Comments on: PUERTO RICOS MOST WANTED – BLUE FLAMBOYAN TREE

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:07:36 +0000

We went to Puerto Rico a few years back. My wife took some seeds and potted them. We live in Austin, TX. Anyway, she didn’t soak them but she did take them in during the winter. During the warmer weather they sit in pots on the porch. So far they’ve grown about a foot.

By: Milly

Milly — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:10:08 +0000

The tree that we know in Puerto Rico as “Flamboyan” is known in the states as “Royal Ponciana Tree” see website, http://mgonline.com/articles/royalp.aspx.
Also, If you look up the Blue ponciana you will get a couple of hits!
Good Luck!!!

By: Eduardo Weiss

Eduardo Weiss — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:47:42 +0000

its a jacaranda idiots

By: zoraida (zory)

zoraida (zory) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:24:37 +0000

I am in Ocala and I am growing flamboyants. I gave a lot away and know that one is growing in Port St. Lucie. The only one that has flowered is in my neighbors yard in the back of my house. I had given her two and they both flowered. They were only two years old. We had a bad winter this year and we thought we lost them but to our amazement they survived. I think they are in the wild family of trees. So far mine have not flowered yet but I am hoping that they will in the 5th year. Any suggestions to expedite the flowering. In addition I am trying to bonsai one. Keep growing your beautiful garden!!!!

By: RICKY

RICKY — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:15:29 +0000

i aswell am interested in finding this tree, i live in aventura florida and would love to purchase some seeds, i was in puerto rico this summer and saw one, but couldnt find any seeds to take hoe, can anyone help, i want it as a gift for my mother

By: andrew

andrew — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:16:38 +0000

Ruth,

I am in the Orlando area as well, would you be willing to share a few of the seeds or seedlings?

Thanks,
Andrew

By: Digna

Digna — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:04:36 +0000

Hi! I love your blog! I asked one ? and was so surprised to receive such a prompt response. Hadn’t had time to go back into it, and I find you’ve now grown it to such a huge amt of information! It’s cook you’re having a baby and sharing the information with us here. Thank you.

Now if you don’t mind I have another question about Flamboyán trees (do you think I’m obcessed? well, yeah, a bit). I brought back seeds from PR in June. I’ve been soaking them per on-line instructions for about 4 weeks now; first soaked in hot water then kept very moist in a baggie w a paper towel. NADA NADA NADA. Seeds are still just as hard and nothing is sprouting. I picked the vines myself (climbed on the car roof on the way to La Parguera one day) from a young (based on the size as it was small) tree. They were dry and easy to pop open and the seeds look just like all other Flamboyán seeds, which is hard and dry.

The second method I’ve found includes soaking seeds in acid and the third is to drill holes in the outer shell and continue soaking. I don’t know if I want to soak in acid yet, but this weekend we made holes in some of the seeds and placed them back in a plastic bag w wet towel. The seed bags sit in a sunny spot to keep warm.

Should they be placed in a warm dark spot? should they remain soaking in a wet towel and plasic bag or wrapper? Has anyone sprouted their own Flamboyán tree?

Thanks for your help and suggestions. Digna

By: Trinita

Trinita — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:25:07 +0000

Ruth,
Would you sell some of your seeds? I am in love with this magnificent tree after visiting Puerto Rico this summer. Please, let me know. Thanks a lot,

Trinita

By: eduardo weiss

eduardo weiss — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:32:54 +0000

The blue tree is a Jacaranda
I brough multiple seeds from Santa Barbara CA and they are growing nicely down here in Aventura FL.
I was recently visiting Rio Grande Puerto Rico where I saw the most beautiful Flamboyan trees as well as Jacarandas.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:26:47 +0000

I brought seed pods from the tree in front of my mother-in-law’s house in Cabo Rojo. I sprouted 17 seeds, and gave most to family members all over the Central Florida area.

All of them died but one, and it is now about 10 – 15 yrs old. It started flowering after about 5 yrs. It gets covered with beautiful flowers, of course, but it is also a wonderful shade tree for the entire front of my house in Orlando.

This year I have more seed pods than I have ever had. I have hundreds of seeds. I am going to start sprouting them and see how many little trees I can get going.

I was told that Flamboyan trees wouldn’t grow here, wouldn’t survive, and wouldn’t flower, but this tree has proven everyone wrong. It has survived lightening strikes, Hurricane Charlie, freezes, and it is now taller than my house and has a huge canopy.