Caesalpinia, also known as Peacock Flower, is a beautiful, fast-growing plant that is perfect for adding color and interest to your garden. The plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and is easy to care for. Caesalpinia produces stunning, bright flowers that are sure to add a touch of elegance to your garden.
Is it easy to grow Caesalpinia plant? The plant is not too difficult to grow, but there are some things to be aware of. First, it does best in full sun but can tolerate partial sun. It also needs well-drained soil. Additionally, it is a relatively drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need a lot of water. However, it does need some water, so be sure to water it regularly.
How big can it be? So, the average height of Caesalpinia in home conditions is about 1.5 m. But if we talk about the maximum possible size of this plant, then it can reach a height of about 6 m. But, of course, such a plant will need special care.
How fast is the growth? Because it is a rapidly growing plant, regular pruning of shoots is required to keep it looking its best.
| Plant Form | Shrub |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Origin | Tropics of America, Barbados, Argentina, Uruguay, Southeast Asia. |
How long is the lifespan? The reason why this plant is a perennial is that it can live for more than two years. The average lifespan of this plant is around three to five years. The plant can grow up to six feet tall and produces yellow flowers.
What is the ideal temperature? When growing Caesalpinia, it is important to maintain the correct temperature. In summer, the usual room temperature (about 69,8-77 ° F) is suitable; in winter, the optimum temperature is 59-64,4 ° F. Caesalpinia is quite thermophilic, whereas it is very cold-resistant. The latter species is grown in the open ground in the Crimea, in Bulgaria, even in the UK and suffers a short-term drop in temperature to -10 degrees.
What about the humidity? Common name: Caesalpinia, Peacock flower, Red bird of paradise, Pride of Barbados. Watering: The plant does not like excessive moisture, it is necessary to water it moderately, and in winter, when the plant rests, watering is limited. Air humidity: Periodic spraying is required, although many representatives of the genus adapt well to dry air.
What amount of light this plant needed? If you are growing Caesalpinia, it requires bright illumination for at least 8 hours of direct light per day. However, on the southern side, the plant may suffer from heat, so shading is required in this case. The best windows for Caesalpinia are western and eastern windows. Without enough light, it is very difficult to achieve flowering.
What is good soil for Caesalpinia? Sometimes, people think that the Caesalpinia plant needs very fertile soil, but that is not the case. A simple mix of leaf and sod land with some sand added will do just fine. The soil should be loose, and a peat mixture with the addition of perlite or vermiculite is best. The pH should be neutral, around 6.5 to 7.5. Good drainage is a must, and there should be a hole in the pot.
How much I must water Caesalpinia? While Caesalpinia is a plant that requires regular watering, approximately 1-2 times a week during the summer, it is important to allow the soil to dry slightly between watering. It is better to provide a rare, but abundant watering, in comparison to frequent, but small portions. Abundant watering stimulates the development of a deep root system. The plant tolerates drought quite easily, but the substrate must not dry completely, especially for young shoots. With insufficient watering, the formation of flowers is difficult.
About fertilizer. When and how much to feed Caesalpinia? The plant is fed approximately once every two weeks, from spring to autumn. In early spring, nitrogen should prevail in the period of growth in fertilizers. In the future, for better flowering, use top dressing with a high content of phosphorus and potassium.
How to reproduce Caesalpinia? The plant can propagate by taking semi-woody cuttings from the mother plant. These cuttings are then rooted in a mixture of peat and sand. To keep the cuttings moist and humid, cover them with a plastic bag. However, be careful as the soft, green cuttings can easily rot.
Why Caesalpinia won't bloom? Unless the climate is too cold, the plant will bloom in the summer. The flowers will have five petals and be very colorful with long stamens. The colors can be yellow, orange, or red.
How much I must water Caesalpinia? The best time for transplanting young plants is in spring every year. As they grow older, you can do it every two years. When transplanting young plants, you should be very careful not to damage the root system, as this can lead to their death. It is better to use transshipment. Adult specimens (about 1 m high) are much more enduring in this respect. Tsezalpinia develops better and blooms when the roots are sufficiently intertwined and completely fill the pot. However, when they appear through the drainage plant, the flower is best transplanted.
How to care the plant? If you want your Caesalpinia plant to bloom flowers, you must prune the plant in spring. Keep in mind that the flowers develop on the current year's shoots, so if you wait too late to prune, the plant will not bloom at all. During summer, it is beneficial to take the plant outside on a balcony or in the garden. An interesting feature of the Caesalpinia plant is that the leaves fold at night. Some species do well in bonsai culture and look very impressive.
What is the challenge when caring Caesalpinia plant? While it is resistant to pests, a spider mite can still affect it. If the plant suddenly loses leaves, it's likely because of the spider mite. However, the plant usually recovers. Another reason the plant might not flower is insufficient lighting. This can also cause the plant to stretch its shoots.
Are Caesalpinia poisonous? Because all parts of these plants contain poisonous substances, it should be kept out of reach of children and pets. Even handling the plant can cause skin irritation in some people. If ingested, these poisonous substances can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, they can even cause death.
