Sesbania AGASTA

Sesbania AGASTA - Sesbania grandiflora, Agati, Hummingbird tree, Butterfly tree, Vegetable hummingbird.

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

Sesbania agasta is a small evergreen tree with sparse branches, pinnate foliage, and large, beautiful, edible white or pink flowers. It is also called 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 blooms particularly actively twice a year: the first time in February-March, while the second wave of flowering falls during the monsoon rain season - July and August. However, during the remaining months as well, one can see its wonderful flowers on the branches of the sesbania.

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

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It prefers growing in sunny exposure. It does not tolerate waterlogging, sudden temperature fluctuations, or temperature drops down to 13 °C (55 °F). This plant is very well suited for terraces, balconies, and winter gardens in temperate climates, and one can attempt growing a bonsai. In summertime, sesbania is recommended to be kept outdoors, and in wintertime under cool conditions. If you grow the plant in a pot, provide it with good drainage and spray it periodically.

Sesbania prefers a sunny location and tolerates both direct sunlight and partial shade well. During the growth period, watering is abundant with soft, settled water. In winter, watering is reduced, but not stopped entirely. It needs high air humidity, which is why the plant should be sprayed regularly. During the summer period, the plant is fed once every 2 weeks with fertilizer for flowering ornamentals. In the winter period, the plant is not fertilized. The repotting soil should be breathable and absorb water well. Good drainage is also very important for the plant. It can grow in poor and sandy soils.