The flamboyant is a tree of tropical origin that has fallen in love with millions of people around the world. Although it is unfortunately in danger of extinction in its place of origin (Madagascar), it is unlikely, if not impossible, that we will stop enjoying its beauty in other parts of the globe. This is partly due to its beauty, but also to the many seeds it produces and the ease with which it is possible to germinate them.
In addition, there is a trick to get them to do it in a very short time. Want to know how to sow flaming seeds by putting it into practice? So let’s go.
Contents
Prepare everything you will need
Image – Wikimedia/G.Mannaerts
Before starting, it is very important to prepare everything that is going to be used. To plant flamboyant, you will need:
- A glass
- Water
- small colander
- Sandpaper
- Seedbed: whether it is a forest tray, pots, milk or yoghurt containers, etc.
- Specific soil for nurseries, such as Flower
- Multipurpose fungicide which you can buy here, or alternatively powdered copper
- And heat, so it is best to sow them in spring or summer
Do you have everything? So now you can get to work.
Planting Flaming Seeds Step by Step
Image – Flickr/Zone Scott
The flame seeds are covered with a very thin but also very hard transparent layer: it only breaks when there is a strong temperature contrast and only if they are wet. In their natural habitat they don’t have too many problems to germinate, but if you are not in Madagascar and you want all (or almost all) of them to germinate and in a short time, we recommend that you follow this step to not :
Grind the seeds a little
We must break this film, and for that, we will sand the seeds a little. I insist a little. We’ll take one, and we’ll sand the tip until we see it change color.
Normally, and depending on the force applied, three or four passes will suffice. We have to be very careful with thisbecause if we sand more than necessary, we will damage them and they will not germinate.
Heat water in the microwave
The next step is fill a glass with a little water, and put it in the microwave for a few seconds, until the liquid is very hot. It must not boil, but we must notice that it almost burns us when we touch the glass.
So, we put the seeds in a colander, and that inside the glass for a second, no more. Then we will introduce the seeds in another glass with water, but this must be at room temperature. We will leave them there for about 12-24 hours.
Sow the seeds in the seedbed
After this time, it is time to sow the seeds. I like to do this in a tray of forest seeds because it takes up little space, but you can use jars, milk or yogurt containers if you prefer. This, yesit is very important that they are cleaned if they have been used beforebecause otherwise there could be spores of fungi, viruses and/or bacteria, which would constitute a danger for future flamboyant seedlings.
Fill the seedbed with substrate, then water it until the water runs out of the drainage holes. Then, place two seeds in each pot or cell, and cover them with a thin layer of substrate, enough so that they are not exposed to direct sunlight.
apply a fungicide
In order to protect them from fungi, which are microorganisms that can kill them if measures are not taken in time, it is best to treat them with an aerosol fungicideor powdered copper.
If you opt for the first, you must moisten the seedbed well, and if on the contrary you use copper, you must add it as if you were putting salt in the salad. Repeat the treatment every 15 daysfrom now until the plants are one year old.
monitoring
Image – Wikimedia/Krzysztof Golik
We’ve already planted the flamboyant seeds, now what? Well, now it’s time to be patient. For them to germinate, which they will do after 2 to 4 weeks, they need high temperatures (at least 20ºC). Besides, it is very important that the seedbed is placed in a sunny place for plants to grow normally.
Besides, it will be necessary to water from time to time by throwing the water on the groundnever to plants. We will do this when we see that the land is almost dry, that is to say more or less three or four times a week during the summer, and once or twice a week when the temperatures are lower.
Related article:
The first year of a Flamboyant’s life
When the cotyledons falli.e. the first two undivided leaflets that grow when they germinate, we can start paying them with liquid fertilizer or fertilizer, such as guano or universal, following the manufacturer’s instructions on the container. And as soon as the roots come out of the drainage holes, we will plant them in larger pots with universal potting soil.
If you live in an area where there are frosts, do not hesitate to protect your trees indoors as soon as temperatures drop below 10ºC. Take them to a room where there is plenty of light and keep them away from drafts.
Enjoy your flamboyant.