Sesbania GRANDIFLORA

Sesbania GRANDIFLORA - Vegetable hummingbird, Grandiflora sesbania, Agati.

Sesbania is an extraordinarily beautiful small tree of the legume family (Fabaceae), native to Southeast Asian countries and the island of Java all the way to Australia. It is often called the "hummingbird tree" or "butterfly tree". When looking at this magnificent plant during its flowering period, it truly appears as if an entire flock of orange-red butterflies or small bright birds has settled down to rest on its large thirty-centimeter (12 in) pinnate leaves.

Vegetable hummingbird is a small evergreen tree with sparse branches, pinnate foliage, and large, beautiful, edible white or pink flowers. It is also called the Australian corkwood tree. The flowers, measuring up to 10 cm (4 in), are elegantly gathered in small racemes consisting of several blooms. They adorn these trees almost year-round.

The plant flowers particularly actively twice a year: the first time in February-March, while the second wave of flowering coincides with the monsoon season - July and August. However, even in the remaining months, its remarkable flowers can be seen on the branches of sesbania.

The seeds germinate well, but beforehand they should be lightly scarified (gently filed with a nail file) and soaked for 24 hours in warm water with the addition of growth stimulants (Epin, Zircon, Ribav-Extra, HB-101, etc.). They are sown in loose, moist, sterile, neutral soil, burying the seeds 0.5 cm (0.2 in) deep. The container is covered with film and placed to germinate at a temperature of 23-30 °C (73-86 °F). The first sprouts appear within 4 to 20 days. Seedlings are pricked out at the age of 1 month after emergence. Sesbania begins blooming right in its first year of life.

© Greeniverse. All rights reserved.

It prefers to grow in full sun exposure. It cannot tolerate waterlogging, sharp temperature fluctuations, or temperatures dropping to 13 °C (55 °F). This plant is very well suited for terraces, balconies, and conservatories in temperate climates, and one can attempt to train it as a bonsai. In summer, sesbania is recommended to be kept outdoors, and in winter - under cool conditions. If growing the plant in a pot, provide it with good drainage and mist it periodically.

Sesbania prefers a sunny spot, tolerating both direct sunlight and partial shade well. During the growing period, watering is abundant, using soft settled water. In winter, watering is reduced, but not stopped entirely. It requires elevated air humidity, which is why the plant should be misted regularly. During the summer period, the plant is fed once every 2 weeks with a fertilizer for ornamental flowering plants. In the winter period, the plant is not fertilized. Potting soil should be breathable and absorb water well. Good drainage is also essential for the plant. It can grow in poor and sandy soils.