Adansonia GRANDIDIERI

Adansonia GRANDIDIERI - Grandidier's Baobab, Adansonia grandidieri, Baobab.

Adansonia is a genus of tropical trees with a very thick trunk in the Mallow family (Malvaceae), comprising 8 species distributed mainly in Africa, Australia, India, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. Now the genus is constantly expanding due to the identification of new species. The name 'baobab' is applied to all species of Adansonia, but in Australia it is most often used to refer to Australian species.

Members of the genus are easily recognized by the presence of a massive caudex at the base of the trunk, creating the appearance of a bottle. Roots occupy a large space near the tree and help store water in the soft wood. A thick stem is considered a common characteristic of any baobab species. Elephants often break the trunk and eat the interior, using the stored water for drinking.

Deciduous species lose their foliage during the winter drought. From December to May, new leaves and large flowers up to 200 mm (7.9 in) in diameter grow back. The snow-white flowers can only be seen at night. They emerge from large buds and last for nearly 24 hours. During this time, instead of a snow-white color and delicate fragrance, they turn brown with an unpleasant odor. Flowers are pollinated by bats.

In place of flowers, hard woody fruits appear, containing a powdery white substance with a high content of ascorbic acid. The fruit contains edible white pulp and two light brown hard seeds.

The baobab grows slowly, which allows it to be grown in ordinary living spaces.

Grandidier's baobab is one of six baobab species growing in Madagascar and an endemic to the island. The species was described in 1893 by the French physician and botanist Henri Ernest Baillon and named by him in honor of another French botanist - traveler and explorer of Madagascar Alfred Grandidier, who mentioned this plant. This largest and most famous species among Madagascar's adansonias is endangered and grows only in western Madagascar, mainly in the area of the town of Morondava, lakes Morombe and Bereboka, along the beds of seasonal rivers and water bodies.

The tree has a massive trunk 20-25 m (66-82 ft) tall, at the very top of which branches with 5-7-palmate leaves about 10 cm (3.9 in) long are located. From afar, Adansonia resembles a tree with its roots in the air.

For seed propagation, it is necessary to carry out preliminary scarification: hold in hot water for two days, damage the coat with a sharp object. Germination is carried out in moist cloth at a temperature of about 35 °C (95 °F) (on a radiator in covered containers over the course of a month). The cloth is moistened periodically. Prepared seeds can be planted in a separate container filled with peat with the addition of sand. Sometimes the planting depth is practically absent (seeds can be lightly pressed in with a finger). The soil is kept in a slightly moist state.

Seedlings appear after 15-20 days. When germinating seeds during the autumn-winter period, the first shoots appear much later and on condition of supplementary lighting. After the appearance of a sprout, a simple green column with two leaves and a sturdy root system, it is transferred to a permanent spot, with the soil layer above it being about 3 cm (1.2 in) so the sprout does not dry out. Shoots grow rapidly at a young age.

After pricking out (it can be done without it), sprouts still do not resemble a future tree, and they begin to thicken and produce leaves later. It will not be possible to see flowering and obtain one's own seeds under home conditions, but one can successfully take pride in the atmosphere of a tropical plant.

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A novice flower grower who has acquired seeds can master growing a baobab at home. At the same time, it is required to fulfill the recommended conditions for quality growth. First of all, the sunniest, warmest spot is found. It is desirable to maintain sun exposure throughout the entire growing season. The growth of the small tree continues until late autumn. Before winter, it may drop all its leaves. The ambient temperature at this time should not drop below 15 °C (59 °F).

In a convenient pot (its dimensions are determined by the width of the windowsill), effective drainage is formed and soil made of a neutral soil mixture with the addition of sand and perlite is poured. Watering is carried out infrequently with a limited volume of room-temperature water. Excess water can lead to the death of the plant. Spraying the plantings is not required. In winter, the baobab is barely watered. Watering is necessary (in small amounts) if heating equipment is nearby and the soil in the pot becomes very dry. The baobab is fed in spring and early summer with a complex fertilizer in limited quantities.