Erythrina POEPPIGIANA

Erythrina POEPPIGIANA - Mountain immortelle, Poeppig's coral tree, Erythrina poeppigiana, Coral tree.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Erythrina is a genus of semi-deciduous shrubs and trees in the Fabaceae family, uniting about 130 species. The plant's homeland is South Africa; today it is found in subtropical and tropical regions. It has gained the greatest distribution in Eastern Bolivia, Africa, Argentina, Malaysia, Brazil, and Uruguay. Both original forms and various hybrids are cultivated.

Representatives of the genus are shrubs and trees with a broad crown, capable of growing from 0.8 to 30 m (2.6 to 98.4 ft) in height. In temperate climates, Erythrina can retain its leaves, while in cool conditions it sheds them. Stems are often covered with long, sharp spines. Leaves are green, smooth, compound, each consisting of 3 oblong-elliptic leaflets 8-12 cm (3.1-4.7 in) long, slightly folded along the central vein. Most species bear large salmon or red flowers gathered in terminal racemes. In some species, flowers may be white, purple, green, yellow, or pink. Variegated cultivars exist, distinguished by contrasting veins.

Flowering often occurs even before the leaves appear. After flowering, large, woody curved pods up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long are formed, containing one or more rounded pea-like seeds. The villous valves of the many-seeded pod are flattened between the seeds. After opening, the seeds can be carried by sea, for which they are called "sea beans". Erythrinas are highly ornamental, flower long and profusely, and are valued for splendid flowers of whimsical shapes in handsome inflorescences.

Poeppig's coral tree is a fast-growing deciduous tree up to 20-25 m (65.6-82.0 ft) tall with a broad tent-like crown. Leaves are trifoliate, light green, falling in the dry season. Flowers are bright orange, gathered in dense racemes up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. Flowering begins in the dry season before leaves emerge.

Fruits are pods up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long, with bright red seeds often used for ornamental purposes. Fruiting occurs toward the beginning of the rainy season.

It is propagated by seeds and cuttings. Seeds have a high germination rate and retain their viability for several years. Prior to sowing, scarification and soaking for 24 hours are recommended. Then seeds are sown into a loose substrate to a depth of 0.5-1 cm (0.2-0.4 in), moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated at 22-25 °C (72-77 °F) in diffused light. Regular ventilation is necessary; drying out and waterlogging should be avoided.

Seedlings appear within 10-20 days. The maximum germination period can be greater than 40 days. After seedlings emerge, the cover is gradually removed, and pricking out is carried out upon the appearance of the first true leaf. Young plants require bright lighting and careful watering.

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In the warm season, the plant can be grown as a garden container plant, and in winter kept indoors. In mild climates, planting in open ground with shelter and pruning is permissible. Under temperate climate conditions, it is grown as an indoor or balcony plant.

It prefers sunny, warm areas protected from wind. In summer, the plant can be kept outdoors, and during the winter period - in a cool room. The minimum winter keeping temperature is about 7 °C (45 °F). At this time, watering is minimal; in spring, the plant is moved to warmth and returned to the normal care routine.

Flowering requires daylight of at least 9 hours. Summer temperature is 24-26 °C (75-79 °F). Watering is regular during the warm season, and rare in winter. Feeding during the growth and flowering period is every 2 weeks, especially with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Shoot pinching is possible in spring. It is wonderfully suited for growing in bonsai style.