Catalpa FARGESII

Catalpa FARGESII - Farges's catalpa, Chinese bean tree, Catalpa fargesii, Catalpa bungei.

Catalpa is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Bignoniaceae, comprising about a dozen species. Some of them originate from North America, and some from East Asia, primarily China. In cultivation, catalpas are valued for their rapid growth, luxurious large foliage, lush flowering, and unusual fruits.

The trees have a broad spreading crown and a straight trunk; the bark is gray, flaking off in scales on old specimens. The leaves are large, cordate or ovate, entire or shallowly lobed, opposite or in whorls of three, and emit a characteristic odor when crushed.

The flowers are large, bell-shaped, two-lipped, gathered in showy paniculate or corymbose inflorescences at the ends of shoots. The fruit is a long narrow pod-like capsule, up to 40 cm (16 in) long, hanging from the branches and remaining on the tree all winter. The seeds are flat, with tufts of hairs along the margins, dispersed by the wind.

Catalpa fargesii is a species originating from the mountainous regions of western China. In nature, the tree grows quite large, while in temperate conditions it is usually limited to a height of 5-6 meters (16-20 ft). The leaves are leathery, broadly ovate, with an attenuate acuminate apex, bronze in spring, glossy dark green above in summer, and slightly pubescent underneath.

Flowering occurs in spring and is very ornamental: inflorescences of 7-15 bell-shaped flowers about 5 cm (2 in) long, pink with a yellow spot in the throat and purple speckles. In autumn, narrow brown pod-like fruits hang in place of flowers, adorning the tree until winter.

Catalpa seeds are flat, light brown, with tufts of long white hairs at both ends, thanks to which they are dispersed by the wind. They ripen in long narrow capsules that remain on the tree all winter. To improve germination, the seeds need cold moist stratification for 1-2 months at a temperature of 2-5 °C (36-41 °F).

After stratification, the seeds are held for 1-2 hours in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate, then soaked for 12-24 hours in warm water with the addition of a growth stimulant: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon. Then they are sown into a light, loose substrate with the addition of sand to a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in), moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film or placed in a greenhouse, and germinated in the light at a temperature of 20-24 °C (68-75 °F).

Under favorable conditions, the first seedlings appear after 2 weeks; the main germination is usually completed within a month, while individual seeds may delay longer. Sowings are regularly aired; both waterlogging and drying out are unacceptable. Pricking out is performed after the formation of 2-3 true leaves, into individual deep pots - Catalpa seedlings quickly develop a taproot.

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Catalpa needs a bright, sunny spot. In shade, the crown thins out, and flowering becomes sparse.

The plant is fairly winter-hardy, but needs protection from strong wind, which easily breaks large leaves and young shoots. In the first years, young trees benefit from winter shelter, while mature trees overwinter without shelter.

Watering is regular, especially in heat and during the first years after planting - large foliage evaporates a lot of moisture, and upon drying out the leaves quickly lose turgor. At the same time, the plant does not tolerate water stagnation.

A rich, light, and well-drained substrate with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction is preferred. In container cultivation, drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot, and a spacious, deep container is chosen.

Fertilizing is carried out in spring and early summer with a complete fertilizer for ornamental trees and shrubs.

Pruning is carried out in early spring, before sap flow begins: dry and damaged branches are removed, and if desired the crown is shaped to limit height. Catalpa tolerates pruning well and recovers quickly.