern California! Jacaranda trees are grown here by the many, many millions. It's one of the most planted landscape, street and median tree. I have a 50ft (16m) tall by 35ft (12m) wide tree in the front yard. The Jacarandas will start blooming in the next couple of weeks.

OH, how lovely....can you take some photos for me Delonix. I shall be needing a bit of cheering up in a couple of weeks time.....;) Heavy snow here today, and forecast to get worse. The birds are flocking to the feeders and thank goodness I don't have to go outside!

I'm so sorry to hear the weather is so cold and gloomy!
We're heating into a mild heatwave for this whole week and maybe beyond. The temps should be up to, or more than 84ºF (29ºC) for inland San Diego.

I will definitely be taking some photos of the Jacaranda trees over the next couple of months. I do have many Jacaranda tree photos posted on GoY.

Here's the Jacaranda tree page...I'm guessing most of the photos were posted by me. :>)

http://www.growsonyou.com/plant/browse_photos/1895?page=2

Thanks, I might browse that to cheer myself up! x

I hope the photos make your cold weather feel just a little warmer! :>)

I planted seedlings in ground. Its about the hottest spot I have,slightly raised...rich soil under it.

I hate to be negative; however, seedlings are extremely tender. They are very tender even here in San Diego and small seedlings usually don't make it through winter.

I have more potted backups! My bro in law lives near Miami,he sent me the seeds.

The seeds germinate quickly when they are boiled then cooled and soaked for few days. I've had them germinate within 4 or 6 days. I had so many at one time; however, I sold and gave them all away.

Here's a photo of the hundreds I started from seed.

http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/174273-delonix-regia-royal-poinciana-seedlings/tag/regia

Stunning yes I see what you mean the flowers are huge as well.

Yes, the many flowers cover the tree in summer. It's such an incredible flowering tree.

Yes I can see how there are clusters of flowers.

I'm down to one small plant. Its either still dormant,or dead. It broke out into leaf late last year also- then grew very fast.
But,every year is a gamble.

Stan,

My small seedling are growing like gangbusters now! I can't believe how fast the Delonix regia and Colivea racemosa seedlings are growing now! It was amazing they made it through this pretty wet winter.

I have mine in a large Bonsai pot..but if it gets going like last year? I want to get it into a 5 gallon. These are far too tender to expect dwarfing to help survival!

Yes, It's tender; however, it develops hardiness with age.

Wow those flowers are stunning great photo Andy.

Thank you. Yes, it's called by many "the most beautiful tree in the world".

I can see why☺

This tree and Syzygium malaccense are considered by many authors in books to be the most beautiful trees in the world! Syzygium malaccense (Malay Apple) is a bit of a tough grow here in San Diego. It prefers a very hot tropical climate.

I would agree being the most beautiful in the world but others might see it different beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It looks good in your photo there.

It's very true beauty is subjective. I guess it's based on a large percentage of people who see these trees.

I can see it is Andy I would think when people see it would take their breath away it would mine.

Yes, especially when you see it in person. A camera cannot capture the real brilliance of this tree. It's breath-taking!

No camera s don't capture the brilliance of certain plants . As I thought then breathe taking.

Yes, it is. :>))

☺