#BonsaiNews: How to turn a tree into a work of art
The Delonix regia is a somewhat fragile bonsai, so it is advised that you seek out a spot where no harm will come to it until the root system has thoroughly established itself.
HAVE you ever wanted to grow your own bonsai? Well, in the coming weeks, several articles on various species of bonsai will be published and these will include how to germinate various seeds effectively as well as successfully planting them.
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First up, we have the Delonix regia – the ‘flame tree’ – which is a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae.
“It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of flowers. In many tropical parts of the world, it is grown as an ornamental tree and in English it is given the name royal poinciana or flamboyant,” – Wikipedia.
Germination: Soak the seeds in boiling water for five minutes (on the stove), gradually add cold water until the water is no longer too hot and leave to stand overnight. Some of the seeds may be very ‘stubborn’ and should be left to continue soaking in the water until the membrane has fallen off.
More stubborn seeds, which have not started peeling at all, should be nicked with a sharp point and the process restarted – if this does not remove the membrane by the next day, discard the seeds completely.
Once the seeds have lost their outer membrane, fill a small planting pot or starter tray with soil – sterile seed starting soil is best – and make a small indentation (two to three centimeters should be sufficient) at the surface of the soil where the seed is placed and cover lightly with soil.
It is not necessary to moisten the soil after planting.
A mixture of vermiculite/perlite, peat moss (Canadian peat moss is best) and compost may be used as an alternative to soil which will allow for better drainage as well as slight moisture retention.
The pots you use to plant the seeds in should allow for proper drainage to avoid the seeds from rotting and/or drowning.
Move the planting pot/s into a warm location which is also sunny until germination has been completed and two sets of leaves are clearly visible – they should not receive direct sunlight.
The Delonix regia is a somewhat fragile bonsai, so it is advised that you seek out a spot where no harm will come to it until the root system has thoroughly established itself.
Moisten the soil daily (if dry at the top level) until the roots have taken thoroughly and, once this has been achieved, only water the bonsai during dry periods.
Once two to four leaves have grown a decent size, remove the sapling from the pot and replant into a larger bonsai pot and place in an area which offers plenty sunlight.
Did you know: “In the Indian state of Kerala, royal poinciana is called ‘kaalvarippoo’ which means the flower of Calvary. There is a popular belief among Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala that, when Jesus was crucified, there was a small royal poinciana tree near his cross. It is believed that the blood of Jesus Christ was shed over the flowers of the tree and this is how the flowers of royal poinciana got a sharp red colour,” – Wikipedia.
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